PLUS SIZE OR JUST AVERAGE?

I'll begin by saying that I've been in the fashion industry for many years, I've been reading Vogue & Harper's Bazaar for twice as long, and since the beginning every model has been as tiny as can be. As of recent, times they are a changin'! Average size women, or what we lovingly refer to as "plus size models" are beginning to take over the pages of well known fashion magazines. I say, "About time!!!" Although there are many of you that think, "who wants to see a fat chick on the cover of Vogue?", well, fashion is still fashion and it's all done with the utmost taste and class. Skinny gals out there, don't start stuffing your faces just yet! The super thin will always rule the pages and runways, but to see that society has a voice and that we are now seeing "ourselves" in the magazines we read, gives us all a bit of confidence, and that's fantastic!!!

If you are a plus size gal and think you couldn't possibly be sexy...take a look at these women from a recent spread in V magazine!

In the September 2009 issue of Glamour magazine there was an article called "What Everyone But You Sees About Your Body." This article featured an unknown 20 year old model named Lizzie Miller (who will also forever be known as "woman on p. 194"). As you'll see in the photo below, Lizzie was pictured in her underwear, proudly showing off her pooch. The magazine was inundated with letters and emails from readers who loved the photo. I love this photo because not only does her body resemble mine, but she genuinely looks happy.

Here is another photo of Lizzie from Glamour in March 2009. This shows more thigh than belly, and is just as beautiful of a photograph.

Now that you know society is starting to believe it when we say that plus size women are beautiful. We're beautiful enough to grace the covers of fashion magazines, and need cute clothes too!!! An estimated 41 percent of U.S. women are larger than a size 14, and only 10 percent of retailers cater to this market. So I did some searching for just a few clothing lines that I believe carry super cute and inexpensive clothing for women over the size of 10. Here are some examples...

ALLOY.COM is catalog/online clothing company so I can't express enough that you need to pay attention to the size chart that is provided! This line used to be junior wear, but has switched over to a woman's line. The clothes are cute and fresh and still inexpensive.
Dress available up to size XXXL at $41.90; Jeans available up to size 32 at $82.90; Top available up to size XXXL at $26.90

DELIAS.COM is more of a junior line, but they do offer larger sizes. Once again they are a catalog/Internet line, so pay attention to the size chart AND the return policy.
Dress available up to size 13/14 at $44.50; Jeans available up to size 19/20 at $49.50; Top available up to size XL at $39.50

OLD NAVY is a great place to buy basics. They have some really cute clothes sometimes, but it's hit and miss. They're a great place to buy inexpensive jeans. Plus they are pretty much mall based, so they're open anytime you need something.
Dress available up to size 30 at $36.50; Top available up to size 3X at $29.50; Jeans available up to size 30 at $49.50

TORRID is a mall based store that offers alternative style clothing for plus size gals. They carry everything and always have the cutest stuff. Keep in mind though, they offer styles that are sometimes better left to smaller sizes, so ALWAYS try stuff on before you leave. Dress available up to size 4X at $54.00; Jeans available up to size 26 at $48.00; Top available up to size 4X at $38.00

FAITH 21 is a plus size division of Forever 21. A long awaited line for so many! You can order off the web or find a store that carries the line. So many Forever 21 stores are expanding or switching over to XXI stores and are carrying their Faith 21, Heritage 1981 (men's & women's), Love 21, and Twelve by Twelve lines. The Faith 21 line is still rather small, but it offers variety and most everything is pretty cute.

Dress available up to size 3X at $22.80; Top available up to size 1X at $22.80; Jeans available up to size 18 at $15.80; Jacket available up to size 2X at $24.80; Sweater available up to size 2X at $22.80

HAVE FUN SHOPPING GALS!!!!!