Plus Size Apparel

A new fashion year is here and so are the latest styles for women looking to freshen up their wardrobes. Ladies, good news. Femininity is back!

From the office to casual wear, you can show off the power of your femininity while still taking care of business. Jackets are a great way to add flair and style to your pants and skirts. Boucle jackets are hot. Also, pairing a colorful denim jacket with a flouncy skirt gives you a variety options for a more dressed up casual look.

You should have at least one boucle jacket in your closet. Boucle is very chic and can dress up a pair of black pants or a black skirt very easily. Boucle jackets come in a variety of colors. Some have removable flower pins, some have ruffles, etc. In celebrity circles it’s popular to pair a boucle jacket with jeans and high heels or boots. Very chic.

Skirts are longer, falling either just above the knee or just below the knee. You’ll find skirts with asymmetric cuts, ruffles at the bottom, or with a free flowing feel. Why not add a flowery or ethnic print skirt to your collection. Pair it with a jean jacket in blue, pink or white for extra pizzazz.

Colorful ponchos and shrug wraps (wraps that are fitted and tie in the middle) are great accent pieces to wear over plain black or white tops. Speaking of tops, try a shirt or blouse in a bold funky print to spice things up a bit. Plus size women are no longer bound by arcane rules that say they can’t wear prints. Dress for your personality.

Shopping for new clothes is a fun experience and the options for plus size women are better than ever. You’ll find all the new trends and plus size fashion styles to create your own feminine chic look at great online shops like: Lane Bryant, Catherines, Avenue, Just My Size, Making It Big, Ulla Popken, Size Appeal, Kiyonna and more.

Copyright 2005
Donna Monday
Find the hottest looks in plus size fashion – discounts,bargains and more!
http://www.plus-size-appeal.com

Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing that fit THEIR "larger than average" measurements. Sadly, neither ready made clothing nor commercial patterns address the real issue of children's measurements.

After interviewing countless dozens of mothers, grandmothers, and sewing professionals who are trying to get clothing and patterns to fit plus size children properly, the stories all echo each other and the disappointment is the same for all.

The same frustration was repeated to me by a friend who has a 9 year old daughter with a 36" chest, 34" tummy and 38" hips. The pattern size that came closest to the chest, tummy and hip measurement was a 16 Plus, which didn't fit anywhere else!

We all know that an extra chubby 9 year old would not be as tall as a 16 year old, nor have arms or shoulders the size of a 16 year old.

Sarah J Doyle, a pattern maker, author and instructor for over 30 years is introducing a line of clothing patterns for plus size children, PSC Patterns, that will be designed and made from REAL measurements of REAL plus size and overweight children.

If you would like to have your plus size child or grandchild's measurements included in the pattern sizing in order that the patterns will fit the child for size as well as for age, we'd like to invite you to complete and return the "measurement chart" at http://PlusSizeChildren.com/measure.htm. Statistics have indicated that nearly nine million American children are categorized as "overweight". Overweight children want "trendy" clothes that fit properly and will also flatter their figure and we want to do what we can to help.

Something to think about when buying a pattern and fabric for clothing for a plus size child is what the "appearance" of the finished garment will look like. For example:

• Dresses with several rows of elastic sewn at the waistline will appear to thicken the waist and shorten the height, while semi-fitted dresses with vertical line designs and A-line skirts will give a thinner and taller appearance.

• Solid colors and vertical lines will heighten the body, while contrasting colors in tops and skirts, as well as big bold prints will shorten it.

• Waists seem to expand with wide or conspicuous belts or buckles.

• Hips will seem to increase in girth with tight or full skirts. The A-lines or princess style skirts will create a more slimming appearance.

(c) Copyright 2004, Sarah J. Doyle. All Rights Reserved.

Sarah J. Doyle is author of over 25 sewing, craft and how-to books, as well as author of online pattern making, sewing and craft classes. In addition she is the owner and designer for PSC Patterns (Plus Size Children Patterns) which are designed using real plus size children's measurements. Visit http://SewWithSarah.com for information on books, classes, newsletters and the latest hints and tips

sarah@sewwithsarah.com

Whether it's making promises to lose weight or to exercise more, resolutions have long been a traditional aspect of ringing in the New Year.

For most, health and appearance can be at the top of the list in a relentless pursuit of thinness - a quest that all too often results in low self-esteem, body-image disturbances or an eating disorder.

"Many women obsess over body size and weight and develop distorted body images partly as a reflection of low self-esteem," says Adrienne Ressler, national training director for The Renfrew Centers. Body-image problems range from mild dissatisfaction to severe body-hatred.

Some of the common warning signs that indicate that a person may be suffering from body-image problems include:

Is unable to accept a compliment.

Lets mood be affected by how she thinks she looks.

Constantly compares herself to others.

Calls herself disparaging names - "fat," "gross," "ugly," "flabby."

Attempts to create a "perfect" image.

Seeks constant reassurance from others that her looks are acceptable.

Consistently overestimates the size of her body or body parts.

Believes if she could attain her goal weight or size, she would accept herself.

Allows her drive for thinness to supersede all of life's pleasures or goals.

Equates thinness with beauty, success, perfection, happiness, confidence, and self-control.

Compartmentalizes the body into parts - (thighs, stomach, buttocks, hips, etc.) rather than feeling connected to the whole body.

Has an ever-present fear of being fat - even if she is slim.

Has an overriding sense of shame about her self and her body.

Focus on the day-to-day decisions to get good, tasty fuel and fun physical activity, have friends, express yourself. These are key elements of physical and emotional well-being!

Julie Gabriel is an editor and publisher of Toronto Fashion Monitor (http://toronto.fashion-monitor.com), Canada's largest online publication about fashion, beauty, lifestyle and shopping. Check Toronto Fashion Monitor for daily fashion and beauty news, uncensored reader's product reviews, shopping reviews, Canadian designer directory, and many more, including FREE weekly newsletter.