Sunday, November 11, 2007

IGIGI's Holiday Shipping Special

Just in time to start your holiday shopping, IGIGI.com is offering discounted shipping on all orders.

  • FREE Ground Shipping on all orders over $200.00
  • $5.99 Ground Shipping on all orders under $200.00
  • $12.99 for all 2nd Day Shipping

For example, get FREE SHIPPING when you order this Velvet Beauty in Blue:

or $5.99 shipping on the Lorena Beaded Dress:

You can also get 2nd Day Shipping on either dress for only $12.99!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Looking Great In Plus Size Jeans

Jeans are a great piece of clothing to have in your wardrobe. They can be dressed down to be worn with your most casual sneakers and sweatshirt, or dressed up with a sexy blouse and pumps.

For plus size women, it can be difficult to find the right fit. Here are a few tips to consider when shopping for jeans:
  1. Look for jeans with stretch. A little spandex in the fabric can go a long way! Not only are stretch jeans more comfortable, but they fit the body better.
  2. Mid rise jeans fit a plus size woman's curves better.
  3. Straight leg jeans or bootcut jeans balance wider hips. If your legs are short, straight leg jeans will elongate your figure. Bootcut jeans are a better cut for tall women.

Right now, you can get a great pair of jeans and save money too! Save $5 on your jeans order at FashionBug.com. Use promo code 776200305. Expires 1-23-08.

Monday, October 29, 2007

What To Wear - New Fall Fashions at Kiyonna.com



Need a break from the magazines telling you what to wear? Shop best selling styles that made it into the closets of style savvy women.

The new fall clothing from Kiyonna.com include dainty dresses, curve hugging jeans, and must have basics.

3/4 Sleeved Scalloped Boudoir Lace Dress
3/4 Sleeved Scalloped Boudoir Lace Dress - $ 168.00

From: Kiyonna Klothing



Modal Convertible Ballet Wrap - $ 56.00

From: Kiyonna Klothing



Dressy Wide Leg Denim Trousers $124.00

Check out all of Kiyonna's Fall Fashions today!

Friday, October 26, 2007

IGIGI's New Little Black Dress

IGIGI.com has introduced their version of the little black dress for plus size women. Perfect for hourglass and triangle shapes, the Marianna Dress features:

  • Bateau neckline that widens the upper half for triangle body types
  • Flared skirt which minimizes wide hips
  • Figure flattering empire waist

This versatile dress can be dressed up for an evening look, or dressed down for a more casual appearance.

Marianna Dress $150.00

Thursday, September 6, 2007

What's My Body Shape?

All women have different body shapes. Weight is often distributed unequally in the body. Some women carry more weight in their upper torso, while other women are heavier in their hips and thighs. Whatever your shape happens to be, there is clothing that can hide your least favorite features and highlight your best features. This knowledge can be particularly helpful to plus size women, who often resort to wearing clothes that cover up their entire body with tons of fabric.

Women with an hour glass body type have an overall curvy shape with a defined waist. The shoulders, bust and hips are the same width. They have a medium to large bust, and fleshy, average size upper arms. The hour glass body type is also characterized by full, round buttocks and slender lower legs. The goal for women with an hourglass shape is to accentuate the waistline and lower legs, and balance heavier hips and thighs, which are the widest part of the body.

Women with an oval shape body, also called apple shape, have similar sized bust, waist and hips. They have an undefined waist, square hips and a small bust. They also have slim arms and legs, and flat buttocks. The goal for women with an oval shaped body is to minimize the middle and upper torso, where most of the weight is carried, and highlight slender legs.

The triangle, or pear, body type has a smaller upper half and larger lower half. These women have larger hips, thighs and rear, and smaller shoulders and bust. Triangle shaped women also have a defined waist, and fleshy buttocks. The goal for triangle shapes is to balance the upper and lower halves, and accentuate their waist.

The final body type, the inverted triangle, is characterized by a top heavy appearance, with a full bust, waist, and upper back. They are less full in the hips and have a flat rear. The hips, thighs, buttocks and lower legs are smaller in proportion to the top half. The goal for inverted triangles is to balance the upper and lower half and accentuate shapely arms and legs.

Dressing for your body type will help you choose clothing that will look better on you, and make you feel more confident and beautiful.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Hairspray Star Nikki Blonsky Walks Red Carpet In IGIGI Dress

At the recent Hollywood premiere of "Hairspray," star Nikki Blonsky walked the red carpet in IGIGI's Shimmering Dress in Liquid Copper:



In fact, Nikki has been sporting IGIGI dresses all over the place! On the Today Show, she looked amazing in the Polka Dot Dress in Red:



And at the Baltimore premiere of "Hairspray," she looked beautiful in the Stella Cocktail Dress:



Finally, at the London premiere, Nikki was stunning in the Maya Chiffon Dress in Black/Coral:

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

30% Off Everything Sale at IGIGI

IGIGI.com is having a 48 hour 30% off everything sale until July 5. Save on:
  • Dresses
  • Tops
  • Bridal
  • Accessories
  • Pants
  • Everything in the store!

HURRY! This sale ends July 5!

Shop at the Red, Hot and Blue Sale at IGIGI.com today!

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Women's Plus Size Swimwear: Finding The Most Flattering Style

As the weather gets warmer, we start to think about buying this season’s swimsuit for those summer days at the beach or the pool. But what style will look best? These days, there are many swimwear options for plus size women, such as the one-piece, swimdress, tankini and swimshorts. Knowing your unique body style will help determine which style swimsuit will be most flattering.

If your body is a triangle shape, then your hips are wider than your bust. Look for swimsuits with a pattern or light colored top with dark bottoms. Two piece swimsuits, such as a tankini, skirtini, or swimshorts work well with this shape.

If your hips and shoulders are balanced with a defined waist, then you have an hourglass figure. Look for suits that keep the eye busy, or accentuate the waist. Allover prints and suits with a pattern at the waistline work best. A one piece is an excellent choice for this shape.

The inverted triangle shape is the opposite of the triangle shape, so the shoulders are wider than the hips. Look for suits that provide support with an underwire bra. A swimdress or a two-piece with a skirt will keep the look balanced. Also, a wide, square neckline can narrow wide shoulders.

A rectangle shape means that you have equal proportions from your shoulders to your hips. Look for suits that accentuate the waistline, such as a trim or border around the waist.

Finally, you have a circle shape if your waist is larger than your shoulders and hips. Look for suits that draw the eye upwards, such as a halter or V-neck. A suit that has shirred fabric around the waist also works well.

Knowing your unique body type will help you choose a plus size bathing suit style that is most flattering to your figure.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Sale On Plus Size Swimwear At Fashion Bug

Fashion Bug

Fashion Bug is now having a 40% off sale on all their plus size swimwear, including It Figures! styles. Shop now for Today's deals in plus-size fashions from Fashion Bug and save on your summer swimsuit!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Looking Great When You're A Size 14+

by Imogen Lamport
Your Essential Style Guide Ebook

It's a misnomer that only the thin look stylish, there are many ways the more voluptuous person can improve their image, it's just a matter of sticking to some basic rules.

What you have to remember, is that the thinner and younger you are, the more you can get away with, the older and larger you become, the harder it is to look as great as easily - but it's well away from impossible.

Why not try some of the following ideas.
1. Fit is all important - if clothes fit you well they look more expensive. Also, if you're clothes are too tight and you look squeezed into them, people will just think you've put on weight, you're not fooling anyone, and the reason size tags are on the inside of the clothing is so that no one need know what size you're wearing. Don't like the size? Cut the tag out. If something doesn't fit right, and can't be easily altered, just don't buy it.

2. Quality construction and fabric - better fabrics, closer stitching, not having threads hanging off your clothes and cheap looking patterns all ruin the effect of your clothes, and draw attention to them when you may not want this to happen.

3. Think vertical - Avoid horizontal lines, try to include multiple vertical lines, from a centre row of buttons, to front creases in your trousers, princess seams or a jacket left undone, vertical lines lengthen and slim the body, horizontal lines shorten and widen.

4. Fabric makes all the difference - a soft, drapable fabric that skims (not clings) will make the world of difference. Any fabric that looks like it could stand up on it's own will only make you look bigger. Also, the more textured or bulky a fabric, the bulkier you will look.

5. Colour - the right colours draw attention away from your perceived flaws - find out your colour direction with a colour analysis, and draw attention to your face and features and away from your body parts that you dislike. The right colours will make you glow and look fabulous, and nobody will be looking at your body because they won't be able to help staring into your bright eyes.

6. Accessorise - great jewellery - necklaces and earrings in particular - will draw attention away from your body and up to your face - use them to distract and highlight.

7. Great Shoes - often comfort becomes the all important feature of shoes, but consider how different shoes can make an outfilt look - are yours helping you look stylish or dowdy?

8. Proportion is key - the mistake many manufacturers of clothing for the larger lady make is that along with being a bit wider, you've also grown 7 foot tall, and suddenly all tops are very long - this can actually make you look shorter and wider as you loose leg length, and leg length makes you look taller and slimmer.

Imogen Lamport is a trained image consultant. Her website and ebook offer valuable personal image and style tips.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Flattering Plus Size Wedding Dress Styles

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day. For plus size women, finding a flattering plus size wedding dress style can be a challenge. Many plus size women have a tendency to choose dresses that cover a lot of skin. However, there are plus size wedding gown styles that are flattering to the plus size figure without having to cover everything up.

The A – line style wedding dress is the best silhouette for plus size women. This type of wedding dress has a seamless waist (also called a princess cut) that gently flares out, which helps disguise large hips and thighs. It draws the eye down and lengthens the body without drawing attention to the waistline.

An empire cut wedding dress is also a flattering style for plus size women. This style has a high waistline, beginning just beneath the bust, and a long full skirt that flows from the waistline. An empire waist dress masks larger waist and hips.

Another option for plus size women is to look for wedding dresses that accentuate the arms and neckline. Showing the arms and neckline can make you look smaller. A dress with a deep V neck, or a scoop neck, flatter full figured women. An off the shoulder wedding dress is good for large busted women because it draws the attention upwards, emphasizing the shoulders and minimizing the chest.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Where To Find Cheap Plus Size Swimwear

When shopping for plus size swimwear, it is important to look for a quality swimsuit that isn’t going to fade or get stretched out within the first couple of uses. There is the added frustration of not being able to find the right size. So where do you look for a quality plus size swimsuit at a reasonable price? These are five tips of where to shop for cheap (inexpensive) plus size swimwear.

1)Shop online. Today there are more and more online retailers who specialize in plus sizes – including swimwear. This creates more competition and drives the costs down, which means you will save money.

2)Buy in the off – season. Plan to find next year’s swimsuit at the end of this summer season. Stores will be wanting to clear out their summer stock, and you are likely to find great deals on a plus size swimsuit.

3)Shop at outlets. Look for an outlet mall near you. Top designers often have outlet stores that sell their designer swimwear at discount prices.

4)Shop at club or membership warehouses. Even though the availability at club stores can be unpredictable, they often carry quality swimwear in a wide range of sizes at near wholesale prices.

5)Keep an eye out for mid season sales. Stores usually start thinking about the next season long before consumers do. They have sales to make room for the next season’s merchandise.

Use these five tips on where to find cheap plus size swimwear, and you will likely find a quality plus size swimsuit that won’t empty your pocketbook.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

How To Dress To Look Thinner

Everyone has certain body features they are not happy with. Some people have larger hips and thighs, while others are heavier in the waist. Regardless of where your “problem” areas are, there are many fashion tricks you can use to minimize their appearance. Here are several tips on how to dress to look thinner.

The general rule is to wear clothing that gives your body a more symmetrical, or straight, look. If you wear clothing that is too small, your bulges will be emphasized. If you wear clothes that are too large, you will look bigger because you are adding bulk. Regardless of what your shape is, wearing diagonal stripes, zig-zags and similar patterns can detract from problem areas.

If you are heavier on the bottom, such as hips and thighs, there are several styles that will make you look thinner. Straight or bootcut pants deemphasize larger hips and thighs, giving a more symmetrical look. Wear prints only on the top and wear long tops that go past your hips. Also, look for jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses with straight, classic cuts.

If your waistline is your heaviest area, choose a dress with a high waistline (called an empire waist) because it will make your waist appear smaller. Avoid bulky scarves and belts that draw attention to your waist. Also, avoid pleats because they pull when you move and won’t make you look thinner.

If you are heavier on the top, such as your arms, try a pleated skirt – it will bring more attention to your lower half. Choose thin fabrics, such as cotton, that won’t add bulk. Long jackets without shoulder pads will balance your overall look.

Using these tips on how to dress to look thinner will give you a more symmetrical look.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Father's Day Menswear Sale at Bare Necessities

Bare Necessities

From now until June 17, enjoy 25% off your favorite menswear brands at Bare Necessities. In addition, Jockey men's styles are also 25% off until Father's Day. Now is the best time to stock up on boxers, briefs, T-shirts and more!

Friday, May 25, 2007

Evaluating Your Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is an individual's positive or negative beliefs about being valuable and capable. It describes how a person feels about herself or himself. Self-esteem is the amount of pride in oneself.

Many factors can affect one's self-esteem, either positively or negatively. Some of the things that can lower self-esteem are feelings of self-hate, guilt, shame and embarassment. It can seem difficut to break out of the negativity of a low self-esteem because the focus is on aspects of oneself that are disliked.

Dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance is often a cause of low self-esteem. This can be an issue for plus size women, for we are constantly being bombarded by images of "beautiful" women who are pencil thin. I personally feel this is a very distorted view of people in our society. The images we see on magazine covers, television and in movies represent only a very small percentage of the population.

Raising your self-esteem requires a simple shift in focus. For example, if you are unhappy about your physical appearance you are focusing on those traits you don't like. Instead, look at yourself and pay attention to what you do like about yourself. Maybe you have thick, shiny hair, long legs, great cleavage, or a fabulous neckline. Whatever feature(s) you are most proud of, give all your attention to those positive aspects. Then, find clothing that accentuates your most valued features - a skirt that shows off those great legs, a blouse that hints to your fabulous cleavage, or a belt that shows your hourglass figure.

This simple shift in focus will slowly begin to raise your self-esteem and your self-confidence.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Dress For Success - Bras For A Cause!

During the month of May, Bare Necessities is partnering with Chantelle to support Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps low income women with career development and job retention. For every Chantelle bra purchased at Bare Necessities, Chantelle will make a 2% donation to Dress for Success, and Bare Necessities will match that donation!

Bare Necessities carries Chantelle bras in 8 different plus size styles, so support Dress for Success and buy your Chantelle bras at Bare Necessities today!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Shopping Online For Plus Size Clothing

The world wide web allows you to conveniently shop at home from your own computer. No longer do you have to fight the crowds at the department stores or make it to the store before closing time. When shopping for plus size clothing, the internet offers a wide range of prices and styles to choose from.

Online retailers are now carrying more styles in plus sizes, creating more availability for online shoppers. There are some designers that specialize in plus sizing, and most other designers include styles in a wide range of sizes. Regardless of your size or shape, there are lots of choices.

Shopping online for plus size clothing saves money. Online stores don't have the large overhead costs that traditional retail stores have. When buying online, you pay for the clothing and a little profit. Retail shores have to factor in employee salaries, rent, utilities and other extra costs.

There are a few things to keep in mind when ordering online. Make sure you are ordering from a reputable company. Look for a customer service number or "Contact Us" button on the website. If there is a problem with your order, you want to be able to communicate easily with the company. You can research the company at the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against the website. Also check the shipping costs, shipping time, returns and refund policies before placing an order.

Shopping for plus size clothing is easier with the multitudes of online retailers carrying plus sizes. There is more variety in styles and prices whether you are shopping for casual wear, a special occasion dress, a business suit or lingerie.

In the "Related Sites" section of this blog, there are links to many websites that carry plus sizes.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Measuring Yourself For Plus Size Apparel

When shopping online for plus size clothing, it is often difficult to decide what size is right for you. Here are some tips on how to measure yourself to ensure proper fit. All you will need is a standard measuring tape.

To begin, measure your bust with your bra on and your clothes off. Keep the tape straight across your back, and measure around the fullest part of the bust and under the arms. The measuring tape shouldn't be too loose or too tight.

When measuring your waist, make sure you are in a relaxed position. Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of yur natural waist. Again, it should be snug but still comfortably loose.

Next, measure your hips, inseam and sleeve. Stand with your legs and feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips. Then measure the inseam from the crotch to your ankle bone. Measure the sleeve by bending the elbow, and stretch the tape from the center of the back of the neck to the elbow and down to the wrist.

There are two measurements to find bra size: band and cup size. To determine the band size, wrap the tape measure under your arms, high across your back and around the top of your chest. If this number is even, them that is your band size. If it is odd, add "1" and that is your band size. For the cup size, measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust with your bra on. Subtract the band measurement from the cup measuremnt. Each inch in the difference is a cup size. For example, if the difference is 1, your cup size is "A". If the difference is 2, your cup size is "B", and so forth.

Finally, make sure you check the size charts for each website you order from because they can be different from each other. Remember that if you are between two sizes, choose the larger size.

Hopefully, this information will help you find the plus size fit that is right for you. Check out the "Related Sites" section of this blog to start shopping for plus size apparel.