Open letter to online stores

While I love shopping online I MUST write all online plus stores this open letter!

Dear Shops,

I do hope you're well, you're one of the few places that has my attention on a daily basis. The only place in which my addiction will quell.

I'd like to ask you though, to please show all items on models of bigger sizes. Its no good having a piece of clothing on sale in sizes 8-32 if the model in the picture is a 2. Please show us what it looks like in bigger sizes. I personally feel curves are easier on the eyes, but more importantly the cut changes so us examples of all sizes in your ranges.

Better still,  list the dimensions of the piece (in larger sizes) so that we can better work out on what size we should feast.

Services have been set up like dressipi to help us decipher what size we are in different stores... Isn't that a message that we need your help to buy more?

Another thing, please ship for free if you're going to take more than 3 days. We'll pay more if we need it today or tomorrow, but why cause us extended sorrow if we didn't pay for it to arrive the next day?

Yours sincerely,
Shopaholic: went cold turkey for the winter but with full amazon wishlist ...

Online Shopping Shipping

As a plus sized sister, I find that often the best way to find the clothes you like is to shop online.  Here's comparing some of the UKs best plus sized fashion sources shipping. One of the questions is - how long is it going to take to get here, and how much is THAT going to cost: 

Evans / Style 369 - while I tend not to like the "fit" of the clothes here (they assume a very odd shape indeed) - they offer free  standard (3-5 working days) delivery on Style 369 and nominated day delivery at £5 for a week day £7.50 on the weekend. Standard Delivery on Evans is £4.00.

Very - love the fit and the fact that their main brands stretch to a UK24. So fabulous stocks up to size 32 in some fashions. Very offers next day delivery at £3.95 nominated day delivery is £4.95 you can even have it delivered to a collect + location for free (which arrives the next day too!)

Forever 21- I have been in love with faith 21 and forever 21+ since I first stumbled across it at crabtree mall in NC. Since they opened stores in the UK (3) only one has a very measly plus section, the perk- the full range at amazing prices online! Delivery is free over £50! £3.95 for standard delivery which takes between 2 and 4 days, £4.95 for express delivery between 1 and 3 days. I'm not sure they've thought that through - and If I'm honest I've ordered things on a Sunday and had it by Tuesday before and I didn't pay that extra £1!

Simply Be, I love what they're trying to do. But delivery varies by the item you buy in my experience. Standard delivery is always at least £2.99 taking up to 6 days to arrive, next day is £3.99 nominated day delivery is £6.98 (Standard delivery + £3.99).

My favourite has to be ASOS, their curve line is generally generous in sizing and a lovely fit. Their trend fashions are immaculate. Style saver delivery can take up to 6 days and is free (in my experience it never actually took 6 days), Standard Delivery is within 3 days at £3.95, Next day and nominated day delivery is £5.95, Evening next day delivery is £7.95

Keep us posted on your positive or negative shipping experiences!!!

Full Figured Find of the Day

The Wrap Dress $79 by SWAK Designs is beautiful. This dress can take you from day to night and it flatters most figures. You can't go wrong with having this staple as a part of your wardrobe

Monif C's stunning swimsuit collection

Now, I'm really going to start a fund for myself so that I can get a couple of these beautiful swimsuits by Monif C. As a plus size woman, I know the horror involved in searching for a flattering swimsuit. Usually it ends with me choosing a basic black one with a lot of coverage and it has no pizazz. Monif C has combated this issue and guarantees that you will look GREAT on the beach or at a resort. She even gives a great bikini option. Lets take a look.

"Sao Paulo" High Waisted Bikini

"St. Tropez" Fringe Swimsuit

"Dominica" Leopard Mesh Swim Suit

"Zanzibar" Ruched Swimdress

"Espana" Ruffled Swimsuit

"Belize" Mesh inset Swimsuit

"Barbados" Plunge V Swimsuit

"Aruba" Crisscross Swimsuit

These swimsuits are beautiful. What's your favorite?

ZMJ Denim Kick Starter Project

ZMJ was established in February 2007 by sisters Zakiya Jones and Tashiba Jones-Wilson, both natives of Los Angeles, California. ZMJ Denim produces denim bottoms and tees that curvy women love with options that explore their unique personalities. They have spent two years just in research, fit and quality, launching our first collection in a few local boutiques in 2009.


What is Kickstarter? Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.


How can you help? By making a pledge! It can be as little as $1 or the full amount of $10,000. It's totally up to you. Your credit card will not be charged until we meet our funding goal on February 11, 2012. Funding is all or nothing! Our project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands.

Pledges - With the generosity from all of you, we will be able to go into production this Spring/Summer, and showcase at Full Figured Fashion Week held in New York City, June 2012. Funding will be used to cover fabric, production samples, screen printing cost, a photo shoot, new website/web store and PR/Marketing materials. All are essential tools for reaching out across the USA and other countries, while maintaining working relationships with our local businesses. ZMJ Denim will also start a non-profit organization for young girls who aspire to be in fashion industry. We want to encourage and uplift their self-esteem while teaching them the ins and outs of the world of design. Providing workshops on business, designing, industry jobs, interviewing skills and much more!

What's in it for you? Rewards! On our page there are different rewards based on the amount you pledge. You'll also have the stamp of generosity knowing that you contributed to creating jobs and keeping local businesses in Los Angeles employed with ZMJ Denim.

With 7 days to go before the conclusion of their run on kickstarter.com, ZMJ Denim is seeking the help of the community to reach their funding goal of $10,000. Remember funding is ALL OR NOTHING!


Check out their project because it's an excellent line.  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zmjdenim/zmj-denim-spring-summer-2012-curves-of-course?ref=email 

 

 

 

 

Full Figured Find of the day

Igigi does it again with the Vika Dress. $128



 Make day-to-night dressing easy with this elegant ombre dress in brown and teal. It's high waistband & A-line skirt with inverted pleats was created to skim and flatter the figure. You can cinch the waist with a brown tassel belt and then add some chunky statement pieces and then you're fab!


Happy Shopping!

Hips and Curves $50 Giftcard Valentines Give-Away!

Hips and Curves delivers lingerie for Full Figured Divas. They have graciously decided to give-away a $50 e-gift card to one of our loyal readers! Hips and Curves is top notch in quality and customer service.You can enter below.

Finding the right lingerie for your body type is a problem that every woman deals with. Hips and Curves has something for every woman. Whether you're conservative, flashy, raunchy, or a little bit of all three; you can find something at Hips and Curves. Unleash your sexy diva or just magnify her.

Valentines day is 2 weeks away and they should be your go-to place to shop! They have a wonderful assortment of lingerie to suit all curvy girl tastes. Let's take a look at some items! Thank you so much to Hips and Curves!

 Demi Bra $39.95/Garter Belt w/ Ribbon $29.95

Lace Heart Back Panty $18.95

Red and Black Tapestry Corset $39.95

Football Jersey Night Shirt $26.95

Opaque Mini Dress with Bow $16.95

Glamour Girl Night Gown $45.50

Enter the Give-away below and please make sure that you're following ALL of the instructions for proper entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miss Tina 2012 Spring Line by Tina Knowles

The Miss Tina by Tina Knowles line was designed with all women in mind. No matter what shape, size, or age you are, every woman deserves to look and feel beautiful. What makes this line fabulous is that it's available at Walmart and gives all women the opportunity to look fashionable at a great prise. Most of the items are at the $20 rage.

Let's take a look at some of my favorite looks for the Full Figured Diva:

Tie Waist Zipper Detail Military Dress $21.00

Crochet Back Fly Away Cardigan $18.98 (couldn't find it on a plus model but it does come in plus sizes)

Ruched Cold-Shoulder Top $17.00

Curvy Cascade Ruffle Dress $21.00

Studded Cold-Shoulder Tunic $18.00

So it looks like I'm going to have to take a trip to Walmart soon and buy some of these pieces. I really like the color palate and you just can't beat these prices.

Happy Shopping!

Queen Grace $100 E-Gift Card give-away

I am so excited to present to you the Queen Grace 2012 Spring Collection. Queen Grace has also given us a $100 gift card to give to one of our lucky readers!  The Queen Grace Collection brand was launched in 2010 by stylist Marina Zelner. Marina created Queen Grace as a high-fashion company that designs exclusively for the contemporary full-figured woman. Every one of their distinct collections celebrates a woman's freedom, confidence and inner beauty.


 

The Claire Dress

The Emma Skirt

The Annie Blouse

The April Dress

The Bella Dress

The Angel Dress

This collection looks fabulous! I can't wait to see who wins!

Enter the Give-away below and please make sure that you're following the instructions for proper entry! : 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monif C Spring 2012 Collection

The Spring 2012 collection from Monif C has been released and it looks lovely. It's available for pre-order now and it will definitely sell out quickly.

I love how Monif C sticks to her classic signature style of draping, using bold colors, great form fitting fabric  and still manages to add a new perspective. This is great looking collection.

Fashion Industry Mixer Featuring Plus Designer Shavonne Dorsey

I'm a huge fan of Chicago plus designer Shavonne Dorsey. She makes wonderful garments and I'm looking forward to her new collection! Shavonne is the designer-in-residence at the Chicago Fashion Incubator and is the first plus size designer to be accepted into the program. Watch the video of the event and interview with the designer.

Take a look!


Nov Fashion Industry Mixer feat Shavonne Dorsey from Chicago Fashion Connect on Vimeo.

You can connect with Shavonne Dorsey on Facebook  [here] and Twitter [here]

QFD Designs for the Full Figured Diva

QFD by Qristyl Frazier Designs has completely WOWed me with her Epitome collection. These pieces  are not only fashionable but have a very unrepentant flair to them. You are going to stand out in a wonderful way, and in my opinion men will love you  women will either love or hate you in this dress, no in between. But either way, you will look absolutely fabulous. Let's take a look at some of the collection and if you order today you can receive it by New Years:

Embolden

Electrified

Enamored

Exceed

Ego/Enlightened

Embrace

Essence/Exact

Envy

Empowered

Empress

Emphatic

Expression

 

You can connect with Qristyl Frazier Designs on facebook [Here] and on twitter [Here]

Happy Shopping!