I was reading a very interesting article by Elizabeth McMeekin today which I had to share with you all. The first thing that struck me is that like me, Elizabeth thinks that sometimes it is just too confusing to get around all the sizes and numbers when shopping around. It is already quite a hurdle trying to find items to suit your body type, budget and taste. But you also have to make sure you get the size right, and understand what the size you are looking at really means. With different sizes in the US, Europe, the UK and beyond, it’s quite a lot of numbers to deal with and get used to!
Elizabeth continues to argue how, although clothing lines for the ‘real woman’ are popping up everywhere, places like the UK (and Europe as well in my opinion) are still lacking glamorous plus size icons real women can look up to. She mentions Nigella Lawson as being one of the few, though there is still a lot more progress to be made.
We are also introduced to Jacqui Kelly, a size 20 who being fed up with the women’s fashion options in store, decided to introduce her own plus size clothing line called Chesca which can be found in John Lewis and House of Fraser stores.
Stina Scott also recounts her experiences shopping for clothes. Like me she sometimes wears a size 16 or a size 20 (and anything else in between) depending on who is making and marking the clothes. Stina stresses how shopping for formal plus size clothing can be an utter nightmare. I understand Stina’s concerns, and at the same time is makes me wonder whether these plus size ladies have ever considered online shopping as a viable option for their fashion needs. Because when I hear people like Stina recounting such experiences, my initial reaction often is… “Oh poor ladies! If they only knew about the online plus size stores such as IGIGI, Kiyonna and Sydney’s Closet, which truly offer a viable shopping options to full figured women as they provide beautiful, quality formal attire and dresses. If only!”
Elizabeth concludes by giving plus size women, especially in the UK, 5 tips for a successful and satisfying shopping experience, including not limiting your search for dark colors only, being aware of fashion and trends and also making an impact with accessories and shoes.
I would definitely expand the list to 6 tips, and dare I say I would truly put my tip in the first spot as it would save full figured ladies lots of headaches, and make them find the items they needs:
Try shopping online! There is a multitude of online shopping stores specializing exclusively in plus size fashion, formal wear, swimwear and more. Take a look at the fabulous options these stores offer, before even attempting to hit the high streets for shopping!
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A year ago I asked the readers of my blog a question “is plus size blogging ethically correct or is it just frustrated whining?” Fast forward to almost the end of 2009 in some ways I am still asking that very question trying to figure out if those of us in the plus size blog community are really making a difference or just shouting to hear ourselves talk.
