Plus size fashion and plus size in general has been given a boost courtesy of Beth Ditto. Recently the fashion and music diva announced she was working on a line of plus size clothes. The question in my mind would the clothes be for the every day lady or will they be for the experimental fashionista. What do you think?

According to some reports when her line came out for Evans a few years ago she did not have much creative control.  I can understand that because frankly I was underwhelmed with the collection but was proud of the fact she was able to get it done.

According to Ditto,  “I really want to do my own line that’s ethically made, and I can do whatever the f**k I want with it… It wouldn’t be crazy designs – it would be simple… Cheap, affordable, basic – but ethically made… for fat girls and boys.”

As a writer I can for sure understand wanting to have creative control over a product with your name on it and if she is looking to create clothes that are ethically and socially conscious then I look forward to seeing what she will come up with.

I wonder how much going into the clothing business has to do with her settling down with her partner Kristen Ogata?

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

If you have not noticed any of the New Arrivals from IGIGI who was voted the “Best Plus Designer” not long ago I say it again you are in for a treat with the new items for late Spring and early Summer.

The one thing that this collection reminds me of is fun and color.  Lots of flowing gowns fun colors in dresses and pants and stunning wedding dresses.

Ladies you know that wedding dresses rank right there with swimwear and jeans as your arch enemy but Yuliya has done it again with fantastic looking dresses for your special day.

What do you think of the new collection?  Just about everything that you see in the photos above can be found in the New Arrivals section of the website.  If you don’t see a particular item yet be confidant that it will roll out within the next few weeks.

Additionally, look for my review of this dress coming up in the next few days:

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Do you have a hard time finding nice clothes to wear to work?  If so then today we are going to cover a few of the basic items needed to fill out your wardrobe.  A wardrobe usually refers to a complete set of clothing consisting of multiple items. For newsletter subscribers you have the report detailing items needed for your entire wardrobe but today we are going to concentrate on what you wear to work.

Eight items are all you need to start your journey.  After that you can do a multitude of variations on this basic foundation.  The goal is to have a closet full of clothes you can mix and match for any occasion.  For demonstration purposes we will use the plus-size fashion retailer City Chic to show the different looks that you can create with basic pieces.

What you see in these examples are just that examples.  If you feel that building your work wardrobe you should be more traditional then move in that direction.  If you feel that showing of your individual personality will be for the best go for that in in your wardrobe selections.  As long as you get clothes that fit you properly you will wear them and most importantly you will receive the most compliments on.

You are building a wardrobe which translates into a closet with versatility not a bunch of clothes you will hardly ever wear.

A quick recap of what we have here: 2 jackets, a pair of pants, a top, a belt, 2 dresses, and a skirt.  Pretty simple right?  From this foundation hundreds of combinations can be added until you have a wardrobe full of fun clothes that you can wear to work and easily transition to other activities.

About City Chic

City Chic is all about the fashion. We are a plus size fashion brand that is bold, sexy, sassy & CHIC! We are one of the leading fashion forward plus size clothing retailers catering for everyday curvy Street and fashion wear, to event dressing, clubbing and gorgeous plus size evening dresses in sizes 14, 16,18,20,22 & 24.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Stepping out in a new style trend can be scary – but there’s no need to stress out as there are lots of fun, fabulous ways to get involved with spring/summer’s 1970s inspired fashion craze.

The 70′s for me brought out the essence of feminine sensuality for plus size women.  The colors, styles, and prints screamed confidence and fashion forwardness.  That 70′s style is back with the styles below.  What are your thoughts about 70′s fashion?

The 1970s look is often associated with disco diva outfits and wide flares but there are much more stylish options to start with if you are nervous about going retro.
These are our top 3 ways to wear the trend

(1) Office Chic

If you need a smart new addition to your working wardrobe then you can use 1970s inspired pieces to build the perfect office outfit. The ivy chiffon sleeve tunic is a sophisticated way to dip your toes into the trend and it looks especially good with a classic pair of black trousers with a bootcut leg.

You can get away with going straight from the office to the bar if you add some statement jewellery like the chain tassel earrings and a stunning handbag like the sodamix studded bag. And you don’t even have to change your shoes in between as the two part heel strap sandals give you support as well as a boost with a mid-height heel and bandage style strap design.

PURPLE PLEAT FRONT TOP – Price: £35.00

TWO PART HEEL STRAP SANDALS – Price: £29.50

IVORY CHIFFON SLEEVED TUNIC – Price: £39.50

(2) Night-time Glamour

With summer approaching it’s time to get colourful so you can get away with brighter items in your wardrobe. If you’re looking for something that will impress your friends on a night out then you’ll love some of the new 1970s inspired bold prints.

The printed jersey tunic is guaranteed to help you make a dramatic entrance – you can’t fail to turn heads with the pyscadelic mix of purples, greens and blues. As it’s such a statement piece, all you need to finish the look is a pair of black cotton ankle leggings and classic peep toe block heel platforms. But you can make the look extra fierce with a python and bead ring.

PRINTED JERSEY TUNIC – Price: £35.00

PEEP TOE BLOCK HEEL PLATFORMS – Price: £29.50

BLACK COTTON ANKLE LEGGINGS – Price: £12.00

(3) Casual Cool

If you simply need a versatile outfit to run about in at weekends then the 1970s hippy styles could help you build a beautifully unfussy yet flattering look. The 1970s style tribal print maxi dress can be dressed down for day with flats and dressed up for night with heels – unless you go for a pair of black sling back wedges that you could wear all day long.

A black chiffon front cover up will keep you protected from spring breezes without making you sweat and you could simply fold it up in your handbag if you got too hot. Evans engraved stack ring finishes the hippy chic look – it’s like five rings for the price of one!

TRIBAL PRINT MAXI DRESS – Price: £45.00

BLACK SLING BACK WEDGES – Price: £25.00

BLACK CHIFFON FRONT COVER UP – Price: £27.00

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

The goal of presenting a wide range of fashion to the readers of Full Figure Plus means showcasing merchants from around the world and those that cater to all ages.  Just because you are mature does not mean that plus size clothing has to be boring or bland.  UK shoppers, sorry US divas you are in luck because Bonmarche has just the items you need at a great price.

In 2007, it launched a collection designed in collaboration with David Emanuel, the designer famous for the co-design of Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding dress in 1981. This collection has a slightly higher price point than the main Bonmarché range but still represents very good value for money.

With sizes from 12-26 and prices under £40 not only is it easy to mix and match but it is even easier to stock up on several pieces to complete or redo your Spring wardrobe.  The website allows you to shop by range which includes the Bonmarche collection or the David Emanuel Collection or by category.  Their are twenty-one categories from accessories to T-Shirts like the blouse seen in the photo including plus-petite available in size 10.

In the Special Offers section you will find dozens of items discounted to sell.  For example, you can save 20% on a David Emanuel top that originally sells for £28 but has been marked down to £22.40.  Savings like that add up when putting together an outfit.

To add to the already great prices if you join the Bonmarche Bonus Club you can save even more.  Joining the free club entitles you to a little extra every time you shop including:

• Exclusive discount mailings
• Regular bonusday events
• Exciting in store promotions
• Exclusive offers
• Spend & Save Promotions
• 25% off BM magazine

For those that think plus size clothing for mature shoppers has to be boring has not shopped at Bonmarche.  With classic designs and in season colors not only can you find great looking clothes but you don’t have to worry about spending a lot to look your curvy best.

About Bonmarche

Bonmarché is the UK’s largest value retailer selling affordable quality womenswear in a wide range of sizes (12-24) to women over 45 years. Ranges include casual and formal separates, outerwear, swimwear, lingerie nightwear and accessories, all designed with the more mature figure in mind.

This post was brought to you by Bonmarche.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

The easiest way to update your Spring wardrobe is to invest in a new dress. You don’t need to worry about mixing tops to jeans or tunics with skirts. Simply buy one dress and you can wear it in a million ways (well, almost), depending on how you style it.

However, with so many new dresses on sale this season it can be difficult to know where to start. You need a dress that matches your personality type. The good news is that whatever type of woman you are, there will be a dress designed for you.
Here are some of our favourite options:

Action Women

If you have a busy schedule, then you need a dress that suits all sorts of occasions. The evans black maxi dress can take you from day to night and will last you all season, as it looks completely different when worn with different accessories. A classic way to wear the black maxi dress is with a denim jacket to draw attention to your top half. It will make you look slimmer as it falls just above the waist and you can wear it with comfy block court heels to elongate your shape. With a bright red necklace and earring set to match the shoes, it looks like you’ve made an effort, but it’s not too formal, meaning you can wear it on the school run as well as to drinks soirees and spring social occasions.

Black Jersey Maxi Dress – £35

Mid-Wash Denim Jacket – £35

Trend Concious Fashion Lovers

Animal print is fiercely on-trend this spring, so if you’re aiming for an up-to-date, fashionable look, then you need an animal print maxi dress. To make this look extra wild, wear it with evans grey leather snakeskin jacket that is belted at the waist to hug your curves. A pair of grey slouch boots will keep your feet looking fabulous while you feel fit to stay out all day and all night. Every time you pass a mirror you’ll want to roar with pride at how fabulous you look.

Animal Jersey Maxi Dress – £39.50

Grey Slouch Ankle Boots – £29.50

Party Princesses

The most glamorous maxi dress this season is evans black embellished maxi dress, to make you the belle of any ball. The embellishment around the bust draws attention to your top half and you can add some extra sparkle with some gorgeous facet earrings and bangles, that will shine in the Spring sunlight. This high glamour look requires a pair of show-stopping shoes like the stud and strap platform shoes. You can even glam up your handbag with a Sodamix studded bag.

Black Embellished Maxi Dress – £39.50


Link Facet Drop Earrings – £5

Wing and Ribbon Bracelet – £16.50

Sodamix Studded Bag – £24

If you were wondering how to put a look together Evans has done a bit of the work for you leaving you to just shop.  Happy trails!

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women