Haute and Heavy Luxury

Hey there haute and heavy ladies!

Fall is here and I've managed to pull myself away from my end of summer madness to blog (and read my September issue of Vogue). I come bearing good news for those of us who aren't recessionistas. Though no official statement has been released, Robert Duffy tweeted that he is in the beginning stages of creating a plus size line for Marc Jacobs & it will take a year or so before it is in stores. The bad news is we will have to wait a year or longer before it hits stores. In the mean time, spend your days shopping at Saks which is expanding its options for plus size shoppers at its flagship store in New York.

It seems like high end retailers have finally realized the notion that fat women won't pay for high-end, trendy clothes is outdated and bad for business. I can't wait to revel in the luxury of their epiphany :)


On to more urgent matters...with chilly weather headed our way sweaters are an obvious choice to keep warm. Showcased on busty beauty Lara Stone in Vouge, knits, crewnecks, and cardigans are definitely a chic way to transition into fall and winter. If you will be picking up a sweater or 3 this season, you should consider grabbing this oversize cashmere number from Saks while you're at it. It's perfect for a casual fall day.

In Full Effect

Hola Chicas!

I don't know how it is where you are, but here on the east coast the summer sun is in full effect. We've been experiencing 90+ degree weather for weeks now. Thank goodness that for this summer season less can be more. With many designers using simple, chic white designs in their S/S 2010 collections this trend is coming to streets near you.
In my quest for a white dress, that wasn't matronly or wedding-ish, I came across this Monif C. design. You'd think finding a white dress in the middle of summer wouldn't be so hard. Unfortunately Nordstrom, Saks, Lane Bryant, Igigi, Kiyonna, all of my faves failed me in my quest. But this dress hit the nail on the head just when I was becoming desperate. White? Check. Chic? Check. Not overwrought or over thought? Check! Pair this dress with a pair of neutral shoes to keep the clean look of the outfit and you will have the ultimate summer ensemble on your hands.

The dress can be found at monifc.com
The shoes are sexy and come with a stacked heel that provides a bit more sturdiness than stilettos. They are by Michael Kors and can be found at Nordstrom either in stores or online at nordstrom.com

I Had to Give In

Temptation was too great, the clothes were too fabulous, Crystal Renn was too fierce for me to forgo posting the pictures from her fashion spread in V Magazine. I tried to resist and simply mentioned and linked to it in the previous post. However, as a wanna-be plus model and advocate of all things fabulous and curvy...and fabulously curvy...I couldn't resist showcasing the pictures on this blog. She holds her own alongside a straight sized model and shows that bigger may not always be better...but it is damn sure equal. And when it comes to fun, funky, fearless clothes maybe one size can fit all.

Haute, Haute, HOT!

Hey fashionistas!

Today's post was born of necessity. Well, that may be a bit dramatic but I did feel compelled to blog when I saw these images and I have finally made time to post them here for your viewing pleasure.
I came across these stunning pictures in issue 63 of V Magazine, an edgy fashion mag. In their size issue, they featured a fabulous spread from the curvy beauty Crystal Renn in which she proved that clothes can look good whether showcased on slender or fuller frames (She also proved that she can be as fierce as any model on the planet) but the lusciousness didn't stop there. In a spread aptly entitled Curves Ahead, models Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Michelle Olson, Tara Lynn, and Kasia P served big girl body in the best way. Full of confidence, sexiness, style and glamour, these women showed that straight sized models aren't the only ones made for fashion mags.
This picture made me stop. Not (just) because she is nude but her face is also FLAWELESS. She is absolutely stunning in this picture.


All photos are property of V Magazine+

Golden Globes 2010

Comedian and actress Mo'nique took away an award for Best Supporting Actress from the 2010 Golden Globes. She graced the red carpet in a gold Reem Acra design. I LOVE the dress. Tell me, ladies and/or gents, what do you think of the gown and her overall look?



Mo'Nique


Another plus sized diva took to the red carpet for the Golden Globes this year. Gabourey Sidibe,the star of Precious, one of the most talked about movies of the year, was wearing a green Kevin Hall gown. I'm not a fan of the color, the materials, nor her purse but I think the dress was very figure flattering. Do you disagree? Was this ensemble a hit or a miss?

2009: A Year in Retrospect

Don't fear, dear, your favorite curvy fashionista is here to blog before the new year. I have taken a break from taking over the world to bring you one last post in 2009 and felt it was fitting to take a look back before we charge (fashion) forward into 2010. Listed below are the trends of 2009. Leave a comment and let me know which were your faves and which were not so haute. Don't forget to send in your pictures (preferably from your celebrations tonight) to be an official Haute & Heavy Fashionista!


Fashion Trends of '09:

• Menswear: Pinstripes, vests, tweed, and suits were all over the catwalks and sidewalks this year. In order to keep us from looking like we borrowed our brother's clothes, designers updated this trend with feminine touches and tailoring.

Ralph Lauren's take on menswear.


Sexy pinstripes from YSL


Menswear by Lane Bryant

• Draping & Ruching: Looking out of this world was never as easy as it was this year. Draping brought out the Grecian goddess in all of us and ruching made otherwise normal skirts sassy and fun.

Torrid


beautifully draped DonnaKaran dress

• 80's: This trend was done a little too literally by the teen and tweens. Was I the only one who couldn't help but notice the abundance of youth wearing every neon color know to man with side pony's and leg warmers? Thank goodness designers didn't take it that far for those of us among the grown & sexy set. Influences from the decade were evidenced by the abundance of metallic leather and studs and bright colors (worn in moderation).

fashions by Marc Jacobs

• Budoir: I'll admit...this trend played right in to my tastes. I have at least 4 corsets in my closet as I type. I loved to throw one on under a blazer with nice jeans and shoes for a seriously sexy look. In addition to the corsets, lacy tops that could be mistaken for lingerie were seen on women out and about as well.

Dolce & Gabana


Louis Vuitton




D & G

• Biker Jackets: Biker jackets were back in a big way. Pairing a tough jacket with more feminine apparel was a great way to look chic this year.

LB

• Leggings: Leggings are a personal favorite of mine. Put together with a tunic or paired with a cardigan, this wardrobe staple for 2009 made being comfortable while looking put together easier than ever.

As you celebrate the passing away of the old year and the welcoming of the new. Please be as safe and as fabulous as possible!

Shape, Size, Fit

Hey ladies!

Today's fashion advice is the most basic but is most often overlooked by fashionistas large and small. THE most important part of looking good is the way the clothes fit and flatter your body. You can have more curves than a race car track but if you dress them in clothes that don't enhance them you just look like a blobby mess!


These tips will have you looking your best whenever you leave the house:

-Don't pay attention to the numbers on the tag! If you normally wear a 22 but that gorgeous, halter jersey dress is hugging a little too tight, bite the bullet and move up to a 24 (or higher if need be). Going up a size or 2 will have you thanking yourself later when you are walking down the street looking fabulous in well fitting clothes.


- Dress for your body type! If you are a 42 DDD maybe that little strapless number may not be the one for you. I cannot emphasize enough the need for busty ladies to wear clothes that allow for supportive bras. Droopy boobies are never a good look. If need be, run to your local Lane Bryant (or department store) and get fitted to determine your correct size. Also, resist the urge to try and minimize your bustiness by covering up. This only makes them look larger. Turtle necks ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND! Go for V-neck options which will help elongate your body and balance your upper and lower half.

If your body is pear shaped (small on top, large around the butt & thighs) you should play up your bust line and emphasize the smallest part of your body by wearing an empire waist garment. If you don't want to run out and buy every empire waisted dress and shirt you can get your hands on, a belt worn just below the bust line can do the trick as well.


-For ladies of all shapes and sizes silhouette is key! Wearing clothes that are boxy and shapeless will leave you looking just that-boxy and shapeless. When purchasing clothes look at the darting and seaming. Is it straight from top to bottom? Or does it curve to fit the shape of a woman's body? If the former is true, it might be best to leave it on the hanger.

-If possible, try on the clothes before buying. Women come in various shapes and sizes and just because an outfit works for some one you know or looks incredible on the mannequin doesn't mean it will be flattering once you put it on your unique (and wonderful) body. If ordering on-line don't hesitate to return an unbecoming item. It sucks when a trend is in but doesn't work for your body or you can't keep that super sexy/awesome/etc. outfit. But, the biggest fashion faux paux is wearing something that doesn't look good on you and/or you aren't completely confident wearing.

The Haute look of the day:

This one is for the recessionistas out there. If you don't have the cash (or credit) to shell out $338 for that Calivin Klein sheath at Nordstroms or those $900 Louboutins that have been calling your name, don't fear. You can be chic on a budget. The key is to buy inexpensive items that don't look cheap (and if possible, mix high and low end pieces). The dress below is $19.80 from Forever 21's plus line named Faith 21. The shoes are $39.99 from Bare Feet (forever21.com and barefeetshoes.com).