This casual wrap dress is figure flattering and professional.

I don’t have any difficulty finding something to rant about when it comes to finding clothes for plus size women. Whether it’s clothing designers utter lack of respect or it’s retailers denials of our existence – let alone our majority status – I find ample fodder to fuel my ire. However, since I launched this blog – there seems to be a lot more “competition” for the plus size women who are searching the internet for clothing. It’s not surprising that more and more plus size women are heading online to shop. Shopping online is not only a real time saver – it’s a sanity saver as well.

That increase in women searching for plus size clothing has also meant a rush of people trying to create content for them. That’s fine – but some of the advice I’ve been reading lately has been positively AWFUL!

I get it – the mindless robots that crawl and web and index content can’t tell if an article is written by someone who “knows” what they’re talking about – but come on!  I’m not really surprised to see bad plus size fashion advice coming from a  health and fiteness website that’s featuing  an article titled “Tips for plus size women”.

They say you can’t read “tone” in an email – but it sure comes across loud and clear when it comes to the writer of the above mentioned article. I’m going to share a few of the WORST tips for shopping for plus size clothing for women here – but I won’t help their site by including a link.

The following are actually copied from a top ranking health and fitness site which offers “tips” for plus size women. Be sure to read these with your inner voice DRIPPING in sarcasm. The italicized print is my response to “Barbie” the idiot writer who offers these worthless ” plus size fashion tips”.

TIPS FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN OFFERED BY SOMEONE WHO THINKS 5 lbs IS A LOT OF WEIGHT TO LOSE.

• Barbies says, “Try clothes that have some spandex in them so they are flexible without making you look boxy.”
  Kathy replies, voice dripping in sarcasm: “BOXY!!!! Oh – thank you Barbie!  One of my biggest problems is having too many angles!!!  Spandex is every plus size woman’s fashion friend – why there’s nothing I like better than having that damned spandex finding and hugging every crease and lump in my voluptuous body!”

• Barbie says, “Buy 100% cotton clothes a size bigger than what you normally wear to allow for shrinkage.”
  Kathy replies, voice dripping with sarcasm, “Brilliant advice!!! There’s nothing more figure flattering for plus size women than buying clothing which is too big.   I’ll be sure to buy my next mumu a size larger to follow your wisdom.  Seriously – my advice is – if you love it and it’s 100% cotton – buy it to fit – then wash it in cold water and hang dry.  Cotton clothes last longer and you don’t have to try to “guess” how much it will shrink in the dryer.”

• Barbie says, “Choose undergarments carefully so they fit well and stay in place.|”
  Kathy replies, and is starting to get annoyed, “This is exceptional advice Barbie.  Because of course, since my top layers are made from spandex – there will be hell to pay if I follow your other fashion advice and purchase my 100% cotton oversized.

• Barbie say, “Layered looks are usually a safe bet for hiding bulky areas.”
  Kathy replies, and is now really pissed off, “Barbie – you’re an idiot. If there’s a lump in your bed – you might pile more bedding on to hide it but the WORST thing any woman can do is pile one layer after bulky layer of clothing trying to hid our “bulky” areas.”

BLEAH! I spit on this awful advice obviously written by someone who obviously needs to wear water wings in order to safely consume her morning coffee without the possibility of drowning in it.

Barbie – you need to add some fat to your diet.  The brain needs fat and carbs to function properly – and you’re OBVIOUSLY not getting enough of either!!!

Finding beautiful and trendy clothing when you wear a clothing size that falls in the double digits can be difficult.

For some reason, many of the  “fashion powers that be” have determined that any woman with curves should be draped with a mumu and sat in the corner.  Thankfully, not everyone agrees!

Our tour of finding trendy plus size clothing for women who aren’t ashamed of their curves starts with Lane Bryant

Lane Bryant is also one of our favorite sources for plus sized business apparel as well so it’s no surprise to see them topping this list as well.

Use this link to get 40% Off everything sitewide Lane Bryant & Cacique products!

Jessica London understands that real women have real curves so be sure to check out the business friendly options offered there.

Take  40% Off your highest-priced item from Jessica London. Use code JLA4732.

Another source of trendy plus size clothing is Size Appeal. Trendy, sexy plus size fashions abound here.

Next on the list is Alight.  Cute and casual is the name of the game at Alight.

SoWhatIf.com takes trendy fashion a few steps further and includes a selection of prom dresses, wedding dresses, swim suits AND teen fashions as well!

Ulla Popken offers trendy fashion for grown ups.  If Size Appeal and Alight are too “young” for your taste, then Ulla Popken is the place for you.    It’s rare to “forget” you’re looking at plus size women’s clothing, but it happens when you’re here.    A nice selection of evening wear and plus size women’s business suits plus trendy plus size clothing for grownups!

Monif C offers fashion finds for  plus size women who wants to flaunt her sex appeal.  The Marilyn Convertible dress is truly a fashion MUST for the plus size woman.  Not only is this dress flattering to a full figure, but it’s as versatile as it is flattering!

We finish up our tour of trendy plus size clothing with Just For Curves.  Once again, you’ll find figure flattering tops, jeans and lingerie! From the site,

Our plus size fashions cater exclusively to curvy divas with styles from sexy to classic. We are your one-stop shop for affordable and sexy plus size clothing specially designed for today’s full-figured women and teens.

While a trip to the mall in search of trendy plus size clothing might leave you feeling blue, visiting these sites will help you to remember that curves are SEXY!

When you’re searching for plus size business suits for women, there are two terms which are “tossed” about casually.  Sometimes, they are incorrectly “interchanged” but as you pursue the perfect business wardrobe, it’s essential that you know the difference between  these two terms: Style and Fashion.

You must know the difference between these two terms if you’re to successful build a plus size business wardrobe filled with appropriate business attire. Learn more at What to Wear – A Business Woman’s Guide to Dressing Professionally.

Plus Size Fashion

Monochromatic Plus Size Business Suits Make a Powerful Impression

Fashion is all about what’s “in” at the moment.  Hemlines rise and fall, colors fall in and out of favor and for the fashion slave – it’s all about staying “current”.

Fashion changes constantly.  There are some professions where being fashion conscious is an essential part of the job.  If your career requires you to be fashion conscious, then by all means, follow the trends and be a fashion slave.

Plus Size Style

Fashion is the antithesis of STYLE!  Style is not about what’s “hot” or “new” but rather what works for you and your body.

There are those professions where being a fashion victim is a requirement.  If you’re in one of those professions, then you know what you must do.  When fashion dictates that yellow is “in”, then yellow you will wear.  However, for the rest of us, we are pursuing careers and professions where fashion must always take a backseat to STYLE!

As a career woman, it’s essential that you develop your own sense of STYLE!  Your style will help to define your career.  If you haven’t established a style, then it’s time to get one.

Pick up the suit to the left and take 30% Off your highest-priced item + Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more from Jessica London. Use code JLA4736.

Begin by auditing your current business wardrobe.  Can you see your style?  If you can’t, grab a girlfriend whose style you admire and get her by your side as you hit the mall.

Your style isn’t a color, it isn’t a fabric and it isn’t a hemline.  While each of these factors does come into play in defining your style, none of them fully encompasses all that is your style.

This monochromatic suit creates a long lean slimming line

When it comes to creating your “style” it’s essential that the term used to define your style isn’t “eclectic”.  You don’t want your business wardrobe to look like it suffers from multiple personalities.  We’ve all witnessed the poor soul who comes to the office one day looking polished and who comes in the next day in an outfit that screams “Party Girl!”

I’ll never forget working with a woman who made that fashion faux pas many years ago.  An advertising executive, she had a fashion “brain fart” and wore a pair of pants to work which revealed clearly her choice of undergarments for that day.  Her manager had to call her into his office and send her home to put on something more “appropriate”.  I’d like to say her career recovered, but it didn’t.

Pick up the suit to the right and get 30% Off your highest-priced item + Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more from Jessica London. when you use code JLA4736.

Being a complex and interesting woman is your right and your privilege, however make sure that your business suits demonstrate the same style – that of a competent professional who knows the difference between what to wear in a bar and what to wear in the office.

You might think that an article titled “Before You Begin Shopping: What Every Plus Size Woman Must Know” would start with tips on the fabric, cut or style of the business suit itself.

It doesn’t!

Before you begin shopping for a plus size business suit (or any other piece of clothing), you need to first make sure you have the proper foundation garments in your wardrobe.

Foundation garments are just that – the FOUNDATION of your wardrobe.

Shopping for foundation garments – bras, body shapers and underwear -  is no time to try to be frugal. What you wear under neath your suit may be more important that what you wear on the outside!

Here’s a hint: If someone hasn’t recently asked which plastic surgeon did your breast implants, then it’s time for new and better foundation garments!

The right foundation garments will make a so-so outfit look great while the wrong foundation garments will make a fabulous suit look frumpy.

Foundation garments are the pieces you wear UNDER your business suit that provide support. The right foundation garments can make or break a suit. While the woman without shape and curves may be able to skip worrying about underlying support, the full figured woman must make it her first priority.

From supportive bras (larger breasts need heavy duty support!) to body shapers, before you begin shopping for a business suit, be sure to outfit yourself with the foundation essentials first.

This is going to be an investment of time and money on your part. Begin with a trip to your local department store. Find one that offers someone in the lingerie department who will help you find the right bra size. Many women of all sizes are wearing the wrong size bra. First, find your correct size and then find the style that provides the support you need.

Just as you have a “work” wardrobe and an “play” wardrobe, you need to have “work” foundation garments.. bras and body shapers that lift, support and reduce unwanted “wiggle” from under your garments.

When you’ve got the proper foundation garments on, you’ll find trying on clothes a much more satisfying experience. A business suit that looks frumpy when you’re wearing an ill fitting bra that provides no support and sans body shaper will look 100% better when you try it on with the proper foundation garments.

Before you begin shopping for the perfect power suit, the one you pull out of your closet when you need to present your most polished presentation, be sure you’ve got the proper foundation garments. You’ll never find the right plus size business suit without them.