Style on the Edge

A few more sources to tell you about. In fit, A J Rumina is a source for tops cut to fit for larger cup sizes. There's not a lot of stock on the site, but it's difficult to offer that many distinct sizes. Over in the UK, Pepperberry by Bravissimo has a wider selection of tops and dresses cut to fit curvy bodies. They do ship internationally from their website, and I hope to eventually visit one of their stores.

For fitness and function, I’m completely in love with my new workout tank by Lucy. Getting it was a tale of survival. I’d gone to a grand-opening for a TJ Maxx, and almost cursed finding it, as the line for the registers had reached epic proportions! I nearly gave up, but it just looked so perfect that I didn’t even try it on. The size XL fits wonderfully and it’s got the strongest, yet still comfortable power fabric in the front. It contains both the boobs and the belly – necessary for jumping jacks. I find that with these workout tanks, I can wear a comfortable regular bra and haven’t had to bother with sports bras. They often compress and flatten, which hurts before you start. I’m surprised with all the shape-wear (girdles) being sold now, that there isn’t more attention to workout wear which supports the belly. Anyone who’s lost weight or had a baby or just lived life knows it’s the jiggle in the middle. You need something supportive to be able to work on those abs.

I have a few retro-style shops listed here already, but somehow I hadn’t seen Bettie Page retro clothing until the wonderful blog Girl with Curves featured one of their dresses. Hers was purchased through ModCloth, but the line does direct sales through their website and stores in California and Nevada.

Until I come up with an occasion for a dress (someone throw a wedding), I’ll just be looking, but there’s some lovely, shapely stuff at about $130 or so. A look at the size charts heads  a warning. Do measure and consider, as they are showing sizes 14-18 as 2X, 3X or 4X.

(I know it’s just a number, but for those of us who are down from US plus sizes, it comes with memories we wish forgotten. Oh that there could be a new sizing system!)

My friend in the UK told me about another great source for vintage style dresses and tops, Lady Vintage. Dresses are just 30-35 pounds (about $50) and are made in limited editions in a wide range sizes, from UK8 to 32 (US6 to 30)! That’s just an incredible price for early Mad Men style.

The sleeveless and cap sleeve designs would look adorable with a vintage cropped cardigan if you don’t wish to go bare. Ah, the pattern I like is out of stock, they truly are limited editions.

Can we just get one thing straight, folks?

XL ≠ FAT

Yes, many women wearing sizes 10, 12, 14, 16 have fat on their bodies. I do, hello!

Women who take smaller sizes may be skinny or chubby. Size does not always equal fatness. Part of it is your frame size. Not everyone can “drop 5 dress sizes”, or should. Some women are petite and slight, others are EXTRA LARGE.

All our natural, fit shapes and sizes are beautiful. (And size positive bloggers don’t hate me, but yes you should have confidence and self-worth, but no, carrying an unhealthy weight and being out of shape is not a good thing.)

I’m fed up with constant talk of the “obesity” crisis (which is very real and heartbreaking in both sense) but with no mention that height and bone mass have increased dramatically in the past few years, and using 1950s health insurance charts to measure body fat is very misguided. I used to be considered fairly tall at 5’7″ but so many women now tower over me, enough that I’ve felt short in crowds of younger people.

Excess fat is not healthy, but let’s stop talking weight and arbitrary clothing sizes and focus on nutrition and pure health and fitness. Let’s accept our beauty and variety. Let’s give up that mental image of the petite woman being swept off her feet by a man, that little equals cute and lovable, and that big is intimidating and undesired.

I’m working hard to cut down body fat and increase fitness, but I am, and will remain a curvaceous, statuesque, athletic proud XL woman!

Back. Yet another trip to the mall and back with nuttin’! Oh yes, size and fit are an issue and money, well I haven’t got that, but even if I were an easy fit and rollin’ in the dough…there was nothing. Not one stitch of clothing I coveted, nothing that interested me in the slightest, nothing I’d even think of trying on.

I don’t think I have obscure taste. I don’t always love what I see in magazines, there’s a lot of trends I can do without, but I generally love clothes, in a wide variety of styles. I stop myselfBut the shops seemed just filled with…blah, dreck, ick.

Is it me?

Blog wandering led me to yet another new online shop, Shabby Apple. They’ve got dreamy, feminine and retro looks, along the lines of Anthropologie, Ruche and ModCloth. I see a lot I love. Call your collection ’65, Mad Hatter and Set Sail and you’ve got me covered!

Note that they offer size US14/16 dress, plus other designs “sized generously” offered in XL, WS and WM. (I’m assuming that means Women’s Small and Women’s Medium, similar to 1X and 2X.) Do be careful, as sale items are not returnable (boo).

Online shop Ruche has now launched Ruche Bridal, I see some lovely things that make me want to run out and get married, if they’d only launch Ruche groom. They feature low-key styles from long strapless to short Flapper and 60′s Mod looks that are perfect for informal and second weddings. Prices are in the $300-800 range and sizes are up to straight size 20. Bridal sizes tend to run smaller than department store clothing, so do check the size charts and don’t ever get hung up on a number. Better to order large and have a good tailor fit your dress to you.

Bridesmaid dresses come in quite a variety of styles and some very affordable prices, but not all come in larger sizes. It’s good now that far-flung attendents scattered across the globe can order online.