It's a plus!

Here's to putting the "plus" in plus-size clothing!

Shopping can be difficult for women of all body types - and from some of my more recent experiences, it can be especially difficult for plus-size women.

With less stores to choose from, plus-size shopping can feel limiting and ultimately lead you to settle for something that you're not absolutely in love with (and that just doesn't go over well with me)!

No matter what shape or size you are, don't ever buy something you don't love just because you don't think you can do better. Every woman deserves to (and can) look fabulous!

Here are some stores and sites that I have found that give some great plus-size clothing options!

I know that I have blogged numerous times about Nordstrom but I must sing their praises once again. The "Encore" section at Nordstrom carries brands such as Tahari, Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ), Adrianna Papell, and Vince Camuto. While they have a great selection online (www.nordstrom.com), they also have a great in-store collection.

I almost always recommend trying things on before buying them and Nordstrom hits it out of the park when it comes to plus sizes compared to most other department stores.

If you prefer to shop from home or want an even larger variety, Nordstrom.com is a great resource. Here are some of my favorite items that I have discovered:

Not Your Daughter's Jeans "trouser jean" - extremely flattering and comes in a great wash!

Gallery raincoat with detachable hood. You can't go wrong with long, dark, and fitted. 

A great Tahari top that can be dressed up or down. Comes in multiple colors. 

JS boutique embellished chiffon dress. I love the highlighted waistline and the sparkle detailing. 

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Batwing Sleeve Chiffon Dress. The color is great and the tie under the bust makes for an uber-flattering shape. 

 Nation LTD Tuni. Such a flattering and comfortable top. 

Vince Camuto "mixed media" top. Wear it with some flashy jewelry for a festive look. 

Olivia Moon knit blazer - I love the idea of structured jackets rather than flowy sweaters. Such a great way to accentuate your best curvy features!

Another store that I love (and I NEVER thought I would say this) is Talbots Woman. Usually, I am not a Talbots fan. But the Talbot's Woman store in the Cherry Creek Mall (which will soon be moving to Park Meadows Mall) has a fabulous collection and a great staff to go along with it. Here are some the most flattering (and my favorite) pieces:

The color of this tweed blazer is amazing and like I said before, the structure of a jacket vs. a sweater creates such a nice shape. 

This wrap shirt makes for a great staple and creates a flattering shape. 

This cardigan adds some pizzazz but the pattern isn't too overwhelming. Plus it is lightweight so it is great for layering. 

This cashmere ruffle sweater is beautiful and falls very nicely, creating a smooth line while keeping you warm!

I love this pant because of the flare leg! Flare leg pants are great because they create a nice line from the hip to the bottom of the pant. Add a small heel and you will look like you have legs a mile high.

Target is also a (surprisingly) nice place to find some cute pieces. Again, here are some of my favorites:

This Mossimo sweater dress is perfect for Colorado winter. It looks great with a pair if kitten-heel boots and some fun jewelry.

I love the buttons on this Mossimo sweater. The small details make for big style!

This Merona skirt is great because of it's material and pattern. Mix it with a neutral, fitted top and a cute, structured jacket for a fun look. Just remember, you don't ever want it to hit in the middle of the knee. It should hit right above the knee to avoid cutting your leg in half and thus, making it look larger than it is.

This Pure Energy top is great because of the band at the bottom. It allows you to let the shirt hit where you want it to (just below your hip bones - or mid-zipper on your pants) and yet it still gives the comfort of a roomy top.

If you can't make it into these stores or you prefer to shop online, here are some other great places to look:

- www.carissarose.com (up to size 18)

- www.sonsi.com (size 12 and up)

- www.asos.com (size 16-22)

- www.eqoquii.com (The Limited's plus-size site)

Here are some things to remember when shopping online:

1) If there are ratings or comments, pay attention to them! Generally, if something is misrepresented online, people are going to let you know. Don't make their same mistake. 

2) Before you buy, make a deal with yourself that if it doesn't look GREAT when you get it, you will send it back, even though it's a hassle. Shopping online can be "dangerous" because you can receive something that you don't end up loving but keep it just because it's "too much work" to send back. 

3) Always keep the invoice and tracking number - just in case. Especially around the holiday season. 

4) Don't expect everything to look like it does on the model. Keep in mind what styles look good on YOU and only look into purchasing those things. 

Some other things to remember when shopping:

1) Darker colors are slimming.

2) Bootcut and Flare leg jeans and pants create a better silhouette than skinny jeans and leggings. If you are going for the skinny jean or legging, try and pair it with a boot. 

3) STRUCTURE! I can't emphasize this enough. A STRUCTURED jacket, shirt, etc. will look so much better than a loose, flowy one 90% of the time. 

4) Make sure that the length is right. For pants, you don't want the bottom to be more than 1/2" above the ground. You also don't want anything hitting directly in the middle of your leg or elbow. 

5) Make sure that the patterns you buy are proportionate to your size. You don't want to wear a pattern much smaller or much larger than you are. 

6) You can't go wrong with a dark-wash jean.

7) Most of the time, you get what you pay for. With clothes, sometimes it is worth it to spend a little more to make sure that your clothes flatter YOUR body the best! 

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!!

~ Kristin

Kristin Golden Image Consulting

www.kristingolden.com