Now is the time of year when we start wearing less and less clothing, which is both exciting (yay warm weather!) and intimidating (ack, I feel half naked!). For a lot of plus size women, this time of year can be challenging, particularly if you have a very full bust. As you know, "the girls" need to be properly supported, and that can be hard to do in an attractive bra, which is essential for summer wardrobe staples. If your tank top shows a peak of bra under it, you don't want it to be a lame, old lady bra.

That's why I am a fan of GigisCloset.com. They offer a huge (no pun intended) selection of full figured bras that are beautiful and supportive.

I did a quick search on 38DDD just to see if anything would come up (Their search by size feature is one of my favorite things about this site!) and among the results was this:


Fantasie Cally Full Cup Bra - $ 74.00


But maybe, just maybe, you are a 46H (and if you are, my poor dear, how your back must hurt!!!) then you can have this lovely number:


Goddess Georgia Full Cup Bra - $ 48.00


And if you are like me, and possess a middle of the road sized 36C, you have more than 50 styles to choose from, including this one that I am tempted by:


Jezebel Wild Thing Unlined Demi Cup Bra - $ 24.00

I've recently been talking to the folks over at Belle Avenue - they are a relatively new plus size website that sells cute, affordable plus size clothes. For a while their inventory was kind of static, but I got word from them recently that they were really blowing up their inventory - they've got a lot more in stock and a lot of it is VERY cute and easy on the wallet. I have to say I find their product names kind of funny - "Beautiful Unique Dress" and "Warm Cute Jacket" but that's neither here nor there. Here are a few of my faves on their site right now:



Left: Trendy Hoody Top, $24.99
Right: Silver Stud Sexy Dress, $38.99



Left: Cute Wonderful Top, $26.99
Right: Ruffled Silky Hot Top, $28.99

I just found this site called ChicStar.com and I am giddy for it. I can't vouch for the quality yet since I haven't ordered anything (still trying to decide what I want) but I am so jazzed about it. The clothes are edgier and more interesting than most things available in larger sizes. One note to make is that they are a straight size site, and although they sell up to an XXXL in most items, I am skeptical as to just how big this actually might be. They list the measurements for an XXXL as 44-36-46. This will most likely fit up to a size 18 plus but that will really depend on your measurements.

Here are some of the coolest items:







You want to know what's even better? The most expensive item I just posted here is only $69, and the least expensive is $29.95. Reasonable prices and fab fashion? Go check out ChicStar.com today.

One thing I like about being part of the plus community is reading what other people have to say on issues related to size, and particular, to fashion. So I want to link you to some of my favorite plus size places to visit on the web:

Too Fat For Fashion - This blog is the most high style of any of the plus size fashion blogs I've ever read. They cover all the Elana Miro runway shoes, write smart articles on the state of fashion, and they really know how to co-opt straight size trends for our size. A must read.

Pretty Pear - A mix of scoop on sales and fashion advice. Has lots of good links too.

Big Fat Deal - Interesting, funny and thought provoking. Only occasionally about fashion, but the blogs are always about something interesting.

Big Fat Blog - This site gets a little too fat activist-ish for me sometimes, but it covers a lot of interesting news articles related to obesity and how plus size people are portrayed in the media. I may not always agree but I am always intrigued.

Oh, and my fave blog ever, although not remotely related to size or fashion really, is:

Dooce - You have to read the background on this site to really get a feel for it. The writer Heather started blogging about her job as a hobby, then got fired for writing about her job on her blog, then eventually came to write such a popular blog that her blog is now her full time job. She writes about being a former mormon, raising a beautiful but challenging little girl, being married and other funny stuff like bodily functions. The blog is so popular that her dog now has its own calendar. Nuff said.

I love jeans. LOVE them. My office allows them on days when we don't have clients coming in, so I try to take advantage of that as often as possible. So imagine my surprise when I find out that Paige Premium Denim, one of the HOTTEST straight sizes jeans lines, has started making plus size jeans. This may be old news to some of you, but what with getting married and going on my honeymoon last month I've been a little out of the loop.

Paige Premium in Plus Sizes! This is c-razy! Interestingly, the jeans are exclusively being sold at Nordstrom.com. The site says they run a little small and you should order them a size up. Right now they are carrying 2 styles, "Mandeville Canyon" and "Las Palmas", both dark-ish rinse bootcut. You can see click on them both below:




The Mandevilles are pictured to the left and sell for $198, while the Las Palmas on the right are $209. It's a steep price to pay for jeans, and the jury is out on whether they are worth it (I am going to have to buy a pair to see).

However, I can't write a denim article without mentioning Svoboda Jeans, the plus size premium denim pioneers. Jessica Svoboda is constantly making new fabulous styles of her premium jeans, and I've got like 4 pairs (and soon to be more). I need to get my hands on the Trouser jeans before they completely sell out, and I love the new Sailor Trousers too!! I've pictured them both below:




The Kate Trousers on the Left are $118 and the Sailor Trousers on the right are $148. And for the sake of full disclosure, Jessica Svoboda is one of my closest friends, however I can testify that the jeans are as good as you've heard.

So I am obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED, with this site I found called Etsy.com which is kind of like the craft fair of the internet. Anyone who makes anything - from paintings to scarves to pottery to jewelry can sell it through this site. The best part is, there are so many beautiful, interesting things to see and shop for. I haven't bought anything yet, but it's just because I am afraid once I start, I won't be able to stop. Oh, and did I mention in the clothing area you can sometimes find plus size stuff??? Here are some of the coolest things on Etsy this week:




Left: Cameo Print Panties, up to size 3X, $8.00
Middle: Love Note Necklace, $16.00
Right: Black & White Pleated Bag, $45

Go support fun indie artists!

I always mean to do this at least once a month, but tragically I am usually too busy to get to it. But here is another addition of hot steals I found on the web (aka cool clothes on sale!):



This cute dress by Lily, at Nordstrom, is on sale for $42 from $108 and all sizes are still in stock!!



Alfani Woman Deep Surplice Top, was $65, now $47.99 at Macys.com



Aphrodite Wrap Front Bathing Suit 50% off! Was $79, now $39.50 at AlwaysForMe.com


Crochet Gauze Dress, was $69.99, now $34.99 at Silhouettes.com