This season, for a change from basic black, add a little bit of pizazz to your look by combining black and brown or try shades of gray.

A universally flattering color, these shades are versatile and can stand alone or can easily be paired with basic black for a rich look.  I just love the new shades of gray this season such as this Art of Cloth Anya Vest in Gravel which also combines a hint of texture as well.

As a topper, pair your jacket such as this Neon Buddha Mya Jacket with a basic black pair of dress pants or a similar shade pant which will lengthen and slim your torso.

Festive, fun and flattering shades of gray can be a perfect addition to your wardrobe this holiday season.

So, what are your five favorite things this Fall?    Sweaters? Tunics? LBD? How about Accessories, especially Mixed Chain and Wrap Necklaces like this Nicole Romano Charm and Chain Necklace. Love the green jade color!

Or even high heel loafers to pair with your favorite items such as these Franco Sarto high heel loafers.

Our friend Maureen (Moe) Wood, a great supporter of Black Cat Plus is working with us this month to promote our Shopping Spree Give-a-way!

Perfect! Just in time for the holidays and thanks to plusshe.com for helping us spread the word, you have a chance to win $100 Shopping Spree from Black Cat Plus.  So, run to plusshe.com and read the entry details. You have til November 30 at 3pm Eastern to enter.

Check out this site and Moe’s Five Favorite Things for the season!

Also, check our friends style blog at Fabulous Over Fifty for some great fashion finds!

The fashion industry is catering to the plus size market by using larger models on the runway, such as model Fluvia Lucerda below, who was featured in a previous issue of  Plus Model Magazine and also plus size models who are featured in mainstream fashion magazine spreads.   I love to look at Plus Model Magazine and am very excited when I see models in fashion magazines.

This past year for Fashion Week, many communities decided to include both plus size models and mainstream models to show off the season’s fashions.

Linda Scott, founder of Fort Lauderdale’s Fashion Week event 12-26 decided to show both plus and mainstream models together. As she said, “When you look at a fashion show, we all do the same thing.  We bring clothes to life.  Designers need to stop separating us in these shows in Paris and New York.”

Now, that’s when we can say that change is here to stay!

Photo: Plus Model Magazine

As with any change in protocol, it will be interesting to see whether these practices will remain the same or increase as demand increases.

“Manufacturers are responding in-kind as well by innovating online practices, changing stocking practices, store sizes and invading niche markets like plus sized clothing to boost margins,” according to new report from industry research firm IBISWorld.

The report also says that as women have more money to spend, new clothing stores will open to meet the growing demand for plus-size styles along with locally based designers and eco-friendly fashion.

I love these kind of reports and hope that the momentum for plus size fashion keeps moving forward in a positive direction.

Check out this week’s featured Fashion Flash blogger at Obsessed with Shoes.  Love this site!

More as it happens. Jodell

I am so excited to see capes, ponchos and anoraks as part of our plus size fashion offerings this season.

A poncho, such this Cover Charge Rose Poncho or this Diamond Paisley Poncho is perfect to throw on over anything —from a dress to a skirt and top or jeans and tank or even a tank top and tights. The Cover Charge ponchos have a tiny bit of bling added to the front to dress up any outfit.

Perfect to add to any plus size wardrobe, a cape or poncho is great to pair with skinny bottoms.  Remember, so you don’t look like Wonder Woman Superhero, (we already know you are, anyways!) to pair your cape with something  such as a dark pair of tights so it does not look too overpowering and is not a big cape over a big dress or skirt, but proportioned so that it provides a slimming and flattering silhouette.

Afraid your cape is too much?

Wear the item as outerwear for cool nights.

Stick to basic black or a patternless style.

And, make sure you don’t use your poncho as a “cover up”

Either way you’ll see that a cape or poncho keeps you covered, warm and in-style this season!

Also, before we forget! Check out Kari our Beauty expert on her blog at Fab Over Forty.

More as it happens!

Jodell