I really loved the actresses’ collective tastes  this year.  Kudos to them and their stylists!

Black. Check.  Glitz, Green, check. More glitz, check.  Here’s something new–subdued, as in subtle shades of pink, from blush to barely there pink to me squinting at the television and saying, “Well then, what color is that?? Nude? Shell?”

Yup, more minimalism and simplicity and femininity. Perfect for the times!  Except Sandra, sweetie. You are like our sister, daughter, cousin, best friend all rolled into one. We WANT to see your pretty face. Cut the bangs. I know, I know,  what a difference a year has made for you. But, we worry constantly about you!  So, cut them! Just a tad! For us, please.

Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab. My favorite. Maybe because it reminds me of a Fairy Princess dress. Leighton Meesler in Burberry. Diana Agron in J. Mendel. Carrie Underwood in Badgley Mischka.

I believe I love the hint of color most of all, because then the focus was on their faces and their hair style.  Did you also notice that there were minimal accessories?  Not ten bracelets dripping in diamonds with earrings that cost more than my house, car and all wordly possessions put together.

Interesting…I really loved the universally flattering simple elegant lines, low, low, low, backs and then to the opposite end of the spectrum, glitz with a hint of, what was that? Gasp,  the 80′s? Amber Riley of Glee and below, Anne Hathaway in her Armani Prive bringin’ sexy back dress. WOW.

Of course, the first thing I always ask myself is, “Well, would a plus size person wear that?” Well, except for the amazing January Jones Versace gown, Probably! And there’s a good chance we can get into something similar!  You remember the gown that January wore!  This one..

Photo Getty Images.

Note to self: Don’t feel bad, you never could wear something like that and no matter how much you try you never could even when you were four. Don’t stress.  This dress looked great on January. I even love her name.  (I was born in January. In case you want to send an email birthday wish, it is the 30th. :)

And, we really can take away some good style tips from the first show of the Awards Season!

Neutral tones, play up the face! Simple lines are always in style and can make any dress work. We can wear sequins and look awesome! Low backs, hmnn. Well, not as low as Miss Anne’s, but we can go low, to a point.  And, try a different color-such as Emerald Green?

Off we go to the Emerald City!  A very nice color and a very nice change. Take a look at Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace and Mila  Kunis in Vera Wang. Are those shoulder pads in Angelina’s dress?

So, grab your Golden Globe Grey Goose Cocktail and here’s a toast to Fashion!

Try this recipe from Grey Goose in Celebration of Style!

Grey Goose Le Fizz recipe:

An elegant and refreshing combination of Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime juice and elderflower, topped with ice cold soda.

Ingredients

1 oz Grey Goose vodka
1/2 oz Elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz Freshly-squeezed lime juice
Top up Soda water

Method

Combine Grey Goose, elderflower liqueur and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a champagne flute. Top with chilled soda water.

Can’t wait for the Oscars!

More as it happens! Jodell

We have several key items to complete your fall wardrobe.  This season it is about mixing and matching from memorable prints to patterns and texture, finding easy-to-wear jackets and pants suits, selecting classic shades in neutrals to add to your wardrobe and dresses that can go from day to dinner and beyond.

As long as the print colors are true to nature, your animal print will never go out of style.  Check out Simply Silk’s Animal Print Silk Jacket with just a hint of leopard print, this jacket is timeless.

Pair with red shoes to make a statement!

Our Caribe crushed taffeta jacket fits the bill in so many ways.  It is seasonless!  This jacket is packable, comfortable,  and has a crinkle texture. Better yet! You can mix and match with your favorite skirt or pair of pants.

Need a new pant suit? Check out Brooke Chapman’s Bolero pantsuit.  Great to pack and easy-to-wear!  We just love  both the color and the style of this  Neon Buddha shirt tail jacket in olive!

Influenced by AMC’s Mad Men perhaps, this Portrait Dress from Brooke Chapman, from Canada, provides both a flattering silhouette, wonderful texture and the season’s celebrated color combo in black and white.

Here is Shannon Cooney, Head Designer from Pure and Co., and Neon Buddha discussing this season’s trends.  No matter what your shape, make your look work for you! Happy Fall!

Happy Fourth of July! We have the plus size fashionista’s true red, white and blue promo that we came across recently!

Kudos to Tommy Hilfiger and Co.!

Here’s your opportunity to help disadvantaged women achieve economic independence! When you purchase this limited edition scarf or tie at Tommy Hilfiger’s on line shop, 100% of the proceeds will benefit our fave charity Dress for Success! The best thing: It’s on Sale!! You know you want it!  Truly a present to yourself and a way to help other women become independent!

June is almost here can you believe it? Almost six months into 2010.

And ’tis the season for love, love, and more love.  Wedding fever is upon us!

Here are three things to keep in mind when you are searching for that special dress to wear to a wedding:

#1:  Note the time of day, the location of the wedding and what the invitation says.  For a more formal wedding or a wedding later in the day that runs into the evening, you may want to consider a suit, a cocktail dress or a more formal dress in a longer length.  Depending upon the formality, you may want to have a dress that has a bit of beading.  Take a look at our Simply Silk Two Piece Beaded Dress for a more formal wedding.

For a less formal dress, you can consider a jacket over a pant suit or a tank dress.   Take a look at our Sienna Rose Black and Cream Feathered Daisy Dress

or our Simply Silk Jackets like this Aqua silk burnout kimono jacket or the

Simply Silk hand painted, beaded mini butterfly kimono jacket.  For the most part, anything goes—within reason.  However, club wear, too-revealing attire and wild prints are best left for another time and place.

Remember the choices are endless! You can dress in pretty floral prints or solid colors in yellow, blue, green,  or purple and certainly avoid anything that will “outshine” the bride–like all white– on her special day.

When in doubt: Call and ask– it is perfectly acceptable to do so.

#2  Consider the wear-ability and reuse-abilty factor. In other words, can I wear it again?   Many times, I have purchased “the season” dress up dress as long as I am not going to be seen by the same circle of friends and family.  Make the dress different by choosing different accessories.  I love to be able to have an item that crosses over from work to more formal wear.

#3  Consider the  fabric and detail work on the dress. Can it be removed if you want to make it your everyday dress.  Don’t forget your tailor! It always amazes me when women come into the store and find that perfect dress but it is too long here or  too big there or shows too much here…A good tailor is a must!  For a small amount, you can take the garment to the tailor and get it adjusted to you.  Very few things today fit like a glove.   Investing a little bit will save you a lot in the long run.

Most of all, share the love and have fun! Happy Wedding Season to All!

Need something to cover up those plunging V-neck wrap dresses or tank tops?

I must admit I was skeptical at first.  As a Size 18, I was like, “Ummm. Will it fit? Will it feel tight?” Yes and No! It is the perfect piece. I cannot stand another layer of clothing and this is the perfect accessory and it fits!

We’ve got the perfect answer!  Our Miss Oops Plus Size Boob Tubes! You will love this item and not ever want to be without it!  Watch the Boob Tube on the View!


As you can see…It is a great product, great company and we are pleased to offer the Plus Size Boob Tube here at Black Cat Plus–it is a popular, must have item and our customers love it. I love this product and cannot recommend it enough! I am wearing one right now under one of our Sienna Rose tops.

Great, cotton stretch jersey that sits in the right spot–front and center and covers right where you want it to and does not move or bind.   The Boob Tube comes in black, white and beige. And, pretty soon the Boob Tube will be coming in sizes 2X and 3X.  We’ll let you know when we have them in stock!

We recommend wearing the Boob Tube with our plus size Sienna Rose tops or our plus size Kiyonna wrap dresses or tops!

Check it out! Free shipping!

We are very excited at Black Cat Plus to Welcome Plus Size Silk Threads to our collection of esteemed designers!

We love Silk Threads tunics and know you will too!!  Designed in Dallas, Tx by Vanita Tahim and her team, and made in India–these items are anything but ordinary!

In 1X, 2X and 3X which equals sizes from 14W-16W; 18W-20W and 22W-24W, Silk Threads tunics are generously cut with the right fit and proportions to properly fit a plus size woman’s curves. This Silk Threads keyhole tunic is an excellent example of the quality, detail and fit of a Silk Threads tunic!

Renown for their colorful and stylish tunics and tops with embellishments and thread detail, a Silk Threads tunic will be treasured for many years to come.  Taking inspiration this season from the popular tribal, animal, and East Indian cultures, Silk Threads has the item you will need for a night on the town or to dress up and pair with your favorite skirt or pants for a colorful day at the office.

The Silk Threads tunics are conversation pieces which are well done with enchanting designs and flawless quality such as this animal print peasant top.

We think you will be pleased with our new Silk Threads line!  As Silk Threads says, “Silk Threads–Raises the spirit and lifts the heart!”

We think so too!!

On Sunday, April, 11, 2010, Black Cat Plus was proud to participate as a sponsor boutique for the second year in a row for Gila’s Club of Rochester (NY) Surviving In Style Fashion Show.

Thank you to our lovely models who were either cancer survivors and/or care-givers: Amy, Chelsea, Mildred, Ophelia, and Sandy, who wore our fashions so well!

Each one of our models is truly an inspiration and showed us how to survive and thrive in style!

Our models were wearing:

Amy

Sienna Rose Embroidered Tunic and Alain Weiz embroidered Jeans with our turquoise Uddini handbag.

Chelsea

Sienna Rose Tank Dress in Summer Purple

Mildred

Simply Silk Two piece Beaded Dress in Black

Ophelia

NYDJ Black Contrast Stitch Jeans and Silk Threads Animal Print Peasant Top

Sandy

Diane Kennedy Bliss Wrap, Tank, and Serene Pants in Navy

I was reading in Women’s Wear Daily the other day that the Misses’ Market is getting a well-deserved makeover in terms of updated silhouettes, textures and prints.  That is good to hear.

The misses market came about during the tried and true Eisenhower era when clothes were functional, predictable, matronly, a bit more on the dressier side, wearable, well-made and most important of all, safe and conservative.  (I was not even born then, how about you?) In those, days, women did not want to stand out or look too good. (I would have been miserable.) The pieces in those days,  were designed to camouflage middle aged figure flaws.

Today’s woman has a very modern mindset and busy lifestyle.  They may not be able to fit into pieces they wore in their twenties, but they still want to have an updated, modern look.  And, to reflect their beliefs and central to this change in the missy market, is comfort, fit, selection and versatility.

According to WWD, many missy retailers including Talbots, have even dropped the word “misses” from its stores, catalogs, and other corporate messaging.

Got me thinking, “Well what about the plus size market?” Where do we fit in?  If the missy market is under-going an overhaul, won’t the plus size market under-go a transformation as well?

Some may argue, but I would consider the plus size market a cousin of the missy market. Many of the styles that are done in missy are done in plus.  The misses’ market represents the largest chunk of the women’s apparel business.  It is bigger than juniors, contemporary, or designer and historically has been the least exciting and the most challenging to define according to David Moin, writer of the March 31 WWD article.  Examples of traditional missy labels include Tommy Hilfiger, Anne Klein, Ellen Tracy, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors.

There is some disagreement in the fashion world as to what constitutes misses – is it based on size, age, or lifestyle?  However, there is agreement that this category has been the slowest to change until now.

It will be interesting to see what the misses market does in terms of a makeover? A different name? Different styles? Different fabrics?

So…what is next for plus, I wonder? Can we re-name the plus size market?  I remember when plus size were depicted in half-sizes and the children’s and pre-teen plus markets were called Chubby. Eeuuw.

So, while we are transforming the missy, why don’t we throw some more attention to plus?

We need what the missy market is emphasizing: Layering, crafted looks, different fabrics, embellishments, active wear like our Neon Buddha contrast zip jacket, that is not just for being active, and career wear.  And how about these pieces in updated silhouettes and prints that represent a more relaxed lifestyle? Check out this keyhole tunic from Silk Threads.

Essential for the plus size market–or any market–is really how a trend is depicted and then executed.  Women want to buy it now and wear it now, and to have trends interpreted to fit their lifestyle, age and silhouette and to have pieces that can go at least two, if not, three seasons. Check out our Neon Buddha Yin Yang Pullover in Coral–great “twist” to a trend!

So, we will be waiting with great anticipation as to what is next for plus! Plus Size Designers..listen to our customers and respond…quickly! Then all of us will benefit!

We’ve got you covered! Take advantage of the season’s best in tights and leggings.  Some things to keep in mind when selecting the right pair of tights:

1. Make sure they are not too tight (no pun intended).  Go up a size if you need to.

2. Make sure also, that the tights are flattering to your legs.  Use a solid color to balance.

3. Extra long length tunics can be great if you want to wear wild patterns and colors.

Be sure to check out the tights selection at We Love Colors! We thank our friends at We Love Colors for supplying us with the tights for use in our video. Check out their March We Love Colors Music Contest!

Check this out:

Need an alternative to tights?  Try Diane Kennedy’s capris or gauchos?

I love, love, love, the Oscars! How about you?! I was thinking about how plus size women can take advantage of the trends that we have been seeing for special occasions.

Two things to keep in mind: outrageous and elegant mixed together.

There is a nod to trends of the past, but this spring, fashion is taking a big step in what we are being told, is quite a new direction.  This season: smart and sexy looks rule when paired with sporty and delicate styles and how about in neutral tones all serve to create an elegant, barely there look.

Look for champagne, beige and all shades of grey are in!  Take a look at this grey beaded jacket from Simply Silk.

Part of the reason why this neutral color style has emerged is because there is so much print and energy in other trends this season, which suggests that neutral will also outlive these other trends. You will see bold geometric patterns and animal prints to complement and contrast with the neutral tones.

I am wondering with great anticipation! Will we see these neutrals with a hint of the outrageous this evening for the Oscars?  What will Mo’ Nique and Sandra and Meryl be wearing?
Cannot wait! More tomorrow! We will know soon!
Jodell