Soft, flowing styles: Simple, versatile, and fresh are all components of a great spring wardrobe.  Romanticism is in with light, airy knits that drape and flatter the figure.  Check out this Floral Cape from Cover Charge–a great example of romantic, texture and a print that works!

Longer hemlines: these can actually do wonders for a shorter frame if you add some height.  This can be done by showing a little skin- in this case it would be a little leg.  Skirts such as this Comfy USA  Slim Skirt that goes to just below the knee are ideal.  You can also add in some fabulous wedge sandals to complete the look and add even more height.

Prints: While this spring is a print-heavy season, it is not necessarily always the best option for petite, full-figures.  Another option: texture can be a better option than print in certain circumstances.  If you do decide to go for prints, however, choose low contrast, monochromatic prints or smaller prints.  You can pair these with a cardigan or cover up from the same color family for a completed look.  Be sure to only have one patterned piece per outfit.

Whites and brights: White is another popular spring fashion trend, but all-white may not the best option for the petite, full-figured shape.  Instead, try cobalt blues or darker versions of the bright colors that are in this season.  Putting bold colors on top such as our fave Neon Buddha’s Slash Collar Tunic paired with darker bottoms is a great way to draw the eye up and accentuate the face.

Wedge heel: Wedges are one of the best ways to make the leg look longer.  You don’t even need to have that much of a heel, unless you want to- just enough to create the illusion of more length.  Wedge sandals such as these UGG cork wedge sandals are particularly popular this spring.

Statement accessories: Stay away from big jewelry because the contrast will only serve to make you look shorter and will add bulk.  Stick with medium-size to small jewelry instead.  Long, layered necklaces and pendants are the best option.  Accessorizing with color is always a great idea, but be sure to only have one statement color piece per outfit.  Belts are also a great way to accessorize.  In the case of a full-figure, stick to mid thickness belts that accentuate, but don’t cinch the waist.

Wider legs: Bell bottoms and flares will rarely do the trick.  This season stick to straight legs such as our most popular pant this season our super slim pants from Comfy USA that create longer lines and length.  Avoid super skinny legged pants as they serve to accentuate the fullness of the hips and butt.

About our guest blogger and author: Jenni Sunde is a freelance fashion writer and pop culture junkie. As one of the editors with a fashion careers blog, Jenni specializes in all things fashion-related.

From designer profiles, to careers in fashion Jenni loves to write and explore all facets of style. With her love of art and all things beautiful, she delights in sharing her sense of style from her closet to your computer monitor.

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!

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!

Could it be?

Is 2010 the year for plus size models to get more work and continue the trend of placing plus size models in editorial campaigns-or- is it the same old cycle that we have seen before with a burst of activity that slowly fades away to be resurrected at a later time for the cycle to start again?

I am encouraged that there has been a number of recent high fashion editorial campaigns from V Magazine, Glamour, and Germany’s Brigitte Magazines with plus size models featured along side high fashion, Size 0 models or with models who represent women of all shapes and sizes.

Will it be enough to keep the momentum moving forward?

We know that the plus size models like Crystal Renn can hold their own against their straight-sized counterparts? Now, will the fashion industry and the public allow it, no…demand that it happens?  Finally.

Hmmmn. Remains to be seen.

More as it happens. Jodell

Listeners can log onto the show live at on Wedensday, January 13, at 3:00 p.m. EST.  Shows are also archived for easy access.

Sarah Maria, a reknown body-image expert who helps people love their bodies no matter how they look, shows people how to discover the beauty that is already inside of them, right now, in this moment. Once people lconnect with this beauty, they will discover that anything is possible – that they can create a body and a life that they truly love. Sarah Maria’s mission is to create a world where every person sees the beauty in themselves and in others. Sarah Maria has trained with well-known teachers and physicians, including Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Simon, Wayne Dyer, and Jack Canfield, among others. Her work has been endorsed by Deepak Chopra, Dr. David Simon, and NY Times best-selling author Marci Shimoff, as well as many other notable physicians, psychologists, and educators. Before writing her first book, she received a law degree from Stanford and a Master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.

The hottest looks of the summer: Plus size fashionistas are goin’ back to basics.  Roll up your straight leg jeans and wear them in a boyfriend jean style or as a new length for a capri pant.  Check out our NYDJ Stone Rivet Capris in Black. Are you in the 89% of those women who see jeans in their future?  The Stone Rivet Capris are chic and for many, can be worn from work to play.

These jeans are perfect as they offer uniqueness with cute detailing.  Pair your jeans with our second summer trend: Cute tops. From patterns to solids we have the tops to pair with your going back to basics summer style.    We cannot sing the praises enough about our tops from Sienna Rose. We are proud to offer these fabulous patterns and styles.  Try Sweet Tea from Sienna Rose. Great colors and styles with a hint of lace and a great topper for your capris.

Feminine and flirty details are in this season. Small ruffles that follow the lines of the garment elongates the body and gives a slim-fitting silhouette, like this Vivienne Cinch Dress from Kiyonna are perfect for plus size women.

How about  trendy plus size active wear that you can take from yoga to running errands to travel? Pick pieces that are made of out of a breathable, stretch, loose-fitting fabrics like cotton and lycra blends and are not too tight or bulky.  Check out our offerings from Neon Buddha.  We adore their pullovers, jackets tees, and pants. Check out this Neon Buddha Passport pullover in dry chili.

Love the styles and colors that can take us right into Fall ’09  Have a great summer. Here’s to the red, white and blue!  More as it happens,  Jodell

Plus size Model Fluvia Lacerda

Plus size model Nancy Hayssen

“Happy with who I am and where I am at!” The battle cry for the ages! That sentiment expressed so well by plus size model Nancy Hayssen who bares it all to make a statement as a response to anti-anorexia billboards that shocked the fashion world. Her point and the title of her book: You Can Be Sexy at any Size! We wholeheartedly agree.

Natalie Laughlin 1st Plus Size Model

I love the model Natalie Laughlin’s message. Natalie is the face of Anne Klein II and Liz Claiborne and has her own Billboard on Times Square for Mode Magazine. She promotes the concept that size is no longer an issue. She says, “It is all about style and not about size.” Here is a plus size model making a difference in fashion and how people view plus size women.

“Beat the Stylist” plus-size challenge

What? One of the criticisms for curvy women? Never seen a wrap dress that is flattering? How about one of the wrap dresses from Kiyonna. The difference? A wrap dress that wraps at the thigh which elongates the silhouette and flatters the figure! Kiyonna’s wrap dresses are the best wrap dresses on the market. Not comfortable in a wrap? Try a dress which cinches in at the waist to create or accent curves.

Quick shameless product plug here! But we are excited to have our Kristine Accessories back in stock!

Finally!! We have our new shipment of the infamous flat wallets back on our site! Fun colors in turquoise, hot pink, and lime and the staple colors of beige, black and the metallics! Check them out when you get a sec. Why do we love them? They are flat and do not take up a lot of room at all in your purse and you would not believe all of the stuff that you can get in them. And while you are at it, from Kristine–check out the square bangle bracelets, stackable and a different twist on a favorite accessory.

In other news, we are getting ready to finalize our fall buying plan! Can’t wait for you to see what we have in “store” no pun intended here :) for you for Fall!

Want a hint or two? What will you see? It is official that Floral prints, natural shades and black will be strong this Fall and separates, especially jackets and blouses, will be key pieces. We’re working on it!

Speaking of separates? Take inventory now to see what what can transition easily from spring to summer to fall. I love reading my surveys and I recently read that tops out-number bottoms in women’s closets by a 3 to 1 margin. Does your closet reflect those stats? Mine does. I also have had jackets that I have had around for years that I still wear. How about you?

Our best sellers this week have been Fenini, Kaktus, and once again the awesome Kiyonna line.

For those of you who have inquired about our next modeling contest? We are working on it! Expect to find details on our home page at the end of June 08 for our fall campaign.

In the meantime, we have a contest going on. Sign up now on BlackCatPlus.com and we will email you a $20 off coupon good towards any full price item worth $40 or more that we have on our site!! We love our customers!! And want YOU as one of our preferred customers!!

Jodell