Plus Size Trends

May 1

Ok!! Checking in real quick this week!! So much to do here at BCP!! Thanks to our customers–we have doubled our sales this month!! YAY!! We look forward to bringing you up and coming designers, hot, hot, hot accessories, and flattering plus size contemporary fashions!! Thanks so much for the encouragement and support!! It has been a fun journey!
Ready? Get the pen!
The next installment of spring and summer must-haves!!
#1 on our list and now yours!–A great, basic, white shirt. We KNOW you need one. You know you need one! You have probably worn your other one to death and it is ready for the give-away pile. Crisp, tailored and even sheer for evening. A simple shirt is the answer to your prayers. Well, we found one that fits and is anything but ordinary!! We love our Fenini Asymetrical Shirt pictured above.
You’ll also notice what we call a bit of “Flounce” details this spring and summer. Yes, you do too know what we mean!! Ruffles and bows and all things that we thought about when we were young fashionistas in training! A bit of flounce is perfect to add just a hint of femininity. Check out the details in tops and dresses. Sleeves, hemlines, necklines that is where you will see a bit of flounce!
A must have item– full skirts in wonderful patterns. Flowered, printed in abstracts as shown above, plaids, stripes, they work for work or for a picnic outside! Pair with a basic top and you have QUITE the outfit! Just remember, full on the bottom needs a close-fitting top to strike the right pose–i.e. balance! And as for hemlines, up, down and everything in-between!! Anything goes!!
And for shoes….you may want to check out a pair of wedges especially if you need height, like a pump. Wedges are comfortable just like a flat. They are so right with everything casual from long skirts to short shorts!!
Have a wide foot?? Check out Jodell’s favorite store for wide shoes. Leonard’s Wide Shoes in Las Vegas!! Wait, you do not have to travel to Vegas. Well, you can if you want. Remember what happens in Vegas… You can order on the web!! Leonard used to live in Rochester and went to the same high school as Jodell!
There’s Trivia for you!! Great products and great service at Leonard’s!!
P.S. We have more items coming in for Mother’s Day!! Wait until you see our Yoga wear and for early summer–more Wraps!!
More as it happens!! Jodell
Apr 7

Pressed for time in the morning and want to grab something quick and easy to wear? How about this spring’s essential for stylish, contemporary plus size fashions?? Consider semi-tailored, close fitting dresses in either a wrap, belted shirtdress or sheath style are sure to be popular this season and must-have pieces to add to any wardrobe. Note in our blackcatplus descriptions which silhouette is flattering to your shape. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, there are plenty of choices this spring in dresses from prints to solids–bold and muted and everything in between. Why do dresses continue to stay in our boutiques and in our closets??
#1–They are easy to wear!! You do not have to think to coordinate!! Pick a dress and grab a bag and shoes and you are off to work!
#2–They are business-like and give you freedom to work and you can show a glimpse of your personality with details on the dress or adding accessories.
#3–They are longer and have more volume than in past, seasons which can easily be taken from day from work, luncheons, out for dinner, weekend party, and shopping to evening–parties and dinner dates! You can wear a dress over trousers or pair with tights and high heels.
Want a change of pace?? Incorporate two-piece dresses and skirt sets to mix and match your wardrobe.
You are sure to find a dress this season that is vesatile and can be used for work and many other occasions. Want to be on the best dressed list?? Check out our dress category on black cat plus—we are adding more styles each week. Happy Dressing!! Jodell
Mar 30

There are actually 15…but we will discuss the trends in blocks of five to make it easier. Get a note pad!

As we have mentioned before, it is florals and bold graphics are still going strong! This season, designers have offered bouquets to color your favorite dress, skirt, or top. It is an explosion of florals. Check out our Garden Party category as we are adding new items each week.

Not to be outdone, bold graphics join the light and dark for a look that cannot go wrong! Take a look at the newest additions to our art deco category. You’ll find pieces that you’ll want to add to your wardrobe.

Patent Leather makes a big comeback! Remember, when Easter meant a time for shiny Mary Janes? Now is the time to go and get patent leather shoes. Pair your new shoes with our Uddini Black Patent Handbag. And while you are at it, did you know that grey is the new black? Especially in accessories. Take a look at our Uddini Pewter Handbag. Hint: This is a color you will be able to take into fall!

And bangles…pile ‘em on!! The more the better!! Like potato chips–ok, the low fat kind, :) you cannot stop at one!
More to come! Jodell

Feb 16

Hi From Las Vegas!! The CFO—Chief Fashion Officer and our buyers from Black Cat Plus are at our second Magic trade show. It has been a crazy week! And fun to see what is ahead!

By the way, I found out what Magic stands for. Men’s Apparel Guild Association of California. However, there are not just men’s fashions at Magic. Picture a trade show with miiiiiiles of clothing, accessories, shoes. It is impressive… and for retailers an efficient way to do business and to get an overview of trends in fashion.

It is the place where we conduct the business of fashion–where Wall Street and the fashion industry come together and it takes place twice a year, once in August and once now in February. Above is a picture from one of the many fall fashion shows. I could not get anywhere NEAR the stage, so we took it from a staircase…not the greatest, but you can get an idea as to how many people attend and how extensive the show is.

There are 120,000 attendees from every country and representatives from 5000 brands and 4000 companies and 20,000 product lines –That is Magic in itself! There’s your history lesson. :)

The message is loud and clear and what you will see this coming season and in the seasons ahead are Eco-friendly fashions in the form of organic fabrics, textures that are remniscent of nature, and colors that reflect our commitment to our environment.

We are not just talking about clothing from socially responsible companies who care for our environment, but clothing that is woven from natural fibers and where the processing does not hurt our environment.
We have begun to build our eco-friendly fashion category at Black Cat Plus. We are seeking out the best in eco friendly plus size fashions and have found several new vendors who are environmentally responsbile AND fashion forward. In the coming weeks, we are excited for you to see what we have found. This is a movement that when combined with the casual lifestyle and seasonless dressing concept is here to stay!
More as it happens! Jodell

Feb 9

Ash and Sara’s Floral Mod Print Tee Buy at Black Cat Plus

Linda Lundstrom’s Pretty Leaves Dress at Black Cat Plus

On my way to Magic in Las Vegas: No, I am not going to a show for Magicians! Although sometimes, I think our job in retail is to create Magic for our customers!

Magic is the trade show where retailers do their buying for the next season ahead. It is exciting and fun to go to trade shows. Picture miles and miles and miles of clothing. Fun, but tiring.

In this case, the next season we are shopping for is Fall ’08. Yes, Fall ’08..

Most importantly, we are also putting the final touches on our Spring ’08 Collections.

For now, we are focused on Spring ’08. In the next month, at http://www.blackcatplus.com/, you will see our edited collections of the best of the best of we believe are show stoppers for Spring ’08. We are almost done searching for THE LOOKS that you cannot live without!

So stay tuned, we will post pictures of our collections as our shipments arrive.

For now, think about what you want to add or incorporate into your wardrobe for Spring. Hard to tell from just a few paragraphs here, I know.

But, there is a new wave of fashion developing, a bit of romance this Spring that has a spirit of kinder, gentler times. Florals, solids, art deco patterns, and pastels. And just when you think that the tone is subdued, you will find colors that POP mixed in.

It is my favorite time of year–the promise of things to come.

And while you are at it. Don’t forget to check out our Winter Clearance Sale with lines from Linda Lundstrom, Pure & Co., Kiyonna, and More.

Now is the time to try some of the items that you have been waiting for to go on sale and fill your closet with great items.

More as it happens from Las Vegas! I can’t wait! Jodell
Jan 6

One word. Quality. Sonya, owner of SoLia Boutique and I were having a conversation this afternoon about quality of clothing and what makes an article of clothing so expensive? In the age of disposable fashion, we are so used to cheaper quality that sometimes when we see a higher quality and higher priced garment we are in shock!

As our tastes mature, we get used to quality over quantity. I remember when I first started working right out of college, I was in the discount stores every weekend buying clothes. Now I would much rather have three to five key signature pieces to work into my wardrobe than several pieces that I will have to throw out because they have worn out.

To train your eye, start looking at fabric, workmanship and overall style. Close your eyes and feel the fabric. Look at the fabric and see how it drapes across your body. Compare fabrics–is it shiny-sometimes, not all of the time, sheen can be an indication of a cheaper fabric. How does the fabric feel against your skin? Is the fabric soft such as the Modal cotton tees from Kiyonna that our customers love and we sell so much of in our store. http://stores.blackcatplus.com/Categories.bok?category=Kiyonna.

Take a look at workmanship-how are the seams finished, and evaluate the quality of the overall garment? Do you have to dry clean the fabric or is it machine or hand washable–sometimes that makes a difference in price? How about the zippers and buttons?—do you have a hard time pulling up the zipper or buttoning the buttons? Canadian Designer, Linda Lundstrom, has some of the best quality workmanship I have ever seen. Take a look at her pieces on our site. http://stores.blackcatplus.com/Categories.bok?category=Linda+Lundstrom. There is not a single item that is unfinished and each item of hers can be a staple in this season’s wardrobe. Her pieces are show stopper pieces for sure!

Also, take a look at where the garment is made. A garment made in the U.S., Canada, or Europe is simply going to cost more.

For plus size women, clothing quality is so essential to looking our very best. We cannot get away with cheap, unflattering pieces of clothing. This year make a promise to yourself to pay attention to what you are wearing and how you are dressing. Does your outfit make you look and feel your best. If not, take it off and donate it! Yes, you can still lose those ten or twenty pounds by all means, but dress for right now. It is the truth that people judge us by how we look. It is about confidence and how confident we are when we are wearing clothes that are made well and that we wear well.

Here’s a practical suggestion for the New Year! Evaluate your closet and take a look at where you can add a few “keeper” pieces of your own that can be mixed or matched with anything in your wardrobe. Looking to donate old suits and career separates? Dress For Success, our favorite charity is the place. Go to our site for info or http://www.dressforsuccess.org/ for additional info. For those customers who donate in January, take 10% off of your order on www.blackcatplus.com! Use Code DFS when checking out! Jodell

Next Entries »