Plus Size Fashion - Tips for Finding the Right Bra

How often does a plus size woman despair about finding the right bra for everyday wear? The one that makes her clothes fit right, feels good, and -- dare we expect it -- looks pretty? October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it's been on my mind lately.

It's estimated that as many as 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra! It seems a bigger challenge for plus size women, who may shy away from the triple mirror and feel too exposed in the lingerie dressing room, not to mention intimidated by the intimate nature of proper bra fitting by an expert.

But...finding the right bra with the right fit isn't as hard as it seems, if you follow just a few simple rules:

• Measure correctly! Just to refresh your memory:

1. Wear a non-padded bra. Keeping the measuring tape parallel with the ground, measure around your bra directly under your bust after expelling all air from your lungs. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If the measurement is even, add 4"; if the measurement is odd, add 5". Look in a mirror to ensure the tape is parallel to the floor. The position of your tape measure is critical. If you have the tape too high, your measurement will be too large; too low and it's too small.
2. Standing straight, with your arms at your side, measure at the fullest part of your bust making sure the measuring tape is parallel with the floor and not binding. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If one of your breasts is significantly larger, put some type of padding in the cup of the smaller breast to make it even with the larger breast before taking your measurement.
3. Subtract your band measurement (step 1) from your cup measurement (step 2). Generally, for each inch in difference, the cup goes up by one size. Example:
   Step 1: 37" under bust measurement + 5" = 42" band
   Step 2: 45" over bust measurement
   Step 3: 45" - 42" = 3" or "C" cup
   Your correct size would be 42C

• Take some time to try on different styles and choose one that supports with smooth lines, does not cut into your back or breasts, and avoids "squashing".

• Lift, support and comfort are all key. Many women find underwire bras to be uncomfortable, so they make the mistake of wearing a soft, non-underwire cup. There's not enough support, especially for full-figured women. A properly fitted underwire bra should rest comfortably against your rib cage with a soft cotton casing. If the wire lifts away from your chest, move up one cup size. It's OK to alternate between soft cup and underwire bras.
  

• The back band of your bra provides 90 percent of the support, so the ideal fit should be firm yet comfortable; and stretch across the middle of your back, not up around your shoulder blades.

• A word on minimizers...they compress rather than support. A bra with seams, shape and cup depth will prevent jiggling without mashing. Stick with bras that lift and center the bust line for the best look.
  

There's another important reason to wear a bra that fits correctly - there may be a link between breast cancer and tight bras that restrict lymphatic drainage in the breast. There are many lymph nodes and passages in the breast and underarm area that can be restricted (and thereby unable to do their job) by tight fitting lingerie, allowing an accumulation of body waste and toxins in breast tissue.

Did you know that your bra size can change as many as six times throughout your life? Weight gain and loss, pregnancy, nursing, and hormonal changes contribute to these changes. Experts recommend getting fitted yearly to ensure optimum fit and health.

As a result of thinking about how bras complement or destroy how we look in our clothes and writing this article, I measured myself again and found that I need a bigger band size and a smaller cup size. I guess I'm off to a department store to check out styles in my new size!

Don't sacrifice service, style and comfort because you're embarrassed to ask for help when buying a bra. Go ahead, ask as many questions as you need to! You'll be much happier (and more comfortable) in the long run.

Remember to check your breasts and to schedule your annual mammogram!

xoxo-Robyn

Plus Size Fashion - Dress the Body You Have: Top 4 Hints

Every day we are inundated with images of what it means to be a fashionable woman. And that usually entails wearing a size that is as small as possible, despite the fact that more than 40% of us wear a size 14 or larger.

The body you have is curvy and voluptuous – but most importantly it is the body that you have right now, today. And to feel good, pretty, sexy, smart, and capable, you need to dress it the right way to enhance the positive aspects and minimize the negatives. That means wearing Clothes That Fit.

The two biggest mistakes are made at both ends of the fit spectrum. Some women wear clothes that are too small, creating a tight casing that looks as bad as it feels and highlights and exaggerates figure flaws. Some women dress in clothes that are too big, thinking that they are “hiding” problem zones, when in fact they are making themselves look bigger and, quite frankly, sloppy.

Take a deep breath. The size on the tag is a number only YOU see. What everyone else sees is a confident woman in clothes that are suited to her figure and that fit correctly. So get out of those jeans and pants you can’t breathe in; and the baggy, droopy tops that you should only wear to clean the bathroom – and get into figure flattering clothes in the right size for YOU.

Where to start? Here are a few hints to get you started:

• Lingerie - Pretty Is As Pretty Does. The basic foundation for how clothes will drape on your frame.If your lingerie is too tight, you’ll get exaggerated bulges and cuts that make you look lumpy. If it’s too big, you won’t get the fit and foundation you need. Get thee to a lingerie expert and get fitted for a bra and panties that suit your figure. You need help on this, and will want to try on a variety of styles.

• Skirts – Take the A Train. An A-line skirt is the most flattering for just about any figure. It fits at the waist and skims the hips, drawing the eye outward.It won’t cling or look baggy, and it’s a great figure balancer. Here’s a great A-line skirt from my store, in Fall-perfect suede in a variety of colors.

• Pants – Shoot From the Hip. Look for pants that fall at or just below your natural waist. A wider waistband is flattering, and a bit of stretch in the fabric will allow ease of motion and prevent gaps when you move. Most important is a pant that falls in a straight line from hip to ankle, which elongates the leg and hides any bulges. Designer Abby Z. makes a great basic pant that works for the office or the weekend, and a super pair of jeans that hugs your curves without looking or feeling tight.

• Tops – Wrap It Up. A wrap top is an integral part of your wardrobe.It elongates the neck, hugs your curves in a modest fashion, nips in at the waist to create an hourglass shape, and moves with you. Here’s a wonderful wrap from Kiyonna in classic white or black.

It’s critical to treat yourself with respect, and wearing the right style of clothing in the right size will give you a big confidence boost in your on-the-go lifestyle. Give it a try - you'll see and feel the difference!

xoxo-Robyn

A version of this article first appeared in Prospere Magazine.

Plus Size Fashion - Budget Style for an Art Gallery Opening

I was invited to a fancy gallery opening, and it was dripping summer hot. What to wear that would be stylish enough, but also easy to wear in hot, sticky humidity?

I went with a bit of budget style - just because an outfit isn't expensive doesn't mean it has no style! I picked up this cute little black dress from Merona and shoes from Moda Spana

The dress has simple, elegant styling, with an empire waist with ruched bodice and back tie closure. The spaghetti straps are adjustable, and the just-below-the-knee length flowing skirt is flattering. I've worn it to a beachside wedding in Miami with killer Manolo Blahniks, and out for a casual dinner in NYC with sparkly silver flat sandals.

The shoes offer a lacy laser cut-out design and patent bow with a feminine kitten heel. Simple style for standing up and walking through the gallery for several hours!

I felt well-put together for meeting collectors and other business professionals, but also cool and comfortable. The opening was fantastic with lots of interesting people and I was confident that the style and fit of my clothes was flattering.

And isn’t confidence the most important thing?

xoxo-Robyn

Welcome to Chique*Life!

Hi from Chique*Life - the web store and web mall for plus size fashion and other specialties. I'm Robyn, the founder of Chique*Life, and I believe that if you feel passionate about something, you can use your enthusiasm and expertise and build a community of like-minded people to share ideas.

A little bit about me:

• I'm a small business entrepreneur living in the big city.
• I'm a homemaker and organic gardener.
• I'm a world traveler who loves home best.
• I take adventures even though I'm sometimes afraid.
• I'm using all the skills I learned in a variety of businesses to make Chique*Life a success.

The idea behind Chique*Life is to create a community of stores that specialize in the best products in a given category. Chique*Life offers a variety of fashion, home, and pet goods and is the anchor store in the community. We'll be testing new ideas and new categories there first.

We just launched our newest website, Chique*Plus, specializing in fashion-forward women's plus size apparel.

Why Plus?

• Because finding beautiful, stylish and unique clothing can be daunting in sizes over 12.
• Because every woman has the right to look her best, in clothes that fit.
• Because shopping in an environment where your needs are understood makes it easier and much more fun.

We're still putting the finishing touches on design and merchandise selection, but hope you'll like what we offer.

Be sure to let me know if you have a favorite brand or designer that you think we should carry, or if there is a new "must have" item that we can get for you. Please leave a comment or get in touch at robyn at chiquelife dot com.

Robyn