Plus Size Designers — Anna Scholz
Anna Scholz launched her self-titled label for plus size clothing from her flat in London in 1996. Her creations dress the curves of women size 12 to 28 from a limited seasonal collection that usual involves bright patterns and fine details from the latest trends.
From season to season there have been a number of pieces I have fallen in love with but this season I’m shocked by the numbers she has thrilled me with. Even more thrilling is the fact she has created two labels: the white label and the black label.
The white label is described as the premium collection with luxury fabrics, designer cuts and statement pieces. My favorite pieces include (prices range from £219 to £445):
The black label is at a slightly lower price and focuses on daywear. My favorite pieces include (prices range from £70 to £195):
One of the best features of the her fresh looking website is more models showing off the designs (both in print and video). I think this is a huge improvement over the mannequins which didn’t give an impression of fit or how to style the pieces. There is a choice of viewing all three so it should please many shoppers.
The Anna Scholz label can be found at select walk-in/online boutiques and department stores (Neiman Marcus/ Saks Fifth Avenue) as well as at her official website which ships worldwide.
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Topic Links
* Visit Anna Scholz for plus size designer clothing
* Other plus size clothing designers
Plus Size Designers
There’s this myth that plus size fashion designers are few and far between — this is far from the truth. Over the last decade plus size fashion has made great strides all over the world. Over the next few weeks I’ll share some of my favorites to keep an eye out for.
- Anna Scholz
- Jacqueline Floro
- Biya Ramar
- Melissa Masse
- Jasmine Elder
- Niehla Ollie
- Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi
- Monif Clarke
- Qristyl Frazier
- Yuliya Zeltzer
More coming in a few days!
The Light Weight Sweater Dress
Last week I highlighted a chunky sweater dress. Today’s sweater dress is quite the contrast. This striped Light Weight Sweater Dress is from plus size icon Lane Bryant is delicate and figure hugging.
I love the stripes — a hot trend. What makes the stripes on this dress hot is the multi colors and the change in direction on the bodice. The stripe are made even more appealing to the eye with the solid black trim and thicker waist band. This light weight dress is available in sizes 14 to 28 for $79.50.
With the lighter weight sweater often comes the need for body shapers. Lane Bryant has one of the best ones I’ve seen yet, the Spanx Slim Cognito Body Shaper. I love how it attaches to the bra to keep it from sliding down the belly, something we all know would happen at some part of the day (I can feel the nuisance as I type). The Cognito body shaper comes in nude or black and sizes in sizes xl to 3x for $76. I can definitely see this item as a staple for smooth figure hugging fabrics of all kinds.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Light Weight Sweater Dress from Lane Bryant
* Get your own Spanx Slim Cognito Body Shaper from Lane Bryant
Francesca Dress
The Francesca Dress from plus size retailer Igigi had been a popular staple in black and amethyst for some time. It’s one of my favorite dresses because of it’s simple lines that work with a curvy body’s feminine appeal — the draped body, empire waist, flared skirt. 
Because the shoulders are designed to be worn on and off the shoulder it makes it a perfect dress for day to evening outings. All that is required is a little slip of the fabric (possibly a bra change), and a change in shoes and accessories.
This week Igigi got me all excited with the introduction of a new color to the already awesome Francesa Dress — teal. It’s is so heavenly. As many of you know pretty much blue anything is my favorite color. Especially if it is a rich a hue as this one.
The Francesca Dress is available in sizes 12 to 32 for $162.
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size Francesca Dress from Igigi
* Another favorite Igigi dress
* Where to get party dresses
The Chunky Sweater Dress
I realize that spring is in the air with all the look-books being released but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped thinking about winter. My toes just won’t let me. With end of season sales on the way it’s not surprising that this Swiss Miss Sweater Dress is on sale at Apple Bottoms for $69.99 in sizes 2x and 3x. The color is kind of springy, no?
This plus size sweater dress has nice details, a bright trendy color, and it has an appropriate length — I wouldn’t feel like my booty was getting a draft (or worse). As the model shows it looks great with dressy shoes. But it is definitely doable with tights and boots. Of course black would be my color of choice to make this color snap but We Love Colors has over 51 colors of tights I’m sure they would have an coordinating color.
What color tights would you wear with this dress?
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Topic Links
* Get your own Swiss Miss Sweater Dress from Apple Bottoms
* Plus Size Opaque Tights
* A Light Weight Sweater Dress
Gabourey Sidibe With Batwings
Last week I mentioned Monif C’s red batwing dress for Valentine’s Day. This week I see the adorable Gabourey Sidibe is wearing the black version on the cover of Ebony with leggings and booties. The Roxie Batwing Dress is available in sizes 1x to 3x for $175.
If you want the complete look you can make one stop for shiny leggings ($30), booties ($64), and bracelets ($10-14) at Torrid:
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Topic Links
* Get your own black Roxie Batwing Dress from Monif C
* Get your own Black Glitter Ruched Lamé Leggings from Torrid
Valentine’s Dresses
Every girl should have a red dress that screams Happy Valentine’s Day. Here are five of my favorites:
This Raquel Lipstick Red Dress is from B & Lu and is available in sizes 1x to 4x for $59. This retro dress hugs the right cuves and has a panel to accentuate the waist. It looks like something Christina Hendricks’s character from Mad Men might wear.
This Quinn Jewel from Kiyonna is on sale for $68. It is available in sizes 0x to 5x. For the conservative woman who is not afraid to tease with a little arm flesh. No exposed waddle here.
This “Roxie” Beaded V-Neck Batwing Dress is from Monif C and is available in sizes 14 to 24 for $175. For the pop star fashionista.
This limited edition Sienna Dress is from Igigi and is offered in sizes 12 to 28 for $158. Pretty, flowing and flattering.
This Red Bandage Dress is from Torrid in sizes 2 to 5 for $54. Curve hugging crisscrossing pleats — what’s not to love!
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Topic Links
* Get your own Lipstick Red Dress for B & Lu
* Get your own Quinn Jewel Dress from Kiyonna
* Get your on Roxie Beaded Dress from Monif C
* Get your own Sienna from Igigi
* Get your own Bandage Dress from Torrid
Houndstooth and Tights
A couple weeks ago I was reading Viva magazine (a women’s health magazine) and they had a fashion spread. One particular outfit caught my eye. Of course it was worn by a slender young woman but when I saw it I instantly thought it would also look awesome on a plus body. So for weeks I’ve been looking for the plus size alternative. I think I’ve found it. Or at least as close to it as possible at this time (sorry I don’t have the original photo to share).
The hardest part of trying to piece this outfit together was finding a houndstooth dress. And then I found two! The one on the left is from Etsy and can be “made to measure” by the PyxusPassionProject for $120 (very reasonable). The sleeveless one on the right can be purchased in sizes 16 and 20 from Target for $20.98.
These plus size red opaque tights are from We Love Colors and fit plus size women up to 375 pounds. They are $15.
These Ros Hommerson Melia booties are from Zappos and were the first part of the outfit that came together. They come in regular and wide widths in black kid leather for $117.95.
The Grey and Black Fur Capelet is from Torrid and is an affordable $24!
And finally the Wide Silver Bracelet is from Torrid for $10.
Incidentally the items in the magazine spread cost over $4000. Mine are under $300, even less if you go for the second dress choice.
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Topic Links
* Get your own houndstooth dress from Etsy
* Get your own houndstooth dress from Target
* Get your own plus size red opaque tights from We Love Colors
* Get your own Ros Hommerson – Melia booties from Zappos
* Get your own fur capelet and bracelet from Torrid
Forget Me Not Dress
I absolutely love the color of this Forget Me Not Dress — pacific blue. It is available at plus size dress maker Igigi in sizes 12 to 32 for $118. I found this dress and an awesome wrap dress in their new arrivals. 
I don’t know if I’m just mesmerized by the color or what but I love the v-neck and the fact the princess knot is at the waist and not empress style. Like most Igigi’s dresses this one is lined.
Depending on the accessories this dress would double for the office and a dinner party. Did I mention I love the color. I wonder if it’s that wonderful in real life. Anyone see it?
Topic Links
* Get your own plus size Forget Me Not Dress from Igigi
How to Use the Convertible Dress
There’s no doubt that Monif C’s Convertible Marilyn Dress is the most versatile piece on the market. There are a few basic colors but usually new colors are introduced each season. It comes in a long or short version that can be used as a party dress, wedding dress, brides maid dresses, New Year’s dress… it is endless. Because the dress fits sizes 8 to 24 you pretty much always know you’ll have something that fits wheather you are up or down ten pounds. The dress costs $195 which seems like a lot for one dress but not for 22 — that works out to almost $9 per dress.
Here’s the latest instruction video from Monif on how to wear the many faces of this dress whether long or short. I bet you can come up with more.
The first instruction video:
More Convertible Dress:
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Topic Links
* Get your own Convertible Marilyn Dress from Monif C
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