Comments on: The Good, the Ugly, and the Bad http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/ Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:02:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: La BellaDonna http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-29130 La BellaDonna Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:50:37 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-29130 I would also like to suggest for the West Coast ladies, see if you can find yourself a Frederick's of Hollywood! Yes, yes, snicker, point, nudge, giggle, eyeroll. Now that that's done, and you have the catolog back from the guys, I would like to point out that their bras, which are pretty darned well made, come in a variety of sizes - and they are very, very happy to have the custom of larger ladies. I bought a La Mystere bra for which I coughed up $72 hard-earned dollars; I bought two bras from Frederick's, cut <i>exactly the same,</i> for an equally hard-earned $26 apiece. In pretty colours. One, I think, was ruby with silver embroidery; the other was black with lavender (plainer options were available, too.) A suggestion: the best-fitting and most supportive bras are the ones that ladies are often most reluctant to buy, to wit: the bra with a horizontal seam across the top, and another, vertical seam below and perpendicular to that upper seam. <b>That cut of bra offers THE best support and fit, bar none.</b> (My source for information being professional bra-makers/bra pattern-makers.) The best bra strap for a larger bosom is one that doesn't stretch. And a molded-cup bra is only going to work its best on someone whose breast is naturally globe-shaped; the woman with a naturally-pointy breast is going to find that the molded cup will crumple up to fill in where her breast isn't. But do give Frederick's a look! Sometimes the stores will even have the Respected Elderly Lady with Tape Measure! And the catalog is fun, too. I like the fact that Frederick's is all about "Of COURSE Big Girls have sex and want to dress sexy!" I would also like to suggest for the West Coast ladies, see if you can find yourself a Frederick’s of Hollywood! Yes, yes, snicker, point, nudge, giggle, eyeroll. Now that that’s done, and you have the catolog back from the guys, I would like to point out that their bras, which are pretty darned well made, come in a variety of sizes - and they are very, very happy to have the custom of larger ladies. I bought a La Mystere bra for which I coughed up $72 hard-earned dollars; I bought two bras from Frederick’s, cut exactly the same, for an equally hard-earned $26 apiece. In pretty colours. One, I think, was ruby with silver embroidery; the other was black with lavender (plainer options were available, too.)

A suggestion: the best-fitting and most supportive bras are the ones that ladies are often most reluctant to buy, to wit: the bra with a horizontal seam across the top, and another, vertical seam below and perpendicular to that upper seam. That cut of bra offers THE best support and fit, bar none. (My source for information being professional bra-makers/bra pattern-makers.) The best bra strap for a larger bosom is one that doesn’t stretch. And a molded-cup bra is only going to work its best on someone whose breast is naturally globe-shaped; the woman with a naturally-pointy breast is going to find that the molded cup will crumple up to fill in where her breast isn’t. But do give Frederick’s a look! Sometimes the stores will even have the Respected Elderly Lady with Tape Measure! And the catalog is fun, too. I like the fact that Frederick’s is all about “Of COURSE Big Girls have sex and want to dress sexy!”

]]> By: mywhimsey http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28454 mywhimsey Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:10:48 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28454 Kimocean, I went to college in Pasadena, and I had my first real bra fitting at the Wizard of Bras. They were amazing - respectful and informative, and I got the best bras there that I have ever owned, including a custom fit sports bra(!!!) that saved me during horseback riding lessons and bustier that actually fit my cup size and body shape. I just want to second your recommendation. The Wizard of Bras is indeed super-fantastic! Kimocean,

I went to college in Pasadena, and I had my first real bra fitting at the Wizard of Bras. They were amazing - respectful and informative, and I got the best bras there that I have ever owned, including a custom fit sports bra(!!!) that saved me during horseback riding lessons and bustier that actually fit my cup size and body shape. I just want to second your recommendation. The Wizard of Bras is indeed super-fantastic!

]]> By: Kimocean http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28389 Kimocean Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:16:12 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28389 If anyone is looking for a great bra fitting in the Los Angeles area, there's a little place in Monrovia called Creative Woman: The Wizard of Bras http://home.flash.net/~bras/ I've been to Intimacy in Chicago also and though the Wizard of Bras is not as fancy looking on the outside (it's got kind of a '70s feel to it and a GIANT pointy bra in the window), the fitters are amazing and the bra selection is tremendous. They bring you boxes of bras to try in your size sorted by color. They do use measuring tape and do a touch of feeling up, though less than they did at Intimacy. I found the Wizard of Bras ladies to be more respectful of privacy and I even brought a young friend of mine who is mentally challenged and extremely self-concious about her body with whom the fitter was extremely respectful and gentle. Though she was incredibly nervous throughout, she actually asked us to take her back so she could get some more bras a few weeks later as she had never had bras that were so comfortable. Overall I can't praise this place highly enough. The bras are pricey (especially in the larger sizes like I wear) but in my opinion they are worth EVERY penny. The fitters also give tips on how to find a good fit, how to adjust the bra to fit and best of all, as the bra stretches out--as they all do, they have a service that will alter them so they fit like new for only five dollars. If anyone is looking for a great bra fitting in the Los Angeles area, there’s a little place in Monrovia called Creative Woman: The Wizard of Bras http://home.flash.net/~bras/

I’ve been to Intimacy in Chicago also and though the Wizard of Bras is not as fancy looking on the outside (it’s got kind of a ’70s feel to it and a GIANT pointy bra in the window), the fitters are amazing and the bra selection is tremendous. They bring you boxes of bras to try in your size sorted by color. They do use measuring tape and do a touch of feeling up, though less than they did at Intimacy. I found the Wizard of Bras ladies to be more respectful of privacy and I even brought a young friend of mine who is mentally challenged and extremely self-concious about her body with whom the fitter was extremely respectful and gentle. Though she was incredibly nervous throughout, she actually asked us to take her back so she could get some more bras a few weeks later as she had never had bras that were so comfortable.

Overall I can’t praise this place highly enough. The bras are pricey (especially in the larger sizes like I wear) but in my opinion they are worth EVERY penny. The fitters also give tips on how to find a good fit, how to adjust the bra to fit and best of all, as the bra stretches out–as they all do, they have a service that will alter them so they fit like new for only five dollars.

]]> By: Rubiatonta http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28319 Rubiatonta Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:21:52 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28319 The Rubiatonta she is properly chastened. That said, I get the feeling that most big-name designers aren't thinking about putting their clothes on women of any size. They just look so much better on the hanger, donchaknow? The Rubiatonta she is properly chastened. That said, I get the feeling that most big-name designers aren’t thinking about putting their clothes on women of any size. They just look so much better on the hanger, donchaknow?

]]> By: pammy http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28307 pammy Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:29:22 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28307 Yea not so much into calling thinner folks names, its not cool at all. Names hurt at all sizes, please don't do it. Yea not so much into calling thinner folks names, its not cool at all. Names hurt at all sizes, please don’t do it.

]]> By: Cat http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28299 Cat Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:15:00 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28299 To the Rubiatonta: While I agree that the tone of the Sharona's post was very rude and uncalled-for, don't you think it is also rude to refer to non-big girls as "anemic broomsticks?" I'm just sayin'. To the Rubiatonta: While I agree that the tone of the Sharona’s post was very rude and uncalled-for, don’t you think it is also rude to refer to non-big girls as “anemic broomsticks?” I’m just sayin’.

]]> By: Kristin http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28265 Kristin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:52:37 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28265 Dang, Sharona. If you actually read the post, you'll notice that Francesca actually tried on the dresses so that she could review them - there wasn't a whole lot of complaining in there. And the point was that she was told she looked great in the dress, when she obviously didn't. Dang, Sharona. If you actually read the post, you’ll notice that Francesca actually tried on the dresses so that she could review them - there wasn’t a whole lot of complaining in there. And the point was that she was told she looked great in the dress, when she obviously didn’t.

]]> By: Tanya http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28256 Tanya Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:30:19 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28256 I think we forget sometimes that the big girls come in as many, if not more, varieties of shape as their smaller sisters. And the designers seem to forget it all too frequently. For my own shape (short, busty hourglass), I see many, many items in smaller sizes that I could wear if only made larger. For other people, they need a complete redesign specific to their shape. Recently I went into a plus size shop in Houston which had fabulous linen shirts and tunics and skirts and trousers. Held up to me, they looked like I was trying a giant's clothes. For a tall and substantial woman with attitude, they'd have been perfect, especially with some bold jewelry. For my size/shape, give me just enough fabric to cover and skim - no more, no less. It only takes about three hundred "tries" to find something like that. I think we forget sometimes that the big girls come in as many, if not more, varieties of shape as their smaller sisters. And the designers seem to forget it all too frequently.

For my own shape (short, busty hourglass), I see many, many items in smaller sizes that I could wear if only made larger. For other people, they need a complete redesign specific to their shape.

Recently I went into a plus size shop in Houston which had fabulous linen shirts and tunics and skirts and trousers. Held up to me, they looked like I was trying a giant’s clothes. For a tall and substantial woman with attitude, they’d have been perfect, especially with some bold jewelry.

For my size/shape, give me just enough fabric to cover and skim - no more, no less. It only takes about three hundred “tries” to find something like that.

]]> By: Esther http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28255 Esther Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:13:58 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28255 Heather: if you have a visible waist, you're not an apple. An apple shape is someone with a very round center (from neck to hips) with no waist, but with (usually) thin arms and legs. You sound more like an hourglass. Heather: if you have a visible waist, you’re not an apple. An apple shape is someone with a very round center (from neck to hips) with no waist, but with (usually) thin arms and legs. You sound more like an hourglass.

]]> By: Rubiatonta http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28253 Rubiatonta Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:56 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/06/24/the-good-the-ugly-and-the-bad/#comment-28253 The Sharona, she is a wee bit rude, no? Perhaps she is an employee of the afore-unmentioned boutique? If not, with her attitude, she is sure to go far! What designers of plus-sized clothing need to know how to do is interpret the trends for their customers. It is one thing to be able to design a dress that will look good on a anemic broomstick. It is quite another to design clothing that is fashion-forward and flattering on those among us with protuberances. I am very catholic in my shopping -- I am as happy with a flattering top from Chez Target as I am with a well cut dress from Nordstrom. But I really dislike being told to go dress frumpy because I'm a size 18. The Sharona, she is a wee bit rude, no? Perhaps she is an employee of the afore-unmentioned boutique? If not, with her attitude, she is sure to go far!

What designers of plus-sized clothing need to know how to do is interpret the trends for their customers. It is one thing to be able to design a dress that will look good on a anemic broomstick. It is quite another to design clothing that is fashion-forward and flattering on those among us with protuberances.

I am very catholic in my shopping — I am as happy with a flattering top from Chez Target as I am with a well cut dress from Nordstrom. But I really dislike being told to go dress frumpy because I’m a size 18.

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