Manolo for the Big Girl

Oh my fellow fools for foulards! I had no idea there were so many of you who want to wear scarves but either didn’t know how or don’t feel confident wearing them. I love scarves like a tranny loves duct tape and you, you are my people!

One of the brilly things about scarves is that you don’t need to drop serious bank to get a good one. Sure I’ve got my vintage YSL mousseline and my beloved Hermès that I refuse to wear when I might be around dirt or water or air or, um, people, but I love my five-dollar thrift store finds just as much (well, almost) as the $400 ones and just because the hems aren’t rolled between the thighs of Provençal maidens doesn’t mean it can’t look chic.

But how to wear them?

If, like me, you were not blessed with a gracile neck (or more appropriately were blessed with a gracile neck which you keep safely protected under a gentle cascade of chins) then the standard snug neck wrap isn’t going to be the most flattering look.

Try these three less-intimidating looks instead:

Headscarf. British Vogue just had an article on how this is coming back into style. Frankly for girls with heart-shaped faces it never went out. Fold a square scarf diagonally and then fold the wide end over several times until the triangle is an attractive size for your melon. Tie it wrong side down over your face like a bandit, then flip it up and adjust. I find this works best with thin silk scarves as they grip better than thick ones. If you have a problem keeping them in place either use a hat pin or, less excitingly, a bobby pin. Clip on a good pair of earrings and pay attention to your eye makeup. Of course if you’re really daring, tie the ends around your neck Grace Kelly-style. Personally, I find it a bit costumey unless you’re actually driving a classic convertible.

Gypsy Belt. Fold on the diagonal and tie the small ends around your waist, centering the broad point over your hip. This is particularly good for pears and I love it beyond reason because a) I’m excited when anything can go around my waist. b) it’s a chic, flattering and unexpected way to dress up an otherwise boring dress. Tie it a little higher and tighter than you’d want to naturally, it’ll stretch throughout the day.

Ascot. I like this because it’s traditional but not quite as contrived-looking as some of the other neck styles, plus you can wear it a bit lower, which doesn’t make those of us who are fat of face look like we’re being garotted. Take the diagonal opposite scarf points and fold them towards each other, overlapping and folding back until you have a long rectangle about 5″ wide with pointed ends loosely tie around your neck, bringing one end over the other and spreading so it looks like, well, an ascot. Oh here, just look at the picture. For more fun with scarves, click here and go to playtime with your scarf to download the two-part Hermès .pdf. Happy weekend everybody, tie one on for me!

Tomorrow night, Thursday June 12, from 5-9, the Monif C. boutique in New York City is having a cocktail party at the store. Get personal shopping advice, treats, open bar, music, etc, and 25% off the clothes! Address: 325 West 38th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) Suite 1007. Phone number: 212-842-1641.

Lots happening at Lane Bryant:

1) Make a purchase before July 1, and get a $100 coupon and entries into their $100,000 sweepstakes!

2) Cacique bras are “buy 2, get 2 free” and Cacique panties are 5 for $25, through June 28

3) Summer sale on tops, tanks, tees, and capris.

Be sure to click through the button at the right of our site for more savings!

June clearance sale at Nordstrom! (Though it seems you all have bought out the Plus Sizes. Not much left!) AND, if you order $200 or more from the online store, you get free shipping within the USA. Francesca, herself, has ordered this flap bag by L.A.M.B. to use in lieu of a briefcase, at 40% off,

and the bold 4″ heel snakeskin slingback by Linea Paolo, also 40% off!

Holy Clothing has brought back their lovely “Riona” corset dress, so pretty for Apple shapes! They are selling on ebay, for example here, and are available in many colors!

Summer sale at J.Crew going on (x-large and tall sizes available), and if you enter code SEASHELL today at checkout, you get free shipping within the US and Canada.

Francesca is known, she hopes, for her classic and classy style, so it may surprise you to know that she avails herself, sometimes, of plus-size lingerie offerings at Fredericks.com. Yes, they have plus sizes, and not all of their merchandise is best suited for a college spring break scene on a souped-up set of CSI: Miami. At the moment they have many nice items for the classy woman who wishes to let her hair down, at reasonable prices, such as this satin-and-lace chemise which Francesca recently ordered in the “hibiscus” color. And now through Sunday, there is free shipping on orders of $95 or more within the continental USA.

Another promotion code for you! Buy swimwear at Junonia by the end of the day on Friday, enter code 06118, and save 25 percent! For the Size 14+ woman who spends much time in the pool or at the beach, Junonia offers swimsuits in categories like “chlorine resistant,” “water sports,” and “full coverage.” Pretty colors, too!

Finally, two more important announcements for the Poor Girl:

Summer clearance at the Coldwater Creek Outlet! Major deals, here, and many clothes available in plus sizes. Excellent for the poor girl! (And yes, they have items appropriate for the younger womens. Just look carefully and you will find!)

And, through Friday, enter code RD13899 upon checkout at Roamans.com, and save 25% on your highest-priced item. Look! Now you can have this pretty blouse, very nice for Apples, for under 19 of the American dollars.

Happy shopping!

xoxo,

Francesca

 . . . when Igigi has a sale!

Black double-breasted jacket, marked down 25%

Wide-leg pants, good for the tall girl, marked down 32%

Faux-croc belt, marked down 27%

Happy shopping!

xoxo

Francesca has returned to her New York apartment from London, and what a wonderful time she had!

The meet-and-greet was a success! Two other Big Girls came, and a wonderful Skinny Girl; it turns out that all four of us were tourists. Shout out to Evelyn, Sarah, and Katrine! You are superfantastic!

And now, in honor of my London trip, I would like to recommend these beautiful Burberry umbrellas, or “brollies” as they are known in a place like London, where one has such a close relationship with one’s umbrella that one gives it a nickname:

Classic Burberry! 

Modern Burberry!

I love a good sale. I also love a good piece of jewelry. Right now, I love Amazon for combining two of my favorite things by holding a huge jewelry sale. This isn’t going to last long, folks. It ends on the 24th, so hurry over if you want to take advantage of the deals.

What deals? I’m so glad you asked. Take a look at these fabulous earrings

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I’m going to come right out and say it: I think people don’t wear nearly enough hats. Hats are probably my single favorite accessory. In fact, I’m virtually never seen out of doors without a hat. What began, though, as a bit of extra protection against the sun for my ridiculously pale skin (for lo, I come of the Transparent Peoples and go from lily white to lobster red faster than a Lamborghini can go from zero to sixty) rapidly grew into a signature and a philosophy of life. Hats add dignity or whimsey, depending on the style. They can be entirely practical or they can simply be fun and decorative. And since they aren’t nearly as commonly worn as they used to be, hats do tend to get one noticed.

Take a look at this delicous orange cloche

Could anything look more lucious? Okay, okay, I know orange isn’t everyone’s color. Don’t worry, it comes in black or white as well, and still looks fabulous.

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Francesca says: Spring is upon us!

She knows because the New Arrivals and Bright Colors at Avenue (home of Sizes 14-32) tell her so! And she has a coupon code for you!

Lookie!

Orchids on your tshirt (without being cloying), and matching crop pants:

This tunic has been seen in Glamour:

Pretty springy bracelets!

Swimsuits!

This belt is available in 53″ or 56″!

And now through Wednesday, March 19, enter code AV81104 and get 20% off your online purchase at Avenue, or 25% off if you order $100 or more of merchandise! Mmm mmm mmm!

Happy shopping and happy happy colors!

xoxo, Francesca

Ah, how I love a good evening bag! If one chooses well, it can remain an active part of your accessory wardrobe for decades, whatever the vagaries of Dame Fashion or your personal figure changes. The key is to choose something you truly love that can stand the test of that time in both construction and design.

I can think of nothing that passes (and possibly surpasses) both tests for me as well as a mesh evening bag. The subtle shimmer of the metal, the cool elegance, the strength, and the way they have been admired for well over a hundred years by people of taste mean this is an investment well worth making when you find one that calls to you in a siren song of desire.

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Usually, on Fridays, Francesca discusses shoes. But today she has beautiful handbags on the brain. Lovely clutch bags whose prices even Francesca cannot justify, but are they not simply wonderful to gaze at?

Dolce & Gabbana

Stuart Weitzman

Michael Kors

Isabella Fiore

Francesca says: siiiiiigh

Happy weekend!

xoxo, Francesca

If you’ve opened a single magazine or seen a single fashion campaign, you know that gloves are having a major moment. So why not seize it? They’re chic, fun and a great accessory with which to make dramatic gestures (my one fondest wish is for some man to get fresh with me while I’m holding gloves because so help me God I stay up nights DREAMING of smacking some louche gent across the face with a pair of dainty white gloves) Plus they can transform a boring outfit dress into something transcendent.

The ivory pair couldn’t be more classic but check out the other colors! They’re all handmade in Italy, unlined (which I prefer) kidskin, available up to an XL and remarkably inexpensive. Here are some of my favorites. Too darling!

The mint shade is just slightly unusual, they’re pastel but not precious.

If you’re going to wear a fabulous shortie glove, WEAR a fabulous shortie glove. Go for the drama!

Wouldn’t these baby blues be perfect for a picnic in London’s Regent’s Park with a mod mint green shift a big pale yellow hat and even bigger white sunnies? Love. Them.