The Pretty Pear

Glam it up with Sydney's Closet

Gosh, December is just flying by, isn't it? By now, you're probably wrapping up the final details on holiday parties and get togethers. Maybe you're totally prepared and have all of your cute little outfits all planned out. Or maybe you have no idea what to wear and you're running around like a crazed chicken? Right now would be a really good time to check out Sydney's Closet Holiday Collection. They've pulled a bunch of looks from their huge selection of plus size formal wear just for the holidays. They have approximately one billion dresses on their site but here are a couple that I love.

Galaxy Dress
You have to click through and view the close up of this dress, it's so pretty. At $270, it's on the spendy side but you're paying for beautiful details like the gorgeous hand beaded lace. This dress is available in sizes 4 - 34 and has built in bra cups so you don't have to worry about a bra.

Black Forest Dress
Ok so, I like ruffles. Not over the top, lacey, insane ballerina ruffles but pretty, understated, elegant yet whimsical ruffles. I love the simplicity of this dress but I do feel like it needs something, maybe a skinny belt at the waist or pretty shawl. Oh! Wrist length gloves! That'd be so freakin' CHIC. Ahem. Anyway, this dress comes in other colors besides black (crimson, navy, etc.) and is available in sizes 0 - 44.

 

Gorgeous dress from Monif C.

A lot of visitors end up here while searching for designer plus size clothing. Of course, there are high end designers who make clothes in plus sizes. Unfortunately, it's almost always in conjunction with a misses line. Basically, an after thought. It seems like someone out there knows that plus size women have cash to spend, so they whip up a few pieces and put them into the department stores. A lot of it is fabulous and beautiful and drool-worthy. A lot of it... not so much.

I think we deserve a little more than that. Actually, I think we deserve a lot more than that but y'know, baby steps. If I was looking for high end clothes and had some money to spend, I'd be more likely to give that money to a designer who designed for plus sizes, not as an after thought.

One such designer is Monif C. I know you've heard of Monif C's line, either here or on other plus size sites. I dropped everything* to write this post when I spotted this silk charmeuse dress on the Monif C. website.

I might be on some kind of weird satiny dress kick but let's be honest, color looks so much more brilliant when the fabric has sheen. It's gorgeous. Aside from that, the wrap neckline and empire waist are flattering on many different body types. The sleeves have the ruffle detail that's on-trend but not so over the top that it'll look dated in three weeks. The length is neither too long nor too short and the fabric itself has a bit of spandex for the best possible fit. The whole package is just fantastic.

The $300 price tag is pretty spendy for a lot of people but if I had the cash and needed a dress that's to die for, I'd pick this one.

* Ok, I was just watching TV.

So very glam!

I've found so many pretty looks for the holiday season and it's not even December yet. Here are just a few but expect more in the days to come.

Satin charmeuse wrap dress
Look at that color. Do you see it? Oh my God. I love the wrap style and the cuffed sleeves but the star of this show is that color. It's also comes in classic black and brown but c'mon, BLUE! It's available in sizes 10/12 through 30/32 from Kiyonna for $146.

Shantung dress
This is the quintessential little black dress - timeless, versatile, reliable. You can dress it up with sparkly jewelry and heels for a party, or wear a jacket over it for work. Lane Bryant always has coupons, so that can knock the price down even more. Available in sizes 14 - 28 for $80 from Lane Bryant.

Robbie Bee Sleeveless Dress
Another beautiful dress in a gorgeous color, deep raspberry this time. I like the teeny little animal print detail at the waist and the longer length is perfect for formal occasions. One thing to look for with sleeveless dresses is wide straps - you can wear a real, supportive bra instead of trying to hoist yourself into a strapless thing. This Robbie Bee dress is available in sizes 14 - 24 from Nordstrom for $98.

I know not everyone likes to wear dresses and skirts. First of all, it's cold outside! Second, you might just be more comfortable and confident in pants. Pants can be totally appropriate for dressy occasions if you keep in mind fabric and details. Cotton really doesn't dress up (obviously) so go for more flowy fabrics like silk and poly blends.

I chose these tuxedo pants from IGIGI for the velvet pattern along the side of the leg, which is reminiscent of the satin stripe on men's tuxedo pants (hence the name). You can pair the pants with any number of tops and jackets for several events over the holiday season and beyond. They're available in black and cobalt blue, sizes 14/16 - 30/32 for $79 from IGIGI.

Gasp!

Lane Bryant! I am SHOCKED! You, with your practical, career minded separates and your inoffensive yet trendy casual pieces, I had you pinned as a prude! But what do I see here?

Is that... a naughty Santa get up? With fluffy marabou trim and matching g-string? I'm shocked, Lane Bryant. I really am. And there's more cheeky lingerie where that came from? And you think you know someone.

Actually, Lane Bryant has a whole slew of new, super sexy lingerie.

It is now officially...

November! Everyone says it's never too early to start shopping for the holidays and you know, I'm inclined to agree. That's why I'm going to shove a Holiday Shopping Extravaganza down your throats until January 2nd. Cue the balloon drop and confetti. You love me, you do.

We can ease into this, though. You have a few weeks before the real fun starts so let's just take it easy for right now. No pressure. Let's imagine that it's the middle of December, all of your gifts are bought and wrapped, you've baked up a storm, your holiday cards were already sent and received and now you can just kick back with a cup of hot chocolate and watch some cheesy Christmas specials on the TV.

See, guided visualization totally works. You feel motivated just thinking about it. You're making your shopping list right now, aren't you? Ahhh the sweet smell of victory. And cookies, that you baked from scratch, and wrapped in special plastic wrap and a jaunty bow. You rock the holidays!

I say "you" because I generally end up at a mall the day before Christmas Eve with nothing to guide me but a debit card and a prayer. I have lots of ideas for great gifts but not, like, for people I actually know. The people I know are the types who, when asked what they want, say "Oh, I don't know. You don't have to get me anything!" Right, Grandma. Here's another Kohl's gift card.

Anyway, let's get ourselves warmed up with two dresses, either of which you could wear to that company party you're already stressing out about.

Look how carefree the model is in this stretch satin dress from Silhouettes. I'm not sure if she's fixing her shoe or doing the fox trot but either way, she's having a good time. Give that woman a glass of champagne.

I actually chose this dress because it also comes in two other gorgeous colors - emerald and chocolate brown. Black is great and you can't go wrong with it but emerald and chocolate brown are more, well, festive. And I know you're thinking "Oh my word, stretch satin? Bumpy!" Well, that's what body shapers are for. I like that it's sleeveless but has good bra-concealing straps.

You already know that IGIGI has gorgeous dresses so I'm just picking one I like a whole lot. I'm sure there will be even more glamorous offerings as the season progresses. This red number comes with a lace shrug, in case you're a little self conscious of your upper arms. I like that they use lace in a way that isn't too heavy or Stevie Nicks-esque. I love Stevie (I really do) but "dripping with lace" isn't my favorite holiday look. I like a light whisper of lace. And what's more holiday appropriate than red? Nothin.