The Pretty Pear

Oh, right! Halloween!

You might be wondering how it got to be the middle of October and I haven't posted about Halloween costumes yet. The truth is, every year I go stomping all over the internet searching for good websites that offer plus size costumes and every year, I'm underwhelmed.

This post from Manolo for the Big Girl pretty much sums up my feelings about the cheap n' slutty Halloween costumes you'll find via most mass costume retailers. I'm ok with sexy. I embrace sexy!  I also embrace creativity and sticking kitty ears on your head and slipping into a skirt cut so short I can see your other kitty doesn't say "creative" to me.

If you're invited to a Halloween party at the last minute and decide to go with an easy "Naughty Whatever" costume, just be aware that you will not be the only Naughty Whatever at that party and chances are, you'll spend the whole night telling people what the heck you're supposed to be. A costume that requires more than three or four words of explanation isn't a costume so much as an outfit with confusing accessories.

Plus size maternity at JCPenney

I have a soft spot for JCPenney. It's not the most fashion forward place to shop but they do have a nice selection of good basics and some trendier items. I was surprised to see that they have a whole line of plus size maternity clothes on their website. There are even pieces that are suitable for the office and I've heard that's hard to come by.

The only thing I have to say about prom.

This dress. This one right here? It's TIRED. I have seen this exact dress over and over for years now and I haven't been to a prom since the late 90's. It's an ok dress, as far as prom dresses go, but it's done.

Really.

 

plus size maternity clothes

At some point, many of us will become mothers. But, during the process, we'll find that our maternity clothing options are quite limited. Even my sister, who was around a size 10 pre-pregnancy, had trouble finding maternity clothes that were stylish, affordable, and comfortable. You know those women on TV who are perfectly thin with just a basketball sized pregnant belly? Yea, they're on TV and I've never known a real life pregnant woman to look like that! Boobs grow, hips expand, and your body will do whatever the heck it wants.

I've found some options that I think are great.

First, is my favorite: Baby Becoming. Here's a quote that I love, from the sizing info page: "Please remember, and never forget, size and weight are a guideline and helping tool used for a perfect fit. It is not, and never will be, condemnation nor accusation!" That's the kind of attitude I look for in a retailer of plus size clothing. The items are shown on actual plus size models, the prices are great, and the site is just wonderful.

Bloom'n Fashion has a small, but very cute, selection of plus size items, some up to 5 and 6X. I especially like the Slinky V-Neck Top, which has three different sleeve options and is hand made to order.

iMaternity has a very good plus size section. The sizes are limited to 1-3X but the styles are fashionable, more like clothes you'd wear when you aren't preggers. My favorite is this little sundress, that's only $20 on clearance. Just make sure to check out the size chart before ordering.

Pickles and Ice Cream - Plus-size Maternity Fashions

Fashion Bug is going to start carrying plus size maternity clothing this fall.

The Plus Size Pregnancy site is a great resource with information about all aspects of plus size pregnancy. There's even a section of BBW birth stories!

I had planned on this post being full of great links, but these were all I could find that I thought were worth sharing. Of course, if I find more, I'll post them here and in the "Specialty" link collection on your left.

swimwear @ Lane Bryant

Lane Bryant is now carrying swimwear. It's not in stores yet so I haven't seen it in person but some of it looks decent, if expensive. They always have good sales, though.

Persephone Plus

I knew I was forgetting an important site in my last post about formal wear! Persephone Plus: the first and only exclusively Plus-Sized Gothic clothing site in the world. All of these beautiful dresses are hand made by the designer to your measurements and specifications. I've been coveting these designs for some time now and would love to own one of them. They do have a gothic twist to them but they are also very elegant and versatile. And considering the amount of work that goes into each order, I think her prices are very reasonable.

Formal Wear!

When my sister got married eight years ago, she wanted me to be her maid of honor. I was a mere fifteen years old at the time and had no idea how one fulfills such an obligation. I don't recall what dress size I was, but I do remember being much bigger than her best friend and future husband's two skinny, petite little sisters. Picking out a dress for all 4 of us to wear was a nightmare. To this day, I can't get over how hideous that dress was.