The Pretty Pear

Try it on: Junonia

Like many women, I cannot wear a skirt or dress without a layer underneath to protect my inner thighs from the much-dreaded chub rub, the delightful chaffing that happens when friction meets skin. When it's cooler out, I just wear Spanx or tights and those do the job. But when it gets warmer, I definitely want cotton. I know that cotton/spandex bike shorts are pretty easy to find but I feel like regular bike shorts would be too thick to layer when it's 110 degrees with 100% humidity. No thanks!

I've been looking for a good option and so far, the best candidate I can find are the cotton lace under-bike short from Junonia. At $25, these are more expensive than any panty I've ever purchased and are a little bit of an investment. But I am willing to pay for quality and I've heard nothing but good things about Junonia's products.

I ordered two pairs, in black and in ivory. I tried on the black pair right out of the package (I'm impatient!) and I noticed that the lace at the thigh and waist were a little itchy. Luckily, that went away after washing. I do wish they made the same shorts without the lace, just as on option to wear under closer-fitting knits when you want a more streamlined undergarment.

After wearing these a couple of times, I can say that they're very comfy and do exactly what I want them to do. I really like that there's a double layer of cotton right in the inner thigh, where you need the most protection and are bound to see wear first. These are made of nice, soft cotton so I don't see having to replace them any time soon.

The only downside I can think of is that they tend to stretch out a tad after a couple of hours. If you're between sizes at all, go for the smaller size. These aren't shaping garments by any means. They're definitely intended to provide cottony comfort that's perfect for warmer weather.

I'd recommend these if you're looking for reliable chub rub protection this summer and don't mind splurging a little on quality undergarments.

Try it on: Spring items from Old Navy

Shopping from Old Navy's plus section is an adventure into the unknown. You have to be willing to order a bunch of stuff without really knowing what you're going to get. I generally just order several items that I have a good feeling about (fashion intuition, I guess) and then return what I don't want.

I really don't mind this process because I can just hop on a bus to return everything but I know this can be a pain in the butt for a lot of people. They do pay for return shipping on women's plus items but you still have to buy the big-ass-envelope to put the stuff in and I've heard of people having issues with the online return process.

I personally haven't had any issues returning purchases and I've been shopping with Old Navy online since they started carrying the women's plus line. I've ended up with some items that I really like and they keep coming out with cute stuff, so I'm sure I'll continue onward with my Old Navy Adventure. The whole Old Navy thing is a little controversial but I'm not really upset enough about anything to boycott them.

Anyway! I recently tried a few items from the spring selection. Usually, I keep the shirts that I order and have to return most of the pants but this time, the exact opposite happened! I have details and reviews of each item I tried on after the cut.

Try it on (again): Kiyonna

One of my silly little New Year's resolutions is to buy less clothing, but to spend more on quality, classic pieces instead of trendy whatevers. So essentially... break even. But I'd like to see if it works out better in the long run. I recently ordered three tops from Kiyonna because I believe their clothes are really good quality for the price and I like the style and colors they choose. We'll start with the good.

I ordered the Modal Scoopneck Tee in bordeaux and I'm really considering getting another in black. I was expecting a slightly looser fit but I'm glad that it fits quite snugly around the bust, as I think a loose fit there would look less polished in larger sizes. The ties on the sleeves bugged me a little at first but I got used to them and they are a nice detail on otherwise basic top. I love Modal and the fabric Kiyonna uses is much studier and smoother than other cotton/Modal blends I've seen. I see myself wearing this top for many seasons to come.

I ordered the Modal Kimono Sleeved Surplice Tee in steel blue to go with gray trousers and I think it will work really nicely. I have to admit that I'm mostly sick of the "kimono sleeve" trend but the sleeves on this tee are basically just wide. I wouldn't call them a "kimono" sleeve by any means. The fit is just like you see it on the model and runs true to the size chart. Overall, a cute top that can be worn casually with jeans or a little dressier with a skirt or trousers.

And on the "maybe on someone else but not me" side of things, we have the Modal Convertible Ballet Wrap. I really wanted this top to work because the fabric is so soft and comfy and the wrap style is really versatile but sadly, it just isn't cut for my shape. I have a very defined waist and the bottom hem sits right there in the waist dent and it just didn't work. Maybe if it was a little longer? I do think the style would work for someone with more boobs than hips, though.

I might have a good reason to order one of Kiyonna's fancy dresses someday but for right now, I'm very happy with their tees. I always look forward to seeing what's new on their website. It seems like their styles get better and better every season.

Try it on: b&lu

I recently ordered the Sovereign dress from b&lu. The picture to the left is me in said dress, you can click to see it full size. I apologize for the crappy image quality. Word has it that Santa's bringing me a real digital camera for Christmas.

There are some great things about this dress. The fabric is softer and more substantial than I was expecting. It has a bit of heft to it without being heavy, which is great for winter but not too much for spring and fall. The fit is really nice. I ordered by my bust size and thankfully, it isn't too snug on my lower half, perfect for pear shaped ladies. The quality is good, especially considering it costs under $65. I like the details, including the long tie that can be wrapped in a few different ways and the waist inset and gray borders that go all the way around, rather than just across the front. This dress has expensive details without being pricey.

There are a few things I'm unsure about as well. I feel like it's too long and hemming this dress would be a pain. The sleeves are either a little too short or way too long, I can't decide. When I asked my boyfriend what he thought of the dress, he said it looked like I was in an "Amish church cult." I think he means that it's a little dowdy and overall, it seems like a bit much for me. All the black is overwhelming.

Bottom line: I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this particular dress but I will gladly order more pieces from b&lu in the future.

Try it on: Pecan boots from Avenue

I've written about the Pecan boots from Avenue previously (here) and after staring at them for a while online, I finally decided to order a pair for myself. They're on sale and I had a coupon and if they didn't fit, returning them to a store would be easy, so why not give them a try?

I'm pretty sure I have around a 20 inch calf but I decided to play it safe and go with these because they can be adjusted up to 23 inches with the laces up the back. I wear between a size 8 and 9 in shoes, so I ordered the 8.5. They come in both wide and double wide widths, I ordered the WW width. The shoe part of the boot fits fine. I could probably wear the wide width but I like the extra bit of room for comfort and room for socks on extra cold days.

The shaft part of the boot was a bit of a struggle, even after loosening the laces. I really had to work at getting them zipped up. After I got past my lower leg, they were easier to get on. Now that I've broken them in, they zip up pretty easily. There's a wide gusset in back, under the laces, that provides a good three or four inches of adjustment room at the top and down the leg. The laces are really stretchy, too. I'd recommend taking the laces out completely, wearing them for a while to break them in, and then re-lace to get the right fit.

These aren't super high quality, leather boots and they're not pretending to be. They look really good, better than I expected and I'm pretty thrilled to have found a pair of boots that actually fit my thick legs. I don't typically wear any type of heel but the two inch heel on these is sturdy and totally doable, even for my klutzy self. My only complaint is that the sole of the shoe part is grippy and the sole on the heel is a little slippy. It's a tad unbalanced.

Overall, I'm very pleased. I'd recommend these boots if:

• You have calves that are wider than the standard wide calf boot. I have more than enough room around the top of the shaft but my ankles are pushin' it.
• You don't plan to wear them every single day. They're nice but not indestructible.
• You want to try a pair of knee boots without investing a lot of money.
• You have a wide foot, these don't come in regular widths.

Try it on: Hips & Curves

I've written about Hips and Curves before here and after looking around their website, I finally decided to order a few things for myself. I've bought almost all of my bras and panties in the same styles from the same retailer for literally years now, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to try something new. I've heard nothing but good things about Hips and Curves and I felt confident ordering from them. Let's take a look at what I tried!

Smooth and Sultry Underwire Bra
Buying bras online can be a really tricky thing, I'll just say that from the get-go. This is mostly because no two companies make their bras to the same specifications. I measure a 46D but I usually size down to a 44D. I decided to order this bra in a 46 to be on the safe side and sadly, it's way, way too big both in the band and the cup. However, from trying it on, I can tell that if I had ordered the right size, it'd be a nice fit and comfortable. For $28, I think it's a well made bra and it's pretty, too.

String-Him-Along Lace Boyleg Panty
I ordered these in pink, which match the bra above despite the slight coloration difference in the pictures. What you can't see is that the sides of the panties are open and held together by strings, four on each side. I'm pretty sure they're the same panties seen in this photo on adipositivity. I'm really pleased with these. The lace is soft but not flimsy and they're really comfy, though the strings would create some crazy panty lines under clingier fabrics. They work just fine under jeans and isn't it fun to hide a lacey surprise under your casual clothes? These panties are $11 and worth every penny. I would recommend ordering one size down from the size chart with these. I could almost go down two sizes but it's not a big enough deal for me to send them back.

Ruffle Cup & Rhinestone Bra and Rhinestone Panty
Sexy, right? I guess I like the stringy look. I ordered a 46D in this bra and it's just the teensiest bit too big in the cup. It's more of a lingerie bra than an everyday bra so I'm keeping it. The red satin and ruffle trim on the bra is so, so pretty. The panties are super sexy and comfortable, which I love. I think it's okay to sacrifice a little bit of comfort when it comes to showy lingerie but I like being able to breathe. This set is as comfy as it is cute. It also comes in black but the red is so festive! The bra is $25 and the panties are $13. I went down one size from the chart for the panties and they fit well.

There are a lot of really great things about Hips and Curves - wide selection in a whole range of styles, sizes up to extended plus sizes, excellent customer service, and a very positive attitude towards their plus size customers. Make sure to check the return policy and size charts before ordering and then have some fun. Everyone deserves to have pretty underthings.

On the holiday tip - check out their selection of Christmasy lingerie. It's so fun and naughty I can't stand it. And guys, check out the tips for men section. If you're looking for a gift and just can't decide, their customer service will be happy to help.

Next?

So far, I've written about IGIGI, QVC's customized jeans, Kiyonna, and Spanx. B & Lu seems like the next logical candidate to me but I'm wondering if there's a retailer you're just dying to know about. I'm willing to try just about any site as long as it's not crazy expensive, isn't totally outside of my own personal taste, and they carry my size. Leave a comment with your vote!

Ok! So, Spanx.

I finally got my Spanx Power Panties! First of all, I love cute packaging and Spanx has that down pat. Very cute.

I've only tried them on and worn them around my apartment a bit, so I can't say that I've fully formed an opinion just yet. I will say that I was expecting them to be more pantyhose-ish, made of the typical nylon stuff that I haven't worn in... ever. The material is more like what you'd get from a pair of tights, more knit-ish than nylon-ish.

They are indeed very comfortable and non-binding. They do make the swish swish noise a little but it's not obnoxious. I think maybe I should have ordered a size down because there's pretty much no "shaping" going on. My butt and thighs probably look a bit smoother but I can't say I spent a lot of time contemplating the lumpiness of my tush.

One thing I did notice is that I'm either even more short-waisted than I thought or they run long in the torso - I can pull them all the way up to my bra band. This is probably so there's more room in the tummy to accommodate a broader range of belly sizes. I have to say that I like the extra length, though.

I can see myself wearing them under skirts on a regular basis, but not on seriously hot and humid summer days. The material is fairly thick but it seems to be pretty durable because of that. I'm sure I could find a way to snag them but not without effort.

So my final verdict - try them if you're curious. I don't have strong feelings about them either way. They're nice quality, comfortable, and do the job. I think I'd like them more if they were a bit lighter and thinner but they'd be a nice choice for a cooler spring day, or in the fall.

I think my own perfect chub rub solution would be made of a really lightweight cotton with enough spandex to retain shape and fit close to the skin. Junonia has some anti-chafe undergarments that might work better for my needs. But I will still wear the Spanx when it's cooler out... and because I already paid $25 for the things.

Let's try on some Spanx, I guess.

I have ordered a pair of Spanx Power Panties and am waiting for them to come. I have been putting off trying Spanx for a number of reasons, including:

1. My apprehension towards anything surrounded by that much hype.
2. You can't get them on sale or with a coupon or even a teensy bit cheaper anywhere and believe me, I've tried. This is compounded by me needing a size in the higher end of their plus sizes, which are only available from a few stores. I got mine from Lane Bryant but any coupon you use doesn't apply to Spanx, which pains me. I loathe paying full price.
3. I pretty much always wear cottony, breathable underthings unless I have some reason to be fancied up, which is never. The idea of shoving my fat ass into a "shaping garment" does not appeal to me. But if the hype is true and they're breathable and comfy, then fine. I need something to protect my luscious thighs from chub rub* anyway.

Having said all that, I've heard very mixed opinions of Spanx and figured I'd just try them my damn self. If they suck, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure someone reading my blog is interested in them so we can all learn together.

I have three wants for these things - that they're at least somewhat comfortable, that they don't make that swishy noise when I walk, and that they don't ride up or otherwise migrate. If they do indeed provide "shaping," then that's a bonus. I'm very cynical about Spanx, obviously.

* If you search google for "chub rub," my blog comes up first. This is really exciting to me.

Update: Due to some shipping issue (not LB's fault) I won't be getting my Spanx for a few more days. I am glad to see that so many of you are interested in my thoughts about them, though. Stay tuned.

Kiyonna! (finally)

I ordered two items from Kiyonna - the Ruched Surplus Tee in tarragon and the Tab-Front Stretch Bengaline Gauchos in black. The pants, unfortunately, came no where near fitting. I'm typically between sizes and I should have sized up in the pants. Since they're on sale, I'll have to return them for a merchandise credit, which is fine. I'd like to order another top anyway. I'm going to say that with Kiyonna, if you're unsure with sizing, order the larger size.

The shirt fits like a dream, though. It's a tad shorter in length than I was expecting but overall, the cut is ultra flattering and fabulous. I have narrow shoulders and a relatively small chest and it still fits wonderfully. My favorite part is the material - it's buttery soft, lightweight, stretchy but still substantial. It's not that slinky poly fabric, it's very breathable and a good all-year weight.

I would say that the tee is worth the $48. It's good quality and the style and color will work for dressier occasions or just with jeans. I can see the cut working for a variety of body shapes, because it has the gathered detail right under the bust and it's not too low-cut. The sleeves are full but not outrageously so, which I like. It definitely calls for a pretty necklace to compliment the neckline.

I do see myself ordering from Kiyonna again. They carry a lot of tops made from the Modal fabric, which is even more buttery soft and luxurious. I might have to splurge! Kiyonna also carries a lovely selection of dresses.

I've included a photo of myself in the top. It's not a great shot but I didn't want to wait to take a better one!

Up next: Kiyonna!

I think my favorite thing might be trying new stuff and then reporting about it here! My next review (I guess they're reviews) will be for Kiyonna. I've always linked to their site, and I check it out on a near-daily basis to see what's new, but I've never actually purchased anything. Shocking!

I've heard some very mixed opinions about their stuff so I'm excited to see for myself. I placed my order earlier this afternoon and it's already shipped, so points there. Plus there's a free shipping coupon code for orders over $75 (it's SPRING75) so extra points there, too.

Is there an online retailer you're curious about but you want to send me, the canary, into the coal mine to find out for you? Tell me about it in the comments for this post and I'll look into it.

"Personify" jeans: the verdict

QVC offers customized jeans via their website. In the name of science (and desperation for JEANS THAT FIT), I ordered a pair at the end of January and got my butt into them today. Here are my findings.

The good:

• Nice, thick, quality denim but not too heavy or stiff. Has just the right amount of stretch for comfort, ease of movement and shape retention. I'd say the denim is better quality and feels nicer than Lane Bryant's or the Avenue's. A+ for the denim.
• Uniform, dark wash. Not very trendy but a good staple denim color for your wardrobe.
• The inseam is totally customizable so if you're short or tall, you won't need alterations. You could have a pair to wear with flats and a pair to wear with heels, etc. This is especially important for me because I have short legs but I'm an average height, so jeans are always too long or too short. No more!
• You can re-order with the same measurements and make specific changes, like a different denim color, different leg shape (straight, bootcut, flare, etc.) or even cropped or capri lengths. This would also allow you to fine-tune anything after trying a pair (see below).

The not-so-good:

• The back pockets aren't in proportion to the size of my booty. They're about the same size as they would be for a pair of misses jeans, so they look silly and unflattering. Most of my shirts cover the pockets but if you have a big butt, you might consider opting for no back pockets. This is really problematic and I hope QVC looks at making the back pockets more size-specific.
• The rise is WAY too high, the button is about an inch or two above my waist. To be fair, I'm very short waisted. I should have gone with the more "flat" belly option when customizing the jeans. This is more of a comfort issue than anything since my shirts go past my waist. I'd rather have them a bit above my waist than my butt hanging out in the back!

The verdict:
Totally worth it. I was so happy when I tried my jeans on because the just FIT. I didn't have to say "Well they fit here but not here and they gap in back but the inseam is good" and so on. There are a couple of little issues but nothing big enough to make me want to return them. I'll probably order a pair with a shorter inseam to wear with flats and make adjustments to those (need a shorter rise!) but I'm keeping the pair I have now, definitely.

QVC has a great return policy so if you try a pair and they don't fit, you can return or exchange them. I'd say try again if the first pair aren't quite right. If you're sick of trying to find jeans that you fit into, try ordering a pair that are made to fit YOU.

I love the internet.

I finally gave in...

And ordered a pair of custom made jeans. I have "fit issues" that were making it impossible to find off the rack jeans that fit properly. After sorting through some options, I decided to order a pair of Personify jeans from QVC. I decided on QVC for two reasons - the price is reasonable ($49, $58 after tax and shipping) and overall, I trust QVC and have always had great experiences shopping with them.

Customizing the jeans was easy, you don't have to take a ton of measurements. The only real measurements I had to provide was my waist, inseam and bra size. The rest is based on overall shapes. You can choose your rise, leg shape, denim color, etc. There's even an option for capri length.

They give you a two month time frame for them to make the jeans and you to receive them. I ordered mine on January 30th and they shipped on February 15th, so that's a pleasant surprise right there. I haven't gotten my hands on them just yet (they're waiting in my building's receiving room) but I'm already excited.

I'll have a follow up post once I can try them on. If by chance they don't fit, you can ship them back and make adjustments until they do.

Try it on: IGIGI

I've been curious about IGIGI for years now. A boutique that carries sizes up to 32 and has cute stuff? Really? Okay, if you say so. Oh and you carry casual clothes and really pretty formal wear? Alrighty! Suffice to say, I was wary. But recently, I got the chance to try on a wrap top from IGIGI and I must say that I'm impressed.

Let me just start out by saying that IGIGI does carry a wide range of tops, trousers, dresses and skirts and they're all available up to size 32. Some retailers seem to think that plus sizes just stop at size 24 but not IGIGI and I'm glad for that. And just to sweeten the pot, they provide size charts for each individual item. That's extremely rare and lends itself to that whole boutique thing. There's no taking a leap and hoping that one size chart applies to the entire store.

I tried the Wrap Top in Aqua, a beautiful shade of baby blue with just the lightest hint of green undertone. My photos really don't do the top justice, unfortunately, but I think you get the idea :)

I'm not very busty compared to my overall size so I ordered more based on my waist/hip measurement and had a little room in the bust. That's okay because hey, I have padded bras! The benefit of a wrap top is that it ties on the side, so it's adjustable. I ordered a 22/24 and I'd say it's true to size.

This kind of top is nice because you can dress it up and wear it out for a schmancy dinner or wear it with trouser jeans for a casual day at the office. It's very versatile, seasonless, and will never go out of style. I'd put a white or cream cami underneath for when I don't want to show so much cleavage.

The quality of top's construction is very nice overall. The inside part of the wrap is sewn into the side seam, so you don't have to worry about the shirt flying open. The fabric is soft and stretchy yet seems sturdy and would take many seasons of wear. There are vertical seams down the front of the top that you wouldn't see from a mass retailer. Overall, yes, I believe this shirt is well worth the $57!

If you search the site for "wrap," you'll see that the wrap silhouette comes in several colors and prints, and they have wrap dresses, too. And don't forget to use the code WRAP at checkout to receive 10% off your purchase.