Plus Size Dresses

There’s a whole universe of engineered material in the marketplace today that offer most of the benefits of natural fabrics without many of the downsides. Knowing what you’re receiving, from fabric weaknesses to feel, when you purchase plus size designer clothing is an important aspect of shopping.

Binding

Also known as bunching or riding-up, this is just uncomfortable, and can ruin a nice walk or a day out at the park. For plus size shorts look for a material that will move with you, that won’t stick or become uncomfortable when damp, and is comfortable against your skin.

Chafing

This is a problem for everyone, plus size, minus size, and average size. If the material you’re wearing rubs against your legs you’re going to get a skin rash and be uncomfortable, it’s just a fact of life. Minimize this with lycra shorts layered under fashionable outerwear.

Fabrics

CoolMax is the brand name of a fabric that is known to pull, or “wick”, moisture away from your skin, moving it to the outside layers where it naturally evaporates and cools the skin underneath. It employs engineered polyester fibers that offer several benefits over conventional fabrics. You will see it used in shirts, sports wear, socks, shorts and a variety of other articles of clothing. The wicking action not only cools, but it helps you to stay dry and comfortable. It is easy care for and comfortable to wear, and can be machine washed and dried. It’s a fantastic material when looking for plus size shorts.

BioFresh is an engineered acrylic fabric that is designed to inhibit bacterial growth – something important to keep your workout clothes fresh and clean. This fabric is machine washable and will not lose its antimicrobial properties over time. It’s very desirable in any clothing you’ll use for workouts or yard work.

UV Blocking fabric is designed to provide protection from harmful UV rays while you’re outdoors at the park, the beach, or just having fun with friends. This fabric is treated with UV radiation blocking chemicals that remain effective after many launderings. Being that you’ll probably only wear them during the summer, you can get lots of use before they lose their effectiveness.

Buzz-Off fabric is treated with an EPA-approved insect repellant that is persistent through washing and drying. This treatment can be applied to many different materials, so that means you can get great looking shorts that are functional and keep the mosquitoes away during the summer months. This is especially fantastic if you enjoy camping, hiking, or going to the park with the kids.

Polartec is a company that offers some pretty incredible fabrics for everything from moisture wicking to insulation and warmth. For shorts to wear in cooler weather, look for their Power Stretch-RX fabric that provides moisture management and flexibility, plus a comfortable inner weave that’s extremely soft against the skin.

New plus size designer are finding more and more fashion-savvy women demanding the same treatment as every other fashion consumer in the marketplace. The fashion world is finally realizing the plus size clothes don’t need to have loud colors, tacky patterns, and outdated cuts. The plus size designer market has evolved.

There are 35 million women in America who are size 14 or higher. These women spend in excess of $20 billion a year on their clothing every year, and have gotten the attention of some of the hottest fashion houses in the industry. And why not? They account for 25% of the TOTAL fashion market.

What does this all boil down to? Size should not dictate fashion.

Still, the further one gets from highly populated areas, the more difficult it is to find stores with plus size designer clothes as part of their regular inventory. This is where the internet comes in – it has leveled the playing field and given specialty shops the world over access to the market segment they want to target. And more frequently, plus size clothes are being listed right next to the other sizes in online stores. No special clicking required. Why make people feel different if everything we know tells us they’re not?

Another problem that women of every size run into is the lack of standard sizes in the fashion industry. To overcome this, shoppers need to pay attention to measurements AND sizes. One or the other generally won’t get you the answer that you need, especially if buying from overseas. Generally, women’s sizes have a more forgiving cut than miss sizes, so keep that in mind.

Until the fashion industry makes nice with all their sworn enemies and standardizes their sizes, make sure you take a look at the measurements on everything you buy. If you have questions, ask before you buy. It could save you a trip to the post office.

How to look your best:

• One-piece dresses are more streamlined than separates. Stretch fabrics and well-placed darns can make the fit just right. If you do separates, remember to accent your best features with a bright color or print.
• Show your arms. It’s very sexy to show a little skin. If you’re a little nervous with the idea, wear a colorful, sheer shawl around your shoulders.
• Don’t cover yourself all the way up. Pick your best asset and flaunt it! Wear V-necks for your chest or shorter skirts to accent your legs.
• Wear a tailored camisole under a loose blouse or a tapered pair of pants under a long jacket. Frumpy screams “I don’t care”.

Wherever you shop, plus size designer clothes are no longer relegated to the back, basement, or side room. They’re no longer the fabrics that no one else wants, and they’re no longer shapeless, mind numbing designs. Get out and see for yourself.