Plus-Size Fashions Give Closets Needed Kicks

Why not embrace your curves, never mind the tag size, and shop some of the nation’s best plus-size outfitters? Peruse the selection, while wearing your favorite sweatpants, with no pesky sales associates giving you that look.

Nancy Baum & Cherished Woman

Nancy Baum first leaped into the fashion world as a plus-size model, before answering her entrepreneurial call. A serious car accident left her temporarily disabled, and after recovering, she found her modeling options had dwindled.

“As I was contemplating what to do career-wise; I also started dating again and didn’t have anything chic or sexy to wear,” said Baum. “I searched the malls, specialty stores and the Internet and was shocked at the lack of selection for full-figured women. It was embarrassing and frustrating to show up to work or at a social function and have on the same outfit as my plus-size peers.”

Cherished-Woman.com came to fruition in 2006, and has since established itself as a leading online boutique and lingerie store for discriminating curvy women. Baum is certainly not alone in her quest in helping women achieve inner and outer beauty.

Designer Gayla Bentley

Designer Gayla Bentley recently made the news in designing the fashions for NBC’s “Nashville Star” winner, Melissa Lawson. Bentley has been a staple in women’s fashion for over 35 years, helping women of all sizes discovering their beauty. Her career has included roles as Saks Fifth Avenue director and an upcoming line for Dillard’s.

“We’re always working with women to teach them what styles are right for them,” Bentley said. “In many cases, there are too many choices, and it’s about figuring out how much she can afford to buy.”

Cherished-Woman.com caters to women that are sizes 10-28 or XL-6X in clothing and lingerie, and Gayla Bentley designs’ specialize in sizes two to 28. Bentley said she struggles to be more aware of style, rather than size. She has formed an alliance with Jessica Svoboda and Anna Sholz, to create a pleasant and empowering shopping experience.

Reputation for Exceptional Service

Baum’s reputation for exceptional service and dedication matches Bentley’s. Like any store, they have repeat customers and fervent dedicated clients.

“While I would prefer to actually go to a store to try on clothes the choices available right now are very limited, especially style wise,” said Brenda Belmont-Navani, 37, of East New Brunswick, N.J. “While I commend the Avenue and Lane Bryant for catering to the plus-size woman, I question their lack of quality and stylish clothes. Everything seems to be done in bulk with no attention to detail, mostly polyester and the like, not to mention walking down the street and seeing the same clothes over and over again.”

Keeping up with trends and helping define them is a continuous job. Bentley travels to Paris quite often, as does Baum, who says plus-size women should expect to see more variety of styles to wear to work, rich jewel tones, textured fabrics in tweed or plaids, as well as a return to ruffled blouses, blouses with box and lace detail.

Gives Closets a Needed Kick

Donna Chiordi, 32, of Berwyn, Ill., shops at Cherished-Woman.com and says it gives her closet "that fashion kick it needs.” Chiordi says stores like Lane Bryant and Avenue collections tend to be a season or two behind.

“I have been shopping at designer websites or with Nancy just to be up to par with the rest of the world, and even sometimes that isn’t good enough.” She continued that plus sizes are “all or nothing: either sleeveless, which I hate, or overwhelming frocks that cover everything. I have curves and I want to show them, but not that much. There need to be more options.”

Shopping is tough for any size.

Plus-size fashion sites known for customer service

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