The Halo Of Praise isn’t for me, it’s for the Calvin Klein company that makes dignified plus size clothing that isn’t frumpy or over-designed or Hootchie Mama ridiculous.
WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO FIND!!?? Gott in Himmel, I am SO tired of the handkerchief hems of hell, the hideous prints, the disgusting fabrics, the unwearable styles (eg random holes in shoulders?!?), the disdain for elegance and self-respect peddled as retail garments by today’s purveyors of plus size “fashion.” Give us a break, garment designers! What is the DEAL? Is there no happy, pretty ground between Kitten Sweatshirt Frump and Polyester Disco Hostess? With CHEVRONS? If I see one more chevron I’m going to chevr–on myself!
The super terrific bonus of these Calvin Klein pieces is that they turn into suits but you don’t have to buy the top and bottom in the same size. I own this suit in charcoal grey and in this mint green and the skirt is a size bigger than the jacket, but they’re definitely a suit.
As you know, I caution against pastels, which can make us look like Easter eggs or Mothers of the Bride (which is not a problem if you actually ARE a Mother of the Bride). This pastel is very “in” right now, but I made sure to pair it with a shirt with a tiny bit of edge to it — black with splashes of mint and orange. My shoes are also a bit weird and wild (my beloved Fluevogs). I’m not sure the shoes work great, but a girl only has so many options.
I had pastel nails (not meant to match but somehow they did — yikes!), pearl drop earrings and a big cocktail ring. I pulled my hair back a little bit and faptized my make-up.
I have purchased Calvin Klein separates from Macy’s and from Dillard’s. I would say they run true to size but a little bit big and boxy. I have had to tailor the sleeves and I’ll probably get the skirt hemmed, too. I will wear this to several weddings this spring and summer. My dog jumped on me with muddy paws when I got home from the last event, so let’s cross our fingers and pray to the dry cleaning gods that the stains come out.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
Lookin’ good, Ms Peacebang! Not sure I could afford (or obtain!) CK seperates in the backwoods of La France Profonde but it’s nice to see you looking sharp in them! [Thank you! It’s a very flattering camera angle. The blazer was less than $100 on sale and the skirt was about $65 on sale, just FYI. – PB]
Wow — lookin’ good! About sworn off the dreaded local Macy’s as they have once again “downsized” the plus-sized department — (sixth move within the store and downsize in the 14 years I’ve lived here, and yes, I’ve written letters before) it is now the size of half a postage stamp (barely kidding here) and I def did not see anything like that when I trekked to Mecca (St Louis) a couple of weeks ago. But I will not give up!
[I NEVER go into stores any more. I get everything on line. Good luck! -PB]
Yes–what IS it with those handkerchief hems?? Are they supposed to be flattering? Not to this woman of size they aren’t!
I know what Janice means– so many stores used to have at least some plus-sized offerings, but most have either halved them or eliminated them. One of my local stores advertises plus-sizes, but when you get in there…. There is *one* rack of plus-sized, two racks of maternity. They are right next to each other and mixed together thoroughly, with the fugliest clothes I’ve ever seen. Really– a pair of maternity slacks in sky blue with a huge black tummy panel?!?
My only thought is that we non-toothpick-sized ladies must be a terrible embarrassment to the lords of retail. Wonder why.