The Curvies- Best of '08

Good Morning!

Hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was filled with family, friends, good food and great times!

2008 has been a great year fashion-wise- more and more clothing sites are popping up catering to our curves; 2 new awesome spots opened up here in NYC ( see my posts on Abby Z & Re/Dress)! The Full-Figured Revolution is in full swing!

As the year comes to a close this week I decided to award the Curvies to my favorite sites & stores for 2008, enjoy:

Best Pocket Protectors

Black Red Grey & White Stripe Skirt $14.49, Torrid, Embellished Faux-Gem Dress $13.99, Old Navy

I'm calling a tie on this one... Old Navy & Torrid have some of the best sales, discounts & coupons around. All three shops have clearance sections to swoon over- you can often put together an outfit based on clearance items alone. I bought 4 dresses from Old Navy for only $50! Though Torrid has yet to hit NYC and Old Navy's plus size collection is exclusively online they make up for their physical unavailability by constantly having sales, the 50% off Clearance Event at Torrid excites me... gotta love it!

Honorable Mention:
Kiyonna - For the pocket protectors- Kiyonna might be a bit too high-priced but when they have a sale, they have a sale! Take an additional %50 off FINAL SALE ITEMS at Kiyonna.com with the Coupon Code: SANTA50

Macy's - Another great place to get name brand clothes for much cheaper when they hit the sales rack! (Psst: My holiday dress was originally $189 and marked down to $37.50!)

Best Splurge

"Labelle" Zipper Dress, $134.40, MonifC

I'm all about saving money, but I do believe in splurging every once in awhile! Monif C is definitely on the high end but so splurge-worthy. (Yet again, if you catch a sale you're GOLDEN!) Even if you wear the dress only once, take alot of pics!

Honorable Mention
Igigi - the quality is top-notch, investment worthy pieces- their evening gowns are amazing.
Lee Lee's Valise - I won't tell you how much I spent the 1st time I went here- but I most definitley splurged and it was well worth it!!

Best Shopping Experience

Re/Dress
I love shopping online but there's nothing like walking into a store and knowing it's all about you! What makes Re/Dress the clear winner of the Curvy is the sheer volume and variety of clothing. You can pick up a bit of everything here, and the price points vary. You know how plus sizes are usually in the corner of the department store, well Re/Dress is the bad ass big sister with 2,000 square feet of pure plus size fashion

Honorable Mention
Abby Z- - giving me another reason to go to SoHo besides brunch!!!

Best Lingerie

Chiffon Robe,$39.95,Hips & Curves

Always luvin' the curves in lace, satin and all that sexy stuff the Curvy goes to Hips & Curves. It makes me smile to know that what's underneath is just as beautiful as what's on top of it. (don't get me wrong Fruit of the Loom works too!) I love lingerie and underwear that not just fits me but fits me well (there is a difference you know) and looks like it was made for my body type instead of simply made in a bigger size. The cherry on top: it's affordable too!!!

Best Bad-A@# Item

Metro Leather Jacket, $99, Avenue

The Metro Leather Jacket from the Avenue. It's been in Essence, it's been here. It's been months and I still want it- every time I go in the Avenue I try it on and feel like a fly biker chick!

Best International Chic

Beige Hooded Cardigan,25 GBP (~$37 U.S), Evans UK

The Curvy goes to Evans UK- the prices are decent, the shipping time rivals some the U.S stores and the styles are gorgeous. I got a couple of my "sisters-in-curves" shopping at Evans, the consensus is all positive, plus most people aren't really up on overseas shopping so the chance of someone walking into the room with your clothes on are slim.

Stay tuned and get your currency converters on in '09 because I've found some HOT overseas sites that luv' our curves.

Most Understated

Ashlyn Dress $58, B & Lu

Benina & Lu wins the Curvy for most understated because as fabulous as their clothes are so many curvy girls never heard of them. When I've mentioned B&Lu, many have had a perplexed look on their faces- that is until they go to the site and see for themselves.

Honorable Mention: JCPenny, Kohls and Target. (Yes, seriously!) The store selections are at at times depressing, but you can score affordable and cute pieces online.

Best Party Wear

Lace Layered Sexy Halter $29.99, Belle Avenue

Truth be told, I still go to Rainbow to look through their tops for a party. It's cheap and if someone loses their mind and spills a drink on me I won't be too upset. However, I'm starting to warm up to Belle Avenue - though a bit pricey for short tops/boleros, they have a really good selection of tops, dresses that are party-worthy.

Best Trend of the Year- CONFIDENCE!
More on this in the New Year...

What are your top picks this year?

~Luvin' My Curves in '08 and beyond...