Big Beautiful U

 Please welcome guest blogger, Jodell Raymond, of Black Cat Plus.com.   You can read more about Jodell at the end of this post. It is a pleasure and an honor to have her post on Big Beautiful U!

What I love most about fashion is its ability to help us remember the past, give us the opportunity to reflect upon the present, and inspire us to look forward to our future. Strong silhouettes dominate this season with tailored jackets and trousers. Dresses such as our Linda Lundstrom Pretty Leaves Dress, has a more fitted look with a hint of frilliness –just a hint—to remind us of perhaps a kinder, gentler time.

The prints that you will see for Spring ’08 will appeal to a variety of tastes. From fun, graphic, prints influenced from the 70’s in geometric shapes to vintage-y shifts and tribal patterns such as Black Cat Plus Label Tribal Print Jewel Kimono Sleeve Top. For colors, think sophistication in muted patterns, bright jewel tones and colors that pop.

Some of the re-occurring themes that you will see this season and that will be featured at Black Cat Plus :

• Wearable art-pieces that can stand on their own and become part of your environment. Check out Linda Lundstrom’s White Picket Fence Zen Top — an excellent example of wearable art.

• Florals- from flowers large and small to petals to leaves on the vine. We love Ash & Sara’s Floral Mod Print Tee.
• Spring Parade-watertone colors which highlight a feminine look.
• Essentials-black and white, navy, and all of the colors in between from earth-tones to jewel tones.
• Denim-Dark washes, low to medium rise. Average leg to wide leg. Denim is the modern woman’s answer to dress pants.

Plus size women can absolutely take advantage of the strong silhouettes, fitted looks, and the variety of patterns and colors. Have fun with mixing and matching pieces into your wardrobe. So, attend that Garden Party and toast to the best of times–we are living them!

In her travels as a trainer and speaker for GenderCorp on women’s leadership issues to women across the U.S. and Canada, Jodell was constantly being approached for her fashion advice, even going so far to take clothes off her back to give to her plus size clients! A size 18, Jodell spent considerable time and effort trying to find clothes that had a modern look. Out of that frustration came the inspiration to open Black Cat Plus, her contemporary web clothing boutique so that other plus size women did not have to work so hard to find clothes that reflected current trends and busy lifestyles. The Lil’ Black Cat Designer Plus Boutique/Showroom and Warehouse are located in Rochester, N.Y. They have recently partnered with a local boutique, SoLia Boutique, and are excited to bring customers the latest in contemporary fashions in ALL sizes!