Plus Size Tankini Is For You Too!

Tankini's are the hottest trend right now. The great thing about them is that they come in a variety of colors and styles and the help to hide those unflattering spots that we want to hide while still creating a little sexiness. Check out these latest affiliate ad tankini's. 

Shirred tankini top.Black.5X You'll be ready for the beach or the pool in this flattering tankini top! Features allover print and shirring along the front. Black straps and straight back. Black power mesh.Black.5X

A-line braided allover print tankini top.Black.X This tankini top will be just perfect for your beach vacation! Figure-flattering A-line silhouette with empire cut and removable straps to avoid tan lines. Braid under bust line.Black.X

Fly away tankini top.Black.X Fly away style tankini top makes a very feminine swimwear look. Features shirring detail at bust and wide adjustable straps. Can be worn 2 ways.Black.X

Twist bandeau tankini top.Brilliant Blue.4X Hello sunshine! Enjoy the pool side in this curve-flattering bandeau tankini top with twist detail at bust, removable straps to avoid tan lines and pretty print at bottom.Brilliant Blue.4X

Printed tankini with drawstring.Black.X Flattering tankini style features V-neck and black underbust band. Adjustable tunnel along armhole and sides with functional drawstring. Pair with your favorite swim bottoms for a beach-ready look.Black.X

Printed bandeau tankini.Black.4X Have fun at the beach with this stylish bandeau tankini with removable straps and a vacation-inspired print.Black.4X

Allover print bandeau tankini top.Black.4X Curve-flattering empire-waist tankini top is the perfect pick for a mix and match swimwear style.Black.4X

Plus Size Retro Dress & Clothing: Plus Sizes Dresses to Put You In The Swing of Things for under $70.00

Black/Polka-dot Plus-size Retro Polka-Dot Swing Dress The dress features polka-dot on the bust with tie and in the pleats two pleats in the front and back respectively flaring out in the bottom hem the petticoat is not included. Standard size approx. length: 43.27 inches; Plus size approx. length: 48.35 inches. 97% cotton / 3% spandex; Machine wash.

White/dots Plus Size Retro Ruffle Halter Dress Retro styled halter dress with polka-dot trim and belt with a tie in the back. Side zip. The petticoat is not included. Standard size approx. length: 43 inches; Plus size 46 approx. length: inches.

Red Plus-size Retro Belted Pleat Dress The retro style dress with bow accent that leads into large one side pleats flare out in the bottom hem the petticoat is not included. Standard size approx. length: 43.70 inches; Plus size approx. length: 48.43 inches. 97% cotton / 3% spandex; Machine wash.

Navy Plus Size Retro Satin Dress The dress is made of satin fabric features satin ribbon in the waist ties to a bow in the back lace details on the bust with a side zipper and removable belt. The petticoat is not included. Standard size approx. length: 40 inches; Plus size approx. length: 43 inches.

Getting Ready for Pageants and Homecoming

Here is a small selection of the gowns for pageants and homecoming in Plus Size. Selection provided by affiliate Plus Size Bridal.

Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 1291004 Price: 230.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 1291019 Price: 258.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 1291047 Price: 358.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 1291051 Price: 358.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 1491003 Price: 458.00
Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 2791003 Price: 230.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 2791005 Price: 298.00	Jacquelin Prom Dresses Style 2791011 Price: 278.00	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4570 Price: 287.30	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4581 Price: 321.30
P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4588 Price: 338.30	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4590 Price: 287.30	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style P3900 Price: 66.30	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4171 Price: 372.30	P.C. Mary Prom Dresses Style 4183 Price: 338.30

The Plus Size Fabric Guide

Most shopping for plus size is done online and I wanted to give a quick fabric guide on commonly used fabrics in plus size clothing. One of my personal tips for successful online shopping is to know your fabrics. Knowledge of fabrics will allow you to gauge the fit of a garment, allow you to pick the best size, and give you a good idea on what you will be getting in the mail. Remember to always read the fabric content of garment before purchasing. Sometimes we get so excited about the garment that we forget to inform ourselves on what we are actually buying.

I've done it myself. Another important note is that generally the more expensive the garment the nicer and often heavier/thicker quality of the fabric. I love a great deal like anyone else, but always check that tag for the original price. A garment that was originally priced at $110 as opposed to $30 is generally going to have better fabric. No matter what you get it on sale for, you always want to get the one with the highest original price. Be sure to bookmark this guide for future reference. I plan to do a series on mastering online shopping.

Plus size gowns and prom dresses by Sydney's Closet

At the Elbow Evening Gloves Price: 28.99 Capture everyone's attention when you wear these stretch satin at the elbow gloves with your favorite special occasion dress. Available in three colors.	Above the Elbow Evening Gloves Price: 36.99 Versatile stretch satin gloves are perfect for dressing up any special outfit. Available in three colors.	Blooming Love Price: 769.00 All eyes will be on you as you come down the aisle on your special day wearing this fabulous French taffeta and tulle plus size wedding dress style 1004 from the Unforgettable Collection by Bonny Bridal. We gave this romantic wedding gown the perfect name: Blooming Love. The strapless sweetheart neckline is covered in beaded lace and falls to the ruched cinched waist. Flattering A-line skirt is decorated in lace at the hemline. Beautifully covered buttons decorate the back to the semi-cathedral train. Available in the bride's choice of either white/platinum or ivory/platinum. Select from sizes 16W to 32W.	Secret Promises Price: 699.00 You'll be an elegant bride in this strapless French taffeta gown with a sweetheart neckline. Criss-cross ruching on the bodice falls to an embroidered and beaded accent. The full pick-up skirt has a billowing semi-cathedral train for a grand look going down the aisle. Style 1010 from the Unforgettable Collection by Bonny Bridal. We named this dreamy wedding gown Secret Promises.
Forever Yours Price: 789.00 This elegant sleeveless wedding gown in French taffeta and tulle has has a sheer illusion strap that is covered in lace. The pleated bodice is covered in lace and the taffeta drape overlay across the skirt allows the tulle to sweep around the hem and along the semi-cathedral train.	Unforgettable Price: 1,129.00 He won't be able to take his eyes off of you when you walk down the aisle in this elegant taffeta wedding gown. The strapless gown is adorned with intricate embroidered, beaded lace falling from the soft sweetheart neckline into the lightly ruched bodice. The hem of the full A-line skirt is edged with lace that wraps around to the back of the multi-tiered semi-cathedral train. Available in sizes 16W to 32W.	Meet Me at the Altar Price: 799.00 You'll be a stunning bride in this French taffeta strapless ballgown. The beaded sweetheart neckline and corsetted bodice and waist move to the flattering full skirt with soft pick-ups. Lace-up back with modesty panel and semi-cathedral train. Available in sizes 16W to 32W.	Lover's Knot Price: 749.00 You'll be the blushing bride in this halter plus size wedding gown made in French taffeta. The fitted bodice is covered in embroidered lace and beading. The full pick-up skirt has a semi-cathedral train trimmed in beaded lace.
Halo of Love Price: 650.00 You will show off your great curves being the bride that goes down the aisle wearing this classic mermaid-style wedding gown in French taffeta style 1805 from the Unforgettable Collection by Bonny Bridal. Lace covered straps lead to the lace covered bodice with a pleated overlay that wraps across the bodice and into the flared skirt. Semi-cathedral train with beaded lace trim. Available in white or ivory in sizes 16W to 32W. We named this dress Halo of Love"."	Happy Together Price: 499.00 Be the center of attention in this elegant chiffon wedding gown with a V-neckline and empire waist. The scattered beading on the bodice and beaded medallion at the waist add sparkle and the split front A-line skirt creates a flowing skirt. Two draped ruffles down the back flow to the chapel train.	Always Yours Price: 899.00 You'll be a beautiful bride in this organza wedding gown with shirred straps and V-neckline with lace modesty panel. The shirred empire band falls to exquisite embroidered lace and a full princess cut skirt with a decorated semi-cathedral train. Lace-up back with modesty panel.	Dream Come True Price: 168.00 You are always in style at any special event wearing this plus size formal dress Style 4019 by Calito. We named it Dream Come True because it has everything to flatter the full figure: A-line design, square neckline, short sleeves and empire waist. Crepe satin fabric can be sewn on either the shiny or the matte side. No wonder Calito Style 4019 is a bestseller, especially with bridesmaids! Your choice of 15 colors. Shown in Forest Green. Also available in white or ivory for a casual wedding dress.
Serenity Price: 168.00 Go in style in this short sleeved, empire waist dress with an A-line skirt	Now Starring Price: 170.00 This plus size formal dress, Calito Style CL6762, makes a fashion splash with a trendy high-low hemline. Short sleeves offer coverage on arms so many plus size women want but have trouble finding in an evening dress. Versatile crepe satin fabric makes for a fancy look at any special occasion. Available in sizes 14 to 44 in your favorite colors for every season.	All That Glitters Price: 188.00 Glitter in this plus size evening dress by Calito designed in a metallic flocked chiffon. A-line skirt with popular sweetheart neckline shows off your curves. Bra-friendly straps make this an easy and comfortable fit all night long. Style CLA100 sure to earn you compliments at any special occasion. Available in sizes 14 to 44.

Documentary makes case for plus-sized beauty pageants

In many ways, Allison Kopach doesn’t seem like the sort of person who would feel self-conscious going out to run errands. The 31-year-old Michigan City native and former Mishawaka resident is, after all, an outgoing pageant queen who brought home the Miss American Beauties Plus title in 2011.
But in “There She Is,” a new documentary available online and slated to screen at the Indianapolis International Film Festival later this month, Kopach explains that, as a plus-sized woman, she feels uncomfortable leaving the house without doing her hair and makeup first.
“When I walk in I don’t want people looking at me like I’m not put together, because that makes me feel like I’m fitting into a stereotype, that I don’t love myself or take care of myself,” Kopach said. “So if I can eliminate any stares, any misconceptions, I almost feel like I need to do that for the plus-sized community.”
The documentary, which premiered online last month to coincide with Full Figured Fashion week, followed Kopach and her close friend Jenny Flores as the two prepared for the 2011 pageant. The filmmakers then checked in a year later as Kopach prepared to hand her crown over to the 2012 winner.
Kopach, who was a “pure little diva” growing up, says she always enjoyed watching pageants as a child. But for many years she felt that her weight — she was a size 20 when filming began — would keep her from participating in these sorts of events.
“I was always plus-sized growing up, so pageantry was something I watched on TV,” Kopach said. “I watched Miss America and she had all these wonderful things happening around her, and I knew at a very young age that that was probably not going to be me.”
Kopach got her first glimpse of the plus-sized pageant world after she was approached by a promoter during her freshman year at Columbia College Chicago.
“I was wearing my prom dress from the year before and I had no idea what I was doing,” Kopach said. “I met women that were like me, and at 18, 19 years old it was awesome because I had never met strong plus-sized women I could relate to.”
Kopach took an eight-year hiatus from plus-sized pageants, which are typically open to women who wear size 14 or larger. During her preparation for the 2011 American Beauties Plus Pageant, she was contacted by Emily Sheskin and Veena Rao, directors who were interested in a film that examined the way beauty is defined in the U.S.
The film shows Kopach and Flores at the pageant and Kopach being crowned. It also shows Kopach’s return to daily life in Indiana, where she found that remarkably little had changed.
“I had so many high hopes for how my life was going to be. I wanted to go out there and promote (the pageant),” Kopach said. “I did a lot of walks, I signed up for every activity I possibly could, and what I was finding was that a lot of people weren’t receptive. It’s almost like I wasn’t the type of influence they wanted to have at their organization.”
But almost two years after being crowned, “There She Is” is generating more publicity than Kopach’s win ever did. The documentary can be seen at pageantdocumentary.com, and more than three dozen media outlets have reviewed or commented on the film.
Some of the responses haven’t been entirely nice. There have been blog posts and Internet comments that criticize the documentary for glamorizing or “normalizing” obesity. Others take issue with beauty pageants in general, no matter what sort of women are competing. Kopach said she was particularly surprised by the people who bypassed weight entirely and left nasty comments about her eyebrows and teeth.
“I had not prepared myself for the negative comments,” Kopach said. “I don’t surround myself with people like that.
“I had a talk with the creators and directors of the documentary, and one of the things one of the producers said to me was that nothing you start that’s out of the status quo is ever easy, and I have the chance to become part of something that’s unique and new to society.”
Kopach stresses that she and the documentary makers are not trying to glamorize obesity. Both she and Flores have lost large amounts of weight since filming ended, Flores to alleviate asthma symptoms and Kopach to reduce her risk of developing diabetes.
“I didn’t want to lose weight just because I wanted to lose weight. I wanted to lose weight so that I could be healthy,” Kopach explained. “It’s a very fine line of loving yourself and thinking of what life could be like.”
And while she still hears from those who consider plus-sized beauty pageants — or any beauty pageants — “taboo,” Kopach said the overwhelming majority of responses have been positive.
“For every negative comment there’s been, there have been three more that say, ‘Thank you, I feel the same way you do, it’s nice to hear somebody actually say it,’ ” Kopach said.
Kopach said she has been approached by people who recognize her from the documentary and want to tell her how it changed their lives.
“A woman came up to me and asked if I was in the documentary,” Kopach recounted. “She said she walks a little bit taller because of it, and she’s starting to love herself a little bit more.
“And it started to make me cry, because that’s everything I wanted to do.”

Plus Size Diva Convertible Dress Price: 38.95 This mocha brown convertable plus size dress can be worn in limitless ways. Wear casual for work then quick change for a night out. Fabric has great stretch. plus size dress in 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x.	Plus Size Black Single Shoulder Rhinestone Dress Price: 49.95 Bring out your inner Diva in this sexy plus size black dress. Features a single shoulder design with handcrafted crystal design on bust. Fabric has good stretch. Cotton blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X and 4X.
Plus Size Strapless Lace Trim Dress Price: 39.95 You'll look like you just stepped off the runway in this trendy new plus size party dress! Features a beautifully vibrant royal blue with sexy black lace trim. Sweetheart bust. Pockets. Back zip. Approximately 31" from bust to hem. Satin-feel poly blend.	Plus Size Gold Sequins Cutout Dress Price: 38.95 Plus size dress. Flaunt all the right curves on your next night out in this sexy strapless dress featuring gold sequins and sexy mesh cutouts on waist. Fabric has good stretch. Approximately 29.5" length bust to hem. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X,
Plus Size Jewel Trim Halter Dress in Black Price: 38.95 Plus size dress. We added an eye-catching jewel embellishment to the little black dress. Features a tie-back halter top design. Sexy asymmetrical hem. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.	Plus Size Strapless Animal Print Dress in Cream Price: 34.95 Plus size dress. This trendy strapless dress features a sexy, yet subtle animal print in cream. Flattering rouching throughout. Approximately 27" length from bust to hem. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.
Plus Size Strapless Black Floral Zip Dress Price: 34.95 Plus size dress. Spring is all about florals and this trendy strapless dress doesn't dissapoint. Features a sexy exposed zipper at front. Stretch waist for the perfect fit. Approximately 30" length from bust to hem. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X,	Plus Size Red Split Collar Top Dress Price: 31.95 Plus size dress. This versatile little red dress will take you from day to night with a simple accessory switch! Features a trendy split collar and cinched waist for a flattering fit. Zip back. Approximately 38" length. Poly/rayon blend. Available in plus
Plus Size White N Silver Colorblock Dress Price: 32.95 Plus size dress. Our newest colorblock dress features a sexy v-neck front and strapless design. White and silver. Approximately 29.5" length bust to hem. Poly/rayon blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.	Plus Size Polka Dot Rosebud Dress Price: 33.95 Plus size dress. This trendy strapless dress features a fun polka dot design with red floral print. Great for those summer get-togethers! Poly/rayon blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.
Plus Size Strapless Peek-a-Boo Waist Dress Price: 41.95 Plus size dress. Get ready to spice up your wardrobe with this trendy multicolor dress with flirty asymmetrical hem. Features a peek-a-boo beaded embellishment at waist. Molded cups for support. Approximately 28-44" length from bust to hem. Poly/spandex b	Plus Size Chiffon Print Maxi Dress Price: 38.95 Plus size dress. Get ready to spice up your wardrobe with this trendy multicolor dress with flirty asymmetrical hem. Features a peek-a-boo beaded embellishment at waist. Molded cups for support. Approximately 28-44" length from bust to hem. Poly/spandex b
Plus Size Blue Ruffle Hi-Lo Maxi Dress Price: 34.95 Plus size dress. Looking for an effortless summer look? Then you'll love our new ruffle top hi-lo dress. Features strapless design with trendy asymmetrical hem. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.	Plus Size Multicolor Island Fun Maxi Dress Price: 32.95 Plus size dress. Colorful island fun designs pattern this trendy, lightweight maxi dress. Features a racer back. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.
Plus Size Trendy Shrug Dress in Green Price: 32.95 Plus size dress. Wear to work or add bold jewels for a night out. This trendy style features a green geo print mock shrug and solid black bottom. Fabric has good stretch. Poly blend. Available in plus size 1X, 2X, 3X.