Plus-Sized Success

As an attractive, statuesque (think Bea Arthur) executive, what is needed are more plus size business appropriate suits.

My style leans towards Eileen Fisher, Japanalia ( a local designer that does unconstructed, flowing jackets and other separates in beautiful fabrics) and throw in a few inexpensive short and long sleeve jerseys, basic pants and skirts, interesting flats, etc. Typically I don't wear a corporate business suit, but normally wear some kind of jacket, although unconstructed. Eileen fisher is known for the "cascading cardigan" in wool, cotton and linen knits. Cachet is a relatively new design now showing up at Nordstoms, and there are some nice pieces appropriate for Casual Friday or that can be dressed up with skirt and scarf or down with jeans.

Foxcroft Blouses are wonderful for the plus size exec, but finding the "suit as uniform" can be problematic - the jackets work, but the pants are too low cut for big gals. I might take the jacket in a larger size than the pants or skirt because of my bust and broad shoulders.

I would like to see more natural fibers in business suits. Man made fibers can be suffocating and sweaty. (and women of size may often feel the heat more than tiny women ) It is like wearing plastic - and they aren't cheap either.

If I remove my jacket in a meeting, I risk offending others because of my bustline, although I always cover up to the neck- - never have any cleavage at the office. So it would be really nice to see cotton-rayon, linen jackets with natural cotton batiste or other breathable lining (not silk it doesn't breathe). Talbots really missed the boat this summer with all the silk blouses and jackets, etc. --- not appropriate for the office and too hot for summer.

My secretaries have always been smaller women who get cold easily, so in order not to have people freeze, I suffer in higher temps than I'd like. It gets past 100 degrees for several weeks during the summer, so it's really difficult to stay fresh and have a crisp suit. The fellows seem to be able to obtain linen, or cotton blend business suits for all sizes including Big and Tall, but plus size business women who want to be modest and comfortable, as well as business like, have a tough time of it.

Since I enjoy wearing more "artsy" garments, I don't worry about it much, but it gets tiring not to be able to have at least 2 comfortable, natural fiber suits per season (don't suggest wool - companies now crank up the heat so much that it is impossible to wear wool - even tropical weight.

I don't wear any makeup, just sunscreen and a few clinique basics (lip stain and maybe eyeliner if it isn't hot) Otherwise the makeup melts off. I'd rather a clean natural look, than have makeup melting off my face.

In my company, some women have suggested I should wear more makeup to appear more businesslike. My secretaries have worn more than I do, but I think since I have good skin and hair, esp good skin on my face with natural color, it is better to be less made up. Outside of my organization, clients say I appear very approachable. We don't expect men to wear make up!

We also don't expect men to wear stiletto heeled shoes. Since I'm very tall, interesting and stylish flats are better. I find wonderful shoes with great style, many of them are made by "walking shoe" companies and are quite comfortable.

If someone can come up with beautiful suits for women in natural, breathable fibers, that can be worn in hot and cold weather, I'd be first in line.

You should also look at Doncaster clothing. We have beautiful fashions for plus-size women, in missy sizes up to 18, and women's sizes from 14W to 22W. Catalogs are available online: www.doncaster.com/msearcy

Every time I walk into the dual clothing stores that claim to cater to both styles of women, Plus size and "normal" size, I gravitate toward the "normal" side with all the cute, fasionable clothing only to be disappointed that they don't offer it in my larger size. I meandor over to my size side only to find gaudy, oversized, flowery, big-printed garments that remind me of my grandmother. It's honestly ridiculous. Just because we're larger doesn't mean we can't or don't want to wear the cute clothes. It really ticks me off to the point where when this happens in one of these stores, I express my feelings and turnaround and walk right out.

I am an employed, professional, young-at-heart (59 years old) plus-size (size 22-24) Grandmother of 5. I find that a big gap occurs with plus-size fashions between the newer, hipper lines for teens/younger women and then for career women my age. Either the clothes are too young or look like something my Grandmother would buy! I just can't seem to find affordable, fashionable plus-size outfits to suit my body type and look good for the office. I absolutely hate shopping for clothes. I don't want to feel uncomfortable in clothes that don't fit because they are too big or too tight or too short. I would love to be a size 10 but I am not and, let's face it, probably won't be that size ever. It was nice to read the story about Monif C. Plus Sizes. I am going to check it out. Thanks for covering this story - which I think is important to bring to light.