Designer brands are nothing new in the world of standard size clothing.  However, in the plus size clothing industry, women have gotten used to ill-fitting, low-price, low-quality apparel.  Designer brands who specialize in plus size clothing are putting forth great effort to persuade a shift in the consumers’ thinking from quantity to quality.  To help them understand the development process: which involves choosing the right content and blend of the fabric, as well as taking time to find the right fit.  In addition to the development process, manufacturing in theUnited States also contributes to the cost and that’s why 95% of garments sold inAmerica are made overseas.

Anna Nicole, owner of Annalogy, a plus size clothing store is one of the few designers whose plus size clothes are made in theU.S.  She’s a plus size woman who understands the frustration of trying to find stylish, well constructed garments in her size.  Annalogy specializes in what Anna calls “comfy-chic” plus size apparel for sizes 14 & up.  She describes the Annalogy woman as someone who “is more classic than trendy, but who keeps up with what’s current in fashion, and loves stylish yet comfortable clothing.”  Those two elements, a blend of classic and comfort, were what Anna felt was missing in the plus size marketplace.  She goes on to say, “I want my garments to fit well, to be of a certain quality and to have longevity.  That’s why I spend so much time on the development process.”

According to an article in the New York Times, the most formidable obstacle (of that process) lies in creating a prototype.  “The proportions of the body change as you gain weight, but for women within a certain range of size, there is predictability to how much, born out by research dating to the 1960s,” explained Kathleen Fasanella, who has made patterns for women’s coats and jackets for three decades.  “We know pretty well what a size 6 woman will look like if she edges up to a 10; her bust line might increase an inch,” Fasanella said. “But if a woman goes from a size 16 to a 20, you just can’t say with any certainty how her dimensions will change.”

Women’s plus size clothing makes up only 17 percent of the women’s fashion market, reports The New York Times.  Analysts blame this small percentage on the lack of supply and variation in plus size clothes for women to buy. Still the industry generated $17 billion dollars in sales last year.  Furthermore, in the 12 months leading up to April 2010, the plus size market grew 1.4 percent, while women’s apparel declined 0.8 percent, according to The New York Times. With more women wearing plus size clothes, the market should continue to grow.

This is good news for companies like Annalogy.  Still, as Anna points out, “it’s an uphill battle for an unknown designer – trying to offer quality at an affordable price.”

Annalogy offers styles that are versatile, yet contemporary; that can go from casual to work and beyond.  Most of the plus size dresses and overall clothes are made of soft knit fabrics that feel good on the body and flatter the figure.

When asked about the name of her company, Anna explains: “The word ‘ology’ means the study of.  So Annalogy is the study of Anna.  I’m like most women who want to get up in the morning, throw something on and walk outside looking like I spent an hour putting my look together.”

Future plans for Annalogy include the addition of sizes 4x & 5x, as well as a collection of Loungewear.  Anna describes it as, “casual apparel that you can wear whether you are traveling or running errands.  It’s an alternative to the T-shirt and sweat pants look.  There’s no reason you can’t be chic and comfortable.” Annalogy is available online and will soon appear in stores around the country, starting with Vive La Femme in Chicago, Illinois.  For more information and a selection on their plus size clothing please visit www.annalogy247.com.  We thank Anna for sharing her humble beginning as a plus size designer along with her challenges and opportunities of running a business. We believe that Annalogy is here to stay given Anna’s determination, vision and passion for quality plus size clothing.  Large Size Living wishes her all the best! If you like to get your “word out” on your company’s product offering or service, feel free to contact one of our editors directly.

Welcome to Walmart plus size clothing world. Spend less, live better. The maker of Hanes underwear and the Wonder Bra will be increasing their floor space in more than 3,500 Wal-Mart stores to offer more plus size clothing choices.

Just My Size women’s clothes line is available now. This includes dress pants, sweaters and other merchandise beyond the underwear and jeans it already stocked

According to Walmart plus size clothing offer, “So many of the women who shop at Walmart today fall into the plus size category. The buyer is already there, whether she’s buying groceries, toys, clothes for her kids. So we really wanted to create a plus size destination for apparel for her.” This year, the New York fashion show displayed the spring collection ranging in sizes from 16 to 28. Price range is $6 to $22.

In spring, 2010 the store will offer suggestions on how to mix and match pieces. So, if you are looking for your plus size favorites head to your neighborhood Walmart plus size clothing department for more plus size clothing choices, affordable prices and increased selection.

Sometimes, it is hard to admit even to ourselves that we cannot shop in the trendiest sections in a given store. Most stores put the plus size fashions in a different department, and some have fewer trendy and fashionable styles for plus size women. Some even charge more for plus size clothing, which feels like another blow to our pride. However, there are many flattering fashion styles for a plus size body, each that will offer definition and highlight a fuller figure, and most are very affordable at the right stores.

Look for shirts and dresses with an A-line pattern. These accent your waist, and are great for bustier women, as they minimize the cleavage and maximize the curve appeal. A flowery dress or top under the A-line will minimize the tummy, and make hips appear smaller as well. They are comfortable and roomy, without feeling or looking like a circus tent.

Choose colors and fabrics that work well with your complexion, not simply your favorite colors. You can visit a makeup counter to find out what season’s colors work best for your skin tone, eye color, and hair color, and choose fabrics and prints that work for you, complementing your best features. Although most advice columns for plus size women recommend sticking with navy or black, these are not flattering on every full figured woman, and dressing like we are heading for a perpetual funeral is not an exciting or trendy fashion statement.

As most critics are fast to point out, it is best to avoid horizontal stripes, as they make your waist and bust (and behind) appear much larger. Diagonal or vertical stripes are slimming, but avoid fatter stripes as they can make you look more bulky, especially if you have a bigger bust. A combination of wide stripes and thin stripes is attractive and flattering, and pinstripes are always a great choice, especially for a fashionable and dressy suit.

Floral prints should be kept to a minimum, and avoid the fat, showy floral prints that are often found on plus sized clothing. Prints should be smaller, and color patterns should suit you, not clash with your hair or skin tone. While it can be very flattering and beautiful to add a corsage or hair accessory with a larger flower, avoid them on shirts, dresses, and skirts. They accentuate the parts of your body that you are trying to minimize or hide altogether.

Most plus sized skirts offer a split for comfort and style, but be wary of the split when sitting, as they tend to pull open. Choose skirts and dresses with a minimal split in comparison to the length of your legs. Make sure that the split comes no higher than your knee, in order to avoid unsightly gaps that expose too much leg (or worse). Skirts should be worn at about calf length, to maximize height and minimize the appearance of cellulite, especially at the thigh and behind the knees.

Finally, geometric patterns are very flattering for plus sized women. Colors should cooperate well with each other, and with your skin tone, hair color, and eye color, creating a very neat and fashionable outfit. Pair with slacks or jeans that fit well. If you wear the pattern on a shorter dress, add a pair of cute leggings that match to slim and lengthen your legs. Complete any of these looks with a pair of comfortable and stylish shoes that fit well.

Flattering fashion styles for a plus size body are available at a wide variety of retailers, and once you know your measurements, you can even choose online shopping for a more convenient shopping opportunity. Choose the right styles and shades, and you will look fabulous, no matter what size you wear.