High class plus size clothes from the leading plus size clothing designers for women are often hard to find in many of the local stores outside of large cities, especially to keep up with current trends and styles. Many of the newer and more popular clothing designers often include specialty plus size clothing as well as the standard sized clothing due to the increased amount of people who are plus sized. Some leading designers also focus solely on plus size clothing lines rather than standard smaller sizes due to the increasing demand for plus size designer clothes for women.

Popular Dress Styles from Plus Size Clothing Designers

Many dresses for plus size women over 40 offer longer lengths, gentler cuts, and more flattering fabrics and colors. Many new holiday dresses in high end plus size boutique’s come in colors such as black, medium blue, and deep purple with or without belts. Casual dresses with belts are perfect for wearing to the office or other informal meetings where a dress may be required. Many dresses come with a solid silk or satin material layered under a delicate lace fabric for a truly unique feminine look. Some of the most popular formal dress styles for plus size women come in tea length as well as floor length. Some shorter knee length dresses are also available for casual day time wear.

Some of the most popular formal attire for plus size women utilizes billowy sleeves to create a flattering look while attempting to draw the focus away from the woman’s large figure. Some utilize low necklines, high-waisted belts, and full skirts to minimize the curves of a plus size woman. Many of the leading plus size clothing designers choose to use soft fabrics such as silk and polyester along with specialized blends to create a dress that has the best ability to flow smoothly regardless of weather and environment. Many of the casual day time dresses offer many different color and style options to allow the plus sized woman to have something different to wear to the office each day of the week, without feeling like her wardrobe is a boring collection.

Where to Shop for Plus Size Dresses

Women’s plus size dresses are typically easy to find, however, it can be difficult to find just the right style to fit the occasion and personality of each individual woman. Department stores such as Nordstrom offer a wide variety of plus size casual and slightly formal dresses. If a woman needs something slightly more formal than a department store an offer, boutique’s that offer designer clothing made by designer’s such as Yuliya Raquel and Monif C. are the place to go. Yuliya Raquel and Monif C. are some of the leading plus size clothing designers for women and have a large line of both casual and formal dresses as well as accessories, separates, and shoes. Both designers offer women the choice of shopping online or in a physical store.

Many women find that shopping for plus size dresses can be a difficult task and often requires patience to find just the right style and material for each occasion. Many leading plus size clothing designers offer boutique’s both online and physical stores to enable women to experience shopping in their own personal style. Designers who offer both types of stores will also find that they have a larger average clientele than those with just one of the types of stores, due to the fact that they are able to offer more items than a designer with just a physical or an online store.

Finding the right plus size furniture for overweight people is a challenge. From weight capacity to design and functionality, the plus size furniture selection that accommodates this market is not well publicized  Think about how many times you guessed how well the furniture is made before sitting down in a meeting or at a friend’s party. Not all is lost. Here are some tips that will help you live more comfortable when looking for plus size furniture.

Plus Size Beds

What makes plus size beds appropriate for overweight people is the heavy duty steel frame construction, reinforced springs and increased height for ease of movement. The Companion HD is a head and foot adjustable, heavy duty bed. This bed provides a weight capacity of 600 pounds and could be ordered as a twin, full or queen size. A hand control is available for comfort settings. Another suggestion is an air bed such as James Air. Air beds give you the ability to adjust the firmness desired by increasing or decreasing the air volume.

Plus Size Mattresses

When purchasing a mattress, plus size people need to consider the thickness, material and firmness of the mattress. Foam, latex and spring coil mattresses are some examples. Generally, the foam and latex mattresses are a better choice since they lack the coils which could wear down over time causing discomfort and back ache. The Ultra 400 deluxe bariatric latex mattress is specifically designed for extra large people. This mattress supports individuals weighing between 300-400 pounds. Sizes range from twin, full, queen and king.

Plus Size Chairs

If you are looking for a practical chair, the Snowball 500 is a good bet. This chair is stackable with a 26” wide opening and 500 lbs capacity. If you’re searching for an office chair, the Throne High Back 400 will give you 400 lbs capacity along with arm rests and full swivel.  The Parsons chair is also a good and sturdy choice having a weight capacity of 1,000 lbs. Also, the Pride XXL Mobility is a 600 lbs chair that offers a heavy duty lift actuator. For your patio and outdoor furniture solutions, the Exeter 500 steel chair will give you the comfort and reinsurance of 500 lbs capacity.

Plus Size Bath Furniture and Toilets

There are a variety of plus size bathing and toilet furniture on the market. The Big John toilet seat is a popular brand having a 1,200 lbs capacity, the largest contoured seat on the market and a universal design that works with any round or elongated toilet. Over sized bathtubs and shower chairs are also available in plus size. Not all expensive plus size furniture mean better quality. Speak to the sales staff, ask questions, compare prices and don’t forget that it comes down to comfort and durability when choosing the right plus size furniture.

Most people assume that if it tastes good, it cannot be very healthy, and this is true in a lot of cases, especially where desserts are concerned. For that reason, many plus size men and women skip the desserts, thinking that this is the only way to support a healthy diet. However, there are a few dessert recipes that will make your mouth water without adding extra pounds, and here are just a few examples:

Peanut Butter Pie

Blend8 ouncesof cream cheese (should be thawed to room temperature) with one cup of peanut butter (use no- or low-sugar brands) until the mixture is very smooth. Then, separately, beat one and a half cups of heavy whipping cream with about a quarter cup of Splenda (use the baking sugar). If the mixture does not taste sweet at all, add up to another quarter cup to taste. Fold the Splenda mixture into the peanut butter mixture a scoop at a time, until all of the Splenda mixture is added to the bowl. Dump the contents of the entire bowl into your piecrust (graham cracker crust is suitable, and will taste great). Finally, chill in the refrigerator for about four hours, until the pie is hardened enough to solidify.

Fruit Parfait

Create layers of fruit (most people choose blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, and similar fruits) and yogurt (can use vanilla or flavored), using at least two different fruits. About two cups of yogurt can be used for four parfait servings. High in vitamins and protein, low in fat and calories, so a great choice for many diets.

Blueberry Cheesecake

Preheat the oven to about 375 degrees. Start by mixing two 8-oz packages of cream cheese with a half-cup of sugar, half teaspoon of vanilla, and two egg whites. Then, spread the mixture into a graham cracker piecrust. Add about two-thirds of a cup of blueberry pie filling, and use a knife to create a swirl pattern by pressing through both layers in different places. Needs to bake for about forty minutes, until light golden brown on top. Can serve chilled or hot. High protein dessert, relatively low-cal!

Fruit Sorbet

Take your favorite frozen fruit, defrosted just a little bit, and blend with about one teaspoon of juice. Blends like orange juice and blackberry, pineapple and strawberry, and orange with strawberry taste great. Add two teaspoons of water, and mix until the ingredients are very smooth. Almost no calories, fat, or sodium. No cholesterol, good source of protein.

Chocolate Mousse

Beat one package of sugar-free chocolate pudding with two cups of skim milk. Fold two cups of light Cool Whip, half-teaspoon of vanilla, and about a quarter-teaspoon of cinnamon (optional). Mix the ingredients until they are blended well. Divide the mixture into servings, and then cover each serving with plastic wrap and chill. Keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. Low calories, little fat, great tasting chocolate dessert.

These are just a few of the many dishes that taste great without all of the fat and calories that most people believe have to be in a great tasting dessert. You can mix and match ingredients to suit your individual taste, and experimenting allows you to find healthy desserts without racking up the calories or pounds. These are recipes that you can feel good about eating, even if you want to have a dessert every day. Once you have hit on the ones that taste best, do not forget to share the recipe with friends and family members so that everyone can enjoy fewer calories and fat without sacrificing taste.

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.

It may sound like a cliché, but there actually are many different diets that work for plus size women. Some are more expensive than others, and a few are hard to stick to, to say the least, but most work as long as you follow the regime without fail. Almost every one of these diets requires hard work, and regular exercise, but some are more effective than others where healthy eating is concerned. Here are a few popular examples, in no particular order.

The ever-popular Atkins diet is one of the best ways to shed a few pounds fast. In fact, it is very common for a plus size woman to lose up to15 pounds in just two weeks by sticking to this diet religiously. However, it is not for everyone, and you should definitely consult your doctor before starting any diet.

Common dinner idea on Atkins: a small portion of meat, cheese, steamed vegetables, and water. No go on the dessert, since not even fresh fruit is allowed during the first two weeks. The point of the Atkins is to shock your body into ketosis, where the metabolism is jump-started and your body can burn fat and calories like it was in overdrive. Atkins-friendly meals are somewhat cheaper than other diets, but the almost all-meat diet can get tiresome very fast.

We’ve all seen the Weight Watchers commercials on television and in Internet advertisements. If you can afford all of the bells and whistles that go along with the diet, it is a great opportunity to lose weight over an extended period of time, which is the healthiest ways to drop the pounds and keep them off. Be prepared to pay for special meals, sign-up costs, meeting fees, and more.

Weight Watchers is all about the points. You will be counting points in your sleep after a few months on the diet, but experts (those who have done it for years) say that it gets so easy that you no longer need your handy-dandy notebook to write everything down. That is a plus, but could be a real hassle for the plus size woman who works outside of home.

One of the newest additions to the diet family, Sugar Busters is one of the easiest diets to tackle, with the fewest restrictions and the best net loss. Although it takes longer to drop the weight, it will stay off longer, and you will have less trouble maintaining that healthy weight, with the help that the diet offers. It can also help you learn to eat healthy, and can be a great way to introduce your family to healthier eating habits, too.

The goal of Sugar Busters is to eliminate as much sugar as possible. This can come in the form of refined flours, glucose, sucrose, pectin, white rice, and potatoes. Get rid of these, add a healthy alternative such as whole grain bread or brown rice, and you are on the right track to healthy eating habits. If you get a sweet tooth, choose sugar free cookies, ice cream made with Splenda, or fresh/frozen fruit smoothies.

Sometimes, it’s not about what you eat, but about what you quit eating. For that reason, simply getting rid of the worst foods a little at a time, such as sodas or sugars, can lead to a decent amount of weight loss in a relatively short amount of time. Keep up the hard work, add a healthy amount of exercise, and you will see the pounds begin to melt in no time. Stick to the diet, even when you are feeling emotional or depressed, and you will not regret it.

If you are obese or slightly overweight you mos likely have tried all types of diet. Starving yourself to shed some pounds just isn’t the way to go, nor is abruptly decreasing your food intake a good practice for your body. Take it easy and go light with a healthy diet; start by consuming foods that are heavy enough to last you throughout your activities and light enough to decrease the number on your scale.

For a change, try these easy-to-cook healthy recipes that go light on you but heavy on the important nutrients that you need:

Healthy Red Ragu Pasta

Ingredients:

-         Extra virgin olive oil

-         1 Big can of stewed tomatoes

-         1Whole garlic, minced

-         1 Medium-sized onion, minced

-         1 Whole bell pepper, sliced into strips

-         ½ Cup chicken broth

-         5 Leaves, fresh basil

-         1 Pack of Linguini Pasta noodles

-         Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

Sauté garlic and onions until slightly cooked add bell peppers and stewed tomatoes. Stir for 2 minutes and add in chicken broth, then stir for another 2 minutes. Mix in fresh basil and stir. Leave to stew in low heat for about an hour. Stir around occasionally. Pour over pasta to serve.

*This meal is filled with tomatoes that are rich in lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. Eat a serving and you will feel recharged for the whole day ahead.

As meals do not go quite complete without a sumptuous dessert, you could also try this refreshing tropical treat:

Frozen Pineapple-Peach Yogurt 

Ingredients:

-         1 Cup orange juice

-         1 ½ Tbsp sugar

-         1 Cup water

-         1 Tbsp powdered unflavored gelatin

-         1 Cup crushed pineapple

-         ½ Can sliced peaches

-         1 Cup plain low-fat yogurt

Procedure:

1. Combine the orange juice and sugar and boil until dissolved. While waiting, pour water in a small cup with the gelatine and wait for it to soften. When the juice is done boiling, stir in the gelatine until dissolved and set aside to cool.
2. Mix the pineapples and yogurt in a blender and puree. Pour in the orange juice while the motor runs and let to blend for a few seconds. Pour the yogurt into a bowl and store in a freezer. When ice crystals form, mix several times with a fork.
3. Serve the frozen yogurt from the freezer half hour before serving and mix again with a fork. Place in individual bowls and mix in peaches.

*Pineapple is a rich source of phytochemicals and vitamin C while peaches are also a good source of fiber and antioxidants.               

Going on a healthy diet is not an easy task; it requires a lot of determination and self-control for you to be able to finally get rid of your plus size clothing. Don’t push yourself too hard on diets that you can’t commit to as it can only leave you frustrated when they fail and you may end up with episodes of ‘emotional eating or bingeing.’ Go light on yourself, eat light and see yourself get light.

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.

From finding the right plus size clothing or selecting the right kind of plus size furniture, being a plus size person can sometimes be frustrating. Today, as more and more manufacturers recognize the need to create tailored items that can suit the plus size crowd to live easier.

One of the most common things that plus size people look for and want to own are elegant and stylish furniture pieces that can accommodate their frame. In choosing the right kind of plus size furniture, it is important to note the size and strength of the product. Is it comfortable to sit in and lie down? What is the weight capacity? What are the materials used? Check if the frame is made from reinforced heavy duty frames so that you know it won’t break. Although purchasing large size furniture over regular furniture is more expensive, its use and benefit to you is definitely worth the investment.

Plus size people may have difficulties getting up or getting into standard-sized furniture causing pain and extra strain on their backs so comfort issues should be considered when making a furniture purchase. Does the bed or chair promote correct posture and proper body alignment? Does it adequately support joints and muscles as you get out of the chair? Using the right type of furniture prevents aggravating many weight-related health issues, keeping the plus size person more at ease and relaxed.

You may find out that some of your nearby or local stores still don’t have plus size furniture on display although they can special-order for you. Large Size Living has conducted some research in this market and we are happy to present you with the information where to buy plus size furniture that fits your style and preferences in our future articles. Please do visit us soon.