Graphically Speaking

Yes, the power of print is in full swing this season!! And it couln't happen at a better time. When everyone is watching their pennies there is one bright spot in the fashion landscape this year. Graphic prints, bold florals and animal prints will be front and center for quite some time. Especially in dresses for the spring and summer seasons.

Take a look at our Macrame print Colorblock Dress from Mui Loco. This print is a perfect example of a print that has a bit of a retro appeal.

Or Black Cat Plus's Animal Print Dress as they are great examples of what we mean. Prints are everywhere for plus size contemporary fashion this season. Make the most of your dollar and give yourself a welcome spirit boost by wearing something that has "stand out potential." Color and print are the biggest success stories this year and there is not an exception for the plus size fashion conscious.

What's great about these prints?? You won't see yourself coming and going!!

Like paint-inspired floral in a great color. Check out Connected Apparel's two piece dress with a whimsical print set against a great background color.

Take a stroll on a summer's day and skip along the sidewalk once or twice for me!

Happy Shopping. More as it happens! Jodell

What To Wear To A Friend's Summer Wedding?

We have had a few inquiries recently about proper wedding attire.

Just to review:
#1: What does the invitation say? Any clues?
#2: How formal is it? What time of day? Morning, Evening? Kiyonna's Black Scalloped Lace Dress is a Perfect Choice for Evening? For Daytime, there are many patterns and prints out there. From Linda Lundstrom's Pretty Leaves Dress to Connected Apparel's Blue Multi Banded Short Sleeve Dress. If you like sleeveless, daytime is a time for sleeveless. Nightime for strapless.

Overall, keep the look light and festive. Be careful with white and do try to make sure you find out what the attendants are wearing. One wedding I attended, I blended right in with the bridal party!

Jewelry should be minimal as should makeup, hairstyle, and accessories. Need a bag? Check out our Uddini Mini's. So cute. Love is in the air..Reminds me of my August wedding, almost 23 years ago. Remind me to tell you about the time I lost my slip while walking down the aisle. Hey--it was the 80's and we had a ton of dress on the bottom... Only me! A reminder, try things on and wear them a bit before the day. You will be able to tell if shoes are too tight a strap is not right or a neckline is too low.

Happy Wedding! Jodell P.S. We are in the process of building our new site!! We have outgrown the old site! YAY!

Model Search Fall Campaign

Hi again!

A few things!! #1 our Fall Model Search campaign is on the site. Interested in submitting your photo to us? Go to http://stores.blackcatplus.com/Service.bok for details! Coming soon. The Black Cat Plus Model Search 35 Alive for woman ages 35+! My newest favorite show is She's Got The Look with Kim Alexis on the TV Land Channel on Wednesdays at 10pm!

The women are so amazing!

Now, all we need is She's Got the Look PLUS! I am addicted! I have my favorite who I want to win!

Think about it! Wouldn't it be the BEST to have a model search for plus size women who are 35 and older!! So, it got us talking here...AND---stay tuned for details for our 35 ALIVE Model Search Contest! It is time! Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!
Jodell

Got me to thinking even more...how about a Sex and the City type of show with women who are plus size! HA! We are working on that as well!!

It's a Jungle Out There.....Dress Accordingly

I love that quote. It is one of my favorite quotes of all time and is from Candace Bushnell's Lipstick Jungle.

How do we budget for a tight economy--yet still maintain our signature style while staying competitive in the workplace?

Easy! Plus size women can benefit from the contemporary safari styles!

A survey from Cotton Incporporated's Lifestyle Monitor in the May 29th issue of Women's Wear Daily found that most women describe their work clothes as "business-like with freedom." Freedom to incorporate a bit of her own signature style!

Incporporate safari-inspired pieces and accessories into your daytime wardrobe! Put a jacket over a piece for daytime dressing and take the jacket off for hot summer night on the town.

A perfect example is our Black Cat Plus Animal Print Dress shown above.

It is easy this season to find animal print in clothing pieces and accessories.

Like the look but afraid that it will be too TOO?? Invest in a good safari style jacket and accessorize with animal print like our Uddini Giraffe print handbag! Either way, you will be prepared for whatever happens out there in the "Jungle!"

More later. Jodell

What Will You Do With Your Summer Vacation?

Can't wait--this weekend marks the official start of hot, summer nights, playful days, and memorable moments to treasure for a lifetime.

So, what do you have to do this summer? I have to teach business courses at two of our local colleges, run my web and consulting businesses, clean up around the house--actually I am looking forward to that one :) it was a long winter wasn't it?, buy for black cat plus's fall season and see what is in store for Spring '09, finalize our private label product line, finalize our next model search contest-attorneys take forever to review...reamp our web site...btw--all suggestions and input are welcome on that one..send them to Jodell@blackcatplus.com, go to Chicago and New York City, attend a few summer concerts, visit with friends and family, take one of our show cats to get his champion status, get back to doing yoga and pilates on a regular basis, eat regular meals instead of eating while standing up, talking on the phone, or sitting in front of the computer...and look forward to spending time with my husband every day and especially when we go on our summer Vegas vacation.
Whew! That is a lot! But I cannot wait!! I love summer! What will I WEAR to all of these events?

I have a checklist of things to bring with me to the various events...capris are still a hot item for plus size women. Remember to go to a bit longer length if you are short. Pressed for space in a suitcase? Take a set that you can mix and match with other items. We love the casual yoga inspired sets from Neon Buddha and Kaktus. Want to show off your legs?? Try our Nina Nguyen anklet. Nina made extra long lenth just for us! I love mine and wear it all of the time. The gemstones in the anklet are so pretty. I have to start packing now!!

How about you?? What do you have to do this summer? Let Black Cat Plus help you make memorable moments!!

Oh and here's our memorable moments promotion!! Sign up on our mailing list and receive a coupon for $20 off any regular priced apparel item and give us one suggestion and we will make it TWO $20 coupons!! Come 'on!! Help us to our goal of being the #1 Plus Size Web Boutique for contemporary plus size fashions!! We can do it with your help!!

Oh--and one more thing to add to the list--one more week until I attend the premier of Sex and the City with friends!! More as it happens...
Jodell

What's In Your Closet?

Just a couple of real quick things. A bit of this and that this week. Tells you where my mind is at!

Quick shameless product plug here! But we are excited to have our Kristine Accessories back in stock!

Finally!! We have our new shipment of the infamous flat wallets back on our site! Fun colors in turquoise, hot pink, and lime and the staple colors of beige, black and the metallics! Check them out when you get a sec. Why do we love them? They are flat and do not take up a lot of room at all in your purse and you would not believe all of the stuff that you can get in them. And while you are at it, from Kristine--check out the square bangle bracelets, stackable and a different twist on a favorite accessory.

In other news, we are getting ready to finalize our fall buying plan! Can't wait for you to see what we have in "store" no pun intended here :) for you for Fall!

Want a hint or two? What will you see? It is official that Floral prints, natural shades and black will be strong this Fall and separates, especially jackets and blouses, will be key pieces. We're working on it!

Speaking of separates? Take inventory now to see what what can transition easily from spring to summer to fall. I love reading my surveys and I recently read that tops out-number bottoms in women's closets by a 3 to 1 margin. Does your closet reflect those stats? Mine does. I also have had jackets that I have had around for years that I still wear. How about you?

Our best sellers this week have been Fenini, Kaktus, and once again the awesome Kiyonna line.

For those of you who have inquired about our next modeling contest? We are working on it! Expect to find details on our home page at the end of June 08 for our fall campaign.

In the meantime, we have a contest going on. Sign up now on BlackCatPlus.com and we will email you a $20 off coupon good towards any full price item worth $40 or more that we have on our site!! We love our customers!! And want YOU as one of our preferred customers!!

Jodell

Tailor Made

A girl's best friend? A good tailor. Tailoring is a necessary piece to dressing well. Recently, a local customer saw something on my web site that she absolutely loved. However, when she tried it on, the two piece garment looked big and unkept on her frame. She was crushed as she really loved the fabric and the garment. So, I suggested she buy it and take it to the tailor to see what he said he could do with the skirt set. If she did not like the suggestions, she could bring the item back and I would refund her purchase. I gave her the names of two tailors I work with and trust would do a good job.

Don't know a good tailor in your area? Ask around and try them out by starting with a no problem alteration such as taking in a hemline or taking in a skirt at the waist. Watch while they pin the garment and be clear with them about how you want that garment to look.

My customer? The end result was spectacular!! The tailor "trimmed" the side seams and took in about four inches total, added more ornate buttons and took up the hemline. The outfit looked totally different on my customer and she loved the results.

What kinds of things can be taken to the tailor without a lot of cost? The easier pieces are dresses, pants, and suits or separates that are not too difficult to work with.

Really like a piece that is too small? Buy two and have a tailor insert fabric from the extra garment. A good tailor can get that garment to look as it was tailor made! In cost-conscious times, take a look at your wardrobe and see if there is anything that you can have re-worked for a totally new look and new outfit!! More as it happens! Jodell