Spring/Summer Must-Haves!

Ok!! Checking in real quick this week!! So much to do here at BCP!! Thanks to our customers--we have doubled our sales this month!! YAY!! We look forward to bringing you up and coming designers, hot, hot, hot accessories, and flattering plus size contemporary fashions!! Thanks so much for the encouragement and support!! It has been a fun journey!

Ready? Get the pen!

The next installment of spring and summer must-haves!!

#1 on our list and now yours!--A great, basic, white shirt. We KNOW you need one. You know you need one! You have probably worn your other one to death and it is ready for the give-away pile. Crisp, tailored and even sheer for evening. A simple shirt is the answer to your prayers. Well, we found one that fits and is anything but ordinary!! We love our Fenini Asymetrical Shirt pictured above.

You'll also notice what we call a bit of "Flounce" details this spring and summer. Yes, you do too know what we mean!! Ruffles and bows and all things that we thought about when we were young fashionistas in training! A bit of flounce is perfect to add just a hint of femininity. Check out the details in tops and dresses. Sleeves, hemlines, necklines that is where you will see a bit of flounce!

A must have item-- full skirts in wonderful patterns. Flowered, printed in abstracts as shown above, plaids, stripes, they work for work or for a picnic outside! Pair with a basic top and you have QUITE the outfit! Just remember, full on the bottom needs a close-fitting top to strike the right pose--i.e. balance! And as for hemlines, up, down and everything in-between!! Anything goes!!

And for shoes....you may want to check out a pair of wedges especially if you need height, like a pump. Wedges are comfortable just like a flat. They are so right with everything casual from long skirts to short shorts!!

Have a wide foot?? Check out Jodell's favorite store for wide shoes. Leonard's Wide Shoes in Las Vegas!! Wait, you do not have to travel to Vegas. Well, you can if you want. Remember what happens in Vegas... You can order on the web!! Leonard used to live in Rochester and went to the same high school as Jodell!

There's Trivia for you!! Great products and great service at Leonard's!!

P.S. We have more items coming in for Mother's Day!! Wait until you see our Yoga wear and for early summer--more Wraps!!

More as it happens!! Jodell

Jackets Jackets and More Jackets!!

Want a suggestion for a way to be cost-conscious and right in style without breaking the bank?

Add one item this season to your wardrobe! A topper such as a Jacket or a Vest!

Jackets and vests are wardrobe builders that can go high-style or casual.

Jackets can be in such fabrics as denim, linen, silk or cotton twill. Take a look at our Kaktus cotton twill Picasso and Minstral Jackets! They are a colorful, playful and fun pieces that we could not resist!

Don't want anything too heavy?? Try adding a lighweight laying piece which is perfect for summer. Our Belush cutwork detail jacket is a great option at a Me-WOW Price!

Need to attend a special occasion and want to wear a basic color and fabric underneath a jacket? Try a fabric that is elegant and refined such as silk! Our Rising Phoenix Jacket is a real show stopper and qualifies as wearable art! You will not see this jacket on other attendees!

A few fit tips: Make sure that the jacket is long enough to and large enough in the upper arms to fit. There is nothing worse than to have a too-short jacket as it ruins the whole silhouette.

Also, back in style-the vest!! We went high style with our vest choice this season. Vests can actually be found in the same fabrics as the jacket and a wonderful piece that can top off an outfit.
Happy Shopping!! Jodell

Dear Vogue...Can you include the larger sizes in your SHAPE issue?

WOW! I was so excited to see that the latest copy of Vogue featured the SHAPE issue. And then I read it...

Ok, to be fair, I will be positive first. I have written this entry about ten times because every time I re-read it, I came off as sounding haughty and pissed, so I would start again. And I am not a haughty and pissed kind of person as I don't think that accomplishes anything to do with positive change. The tone I am trying for is exasperated and flabbergasted because I don't think this concept is difficult to understand or hard to pull off. So picture me exasperated and flabbergasted here because I need to get this written.

It was so great to see that a fashion "bible" such as Vogue is dedicating an issue to shape and featuring an article entitled, "Dressing For Every Shape From Size 0-16." Great for the 14's and 16's. I am glad to see that those sizes are being included.

Not so great for me because I am an 18! And what about 20, 22, 24 and up? We all wear clothes last I checked?

I was eager to read about dressing for your body type, since at Black Cat Plus we are always on the lookout for silhouette info as we include silhouette info in our plus size contemporary clothing descriptions. And, the 87 Swimsuits to Flatter Every Figure article? Every figure...not so much.

The five different body types mentioned in Vogue? Tall, Pregnant, Thin, Curvy, and Short.

And the rest of us? Some of us do read Vogue?

In Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour's Letter from the Editor she talks about the young models on the runways at the recent New York fall fashion week collections. She said, "Overall, they were pale and thin, and entirely lacking in the joyfulness and charm that once defined the supermodels. This is, of course, not their fault: Designers now near-uniformly favor a non-vivacious, homogenous ideal."

Note to Designers and Vogue: Ever see the plus size models? Not pale and thin. And joyful and charming is an understatment!! They look as though they are glad to be there and are glad to be who they are!

Wintour urged designers to to "consider athleticism and vitality as assets in the wearing of great fashion."

P.S. to Vogue: How about we add, "full figured and vivacious?"

We're here...please see us!

Jodell

The Daytime Dress a Spring Essential

Pressed for time in the morning and want to grab something quick and easy to wear? How about this spring's essential for stylish, contemporary plus size fashions?? Consider semi-tailored, close fitting dresses in either a wrap, belted shirtdress or sheath style are sure to be popular this season and must-have pieces to add to any wardrobe. Note in our blackcatplus descriptions which silhouette is flattering to your shape. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, there are plenty of choices this spring in dresses from prints to solids--bold and muted and everything in between. Why do dresses continue to stay in our boutiques and in our closets??
#1--They are easy to wear!! You do not have to think to coordinate!! Pick a dress and grab a bag and shoes and you are off to work!
#2--They are business-like and give you freedom to work and you can show a glimpse of your personality with details on the dress or adding accessories.
#3--They are longer and have more volume than in past, seasons which can easily be taken from day from work, luncheons, out for dinner, weekend party, and shopping to evening--parties and dinner dates! You can wear a dress over trousers or pair with tights and high heels.
Want a change of pace?? Incorporate two-piece dresses and skirt sets to mix and match your wardrobe.
You are sure to find a dress this season that is vesatile and can be used for work and many other occasions. Want to be on the best dressed list?? Check out our dress category on black cat plus---we are adding more styles each week. Happy Dressing!! Jodell

Top Five Big Trends For Spring

There are actually 15...but we will discuss the trends in blocks of five to make it easier. Get a note pad!

As we have mentioned before, it is florals and bold graphics are still going strong! This season, designers have offered bouquets to color your favorite dress, skirt, or top. It is an explosion of florals. Check out our Garden Party category as we are adding new items each week.

Not to be outdone, bold graphics join the light and dark for a look that cannot go wrong! Take a look at the newest additions to our art deco category. You'll find pieces that you'll want to add to your wardrobe.

Patent Leather makes a big comeback! Remember, when Easter meant a time for shiny Mary Janes? Now is the time to go and get patent leather shoes. Pair your new shoes with our Uddini Black Patent Handbag. And while you are at it, did you know that grey is the new black? Especially in accessories. Take a look at our Uddini Pewter Handbag. Hint: This is a color you will be able to take into fall!

And bangles...pile 'em on!! The more the better!! Like potato chips--ok, the low fat kind, :) you cannot stop at one!
More to come! Jodell

Black Cat Plus Selects Authentic Woman Model Search Winner

What a week!! Whew! Trying to select the winner of our model search contest was trying to say the least.

Black Cat Plus is pleased to announce that Erica Larsen is the winner of its Search for the Authentic Woman Model Search Contest. Larsen will be featured as the web boutique’s model for its Spring 2008 Collections. As a thank you, she also receives a two-night stay at the Del Monte Lodge in Rochester, NY and a $500 wardrobe credit from Black Cat Plus.

I have to thank all of our model search applicants for taking the time to enter and to tell their personal story. We had over 100 submissions!! I was just astonished by the response and overwhelmed when reading the essays of the contest applicants. I really wanted to show the world that confidence comes in all shapes and sizes and from that confidence comes the power to change perceptions and reading the submissions of our applicants--we are on the right track!!

We are in the process of changing perceptions about what it means to be plus size in America! We must live who we are RIGHT NOW! Although this season, we could only select one model, we are adding more models for our Fall Collection. Stay tuned for details.
And from the bottom of a grateful heart--thanks to all of you who entered. If I have not been in touch personally, I will be as I am in the process of thanking each and every one of you! Jodell

Stretching Your Clothing Budget This Season

There are plenty of ways to make your clothing budget go farther this season. Living within a budget does not mean having to settle for poor quality clothing.

There are four things that we look at when purchasing clothing for our customers at Black Cat Plus: Quality, Price, Trend, and Brand.

Quality refers to two things: fabric and garment workmanship. I have talked about how important it is to invest in garments that can be worn year round. We have added our Four Seasons Boutique with pieces that we have found to have excellent quality, great style, and can be worn year round. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and spandex are also more moderately priced and high quality. Lightweight wools and cashmeres are always a good investment as they can also be worn year-round.

Next, really inspect the fabric and workmanship of the garment from the collar to the hem. When examing the workmanship look at buttons, collar, seams, and lining. The buttons should be secured through the layers of fabric. The collar should fold and not gather or pucker. Inside seams and patterns should match and there should not be any hanging threads. Look at the stitching to make sure that it is straight. The lining should have extra material and not be hanging.

Pay attention to how close the clothing piece reflects the season's trends. A good way to still keep in line with trends without taking a chance that your trendy piece will lose its luster after the season is to invest in a trendy color that can be worn into the following season. Good bets this spring---anything green! Investing in one good piece and mixing it with a more trendy/less expensive piece is another good way to compromise without breaking the bank.

Base the price on a cost per wear formula. How many times do you anticipate wearing a particular piece of clothing relative to its cost as it can make the difference as to whether to invest.

Brand name is also a consideration. With our Black Cat Plus Label products--(one of these days I will write about my experience with designing and the process of manufacturing--it's been quite a learning experience) our goal is to offer stylish, contemporary, plus size clothing of good quality and at moderate prices.

Of course, shop the sales!! Keep in contact with your favorite stores. You can even send us a note if you want us to let you know if an item goes on sale. In addition to our Back Alley Clearance Items, we have added our Daily Value Category for a daily special--either dollars or percentage off on a surprise item. Check back daily to see if one of your favorite regular priced items has made its way to our Daily Value Category.

More as it happens! Jodell