As a woman who has been blessed with ample curves from a very young age, I have watched my mother spend countless, frustrating hours trying to find flattering outfits. It is as if fashion designers are completely clueless as to what the plus sized woman is looking for. (After all, she couldn’t possibly be looking for the same thing that skinny women look for – right?) There were only two choices. If she wanted something colorful and fun, her choice was the largest and gaudiest of floral muumuus. If she needed something subtle and dressy – well – black was the only choice.
(And the fact that these same decision makers think it’s acceptable to label this clothing, “2X” or even the words “plus size” is an issue that really needs some discussion. . . )
But, my mother had class and she knew how to find classy clothes for her voluptuous body. She always envisioned herself at her best and found sexy ways to dress herself.
My mom is 84 years old now, barely walking with a walker and has breast cancer. She’s still a “plus size” (I really hate that term!). I guess you could say she has every reason to be depressed, but instead, every morning she looks into the mirror and says to herself: “I’m still alive and I’m still a woman!” Then, she proceeds to apply her lip gloss and tie her little scarf around her neck and pin her broche on her sweater. And, my 85 year old dad still swats her in her back-side when she passes by him.
I think Maya Angelou must have been referring to my mom when she said: “It’s the fire in my eyes, and the flash of my teeth, the swing in my waist, and the joy in my feet.” Or Mae West when she defined the word ‘curve’ as: “The loveliest distance between two points”.
To all of you beautiful big girls out there, we would love to hear where you like to shop, what your favorite article of clothing is and perhaps a few words about being sexy and voluptuous.
