It has been a fabulous year and blogging has given me the release I needed and I love being able to converse with readers and discuss how fashion relates to those of us who do not meet the industry’s size 6 standard. I try not to harp on too much about the woes of the industry, and how it’s so anti- fat, I just use my little corner of cyberspace as a positive platform to highlight the best that plus size fashion has to offer and to help others by sharing ideas and encouraging conversation . The options available for plus size shoppers are pretty poor but I believe that with a little creative styling and sometimes a little DIY you can turn a basic item into something eye-catching and individual.

So what am I eyeing up this season? Autumn is in full swing and you can’t fail to have noticed that suddenly fashion has gone Dynasty crazy and everywhere you look there are melon size shoulders and heavily sequined garments. Does this work for plus sizes? Too right it does. The key is to make a trend work for you and you don’t have to be too literal to do this. This season’s focus is on the shoulders and how you work with that is entirely up to you. Balmain sent heavily sequined jackets with tennis ball shoulders down their runway but you don’t have to carbon copy to look current.

In real people speak all this means is that shoulders are the new focal point so to get in on the game just look for something with detail at the shoulder whether it’s a sharply angled shoulder like this jacket from Evans,
….puffed sleeves like this dress by Dorothy Perkins
…or just a nod to the trend like this stud detail top from Asda which also adds extra fashion credit by ticking the “glam punk” box which is another big trend for the season.

Now back to the sequin thing for a moment. These are not your mother’s sequins. 2009 sequins have edge, attitude and can even be dressed down and worn in the daytime. A sequin blazer is my hands down winner for key piece this autumn /winter and will update your look in one masterstroke. There are some great ones available from Dorothy Perkins and Yours at prices that won’t make your debit card (credit cards are so passé) weep but if full on Alexis Carrington isn’t for you there are oodles of sequined accessories on the high street that still pack that instant update punch without the full on assault.

Thank you to Diane for taking the time to write a guest article for 100% People. Don’t forget to find our more about whats happening in the plus size fashion world in her blog fat girls like nice clothes too.

Firstly, don’t panic! The high streets and the Internet are full to the brim with their latest collections ready for the cold season, and quite honestly I am delighted with the results. So here in this month’s feature I have asked a few plus size fashionistas and popular bloggers to offer their advice on what to wear this season.

So keep warm and stay happy!

Get ready for AW09 with the fabulous Marie Denee, who delivers fashion advice on her blog; The Curvy Fashionista to thousands of plus size fashion lovers and who is about to launch her fantastic plus size boutique Marie Denee. Curvy.Confident.Chic. She has kindly written a guest article so we all know how to dress this season. Thanks Marie and good look for your new boutique.

Getting ready for Fall Fashion bibles to drop, I ask myself, quite often, in the wake of this amazing economy, what does a plus size fashionista do? Getting ready for the newness of Fall often translates into a much needed investment for my wardrobe- or does it?

You see the new looks, and know, it is going to cost you- but nothing is worse than filling your closet with new items, when you have pieces you either still have the tag on (it was on sale!), have not worn for two years (waiting to lose weight), or you completely forgot about.  Money is tight, which only heightens the awareness of items to buy- ensuring premium fabrics, fits, and fashions are at its peak. But how does one prepare?

Re-evaluate.

What do I mean? Girl, it is time to get your closet and wardrobe together NOW, before all the amazing fabulousness hits the newsstand and websites! Every wardrobe has or NEEDS its staples, the classics, the foundations of a wardrobe.

So what are these staples, classics, and foundations and why ?
Investing in quality pieces allows you to wear these items for years to come.  Another benefit for investing adds stability to your wardrobe and will not need an overhaul with each season’s passing trend.  The following will help the Curvy.Confident.Chic.  Plus- size woman put together a basic wardrobe for every occasion.

These serve as a base for your wardrobe, allowing you the starting point for defining your style! In order to keep it Curvy.Confident.Chic at all times, you need to have a wardrobe that will allow you the option of always having something to wear!

1.    Underneath it all.  Before you dress your amazing curves, you must set the proper foundation.  In order for your clothes to fit well and lay right, the underpinnings that you wear underneath it all will set the tone for the entire outfit.  This includes proper fitting bra, panties, shape wear, and hosiery.

2.    The LBD reinvented.  Turn Heads with the little black dress that is a key staple for every woman regardless of size.  This staple should be classic in its cut and shape for you to go from day to night.  With a change of accessories and shoes, the LBD will allow you to always have a go-to outfit when you have nothing to wear.

3.    The Transformational Suit.  Life and its many transitions always call for a suit that can capture any situation.  Not only does a suit suffice for an interview or work event, but breaking it up allows for finishing pieces in your wardrobe.  The jacket can be worn with your trousers, skirt, or dress, and the suit pants can be worn with a fashionable blouse for a less casual setting.

4.    Amazing Booty hugging Jeans. Gone are the days when premium denim was not available for the Curvy.Confident.Chic.  Plus size diva!  Finding a perfect pair of jeans is like finding a needle in a haystack. Have no fear- designer premium denim is available for all of your curves. A great pair of premium denim will allow you to feel put together, regardless of the occasion.  If you do not have a amazing pair, opt for a dark rinse that can be dressed up or down- giving your wardrobe more options!

5.    The White (or any colored) Crisp Button-Up Blouse.  As boring as it may seem, a great fitting button up blouse is The catch all for any occasion. This basic will allow you something to always come back to! Whether it be a suit, skirt, or jeans, a classic button up will always finish your polished look.

6.    Tantalizing Trench Coat. Depending on the climate you live in, every woman (with or without curves) needs a Chic Trench coat to wear! Depending on your shape, many options can transcend the elements. You can always look like a Curvy.Confident.Chic diva wearing a trench coat that contours, enhances, and highlights your assets!

7.    Color me Beautiful! To prevent your wardrobe form being bland, you must have an amazing blouse, dress, or jacket in an amazing color! I am the hugest fan of jewel tones, but choose a color that makes you feel sexy, fun, flirty, and fabulous! Color breaks up the humdrum of the wardrobe. Do not be afraid to splash a little attitude with color!

8.    Accessorize to maximize. Your accessories are like icing to a cake. Whether it be your jewelry, shoes, handbag, scarf, ring, (you get my point) accessories pull your outfit together! Wearing all black? Punch some flavor with bright blue stilettos or Lucite jewelry!  Your accessories add that finishing touch.
And being a curvier gal, jewelry in our sizes does exist! Rings, bracelets, and necklaces are all available in ranges of sizes!

Once you have these staples identified in your wardrobe, shopping the Fall trends will be so much easier as you now have a great fashion foundation!  As you look to the newness, you will know what pieces you NEED and those, which you WANT and have a closet that will function for you!

To find out more about Marie, take a look at her interview when I got to find out more about her fashion experience, visit her blog; The Curvy Fashionista and make sure you visit her new plus size boutique.