These Spots Are Making Sure Curvy Ladies Have Style At Their Fingertips
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It can be a challenge to find clothing that's stylish and flattering when you're above a size 12.
But not to worry - CBS2 has tracked down plenty of shops in the Southland that are outfitting curvy women in looks that are flattering, well-made and stylish.
And we had some help: Fashion stylist and blogger Reah Norman is a pro at keeping full-figured girls fashionable.
"I think now, more than ever, women of all sizes are embracing their shape, and women with curves are no exception to that," Norman said. "And what I always say is, 'It's not necessarily if you can where a trend, but how you wear it and what you pair it with that accentuates your shape, balances your body type, and is...good for you, individually."
The stylist is a fan of City Chic, a new plus-size store with six SoCal locations, including a newly-opened store at the Glendale Galleria. She says the store gets high marks for carrying form-fitting silhouette dresses and pencil skirts. She also loves their cropped jackets, kimono belts and corsets.
When it comes to shopping for your wedding gown, Norman said: "It's very discouraging as a bride to go into a store and feel instantly defeated by not being able to put any of the dresses on."
Most bridal gown samples, she says, are a size 6 or 8, making them too small for a curvier figure to get an idea of what she likes.
Those looking for a fairy tale of a dress in a larger size need look no further than Della Curva, which carries hundreds of gorgeous gowns for sizes between 16 and 32.
Sara Viola is Della Curva's wedding dress whisperer, zeroing in on a bride's curves, coloring and charm before pulling samples from endless racks of dresses. She then customizes the gown with special embellishments for the bride-to-be.
For everyday looks, Norman also recommends checking out Living Doll Los Angeles, an online plus-size website based out of Downtown L.A. with a young bohemian flavor.
Norman says now is the time for fashion designers to spend more time catering to curvier women.
"We don't want a watered-down version of what they're offering in their mainstream line. We want it to be just as fashionable, just as on trend and just as beautifully made as what they're selling for their straight-size customers," the stylist said.
If you're looking for style inspiration, Norman says you can find it all over social media: "On Instagram, there are several plus-size fashionistas I follow. Some of my favorites that I call style stars include Chastity Garner of The Curvy Girl Guide, Jennifer Buckingham, Sarah Conley, Alissa Wilson of Stylish Curves, Drini Marie - who's also a makeup artist and has great fashion. Lovely in LA and Beauticurve are some of my favorites."
Norman's last bit of advice is to step out with confidence: "That's the most inspirational thing to me, is seeing someone who walks in a room and makes no apologies for who she is, no matter what her size is."
Click on the following for more on Reah Norman, her style blog and Plus Model Magazine.
She also included her list of plus-size picks and favorite bloggers:
