If you’re following me on Facebook or Twitter, you probably saw me begging for votes in the Very.com Facebook Blogger competition– and while I didn’t win 20 years worth of free clothes, I did get a bit more British-mania.

Very.com is the latest British retailer offering their American shoppers easy ordering, cheap or free shipping AND returns, plus– a 5 day ship period! (Holy crap. I wish everything took 5 days to ship from the UK!) Add to that plus-size, petite, and maternity selections (fashion for all ladies, yo!).  I love when companies make it easy for girls all over the world look good–regardless of size.

I hope their plus-sized selection grows– and pieces seem to go fast, because a sweatshirt and some leopard print heels I fell in love with on Sunday are already gone! But the selection is good, with at least a few pieces I could see myself coveting…

Oh So VERY Ashe:
So Fabulous Print Square Top ($38);  So Fabulous Lace Sleeve Tunic ($55);   So Fabulous Floral Jersey Blouse ($43); So Fabulous Harem Pants ($49)

And because it’s the holidays (and I can’t justify buying myself anything during this time unless there is a sweet deal attached), sign up below to receive 20% off your first order!

Do you get excited when international retailers make it easier to shop? What are your favorite shops that ship quick & easy all over the world? (And let’s face it, do you get as excited as I do buy British shops? It’s always a nice & refreshing change!)

Disclosure: According to FTC policy, this post was compensated for by Very.com, but all details are Ashe-approved!

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The other day Ginger shot me a tweet that asked for recommendations for Little Black Dresses of the plus-sized variety– while I shot off a few places to check out, I realized that with the holiday season (and thus holiday parties) coming up, that a list of Little Black Dresses for plus size gals would be awesome.

Now I have to admit–I don’t believe there is ONE LBD that can go from black tie to office.  So this list includes party dresses, a few day dresses, and a couple that can make their way from work day to wedding guest.

Show Off Sexy Shoulders in your Little Black Dress:
City Chic One Shoulder Sequin Dress ($78); Torrid Off-Shoulder Sheath Dress ($58.50); Eloquii Lace One Shoulder Dress ($128); Torrid One Shoulder Cape Dress ($64.50)

Baby It’s Cold Outside…Long Sleeves & Sexy.
Igigi Francesca Dress ($160); ASOS Curve Midi Dress with Chiffon Sleeves ($62.90); Igigi Milla Dress ($170) Igigi Milan Dress ($130)

Sweet, Sexy, and Strapless Black Dresses
ASOS Curve Jacquard Party Dress ($116.81) Torrid Black & Lace Splice Dress ($74.50)  eShakti Inverse Pleat Sheath Dress ($56.95) eShakti Ruffle Wrap Dress ($59.95)

Whether 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s… Vintage Inspired Little Black Dresses…
ASOS Curve Lace Dress (with Back Panels) ($89.85); Torrid Stop Staring! Tiffany Dress ($120.50); ASOS Curve Lace Dress with Tulle Skirt ($107.82); B&Lu Raquel Dress ($69)

Ashe’s Favorite 4 Little Black Dresses
City Chic Roxanne Dress ($78; I have this dress and LOVE it!); Eshakti Beaded & Tulle Little Black Dress ($69.95);  Eloquii Batwing Dress ($118); ASOS Curve Lace Dress ($80.87)

Which dress is your favorite? Have any other great little black dress options for the plus size lady?

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This dress should have been debuted long ago, because it was a staple of my summer wardrobe. It’s easy to wear, has a nice heavy skirt paired with a sheer top, and a playful polka dot pattern.  Plus a slight 1940s vibe, which I LOVE in a dress- it’s one of my favorite decades.  I should have gone down a size in it, but it’s an easy fix with a few darts in the bust.  Adding a belt gives it a great separates look.  The bright, bright red tights made this outfit a hit with the undergrad ladies– when I walked in to the theater I heard tons of squeals!

This is my first attempt learning to (arm) party.  I love the look of carefully stacked bracelets and watches.  I don’t really own a lot of bracelets, though, so I’m having to build my way up  When I had just enough credits on Gilt for this nOir dagger bracelet, I figured it was a great way to start my arm party efforts.  (I want to “dinge” the bracelet down, to give it more texture, depth, and less brass!)

Outfit Details:

Dress – ASOS Curve
Belt – from a City Chic dress
Tights – c/o We Love Colors
Shoes – B. Makowsky (via QVC)
Watch – Freelook (via Gilt)
Dagger Bracelet – nOir (via Gilt)

Lyrics: She’s the Mistake – Firewater

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In my time blogging, I’ve been called a straight size blogger AND a plus-size blogger, but frankly? I believe women of all sizes and shapes should be able to wear beautiful clothes and feel great about themselves.  I wanted to share some of my favorite places to shop– favorites because they carry gorgeous clothes in a wide range of sizes.  I love them because I know that if I were a size 12 or 20, I can get similar (if not the same) pieces.  That my style doesn’t have to be dictated by my size.

Unfortunately, most clothing lines have a limit somewhere.  All of these lines end in the 20-26 range which means they don’t cover the entire range of sizes. They do provide MORE women the opportunity to feel fashionable.  All of these shops are based online and ship internationally– a must in my book! (Plus-sized gals, don’t fret–soon I’ll have a post of JUST my favorite plus-sized retailers to shop at!)

ASOS: goes up to a US size 22 (UK 26), but I find many of their pieces run large and loose.  Many of the pieces in the collection are also in the main range of sizes, though the ASOS Curve line does have exclusive pieces (much like the Petite line does).  I love that their lines are so fresh, have great shapes and style to them.  I’m never a pattern girl, but ASOS Curve always makes me rethink it.  The release the best florals.

(COVET THESE: ASOS Curve Peter Pan Collar Dress; ASOS Curve Tulip Dress; ASOS Curve 70s Fit & Flare Coat)

eShakti: Sizes up to 26 AND you can send in your measurements for a custom fit.  I love the Anthropologie meets Mad Men-esque styles (at non-Anthro prices) and that they’re CONSTANTLY sending out amazing coupons.  (Like my special for Dramatis Personae readers eShakit coupon: use MMD0811 for $20 off your purchase & use it as often as you want!)  I wish that they carried as many amazing separates as they do dresses– their shirts & skirts sections could use some filling up, but I’m happy with the pieces I’ve purchased over the last year.  I really wish that I had known about them when I was working a corporate job, because they really provide a gal an affordable way to be stylish and professional.

(COVET THESE: Linear Narrative Cardigan; Quantum Grid Dress; Button Front Circle Skirt)

We Love Colors: I love love love tights, even if I don’t necessarily get to wear them as often as I want in New Orleans. (Let’s face it– when it feels like 90+ for 4-5 months a year, you put away your tights!)  We Love Colors fantastically goes up to a size 4x (or can fit up to 330lbs/50″+ hips).  I like to order mine a size up so that they remain more opaque, but I’ve found ordering on size doesn’t give me a muffin top and squished belly.  While I wish they’d expand their offerings for more print tights in plus-sizes (to match their standard sizes), you can get the full catalog of solids, stripes, and splash tights, plus fishnets, in all sizes.  (Plus several of their leotards go up to XXL/250 lbs!)

(COVET THESE: Splash Knee Highs; Vertical Striped Thigh Highs (sadly not in plus!); Splash Tank Leotard)

Ureshii: custom fit to your body!  I’m not sure, to be honest, if the fabulous Emily & Amanda of Ureshii have a limit to the sizes they’ll make.  But I know that they’re constantly creating beautiful clothing out of high quality fabrics in a amazing range of colors.  I consider their Kate shirt a go-to basic and love how flexible they are for creating your dream item.  (Also tip: Sign up for their mailing list– they’re always having sample sales at fantastic prices, AND they cover a wide range of sizes in their samples.)

(COVET THESE: Morphine Top; Metro Dress; Drama Class Cowl)

Trashy Diva: There are few stores I have loved as long as I’ve loved Trashy Diva.  It’s been going on 10 years now (and for Mallory, it’s been even longer!).  Most dresses go up to a 16/18 and select styles are now being carried up to size 24 (fits like a 20/22).  I know from insider information that Trashy Diva is still working on the scaling of their plus-size dresses, to make sure that they can make more women feel beautifully.

(COVET THESE: 1940s Dress in Olivine; Audrey Mini Dress in Cobalt [not in plus-sizes, but would be my pick for extended sizes!]; Trixie Dress in Tropical Flowers)

Dorothy Perkins: Based in the UK, I unfortunately haven’t kept as many of the Dorothy Perkins items I’ve ordered. While I love their offerings, especially their dresses, I’ve found that many of their items I’m too long in the torso for.  (This isn’t unusual for me, it just means I have to be careful as dresses can easily become empire waist on me when they’re meant to be at the natural waist!)  That being said, I’ve ordered from them several times– the quality has been nice, the prices are fair with the exchange rate for US buyers, and their selection is incredibly varied.  While not all of their offerings go up to a UK22 (the equivalent of a US 20), a majority do.  I’ve found their clothes also tend to run a true-to-size if not a bit large.  It’s all based on the cut!

(COVET THESE: Animal Ruched Jersey Dress; Grey Fluffy Swan Sweater;

All right ladies– did I miss any necessary shops?  Anyone have a recommendation I may love?

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When Trashy Diva released their Olivine print, I loved it– but I was worried it wouldn’t fit in to my wardrobe color palette due to it’s bright, Spring green base. But looking at it more and more (plus seeing it in person), I realized this was the perfect dress to work within my color palette, while expanding a bit. The vibrant teals, purples, and pinks, paired against dark burgundies and pale greys means I can mix and match it throughout the year.  And let’s not get started on all the shoes I can wear with it!

When Trashy Diva released the 1940s dress, one of my favorite silhouettes, in the Olivine, I jumped at the chance to try it on.  I was secretly hoping I could persuade Mallory to pick it up for me (with her employee discount).  When owner Candice offered it as a gift, I’m pretty sure I made some inappropriate squeaks and squeals in the shop.

Some details about Trashy Diva dresses: I’ve found, no matter what my size, that they tend to run a bit small in the ribcage. So I’ve always had to go up a size to accommodate my ribcage/high waist (which is where the “waist” on this dress falls). The exception to this is definitely the Trixie dress (which has an elastic smocked back), and perhaps some of the new styles I haven’t had the opportunity to try on– but I find it’s true for their 1940s dress, the Ashley dress, the Day dress, and ones with a similar silhouette.

Because of this, I find that the sizing on their new plus dresses (sizes 20-24) runs small. Typically I’m a solid 18/20 in dresses, but found myself in a 24 in this dress to get it zipped over my ribs. If you’re a plus-sized gal, but run more narrow in the waist & ribs, you should be okay in this.  I find that their size chart runs true to size (meaning this is actually a tad small in the waist).

I made one little alteration to the dress, which was nipping the seams at the bust… just so cleavage could peak out a bit more!  Though it’s likely I’ll adjust the sleeves on the dress, too, either tightening them or removing them, as they run kind of wide (as you can see below… and my bra!).

Even though I actually felt really self-conscious after seeing these pictures, I love Trashy Diva dresses because I always feel so great in their clothes.  The bias cut skirt is so, so flattering on a lady’s stomach, and they always manage to skim the body in a super sexy way.  They recently added a Trixie Dress in the Pearl Harbor print going up to XXL, which naturally means I’m coveting it.  AND my birthday happens to be coming up, too…

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