Hanes Develops Plus-Size Brand for Wal-Mart

October 22, 2009 08:00 AM | Comments (1) | Posted in plus size fashion, fashion style

What: Hanes is branching out from the world of basic tees and under garments. After spending years as the go-to brand for comfy cotton t-shirts, Hanes has decided to launch an all new plus-size apparel brand called JMS exclusively for Wal-Mart. Available at more than 3,500 Wal-Mart stores nationwide, JMS—or Just My Size—will reportedly feature “trend-right styles” such as modern knit sweaters and leggings with sizes ranging from 16 to 28. Even better, the company says none of the clothes will be priced over $22.

What JMS Says:
“The JMS woman embraces her curves,” said Maria Teza, marketing director for JMS. “So often plus-size women see stylish clothes in the Missy department that they can`t find in the plus-size department. Now she can find those same styles in just her size.”

What We Say: Not to be a Debbie downer, but this doesn’t look very fashion forward. What’s fashion forward about a t-shirt?  If nothing else, it’s great to see a company like Hanes taking a stand and making clothes that fit women of all shapes and sizes, and we hope maybe it’s a trend that will catch on for more apparel companies.

Best T-Shirts on a Budget: Reader Advice

May 7, 2008 06:00 PM | Comments (9) | Posted in fashion, fashion advice, fashion style

Ahh, looking ahead to summer—a time for laid back fashion at it’s best. Now, we love our platform sandals and full floral skirts as much as the next girl, but sometimes there’s nothing better than throwing on a pair of shorts and a cute tee. Which brings us to our point, which is that a great t-shirt—one that fits great, holds it’s shape, and doesn’t look like you borrowed it from your significant other—is hard to come by. So where do you go to get a great little tee for less?

pictured: Cap Sleeve Boat Neck Tee, $12.50, Old Navy

Trend Alert: The Body Conscious Party Dress

December 9, 2007 07:00 PM | Comments (4) | Posted in dress, fashion style, trend alert

What: The new shape in party dresses? Form-fitting.

What the fashion heads say: This from The New York Times style page: “What happened to last winter’s easygoing party frocks that replicated simple geometric shapes, the circular pouf, the triangular trapeze, the rectangular shift? Turns out they were all square. ‘The baby-doll dress is dead,’ Sarah Easley, an owner of Kirna Kirna Zabête, the directional SoHo store, said with no small degree of satisfaction. ‘The designer customer is looking for a little more tailoring.’”

What we say: This could be very bad news, indeed, for those of us who actually enjoy a Christmas cookie or two this time of year—however, while slinky, form-fitting dresses may be the very latest, we’re still seeing plenty of cute tunic, trapeze, and sheath style dresses making the rounds, enough so that you should feel good about picking whatever shape fits you best. And remember, it is all about fit—form-fitting doesn’t mean sausage casing. Just something to think about.

~Angela

Trend Alert: The Midi-Length Skirt

December 7, 2007 07:00 PM | Comments (1) | Posted in fashion style

What: The latest hot skirt length—the midi.

What the fashion heads say: This, from Net-a-Porter: “Midi-length skirts . . . elongate your curves when worn with stilettos or towering platform pumps.�

What we say: “Midi” technically means mid-calf, though right now it’s more between the middle of the calf and the knee—details, details. We’re kind of loving this length because it’s sexy without being overt, and it embraces curves instead of trying to hide them. Also, it covers up those knees if they don’t happen to be your favorite feature. Our only caution—to work, the midi skirt needs to hug the body, not fall straight down from the waist to hem lest you end up looking like a school marm of old (and we do mean the 70s). Think 40s pin-up for shape, and keep it simple and sleek with a slim top or tailored jacket. And don’t forget those heels.

~Angela

photo from Style.com