Why don’t plus size women just give up and start walking around naked? That is the message being given by fashion clothing retailers and manufacturers. Plus size fashion is becoming harder and harder to find at the local mall. What is a plus size fashionista supposed to do?

According to a recent article in Crain’s New York there are several clothing manufacturers who have moved their plus size selection to their online stores, cut back selection in the retail stores or just eliminated anything larger than a size 14 or 16. Bloomingdale’s moved the plus size department at their flagship store from the basement to the third floor and halved the square footage. Saks offers more than twice as many brands online as it does in their stores and Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Old Navy have moved their plus size selections online entirely. Liz Claiborne dropped the Elisabeth line altogether leaving a gaping whole in the classic, work place clothing niche that can only be filled by Talbot’s Woman at a hefty price.

Manufacturers and retailers have cited the economic climate as a reason for disregarding the plus size consumer. They cite declining numbers for plus size clothing in contrast to “regular” size clothing and the increased cost of making plus sized lines that require extra fabric and special models. One has to wonder which came first, the lack of sales or the lack of selection? The trendy babydoll top isn’t flattering on every body, big or small. Try to find a no iron, button front blouse without any pleats, bows or crazy prints to wear to work in a size 18. It’s not out there. How about a suit in a size 22 that has a jacket that’s not cut to mid thigh and has enormous shoulder pads. Good luck.

If you head to the local mall your options are extremely limited. There is always the anchor department stores, but as we have discussed earlier the selections are getting more and more cut back. No offense intended to Sag Harbor, but how many pairs of elastic waist polyester pants can one person have, even at $29.99. Avenue and Lane Bryant are the only mall options left and Avenue has, in recent years, seemed to have pulled out of the major malls and into the smaller strip malls. While these are both great stores and I recommend both highly for fashion forward clothes, why do all fashion conscious plus size women have to dress alike? Where is the selection?

The selection is online. Websites like http://www.14wPlus.com are pulling together online retailers and organizing them by style and selection in addition to listing current coupon codes and sales events. If you have ever googled plus size clothing you know that you get the same sites over and over again. http://www.14wPlus.com lists some of these same sites but also has some smaller stores that offer plus size fashion that the searcher might miss. The online plus size fashion shopper needs a tape measure to get accurate sizing since the mall store fitting room experience is no longer an option. All of these online stores have very liberal return policies and new stores are being added all the time. http://14wPlus.com has just added Apple Bottoms and Phat Farm for the junior clothing shopper and even has large selection of stores that offer bridal and bridesmaid’s gowns in plus and extended sizing. Plus size dresses are in abundance online and plus size swim stores have great selections.

The experience of having a nice afternoon shopping at the mall might be a thing of the past for the plus size fashionista but not all size 20’s have to dress the same. You just need to know where to look.

# # #

Ever try to shop for plus size fashion at the mall? Good luck. Most retailers have moved their selection online. 14wPlus.com has pulled together the best online shops for plus size clothing. Check us out. Stop searching, start shopping.

Byhower Talent Agency (BTA), a New York based modeling and talent agency has recently opened its doors and is searching for models who seek exclusive representation.

BTA is a young, modern talent agency located at 1178 Broadway Suite 332, New York, NY 10001. The focus of BTA is finding raw, fresh talent and getting their faces spread throughout the fashion and entertainment industries. BTA manages young female models and in the future will cover the following additional divisions: male models, children models, fitness models, and artists (music, entertainment, and sports).

With the advantage of having noted fashion photographer Lidia Byhower highly affiliated with the agency, BTA models/talent have top of the line portfolios, composite cards, business cards, and other promotional materials. BTA maintains a very low model-to-agent ratio to ensure all models receive maximum work. “We invest a lot of time into each model to coach them, work on image consultation and to develop their portfolios and comp cards. The team behind BTA is young and driven and our fast-paced agency is soon to be a leader in the fashion industry,” said Lidia.

# # #

Byhower Talent Agency works with their talent to develop their portfolio and composite cards, target their ideal audience through proper zoning and casting, and to work towards their personal long-term career goals.

The once mighty and totally ubiquitous thong may be coming to the end of it’s reign as the underwear of choice for the ladies of this fair isle with a massive resurgence in sales of more classically styled knickers – a trend that seems to have really have developed in the last few months.

Devon-based online and mail order specialists Wickedelic Lingerie have been quick off the mark in spotting the trend and filling the gap as their customer services manager Nik Grant explains. “This year has seen a definite return to the classic styles and fashions of the 50s and 60s with the shortie and cami-knicker type of underwear becoming very popular.”

And it doesn’t stop there as Nik continues: “We are seeing a big demand for old fashioned foundation garments, waist nippers, vintage-style suspender belts and of course stockings!” No doubt music to the ears of British men as a straw poll of Wickedelic Lingerie’s male workforce revealed the not surprising fact that the suspender and stocking combination rules supreme.

Wickedelic Lingerie seem well placed to meet this new demand with an extensive range of classic, traditional-styled knickers, suspender belts and foundation garments in their range – all of which are delightfully manufactured by an established Nottingham-based company.

And Nik was quick to extol the virtues of buying British. “We are proud to buy British – not only do we benefit from superb quality and a quick turnaround but, with the Pound so weak against the Euro and Dollar, we are getting great prices too.”

Wickedelic Lingerie has built an enviable reputation as a supplier of bedroom and daily wear lingerie at reasonable prices. Their 12,000sqft warehouse and dedicated call centre houses some 3,000 different lines ready for immediate dispatch.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For more information, product samples and images, contact:
Nick Gibbens
Web and PR Manager
Wickedelic Lingerie
Global House,
Richmond Place,
Lee Mill
Devon,
PL21 9RL
Phone: 0871 871 0040
Email: nick@wicked-lingerie.co.uk
Web: http://www.wickedeliclingerie.co.uk/classic-lingerie/

About Wickedelic Lingerie:
Wickedelic Lingerie was formed in 2006, and has become one of the UK’s largest retailers of sexy and “bedroom” lingerie. The company is based in Lee Mill, Devon, and prides itself on the quality and range of its products. The website now offers more than 1,500 different products. The line includes ladies lingerie such as babydolls, bustiers and corsets, gowns, chemises, camisole sets and thongs, as well as specialising in bridal lingerie. The new expanded range also consists of men’s underwear, fancy dress, plus-size lingerie and shoes.

# # #

Wickedelic Lingerie was formed in 2006, and has become one of the UK’s largest retailers of sexy and bedroom lingerie.

Lee Mill, Devon – Devon-based online and direct mail lingerie specialist Wickedelic Lingerie has launched a wholesale arm to its growing portfolio.

The firm’s 12,000sqft warehouse holds some 3,000 lines of lingerie and they are the sole UK distributor for leading European brands Veneziana, Chilirose, Livia Corsetti and Anais.

Veneziana is a leading supplier of high quality stockings and tights, while Chilirose is a sultry collection of exotic lingerie at very affordable prices majoring on beautifully crafted basques and corset sets.

Livia Corsetti is Wickedelic’s biggest selling brand and the recipient of many major European awards for their exciting range.

Anais, created for the sensual and liberated women to celebrate their femininity, is another leading designer brand that has proved popular with traders.

Magda Bentley, head of Wickedelic Lingerie Wholesale, said: “We are the one stop shop for quality European lingerie with the designs, quality and margins you need to make your business thrive.

“So far, we have had a fantastic response from our trade customers who are keen to get behind the brand and take advantage of the recession busting prices.”

And Wickedelic Lingerie Wholesale is so confident that you will love their brands that they are more than happy to send a free sample pack to all bona-fide trade customers.

Wickedelic Lingerie has been trading since 2006 from its base in Lee Mill, Devon. It has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s leading online and mail order suppliers of sexy, “bedroom” lingerie at competitive prices.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

For more information, product samples and images, contact:
Magda Bentley
Wickedelic Lingerie
Global House,
Richmond Place,
Lee Mill
Devon,
PL21 9RL
Phone: 0871 871 0040
Email: magda@wicked-