Asked and Answered...

Dear Chatelaine Magazine,
Re: Urban Jungle Fashion Feature - September 2009

As a long-time subscriber to Chatelaine, I value and appreciate the way the magazine highlights different perspectives and points of view. However, as a size 18 curvy and petite (5'2") woman, I am often disappointed by your fashion features. I was curious when I saw that you were starting to include a "plus-size" option but instantly dismayed to see that your "plus-size" choices usually go up to a size 16 (size 15 in this issue) or XL (typically the same size range of the other body styles you feature).
Any modern woman knows that the definition of "plus-size" means sizes that at least go up to 24. I know these options exist. I own them and wear them. Here in Vancouver, many of the more popular local designers have learned the benefit of being inclusive in their sizing.
I believe that to inspire women to wear, be creative with and enjoy fashion, you need to give them realistic options. A size 20 woman may also be "pear" shaped. A "petite" woman (usually defines height, not size) may be a size 2 or 18.
We've all heard the fashion rules so many times we could probably list them off in our sleep. As a magazine that celebrates all women from all perspectives and walks of life, isn't it time to start encouraging us all to break those rules, take risks and realize that fashion can be fun and liberating? Aren't those the women that we all notice and admire anyway?

Lorna Ketler

reply...
Lorna,
Thank you so much for your letter. I just wanted to personally apologize for the misunderstanding. The linen pant is actually available in a size 14–22 and the jacket was as well with a long sleeve. This was obviously an error on our part and by no means did we mean to offend or patronize our readers.
We'll do our best to avoid the issue in the future and again, I apologize.
Kate

-- Kate Daley
Assistant Style Editor
Chatelaine magazine
One Mount Pleasant Road, 8th Floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5T:
416.764.3954F: 416.764.2431
www.chatelaine.com

Bodacious Business Spotlight

Maybe you've heard about boot camps but have been scared off by the military, hard-core idea of it all. Nobody really wants someone yelling in their face and making them do push-ups in the mud!

We believe in positive support and encouragement and so do these ladies. They also recognize that skinny doesn't equal healthy - and curvy doesn't mean couch potato!

Body Exchange "Plus-Size" Bootcamps now available in Vancouver.

"dedicated to the Plus Size and Beginner community; our mission is Fearless Fitness. We are here to encourage people to make the exchange to a healthier lifestyle and start their fitness journey today. We focus on a healthier lifestyle; mind, body and soul. No more fad diets! Weight loss is a great side effect of better health. Body Exchange™ has a realistic training approach; we know there is nothing worse than demoralization through fitness! Finally, you will attain fitness success. We invite you to put aside your current size, age or physical ability and change your life today."

http://bodyexchange.ca/index.html

Tell them we sent you...

Local Women Bare Arms!

...and legs, and a bit of cleavage as well. So why is it that so many women are afraid to show off their upper arms? Here's what we say to women who tell us they don't do sleeveless. What's the worst thing that can happen? Someone may actually see your arms and think, " Wow, she has big arms..." chances are after this insightful comment, they will already be thinking of something to say about someone else. The thing is, we tend to forget that most people are too busy worrying about the size of their own ass to even notice yours. Once we realize that the only opinion that matters when it comes to body acceptance is our own, then we can start dressing our bodies the way we feel most comfortable. A comfortable person has a much better chance of being a confident person. It's confidence that makes us truly beautiful and sexy. Whether it's arms, knees, tummies, thighs or butts, when a woman accepts the size of all of these parts and stops thinking of herself as a series of flaws, she can finally become one big beautiful package.

bodaciously,
Barb

How times have changed...or have they?

I was inspired by Big Fat Deal's blog this morning showing a vintage ad for "chubby" kids. Great discussion there about what constituted "chubby" in those days and what we might call those sizes now.

There has been some forward movement in the media - notably "How to Look Good Naked", the Dove Campaign For Real Beauty, and a few celebrities who are curvy, proud and outspoken.

I am, however, often shocked by how little progress has been made. From the perspective of a retailer who is always looking for fun, flattering clothing to carry for you, I think you'd be surprised to learn how often those beautiful designs we get to see and order at the shows are cancelled before delivery. (dozens of times, we've received the smaller sizes and told that they decided not to produce the larger ones meaning we had to ship it all back - we are pretty much an all-or-nothing operation)

This is apparently due to lack of interest or confidence from other retailers even though we know that if we had the product in our store, you would buy it. In fact, we do have it and you do buy it. (Thanks to our extremely talented team of local designers!) We're always just looking for more!

What do you think? Are curvy, larger-sized women just used to not having a choice or a voice? Are they more apt to settle for something that covers/fits unwell?

We know that's not our customer. Our customer is beautiful, proud and confident; willing to show off her curves and strut her stuff.

And the good news is, we have sourced for you some amazing pieces from reputable suppliers (lots of dresses!!!) for spring and they will be arriving through our doors any day now.

We'd love to know what you think so feel free to post here or check out our facebook page...

Thoughts...

We've had some fantastic media hits lately including this weeks' CBC Living Vancouver spot. (click on the box that says - LV 09.01.12 and go to the 9 1/2 minute mark. Not super easy but we think it's worth a watch) We also just learned that we are to be on the March COVER of the new Today's Vancouver Woman (formerly known as Shared Vision). How exciting and how scary! That's pretty much an 8 1/2 by 11 shot...of us...on the COVER! Eyebrows? Check. Hair? Check. Makeup? Apparently they have 'people' for that.
As always, when we're interviewed, our biggest concern is that they 'get' us. We feel we're so much more than a retail store selling clothes. We are about celebrating women, in the moment! We are about empowering women and discouraging the negative self-talk. We are about providing clothing options for women so they can have a style of their very own. We are about promoting a full and happy lifestyle that includes comfy and stylish clothes, accessories, scents that make you smile and walk a little taller down the street.
We hope you're having a great week and have some plans to "celebrate your curves" this weekend!

Check out these links!!!

vervegirl
moderngirltv

Thanks ladies for spreading the word!

8 Years and Still Growing!

This past week marked our 8th anniversary (which we'll be celebrating in the store with you all on November 6th) and it's amazing to look back through the years at how much we've changed and grown.
From our little shop on Broadway selling pre-owned treasures to a boutique filled today with not only our own label but those of established and much-loved local designers'. I can't even tell you how thrilling it still is to see women come into this space that we created with such love and care to find clothing that they love that fits and flatters, twirling in front of the mirror with pride and celebration.
Creating a beautiful safe space for women to try new styles, push their comfort zone (maybe show a little more leg or bare their arms!) and support each other in their uniqueness - that is definitely a dream fulfilled!
Thank you to all of you who continue to support the concept and the dream.

Make sure to get your name on the list for the soon-to-be-arriving "Incredibra!" by SHAPEEZ. We can't wait!

Style Watch

I just picked up the most recent copy of the People "Style Watch" magazine. It's the "Play Up Your Shape" issue and it actually has some great fashion. Unfortunately, a lot of the fashion shown is not available in a good range of sizes but it does give some great ideas of how to put an outfit together for each body type. Queen Latifah represents the curvy girls very nicely!
Great to see our always favourite and very popular Not Your Daughter's Jeans featured as a recommended jean for a curvy figure.
Way to go - http://www.lolaandgigi.com/ for the mention of their site as well.

Some Fun Curvy Sites

We thought we'd share some of our favourite "curvy" blogs and websites. Feel free to add your own in the comments section...
http://kathyscurvycorner.blogspot.com/
http://fightingfatigue.org/bigbeautifulu/
http://www.hipsandcurves.com/
http://www.love-your-body.org/index.html

Hope you're all enjoying your summer and "celebrating those curves"!

What are you wearing?

As the weather warms up, it's so exciting to pull out all of my summer dresses, skirts, capris, tees, flip-flops and sandals. Today, since I really didn't know what it was doing out there, I put on my turquoise cotton knee-length tunic (a recent Paris purchase) and rolled up denim capris and flats. I love the idea of a tunic that's light enough to wear even when the sun peeps out but keeps things covered if there's still that chill in the air.

I'm really excited to add this new dress to my wardrobe as soon as it comes through the doors (early next week?)...We have the red and white polka-dot version (which we're also getting more sizes in) and it's lovely. We're also getting more of this sexy number which is red hot for those summer weddings (I know you don't want to outshine the bride but why not give her a run for her money?)...

What are you wearing these days? What makes you feel sexy? Does this weather inspire you to bare your arms, jump in the pool or ???
Send us a pic or a story and we'll enter your name in our draw for a Bodacious gift basket.

Enjoy the sun!

bodaciously,
Lorna

Happy June!

Wow! I can't believe it's June already. Have you got your summer wardrobe all picked out?

Here are some essentials...
- the wear anywear, dress-up-or-down, throw it in a suitcase summer dress. If you choose sleeveless, you can layer over tees or tanks or under cardys or jean jackets. Solids are fun to accessorize, while prints take care of the guess-work!

- capris. God's answer to shorts! Pair some solid colour capri pants with a tunic top and you're set to go to those warm summer bbq's or Barb (oops, I mean Bard:) on the Beach. Check out these Not Your Daughter's Jeans capris with button detail (available at Bodacious in a darker denim).

- basic tees. For you curvy gals, choose a tee that has some built-in shape so it doesn't hang on you like a square box. Accentuate that lovely body. Check out our local line of bamboo/cotton/spandex "Evolution" tees with princess seams. Made to fit a bit longer and SUPER soft - you'll never want to take it off! Available in a variety of sizes and colours.

- big summer hat! We all like to have the look of a tan but getting too much sun is never a good idea. Get the best of both worlds - fake the colour and cover up. We just got some amazing floppy hats in from California Connections.

- accessorize. I'm loving all of the new summer accessories from wicker beach bags to bead cuff bracelets to rubber necklaces and earrings. Check out this new line called Toca from Brazil!

- long scarves. This is new for me but I'm loving the lightweight printed scarves that we just got in. They dress up any outfit (and provide some extra arm coverage if you're not feeling super brave!)

Bottom line -
have fun and celebrate what you got! Get outside and swish those hips, sip a cool drink on the patio or go down to the beach and feel the warm sand between your toes. Your body is a gift and is unique only to you.
Feel it, love it, celebrate it!

Thoughts on Body Image

The following is an exclusive excerpt from the "Body Image" chapter of Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century

Learning to accept and love our bodies and ourselves is an important and difficult ongoing struggle. But to change the societal values underlying body image, we need to do more than love ourselves. We need to focus our attention on the forces that drive wedges between us as women: racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and our national obsession with size and shape. To truly create change, to create a world in which all women can make choices about our appearances for ourselves and not others, we must incorporate all women into the heart of how we see ourselves. From this expanded horizon of sisterhood, we may begin to value the lives of women who previously meant nothing to us. We may begin to realize that understanding their lives is essential to understanding our own lives and realizing our full potential as women. If we can begin to eliminate the hatred and ridicule levied against women who don't fit the ``state-of-the-art'' ideal, we can lessen the stress of ``not fitting in.'' We also open the possibility of building a social-change movement that links all women who seek a world where each of us can celebrate and delight in our physical bodies. Working together to change the attitudes and conditions that restrict us, we feel proud and more able to take control of our lives. We need each others' help to change the deeply entrenched attitudes that make us dislike our own bodies and that interfere with our relationships with other women.
Shifting to a body perspective in which every woman matters in a public sense takes a major shift in consciousness. Breaking the silent hold of state-of-the- art body image on female self-esteem, relationships, and social and economic opportunities requires us to adopt a conception of womanhood that is informed by physical, emotional, and spiritual diversity. Valuing this diversity is critical to dismantling the insidious and toxic effect of discrimination based on how we look. Finding ways to change the societal forces that make accepting ourselves so difficult is a process that can begin at any point in our lives and can continue as long as we live. This mission, if taken on, will lead us toward a future in which every woman can experience the joy of being valued completely for who she is.