Personal Shopper for Plus Size

So, me and a girlfriend have decided to venture into this business of helping plus size women find their ideal clothing. We've noticed some women struggle to find clothes that fits them, especially here in Malaysia. Unfortunately for us big girls here in Malaysia, everything is super small, even the L sizes. Yes, majority of Asian women are small. We even have size XS. We are stuck to shopping at Marks & Spencer, Ms Read, Flow, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, and to those on the borderline gets to shop in H&M, Wallis and some in-store brands in Parkson, Isetan & Robinsons. We have been doing our own little research and discovered, most of us big girls have to shop online for sizes 18 above and hope that it would fit them. But alas, most would buy just because the size is big. Not because it would look good on them. Whatever is available, they'll take...to their taste...and here's the problem. Some assumed that they are limited to a certain style and never dared to try something new.

So the past month, Linda and I have been clearing out our preloved clothes online, and have invited some of these lovely ladies to come by and try on our clothes before purchasing. Our taste are quite eclectic, so we had a wide range of styles. We had lotsa fun, and met so many interesting lovely ladies. Here we discovered that some size clothes would fit differently on different sizes. For example, Linda is a size UK18, but yet, she cant fit into a dress that a size 20 could. The built of a woman makes a lot of difference. There are certain size UK16 that I cant fit, and yet, there are size UK14 that I could.

Yes, yes, I know this is not new. But what we hope to do is help plus size women to discover what looks best on them. We're in the midst of starting the business - sourcing for a wide variety of clothes and accessories. We also have a shoemaker who could make-to-order shoes according to your sizes. Not all women are born with slender legs, so most boots sold in the market out there only caters to women with small calves.

If you think this is something that would help you, do give us your feedback on what other problems you encounter when it comes to fashion.

Plus Size Makeover

Last Dec 2014, I decided to leave the corporate world. I've tried dabbling into small businesses. In fact, I believe one should venture into multiple businesses, if you do not want to build a big empire. Like me, I am not one to sacrifice my time and money too much into work anymore. I do not wish to sacrifice whatever time left at my age to be stuck in the office, counting expenses. Being a single mother, I have given too much part to work that I missed out on spending enough time with my daughter. She is growing up way too fast. Turning 18 this year, and probably leaving the nest soon, I realised that I had missed out on her growing years.

Yes, initially, I thought I would get into fashion
retail, as this is one of my passion. I realised that big girls like myself find it difficult to find clothes that fits us, and most time we'd find clothes that does not flatter us. I have been told that I do dress well for someone my size. Somehow I am able to make myself presentable. Despite having a tummy (that I failed to get rid off after giving birth 18 years ago), I am still considered well, dare I say it, SEXY...Corporate smart is also a breeze too. And yes, somehow, as they say, "find these clothes in your size!?"

But I am not keen on the idea of keeping stocks. Inventory is not something I want to burden myself with if what I want is also freedom of time. So, after some deliberation, and some chats with real good friends, maybe I could get into the styling side of fashion. I would like to offer my service in makeover! Often, I get friends asking how I decided what works on me. So, why not let me help you change, look-wise.

Here's the plan: get in touch with me, and email me at shasharina@gmail.com, send me your photo, measurements if you can, and tell me what is the biggest problem you face.

Hope to hear from you. Have a good day, darls!

Rest & Relax!

Hey everyone. Sorry, been busy traveling the world. Will share some of my fave holiday looks with you. Being big shouldnt stop you from being comfortable. Just go ahead and be as casual you can be. You are after all on HOLIDAY! Why casual? Why lug around luggage after luggage when you need to go from one place to another? Why torture yourself with all them baggages? They are after all "baggages". Because of them, your flights become more expensive. Because of them, room space becomes important when you're barely in your room when on holiday.

Find a style you look good in, and find the material that is the lightest. For holidays, what's important is your shoes, and your sanity! One light sweater or a wrap is good enough for those cold nights if it's the warm season, and one trench coat and a damn good socks should be good in them cold weather...but of course, winters are never a favourite time to holiday! Why restrict yourself with all those layers when you should be out exploring and enjoying yourself?

For those with slimmer legs, shorts and shorts and shorts...pair your shorts with the right tops for the right occasions. If you have big thighs and calves, thin long skirts or thin long pants would be good. No, you should not wear shorts! Seriously, no matter how "small" you think you look up there, if you have trunks as legs, dont show it off. Sorry to be blunt, but if it's not proportionate, why flaunt them? It's called flaunt for a reason!

So, you cant find the right shorts? You've a big belly but small butt? Or big butt with small waistline? Keep searching, try them on, and then purchase. Never buy without trying. A big mistake I learned from...Allowed a sales woman who was obviously a body shamer, to get me to purchase 3 pairs of shorts supposedly on sale and until today, I cant wear them...TOO BIG! So, if I can get too big a short, I am sure you can find good ones just right for you. I would suggest outlets like Debenhams or Dorothy Perkins for plus sizes. But if you are just an XL or L in the "average" outlets like H&M or Kitschen, then, yeah, those places have good ones too...but if you want them high waisted, then no Kitschen please.

Now, not sure if you guys know this, but places like Tesco, and Isetan also have plus sizes clothing. I was extremely happy to find a pair of shorts (they have many big ones actually) in Tesco, and it was a size S! hahahahaha! One of my fave pair of shorts too. And even Aeon, under the Scarlet brand, has shorts up to XXL size. So, go check them out.

So what should you match your shorts with? Depending on your body type. Again, comfort is important. But if you're gonna constantly be sucking in your tummy while on holiday, perhaps that style isnt for you. As much as I am an advocate of corset, you do not want to go on a beach holiday with it! If you will end up with a muffin top with the shorts on, do not wear t-shirts that are tight around the tummy. Do not put on crop tops! Do get yourself those short kaftan blouse. These usually comes in real thin materials. But if you like t-shirts so much, then try to find those a-line kinds. The ones with a wider open bottom. If you like straps/tanks, then get the babydoll types. Those are cute so long as your arms are cute too. Unfortunately for Me, I have huge-ass arms! It's in the genes....damn it!

So here are some samples of how I look at holidays...beach holidays that is...

Jeans for Plus-Size

So apparently some women, like myself, have difficulty finding the right pair of jeans. This is a must-have in our wardrobe, darlings. Yes, jeans. Every women should have at least a pair. Not going to waste time talking about the history of jeans. But we all crave to own a Levi's 501. Unfortunately for me, being a plus-size, I never owned one. At least not the original. Unless you are rich, the only way to get plus sizes is from abroad. The problem with Malaysian fashion buyers for big brands are they just cater to slim women.

Growing up, I always had a problem with jeans. I am what you'd call a pear shape. Bottom heavy. My butt was so big that my mum would always tease me. As we all know, jeans are great to accentuate your butt. Heck, we women oogle over men's butts in jeans. Yummy! Anyway, back to us ladies. Especially us plus-size women, it is hard to find one that fits well. For me personally, I've always had to buy jeans 1 size bigger. And this is to fit my butt. I dare not tuck in my top because it would just show how loose the jeans is around my waist. And now, as I got older, surprise surprise, I start losing my butt and I can no longer buy pure denim jeans.

What's my solution? Spandex! Jeggings! Anything that makes the jeans stretch! And being plus-size, you have no choice but to buy mommy jeans. Yes, those high-waisted pair. Please stop being in denial, and admit that we cannot really feel comfortable in those sexy low-cut jeans. Yes, those young sexy Guess? models may be able to pull it off, but that's just it...they're young and sexy!

So, where would I buy them? 3 retail stores come to mind.

1. Dorothy Perkins
2. BHS (I only know of the store in Bangsar Village)
3. Marks & Spencer

Now, what types would suit what body? Let me share my own personal opinion.

For those vertically challenged plus-size women like myself, there are only 2 types you should wear. Skinny jeans and bootcut.

Skinny is good when you have something long on top. Or if your tummy isn't as bulat as mine, then keep the top short. But what skinny does is that it makes your legs look longer. Unfortunately if you have big hips and small ankles, DON'T wear skinny jeans! It just makes you look even shorter and bigger really. It then shows your heavy parts. Skinny jeans are denim mix with spandex. So it stretches. My hips are huge, but I think because my calves are and ankle are proportionately big too, it just looks ok. This skinny jeans I got from Dot Perks! On a good day (during sale of course), they go at RM96 or sometimes RM169 for 2. Great bargain for Me!

Bootcut is another good silhouette for plus-size. What it does is it balances our heavy parts. Bootcut jeans with spandex fabric infused in the denim is an overall body slimming magic! But again, the top plays an important role nonetheless. Don't wear long tops with bootcut. Then everything looks big from top to bottom. Bootcuts are good to hide big calves. What I am doing wrong in the photo below is that I wore bootcut with slippers! Selipar jamban tak sesuai. But what the heck, I was on holiday in Mauritius here! So what shoes would work? Well, boots for sure. But yeah, we're in hot and humid Malaysia and boots are not recommended as they're suitable for winter or some extra fun that we wont go into here... So, no boots for bootcut? Of course with the right occasion, go ahead. But what would look nice is a pair of wedges! and of course sexy red high heels!

If you still can't find the perfect jeans, tackle jeggings instead. This is godsend, I tell ya. Jeggings are flattering and comfortable. Go playful with colours. Red, blue, pink. Have fun with it. Check out the photo below...need I say more?

But before you make any purchase, please do try them on. When you do, try sitting down. Walk in them, jump if you can. Make sure it fits you nicely. And seriously, don't attempt low cuts unless you are ready to constantly pull up your jeans all the time, especially when you get up. It's not flattering, darling! Another important thing to consider, the butt part. Make sure that fits nicely too. Loose behind just makes for sloppy style.

oh! Another important thing when choosing your jeans...when you try them on, pull it up nicely, and make sure there is no CAMEL TOE!!! yucks!

Plus-size Dress tips

How was your Sunday? I had gone out with my bff for some dimsum and did some window shopping. Yes, you heard me, window shopping. After Bangkok, I've successfully refrained myself from shopping. Sure, a little here and there for my daughter is not shopping. Then again, I am saving up for my next trip.

Anyway, considering I have not gone shopping, nor trying out clothes so much, I thought why not make a list of some of the obvious tips for us plus-size girls in picking the right dress. I've tried em all, and will share with you what I personally think works for us big girls. And then, I will also point out what's a no-no for us too.

Dresses - my favourite. I must admit, at one time, I hated wearing dresses. I always felt it made me look even shorter. But with the right length, and the right design, dresses are great silhouette for plus-sizes. The most important factor is your body shape and size.

If you’ve got a lot of curves, but not so much height, shopping for a dress can seem like a daunting task. You’ll drown in a floor-length dress, and ankle-length hemlines will make you look even shorter than you are. What does work for you? Dresses that falls right at the knee. Keeping your calves visible will elongate your legs, while covering your thighs will create sleeker lines in your figure. Me...I am a shorty! So, ideally, knee-length dress is the way to go.

Swing dress helps create waistline. It will provide an hourglass look that all women seek. Of course not including waifs. With swing dress, nice to add in a belt. Thin belt. Unless you really do have shape, then by all means use the wide belt. Please don't wear figure hugging dresses if you do not have a flat tummy. In Malay, we call those who wears close fitting clothes - SARUNG NANGKA. No, we do not want to look like those fabric farmers wrap their jackfruits with. We celebrate our curves, not our tummy.

When wearing these dresses, pick designs that aren't too big. For example, big flowers will just make you look wider. It will look as though you are wearing your curtain.

Even a dress in the same shape and size, when it has bolder wider prints will just make you look bigger. This is more obvious when it is a shift dress. Shifts are good as long as your tummy does not show. Also to consider, the size of your arm. If you, like me, inherited big arms from the glorious gene pool, avoid sleeveless.

But if you are tall, and plus-size, you can get away with anything. Height definitely helps hide your fats. Below are photos of my bestfriend wearing the exact same dress as me, and looking gorgeous. The kaftan dress looks way better on her, and she is not overpowered by it. On me, it just became top heavy and seriously frumpy! I looked like a midget it in. Now, with this, make sure to pair them with a plain handbag and shoes either in black, or brown. I don't agree with some that says to wear with bright colours. I just feel it would add on to the already busy design.

Other dresses to consider are of course the timeless vintage style. These are dresses that anyone can pull off. Ok ok, with the exception of ME! The strapless figure hugging dress works for plus-sizes. You don't have to be skinny to look good. Add a statement necklace with it, and a contrasting purse, and you are set for a great night out. You should wear high heels with this dress. Flats will be too boring when you have such a hot dress on.

I love the wide collared dress. Very 60s. It adds drama to the rather plain dress really. And if you have these wide collars, DON'T wear any necklaces. Keep the earrings small. Do not wear with dangling earrings. This dress is cute to wear with flats. Can't help but imagine Maria walking to meet Captain Von Trapp for the first time, singing her way to win the hearts of the kids. I love vintage design!

I hope these tips helped you. Any more ideas would be great too. I would love to hear your opinions as well. Some of these dresses are for sale. Let me know if you'd like to have a view of what is available from my collection. Do leave your comments below! Cheers!

I Heart Bangkok!

It's Christmas eve and we're just resting in our favourite cafe here in Pratunam, The 93 Hotel. Cheap drinks. Good food. Friendly waiters. Mind you, not everyone is friendly in this city. We did come across some unpleasantness here. But all in all, it's been a great getaway. Money spent, feet turned jelly and body ached. But it was still great.

We've decided that Krung Thong Plaza is definitely a must-go for us looking for plus size clothes. We love HaBiBi the best. Anyone under size 16 will love this place. Pucci-inspired dresses and some retro design were aplenty.

Yesterday I had gotten a couple only, but today, I purchased several more gems from there. At RM70, this dress was a steal.

It comes in pink and grey as well. If you are interested to buy it off me, just message me.