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Forever 21 Has Faith in Plus Size Market

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)
Posted Mar 5th 2009 at 7:00AM  
95 Comments
Share
Life can be pretty unfair. Plus size women, who, more often than not, are going to have a harder time finding clothes that fit and flatter than their size two counterparts, have less selection. Recent years have shown improvements, to be sure, and things just took a definite turn for the better -- Forever 21 has announced that it will launch a plus-size line this spring!

Sexy Stars in their 60s

    Vacationing with her husband on Saint Barths, 62-year-old Soap star Susan Lucci showed off her fabulous bod in this itsy-bitsy green bikini.
    Do you love Lucci? See her strut her stuff on the Heart Truth catwalk.

    INFphoto

    The one and only Grace Jones took to the stage at Camden's Roundhouse in London and wowed the crowed with both performance and her bod! Now 60-years-old, the former model and Andy Warhol muse still has to die for legs and a sense of style all her own.

    Ben Yacobi / WENN.com

    Once the princess of punk, Debbie Harry, at 63, is now the embodiment of Baby Boom chic. Of course, no matter how (um) old she gets, the Blondie front-woman will still rock out and will never give up her signature yellow mane.

    Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

    Taking a dip during her Hawaiian vacation Goldie Hawn looked sexy and much younger than her 63 years.

    Fame Pictures

    Helen Mirren has played a royal so often that she could probably take over for a real one, but she apparently hasn't got a bit of the Queen's stuffiness. The Academy Award-winner has been everyone from a naked housewife (in "Calendar Girls") to a tough-as-nails detective (in "Prime Suspect"), and even at 63, is confident enough to let herself be photographed in a teeny red bathing suit.

    starsurf / Splash News

    Don't call her granny, gray-haired or anything that even hints that she's something less than fab. At 69, Tina Turner still has a great growl, glorious gams and gyrations that could kill. And the singer shown during her 50th Anniversary tour at Madison Square Garden is not alone. Click on for more stars who just keep on rollin' well into their 60s.

    It's hard to say if Mia Farrow is better known as an actress (everything from "Rosemary's Baby" to a baker's dozen Woody Allen films) or her spectacular romances (marriages to Frank Sinatra and Andre Previn, and a fabulously sordid split with Allen). Still, at 63, the single mother-of-14 shown at Hong Kong International Airport is so burrowed in humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an activist against the genocide in Darfur, that Time named her one of 2008's 100 most influential people.

    Andrew Ross , AFP/Getty Images

    The most successful female recording artist ever 18 No. 1 hits in the U.S., 70 Top-10 hits since 1964 the 64-year-old Diana Ross is still supremely cool. In 2007, she had the finalists on "American Idol" rocking her songs. In 2008, she not only captured a BET Lifetime Achievement Award presented by her five kids and Stevie Wonder but she also headlined at Radio City Music Hall in "Divas with Heart."

    Larry Marano, Getty Images

    She was immortalized as the delicately beautiful Lara in the 1965 romance, "Dr. Zhivago," and in the nearly 45 years since, Julie Christie shown here at the 2008 Academy Awards -- has clearly lost none of her allure. The It-girl of her generation, she's kept a lower profile in recent years, making only a handful of movies 2005's "Away From Her" won raves for her haunting portrait of a woman lost to Alzheimers and in 2007, at 66, marrying for the first time.

    Lester Cohen, Getty Images

    Ever since she appeared in "One Million Years B.C." clad in a ripped-to-tatters bikini, Raquel Welch has been the embodiment of raw sexiness. And, at 68, it doesn't look like she's lost her groove. These days, though, she wears suits more than bikinis, running a business that's included everything from fitness videos to wig collections to QVC jewelry. She's even served as a face for MAC's "Beauty Icons" line.

    Tony Barson, WireImage



This May, the tween and teen fast fashion mecca will roll out Faith 21, the store's plus-size collection. We applaud Forever 21 for doing so, but we're also thinking it's about darn time -- the desire for affordable, fun, trendy clothes doesn't end at a size!




More than 60% of women wear a size 12 or higher, and we're sorry to say this, but with as small as Forever 21's sizes run, we're doubting many ladies over a size eight have been able to consistently fit in their goods.

Lots of other designers have taken note, as well they should -- in 2008, about a quarter of the total amount spent on clothes came from the size 12 and up market. Beauty comes in all sizes, and so should clothes -- we can't wait to see what Faith 21 has to offer.

| First Lady's Revealing Dress | Miracle Cellulite-Buster

Sexiest Dress for Your Shape

    Before
    Who: Kasia Pilewicz
    Her dress issue: "A lot of dresses are tight on my hips," says Pilewicz. "But ones that are boxier, like this one, make me look big all around."

    If you're curvy
    Opt for a V-neck. Fashion truth: V's help elongate your body.

    Make sure your dress goes in at your waist-it's the smallest part of your body. Not working? Add a belt!

    Showing off the curve of your legs is always hot.

    Tadashi dress, $288.

    Chic Picks for the Curvy Girl

    Donna Ricco New York, $178, donnaricco.com.

    Chic Picks for the Curvy Girl

    EvansLondon, $100, evanslondon.com.

    Chic Picks for the Curvy Girl

    Silhouettes, $89, silhouettes.com.

    Before
    Who: Caitlin Fairchild
    Her dress issue: "I thought that the blousiness of this style would camouflage my hips, but instead it accentuated them," says Fairchild.

    If you're bigger on bottom
    Bare your shoulders. It gives the illusion of width on top to balance your lower half.

    Cinch your waist. Tent or drop-waist styles actually make you look bigger all over.

    Choose a flowy skirt. It'll conceal your lower half-without clinging.

    Maria Bianca Nero dress, $370, neimanmarcus.com.

    Perfect for Pear-Shapes

    Nicole by Nicole Miller for JCPenney, $80, jcp.com.

    Perfect for Pear-Shapes

    Max and Cleo, $198, select Dillard's.

    Perfect for Pear-Shapes

    Topshop, $90, topshop.com.



Skinny Makeup: Slenderize Your Face

    Ever asked yourself the question: Does this lipstick make me look fat? Well, apparently you should be. Your favorite lipstick shade can actually add weight to your face.

    "Dark, solid lipsticks can decrease the size of the lips, making the jaw line and lower half of your face look fuller if you already have a round face," says Jane Iredale Makeup Artist Kevin Mendelson. Instead, opt for light to medium glossy shades for fuller lips that better balance out and slenderize your face.

    Here, we've got more tips from expert makeup artists on easy ways to shave pounds off your face.

    - Melissa Goldberg

    Lawrence Lucier, FilmMagic | Jim Spellman, WireImage.com



    Neatly tweezed and softly arched eyebrows "give definition to the face, making it look less full and round," says celeb makeup artist Nick Barose. Once you've shaped your brows, brush the hair up and outwards with clear mascara, and fill in sparse spots if necessary with a pencil one shade lighter than your hair color.

    Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

    Conceal A Double Chin

    Apply a shade three tones deeper than your skin color under your entire chin, stopping just below your jaw line and blending completely into your neck. The darker shade creates the illusion of depth and hides a double chin, says Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of It Cosmetics. For more advanced contouring tricks, try My Sculpted Face Palette, which comes with detailed directions.

    It Cosmetics My Sculpted Face Palette, $38. www.itcosmetics.com

    My Sculpted Face

    The No-Surgery Nose Job

    A large or full nose can make anyone look heavier, especially in portrait photos. Cheat definition by blending a deeper contour color along the sides of your nose and highlighting down the center with a lighter shade, says New York Makeup Artist Laura Geller. Try Laura Geller Shade-N-Sculpt.

    Laura Geller Shade-N-Sculpt, $38. www.sephora.com

    Laura Geller

    Lift With Mascara

    You can fake a mini eyelift by first curling your lashes and then applying your favorite mascara to the ends of lashes with the tip of the wand pointed upwards, says Stila Celebrity Makeup Artist Sarah Lucero. This handy little trick creates the illusion of a lift and elongates the face.

    PictureQuest

    Slenderize With Bronzer

    Quick blending with a fluffy blush brush can sculpt a face with slimming definition in seconds. "Apply a neutral tan powder along your cheek bones, up to the temples and into the hairline, and along the jaw line to create dimension," advises Alphonse Weibelt, VP of Brand Development at BeingTRUE. Try BeingTRUE Protective Mineral Foundation.

    BeingTRUE Protective Mineral Foundation SPF 17 Powder, $40. www.beingtrue.com

    Being True Cosmetics

    Make Your Lips Pop

    A savvy way to draw attention away from a full neck or cheeks is to accentuate your lips. Try this celeb-loved trick. Lightly line your lips, add a pretty medium shade, and then apply light shimmer powder to your Cupid's Bow (the "v" part of your upper lip) and a dab to the center of your lips, says Achelle Dunaway of e.l.f. Cosmetics.

    Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

    Avoid Smoky Eyes

    Deep, shadowy layers of color set eyes closer together, which exacerbates the look of a full face, says Jane Iredale Makeup Artist Kevin Mendelson. Instead, opt for a "cleaner" look with an emphasis on mascara and subtle eyeliner for definition in order to better balance your face.

    Peter Kramer, Getty Images | Brian Ach, WireImage

    Highlight Your Center Face

    To take the contouring tips to another level, contrast the deeper shades you've outlined your face in with a highlighted center face for a fully chiseled look. Sweep a light shimmer powder over your upper cheek bones, brow bones and the inner corners of your eyes, suggests Cameron Vaught, Lead Makeup Artist of theBalm. Try TheBalm Overshadow in No Money No Honey.

    TheBalm Overshadow in No Money No Honey, $14. www.sephora.com

    The Balm

    Apply Blush The Right Way

    "Women usually apply blush in the wrong place. Think of blush as a bustier – it should push the girls – or your cheekbones – up!" says Michael Marcus of Michael Marcus Cosmetics. For a lifting contour, line your brush up with your pupil, then position it right on the apple of your cheek and apply color going straight back to the center of your ear.

    Jupiter Images

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READER COMMENTS

(95)Add A Comment

Kim, 3-05-2009, 8:22AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Kim

I think its awesome that they will be starting a line for bbw's. I run a site in chicago for bbws and one of the biggest issues is that most stores do not carry clothes that fit the Big Beautiful Woman or girl.

Reply »

beckyb, 3-05-2009, 6:52AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
beckyb

hey you chickens!!
put these dresses on real women.. .don't just hang the dress out there empty with no plus size woman inside! what kinda deal is that!!!

Reply »

Mono, 3-05-2009, 8:33PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Mono

Watch WHAT I've just found! Angelina Jolie leaked nude video!!!
I don't care if it was made by Brad or someway else, it's just hot!
Watch it for free at http://Angelina-exposed.notlong.com

»

T, 3-05-2009, 7:34AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
T

Somehow I knew how and what this would mean would I clicked the link...it's a great idea. Forever 21 has great clothes and the market for cute plus-size clothes is huge. They stand to make a lot of money and make a lot of people happy.

Reply »

nicegirldana, 3-05-2009, 7:36AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
nicegirldana

I am not hopeful that this company is the one that will be able to help the larger females........I have a feeling they may go up to 18 and the fact is, that there are a vast majority of women larger than that even and I am included. I am so tired of the ugly clothes I have to pick from. Lane Bryant is ok but not great either.

Reply »

the1theonlysmith, 3-05-2009, 12:06PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
the1theonlysmith

FYI: Torrid has really cute clothes and they have clothes in sizes beyond 18

»

Cindi, 3-05-2009, 7:55AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Cindi

Finally! I am so tired of wearing WalMart fashin because it's the only one that carries much in the way of plus sizes. Lane Bryant's got some nice stuff, but you have to shop the clearance rack to afford it, Ross has some but mainly stuff that looks funereal. Heck, even WalMart has a problem stocking undergarments for a full figured woman - they stock up to C cups, then maybe one or two D's . . . just try to find a DD!

Reply »

Stephanie, 3-05-2009, 8:20AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Stephanie

Check out catherines.com, fashionbug.com & womanwithin.com. All of them carry trendy plus size clothes. Woman Within also carries talls.

»

M, 3-05-2009, 9:18AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
M

I hear you, but with the opposite problem... try finding a 36AA bra, especially in strapless!! And its frustrating when people say, "well you're small... just don't wear a bra." Even smaller-chested women can't always go braless, you know!

»

T B, 3-05-2009, 3:28PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
T B

I'm really tired of trying to find anything that will fit my body size, that's also in the price range for my budget. I can usually only afford things off the clearance rack at Lane Bryant and other stores like it. Why do they have to make the plus sizes significantly more expensive than the skinny clothes? With the new job I'm in, I need to have plenty of casual clothes, and I spent a fortune getting outfitted for 10 days of working clothes. I just want something affordable.

Reply »

Carol, 3-05-2009, 8:01AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Carol

I certainly applaud Forever 21 for including the plus-sized gals. I was one for many many years, and I still identify. You girls rock!

As a size 10 now, I seldom find anything to fit me well at Forever 21, though, so I'll certainly shop their plus-sized line. I hope that they will size their clothes for the TRULY plus women who are stylish and trendy - something beyond a 12, 14 or 16. I've got my fingers crossed.

Reply »

GEMINI MAGAZINE, 3-05-2009, 8:05AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
GEMINI MAGAZINE

Being a publisher of a magazine for curvy women, I am sooooooooooooooooooo happy to hear that Forever 21 is bumping up the sizes.

Now all we need are a few more retailers and designers to follow suit and it will be all smooth.

Sommer
Gemini Magazine

Reply »

Don, 3-05-2009, 10:06AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Don

Do you ever mention Rainbow .....1000 stores most carry plus size

»

Pam, 3-05-2009, 8:17AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Pam

Try Land's End or L. L. Bean - overstocks are great for basic clothes like jeans and pants and some cute tops.

Reply »

Connie, 3-05-2009, 8:39AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Connie

For you supersizers, check out makingitbig.com. They were a godsend to me when I was a supersizer. Now that I'm a size 14 I'm still considered a plus size and I appreciate all the options out there for plus sizers.

Reply »

Laura, 3-05-2009, 8:40AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Laura

You should check out Torrid.com. They've got trendy plus size clothing but just aren't in every mall yet!

Reply »

Annette, 3-05-2009, 8:42AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Annette

I look forward to checking out the new Faith 21 line. I get all my pants from Catherine's (because I am Tall in addition to Plus) and most of my tops from Cato (sooo cute). JCPenney's new catalog seems to carry most items in plus sizes as well.

Reply »

anne, 3-05-2009, 9:29AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
anne

My daughter is a plus size...tall and very curvy, not fat. But it is a nightmare taking her shopping. Nothing fits right because of her chest and hips. It ends up making her LOOK fat, even though she isn't. She so wants to shop in the Jr dept because of the cute clothes for her age group, but we always end up in the misses or womens dept and even there it is hard to find things to fit. As a result, she hates shopping and usually ends up in tears.

Reply »

Adreamer407, 3-05-2009, 1:37PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Adreamer407

I feel your daughter's pain. I used to end up in the same situation with my mom, but then we eventually branched away and started looking. Deb and Torrid are really good places for plus sizes. I tend to go to Deb for the jeans and Torrid for everything else.

»

Amanda, 3-06-2009, 2:21AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Amanda

im exactly the same way nothing in juniors fits me and im tall and curvy. but i find most clothes in the petite misses section fit me really well, just the bottoms. charlotte russe tops fit me really well and i have 36D breasts. there are no options for hour glass bodies except for dresses. but for some reason everything in victoria secret clothing fits plus size women including curvy non plus size women and theyre really cute.

»

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