Is This Woman FAT?

According to our current culture, YES, SHE IS.  Now if that isn't the most ridiculous and disgusting thing, I don't know what is!  The model in the photo, Katie Halchishick, looks to me to be smaller than Marilyn Monroe's size 14 figure -- and Monroe was one of the most desired women in the world, and still is today!

So how can Katie Halchishick be considered "plus-size?"  This just doesn't make any sense to me at all.  When did our culture get so f'd-up that a beautiful woman of normal - that is - average weight - is considered grossly fat?  I think it's time normal women took back control of the fashion industry.  Anorexic figures are disgusting, not cool!  Anyone who thinks otherwise is warped.

The plastic surgery a model needs to look like Barbie
by Piper Weiss, Shine Staff, 4 hours 22 minutes ago

Katie Halchishick marked up with "Barbie"
proportions.

We know that Barbie’s body is anatomically impossible. So why are we still trying for it?
Every day a new plastic surgery promise emerges: scooped-out backs, rear-end lifts, sculpted kneecaps. If it’s possible, it’s suddenly necessary.
But what exactly would you have to go through to get the 'perfect' Barbie body? In the latest issue of O Magazine, model Katie Halchishick becomes the human diagram.
Posing for photographer Matthew Rolston, her glamorous, Marilyn Monroe-type features are surgically outlined according to Barbie's proportions.

Here’s a breakdown of what she'd need done to be the kind of doll women aspire to: a brow lift, a jaw line shave, rhinoplasty, a cheek and neck reduction, a chin implant, scooped-out shoulders, a breast lift, liposuction on her arms, and tummy tuck, which would also have to be sculpted as if it were lined in whale-bone from the inside. And that’s just the half of her.

Halchishick doesn’t actually need or want any of these procedures. She’s proving a point: just because our distorted image of how a body should be is medically attainable, that doesn’t mean it should be attained.

And if you doubt that anyone actually wants to look like Barbie, meet Cindy Jackson, a 55-year-old woman who’s had 52 cosmetic surgeries to look like her plastic idol."This is the way I should look,” Jackson told Good Morning America. "It's evolution. It's medical progress." There's also 10-in-one-day record-holder Heidi Montag, and a revolving door of on-screen personalities who look more like each other and less like human beings by the day.

Not everyone would call that progress. “The number one wish for all teenage girls is to be thinner,” said Halchishick, a former Ford Model who now mentors high school students about body image issues. “They think what makes a girl beautiful is skinny with big boobs, perfect hair, perfect make-up.”

Last year a total of 13.1 million body parts were surgically altered. Five percent of patients were under the age of 20.
Halchishick, who co-founded the website Healthy is the New Skinny, doesn’t place all the blame on surgery or a pint-sized rubber and plastic doll. She believes change has to start in schools, as well as in the fashion industry. “Girls want to know how to lose weight so badly, and the schools don’t want to talk about it, because they’re worried they’ll develop a complex,” she told The Gloss in March. “There need to be models to show [girls] to wish for more.” She now heads up her own modeling agency for women with natural figures. She’s also campaigned to get plus-sized designers into New York Fashion Week. But her spread in O magazine, the first nude pictorial they’ve ever featured, has been the most buzz-worthy.

Accompanied by an essay by writer Amy Bloom, the photograph is intended to make women rethink their body image ideals. But it hasn't had that effect on everyone. When one 15-year-old girl saw this photo of Halchishick, her first thought was of her own imperfection, according to a blogger for Healthy is the New Skinny. “I thought if a girl as pretty as that has to change so much to be perfect, it made me wonder how much more I’d have to change.”

I Have Shoes!!!!

Unbelievably, Zappo's delivered the order I placed last night in desperation for three more pair THIS MORNING to the office!  And they didn't charge me an expedited shipping fee, either, that I had signed up for, figuring I'd get delivery on Friday, maybe tomorrow if I was lucky.  Amazing, absolutely amazing customer service by Zappo's, and I let them know it too!  And now you know it.

THANK YOU ZAPPO'S!

What's more, one of the pair of shoes fit well and don't hurt my feet.  That's not saying, of course, that my feet look sexy in them, not with my perennially swollen ankles and wide, puffy instep, but the shoes make me feel sexy and they go perfectly with the dress (I picked it up today from P'dia Custom Couture Clothing, alterations done!!!)

These are the shoes, by David Tate (Tate Shoe Company). They're called, appropriately enough given their look, "Hot Date" and they're $95.00. David Tate designs come in W, WW and WWW widths. I love these shoes!  The heels aren't too high, so I probably won't tip over or break an ankle.

So, going back today to Zappo's by free return postage (that's part of the charm of its service) are four pairs of shoes that did not fit. 

Zappo's - NUMBER ONE FOR SERVICE AND SPEED OF DELIVERY, AND EASE OF RETURN. 

Wow!  Now I'm glad those other orders I tried to place last night for shoes didn't work; I even tried placing an order out of desperation this morning to HSN but the secured website kept telling me I had my home address wrong!  As if I don't know my own home address?  Oh please!  While I was calling the 800 number to complain about the HSN website and to place the order over the telephone, in walked one of the Office Services guys with my delivery from Zappo's!  What's the record for a woman hanging up a telephone?  I think I broke it!

Now - the hunt for the PERFECT accessories and hosiery...

The Sad Saga of the Black Dress Shoe

Hola darlings,

Well, I can't find a black dress shoe that fits to save my life!  Forget about the stores.  I tried Rogan's (forgedaboutit), Kohl's, Boston Store and Penney's.  There are no independent shoe stores left in the area that I can get to.  Everyone has shoes, it seems, but they're all stocked in M only and I can't even get my big toe into a M width shoe these days!  A fruitless trip to the mall tonight sealed my fate.

The two pair I ordered from Zappo's arrived yesterday and I eagerly unwrapped and tried them on.  The shoe styled by "Annie" was far too small; the shoe styled by Softspots was far too large, plus I did not like the heel style.

Earlier today I was all set to order several pairs of shoes online from Boston Store, but it will take between 5 and 7 days to arrive at regular shipping - I don't have that much time plus the holiday (Labor Day) will interfere.  I could order expedited shipping but it was outrageously expensive!

So, back to Zappos this evening, where I ordered three more pair and I coughed up an extra $15.00 for 2 business day shipping, so hopefully the shoes will be here by Friday and one pair will fit.  If not - oh crap - maybe I need to pay for the expensive expedited shipping from Boston Store to get those "available online only" shoes after all.  There is no "if not" - I've run out of time to get shoes! 

I never dreamed it would be this difficult to find a pair of black dress shoes in WW.  Come on - other people must have feet that swell up on them just like mine do!  It's not like I'm a size women's 12 EEEEE!  I'm a size 8 EE - but -- that's another problem.  No two manufacturers make a WW (also known as EE) the same width! 

Arggggghhhhhhh!  My credit card company is going to think I've developed a shoe fetish (2-3 weeks ago it was a black dress fetish), and they're loving every minute of it because they'll charge me interest while I'm waiting for credit balances to appear as I've been returning merchandise left and right.  Damn!

9:18 p.m. Update:

Damn!  I can't get expedited shipping for those shoes from Boston Store!  I went through the order process for three pair and can't get them on time!

Now I'm at a place online called shoebuy.com which promises free shipping and return - and they have the brand (Easy Street) that I'm looking for...

9:42 p.m. Update:

Can't get it to work properly plus they don't have any of the shoes in WW.  Epic fail.  I'm tired, and frustrated, and going to bed.

Success!!! I Have Found A Black Dress!

Patra tiered dress with flutter sleeves

Hola, darlings!  It's certainly not a "little" black dress, ahem (the winning dress: right).  But it does fit, covers various figure flaws pretty well, and did not look too horrible (although I look nothing like the model).  It's probably 4 inches too long, so I'm going to take it to the tailor tomorrow and see if she thinks it can be hemmed without ruining the line.  Ideally, I would like it to hit at the bottom of the knee.  It's also a tad low cut for my taste (much lower cut on me than on the model), but what the hell, these days my boobs are about the only assets I have, aside from my "fine eyes."  LOL!  A drawback to the wide open and deep neckline is my farmer's tan issue!  No way to resolve it although I will desperately try self-tanning stuff to try and even out the color differential somewhat.  I'm going to have a two-toned v-neckline and bosom.  A zebra in a black ruffled dress.

This is one of two dresses I'd ordered from Macy's online, and this was one of two dresses that I ordered in a "W" size (for plus size woman - please, no jokes!)  The second Macy's dress (not a "W" size) is gorgeous and it fit me which, in and of itself, was a major shock, but the sleeves were too short and being part spandex, hugged in just the wrong spots too much on my awful upper arm; and while the dress looked fabulous straight on in my full-length mirror, when I turned to the side and looked at my profile - it was definitely a FAIL.  So, the second dress is going back.  Unfortunately, I also received someone else's order in my box!  Eek! The unwanted dress and the un-ordered blouse (? -- not sure if it is a blouse, a tunic, or a very short and thin dress) are going back to Macy's tomorrow. 

Mind you, darlings, the boxes that were waiting for me this evening (from Macy's and Kyonna via Catherine's online) contained the last three of seven dresses I'd ordered online.  After having sent back the first four dresses as EPIC FAILS and while waiting for the final three dresses to arrive (figuring that none of them would fit or be flattering, or both, either), I decided to go the "separates" route and thus an additional shopping expedition ensued!  I made my purchases, including a pencil skirt that fit but was far too long (hit my legs in exactly the wrong spot) -- and so I had my wardrobe for the St. Louis trip all planned.  And then tonight I tried on the Macy's dresses and - well, I changed my mind.  I decided to keep the Patra dress and take back the pencil skirt.  If I were being thrifty and wise, I'd keep the pencil skirt, pay for some tailoring, and send the much more expensive Patra dress back.  Oh well...

So - I must go back to Southridge Mall tomorrow night after work to return the pencil skirt. 

About dress seven --  The lace overlay dress I'd ordered from Catherine's (actually Kyonna brand) was gorgeous! It looked even better in person than the photographs online.  Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a size 0X (a Women's size), I didn't even bother to try on because it looks like a size 10.  I mean - really? The label on the dress said size 0 and it's a lie.  Did they send me a 0 instead of a 0X (for those unintiated, 0X is between 16 and 1X, which is where my measurements place me, GASP!) 

NOW comes the hunt for the final parts of a lady's outfit: perfect shoes and accessories!  I've already got my Saturday shopping expedition for shoes planned.  I scouted out shoes online and, amazingly, there is a shoe store near where I live and can easily get to that stocks the W and/or WW (width) that I need - and in fashionable styles!  GASP!  I wasn't kidding about teetering around in 3 inch heels.  That's nothing these days, when your 20-somethings teeter around in 5 inch plus heels with platforms.  Ohmygoddess, those are some damn ugly shoes.  The highest heel I ever wore was a 4 inch spike - and no platform!  That was in 1983, my second year in law school. I had a 23" waist and nice legs back then. My life could have taken a whole 'nother turn because of those heels...

But that's not a story I'll ever write here :)

The Quest for the Perfect Black Dress

I am pretty sure my story is typical of what a woman my age and with certain - shall we say, figure flaws - goes through in order to find a decent fitting, well-designed dress these days.  A dress that is not for a granny; a dress that is not for a size 0 perpetual 17 year old; a dress that has no fricking spandex in it!

Who is designing clothes for women these days?  Whoever they are, they all seem to think that it is "fashion" to just upsize the junk they sell to 20 years olds for women who are in their 50's and 60's and 50 plus pounds heavier.  Oh please!

After having tried to locate a suitable dress locally and failing, I resorted to the desperate move of ordering clothes online.  I hate doing this because (1) it takes so long (2) return issues (3) you can't tell what a dress really looks like online (4) sizing issues (5) quality issues (cut, feel of material, drape).  But not only did I wade in to ordering clothing online, I ordered SEVEN dresses from four different sources!  I read a blog post at a fashion site that said I should order a ton of clothes and try them all on and send back anything that isn't exactly what I want style, quality and fit wise.  How exhausting!
Today the dresses from Zappo's arrived.  I love Zappo's because they have a great (gigantic!) selection and a great return policy and free shipping to and from, or in this case, from and to because, unfortunately, I will be returning both dresses I ordered.

This dress is by Karen Kane: V-Neck Flower Trim Dress, SKU# 7846612
I really liked the style of this dress and the "flower" ruching around the neckline was lovely and added a greal deal to an otherwise simple dress. Unfortunately, it doesn't really show up in the photo.  There was just a bit of gathering from the empire waist seam underneath the busline so this dress was a bit less clingy than the second one I tried on. I was also happy with the sleeve length - about elbow length. The issues that turned this into a "no buy:"  material too clingy for my taste - showed too many figure flaws! Clothing is supposed to disguise certain things, not accentuate them. I don't go around accentuating my flaws, I try to accentuate what positives I have and neutralize the rest! The neckline was cut too low, the dress was heavy too.  The skirt was too short - I am looking for something that falls just below the knee (good luck, Jan!)  It also took a lot of tugging and pulling to get the dress positioned correctly once I got it on over my head (no zipper).  Because of the heaviness of the material, this dress would probably give me heat stroke in a high humidity climate like St. Louis is apt to be in early September.

I ordered this dress on the basis of the photo because it looked like it had a more generous cut through the middle and would skim over a problematic area, but it turned out to be  Tommy Bahama: Tambour Double Layer Dress, SKU# 7826125

I liked the long sleeves.  That was the only thing I liked.  The neckline was way too low, the dress was too short, and it didn't skim - it clung!  It was also heavier than the Karen Kane dress.

While the cut of the Karen Kane dress showed some promise on my figure, the Tommy Bahama dress did not.  This heavy dress that also had to be tugged relentlessly into place would suffocate me within five minutes of donning it in St. Louis' heat and humidity.  It is a dress that would look great on someone 4 inches taller and 30 pounds lighter than yours truly. 

So, I'm waiting for the next shipment - this one will be from Macy's.  Now that I know I can't wear anything with spandex in it, one of the Macy's dresses probably will be disappointing, but I have some hope for the second dress because it is only polyester, no spandex.  Those dresses ship tomorrow.

What was I thinking?

Oh my.  The other day I went shopping on an impulse - never a good idea.  Fortunately, I didn't have much time.  I made two purchases - a blouse I love and a shrug sweater in a neutral open-weave silk blend knit.  Love it!

Except - I didn't have time to try it on before I bought it.  Bad mistake.  If I'd tried it on, I would never have bought it.  I tried it on when I got home.

Oh my.  Well, it's going back, much as I hate to do it, because I love how it feels, I love the cut and I love the design.  I just HATE how it looks on me. 

This shrug is somewhat similar shape-wise to the one I bought the other day:

However, I look nothing like that in the shrug.  Not even close, sigh.  EPIC FAIL!  The shrug is going back tomorrow.  Live and learn...

Come to think of it, this style of top, somewhat modified, was much loved back in the day by Minoan ladies (and no doubt the men, too):

Frescoe of Minoan ladies from Knossos.

Pakistani Fashionistas Thumb Their Noses at Taliban

Article from Associated Press (AP): Pakistan's fashionistas defy Taliban By CHRIS BRUMMITT, Associated Press Writer Chris Brummitt, Associated Press Writer – Sat Nov 7, 7:36 am ET KARACHI, Pakistan – Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders — and tattoos — exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts. As surging militant violence grabs headlines around the world, Pakistan's top designers and models are taking part in the country's first-ever fashion week. While the mix of couture and high-street fashions would not have been out of place in Milan or New York, many designers reflected the turmoil, contradictions and tensions coursing through the society. The four-day event, which was postponed twice due to security fears and amid unease at hosting such a gathering amid an army offensive in the northwest, is aimed at showing the world there is more to Pakistan than violence and helping boost an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people, organizers said. Many of the models, designers and well-heeled fashionistas packing out each night said the gathering was a symbolic blow to the Taliban and their vision of society, where women are largely confined to the house and must wear a sack-like covering known as a burqa. "This is our gesture of defiance to the Taliban," said Ayesha Tammy Haq, the CEO of Fashion Pakistan Week. "There is a terrible problem of militancy and political upheaval ... but that doesn't mean that the country shuts down. That doesn't mean that business comes to a halt." Rest of article.

Fashion Goddesses

In the news:

Kareena, Vogue's Summer Goddess!
February 27, 2008 12:31 IST
Actress Kareena Kapoor, the cover girl on India Vogue's March, 2008 issue.









At Emanuel Ungaro, the goddess in every girl
By Suzy Menkes
Published: February 27, 2008
Paris: Esteban Cortazar, an American with Colombian origins...zoomed in on the goddess in every girl, using the drapes for which Emanuel Ungaro was so famous on anything from a soft top worn with pants to a dress clearly destined for a red carpet celebrity like the sassy Eve, who sat front row.






Goddess gowns wow Milan
Jess Cartner-Morley in Milan
Friday February 22, 2008
Donatella Versace [kept] the sequinned flag of glamour flying, and this she did in fine style. After a series of chic day outfits in keeping with the demure mood of the week, she unleashed a knock 'em dead finale of goddess gowns...