Friday, May 25, 2007

Plus Size Apparel - Maternity Apparel

For centuries women have used fashion to express several facets of their persona-- their strength, their individuality, their sensitivity, their beauty. Being pregnant is a special occasion for a woman. You can remain comfortable by wearing a wide range of maternity clothes without compromising your style. Maternity apparel is for the mother-to-be so that she too can look her best while waiting for her bundle of joy. Plus-size apparel is specially designed for persons of a larger build.
Plus Size Apparel
Plus size apparel is not only addressed for the mother-to-be. It is also for overweight kids who are too large to fit into the mainstream youth clothing. Plus size apparel helps big kids fit in better with classmates by bolstering their self-confidence. Sizing is a tough decision. For a weight of 210-230 lbs with a height of 5'6", 2X is the probable size. For a weight between 280-310 lbs., 4X or plus size apparel might fit better. It is essential to remember that size and weight are guidelines for selecting the correct fit. You can follow certain plus size apparel tips to help your child camouflage a weighty problem.

* Don't let the child hide in oversized t-shirts and baggy pants. Instead go for leg-flattering styles like flares or boot cut.
* Do let the child wear styles and colors that he or she likes. A plump girl donned in midriff-baring tops will showcase extra weight. Instead, let the child choose a tight-fitting tank but layer it with an unbuttoned sleeveless shirt.
* Neatness counts with all kids, but for larger kids who tend to favor sloppy oversized T-shirts and jeans, details definitely count. Clothing should be ironed, free of stains or tears.
Maternity Apparel
Maternity apparel helps expectant mothers to feel comfortable during their pregnancy. The plus size apparel provides you with a larger size of clothing. Maternity apparel addresses the areas of a woman's body, which seem to primarily get larger during pregnancy, the breast and belly. Maternity apparel is designed keeping this factor in mind. Consequently it fits well and makes the expectant mom look and feel better.

Earlier, pregnant women usually hid behind polyester tent dresses. Today, maternity apparel comes in a wide range starting from shirts, tees, career wear to intimate apparel for the mother-to-be. You can also find sports maternity apparel made of polyester micro fiber and lycra.

Traditional style flowing dresses are no longer the only option. Stretch fabrics, such as, lycra allow for comfortable figure hugging styles, if you want to show off your beautiful new shape. Slacks or leggings cut for pregnancy with extra room in the front, worn with sweaters or T- shirts, are great for weekends. The maternity apparel also includes well-cut slacks for work, which you can team with a long blouse for shirt over the top.

Layered maternity apparel helps the expectant mother to regulate her body temperature more easily. During summer when you feel too hot, the blood flows away from the uterus (and your baby) to the skin in order to cool you down. Adding the layered maternity apparel will help you remain still cooler. Maternity Apparel Sizing and Tips on Maternity Intimate Wears
Maternity apparels are designed to grow with you; the bottoms are cut longer in the rise, and fuller through the hips. In your early months, you can pull the waistband up and over your natural waistline and fold it over. Now your pants will be proportional and will feel more secure on your body. Tops and dresses are cut fuller through the bust line and hips giving you the room where you need it. Hemlines are cut longer to the front, so that the hemline evens out in the latter months of pregnancy.

As you shop for maternity apparels, keep in mind that you will start the same size you wore before you were pregnant. Generally, as you progress in your pregnancy, you will go up one size or more. When ordering maternity apparel, remember to order your pre-pregnancy size. In case of intimate maternity apparel, loose is the key. You can buy your favorite thongs or bikinis in a size or two larger but let the waistband rest under your tummy. Cotton and cotton blends, are the best fabric options especially for women, who are prone to fungal infections, which are more likely to thrive under hot synthetic fibers.
Maternity Apparel Trends
While cotton continues to be the number one choice in maternity apparel on account of its breathability, cotton blends are also gaining in popularity. Currently, the most recognized blend is cotton/lycra. Its body-sculpting properties offer the wearer youthful and natural-looking support, a forgiving fit and easy care. Besides, micro denier and micro touch, yet the softest and new fabrics also play an equal role in choice of maternity apparel.

Sensational fabrics are giving maternity apparel a new vitality. Silks, satins, micro-suedes, jersey knits, boucles, ribbed ottomans, soft crepes, corduroys, velours, chenilles.... the selection is endless! The new matte jersey is the best for transitional seasons - with the look and feel of silk and the comfort of cotton.

There are a range of hemline options for everyone -- mini, slightly above the knee, the new 26” length that falls just at the knee, mid- calf, slightly above the ankle and at the ankle. Pant styles come in flair and bootleg, as well as the traditional straight leg, falling either at the ankle, or the new-cropped length, slightly above the ankle. The drawstring is very convenient in maternity apparel. The maternity front panels are being replaced by zippers and a series of buttons for expanding and restricting as needed.
http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/plus-size-apparel.html