Mix and Match

Please resist urge to wear a designer from head to toe. Celebrities mix and match their designers. Haven’t you seen Jessica Simpson in her Wal-Mart-esque sweat suit, holding a fabulous Marc Jacobs Handbagand wearing a great shoes? Be like Jessica and throw on some Old Navy boot cut jeans, with a La Redoute, top, and elegantly strut around in your fancy Manolos. Find your Manolos heavily discounted at eBay. The online “flea market” is great place to score high fashion items below their retail price. However, be careful, eBay is a mecca for knock-offs.

Make it Fit

In this “off-the-rack-on-my-back” shopping culture, importance of tailored clothing has been thrown away. The reason why stars like Oprah look fabulous in their clothes is because they are tailored. However, you don’t have to be a billionaire in order to have your clothes tailored, just head to your local dry cleaners. Most cleaners have a tailor on staff.

Smartbargains.com. Smart Bargains has a designer plus size fashions from Liz Claiborne, ABS, and more.

Newport News. Newport News has cheap, trendy fashions up to size 28. Almost all of sizes you see on their size 2 models are also made in larger sizes.

La Redoute.com. The Parisian online retailer, La Redoute.com, has some of best plus size fashions on web. They are hip, trendy, and extremely affordable.

Kiyonna. This little website features sophisticated styles for fashionistas who wear a size 12 or higher. We are pretty big fans of their dresses.

Oldnavy.com. Owned by GAP, Old Navy has cheaper, lower quality versions of fashions seen at GAP, up to size 20/XXL. It is great place to stock up on tees, tanks, and other items you may buy in bulk.

Overstock.com. This is best online outlet and a great place to pick up cheap designer items. The plus size section tends to be a little boring for our taste, but sometimes you can find deals like a Dana Buchman top for up to 80% off retail.

Target.com. Stop by for toilet paper and leave with an outfit. Too bad Isaac Mizrahi line only goes up to a size 16.

Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s new George line is hot! Where else could you score this season’s hottest style - bouclé jacket - for $26.00 bucks? More items are being added each day!

Try stopping by your local outlet mall. Off 5th, Saks Fifth Ave Outlet has an amazing selection of designer plus size fashions from Donna Karan, Oscar De La Renta and Anne Klein. Also, check out stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macys - all of whom have very hip plus size departments. Bloomingdales and Macys’ plus size departments usually have best sales, while Saks Fifth Avenue has more cutting edge fashions and higher end designers.

Remember that you can be a fashionista regardless of your size. Don’t let pop culture’s ridiculous fashion caste system dictate what you can and can’t wear. Arm yourself with a heaping dose of self- confidence, a purse full of common sense and rules above and head to your favorite store and shop!