BellyitchBlog

When full-figured and fashionable Catherine Weaver opened up a small boutique in Memphis, Tennessee in 1960, she probably couldn’t image that her little shop, Catherine’s, would turn into a style destination with over 400 locations nationwide catering to chic and sophisticated women 16W-34W and 0X-5X.

The sister brand to Lane Bryant prides itself on offering affordable high quality clothes in cuts, designs, shapes, patterns and color to flatter any figure.

I attended the media and bloggers launch of Catherine’s newest location, inside the relatively new Ritchie Station Marketplace shopping complex in Capitol Heights, Maryland last night.

I arrived to the Thursday evening event when it was already an hour in. The store which sits on a slight hill, nestled near the Dave & Buster’s entertainment center, was brightly lit with all the crisp fall line of clothing, and it was also electrifying with popular music blaring overhead, setting the mood.

I saw very fashionable full figure bloggers milling about, greeting one another, checking out the offerings, and just generally, looking fabulous like this gorgeous curvy woman in this very fly denim dress and fierce colorblock platform heels!

Ma’am! We’re not worthy…mkay!?!

Thanks to our host, a nice display of refreshments sat nearby which was just what I needed at the end of a long day, fighting a little bit of traffic in the Uber to get there.

Petite caprise sandwhiches, fruit and crackers and a cheese plate! Yum! Please and thank you!

…and is that jicama?!? Owww!

I was immediately drawn to the Breast Cancer Awareness Collection in the center aisle, where 10% of sales from the pink, black and grey athletic wear will support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I liked the athletic gear and yoga wear section, generally, because it was bright and colorful and made of breathable swear wicking materials !

Nice!

Then my eyes wandered to the wonderfully styled mannequins which offer styling suggestions and ideas. Of course that sweater would pair perfectly with this blouse and this belt! Of course!

And then there are the Catherines’ Curvy Collection items that can be mixed and matched to create night, day, play and in between looks depending on how one accessorize, dress up or dress down the pieces.

And as with each Catherine’s, the very friendly sales staff are able to assist you in hooking up an outfit and finding the perfect accessory to match.

This poncho above is to die for, right?!

Personally, I adored the ladies working this night at this location.

And they really know how to guide your selections so you leave happy and knowing you got a great deal!

I couldn’t get enough of the jewerly and I left the store purchasing a gorgeous rose gold cuff necklace, a thick rose gold rope bracelet and some whimsical earrings that look really tribal.

Just in time for fall, there are loads of leather, plaid and scarves to welcome the cooler temps.

But you can still find some light and airy floral pieces that are sunny and reminiscent of Spring.

The lingerie, undergarments and intimates section was fully stocked as well.

And the buy 3, get 1 free sale was on point!

Overall, I had a great time, connecting with other bloggers, influencers and fashion journalists from the area.

We got a special discount but you don’t have to be a blogger to get treated special!

For those of you who live in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, this weekend, starting today through Sunday, stop on in the Ritchie Station store to get a chance to win a $250 shopping spree, special personal styling, goodies and gifts, $10 off a next visit and more!

Dude!

So I was shopping in my local mall with my mother-in-law this week and we popped into this hip and trendy clothing store that caters to sizes 12 to 26 only. I was blow away at all the vibrant colors, chic and sexy pieces and accessories in there. My mom-in-law felt it was too young for her, of course, but I could barely get away without snapping a pic of this curvaceous mannequin in a really cute club dress.

I had never seen clothes for curvy and buxom women so youthful before.

I went home and did my research and learned the store Fashion to Figure was founded by two New York city brothers, Michael and Nick Kaplan, who had the fortune of having for a grand mom plus size fashion pioneer Lena Bryant. Yes! That Lena who founded Lane Bryant (Fun Fact: the store is called Lane because she mispelled her name on a bank slip and kept it)

Well it all makes sense now! They have fashion (and money) in their gene pool and I’m so happy the brothers saw the wide open market for H&M and Forever 21 type of clothing for larger sized women and capitalized upon it! They opened their first store in 2004, then several others throughout New York city and currently boast 26 stores, per ABC TV’s Nightline recent plus-size fashion segment that included a snippet of the two.

From the colorful and trendy website, here are my fave tops, dresses, accessories and outfits I saw on the store’s website:

Plus Size Aurora Abstract Peplum Top Fashion To Figure

I love this Aurora Abstract Peplum Top because of its assymetric front and pattern. It sells for $28.90

Plus Size Jade Scuba Peplum Top Fashion To Figure

I love a Peplum and this Jade Scuba Peplum top in black is versatile and can be dressed up with black pants of a pencil skirt or dressed down over a pair of jeans.

It costs $32.90

Plus Size Ayumi Leopard Duster Fashion To Figure

Long dusters are in style this fall and you can’t go wrong with one in an animal print which has been trending for several seasons now. This Ayumi Leopard Duster sells for $32.90.

Plus Size Adelaide Stripe Top Jumpsuit Fashion To Figure

I love a romper and a Jumpsuit because I find them quite sexaaay and great for date night, cocktail hour or an art gallery opening even. Fashion to Figure’s Adelaide Stripe Top Jumpsuit is so cute and goes for just $33.99! Amazing!

Plus Size Edie Color Block Dress Fashion To Figure

Color Block is ideal for playing with lines and the eye and in this eye-catching turquoise, black and white, this Edie Color Block Dress works and at top of the line price of $42.90 is still quite the steal.

Plus Size Calie Halter Dress Fashion To Figure

Still hawt! The Calie Halter Dress is everything. It sells for $39.90.

Plus Size Alaina Knotted Dress Fashion To Figure

I also dig the Alaina Knotted Dress because it can be work at the office or on a first date. love it! And it retails for just $36.50!

Plus Size Serpentine Embossed Clutch Fashion To Figure

This Serpentine Embossed Clutch caught my eye instantly upon walking into the store. Certainly it could also be a conversation piece as it looks like snakeskin but isn’t. What an optical illusion. You can nab it for $36.90.

Plus Size Iris Beaded Body Chain Fashion To Figure

Get me body with this Iris Beaded Body Chain which is sultry and just $22.90.

And for weekends being out and about, heading to the grocer’s or just chilling with your boo, this Get Up Tank is also refreshing and is just $22.90.

Plus Size Break The Rules Tee Fashion To Figure2

Break The Rules Tee indeed with this funky graphic tee that got its own come-hither action in the back! It will set ya back $26.90.

Plus Size Break The Rules Tee Fashion To Figure

Plus Size Juliette Asymmetric Wrap Dress Fashion To Figure

Finally, this Juliette Asymmetric Wrap Dress is a nice work wrap dress that can go from 9-to-5 to happy hour and runs under $40!

Lane Bryant

What Happened at the Ritchie Station Marketplace Catherine’s Media Launch Last Night

This Store is Like an H&M for Curvy Plus Size Fashionistas