Spring into Color

Did you ever think that the colors you wear may telegraph more about you than your fashion preferences? Color helps people read your mood and it actually affects the mood you project. So why not Spring into Color?

At Ulla, being your personal best is more than inspiration, it's practicality. There comes a point when plus size fashion is more than finding what's on trend, or even what's flattering, it's about dressing yourself in what feels good and what makes you know you look good too. That's what people mean when they refer to a woman who 'has style.' A woman with style dresses in a way that gives her an edge. 

Ulla is the go-to source for colorful, plus size tunics that can help you use color to get up, get motivated and energized to make the most of your day. 

Check out the bounty of these beauties!

• Brushstroke Print Duster Set, 21451, Multi -- Wear an artist's palette of fuchsia, lavender, creamsicle.
• Embroidered Beaded Tunic, 22435 -- Be touched by the riches and depth of turquoise.
• Embellished Floral Tunic, 22437 -- Play in oceans of colorful waves.
• Beaded Gauze Tunic, 22449, Mango -- Soak up the warmth of a sun drenched afternoon. 
• Embellished Animal Print Jacket, 22338 -- Be adorned by the sophistication of beautiful blue and white porcelains.
• Hankie Hem Gauze Blouse, 22445, Multi -- Sing to the music of Caribbean colors dancing in your head.
• Embroidered Print Knit Tunic, 22551 -- Let wild pinks, purples and oranges tell them you feel it.

How do you give yourself an edge each morning?

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Feel good in what you wear.

Spandex Done Right

Our new Community Forum, U.P.Life Cafe has triggered some interesting conversations, several of which were started by members. "I hate spandex mixed in the fabric!" has gotten lots of participation. I'm so pleased because this is the type of conversation that allows us to discuss and think through what's good and what's not - it helps us realize that things are not 'black or white,' spandex is not good or bad. Therefore, this helps our design team create plus size clothing  that really meets customers wants and needs.

 

 

On the positive side, our members seem to value the comfort and move-ability that spandex affords. We seem to like the fact that spandex helps an item keep it's shape as we wear it and as we wash it.  However, and this was the important point made by the member who started the discussion, we like a cut, that keeps the item a little away from our bodies - not clingy. No one likes it clingy!

I went through our catalog and found a few of my Ulla favorites that seems to have it all!

Check out:

Animal Print Matte Jersey Dress, 22245 (95% poly and 5% spandex) Notice the detail at the neckline that creates a bit of a drape to the line of the dress.

Drop Cowl Stretch Knit Dress, 22247 (95% viscose rayon and 5% spandex). The gathering at the high waist creates a gentle relaxed fit through the hips.

Stretch Button Zip Tab Pant, 14821 (92% nylon and 8% spandex) Great cut! In my opinion this pant is tailored but "generously."

Seagull Stretch Knit Pants, 22636 (95% viscose rayon and 5% spandex) You're going to love this plus size pant. I don't know how Diane and Alicia did it, but this is so soft and comfortable and at the same time creates a flattering silhouette that stays through the day, thanks to the spandex.

Each of these items is designed with a cut that glides over curves and does not cling. Items that are flattering, sleek and comfortable at the same time make me very happy!

Which Ulla items with spandex have worked for you?

Babe

 

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Feel good in what you wear.

Five Dresses that Say It All

Recently, my Ulla colleagues and I were taking a look at which of our COMMUNITY pages get the most traffic. I wasn't surprised to find that our Prez, Phyliss Mosca's "Weekly Words of Wisdom," gets a lot of hits. My guess is that as women mature, it isn't so much about finding ourselves, but rather, evolving ourselves. We're smart, open-minded and driven to be our personal best - in all we do.

Of course that includes how we dress - how we present ourselves. If you look at our Dress category, I think you'll see a microcosm of what I mean. Here are five plus size dresses that telegraph my personal style evolution for dress-down, dress-up and in-between occasions.

Double Tier Knit Tank Dress, 22252 - Check out the smart and strategic placement of the tiers.
Cotton Knit Gathered Sleeve Dress, 22246 - Great color! Glow color!
Stretch Knit Shirt Dress, 22241 - This fabric moves like a dream and stays wrinkle-free.
Crepe Dress, 02283 and Crepe Shacket, 02326 - Sophisticated pairing - shacket on or off.
• Raglan Sleeve Stretch Knit Dress, 11250 - Perfectly cut to enhance a plus size figure.

I've adapted a yardstick of sorts to reflect my standards from Ulla's Weekly Words of Wisdom.

1. Beauty
Will I feel beautiful wearing it? (Feeling beautiful is empowering.)

2. Personal best
Is this my personal best? (Be your personal best. Today.)

3. Confidence
Does it transfer the confidence I need to soar through my day? (The most attractive thing a woman can wear is confidence.)

What's your opinion? If you were asked to rank these elements, what would be your number 1, 2, and 3, and why? Are there any other benchmarks you'd add?

Babe
Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist
Feel good in what you wear.

Try White Pants

Take a risk, try a pair of white pants. Forget the 'after Memorial Day' rule. White pants are a leap-of-faith in yourself and in your personal style - now.

Ulla has several great plus size choices but I want to focus on three of my favorites.

The Stretch Twill Relaxed Pant, 12830 gives you a sleek silhouette with a flat front, a 3/4 elastic waist and a vented hem It has sort of a rich linen surface texture. leaner lines and a contemporary vibe. It gives great balance and works so well with our tunics.

The Stretch Button Zip Tab Pant, 14821, is an excellent choice too. It has a relaxed fit with a straight leg, it is well-tailored with adjustable front button tab and zipper.I love the stretchy, smooth surface texture of this pant because it allows tops to drape, glide and never cling.

The third option, is our Leggings, 19900. Our Leggings are made of a cotton-rich knit with supportive stretch. They have a flat elastic waist and of course, a slim fit. The fabric is 95% cotton/5% spandex. These leggings are great with any of our long tops, dusters and tunics. Very relevant and tuned-in.

I use white pants as often as I can for three reasons:

• They're fresh and stylish.
• I pair them with a stylish, flattering tunic to present my torso as flatteringly as possible.
• They present me in a confident light.

All of these bottoms are comfortable, wear well and are easy to develop into go-to outfits for all plus size women.

Please share what, if anything, keeps you from wearing white pants! Also if you dare to try them, please share photo(s) of yourself in them. We love featuring employees and customers wearing Ulla clothing because “feeling beautiful is empowering”. You can email the photo(s) to me at Babe@UllaPopken.com.

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Feel good in what you wear.

LIFE, a New Acronym for Shopping

I recently had the pleasure of going Ulla shopping with a new client, Linda. She was heading off to a professional conference in Arizona later this month and challenged me to provide her with a week's worth of new clothing that would make her look great at both professional and social gatherings.

Here were Linda's guidelines for me:

• A budget of $400 to work with.
• One roll-aboard suitcase for everything.
• She already had a pair of well-fitted black slacks and Ulla jeans that she would bring, everything else was to be new!

Here were my guidelines for Linda:

Peruse Ulla's catalog and pick 10 items that you believe will achieve the following: (Use the acronym LIFE for perspective)

Love - You love it!

Inspire - It inspires you to be your personal best!

Fit - It will fit well and comfortably!

Empowered - You are empowered because you feel beautiful and liberated from the "I have nothing to wear" syndrome!

Here's what we decided on adding to her one pair of blacks slacks and Ulla jeans:

• Brushstroke Print Duster Set, 21451 (which includes a white tank top)
• Embellished Floral Tunic, 22437
• Graphic Floral Shacket Duster, 22337
• Metallic Embroidered Tunic, 22436
• Stretch Button Zip Tab Pant, 14821 (white)
  

Each plus size top goes with each plus size pant. Two colorful tunics and two black/white tunics. One tunic includes a white tank top so it provides the option of wearing two of the tunics open or closed. The five new pieces easily fit into one roll-aboard and came in at $375, under budget. Perhaps the best part is that there's even room in that roll-aboard for the acronym LIFE which serves as her virtual yardstick for dressing well, looking great and living life to the fullest!

If you were making such a trip, what would go into your roll-aboard?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear!

Outa the Box

Babe's Picks for Summer will have a new look and a new purpose to celebrate the plus size women's clothing revolution! We've listened to what customers are saying with regard to our photography, in addition to the models we know and love, Phillippa, Julie, Erin, and Katie, customers also want to see the clothing on a woman closer to her own size and age.

Therefore, beginning with the Summer Collection, in a dozen or so photographs, online, I will be wearing the same exact outfit as it is shown on the model! This change forced me to stretch my comfort zone, to do more listening than talking, and to rely on the judgement of then Ulla Popken design team, Diane and Alicia.

I wear a size 20 and I'm old enough to be the mother of our models. Lets just say I've been dressing my own way for a long time - perhaps too long. I've got thighs, arms and a tummy that, well, I'd prefer to hide. Turning myself over to Diane and Alica took a dose of courage.

We met at 7:30 in the morning. Diane and Alicia were already there, drinking coffee, and chatting about what they had to accomplish that day - business as usual for them. I, on the other hand, was a bit nervous but excited at the same time. Previously, I chose my own clothing for Babe's Picks, so this was a change for me - frankly, a big change. Heck, why should I listen to them? I dress pretty well, get lots of compliments and even get paid to dress other women!

They had prepared 16 outfits, and our goal was to select and photograph 12 outfits. Suffice it to say, we couldn't pick less than 14 because they just looked so good and were so beautiful. The rich, saturated colors, the white pants, the vibrant patterns, the leggings, the capris, the hankie hem, the batik duster --- were among the things I would never have tried on my own, and yet, I truly loved them on me!!!

As I reflected on the day, it would seem I took away greater insight into Ulla's exclusive designs:

• Diane and Alicia are experts at designing for plus size women and have earned the reputation as being the trusted authority.
• A variety of well-chosen fabrics and cuts are selected to do some of the 'hiding'.
• Much of Ulla's clothing is designed around 'smart-prints' - which strategically direct the eye.
• Cuts that appear Boho or non-traditional do a great job of flattering the silhouette.
• If you don't allow yourself to think, dress and live 'outside the box' - you only get what's in the box.

Perhaps the best part of what I took away was actually the clothing itself! I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get out and about and wear my exciting, expanded wardrobe. :)

What have you tried that's 'outa the box?' Did it work?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear!

Retail Therapy

I'm a student of Linda Bacon, PhD, the author of Health at Every Size. Among the brilliant insights she has taught me is the importance of being attentive to the full experience of eating, dressing, and living life! 'Woulda, shoulda, coulda' is a waste of time and energy. Linda's concept is to use all your senses and sensibilities to embrace the moment fully, because when you're satisfied, you're less likely to compensate with behaviors that skirt the desire and actually compromise your well-being. If you're eating an ice cream sundae, savor it fully, with all your senses. If you're selecting a plus size woman's top, love it completely, treat yourself generously.

So many of us women of a certain age who wear plus size, promise ourselves new clothing when we lose weight, when a special occasion comes around or after we buy something for someone else. Linda would say go out now and buy clothes we feel good wearing, no matter what we weigh and in the right size that we wear today. Seize the present - it's really all we have.

Taking action allows us to live in the moment, in the body we have today, which is the kind of "presentness" many spiritual disciplines such as meditation, yoga and martial arts are built upon. We want to live in the present moment with full awareness, an essential component of truly inhabiting our body. If we accept the present reality of our body, we can focus on how we feel and what we want, and move forward in our life.

So in terms of 'retail therapy' - pick one item that is a microcosm of this type of acceptance. Personally, I'm absolutely in love with Ulla's Beaded Embroidered Trim Tunic in watermelon.

I love it even more when I notice the details, touch the fabric, hold the color up to my face. I love the lines, the length, the shape, the vibe! YES! This season, this item has become a symbol of the importance of being in love with what I wear and treating myself well.

What makes you say YES to a plus size top?

Babe
Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist
Feel good in what you wear!

Transition Dressing and the LGD

It's cold - it's warm - it's in-between! Hmmnn...sometimes it's a reflection of the temperature on the outside and sometimes - the temperature on the 'inside!'

Applying the standard of the iconic Tim Gunn, can we find a go-to plus size woman's dress and "make it work?" Yes, Tim, we can! We're going to substitute a little gray dress (LGD) for a little black dress (LBD).


In Feng Shui, each color brings a different quality of energy. "Noble gray" is treated as a sophisticated, upscale Feng Shui color and is worth considering when building a little flexibility and transitional quality around a LGD. Three Ulla plus size dresses that seem particularly 'noble' are:

1. Matte Jersey Gathered Neck Dress, #21231
2. Floral Embroidered Knit Dress, # 21224
3. Color Block Knit Dress, #21225

Some guidelines that ease the transition between cool and warm temperatures:

• Knits that are lightweight but not clingy.
• Sleeves that fall in between the elbow and wrist - 3/4 is my favorite length
  
• Coloration that is neutral, deep, and easy to work with.
  

In the cooler months:

• Wear with opaque tights with (black, metallic or gray) flats or boots
• Layer with a mid-weight neutral or black cardigan
• Choose black, metallic or neutral accessories

In the warmer months:

• Wear with bare legs and ballet flats
• Layer with a light weight neutral or colorful cardigan
• Choose colorful jewelry and other accessories that coordinate with the cardigan
  

If you have any ideas to share that ease the transition into Spring, we'd love to hear them!

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear!

Until I Lose Weight - NOT!

Those pants won't look good until I lose weight. How often has that tape circulated in my mind? Too often!

I was blessed with 'thunder thighs." No, it's true. When I was younger and played tennis, volleyball and softball, I got great strength from my lower half and it helped me compete successfully. But that was m-a-n-y years ago.

Now, I have to give extra thought to the pants I choose and I have often stayed away from leggings for that reason. Some of the sound bites that ran through my head were, "Gee, I love the look of leggings and I wish I could wear them" or "Those leggings won't look good until I lose weight." or "Only thin women get to wear leggings - unfair!" Well guess what, I didn't lose any weight and the shape and size of my thighs have remained the same.

That said, here's a picture of me wearing plus size bottoms, leggings, specifically. I made choices that made a great pair of leggings work for me.

I chose:

• a longer, flashy top, to draw attention upward.
• hot accessories to steal the show.
• the boot cut legging to balance larger thighs.
• a legging fabric that has great weight and stretch to keep things smooth. (14621, Stretch Ponte Boot Cut Knit Leggings)
• a color that was deep and neutral (they come in gray and black)

The rub, so to speak, wasn't about "Those pants won't look good until I lose weight," but rather in making smart choices to pick the right pair of plus size womans leggings and make them look good on me here and now.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about sound bites like - "Those pants won't look good until I lose weight."

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear.

Finding the Energy to Move Forward, Beautifully

One of the most bizarre things about working in the fashion industry is how much in advance of the season we plan or even photograph a collection. We took the pictures for Babe's Picks for Spring in November. Frankly, my heart and mind was filled with the Holidays.

That being said, I just saw the new lay-out for Babe's Picks and I can't tell you how happy it made me, it actually put a spring in my step. The clothing is so fresh, colorful and energized and the fabrics are soft, upscale and lean. Thinking about it for a while, I realized, sometimes I need a push to move forward. One of my New Year's resolutions is to intuit good energy around me, 'wear it' and allow it to move me forward. Where can you find that 'good energy' though?

Let's talk about 'wearing good energy' for a moment, both metaphorically and literally. As a metaphor, it inspires me to be attuned to positive vibes from people, places and things, and thereby uplift my attitude, my presence and my impact in my own small corner of the world. Literally, it raises my fashion quotient which I then parlay to do much of the same, uplift my attitude, my presence and my impact in the world. Here's my recipe, and the best part is that you can uplift yourself, that is, find 'good energy' right in your closet:

• Choose an empowering silhouette, one that flatters and propels you fashion-forward.
  
• Choose color that uplifts your skin tone and spirit.
• Choose sensuous accessories that make you feel pretty and feminine.
• Choose cuts and fabrics that help you to be comfortable in your own skin.

As we go forth in the New Year, what's your recipe for wearing 'good energy?'

Happy New Year!

Babe
Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist
Feel good in what you wear!

My Ulla Takes Me Everywhere

The holidays are a hectic time, no doubt.

On Friday night, December 9th, my husband asked me if I'd go with him to the holiday Open House at our golf club on Sunday, December 11th for prospective new members! I turned my head toward him, rolled my eyes trying to affect an "are you nuts?!?" look. But he quickly interjected, "Oh come on, I'd like to sponsor Randy for membership." Oh great, now Randy's golf membership is on my holiday to-do list too!

Then I thought for a moment, I really didn't need more time than that. I figured 'what's the big deal?' I don't need to shop, clean or cook for it and with Ulla I have a great outfit, holiday sparkled, at the ready. So I said, "Sure, why not? Yes, in fact, I'd love to go!"

We went and had a great time. Everyone was in a festive mood. The club looked gorgeous and the buffet and holiday punch was delicious. I chatted with Randy for a bit and was reminded how lonely he was at Christmastime. His wife passed away four years ago and it had happened during the holiday season. He told me how excited he was to join the Club, give himself the gift of membership for Christmas and how having golf to look forward to in the Spring would make the holidays so much easier.

Then I recalled that I had almost said "no" to going to the Open House to sponsor Randy. I was disappointed in my selfishness, perhaps more so at this Season. There was a time in my life, that a last minute invitation gave me anxiety because I worried about how I'd put a flattering outfit together with limited time. Perhaps subconsciously, a little of that fear may linger.

Today, I have Ulla in my closet and the message I have for my sistas who wear plus size is that there should never be a time when you decline an invitation because you fear you 'having nothing to wear.' Life is just too short for that!

Happy Holidays!

Babe

Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist

Be your personal best.

The Life of One Spectacular Jacket

My grandmother was truly elegant. It was a different time and a different place, but even now, although my lifestyle is pretty casual, I long to 'be a lady' once in a while.


When my grandmother was almost 50, a frightened three year old little girl came to live with her and Gramps - me. She went 'to business' every day but managed to be a mother to me, attend my school functions, and keep our family together.



She didn't have a ton of clothing and jewelry, but what she had was well-chosen, even spectacular. She wore Pauline Trigere and Abe Schrader, got her hair done on Tuesdays and 'combed out' on Fridays, while those around her looked like they shopped at Woodstock.

When she'd visit my school, I was so proud of her. She moved quietly. It was only in meeting up with my former elementary school teacher a few years ago, that I learned that the envelope I carried to school each Monday with my milk money had enough in it for every child in the school who didn't have milk money. She raised the bar on elegance in our provincial little town, without being pretentious - she was quite a lady.

Understandably, I'd reminisce during the holidays, but there's something in the Ulla collection that prompted me to write this, the Sequined Swing Jacket, #15340. My grandmother had a similar sequin cardigan and a coordinating sequin handbag that she wore for at least 30 years. Why? Because it complemented everything she owned. It was a gracious, elegant combo and she carried it well. So, why change it? That's how she bought - for the long term.

When holidays or family celebrations came around, she didn't need to run out for a new dress. Quite the contrary, what she already owned transcended the decades and snickered at the fashion trends because they were already so right, spot-on and always worked well for her. I can picture the dresser drawer where her special cardigan and handbag waited at the ready, to be called up for yet one more celebration. The memory of the fragrance of that drawer with its delightful orange and clove sachet overwhelms me now.

I keep my Sequin Swing Jacket and Rhinestone Evening Bag, #15945 in a drawer with an orange and clove sachet and wear it when I want to be reminded of the woman I called Mommy and what being an elegant, well-grounded woman is all about.

Here's to you, Mommy!

I hope you'll share similar memories!

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.

Bead-Dazzled for the Holidays

Looking for a gift for a woman who wears plus size but you want to avoid the size-trap?


Check out Ulla's jewelry! I'm lovin' our Three Strand Necklace, #21032 and coordinating Beaded Earrings, #15957 - Pink, Purple, Plum - Oh My!




Jewelry is the first cousin of attitude. Important, well selected pieces offer drama, whimsy, style and richness in ways that are impossible to measure. When we feel beautiful and stunning, we look the part.

Why jewelry for the plus size woman?

• We need big impact jewelry. Layering jewelry provides big impact and deep interest with abundant light and movement. That's why I love coordinating pieces, which also offer the opportunity to partner with someone to give the gift as a set, perhaps earrings and a necklace.

• We often wear dark neutral, tonal or monochromatic palettes, which are the perfect background for big impact jewelry.

• We may not have a lot of time to dress in the morning, which makes coordinating sets of fantastic jewelry very welcome.

• Size-able, chunky pieces look rich and important.

• Consciously or unconsciously, we may avoid loud trendy clothing, but we can more than make up for it with "wow" jewelry and other accessories.

I'm so excited about Ulla's jewelry, it's gorgeous, affordable and proportionate to our size. Girlfriend, this is one time our real estate comes in handy!

How do you avoid the size-trap?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best

Three Steps to Holiday Polish

Black Friday came and went.

The goal of 'Context, Proportion and Comfort for the Holidays' remains.

Time to set up a few go-to outfits that can take me everywhere I need to go over the next month or so. Holiday traditions and shopping are revving up and so am I. Here's one of my go-to outfits and I thought I'd share my thought process with you.

Three Questions:

Question #1:
Can one outfit take me to work, to shopping and still later in the evening to a social gathering?

Response:
Remember my last post? Build from the bottom - up. I'm loving my Matte Jersey Straight Leg Pants, 02635.

Reason:
Comfort and sleek tops my list of dressing priorities when I've got people to see and places to go!

Question #2:
Can the outfit be tweaked to reflect the context and joy of the Holidays and my size as a plus size woman?

Response:
I'm adding my Ulla Gilded Foil Knit Top, #15554.

Reason:
Does the embellishment on this top echo joy for the Season or what?!?! The proportion of the embellishment is so right for me as a plus size woman.

Question #3:
Will it be comfy, stylish and able to handle the 'wear and tear' required by the Season?

Response:
I'm accessorizing with my:

Comfort Ballet Flat, #14924, pewter

Reason:
I love to mix metallics and I'm opting for the comfort sole.

Eva Graham Filigree Chandelier Earrings, #14935

Reason:
These earrings are high volume impact, very 'holiday,' and very light weight to wear (and the Ulla Gilded Foil Top already says so much!)


Easy as 1-2-3 and out-the-door!

What's your Holiday go-to outfit?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best!

Early Plus Size Clothing Holiday Musings

Earlier this week, a client invited me to lunch to discuss refreshing her wardrobe for the holidays. She arrived, decked out in an outfit I had styled for her two years ago. Back then, it looked great. Now, however, it no longer looked so flattering. What had changed? The style? Not really. The color palette? Nope.

Lets be honest, what had changed was that she either had gained some weight or her weight had redistributed itself around her tummy.Gosh, can I related to that, or what!

So I had a choice, do I bring it up or wait and see if she does. I figured I'm here to help and certainly I know first-hand of what I speak. I broached the topic by saying, "Talk to me, you seem uncomfortable." She looked at me, held my glance for an extra second, burst into tears but managed to blurt out, "Babe, I turned 50 last year and almost to the day my tummy popped out, I'm so uncomfortable in everything I own - What a birthday present!" Ah, the old "menopot" strikes again!

I can't change menopause but I do have a tip that can help and I think you'll appreciate it all the more as the holidays get closer. Build an outfit from the bottom up. Find a pant that gives you comfort and sleek at the same time. Where is such a delectable item to be found? Smack in the middle of Ulla's Matte Jersey Collection. I recommend trying the pant in two different cuts, the Straight Leg Pants, #02635 and the Wide Leg Pants, #91624.

Here's why you'll love them as much as I do:

* Elastic waistband, 1 inch thick so it doesn't roll down
* Stretch throughout the tummy, hips and thighs
* Matte Jersey fabric, thick enough to cover the cottage cheese and thin enough to pour over curves like creamy warm cocoa - forgive the food analogies :)
* Cut that manufactures a very flattering silhouette

Give yourself a gift for the holidays before they get here, a pair of pants that lets you, breathe, laugh heartily and look smashing and sleek.

What else are you thinking about giving yourself for the holidays?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.

Psycho-Graphic More Than Demographic

Recently. I learned the term "psycho-graphic," and as a stylist and blogger, it really turned me on! Typically, merchandisers look to the traditional elements of demographics to produce items that will be purchased by plus size baby boomers

Let's look for a moment, however, at who we are; a psycho-graphic peek, and what that might mean for the clothing we buy:

1. We don't dress like our mothers did. Which means we are figuring it out for the first time, for ourselves.
2. We believe 50 is the new 40 and reject the traditional boundaries of middle age.
3. We dress to please ourselves.
4. The balance between "fade" and "focus" is a continuous, but creative challenge.
5. We seek harmony between self-adornment, self-improvement and self-esteem.
6. Our spending power is staggering.

So what does this have to do with dressing? Quite a lot. I appreciate having access to clothing that projects my concept of self-worth to the world, fits comfortably and looks amazing!

Yes, there are items that shout, "Count me in. The day is fresh and... 'I'm worth it'." Ulla's Layered Peasant Top, #15539, is such an item. It's gorgeous, the color is rich and the embellishments are alive.

What does this top say to you?

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best!

Effortless Plus Size Dressing

Have you ever eyed a woman in your travels and thought, "Wow, she looks great and it all looks so natural on her, like she's not even trying?" Effortless dressing is a goal for those of us 'of a certain age.' When I say 'effortless' - I mean in terms of appearance and in terms of energy expended. Yup, that's why 'dress' rings loud and clear when discussing effortless dressing. That's why I love to wear dresses.

Look for a dress that embraces the 'now' of your lifestyle and your body. Take pride and dress your body well, after all, it is the body that allows you to be all you are. Embrace it. Love it. Dress it well.

Look for a dress that has four elements working for you:

* shape
* drape
* line
* detail

A great example of effortless dressing can be found in Ulla's Matte Jersey Sequin Sleeve Dress, #95207. The fabric, poly with a healthy amount of spandex, supports the cut of the dress and makes it soft and comfy to wear throughout the day, and the style offers a great silhouette with coverage and pretty details.

If you want to rev it up, pair it with Ulla's Scrunch Dress Boot, #15923, in Leopard, or if you want to wear a flat, consider Ulla's Essential Skimmer,#15936, either the purple, gunmetal or black.

Please share what effortless dressing means to you.

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.

Sexy and Sleek

Recently, I was thrown for a loop. A relative whom I hadn't seen in 18 years came to Baltimore and we had dinner together. Seemingly in a time-warp, I was transported back to being "such a pretty face" which was really a euphemism for being fat. CRASH! BOOM! BANG! STOP! ...Put the brakes on that 'stinkin' thinkin' Babe!

The moment passed and I got dressed for dinner in Little Italy. I have tools and insights I didn't have 18 years ago and no one, I repeat, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." (Eleanor Roosevelt)

I chose my Ulla Double Ruffle Stretch Knit Dress, in Black, #15229. The complete outfit I wore to dinner is actually one of Babe's Winter Picks. I walked into the restaurant and just knew I was the sexiest, most sophisticated woman in the joint! Amazing what a great "little black dress" can do for a woman.

The dress is:

* made of sleek, viscose rayon spandex, and trust me, it may not sound sexy, but it is!
* pretty V-neckline enhanced by a double ruffle giving 3-dimensional texture to the dress.
* long and sleek like a tall cool drink of water.

I had to laugh, my relative couldn't wait to snap my picture, several times in fact, to show to the folks back home; and after that initial wave of anxiety, I couldn't have been happier!

Please share thoughts on your feelings about family visits.
Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.

Smart Dressing that's Not Studied

Have you ever noticed a woman who always seems to be well-dressed? Adjectives like smart, elegant, effortlessly-put-together seem to radiate from her? You can be that woman too!

The trick is to find a few 'uniforms' that work with your silhouette and lifestyle and refresh them seasonally. One example is the inner black column (tank and pant) with a go-to cardigan or jacket.

Ulla's Big Button Cardigan, #15547, is such a go-to piece. It comes in three colors, black, camel and port and is made of cotton/acrylic, 60/40, so it's comfy, drapes and keeps its original shape well.

A close cousin of this look is to use another monochromatic colored inner column, such as our Matte Jersey Tank, #94568 and Straight Leg Pants, #02635, in plum, with either a.) a tonal cardigan, say the port color, with a tonally matched flat shoe, such as the Essential Skimmer in purple, #15936, or a contrasting cardi, like the camel color, with a shoe that is also tonally coordinated with the pant.

While the term 'smart' usually refers to a look that is sleek, uncomplicated, upscale and uplifting - my guess is that the woman who takes advantage of this look is a pretty smart cookie, herself!

What are your 'uniform' looks?


Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best.

A Good Coat - The Cornerstone of Confidence

Think gift wrap. Have you ever received a gift impeccably wrapped and couldn't believe your good fortune? The anticipation of the treasure inside compelled you to treat the package gently and with great appreciation. The presentation of the outer wrapping called you to make a judgment: something really fabulous was inside and must be treated accordingly.

Think of the coats in your wardrobe in this way. People will judge you in a nanosecond; your coat is your wrapping that creates the first impression others will have and will likely keep of you. Perhaps more importantly, it engenders the feeling you get about yourself as you move around through your day.

Outerwear is important and usually expensive; however it presents one-stop shopping for "fade and focus." The cut or shape of the coat will provide much of the "fade." The style details will provide the "focus."

Two Ulla coats are masterful renditions of "fade and focus" ---

The Funnel Neck Coat, #15112
Front and back yokes, vertical seams, on-seam pockets, 36" length and A-line fit provide great "fade." The strong single line of rich tonal buttons leading to the funnel neck creates "focus" right up the middle, framing the face.

The Ultimate Dress Coat, #15115
Roll-back raglan sleeves, on-seam pockets, 48" length and A Line fit provide the "fade." The "focus" is provided by the mandarin collar and four significant tonal buttons which create a vertical line pointing to the face.

Please share styles of outerwear that give you confidence.

Babe


Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger


Be your personal best.