Plus size dresses: Designer Monif C. shares how curvy girls can look sexy and trendy in every season
In business since 2005, New York City-based mother-daughter team Elaine and Monif Clarke founded their plus size clothing company, Monif C., with a desire to give more options to women with full curves.
Are there any tricks you suggest to look good in silky, body contouring dresses like yours?
I believe in undergarments, whatever your shape. Just because you’re a size six doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wearing the right undergarments. I love Spanx and a couple of other brands, but it’s not about contorting your body. It’s about smoothing it out in a way that looks good in the clothes.
One of the things about jersey fabric, often used in these types of silky-looking pieces, is that you really want to buy an item that has heavyweight jersey. Heavyweight jersey still gives the sexy sleekness but it’s fabrication is more forgiving.
Are their basic dos and don’ts to find the perfect date night dress?
The first thing you have to do is understand your body, that’s the first thing. Especially if it’s online, since you don’t have the benefit of trying it on. I also think you have to order more than one item [when online shopping]. You have to be open. I tell girls, you may want get three sizes and see what fit is the best. I also tell women to look for simple silhouettes. I know we’re in a time of trends, but I always say you can make trends classic by putting you twist on them. I say scour the sites to see different options for you.
When you see trends developing, how do you choose what to recreate for your plus size customers?
Any fashion company has to be apart of the trends. I think about what’s going to stretch the customer’s wardrobe and I design around that. For example, the cutout dresses, they were huge this season. We decided to our take — we weren’t going to reveal the belly and the hips like the one Halle Berry wore. That’s great for Halle, but most women, whether you’re plus size or not, can’t wear it. When I was designing it, I said, let’s put ours by the shoulder, the décolletage, the bust area — all of that is a great way to highlight and bring attention to the face.
What mood-booster piece have your customers instantly loved?
We have a lot! I think a lot of girls really love the “Ruched Convertible Dress,” because it’s a sexy dress but not slutty. You instantly put in on, in a bright color — first of all the color is an energy booster. Then, you put on a dress that hugs your hips. It’s a win-win.
Follow Danielle Kwateng on Twitter at @danispecialk
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