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Good Day Everyone and Happy Summer, it finally arrived.

At a meeting the other day we were discussing the word value for our plus women customers. I do not think value has a different definition if you are a plus woman but there may be additional dimensions to providing good value.
Is it more then low prices or competitive prices? Is it about good quality products that look great every time you put them on? Is it about about having the size of the item you want to buy all the time? Is it about providing one to one service?
Personally I think it is the combination of them all but I would love to hear your thoughts and definition of value when shopping for plus fashions and what value elements persuades you to become loyal to a store or a brand? What value must we provide to make you an Addition Elle , MXM or a Penningtons brand advocate?

Here are some examples that I think demonstrates value or actually the lack of it from a real plus shopper. (I took these from a blog post) 

"You go to the mall and visit the one store that carries sizes more than 1X. You browse the racks and find a nice pink blouse you'd really love to buy, and they DO have plus sizes, but YOUR SIZE PINK BLOUSE IS MISSING. ARRGH!"

"Or, you might find a pretty black bra that you'd love to have, but they are out of the 42DD. Plus size clothing can be Pure Frustration."

"At first glance it looks like the big and beautiful store has a lot of items, but when you take into account that each item probably is displayed with 4-6 sizes, there really isn't that much in one store. Even the big chain stores like Target, Walmart and K-Mart really have a limited supply of plus size clothing. And most of it isn't very stylish."

The last example is far too common where product or services are advertised and when you get to the store the reality is that there is no substance to their committment to have the product assortment. 



 

 


I daily receive alerts from Google on Plus Size Women and on our three brands ; Penningtons, Addition Elle and MXM. The article (an excerpt) pasted below reminded me of our body confidence campaign with Addition Elle from a couple years ago coincidentally around the same time that Dove was celebrating all women's body shapes.
Do you remember the billboard campaign? 
At the time (and today) Addition Elle started using the tag-line, "Make a Statement" where one of the activities was to ask for an inspiration and body confident quote from our plus size customers.
Our President Kerry Mitchell wrote at the time on the results of this campaign.
Learning Curves
"When we asked our Customers to "Make a Statement" we never dreamed you'd respond like this. In the last year we've received thousands of inspiring words from Addition Elle women across Canada. We started this journey with the idea that it was time to celebrate our bodies, our beauty abd our individuality and it is clear that you agree. These words are your words, your feelings and they are absolutely fabulous."

I would like to share a few of these words and phrases with you.

"Curves are the body's natural art"
"Beauty is confidence in any size"
"My curves are my canvas"
"A smile is a curve. I am grinning like crazy"


Web Article:

As a plus-size woman, I’ve gone through a real journey to discover and claim my own beauty, which I think is okay, since even Oprah Winfrey seems to struggle with that same issue — and hey, she’s OPRAH for heaven’s sake. But when I look back, it was really a situation that began, and ended, with me. First of all, other people always thought I was pretty (and I don’t just mean my mom!). And except for the once-in-a-blue-moon comment about my weight, I was often complimented on my beautiful face, great complexion, and fun and friendly disposition. In the end, I had to admit that it was something inside of me that held back and refused to see the incredible woman I was - inside AND out.
 

In a nutshell, the problem was that I was eternally “on hold” — deep inside, I always thought that I would only “really” be attractive to other people after I lost weight. And following along that line of thinking, I simply put a lot of my life on hold.

Thankfully, over time, that has all changed.

Part of it has been a much improved level of self-confidence and self-acceptance. I also remind myself that feeling beautiful is a struggle that many women face, regardless of their size. So over time, I grew some gratitude to go along with my knowledge that I was a beautiful woman.

With that newfound self-confidence in place, it made room for the other part of my self-discovery - fueled by the full figured fashion world.
Plus-size women have definitely had a terrific revolution in the clothing industry over the last decade. 
 



It's rare that something will surprise me...particularly when it comes to lingerie.  I know that over 70% of women wear the wrong bra size. I know that some women still believe underwires can be dangerous to their health. I know that many large size women think lightly padded cups will add volume instead of natural shaping. 

Today, however, I was completely surprised by this article from The Telegraph, UK .  It states British women, while spending a fair amount on intimate apparel, tend to only wash their bras after multiple wears. 

Multiple wears, because they believe it lengthens the life of their bra. 

Multiple wear without washing can lead to bacteria, fabric memory loss and greying or dulling of the color. 

I am not surprised that most Addition Elle customers know how to care for their bras. Our bra fit experts share key care tips when fitting or selling our basic and fashion bras.
  • Hand washing with a mild detergent, or machine washing in a lingerie bag will help to preserve the life and shape of a plus size bra. 
  • Never put a bra in the dryer - heat can destroy Lycra, and can shrink the wire casing, causing wires to pop through. 
  • Lay them flat or hang to dry, and never fold cups inside each other as that can also distort the shape of the cups.
No matter how many, or how few, you own, your bras will last longer if properly cared for. 

It's that time of year, when the 'dark on the bottom' rule gets tossed out the window - yes ladies, white bottoms are hot!

 long short with side tabs
capri with extended tab waistbandAddition Elle's Plus size fashion divas embrace white capris, shorts and skirts, and top them off with black and white or brights.


all over animal print tankpopover yoryu blouse

So pick up a crisp white bottom (be sure to wear nude intimates underneath for a smooth, seamless look) and top it off with a pop of color, or a dramatic black & white printed top.  Flats make your look casual, kitten heels or wedges dress it up - either way it'll scream body confidence.

Although Fall is my favorite season, one of the things I love about Summer is dresses.  I love the light, airy feeling of a feminine little day dress and the way they flow. 

There is such a variety of fabrics, prints, looks and lengths in Plus Size dresses that you are sure to find a dress to suit both your needs and your moods, not to mention your lifestyle.

The Addition Elle customer ranges from 14 to 70 (but always young at heart) and from size 14 plus to size 26.  The styles in our dress shop
are created to fit and flatter the curves of our full figure customer.

Click here  to visit Addition Elle's  dress shop, or drop by your favorite plus size clothing store this week as the summer collection arrives.

Fresh, crisp cotton and linen day dresses are available in solids and  prints.  There are short sleeve and sleeveless styles that will take you from office to garden party. 

Knit dresses are fluid and  exceptionally comfortable.  Ranging from knee length, to mid calf to maxi, these summer styles wear and travel well.  You'll find strapless, halter and built up necklines - and a great assortment of shrugs or boleros to complement your look. 

Shop summer dresses now - 
                          get ready for those sunny sunny sunny days ahead!


tattoo print dress

MXM, the trendy Junior Plus Size fashion experts, has a hot collection of Tattoo prints
this Spring.


There are T shirts, hoodies, fashion tops and even a great little black dress with
sexy back chain detail.



Rock on with a Tattoo printed Love T Shirt, complete
with rhinestone detailing for
a little extra glam.



 

Combining two of the season's top trends, 
MXM offers a "Pretty in Pink" tube top in
an allover print. The tattoo overprint makes
it perfectly fashionable.


You could opt for a Tattoo hoodie from Pennington's, or a long sleeve tattoo shrug from Addition Elle. 

It's not as permanent as Miami Ink, but it's an easy way to enjoy the trendy look without the pain. 


 



Everyone is talking about how to stretch their dollar and make it work for them....let's face it, we work hard for our money (so hard for it honey :)) and this economy makes it a little more difficult to part with it.

lace up short sleeve foolerHow does a $19.99 t shirt sound? Yeah, sounds pretty good to me too!  Spring's plus size t shirts 
at Addition Elle are an exceptional value - in a rainbow of colors and styles.
There are foolers ,prints and trendy detailing like this lace up style - one of my favorites.

 

 Have you shopped for Mother's Day yet?   Addition Elle has a great collection of Mix and Match Sleepwear at 2 for $39.99.  Spoil your mom or treat yourself - at these prices you can do both!

Enjoying the warm weather, finally?  I've booked my pedicure so that I can slip into my sandals next week...and you can top yours off with Fashion shorts & skorts on sale this week for only $39.99.
 

Do you Capri?  If you do...check out the assortment at Addition Elle and save....on Love & Legend, Lou Lou, cargo, denim or dressy...all at $49.99. White capris are selling like hotcakes this week - get yours before they sell out!  

Make your dollars  s t r e t c h  for you, this week & while quantities last, at your favorite plus size clothing stores!


Addition Elle opened its first store in St-Bruno, Quebec in 1979 - 30 years ago.  In the last 3 decades, the plus size fashion clothing store has grown to 131 locations across Canada, and now offers their customers on line shopping as well.

On Sunday April 26Th, the
St. Bruno team welcomed
over 100 customers to their 
Spring fashion show.  

Sophie, St. Bruno's manager,
and her team showcased the
best of Spring plus size fashion - from intimates and sleepwear through club wear, fashion dresses, sportswear and occasion & social separates - complete with a line dancing lesson!  


'There is nothing more appealing than body confidence', said Sophie her pre-fashion show rally, 'show them that you are comfortable - not only in the clothes but also with your curves - and have fun!' - and the models did.





Customers not only got
a great preview of Spring collections, they enjoyed 
a special discount on all regular-priced merchandise,  prizes, promotions, and some
adorable eye candy!








Scratch & Save up to 50% on everything at Addition Elle, the plus size fashion experts, from April 15Th through the 28Th. 

In store savings on plus size dresses, tops & bottoms - everything you need to build your Spring into Summer wardrobe.  Shop, Scratch & Save!

Last Saturday it was my youngest daughter's 24th birthday and as mentioned in a previous blog she is an occasional  plus size store shopper. In plus sizes she is a X to 1X or a size 14.

For her birthday my wife bought her a size "16 plus" spring casual jacket from a retail store that suggests they offer sizes for every women and every fit. (regular, plus sizes and petite sizes)

The size 16 plus button front jacket was too small across the chest to do up. Yes she is above average across the chest but readers this is a size 16.

This is just another example to demonstrate (and understand) your frustrations with the inconsistency of fits within plus sizes.

I want to suggest though that the plus women's retailers that specialize only in plus sizes understand the needs of the plus sized woman. They have the plus focus for their customer, the passion to please plus women and the experience to execute the right fits. These stores are the more logical place to shop.

A plus women , occasional or not ,shopping in these wannabe stores that carry some plus sizes I suggest buyer beware.

The 1 Plus team is all about building long term relationships.  We cultivate and grow our team members as a gardener tends her plants.  Pruning, weeding, watering & feeding to make sure the roots are strong so the blooms are exceptional.

We feel the same way about our customer relationships.  Our sales associates work to make your shopping experience amazing.  Our customer service team  is listening - and making sure we hear your comments and concerns.  Our marketing team reaches out to keep you abreast of trends and  promotions.  Our merchandising team creates collections that will fit and flatter your curves.

What can you do to build your relationship with us ?
It's simple - become an Elite Member of Addition Elle, or join the PS Club Advantage program at Penningtons.

The risks?   Virtually none.   The Cost?  Membership is free. 
The Benefits?    As an Elite member, you 
  • get advance notice of upcoming promotions    
  • receive a $25 gift certificate for every $500 in accumulated purchases
  • get 10% off purchases during your birthday week
  • receive invitations to special shopping events
  • choose how you want to be contacted - by email, phone or mail
Are you one of the ELITE?  If not,won't you sign up today?

Plus Size Jackets at Addition Elle are available in a variety of styles, shapes and colors this Spring.  Belted or not, long sleeve or short, swing or fitted, one thing they all have in common is that they have been styled to fit and flatter the plus size woman.

michel antoni short sleeve jacket with printed belt
This belted safari jacket by Michel Antoni is one of my favorites.  The neutral sand color will work with most Spring wardrobes, and the animal print belt gives it a touch of attitude.




Opt for an unlined, short sleeve cotton safari jacket for a more casual look. It is less constructed and perfect for those warm summer days.  Pair it with white capris for a crisp fresh look, or brighten up a basic black pant.  

tulip sleeve printed sateen blazer

This printed cotton sateen jacket has flattering tulip sleeves and a wide open collar, drawing the eye to your neckline.  This was one of the hottest styles when we toured Western Canada --- the combination of styling, color and trendy dot print make it a winner.




The newest arrival at Addition Elle is a cherry red short sleeve jacket  that boasts a large, pleated collar and tie belt.  Did you know that women who wear red are usually confident and self assured?  You'll definitely stand out in the crowd in the bold little piece!

love & legend white denim jacket
Choose trendy white denim from Love and Legend with zip front pockets and elbow length sleeves...

...or go for a dark denim zip front long sleeve jacket from the Classic collection.   


There's a jacket for you, no matter what your style OR  lifestyle, from the plus size fashion experts this Spring!

Sorry for the delay...here's a peek behind the scene of Canada's Plus Size Model Search during LG Fashion week in Toronto.

Follow the amazing, body confident & curvaceous Top 10 through hair and makeup, dress selection and the grand finale.

Enjoy!











An emotional & uplifting moment that is meant to be shared.
Grab some Kleenex

click on the link below
to watch 
Susan Boyle
living her dream 
on Britains Got Talent.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

I LOVE motivational speakers.  I love their energy, their sense of humor.
I am impressed with their ability to reach into a room of over 200 incredibly different personalities and show them how much they have in common.

Susan Fowler, coined as 'a catalyst for change' is a Leadership, Empowerment and Team Building Specialist, and Author and Consultant with the Ken Blanchard Companies.
 
Susan took the 1 Plus team on a journey to embrace change today.  She touched on several topics relevant to change not only in the workplace, but in our personal lives as well.  She was entertaining and thought provoking, dynamic and a little devious.

Susan's presentation encompassed the fear of change, resistance to change, how our perception plays a role in embracing change and the inevitability of change.  There were a few activities that helped demonstrate how we initially react to change and how much more positive the experience can be when we embrace it.  

My 'aha moment' was how many of us tend to see change removing  something from us, rather than adding something.  Time for a shift in perception, Laura. 

The plus size market has changed dramatically over the last decade.  The image of Full Figure women has changed.  Our attitudes towards plus size fashion has changed.  So many of the stigmas of not being a size 8 have dropped by the wayside.  Reaction to Canada's Plus Size Model search was phenomenal.  The contestants positive body image and confidence levels would not have been this strong 10 years ago, probably not possible 20 years ago.

We're changing. Are we there yet?  No, if we learned anything today it is that the journey towards change, changes constantly.  Embrace it, and if you don't like it, change it. 


The 1 Plus home office team, almost 200 strong, met today for our annual year end review.  Our President, VP, Directors an GMM spoke to our successes last year, our opportunities and our objectives for the coming year.  

Our mission statement ' to enhance the image of plus size women' is what drives & motivates the Addition Elle, Penningtons and MXM teams.  Each and every member of the team, regardless of their position, knows that  the brand is in our hands and that our daily decisions impact our customers.

There's a quote (forgive me, I cannot remember the source) that I feel speaks to the mindset of our team.  To paraphrase; 'A man comes across
3 bricklayers and asks what they are doing.  The first replies "laying bricks". The second says "I'm working for $20 an hour".  The third man lays down his tools, looks up and smiles.  "I am building the most beautiful cathedral in the world" says he.'

Our team does not JUST buy, plan, design, re-style, lay bricks.  We don't JUST work for our paycheck.  We do, however, work hard to create the best possible mix of product for our plus size customers, with passion AND with her first and foremost in mind, everyday. 

Perry, our customer service team manager, accepting an achievement award on behalf of his team, said that 'if you find a job you love, you'll never have to work again'.  Anne Marie, also accepting a home office support staff achievement award told us that she didn't feel she deserved this  recognition because she does what she loves, and loves what she does.

Other recipients had similar sentiments.  It is wonderful to be recognized by your peers at a year end meeting, but when you have a job that you are passionate about, and work with a team that shares your vision and goals, there are rewards every single day.  

Today was a particularly rewarding one.  


$$$$$ Online Dollars?  Here's the scoop --

Spend $50 today and earn $20 on your $100 purchase in May. 

Big Spender?  spend $150 today and earn $60 off your $100 order in May.

Not enough? 
              Spend $200 today and earn $80 off your $100 order in May.


Shop tops, denim, dresses, capris and intimates - it pays to perk up your Spring wardrobe this week.  Where?  Addition Elle, MXM and Penningtons - the plus size fashion experts!  



Project Runway grand finale and the collections were exceptional, truly Amazing!  Jason's glitz and glamour shone on the runway and there were several wow factors in his collection.   



Jessica's boho chiffon dress was
stunning - a real show piece!  I loved
her sexy chain dress as well as her
spunky sportswear. 
Her very first collection was impressive
and original, a definite winner.  
'What's next for Biffilicious?' The teams at Addition Elle, Penningtons & MXM look forward to more more more from Jessica! 


 

Sunny's Alexander the Great
inspired collection was spectacular -
he is unstoppable and deserves all the accolades that the Project Runway panel bestowed upon him.  


Sunny the Great wins the final round of Canadian fashion design - 
                                                               congratulations Sunny Fong! 



Hippie Chic is back, and MXM has the season's HOT ITEM  

Combining smocking, tie-dye,
and maxi, all the key trends
are here in one perfect dress
from MXM.

You will find all the latest junior plus size trends, from swimwear to denim and everything in between, in sizes 14 to 26, at MXM on line - save 20% on $120 purchases until April 14Th!  

Do you have a secret weapon in your wardrobe?  Something that can smooth your silhouette & camouflage your concerns?  Something that contains and firms while remaining comfortable all day long?  

Plus Size Fashion's best kept secret weapon is full figure shapewear.  Definitely NOT your grandmother's girdle, the collection of shapewear at Addition Elle offers seamless body contouring and undergarments that move with your body and fit your lifestyle.



Spanx power panties
offer tummy control
while eliminating those
pesky, visible panty lines.  






Body Wraps has a collection of briefs and bodysuits that are solutions based, focusing on different parts of the body that might benefit from a little lift,
firming or shaping. 

Select a high waist or long line brief, or underwire bodysuit, depending on your outfit.

Shapewear, from size 2 to size 22, a (not so secret) secret weapon for anyone, anytime.