Many full figure women struggle with numbers - particularly those that are attached to our clothing.

Here's what I love about numbers...they don't define who you are, but they can define what your perfect fitting bra will be.  The sales associates at Addition Elle and Penningtons are plus size bra fit specialists, and they will help to get into the best fitting bra for your silhouette and your wardrobe.

Two measurements, under bust and full bust, will determine your ideal bra size. There are exceptions and your fit preference (do you like a snug fit) will also come into play.  Important to remember that you should be wearing a bra that FITS - disregard the number and get comfortable. Don't let the size play havoc with your psyche, let it work FOR you. 

My niece was recently fit for the first time and was amazed at her size.  Her 'old' bras were two cup sizes too small....ouch. More amazing was the enhanced silhouette and comfort of a properly fitting bra. Not surprising unfortunately, as we know that more than 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size.

Another number to consider, how many bras should I have?  My curvy girlfriend feels that 4 or 5 bras is plenty (I am working on converting her to a lingerista :).  My coworker has 30 or more, she's a true lingerie aficionado.  The average life of a bra is six months of regular wear, the more you have the longer they will last as you alternate more often. 

If you go with the bare minimum, and knowing that bras should be laundered between wearings to allow the fabric to recover its shape and for memory retention, you should have three in your wardrobe. One to wear, one in the wash & one to alternate.  One should be black, one white or nude -- wearing a dark colored bra under dark clothing and light under light clothing will reduce discoloration of the bra. 

If you are physically active, you should add a sport bra.  A good sport bra will have moisture management properties, reduced bounce (which protects bra tissue) and move with your body. 

Women who like form fitting fashion should consider a t shirt bra. The lightly lined t shirt bra will virtually disappear under clothing, act as modesty lining (no show through) and add natural shaping to your bust line. 

I believe a convertible, or strapless bra is a necessity.  These bras will convert to halter or one shoulder, and will give you added flexibility in your wardrobing.

So...what's your number?

Quel est votre numero?

 Plusieurs femmes tailles plus n’aiment pas les chiffres – surtout ceux retrouvés sur nos vêtements. 

Voici ce que j’aime des chiffres …ils ne définissent pas qui vous êtes, mais peuvent définir votre taille parfaite de soutien-gorge. Les conseillères en vente d’Addition Elle et Penningtons sont des spécialistes en ajustement de soutiens-gorge tailles plus. Elles vous aideront à dénicher le soutien-gorge parfait en fonction de votre silhouette et garde-robe.

 Deux mensurations (sous la poitrine et au niveau de la poitrine) détermineront votre taille de soutien-gorge idéale. Il y a toutefois des exceptions et vos préférences en matière d’ajustement (aimez-vous un ajustement serré) entreront aussi en jeu. De plus, ne perdez pas de vue que vous êtes sensée porter un soutien-gorge qui vous FAIT – ne tenez pas compte du nombre, soyez simplement confortable. Ne laissez pas la taille jouer contre vous, laissez-la jouer POUR vous.  

Ma nièce a eu dernièrement sa première séance d’ajustement et a été épatée par sa taille. Les bonnets de ses anciens soutiens-gorge étaient trop petits de deux tailles…ouch. Encore plus épatant était le rehaussement de sa silhouette et de son confort procuré par un soutien-gorge parfaitement ajusté. Cette histoire n’a rien d’étonnant malheureusement, car plus de 70 % des femmes portent la mauvaise taille de soutien-gorge. 

Un autre nombre à considérer est celui représentant la quantité de soutiens-gorge que nous devrions avoir. Mon amie aux jolies courbes pense que 4 ou 5 sont suffisants (j’essaie de la convertir en une lingerista). Une de mes collègues en possède 30 ou plus; elle est une véritable aficionado. La longévité moyenne d’un soutien-gorge est d’environ six mois avec usage quotidien. Plus vous en avez, plus longtemps ils dureront étant alternés plus souvent.

 En sachant qu’il est préférable de les laver après chaque usage pour permettre au tissu de retrouver sa forme, vous devriez en avoir au minimum trois. Un pour porter, un au lavage et un pour alterner. Un noir, un blanc et un de couleur chair – porter un soutien-gorge foncé sous des vêtements foncés et un soutien-gorge clair sous des vêtements pâles préviendra la décoloration. 

Si vous êtes active, vous devriez aussi avoir un soutien-gorge sport. Un bon soutien-gorge sport vous aidera à rester au sec, réduira l’effet de rebond (aidant ainsi à protéger les tissus de vos seins) et vous permettra de bouger avec aisance.

Les femmes qui aiment obtenir un look galbé devraient considérer un soutien-gorge t-shirt. Légèrement doublé, il disparaît pratiquement sous les vêtements tout en donnant une forme naturelle.  

Je pense qu’un soutien-gorge convertible ou sans bretelles est essentiel. Ces soutiens-gorge, pouvant être portés licou ou à une bretelle, vous donneront plus de flexibilité dans le choix de vos tenues.

 Alors, quel est votre numero?

 

Look cute while you workout this summer!

This short sleeve hooded activezone jacket is perfect to throw on over sweaty workout clothes this summer.  Many long-sleeved jackets are too hot to wear this season, but it's nice to have something to put on over a tank top when you're done with your workout.

This Penningtons jacket is a breathable cotton and spandex blend and is machine-washable.  Princess seams, pocket ruching and ribbed cuffs ensure that it's not strictly functional.  It's cute enough to keep in your bag and thrown on over jeans and a t-shirt for a chilly summer evening! 

Visit our online store to view our entire womens plus size ActiveZone collection.

You need the right clothes to be active this summer.  When the temperature rises, it becomes more important to wear workout tops and bottoms that ft correctly and keep you cool.

This cotton-spandex yoga tank from Addition Elle is cute and functional.  The low-cut underarms help prevent shaping and the low neckline and wide straps help keep you cool.  And it's machine-washable!


This yoga capri is perfect for a summer workout, keeping you cute and cool.  The nylon and spandex fabric blend lets your legs breathe while the yoga fit keeps you comfortable.  Also machine-washable.

Both of these stylish workout pieces are $10 off during our summer sale!  Click here to see all of our ladies plus size activewear featured in this sale.

Active has come to mean so much more than workout gear, it really is a lifestyle choice.  As a plus size woman I am often surprised at how little my 'little' friends actually do. 

The simple things like taking the stairs or parking your car at the end of the lot instead of closest to the door can make a difference in how you look & feel....and the more you move the easier it gets.   It's not so much about losing weight or going down a dress size, as much as it's about feeling good in your skin. 

There's a certain fashion element about dressing up that I love, but my casual evenings or weekends are all about comfort. I find the more comfortable you are in your clothing, the easier it is to move, and the easier it is to move, the more likely you are to take those extra steps.   I am one of the least coordinated people I know & things with wheels are not a good mix for me (like bikes & roller blades) but I love to walk, to dance, to swim, to dance, to run, did I mention dance? 

Active is not an age, or a size, it's a choice.  You can be spirited at 70 or sedentary at 17,  as dynamic a size 22, as as size 2.  It's all in how you choose to live. 

If you choose active this year, you'll find the perfect plus size pieces, from the all important sports bra to yoga & active wear , at Addition Elle.  Get moving!

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.

Activewear fashions for the plus sized women!

The fastest growing segment of our plus women's business is active wear.
The success of retailers like Lululemon and every woman's need for comfortable clothing to relax in after a stressful day at work or after a long day managing the household has demanded plus size activewear fashions.

All women work hard and owe to themselves to own a pant and a top that provides an oasis of comfort.

Plus activewear with it's stretch fabrication is the answer.
The pieces do not have to be gym attire.
Avtivewear whether it is plus size or not ,is styled so well it can be street (walking the dog) wear , shopping attire or they can become your favorite lounging around the house pieces. 

Versatility and comfort ; a real plus