What is hot in plus size lingerie?

Plus Size Lingerie Trends - 2004
--- By Susan Barone

What's hot for Lingerie for 2004? Lace, lace and more lace. I love it. It was so exciting to see the lingerie market beginning to respond to the requests of the curvy woman. There are so many awesome feminine, yet sexy details to the curvy lingerie. My first stop was the Lingerie Show in NY. I wanted to get an overview of who and what was out there before I narrowed into the best curvy lingerie vendors. I really had to hustle to cover three floors of lingerie in six hours, but I did it. There were some basic categories of trends that I saw consistently. The categories were: *Panties and boy shorts with a low rise waist detail, yet not to low for the curvy woman *Novelty treatments including embroideries, chantilly , contrasting colors, cross dyed stretch lace *Netting detail in both lingerie and hosiery *Inset lace mixed with charmeuse *Woven jacquard color on color details *New neutrals of Ecru and Peach *Continued representation of the staple of black and red for 2004 Panties and boy shorts......... I wanted to try and represent as many of trends as possible at our www.AlwaysForMe.com site. So, the hunt began. I started by addressing the panties and boy short trends. Most importantly here, I wanted to find a high quality boy short that would be offered in sizes 1X - 6X. Well, it took a lot of persuaded, but I finally got the Delta Burke Collection to agree to make these. And, they had all the key colors; red, black and an awesome fashion forward periwinkle. BUT, while I was working with them I also found a low rise boy short with a cotton crotch in a floral stretch lace in four colors. In addition, they had a lacy tanga panty that looked very new and fresh. Delta Burke Collection addressed my requests for sexy smooth microfiber thongs in great basic colors of red, black and white. All these fabulous items are only $9.99 at www.AlwaysForMe.com . Well, that was sort of "one stop shopping" to hit that trend. Delta Burke Boyshort 1X - 6X Delta Burke Tanga 1X - 3X Delta Burke Satin Thong 1X - 3X Novelty treatments......... I felt like the very special novelty treatments should be represented in a fine quality collection and I found what I was looking for at the NY Lingerie Show. These beautiful gowns and chemises ran a little higher in price, but the quality, details, and fit were impeccable. So, if you want to really treat yourself to a fine piece of lingerie I would suggest one of the following four styles. They happen to have addressed many of the trend categories. If you prefer chemise and robe sets, then the Venetian Lace Peignoir Set was absolutely gorgeous. I was impressed with the design of this garment. It had an empire lace inset waist and then had venetian lace laid over the charmeuse for the bust detail. This provides more support for a curvy woman – so that was a definite buy for Always For Me in both the short version and the long version!! We also found a ruby red set with contrasting lace insets, without the constructed bodice detail for those of you that prefer a ?free fit?. My favorite VERY special gown was a peachy flowing gown. Its intricate lace detail goes from the front of the gown all the way around the back. It is absolutely beautiful and comes with a little wrap/ scarf -- a very romantic touch. Netting detail......... I found netting and color on color jacquards at the new EMME Hosiery Collection. This hosiery collection not only represented the tried and true basics but the special items within the collection had ?lingerie details?. I have never seen such nice fishnet pantyhose that are designed in such a way that they give you the look with out the uncomfortable feel of the ?old? fishnet pantyhose. This collection also offered something that I had never seen before – WAISTLESS PANTYHOSE. Yes, they have no waistband to dig into your waist. They are knit on a special machine which gives them a special no waistband finish. These, you will have to see to believe!! Special treatments in the legwear industry are ?all the buzz?. I found awesome tights in stripes, florals, pucci prints and more. These types of novelty items are usually very hard to find in plus sizes. I was happy to see vendors making high fashion items for our curvy legs. Of course, there are always the basics of a great pair of Danskin tights. Tights with skirts will continue to be a trend. We were sure to stock up on all of Danskin?s tights. www.AlwaysForMe.com carries their Opaque Tights, Shimmery Tights and their Performance Tights. Emme Fishnets Pucci Prints Danskin Tights Inset Lace, jaquard fabrics , black and red and more......... Now, last but not least, black and red lingerie. It seems that no matter what the season our customer continues to buy more black and red lingerie than anything else. It is for more than just Valentines, Anniversaries and the Holiday Season. I found lots of new items in varying shades of red and many of your favorite styles in black. Over the next few months, the www.AlwaysForMe.com site will continues to replenish their lingerie selection with new and different styles. You will see all of the trends we have discussed offered in our black and red lingerie selections. We will have novelty treatments, inset lace, jacquard fabrications and boy shorts paired with chemise tops. Overall, I would say that the market is finally starting to respond to our curvy wants and needs. If you have any suggestions on items you cannot find that you would like me to search for, please post all your suggestions at the end of this article.