As a fashion writer, I've had the opportunity to test drive pretty much every plus-size garment in the industry. From small boutiques to grim mall megaliths, if it comes in my size, odds are I've humiliated myself in it (not necessarily outside the dressing room) sometime in the past seven years.
 |
| photo courtesy of Ask Miss A |
When it comes to my own closet, I keep a mercilessly small wardrobe.
Excluding intimates and accessories, my core collection rarely tops twenty pieces and --not to slide my own trombone-- I'd like to think I'm proof positive a woman with a dozen well-thought-out garments is almost always better dressed than a woman with closets and closets of nothing to wear. Plus she doesn't have to set her boyfriend's half of the closet on fire to make more room unless it's for shoes, in which case I'm pretty sure that's justifiable arson (that's a thing, right?)
To make the cut for my closet, an item must be versatile, well-constructed, not-too-trendy and if at all possible, made in the USA.
It's no mean feat for one designer to do all that and earn a majority share of my highly-coveted closet space but Kiyonna has, and they've cornered the market at about 60% of current wardrobe.
When I first started thinking about monetizing After Plumcake, I knew I wanted to be mindful of what affiliates I took on.
 |
| Mine is in black lace with beige lining |
That's why the Amazon widget on the sidebar only has items I actually own and love. Journalistic integrity might be the only bit of integrity I have, so I'm damn well going to stick to it.
Since Kiyonna already takes up half my wardrobe and I've logged more hours in their clothes than anyone else's, the California-based boutique seemed like the natural place to start.
Yes, they sell beautiful plus-size dresses but don't fret, slimmer girls: They start at a straight size ten.
My first experience with Kiyonna was about six years ago when I bought their now-iconic lace boudoir dress. It was my go-to special event dress for five years and I devastated in it.
Click the jump to read more and get the awesome $25 OFF COUPON CODE
 |
| cream + cocoa lining = heaven on deeper skin tones |
Sidebar: Is there anything worse than a party dress that wrinkles and stretches over your stomach in shiny look-at-me lines the minute you sit down? Genocide maybe. And Autotune.
Unfortunately, the Boudoir is no longer with me because I'm a sucker.
I gave it to my best friend when I moved to Mexico. She didn't have a proper plus size cocktail dress and I thought my after six wardrobe requirements would be limited here.
I still regret it.
 |
| black lace on black is very Dolce & Gabbana right now |
I'll be talking more about some of my favorite Kiyonna pieces in the next few days including the Winona hi-lo dress I had serious reservations about but ended up buying in every color but I wanted to share this hot --and rapidly expiring-- coupon code first:
Now through Midnight Pacific time on 2/28/2013, use coupon code
I don't think you can use it on Spanx (which suck anyway so whatever) or wedding stuff, but Kiyonna almost never does big coupons like this one --trust me, I check-- so go, shop and tell me what you ordered.
Payday not until later this week? Never fear, I'll have a 15% off coupon for you on Thursday.
Do you have an experience with Kiyonna? Share it with the class. If you ordered something using the coupon, come back here and gloat in the comments!
I love their maxi lengths -- many so-called "maxis" fall at mid-calf for me, and I really want the full maxi length. I wish everyone (not just Kiyonna) would quit it with the tummy ruching, which does NOT camouflage the stomach, but calls attention to it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the maxis. It's not that I mind a mid-length dress, just tell me it's mid-length. As for the ruching, I've discovered its success as a camouflage technique greatly depends on the arrangement of your particular stomach area. Lower-stomach ruching does me no favors, but works wonders on my best friend. It's a crazy world out there.
ReplyDeleteI really want to take advantage of this, but the thing I want is one of their wrap tops. Too many dresses in my closet as it is. The problem is that the top only comes to $68, and you have to spend $75 for the coupon! Arrrghhhh! Maybe I'll just wait till Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI studied up one of the maxis, and I have ask - how do you 'dry flat' a garment of that size? Any tips?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I just throw everything --including the boudoir dress when I had it-- into the dryer. If you ever really do need to dry a long dress flat, line the shoulders up with the narrow end of your longest beach towel and fold in half so the towel in sandwiched between, then put it on another towel. Turn it over every once in a while until dry.
DeleteSo...if you were purchasing your first Kiyonna for every day wear, which would you choose and why? Money is exceedingly tight right now, but I'd love to take advantage of this offer. I'm expecting a nice freelance check sometime soon and I might be able to squeeze out a few dollars for my first Kiyonna.
ReplyDeleteThe Legacy Wrap dress, hands down. It's the best example of the species I've ever come across. It's a true wrap with helpful details like a fuller under-wrap so you're not worrying a breeze is going to expose all your nooks and crannies, it's dead easy to take from day to evening, doesn't wrinkle, washes like a champ and looks amazing on every body.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI just placed my order for the Legacy Wrap. The 15% discount is available now as well, as they offered it to me at checkout, but I used the $25 discount instead. If you are ordering enough, the 15% might be a better option.
Deletegot the Legacy wrap in red and I love love love it! Can't wait to wear it.
DeleteOooh, neat-o, thank you, Ms. Rhiannon! I'll be sharing this with several of my lovely and well-dressed plus-sized friends!
ReplyDeleteOne reason I've never bought from them: most items seem to be made of 90%+ polyester. I hate the unnatural feel of polyester--is this stuff somehow nicer?
ReplyDeleteViolet
It is nicer, but I particularly like the Winona dress, which is a very breathable Modal-esque blend. It's my go-to dancing dress and I work up a good sweat. The fabric stays comfortable and doesn't pill.
DeleteHonestly, even though I own one in every color (including some that aren't available anymore) I'm considering buying them all again and having the hem straightened so I can wear one set as a traditional wrap dress.
The Hi-Lo is surprisingly better than I expected it to be, partially because my backside sticks out enough that difference isn't so dramatic. It's not mullety at all, which was a concern.
I have a few pieces from Kiyonna and the one I always get compliments on is similar to the Legacy Wrap. Same design but in a purple/black animal print from a few years ago (I know that sounds horrible, but it really is lovely), and it truly is one of the best wrap dresses I have come across. So easy to care for, throw it in the wash, line dry......no fuss and looks great every time :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Lanvin did that great black on blue leopard print. I'm not judging.
DeleteI, too, have the lace boudoir dress. Love it.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I wear it I get compliments.
Without a doubt the most comfortable 'formal' dress ever.
I love Kiyonna's clothes, but their dresses always end up looking quite silly on me. I am 5'1" and their dresses are designed for taller girls. Alterations never seem to turn out all that great and there are quite a few pieces that cannot be altered for length. I had the Boudoir dress, and it hit me on the lower calf. Not a cute look.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear it, Natalie. I certainly feel your pain. Being a tall girl means having to put the majority of dresses that are supposed to be "at the knee" right back on the rack because "at the knee" for most people ends up being mid thigh for me.
DeleteI did it. Ordered the Whimsy Wrap Dress in cobalt blue. I have a conference to go to next month w/two fancy dinners, so I'm justifying adding another fancy(ish) dress to my wardrobe. Gives me a chance to try them out.
ReplyDeleteI love that color. The Whimsy didn't work so well on me, but it might be because I prefer a true wrap dress and ruffles make me look...overripe. You'll have to tell me how you like it, I've seen it on some people and it looks amazing.
DeleteKiyonna's clothes are pretty and fashionable, but they all seem to be polyester. Even though I am way past menopause, when I where something that is all polyester or almost all polyester - I am bringing my personal sauna with me. I am miserably hot and start sweating immediately. There is a company called Making It Big on the internet that sells almost all natural fiber garments for us big gals, but their styles aren't all that interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI really prefer Kiyonna's modal (a type of non-pilling, super breathable rayon which feels like cotton jersey on my skin) to their polyester, too. They seem to be doing most of their new dresses like the Duchess and Winona dresses in it, and just keeping the longtimers (legacy dresses, etc) in the polyester.
DeleteI would like to hear more about the distribution of these 20 pieces that constitute your versatile wardrobe. How many skirts? Dresses? Wraps? etc? And how often do you rotate pieces? How do you maintain variety with your outfits with so few elements? Do you rely on accessories and shoes?
ReplyDeleteI second this! I can't imagine only having twenty items in my closet.
DeleteI suspect most people only really truly wear about 20 items with any regularity anyway. Think about it, with a little thought, twenty pieces are more than enough to wear a different outfit every month with no repeats.
DeleteWithout digging in my closet I'd guess it goes something like this:
11 dresses (2 sun, 2 maxi, 2 cocktail, rest day-to-evening pieces)
1 pair of jeans
1 pair black pants
3 sweaters
2 knit tops
1 black skirt
1 vintage suit jacket that belonged to my grandfather
It's all about the accessories. Aside from the standard knots at the neck, of which there are dozens, just off my head one 90cm square silk scarf can do duty as a three types of belt, four variations on a camisole, just as many in the hair, a wrist corsage, an ankle corsage (looks amazing) and a handbag accessory.
The added bonus is, of course, if the rest of your outfit is simply a well-made background and you highlight a beautiful high-end luxury piece, the outfit itself becomes high end and luxury, even if the dress you're wearing was a twenty-buck steal at Ross.
I've also got, what, $40,000 worth of shoes at this point? Not that I paid that much because I can hunt down a bargain like no one's business, but take the scarves, the statement shoes, the jewelry (I collect high-end vintage costume jewelry) makeup and hair. People rely too much on clothes, when really clothes are about the least efficient way to change your look.
DeleteI really, really need to give a shout-out to the Sweetheart knit wrap dress. This dress in black, a red rose in the hair, and glittering accessories are my go-to outfit when I have to make An Entrance.
ReplyDeleteGirl you are not lying. I love it too, and I'm usually not a fan of the sweetheart neckline.
DeleteI ordered them before your Amazon widget went up, but I just got my Bloch shoes (purchased on your recommendation from the previous blog) and they rock! I need more, and will be clickety clicking on the widget before I order.
ReplyDelete