Big Girl in a Skinny World at Fashion Week: The Draping Trend

Hello Ladies,

It's only day one of New York Fashion Week, but your Big Girl in a Skinny World is already making her rounds! I flew into the city early this morning and headed straight to work. For those of you don't know, there was a severe blizzard yesterday in the city, undoubtedly sending waves of panic through the stylish folks setting up in the Bryant Park tents. Word to the wise: four-and-a-half-inch heels and slush don't mix.

I arrived at the tents later this morning, and it was teeming with fashionistas. Some completely ignored the five inches of snow and teetered up the stairs in their stilettos. Others vouched for their favorite pair of warm, flat boots—personally, I was on this second team. Dressing for Fashion Week can be stressful no matter the weather, but with temperatures dipping into the 20s it was easy to create interesting looks with layers, layers, layers.

Every Fashion Week I look forward to the new silhouettes, color palettes, and trends. Of course, the most fun part for me is identifying the looks that will work for a curvy girl like me. Today, I sat front and center at Ports 1961, an up-and-coming line known for its classic, romantic pieces, and I was thrilled to see drapes galore. Draping has been a recurring trend for a few seasons, and it's a good thing for the curvy girl...in fact, my favorite dress at the moment is a draped number that helps mask a few ripples and bulges. The key with drapes is settling on the right amount of volume: Too many drapes will add width and bulk, so keeping things delicate and subtle is the key. The color palette of the Ports 1961 show ranged from neutrals like gray, beige, and camel to deep mauves, maroons, and chocolate browns, and I was impressed by the unexpected cohesion of contrasting fabrics—designer Tia Cibani presented several coats with lovely combinations of leather and wool.

Tomorrow is jam-packed with shows, and I can't wait! Make sure to check back for more Fashion Week trends for the curvy girl. I'm taking careful notes so I can get a head start on prepping my Fall 2010 wardrobe (and help you plan yours). For your own front row experience, be sure to follow @MarieClaire on Twitter—our fashion editors will be posting runway shots live throughout the week. Just don't forget to let me know which collections you love!

-Ashley

YOUR BIG GIRL IN A SKINNY WORLD

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