See Sydney's Closet Cocktail Dresses Live on Nashville TV

If you live in or around Nashville, Tennesse don't miss hot new plus size cocktail dresses from Sydney's Closet featured Wednesday, December 17, 2008 on WSMV Channel 4 "More at Midday". Catherine Schuller, super stylist and image consultant, narrates the "Throw Yourself a Very Curvy Christmas" fashion show. By the way, Catherine wrote the book on plus size modeling!

Free Shipping + Evening Bag Coupon at Sydney's Closet

T'is the season to feel merry... so Sydney's Closet offers special friends like you FREE ground shipping plus our GIFT of an elegant evening bag with any order. No minimum purchase required. Just use coupon code Holiday08 at checkout. Hurry! Offer ends midnight December 26, 2008. (Shipping applies to continental US only) Happy Holidays!

Behind the Scenes at Sydney's Closet Photo Shoot

It's a wrap! After months of preparation, we just finished photographing the exciting Spring 2009 collection of Sydney's Closet Exclusive Designs. What's new? We've extended our size range up to Size 36 so more curvy customers can look glam!
The Spring collection launches very soon with trendy dresses for everyone:

• 2009 Prom dresses: ball gowns, sexy mermaids and short Prom dresses
• Cocktail dresses: fun, flirty frocks for when you really want to party
• Bridal: elegant informal wedding dresses for your big day

While you're waiting, here's a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the amazingly talented crew of models, photographers, stylists and graphic designers that staged the photo shoot!

What Not to Wear to the Office Holiday Party

Want to earn a fast fashion bonus? Just follow these easy tips on what NOT to wear to the annual office holiday party:

Novelty sweaters with dancing Candy Canes, prancing reindeer or smiling Santas: The entire staff, from the receptionist to the CEO, already knows it’s the holiday season.
So you don't have to dress like a a store window set up with December holiday decorations.

Skin tight pants, super short skirts, curve-tugging dresses, very low necklines: Wait to bare it all for a hot date rather than risk risk getting in hot water with the boss. Play it safe. Wear party dresses that leave something to the imagination.

Prom dress and bridesmaid dresses: This isn’t the time to pull out that Prom dress or bridesmaid dress you only wore once. If the invite reads "Black Tie" or "Black Tie optional", opt for a classic evening dress - preferably a long formal dress. An elegant cocktail dress works too. For a genuine holiday look, sparkle wearing gold or silver shoes or evening purse.

Bling, Bling, Bling!: There is such a thing as too much glitz or bling on your holiday dress. Leave the tinsel look for the Christmas tree or wrapping gifts. You'll still shine with just accents that sparkle. A little shine does go a long way – even under the mistletoe!

Remember, your smile creates the best-ever accessory no matter what you decide to wear to the office party. A smile makes you look pretty and feel merry for the company holiday party!

All Dressed Up to Salute Top Chef in St. Louis

Tara Kampff looks very glam posing with her handsome and talented husband Chef Paul Kampff the night he took top honor as Chefs de Cuisine's 2009 Chef of the Year. For the big award night, Tara opted to "Where's the Party", a bestselling formal dress and matching jacket at Sydney's Closet. Rows of turquoise sequins handsewn on Tara's black evening dress and jacket matched the ribbon trimming her adorable daughter Riley's black party dress. Congratulations to Paul, Excutive Chef at St. Louis Country Club! And thanks soooo much for sharing the fabulous family photo!

Never Too Early

Prom is a magical occasion and it's never too early to start preparing for the big event! The day must be perfect in every way from sunrise to the final goodbye. To get started you'll want to check out the Prom Planner at Prom2009.com. You'll find the latest trends in dress styles and colors along with tips for hair, makeup, shoes and accessories. Be sure to stop by Prom2009 and you won't miss a beat!

All Decked Out in Holiday Dresses and Pants Sets Under $100

Just in at Sydney's Closet fabulous and affordable holiday dresses and pantsets all priced under $99. Get all decked out for the party season just ahead without breaking your budget. Shop:

• Fun, flirty dresses that get you in the holiday mood with festive colors and shimmer fabrics.
• Glamourous tops that instantly dress up black pants or jeans already in your closet.
• Chic pants sets with coordinate tops and bottoms that add magic to the holidays with just a little bit of bling!

Red Hot Plus Size Dress Directory

Shopping for plus size dresses to wake up your fall wardrobe? Check out SoWhatIf.com where the savvy Fashion Team scouts the hottest trends in dresses then collects their amazing finds in a friendly and easy-to-use directory that's always being updated. You'll save tons of time surfing cyberspace and tons of money too with coupons and special offers like free shipping just for SoWhatIf shoppers ! Plus you get to see all your favorite designers and brands: Igigi, Kiyonna, Avenue, Woman Within, Torrid and Swak Designers.

Start shopping now for dresses at SoWhatIf Where Attitude Outweights Everything Else.

Head Over Higher Heels

High finance isn't the only hot topic making headlines at the Wall Street Journal. WSJ scribe Teri Agins, who always keeps pulse on fashion trends, just this week spotlights the latest footwear craze: towering heels. The passion for fashion, Agins observes, reaches new heights as women race to slip on high heels that stretch to 5-inch , 6-inches or even 7-inches.

Women with wide feet need to take extra caution before following in the steps of this footwear frenzy. In addition to risking falls, sprained ankles, low back and knee pain, a wide foot actually looks bigger on a thinner heel. It's always better to balance a wide foot with a slightly wider heel. You'll still look pretty and sexy even when you wear dressy shoes with sensible and safe heels at a mere 2 3/4 -inch height.

Luxury Destination Wedding Tops $1.3 Million

Forget the world's money woes. The 2008 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book offers the still rich the chance to give the fantasy gift of nuptials sure to make family legends. The Platinum Wedding at The Resort on Pelican Hill lets the lucky couple say "I Do" overlooking the breaktaking coast of Newport Beach, California. The customized experience with 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean starts at $1.3 million for a wedding that includes:

• a personal engagement coach to take care of every detail


• couture wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses custom designed by Carolina Herrera


• 40 private ocean-view guest villas


• magical cake and perfect flowers


• private celebrity entertainment at the reception


• resort events for the bridal party


• rehearsal dinner event


• after-reception party


• gourmet breakfast the next day for family and guests.

Now, we can only hope Santa brings us an invitation to this ultimate destination wedding.

Disney's New Plus Size Wedding Dresses Debut

Sydney's Closet style experts just snagged one of the hottest invitations in the fashion industry - a chance to be there when designer for the stars Kirstie Kelly unveils a collection of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings created just for the plus size bride. The fashion show takes place Sunday, Oct. 19, at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Inside word has it that the curvy model who wears the dreamy plus size wedding dresses really looks like a Princess! Also on the runway, bridesmaids dresses in plus sizes and flower girl dresses. Check back Monday, Oct. 20 for a full report right from the runway.

Former Sydney's Closet Intern in Design Competition

Former Sydney's Closet design intern, Ai Nguyen, recently took part in a Project Runway-esque design contest held by St. Louis Post Dispatch. Nguyen, a recent graduate of the Washington University School of Design, redesigned a decade-old mother-of-the-bride dress and made it modern and fashionable. You can see Nguyen's dress and vote for your favorite design at the St. Louis Post Dispatch Web site. Please vote for Ai!

Little Black Dresses for Fall 2008 Just In

Perfect timing! New Little Black Dresses arrived today at Sydney's Closet - just in time for any special occasion on your fall calendar from cocktails to a wedding. The Little Black Dress never looked as good as these updated styles - many with sleeves! Choose from a classic double-breasted tuxedo design with ivory lapel and cuffs that add extra drama. (Plus pockets to stash stuff!) In the mood to party? Sparkle in an Empire Little Black Dress in stretchy glitter fabric with trendy banded hemline that creates a balloon skirt. Looking for a little black dress to make a wardrobe staple? Go with the flow of chiffon in an A-line black dress with flutter sleeves. Tip: Dress up or dress down your Little Black Dress by simply switch out accessories. Add a quick punch with shoes in a bold color like red.

Military Ball Dress Mania

Military Ball Gowns are flying out the door as the super busy fall social season kicks off for military families around the world. Just this week, more than a dozen dresses left Sydney's Closet in St. Louis bound for families stationed in the Pacific. And every day orders keep coming in for military ball dresses from across the U.S. and Europe! Look for deep rich colors like plum and black to swirl on the dance floor!

NEW Loralie Designer Prom Dresses for 2009

Great news! For Prom 2009 Sydney's Closet introduces Loralie Prom dresses in plus sizes. 2009 Prom dresses designed by Loralie come in all the hot colors: pink, red, purple and blue. Look for exciting designs that offer you drama, mystery and elegance you won't find from any other Designer Prom Dress. Shop 2009 Loralie plus size prom dresses in sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30. Be sure to measure carefully and check the size chart whenever you shop plus size Prom dresses!

King of Bling Visits Sydney's Closet Store in St. Louis

"The King of Bling", Jim Ball, dropped by Sydney's Closet store located in St. Louis, Missouri, today to reveal his designer collection of amazing Prom 2009 Jewelry. Jim opened treasure chests filled with sparkling bracelets and earrings made of gleaming Swarovski crystals. For Prom 2009, we snapped up oversized chandelier earrings with crystals in bright colors to match 2009 Prom dresses on their way. For extra details that dazzle, slip on his rhinestone bracelets that twist around your wrist several times or snap a hair clip to any Prom Hairstyle especially Prom Up Dos. Best of all, you don't have to go to Prom 2009 to wear jewelry designs by Jim Ball. Just pair them with dressy dresses from Sydney's Closet and you're guaranted to look glam when you dress up for any special occasion.

First Look at 2009 Prom Dresses

Boarding passes printed. Luggage packed (Did we take too much!?!) Tomorrow Sydney's Closet Fashion Team flies to Atlanta for First Look at 2009 Prom Dresses during a whirlwind three-day market where the best Prom dress designers debut thousands of new styles for Prom 2009.

First stop: Faviana's fabulous new showroom where we wrangled front-row seats on the half-moon runway - close enough to touch the models!

For Prom 2009, look for Faviana Prom dresses to reflect a sophisticated spirt and precision detailing that makes them super popular year after year. Best of all, Faviana's trendy plus size Prom dresses come in Sizes 14W to 24W with a super easy and flattering fit. No wonder Faviana dresses sell out so soon!

ENVIous Prom dresses

We’re leaving for Atlanta so soon, and we couldn’t be more excited. But first we wanted to give you a preview of what’s to come for Prom season 2009. Raylia Designs has announced they will be making Prom dresses this year in addition to their beautiful bridal gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses. This hot and sexy line will be called ENVI. Raylia carries sizes 2 through 28, so Prom princesses of all sizes can enjoy the new collection. Keep checking back for updates from the runways in Atlanta where we will be previewing this year’s Prom trends and fashions!

First Look at Prom 2009 Dresses Coming Soon

Hard to believe but in exactly one month from today The Fashion Team from Sydney's Closet arrives in Atlanta to get a Firsthand Look at 2009 Prom Dresses. All the top prom dress designers will be on the runway at the America's Mart unveiling the best ever dresses for
Prom 2009. Watch for hot plus size Prom dress collections from Faviana, Flirt by Maggie Sottero and Alyce Designs. Attention Prom Fashionistas: Starting August 16, 2008 check here for Prom postings from Atlanta so you get the scoop on hot trends for Prom 2009!

Check out Jenny Kessler Plus Size Model

Plus size model Jenny Kessler, a favorite friend of Sydney's Closet, shows off her amazing curves posing in a red hot swimsuit for the latest issue of Venus Divas Magazine. Congrats to Jenny and New York based-photographer DLo Brown for capturing Jenny's beauty through the lense.

Prom 2009 Dresses About to Debut

It's hard to believe but designers are about to give Sydney's Closet a first peek at 2009 Prom dresses with memories of 2008 Prom dresses still hot! Atlanta in August will be the first stop on the Prom 2009 dress tour as Sydney, the Prom Pro, checks out collections from top designers including Night Moves. Everyone loved Night Moves 2008 Prom dresses, especially the taffeta ball gowns. They flew out the door! Sydney predicts Night Moves will be just as hot for Prom 2009.

Tips on Being A Plus Size Model at Sydney's Closet

Tune into Plus Model Radio to hear the hostess with the mostess curves Chenese Lewis interview Phyllis Brasch Librach, president and founder of Sydney's Closet. Phyllis shares tips on how you can audition to model amazing dresses on SydneysCloset.com and tells the audience the story of how Sydney's Closet got started.

Thanks to Chenese for inviting Phyllis to be a guest on Plus Model Radio, the voice of Plus Model Magazine, dedicated to celebrating and inspiring plus size fashion and plus size model industry.

Congrats to the Grads

Congratulations to our fashion interns, Chelsea Murphy and Ai Nuygen, who earned their degrees in fashion from Washington University in St. Louis last week. We'll miss the super talented designers who got us a head start designing 2009 Prom dresses from fairy-tale ball gowns to body-hugging mermaid styles to just plain cute prom dresses. Look for the 2009 prom dresses to be part of our expanding Sydney's Closet Exclusives collection.

Ai goes to work this summer an intern for a St. Louis company that creates custom swimwear to fit your body. Chelsea is already interviewing at a St. Louis shoe company. Watch for each of them to go onto fabulously successful careers in fashion. Best of luck girls and keep connected!

Wedding Guide for Plus Size Brides Hot off the Press

Thanks to Chamein Canton for acknowledging Sydney's Closet as a top retailer for plus size wedding dresses in her new book "Down That Aisle in Style! A Wedding Guide for Full-Figured Women" Chamein weaves her considerable experience in the wedding industry to help curvy brides look and feel their best on their wedding day.

Sydney's Closet Prom Dress Seen on Tyra Banks Show

Did you see Galaxy, the best-selling short Prom dress from Sydney's Closet on today's Tyra Banks show? Super stylists from PromSpot.com dressed a lucky Prom Queen in the lilac lace cocktail dress with matching shrug for her t.v. debut. "The color is perfect", her beaming mother told the millions watching the Prom makeover show.

The Prom Queen from Connecticut, president of her senior class, wanted to skip Prom 2008 after a fashion diaster last year. "I looked like a big hot mess," she said. This year she went shopping with her Dad but found nothing to flatter her curves. "I love my legs but I wanted to hide the stretch marks on my arms." When Tyra asked her what she thought of Sydney's Closet dress, she smiled: "It's beautiful". Check back soon for pictures of the class president looking "fierce" on the Tyra Banks Show wearing a 2008 Prom dress designed exclusively for Sydney's Closet.

Most Wanted 2008 Prom Dresses

It's Prom Crazy at Sydney's Closet. Check out the Most Wanted 2008 Prom Dresses:

1) Mystery 5775 by Mori Lee: super sexy halter with high slit
2) Renee 5726W by Night Moves: rich taffeta ball gown for dancing all night
3) Escapades SC6014 by Sydney's Closet: Cinderella style ball gown for the Prom Princess
4) Galaxy SC6018 by Sydney's Closet: short sassy lace dress with matching jacket
5) Lynna F9140 by Faviana: celebrity inspired dress with beaded bodice for red-carpet look

Prom isn't over yet! Check back soon to see which dresses make the next list!

Reigning Royalty on the Runway

Congratulations to all the Glam Gals crowned winners at the recent American Beauties Plus Pageant held recently in Atlanta. As always, Angela Howell, the talented and beautiful Pageant Director, staged an exceptional event. Sydney's Closet is proud to be a sponsor of the pageant. And we're touched by the super sweet and thoughtful "Thank You" note from the gorgeous Yureka Lawrence, winner of the Miss American Beauties Plus title.

Yureka writes: "Thanks so much for your contribution to the 2008 American Beauties Plus Pageant. The nail files and garment bags were beautiful and will come in handy throughout the year! It is because of comapnies such as yours we are able to receive so many awesome prices. You are truly appreciated"

Academy Award Dress Winners: Ladies in Red

Bravo to the Hollywood stars bold enough to stand out at last night's 80th annual Academy Awards wearing RED on the red-carpet.

Miley Cyrus earns an ovation for the bright red evening gown with cap sleeves. Watch for that design to inspire look-alike designs at a fraction of the price of the evening gown Valentino created for Cyrus.
Helen Mirren, always a portrait of grace and elegance, takes a bow for her choice of a crimson square neckline satin gown with silver sleeves which we can only guess are made of lace and beads.

Ann Hathaway steals the show in a Marchesa gown with sash of red rosettes.

Heida Klum takes a curtain call for her very full volune dress by Galliano that is being aunctioned off to raise money for women and heart disease.

Looking for a special occasion dress for that red-carpet dress in your life? Click here!

Remember: If red isn't your color, you can look regal and royal in other jewel tones like amyethst or twlight.

What was your favorite dress at the Oscars?

Let us know who you liked best and why in the comments and if we use your comments in our next post, we'll send you a Sydney's Closet gift certificate good for $25 off your next purchase!

Weekend Mailbag: Happy Customer Share Shopping experience!

We love to share the amazing Fan Mail loyal Sydney's Closet customers like yourself send us all the time. After all, you're the reason we're passionate about Sizing Up Glamour so you can look gorgeous when you dress up to celebrate the special occasions in your life!

Here's just a few blurbs from this weekend's mail bag:

"Thank you so much for making our prom shopping a wonderful experience. This was my 6th time dress shopping, I have three daughters, and by far the best. Megan is very excited about her dress. We were able to find shoes and jewelry the same day! I will try to remember to send you photos in April. Thank you for your kind, friendly, personal, professional business!" - T.H. from Minnesota

"Just wanted to let you know that the Dreamgirls dress is absolutely gorgeous. I read the reason you started your company. And, hey, as one of those plus sized teenagers that is now over 40, I wish Sydney's closet had been open when I was a teen. Life would have been a lot simpler. Thanks." -D.R.

Got a similar experience shopping with Sydney's Closet?... let us know about it. If we publish your Happy cCstomer story, you get a $25 gift certificate good towards a future purchase!

Read more Happy Customer fanmail here.

Plus Size Glamour at the SAG Awards Brought to You by Sydney's Closet

Yes! You really did see a drop-dead plus size dress from Sydney's Closet on the red carpet Sunday night if you were lucky enough to catch E Entertainment's "Curvy Couture" pre-show fun at the SAG awards.



None other than Jay Manuel (you know the super popular judge and stylist from America's Next Top Model) selected Sea Goddess from Sydney's Closet Exclusive collection to show zillions of viewers worldwide how all you real women can work you curves for special red-carpet moments in your lives. Jay loves the ruching on the bodice of Sea Goddess as the right-now detail to fit and flatter full-figure gals. And Sydney's Closet loves strolling the star-studded red carpet with Hollywood's most glam celebs. Hello Hollywood!

Best Ever Trunk Show Kicks Off 2008 Prom Dress Shopping

Monday was a madhouse at Sydney's Closet store in suburban St. Louis!

The first customer arrived an hour before we officially opened for the Trunk Show of 2008 Designer Prom dresses by Alyce Designs. But of course we let her and her mother in to try on ball gowns and sexy red-carpet dresses. The stream of shoppers never stopped for a minute!!!! With school out Monday for Martin Luther King's birthday, girls (along with their Moms, aunts, sisters and friends)drove from as far as Farmington, Mo and Belleville, IL to be part of the official kick off of Prom 2008 dress shopping. We loved seeing customers return after buying their Junior Prom dress at Sydney's Closet. When the last customer left, long after we officially closed, Sydney the Prom Pro, sized up several strong trends based on which 2008 Prom dresses customers took home:

• Gem of an Idea: watch for rich jewel tones to be hot!


• Pleats Please: tiny folds of fabric with the classic look inspired by Grecian Goddesses!


• Hello Hollywood: red-carpet dresses inspired by what celebrities wear!


• Poof You're a Princess: ball gowns fit for a fairy-tale will be big!

Thanks to everyone who made our Trunk Show such an enormous success and please don't forget to send pictures of you looking glam at Prom 2008!

Mother of the Bride Dresses Mother of the Groom Spring 2008

Congratulations to all the mothers of the bride and mothers of the groom whose sons and daughter got engaged over the holidays! So many of you have emailed, called and come to our shop in St. Louis. We love Sizing Up Glamour for customers shopping for Mother of the Bride dresses and Mother of the Groom dresses! We're seeing a strong interest in dresses with jackets and dresses in soft colors: champagne, sky blue and primrose. Just today Arlene, a very Happy Customer whose daughter ties the knot this summer in St. Louis, bought "Portrait of Love", a mother of the bride dress with a very flattering - and dramatic - portrait collar. Arlene searched all over St. Louis and online until she discovered our collection of plus size mother of the bride dresses and mother of the groom dresses in stock. She selected a gorgeous gown by the very popular designer Jordan Fashions. Now she can't wait to dance at her daughter's wedding. And we can't wait to see the pictures of her looking elegant and stunning on one of the most special days in her life!!!

New Plus Size Dresses Arriving Every Day

There's never been so many choices of plus size dresses at Sydney's Closet. Everyday more boxes of beautiful dresses in plus sizes arrive. The closet is bursting with styles to flatter every curvy woman's figure and fit her lifestyle. Just today, the Fashion Team unboxed another addition to the our new - and growing - collection of Designer Prom Dresses with the arrival of Faviana 9160, an amazing satin A-line with a beaded bodice. The Sky Blue color is perfect for Spring! There's no questions this plus size dress we call "Jillian" is going to be a bestseller!

Come to A Trunk Show Unveiling Designer Plus Size Prom Dresses

You're invited to a FREE Trunk Show Monday, January 21, 2008 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Sydney's Closet in suburban St. Louis to see the entire collection of Plus Size Prom Dresses created by award-winning Alyce Designs. Sydney's Closet is sooo proud to be the first prom dress store in the U.S. selected to stage a Trunk Show featuring the Designer Plus Size Prom Dresses by Alyce. Check out sexy beaded halter dresses, fairy-tale ball gowns and A-line dresses that look Amazing on everyone. So if you live anywhere within driving distance, hop in the car with your friends and head over to Sydney's Closet, 11840 Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights, MO. We're just about 18 northwest of The Arch. The Fashion Team plans on making it a real party with refreshments, goody bags and a chance to WIN a prom dress plus you get a one-on-one with a dress up consultant who can tell you What Not To Wear to Prom 2008!
Remember, you don't even have to cut classes. School's out Monday, January 21st for Martin Luther King's Birthday!!! So it's a perfect day to kick off Prom dress shopping. Need directions? Call 314-344-5066. See you next Monday!

CosmoGirl Prom 2008 Editors Pick Two Dresses at Sydney's Closet

Too cool! Thanks to the fabulous Fashion Editors at Cosmo Girl Prom 2008 for including not one but two hot A-line dresses from Sydney's Closet in their big story on frocks to flatter full figure teens. First editors pick: an ice blue satin slip prom dress Sydney calls "Shock Value" by Calito Dress Company in sizes 0 to 44. Second pick: Lookin' Good, a black and magenta silk ombre prom gown with beading (also in a dreamy turquoise and black) by Aurora Formals to fit sizes 14 to 32. Early indications point to both prom dresses will be bestsellers for Prom 2008 so shop early!

Sydney's Closet Sponsors Beauty Pageant

We just had to say "Yes!" when our dear friend and femme fatale Angela Howell asked Sydney's Closet to sponsor - again - the American Beauties Plus Pageant next month in Georgia. As pageant director, Angela serves as a great role model wearing more beauty crowns than you can count on my hand including the Ms. Georgia Glassic Beauty 2007. The Gov. of Georgia also personally presented Angela with the award for the 2005 Georgia Volunteer of the Year Award for the amazing work she does for charities. This year's American Beauties Plus Pageant takes place February 8 through 10 at the Holiday Inn Select Atlanta Airport South in Atlanta. Contestants will be judged on a five-minute personal intervew, modeling dressy sportswear and formal evening gowns plus their on-stage personality. Check back here for photos of contestants looking very glam on - and off - the runway. Best of luck to everyone competing in the plus size beauty pageant!