There’s a great boutique in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood called Flock that specializes in unique clothing items by Canadian designers. I love to stop by when I’m in the area to browse the racks and get some inspiration. The sad truth, however, is that the brands they carry don’t do plus size. If you’re reading this and you consider yourself plus-size, then you know how hard it is to find beautifully made clothes that fit your body. Shopping at a boutique like Flock can be an exercise in feeling left out, and I usually assume that a straight-size brand is just not going to make anything that fits me. Depending on the make and fabric however, some designs do work on my body. Local Ottawa brand Tangente, which I discovered at Flock, fits the bill. I saw this dress on the rack and since the sizing went up to an XXL, I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, the XXL was actually too big and I had to size down to the XL.
I was impressed to find a brand that had extended sizing, and so I reached out to Cathy, owner and designer of Tangente, to ask her about it. She told me that this is the first season that she offered her designs in XXL and the extended sizing has been so successful that she plans to offer her fall collection in the same size range. A win for size inclusivity! Designers, take note: there are a lot of ladies out there who will proudly wear your designs if you give us the chance.
This particular style is called the Faye dress. It comes in a few colours, but this marigold shade immediately caught my eye. I’ve been drawn to brighter, lighter colours lately, especially now that the weather here in Ottawa has gotten hotter.
The dress is made from a light jersey fabric that feels like pyjamas. It has pockets, which I love, and the skirt falls in a unique way that is extremely flattering. It has a little more volume in the hips and falls in a bell shape to the knee, flowing beautifully over the body.
My favourite detail is the knotted waist. It’s not a full belt; the extra fabric is attached at either side of the dress and drawn in at the front for a put-together look.
This dress is of beautiful quality, and the design is timeless enough that I can see myself wearing it for many years. I’m proud to support a local business that is producing their clothing locally and ethically. And I’m very happy to hear that the extended sizing is here to stay. Well done Tangente!
Have a great week! – Annette