Wow. What a whirlwind couple of months we’ve had here at Plus HQ.
I’m so excited to announce that our Melbourne store is now open. I’m so looking forward to helping ladies, regardless of their size, look and feel beautiful. Nothing makes me more happy than to have someone walk in feeling like they are never going to find that perfect dress or outfit to wear to a special occassion, then walk out with a bag of clothing that they love and most importantly feel great in.
I have a large range of everyday wear, evening wear, hoisery, handbags, scarves & accessories. Sizes start from 14+.

Gone are the days of plus size women struggling to find the perfect piece.

Come and visit me instore at

Shop 6, 9 Dudley Street
Eltham VIC 3095.

I believe “Every body deserves to feel beautiful”

Amanda x

“Drum Roll Please”………..

Plus HQ are thrilled to announce that our first Melbourne Store will be opening very soon. We’ll be adding some new labels to our already gorgeous range and lots more stylish accessories too. Stay tuned Ladies for details on our opening night event xx

This week, I posted this on Plus HQ’s facebook page: Focus on what you like about yourself rather than what you don’t.

These kind of ‘mantras’ are a dime a dozen on the internet and we’ve all heard them a million times – particularly us ‘plus size’ lovelies. We know we’re supposed to feel this way, but is it realistic? Is it reasonable to focus on something else rather than that which jumps out at us every time we see a photo of ourselves or when we walk past reflective surfaces – I know I’m sometimes shocked by my reflection! A friend was telling me recently that when she leaves the house she takes a final look in the mirror and mostly feels pretty good about her body but then gets a shock when she sees photos of herself. She said she often doesn’t realise how much weight she has gained.
But it got us at Plus HQ to thinking about curvy women and their own self perception. Yes some of us are carrying extra weight that, in a perfect world, we would rather not. But my friend told me that for every time she has groaned at a ‘fat’ photo, she has also been told how people admire her for her style, or the way she ‘holds’ herself, or her gorgeousness.
The point we are making is that although individually, we see images of ourselves that may not be how we think we are, it is not necessarily how we are seen by others. They love our curvy bodies because it is part of who we are. They love our senses of humour, or our capacity to love, or for a thousand other reasons.
Another friend told me that her children have said to her that they’re glad their mum isn’t skinny because her body is like a cushion!
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world where a woman’s plus size body was not a measure of her value but instead was a part of the wonderful-ness of her as a womanly human being. There are places in our world where this is true, however unfortunately our culture struggles with this idea.
So Plus HQ would like to say to women, that fat or thin, tall or short, and any of the other variations in this great world, that our wish for you (and ourselves) is to focus on the wonderful parts of us. If you have amazing legs, then focus on them rather than your flat bum; if you have beautiful hands, then deck them in gorgeous costume jewellery; if you have stunning locks, then find the most beautiful hair band and celebrate that gift; if its your boobs that are the star attraction, then get the best bras you can afford and dress them up with fashion styles that show them off.
We owe it to ourselves and to those who love us to appreciate those great parts of us and to truly get on with living rather than moaning about whatever perceived fault we have.

Amanda xx

Recently the internet has been abuzz about Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and her Australian interview gone awry. An Australian reporter from the Sun-Herald asked the actress if she had any stories of inspiration as a ‘full-figured’ woman. Christina was not happy, stopped the interview and claimed that it was ‘rude’ to refer to her as full-figured.

This got us thinking. Was it rude to refer to her as full-figured? Why would such a beautiful women be offended by this? If she wasn’t ‘full-figured’, would she be asked about her body at all? What’s the problem with all of it anyway?

Obviously at Plus HQ we are all about feeling good about yourself and having confidence in what you’ve got but it does seem a little strange that plus-size women are open to comments about their body. It seems that being full-figured means that anyone can comment or discuss it as if it were a public issue. Having a body that sits outside the ‘norm’ seems to give others permission to discuss, debate and judge what we have.

Now Christina is no plus-sized girl by any means but she has a figure that is noticed and this reporter/journalist obviously felt that the topic was open for discussion. Some readers felt that Christina was justified in feeling miffed and others thought the question was reasonable. But was she at the interview to discuss her body or to discuss her acting? What do you think? Why do you think the media have such a ‘field day’ on women that are bigger than the ‘norm’ (whatever that is)?

One thing we did take from the whole on-line discussion is that judging a woman based on her body shape misses what she really has to offer. It misses that women are not just about their bodies or their faces. Women have lives, talents, abilities, families, interests, and skill outside of what shape they come in. By all means dress it up, and look your best, but don’t underestimate what else we have to offer – especially us plus size women!

Amanda xx

For the past couple of weeks I’ve had my sister staying with me. She has flown in from tropical Solomon Islands where the weather ranges from hot and humid to über hot and humid. Flying in to chilly Melbourne caused a minor fashion crisis when we opened up her suitcase to find thongs, singlets, sundresses and more thongs. It got me to thinking about my own wardrobe’s versatility. Would my clothes easily take me from Winter to Summer? Many women have separate winter and summer wardrobes, which is nice for those who can afford to do that. But what about those women who need to buy pieces that will last them all year?
Herein lies the need for a ‘trans-seasonal’ wardrobe. Basically this is a wardrobe that is made up of pieces that will take you from the beach, to the chilliest of winters. The trick is to include statement pieces that you can add layers to according to the weather.
Some of our exciting new items are the Plus HQ range of kaftans – in blazing blue, feather green and grey. Although kaftans are known for their colourful Summer style perfect for pool-side at the resort, this Spring you can style them with a body tee and ‘A Stitch in Time’ jeans and some platform sandals, or for a boost of spring colour, the Colour Me Crazy tie-dyed jeans in orange – layering to suit the variations in Spring weather. Then, when the cool of winter hits again, you can style your kaftan for ultimate winter warmth by layering with a long-sleeve body tee and maxi skirt, or business pants. For a more casual look for winter, swap the pants for black leggings and your most comfortable pair of boots. Dressing in this way will mean that one statement piece will take you from sunny Solomon Islands to pleasant Perth to chilly Canberra, you are truly making the most of your fashion choices.
By thinking of your wardrobe as trans-seasonal, you not only get value for money but you are able to wear statement pieces all year round with a slight styling change to create a completely new look.

My tropical-dwelling sister says she wishes she knew about trans-seasonal wardrobes before she packed her suitcase.

Amanda xx

What an amazing four weeks it has been since the launch of Plus HQ.

One thing’s for sure. It doesn’t matter what size we are. We all want to look great. And when you look great you feel even better. It really doesn’t take that much.

Throw on a scarf or some funky costume jewellery. Belt up a plain tee or dress your jeans up with some killer heels. Give a plain pencil skirt the WOW factor by teaming it with some sexy stockings.

Try to buy key pieces for your wardrobe that will take you from season to season and day to night.

Try our Joan Maxi dress in black.

Winter – Team it with a cute pair of boots and some sexy textured tights, an arm full of gold bangles and a chunky gold necklace. A sexy little denim jacket tops this winter maxi look off.

Spring – Wear your maxi with some bright coloured wedges, belt it up with a scarf or belt and some gorgeous jewellery.

Summer – Wear it over your swimmers with a pair of thongs. Then exchange your swimmers for your sexy lingerie, slip on some killer heels and some bling and you’re ready for a night on the town.

There you have it. One dress, four different looks. And at only $69.00. Give it a go.

Don’t save your clothes for good. Get out there and get noticed. (For the right reasons) You will feel fantastic………..

Amanda xx