Tipton designs for the 20- or 30-something woman who is a “chic rocker.” Her styles feature bold colors and patterns. The size chart on her website indicates that her line runs from size 10-12 to size 30-32 (6X).

Tipton designed her first plus-size collection in college, and says she wants to be “America’s best plus-sized designer.”

Project Runway premieres August 6, 2015 on Lifetime. Here’s a Project Runway tour of Tipton’s home studio.

Yet most of us don’t see ourselves in sheer tops with no bra, pasties can be uncomfortable and the feathers from boas can make cutting into a dinner steak quite challenging. Why, then, are these shows so popular? What keeps us watching? The translation to “real” clothes! For, down the road, you will see those trends again in your local boutique and favorite online or catalog retailer.

Few women can walk from runway to real life. A plain bra under a business jacket may look fantastic in a show, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an employer who would deem the look appropriate. It’s a great option for after work, however, so you can always be a wild woman underneath your high-button career wear.

But the vision of great designers can be translated into fashions that today’s woman would feel comfortable wearing. The most edgy of fashions trickle down to appear even in children’s clothing, so there is no reason not to try the new trend that appeals to you when it lands in the women’s line at your local department store.

Fringe makes an appearance from time to time, but not many women can wear the amount of fringe that most designers display. Some plus-size designers, however, may provide an elegant use of fringe and brocade in a dress that can take you to the theater or on that special date.

Animal prints come and go, and maybe you’re not ready to wear tight snakeskin pants. (If you are, more power to you – have a marvelous time!) Even if the python pants are over the top, you can still incorporate an animal print trend into your wardrobe. Snakeskin shoes are a great option, or perhaps a zebra belt will add a little pizzazz to that pair of slacks. If you still aren’t sure, but you’d love to dabble on the wild side, try some animal print panties or bras…then only show them when you’re in a daring mood.

Sometimes a fashion trend can be downright dangerous. Tall pointed shoes are may be the rage, but can you really wear them without pain or injury? Fashion doesn’t have to hurt – find the same look in a lower style and you’ll dance all night and look great too!

Every season, you’ll notice some great leathers. Leather is great on nearly everyone, as it disguises much and accentuates our finest points. The latest versions are more than cowhide and a bit of tanning. Cutouts draw attention to your lovely legs, or peak out at the breast line. Colors like pink, orange, purple and gold will scream into the night…even for the shyest girl. If you’re not into the shortest leather skirt, don’t despair. They may be short on the runway for the “wow” effect, but plus-size designers might provide a great calf-length version that is sure to get you noticed, either as a suit, or wearing just one piece at a time.

I’m often asked by women, “What should I wear?” My answer to each of you is this: Look at the great fashions shown in the fashion shows. If you’re in an adventurous mood, try something a bit more extreme, perhaps in small quantities. Have a great time with hats, with heels, with accessories. Never believe that the only way to wear an outfit is the way it’s pictured in a magazine. Take what you like, incorporate it into your personal vision, and move on. Find those pieces that you simply must have (and find a few designers whose work you love), then use those as the basis to build your wardrobe. Never settle for a less than a perfect fit. Never settle, period. If you love a piece in blue but the blue is sold out, find another design altogether. If you’re short (can we talk?) buy petites and expect them to be cut proportionately for your body. If you’re tall, don’t settle for a long pant at calf length – unless it is meant to be a Capri. Don’t squeeze into a size that is too small – it’s never flattering. You’ll find that when your curves are softly covered without binding or puling, you’ll be at your pinnacle and look your best.

Tell your favorite stores to stock what you want. And if you can’t tell what the fashions look like because a company puts its plus fashions on size 8 models, vote with your money and move on. Fashion is not about following the crowd – it’s about creating your own image and feeling wonderful about yourself.

Watch the runway…envision not only the fabric and singular manifestation of a concept, but where you could take a concept you love and carve out your own personalized style. Stylist Phillip Bloch, in his book Elements of Style, quotes designer Isaac Mizrahi as saying “Style is when a person does what he pleases – that’s all it is. And if he looks bizarre? Well, who’s to say what bizarre is?”

So please yourself. Make fashion your own.

• To maintain shape, always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers, use shoetrees in footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue
• To prevent drying, never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers
• Allow wet or damp leather to air dry, away from any heat source
• Promptly remove any salt deposits from garments and footwear by sponging with clear water, then allow to air dry
• Don’t use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that impair a garment’s ability to breathe
• Wrinkles should hang out, but if you’re going to iron, use a rayon setting, heavy brown paper as a pressing cloth on the right side of the garment, and go over it quickly to prevent overheating and shine
• Don’t spray perfume or hair spray while wearing your garment; wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar
• When needed, take your garment to a professional leather cleaner
• Because the color and texture may change slightly during the cleaning process, have matching pieces of a garment cleaned at the same time

• Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
• Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
• Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet changes as you grow older.
• Have both feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Fit to the largest foot.
• Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (3/8″ to 1/2″) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
• Don’t buy shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to “stretch” to fit.
• Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slippage.
• Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right. (Fashionable shoes can be comfortable!)

We can learn how to develop our own remarkable personal style by taking a look at the history of fashion accessories from the 1920s through the 1950s. Through collecting and wearing vintage accessories, many women across the country are finding a way to rise above the masses and garner compliments that leave others standing in their wake. They incorporate vintage jewelry, purses, buttons and other classic items into contemporary wardrobes for looks that are all their own.

Anne Morrissey, a 5’3″ collector from Uxbridge, Mass., says searching out vintage pieces is worth the time and trouble. To her, accessorizing vintage-style means “expressing myself in a way that’s witty and fun.” She remarks, “It’s like a little secret that I want others to know about.”

Unlocking the secret of vintage accessories often means experimenting with various pieces from different eras to find the look or looks that make you feel your best. Some women prefer to stick to one particular mode, such as tailored styles from the ’40s. “I think I just like the era in general; the clean lines are very stylish,” says Sara Peth, a sales consultant living in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Others have more eclectic taste and amass a varied collection of accessories to suit their day-to-day moods. Pat Seal, an antique dealer in Joshua, Texas, considers “vintage costume jewelry to be a work of art” and wears everything from a striking Victorian gold-filled lion’s head bracelet to the glitziest rhinestone pins from the ’50s. With cropped silver hair framing her face, Seal mixes and matches her jewelry infinitely to color coordinate with her casual wardrobe.

Any wardrobe or lifestyle, even the most casual, can be given a little pick-me-up with vintage flair. Part of the fun comes with finding an eclectic mix that suits your personality, a process that doesn’t have to be complicated. Deb Schneider, a webmaster residing in Columbus, Ohio, whose baby blues would make even Paul Newman blush, admits, “I’m very down to earth and practical. I don’t pay much attention to being ‘just so.’ I just pick out what suits my mood and put it on.”

Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression

For a quaint, romantic flavor, the accessory styles from the 1920s and 1930s can provide just the needed touch. Ranging from dainty to borderline-flamboyant, but always exuding feminine charm, almost everyone can find something from this era to compliment their contemporary wardrobe.

The purses of this era were often flapper-style and, in the ’20s, were made with tiny seed beads and ornate fringe or delicate metal mesh, moving toward heavier meshes and fabric pouches in the ’30s. The jewelry ranged from long strands of colorful beads to crystal “Y” necklaces that have been copied, manufactured and sold widely during the past few years. Today’s longer flowing dresses or funky simple styles can both benefit from the tender touch of an accessory from these early years.

Many women prefer ’20s and ’30s accessories because of their versatility. Bee Gee McBride, antiques storeowner in Port Aransas, Texas believes that they “didn’t take their accessories quite so seriously” back then. When she’s wearing her Bakelite, a phenolic plastic also known as Catalin that hit peak production around 1930, it’s nothing but fun.

Because the bangle bracelets made from Bakelite were produced in such a wide variety of colors, “you can stretch a small wardrobe because of all the combinations you can put together,” says McBride. The brooches were often carved into wonderful figural shapes such as animals, fruit and flowers and are very popular as an accessory for casualwear – everything from skirts and sandals to jeans and T-shirts – but can brighten up a suit jacket just as easily when the time is right. These hot collectibles, originally sold in dime stores during the Depression era for next to nothing, are now all the rage.

Art Deco also influenced accessories from this era, and adorns all types of items. Deco designs on painted mesh handbags with chain handles and colorful geometric designs can be worn to complement almost any cocktail dress and look great for semi-formal occasions. Cloche hats with funky designs are also fashionable and fun.

Leigh Leshner, an independent producer in Los Angeles, finds herself wearing the biggest rhinestone Deco-styled pins she can locate. “I like ’em big,” she laughs, her curly red hair bouncing. “They tend to bring the eye up to where you want the attention.” These brooches were produced from pot metal, a base metal with no plating, and usually have brilliant, eye-catching stones. Wearing them with absolutely everything, Leshner’s even been known to dress up a sweatsuit with one of her killer brooches.

Wartime ’40s

In contrast, the sleek ’40s styles, known for tailored suits, hold appeal for many confident women, who consider this to be the high style period in costume jewelry history as well. Due to the elegance and sophistication integrated into the objects, these designs were perfect for the clothes of the time, and still look great on jackets, sweaters and dressy blouses. The period during WWII saw many pieces of costume jewelry produced in sterling silver because other metals were being utilized in the war effort.

Other accessories from this era include genuine fur stoles, capes and collars that can be worn with evening attire or to dress up a plain sweater or coat for daywear. Most women who wear vintage items wouldn’t buy a new fur, but find recycling an old one to be perfectly acceptable. “It’s a part of history and I think other women should enjoy them like I do,” store owner McBride says confidently.

Purse styles from the ’40s often incorporate clean lines, such as envelope or clutch styles made from heavy crochet and corded fabrics. These durable bags look great with upscale business attire. Hats from this decade, often larger with wider brims, can make a real statement with a dinner suit or even a sundress for a dressy casual affair.

Rock ‘n Roll ’50s

Moving on to the ’50s for inspiration, fabulous flashy items now find a place in many women’s wardrobes. Susan Kern, 49, a rehab counselor in Bozeman, Mont., whose thick wavy hair often draws looks of envy, finds these accessories appealing “because they’re usually bolder than those from other eras. I really like the shininess and glitz.” She reveals, “I even wear rhinestone jewelry with my jeans and cowboy boots. They don’t usually notice the jeans and boots anymore, but they always notice the jewelry.”

Beyond costume jewelry, rhinestones decorated almost everything the ’50s had to offer, from compacts to shoes and handbags. Some of the greatest fun with vintage purses comes in the form of plastic box bags made from Lucite, a popular hard plastic. Many of these purses were decorated with attractive carvings and large shiny, clear stones and come in a wide variety of shapes to suit any taste. As a bonus, the colors are usually neutral enough to match almost anything.

Faux animal prints were also popular during the ’50s and coordinate nicely with current clothing and similar contemporary accessory designs. Hats, purses, shoes and scarves all bore animal prints during this time, and today we see history repeating itself.

Baubles & BBWs

Although most women have nothing but fun with vintage items, there can be a few challenges in making jewelry work for the ample physique. Yet clever plus-size women always learn to work around these obstacles.

While many vintage necklaces are choker-style and do not fit a larger neck, many women use chain extensions on their favorite pieces rather than miss the chance to enjoy them. Rhinestone extensions that add about 1 1/2″ to a necklace can be purchased at many bridal shops.

Where fuller hands and wrists are the concern, the bracelets produced in the 1950s are not only bold and beautiful, but they are larger as well. For women who have hands that don’t always cooperate when slipping bangles on and off, store owner McBride suggests using a leg cut from a pair of pantyhose or a silk scarf to ease this task. She keeps one of these useful tools in her jewelry box at all times.

Since most vintage clothing and shoes rarely fit today’s fuller body types, many women who desire the vintage look add older touches to clothing they purchase from traditional resources. Sales consultant Peth advises, “Don’t overlook vintage trims. You can decorate a plain sweater and get a vintage look that fits. ” Many collectors shop thrift stores for vintage clothing in all sizes and conditions to utilize interesting buttons, lace collars and other salvaged items to spice up their wardrobes. Plain pumps can be given a lift by adding a vintage shoe clip. These clever accessories were made for many years and can still be purchased fairly inexpensively.

Where to Look

To the woman who has great ideas on how to use vintage accessories, but asks where to find them, silver-haired antique dealer Seal exclaims, “Everywhere!”

The first place to do a little “shopping” is in your own home. Check your dresser, closet and jewelry chest. Perhaps a relative or friend has given you an older item that you’ve forgotten about over the years. Look at it with a fresh eye, to see if there might be a way to incorporate it into your wardrobe.
Next, sit down at your computer and do a little online browsing. Any good online search engine will yield numerous resources to peruse at your leisure. Many women find this to be the preferable way to uncover vintage items. When someone asks about her favorite way to shop, webmaster Schneider replies, “Online by far. It’s convenient and you can see a lot without a lot of travel.”
Outside your home, the possibilities for shopping are virtually endless. There are antique shops and malls, shows, flea markets, estate and garage sales, and thrift stores to scavenge for wardrobe-boosting treasures.

For beginning accessory buyers, attending shows often provides the opportunity to get hands-on knowledge and personal service from the exhibiting dealers.
For others, the adventure of tracking down a dusty prize takes them to flea markets and tag sales. “I’m a scrounger, ” admits Anne Morrissey. “I work a high-powered job all week and like to flea on the weekends. It’s the ‘thrill of the hunt’ thing.” Producer Leshner says that she shops everywhere, but loves “estate sales and flea markets. You never know what you can find, so it’s always a surprise!”

Rehab counselor Kern even places advertisements in local publications and buys from individuals with collections of jewelry and other vintage items to sell. “The people that call me from the ads have cool stories to go along with the items I buy from them,” she remarks. “People tend to want their things to go to someone who likes and will appreciate them.”

Beyond the wardrobe lifts and thrill of the hunt, there are actually other benefits to wearing vintage items.

“It’s a good ice breaker,” says redhead Leshner. She finds that people will often comment on her jewelry in business and social situations thereby making the transition to other topics go very smoothly. Deb Schneider agrees, noting, “People are always checking out what I’m wearing. Whether at work or when I’m out antiquing or shopping, it’s a real conversation starter.”

The possibilities are endless in the vintage world, and so are the compliments. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get vintage, get style and get noticed!

Delve Deeper

Vintage Sleuthing

• If an item isn’t in particularly good condition or your size, look at individual components rather than the garment as a whole. Can you use the buttons on another blouse or coat? Can the lace collar be removed and re-attached? Think in terms of reusing older items whenever possible.
• Get to know sellers in your area or online so they can contact you when things that perfectly suit your style become available for sale.
• Don’t overlook vintage trims and beads that are often bagged and sold separately at shops and shows. These can be used to decorate plain clothing and purses without spending a lot of cash.
• Check the condition of pieces closely, both inside and out, before purchasing an expensive item. Most antique shops and malls do not allow returns.
• Ask pertinent questions about age, condition and color when shopping online. It’s often difficult to access these factors from a picture on a computer screen. Also, be sure that online sellers allow returns in case you are disappointed in the quality, color or size when you receive an item.
• Carry an old silk scarf in your handbag to help you slide bangle bracelets on and off easily while shopping.
• Utilize sellers at shows as a learning resource. Look at different items and ask questions about them to learn more about specific styles and the way items were originally worn.

Books

(Click on the image to buy or learn more)

• Embroidery and other fabric embellishments are in this season, but how do make the garment wrinkle-free? Lay it right side down on a terry towel and press by using a burst of steam.
• Fashion is in the detail this spring, but how do you iron around delicate buttons? Cover and protect the button with the bowl of a spoon while pressing the surrounding fabric.
• Don’t get ruffled when trying to press gathers and frills. Iron on the inside from the outer edge toward the gathers, or hang the garment and use a vertical burst of steam.
• Pleats can be ironed to perfection if you press from the bottom, starting with the inside of the pleat and moving to the outside. You can also pin the top and bottom of pleat to the ironing board, as long as you don’t iron over the pins. To set the pleats, try a burst of steam.

Green: Alpine, Forest, Autumn Sky, Slate, Lichen, Thyme, Seafoam, Reed, Khaki Milkweed, Fatigue, Moss, Marshgrass, Willow, Hunter, Ivy, Loden, Spruce, Woodland

Red: Chili, Claret, Garnet, Merlot, Cedar, Haze, Berry, Cranberry, Candy Apple, Regatta, Cardinal

Pink: Rose Quartz, Mira Pink, Primrose

Grey: Stone, Charcoal, Heather, Mercury, Heirloom Silver, Lambsear, Cinder, Nickel, Pewter, Grey Skies, Steel, Putty

Blue: Lapis, Navy, Mineral, French Blue, Cobalt, Bohemian Blue, Bluestone, Blue Frost, Atlantic Blue, Sky, Indigo, Wedgewood, Summer Sky, Mist, Delft, Mallard, Bonus Blue, Mallard, Peacock

Purple: Lupin, Eggplant, Plum, Twilight, Larkspur, Wisteria, Amethyst, Desert Plum, Mulberry, Clamshell

Off-White: Natural, Oatmeal, Ivory, Bone, Pearl, Flax, Stone, Winter White, Camel

Brown: Mushroom, Celadon, Mulberry, Caramel, Sandstone, Straw, Walnut, Cinnamon, Cognac, Nutmeg, Cocoa, Woodberry, Mahogany, Timber, Chocolate, Mundo Tan

Yellow: Bamboo, Maize, Cornsilk, Chamois, Butter, Daffodil

Orange: Russet, Clay

Off course, if you’re still confused, you can always order Black or White…