Pole Dancing Gear For Plus Size Women

It's a not-so-secret dream of mine to unleash my inner siren on the pole. When I first met makeup artist Azaza Rodriguez, I got so inspired how she radiated passion for pole dancing and how she disproves the notion that fat women can't do it. Her energies are simply contagious!

Up to now, I haven't acted on this desire to take up pole dancing class. Well, there are realities like proximity to my residence and/or workplace, budget constraints and practice clothes. See, looking for pole dancing gear can be a real challenge for plus size women. Since this workout paves the way for strength, flexibility and grace, any aspiring pole dancer need practice clothes that fit well, feel comfortable and look chic at the same time. If it’s too tight, you can’t move freely and, worse, get conscious of your “muffin top”. If it’s too loose, you end up showing your underwear. But we all know that most outfit brands cater to smaller cup sizes and waistlines.

When she started pole dancing, Azaza showed up in class wearing the ever staple t-shirt and cycling shorts. As she progressed in pole dancing, she decided to let go of the sleeves and pant legs for the ideal skin-to-pole contact. She then opted for sports bra from Sassa, but her chest needed maximum support during the routines.

Emee Macabales is fortunate to fit in XL-sized sports bras from local brands like Sassa, Body Mix, So-En and foreign ones like Forever21 and Nike. However, finding pole shorts or booty shorts proved to be more challenging. Most of her purchases from Coco Cabana from SM Department Store and Eskina were found by luck. Sometimes, she had to resort to high-waisted or board shorts-looking bottoms.

Both Azaza and Emee were happy to discover tankini bottoms and side-string shorts. With its adjustable strings and breathable fabric, they can execute spins, inverts and other moves with ease.

                               Azaza in action! Stellar on Broadway photo by Shane Bellare.

Singer/songwriter/plus size model Kat Lopez Cansing was glad to find this pole shorts from online shop beamaz1ng. She raves how it fits her perfectly and how it prevents the unsightly “camel toe”.

For mother-of-two Nics, she had her share of alterations for sports bra from Everlast and 168 as well as pole shorts from Body Music and Sassa for a better fit. Eventually, she had her fitness gears custom-made since she prefers her pole shorts spandex and garter-free. This may sound like an expensive option, but she finds it more satisfactory as she gets to choose the color and design. Also, she wears stirrup leg warmers to relax her leg muscles during warm-ups and conditioning.

Photos from Nics

Here's hoping fitness brands and aspiring plus size brands alike would take notice of our consideration.

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This entry appeared on ThePOC.net's Beauty & Fashion section. Check it out here. 

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Do-It-Yourself Plus Size Crop Tops

I've been obsessing about crop tops the moment I saw this and that! I think that I can pull it off, but I wasn't sure where to get one. Some of the ones I found in Forever 21 won't fit my twins and my budget. And when I finally got this crop top and matching skirt from Erzullie, I had to postpone the much-awaited world premiere until I get my dream boots customized. Nope, this does NOT count as world premiere haha!

For this assignment for POC.net, (Click it, share it!) I decided to ask for Chiara Causaren's expertise on how to create crop tops in the comfort of our own homes. Her old-shirt-noon-crop-top-ngayon posts always never fail to amaze me! Does it take a fashion designer to do it? As long as you can imagine your creation and determine how cropped and flirty it will be, you are good as a pro. Do we need to sew? It will depend on the fabric, but cottony and stretchy ones will curl up nicely even without doing so.

So, let us show you how to chop away!

Level 1: Easy!

You can make a crop top out of old leggings!

1.) Fold your leggings sideways in a flat surface. This will ensure symmetry when you're about to cut it.

2.) Cut a half-circle between the leg sleeves (pundyo) to create the neck hole. The wider the cut, the lower the neckline will be.

3.) Stretch the fabric to keep it from fraying.

4.) Try it on!

You can make a front-tie crop top from an old shirt!

1.) Mark a line on where you want to cut. You may mark a bit longer to have a room for error.

2.) Lay your shirt sideways on a flat surface.

3.) Cut the lower back part up to the line you drew before.

4.) Cut until the middle of the shirt then cut diagonally.

5.) Cut the uneven fabric into half.

6.) Flip it over and tie both ends.

7.) Wear it and flaunt those curves!

Level 2: Moderately difficult, but feasible!

You can make a crop tieback top out of an old shirt!

1.) Lay out your top sideways on a flat surface.

2.) Cut the middle of the neckline up to the bottom.

3.) Cut the lower end at the back, up to the preferred length.

4.) Use the removed part at the back as an extension in the front. Sew it together.

5.) Put it on and tie the loops at the rear!

Level 3: Difficult!

You can make a knotted crop top out of an old shirt!

1.) Cut both sides of the shirt vertically up to the preferred length.

2.) Cut tiny strands all the way up to the middle so the knot design will fall below the bust. Make sure you have strands in even number to make the knotting easy.

3.) Since the t-shirt hems typically curl up once cut, pull them to make it easier to knot.

4.) Knot the strands together in twos. Continue making knotted rows until the bottom to create diamond-shaped holes.

5.) Cut off excess fabrics.

6.) Voila! You're now ready to make heads turn!

Now you’re all set to make your own. It’s important that you take note of the following:

1.) Crop tops are for everyBODY! Whatever body frame you are in, you will look fabulous in it!

2.) If you can’t decide how much of the hem you can chop, the suggested length is about 1-2 inches from the bustline.

3.) If you realized you’ve cut more than you intended to and you’re not comfortable with the amount of skin exposure, pair your crop top with high-waisted shorts, skirts or pants.

4.) Make sure to wear good-fitting undergarments.

5.) Compliment your look with a great smile and have fun in it!

***

You think you still need more crop top inspiration? Let me leave you with other Pinay curvies who rock this look. Hot, hot, hot!

L-R: Pasha, Chiara & Nina
Pasha's photo taken from Erzullie, Chiara's & Nina's photos from their timeline and blog, respectively.

Pinay Curvies Swag Challenge: Pinay Style Icon

Once upon a time (I'm guessing 2007 or 2008), I decided to wear my latest ukay ukay purchase for the first day of second semester in graduate school. I don't recall getting any manic reactions for it. After class, I dashed to the call center I was employed at the time for another episode of graveyard stress. To my surprise, my peers greeted me with whoas and double-takes. They find my striped pants too...loose and ethnic. And so some of them started calling me Grace Nono. 

I have great respect for this woman. I'd say she's known for her musicality more than her fashion statement, more than anything. And I was actually flattered to be compared to her, if only for what I was wearing that evening. So for this month's Pinay Curvies Swag challenge, I decided to rummage for this particular article of clothing and show my constant need for comfort and bright colors. As you can probably tell here and there, I luuuurve the laidback and ethnic look! Now watch me channel Grace Nono below.

Tight top, loose silhouettes & barefoot

Accessorize!

Outfit of the Day:

Black camise (nope, it's not a tank top) from Chubbly

Wide belt from Forever 21

Striped pants from ukay ukay

Wooden choker from a shop in Camiguin

Yakan earrings from a shop in Basilan

Bracelet made by Mangyan in Mindoro

Anklet

NOTE: Yakan is the indigenous group in Basilan; Mangyan in Mindoro

Photos by Kuya Jay Arcenal

Erzullie's First Look: Holiday 2012

A good start like this truly deserves a repeat. Needless to say, I was bursting with anticipation upon receiving the previte for the new collection's launch. I immediately forwarded the email to my long-time-no-see chum Rush and never-met-before soul sistahs Mitch and Leslie and crossed my fingers that they'll be available to attend, too. Since I was unable to make new friends last time, I was determined to chat with the fierce and fun femmes during and possibly after the gathering.

The designers Aries de Guzman and Berna Cuevas were portraits of pride and gratitude as they welcomed us guests that rainy Saturday evening. Aside from Berna who presented her designs this season, Krave Minerale Cosmeceuticals and Butter's Closet were also there to promote their merchandise. Truly an open invitation for retail therapy!

Berna talks about her designs

Shopping starts NOW!

Erzullie Icon and that evening's host, Loren Mae Monares, and the cool stuff for sale*

That's me in action! 

I've mentioned about wanting my own peplum soon in this wishlist in my fanpage (Click it! Like it!) and I've been toying with the idea of having my own mullet skirt. Imagine my delight to see that Berna came up with such for this season!

Mia (Mitch's sister) tried the dark mullet skirt; I tried the lighter counterpart
Mia figured out it could also work as an asymmetrical skirt!

Look at how their peplum skirt gave us hips!

I was momentarily tempted to take home the mullet skirt, but like I mentioned in this entry, I should really turn down purple items. Also, I prefer something that is longer in the back. Something that would make me feel as if I were wearing a traje de boda. CHOS! As for the peplum, I'd really like a full dress and I'd really swoon if it were in neon pink or custard green or electric blue. Thankfully, Berna and Aries were receptive to my feedback.

Organic personal care from Krave and kikay items from Butter's Closet*

Guess who took home that night cream and ombré-dyed tassel earrings?

Aside from shopping spree, it was also about establishing bonds. It was my first time to meet Loren in the flesh. She was as bubbly and confident as I imagined. Then there's Azza who happened to be a make-up artist and pole dancer. She was encouraging me to take my daydreams to the next level. Aaaaaand there's Mitch whom I initially met through blog-hopping. I felt this rush of pride when other plus size women approached her to gush about her curls and dub her as Gabi Fresh. We were each other's "fans" and, after that night, we became supporters.

Chikahan with Berna and Mitch

L-R: Moi, blogger Monica, Berna and Mitch

With Aries de Guzman

Photo opp with Christine from Krave Minerals and sisters Maddy and Manelle of Butter’s Closet

Seksi backs!

Concluding the night with Mitch

My outfit? Oh, you've seen that before. Remember how I donned this as a kaftan in Zamboanga? I just added a wide belt to create curves, black wedges and red tote bag to complete the look. Yay or nay?

OoTD:

Black dress from ukay ukay

Big black belt from Forever 21

Black wedges from VNC

Dangling earrings from a bazaar

Red tote bag (gift)

* - Photos from Loren

The rest were photos by Mitch Leus. Check out her album here and her blog entry about this event here.
Additional effects by Winifred Layug

WORLD PREMIERE: That Purple Romper + That Purple Flats

I've been obsessing about rompers for the past months now and I finally found an eye-catching number when I least expected it - when escorting the birthday girl scour for a present for herself in Forever 21. I know I've told myself a thousand times to veer away from purple stuff as I would probably emerge as a winner in a 30-Purple-Outfits-For-30-Days challenge against Grimace. But tell me how to turn down something lovely like this dominantly-purple-with-tiny-splashes-of-pink-and-blue romper. It's beyond kikay!

Aaaaand since I failed the marshmallow test twice in this lifetime so far, I decided to debut this recent find during the bum-flattening road trip to Laiya, Batangas and uneventful stopover in the grocery this weekend. I actually imagined to pose with the Laiya shore in the background but, thanks to the onset of my period, I had to scratch out that pictorial idea. Oooops...sorry for too much info.

Loving this romper in XL!

Because one full body shot is NEVER enough!

Me and my backne tan lines from Camiguin (October 2011)

Closer!

Purple flats from Sassy Girl

Weeks before this world premiere, I really wanted my footwear to be anything BUT purple. The last thing I need to hear en route to the beach is to be called Grimace. My screaming pink flats is out. I imagined my t-strapped teal flats would be the much-needed refreshing break to the purple parade, but, to my horror, it doesn't complement my romper when I gave it a try yesterday morning. Off you go, purple flats!

At  the risk of sounding like a shameless plug, I bought this pair from my friend Valerie. She's selling these comfy flats and espadrilles for just P400 and P470, respectively. There are so many colors and designs to choose from and it truly deserves a separate blog entry so you'll understand why I had a hard time choosing which pair to take home with me.

So...how do you find this purple par-tey? Overkill or okay na okay? Let me hear it!

Today's Outfit:

Sunglasses from Forever 21

Romper from Forever 21

Recycled leather band from Clinton Aniversario

Flats from Sassy Girl

Photos by Millie Ramos.

WORLD PREMIERE: That Grecian Inspired Top and Big, Black Belt

The theatre play I unconsciously spent a quarter of my childhood preparing for has come to Manila. Seeing half of the film made me fantasize about Greece all over again, serving as my inspiration for my outfit for last night's run of Mamma Mia!

I've coached myself to cease and desist adding more purple purchases typically from ukay ukay shops but I can't say no when my friend Atong asked me to adapt this long-kept flowy sleeveless blouse in her closet. The design is too flashy and the low cut at the back is too flirtatious to turn down! It's from Debenhams in Dubai, if I'm not mistaken.

Check out the design. Lovely, isn't it?

However, it's too flowy and I can't just pair it with leggings alone. I need to create curves that won't clash with the busy design on my chest.

Curves! Coming up!


Wide and glittery that won't clash with the chest design


Big belt, big watch!


My diamond studs and Wade wristwatch

Enough with the details. Time for the big picture!

Sexy back!


The Catholic school girls...


...and the Citibank cardholder!


♫♪ I have a dream...♪♫♪

Today's Outfit:
Sleeveless top from Debenhams
Big, black belt from Forever 21
Big wristwatch from Wade
Ladies Circle leggings
Silver brogues from Fancy Flats