Fall Fashion Trends for Plus-sized Ladies

Ladies, if you're plus-size and still want to be in style for fall 2010 and beyond, read on:

I subscribe to a ton of fashion magazines, read them all too closely, and devote a lot of time browsing clothing racks and stores, and am seeing some common threads.

Here's what's hot for the womanly woman.

Exotics: I could say animal prints, but it's a bit more than that. Anything with a snakeskin, leopard, tiger or zebra pattern will be hot this year. You can answer the call of the wild with a purr or a roar. If you're feeling bold, try a coat, jacket or sweater, but if you want your wild touches in accessories, try a hat, belt, scarf, bag or some wild heels or boots. Lanebryant.com has an animal print lace trim camisole that would easily fit the bill, and Avenue.com has a number of blouses with patterns on the wild side. Even sephora.com has press-on nail color in tiger print patterns. Go wild!

Embellishments: This trend has been cool for a while, with simple T-shirts bedazzled and/or blinged out with chains and studs. Shoes and bags adorned with studs, jewels and more are a fun way to indulge in the trend. You can buy these styles or try to craft your own. September's InStyle magazine has some great, easy DIY projects, including snazzing up a plain T-shirt with gold safety pins (they did it in a circular pattern that reminds me of fireworks). Whether it's gems, pins, chains or more, the only limit is your creativity.

Jewel tones: Fall always is a more reflective time, where the drama is more subdued. No more scorching pinks and blazing yellows, but think shades of ruby, deep violet, sapphire, emerald and more. Bold knits are predicted to be hot sellers, so perhaps a sweater in a eye-catching, rich hue?

Grays: Gray hues were hot last year and they're showing no sign of slowing down. A dove gray cardigan or steely gray trousers would be just the thing for fall. A lace-trim camisole under a jacket or cardigan would be ideal (both lanebryant.com and avenue.com are selling them). A tweed blazer would be a classy touch, and a perfect neutral to counterpoint all the bold colors and embellishments.

Denim: Jeans are never out of style, but there's a resurgence in textures and colors. A lot of jean jackets are hitting the racks in varying fades, and one way fashion magazines are suggesting to wear denim is by mixing up shades and textures. Maybe a dark wash boot-leg pair of jeans paired with a bleached-out, battered jacket. Avenue.com has one. The only no-no appears to be too matchy-matchy. A bit of contrast and a bit of anarchy is more welcome.

Tailored: More tailored looks are on the horizon. A fitted blazer or a tailored jacket are ideal. Lanebryant.com has a belted military jacket that has a flattering neckline and a nice, fitted structure. The wider, bold belt emphasizes a girl's waist and adds nice lines. Avenue.com has a lovely gray, tweed blazer that's the best of two trends: Gray and structured.

Printed T-shirts and tank tops: T-shirts never go out of style, but there's always something new, and it always works well solo or under a jacket or cardigan. Sequined tank tops or ones with silk-screened chains are budget-friendly options to upgrade the wardrobe. Or think a screen-print tee with bold florals or eye-catching patterns. The sky's the limit here, and it easily will match grays and denims which are hot right now.

Lace: Lace never goes out of style, at least not underneath when it comes to pretty lingerie, but this year it's also what's outside that counts. A lacy top or a lace-trimmed camisole is an easy way to spruce up the wardrobe. Avenue.com has a lace tank-top blouse in black. It would work well layered with something simple.