If you are a curvy woman over 40, you already know the truth: formal dress shopping isn’t just about the dress. It’s about comfort, confidence, dignity, timelines, alterations, undergarments, family expectations, and budget — all at once. Those realities rarely get talked about in glossy bridal magazines or on social media. But they show up …
More-
Real Talk: Why Formal Dress Shopping Is So Stressful for Curvy Women — and How One Mother of the Groom Found Joy Instead
-
A Holiday Reminder We All Need: Stop Talking About Women’s Bodies
I’m going to say this plainly, because the holidays bring it out every year. We have got to stop commenting on women’s bodies. Not just the negative stuff.Not just the obvious insults.All of it. “You look great!”“Did you lose weight?”“Wow, you look so different.”“You look healthy.” Most people mean well. I know that.But intention doesn’t …
More -
Why Finding the Right Outfit Feels Like Finding Yourself
At Botticelli Boutique, shopping isn’t retail — it’s therapy for the soul. Discover why women across Rhode Island call it the most confidence-boosting boutique around.
More -
👗 What to Expect at a Sample Sale (Especially If You’ve Never Been to One!)
Ever wondered what really happens at a boutique sample sale? At Botticelli Boutique in Smithfield, RI, it’s more than just markdowns — it’s your chance to find designer gowns, one-of-a-kind pieces, and plus size formalwear starting at $99. Sizes 10–30, inclusive fits, and the boutique experience you deserve — all in one unforgettable weekend.
More -
Stop Shrinking: Why Living Your Truth is the Boldest Act of Rebellion
For centuries, women have been told to make themselves small. Small in body. Small in voice. Small in ambition. Small in dreams. It’s stitched into our history like a hemline—be quiet, be agreeable, be delicate, be less. Whether whispered through “ladylike” etiquette books, shouted through 1990s diet commercials, or slipped into everyday conversations (“Do you …
More -
I Remember September 11th Like It Happened Yesterday
Like many of you, I grew up hearing my parents say, “I remember where I was when I heard John F. Kennedy was shot…” For years, those words didn’t quite resonate with me. But decades later, I find myself saying something similar, out loud, and with a lump in my throat: “I remember September 11th …
More -
When Family Hurts More Than Fashion: The Quiet Damage of Toxic Body Shaming
It was one of those long days where the coffee wasn’t strong enough and my patience was already paper-thin.
A customer walked in and asked, “Are you a plus-size store?”
I smiled and said, “Yep.”
She leaned in and whispered, “My daughter-in-law is HUGE,” and — I kid you not — she actually did the Hulk pose to prove her point.
I didn’t respond. I just turned on my heel and walked away.
Not because I was offended for me.
More
Because I was heartbroken for her daughter-in-law… and for every woman who has been reduced to her size in one casual, cutting comment. -
Where to Shop for Plus Size Mother of the Bride & Special Occasion Dresses in Rhode Island
Looking for plus-size Mother of thhttps://www.youtube.com/@BotticelliRIe Bride dresses in Rhode Island? Botticelli is your go-to boutique for elegant, size-inclusive fashion that fits and flatters. Welcome to Botticelli: Rhode Island’s favorite women-owned boutique specializing in plus-size and mid-size fashion. We help curvy women feel confident, stylish, and seen — whether you’re: What Makes Botticelli a Favorite …
More -
Effortless Summer Style: Why Mid & Plus Size Summer Dresses (L–3X) Are Your Warm-Weather MVPs
A dress is a mood you step into.” – Every stylish woman, ever. Summer is here, and that means it’s time to ditch the heavy layers, say goodbye to shapewear‑induced sweat (good riddance), and embrace the easy‑breezy magic of plus size summer dresses designed for real bodies—yes, we’re talking about sizes L through 3X. Whether you’re brunching …
More
