Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm headed out to San Francisco for work and a little bit of play for 10 days starting Friday. I'm hoping to have time to post some finds, but I might not.

So I'm going to take a moment to rant a little bit about the state of plus size and fashion.

As we all know, NY's Fashion Week came to a close recently. I didn't keep up with it as well as I should, and historically I haven't because quite frankly, I can't wear that stuff. Not only because most of it costs as much as a down payment on a condo in Montgomery County and that it's mostly ridiculous, but because the fashion houses don't deign to include anything over a size 6 in their arsenal. Stanley Tucci said it best in The Devil Wears Prada, "Size 6 is the new 14".

The Budget Fashionista, a well respected blogger and author, had a run-in with the folks from Lycra. I also heard rumblings that the Trashionista wasn't treated very well in some instances because of what she was wearing.

While Lycra made it up to the Budget Fashionista, and being treated like dirt at Fashion Week isn't exactly news, I just think it's a sad state of affairs.

None of this is exactly news, but the reason why I'm trying to stake my little spot in the blogosphere is because I may not be a size 6, but it doesn't mean that I can't look great. It also doesn't mean I should be treated differently. That goes for any woman, no matter what.

Not a sermon. Just a thought. Or a few. Whatever.

Do we really need this crap?

I often get great websites from magazines, other websites, and other blogs. I was scoping out this scarf on a post from MightyGoods and thought I'd check out the rest of the website for American Apparel.

I almost always head straight towards the accessory section of new websites, and I found some questionable items there like the shiny stirrup tights. Who in the Christ would need these, other than those who have access to the way-back 80s machine? Of course, you might just want to look ROCKIN' like the chick in the photo. Carry on, of course.

Don't you hate it when your life savers packet falls apart in your bag? Do you have $600 burning a hole in your pocket? Well, Judith Leiber thoughtfully has this solution for you. The jeweled candy holder for your stylish, yet overpriced and superfluous, life saver emergencies. Unfortunately, it cannot turn your yellow and green life savers to red.

Another dilemma...how do you combine couture with your favorite animated characters? Tarina Tarantino has the answer to this one - Swarovski glass dipped pearls and crystal beaded stretch cuff bracelet all beautifully surrounding this Hello Kitty plate. It is a steal at $95.

If you have any...ahem, jewels...worth sharing, let's see what we didn't even know we absolutely needed!

Weekend Fashion Finds and Observations

I usually can't keep myself out of the stores over the weekend, and this one was no different. Although I was very modest in my few purchases.

Old Navy has been good to me over the last few months, so I headed over there. I think their sizes for their tops are running a little larger these days. A year ago, I was shopping almost solely in their women's plus section. In most bottoms like slacks and denim, I am still in their women's plus. But in their tops, I'm an XL rather than XXL in many cases. Granted, I've lost about 25 lbs since last year, but I'm noticing more room in their tops, which is a good thing b/c it gives us plus ladies that are sort of in between a few more options. Anyway, I ended up getting this cute striped sweater. Stripes are everywhere this season! I especially like the little flare on the sleeves. I'll be in San Francisco at the end of the week and will be hitting the women's plus section there and just a bigger store, so really, I'm just saving myself.

After a trip to Ulta, I decided to wander into Ann Taylor Loft to look at jewelry, but I ended up browsing the racks. The two most popular colors I saw everywhere I went this weekend? Black and peacock teal. Which is great news, b/c those are two of my favorite colors. I decided to try a few tops on at Ann Taylor, and guess what? Their XLs fit. I'm a size 18/20 usually, but in tops can go down to 14/16 depending on the style. The items I got were on sale, so I have no pictures but they were a peacock teal, lace trimmed cami and a deep v neck knit shirt that hits well below the waist. Can't wait to wear it.

As I do every weekend, I hit Target to pick up household stuff, but I of course look at the clothes. I did very well by Target over the spring/summer season. I scoured the racks for about 40 minutes and found next to nothing. And I got increasingly frustrated as I went. Why? The women's section was the most pathetic thing I have seen in months. Even Liz Lange (maternity) had more options, and much cuter ones than women's. They were still displaying a lot of the same sorry leftover fashions from the summer...which no one bought. The sale racks were shoved in between the 'new' racks for women, and then sandwiched in between maternity and workout clothes. I did see some cute cropped pants and went to try them on. A 20 didn't fit! Which is pretty much unheard of for me these days, when shopping in women's sizes. I have plenty of 20s from Merona and Mossimo, but today? Nope. However, I do recommend you try these on b/c they will look great with tall boots. My lone purchase, this cowl neck tank in a beautiful deep green from Mossimo (misses, not women). This picture doesn't show the green that I bought, I can't find that on the site, or the color is not represented well on the site. Also, there is a plus size option. Cowl necks are also everywhere this season. I saw at least two different cowl neck items at each store this weekend. I played with options for the cowl neck and it looks great with pants, long skirts, a trumpet skirt, trouser shorts. But since the weather is turning cooler, it needs a cover up. I got this cape cardigan one from Target. This link only shows it in grey, but they did have black at the store.

I also got a very pretty kimono sleeved jersey shirt at NY & Company (Lerner). The material is very thin, so I have to wear a tank under it, but I looooove it. I wore it yesterday with jeans, flats, and a tank underneath and I think I've found a new fool proof casual outfit for this in between season.

Torrid - nothing. Lane Bryant - nothing. Very sad state of affairs. I have a lot more to say about the state of fashion vs. plus size, but I'll save that for another day. Happy Monday everyone!

Kate Hudson's Outfit - the Plus Version

I'm a big fan of the Frugal Fashionista blog. It's a great idea, and the outfits they pick to give info on are super-cute. This post caught my eye b/c I think Kate Hudson looks fabulous. I think she looks fabulous most of the time, especially now that she might have snagged herself a Wilson brother (even if it isn't the really cute one…I think Luke Wilson would be nice arm candy…) Ahem. I digress.

I'm not sure that as a plus-size fashionista I could pull off this look (pic from Frugal Fashionista), b/c I have tried the wide belt thing and I just can't drop it like it's hot. Although, this look reminds me of a cardigan that has caught my eye at Old Navy. I noticed it a couple of weeks ago and I keep wandering back to it. I haven't seen it in store, so I don't know what it looks like on. It looks really interesting though. I have something somewhat similar in much looser knit that hits below the knee and it looks really nice. Methinks this sweater has potential. Also comes in black.

Especially if you other plus-ionistas (does that sound dumb? Probably.) can rock the wide belt, then try it. Here are the rest of the pieces, in plus versions. My denim savior is Jeanstar, which you can purchase at Macy's (formerly Hecht's, Foleys, etc). I have this pair of jeans and I worship them. The color is close to Katie H's too.
This is the closest belt I could find just doing a quick search. White tank - you can take the belt off, I believe, and I actually think it's kinda cute - might look cute under the sweater if you decide against the belt over the whole ensemble. Can't beat Frugal-Fashionista's find of those leopard flats for $17!

And just because, here's a cute new bag style from AKO, who partners with Frugal Fashionista. It's also a Fiori inspired, which obviously I'm seriously digging (see my previous post on fall bags from AKOStyle).
If you ladies have any requests to replicate outfits for plus-size, send them in. I'll do my best!

Cute + Comfy Shoes

After about the 7th compliment on my shoes Friday (about half from strangers), I figured I should post the find. I've gotten lots more compliments since I bought them a couple of weeks ago, so I'm sharing the comfort and style love. You're not limited to black either, they have lots of colors both practical and fun. They have the Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel Insert built into the sole, so I don't need to tell you how nice this is on your feet. And they are breathable. The web is putting them at $69.99. I found them at an outlet in Delaware for $55, and then my friend had 20% off. So if you're near any Naturalizer outlets, I would try there for the savings. I'm actually kicking myself for not buying another pair.

I also saw these shoes that I think are adorable for the fall. Would look great with skirts, work pants, and jeans. Also Naturalizer. I'm digging the retro touches this season.

Cute and comfy, baby, can't beat it. Check out the rest of what Naturalizer has to offer - I find that it's hit or miss but the hits are worth digging through the misses.

Bringing Sexy Back - the Little Black Dress

The Little Black Dress (LBD) has been drilled into our heads as a wardrobe staple for as long as we've been reading the fashion mags. But rarely do these spreads on the LBD include plus size options. Here's ours!

The basic wrap dress - great for work, dinner with friends in the city, even a date. I like how Igigi paired the dress with the tall boots (see the previous post on fall boots for a few options). This LBD can be dressed up a little bit with heels for a Friday night out. The best part about this LBD? It's only $67.

A more casual option, this retro black eyelet dress from Torrid. I could see it at work with a cute sweater/cardi/shrug over it and t-strap heels to complete the retro look.

The fabulous Kiyonna has a whole section devoted to LBDs, and these are my favorites. I've been eyeing this lace cocktail dress forever. Now that fall/winter is on the way, this could be worn out for a dressier evening out - you know, Butterfield 9 instead of Bennigans - and then to any sort of cocktail event/holiday party. Another one from Kiyonna is the waist tie dress. Okay, so it's not actually black, but it's still beautiful and that chocolate and magenta color combo is very flattering. Lisafashionista at the also fabulous BeautyPlusPower is a fan of Kiyonna and has posted on their pieces as well, including this dress. It's just so pretty, it warrants as many mentions as possible.

So go ahead. Get your sexy on. And not just because Justin Timberlake said so.

The Awkward In Between-Summer-and-Fall Transition

While I love fashion, there are many things about the fashion world that I can't stand. One of those things is the push by retailers into fall clothes in August, when it's still 90 degrees out. I started this post in August, and now in the first week of September, we actually have an early taste of fall with weather in the 70s. This week is a bit warmer, but the following clothes work for this in-between time.

A little bit of something summer/something fall that I purchased in August then put together that worked really well both last month and now...these great shorts from Lane Bryant. There is also the subtle pinstriped variety. Better to take a look at them in the store, but they look just as great as the solid colors. Maybe even a bit more polished. I was initially really skeptical of this look, but I tried it and it really does look chic. And paired with heels, my legs look long and more shapely.

I paired them with a kimono shirt from Target I got at the beginning of the summer season, but check out these alternatives. Try this kimono sleeved top from Old Navy Women's Plus or this one also available in regular sizes. My black one makes me look 10 lbs thinner - I'm shocked that stripes and 'thinner' go together. Or the gorgeous greenish/blue one from Kiyonna. Love that color.


And to finish off, I wore these much imitated shoes. Mine are from Payless, on sale for $20 (mine are in black though, check your local store). Or get them from Target in black patent leather or brown suede for $26.99. Not into wedges? Check out these heels, also from Payless, available in wide for $14.99, which is why I bought them. One more pair of shoes - Stella Round Toe Wedges, Xhliration by Target and so freaking cute with the shorts and with long pants. And like I said in my last post, the Black Anika boots from Torrid look awesome with the shorts. I can't wait to wear the boots with the shorts.

Bonus? These will all translate into fall either together with a jacket + patterned tights or separately with other items, like the aforementioned boots (don't need tights!). I saw a gorgeous photo of that in September's Lucky. These herringbone tights are really pretty and would look great with either of the shoes above.

Happy not-quite-fall, everyone!

Wide Calf Boots

As promised, here are some choices for those of ladies who need a little extra room.

As always, Torrid has a fairly wide selection for pretty good prices. I have found with Torrid shoes that they are not always the best quality, but if you're looking at a pair of boots that are somewhat trendy for the season, spending under $60 is a good idea. My favorites are the Black Anika Faux Suede and the Brown Katie Double Buckle Slouch Wedge. The black ones would rock a skirt, knee length or longer and the camel ones are just a gorgeous color and easier on the feet.

I am happy to report, that as a dutiful fashion blogger, I have bought the Anika Faux Suede boots in black and they in fact rock knee length skirts, a long black skirt, and the work-worthy bermuda shorts (post to follow soon - it's been in the works for awhile since blogger hasn't been letting me post pictures).

You'll notice that I'm not recommending boots with heels like this. I happen to love them, but for me, I walk kinda hard and I end up messing up these kinds of heels where the little protective end on the heel gets worn off. You can have them replaced for about $10, and as a matter of fact, I have a pair of slingbacks that I love and that I have had the little guys replaced. Please note that I am not suggesting anyone wear lavander or leopard print boots, but the style is nice and you can get them in solid colors.

Silhouettes has some great choices with prices from $60-$120, like the aforementioned pointy toed/heeled variety. Then these black ones - they're Naturalizer, so they're probably uber-comfy. Finally, these dress boots are a little more expensive at $149 but fabulously classic.

Go forth and look sexy!

Finally! Fall boots...

As a budget fashionista (in my way of course), I can't stand it when the Washington Post Express does their fashion spread each Friday and have items on there with prices that add up to the GDP of a small African nation. Today, I was shocked to see my favorite pair of boots from their feature was only $90. For high boots, that's pretty good.

Granted, they also have boots from Michael Kors and Stella McCartney that combine to be more than my monthly rent. But I think this is at least a step in the right direction. Check out their picks here, go to page 51. My favorite is number 3 (pictured). Love number 2 as well.

Wait! It gets better! Turns out the boots pictured are actually $39.50!

Only one small problem...my calves can't fit into any of these boots. I didn't seek out high boots last fall/winter, but this year I think I will. So more to come for those of us who need a little extra room. But here's something for the rest of you. Hey, I did say it was fashion for ALL. And boots like this for $40 is always worth a post!