The Myths of Dressing Plus Size

There are certain, undeniable, rules  when it comes to plus size fashion. What a plus size woman can or can't wear is often treated like a laminated set of laws that must be followed in order to avoid being chastised. We can talk about dressing for our size or shape, what fabrics or patterns to avoid, or even what styles suit us better than others, but is the real issue that we shouldn't wear these garments because, we don't think we look well, or we shouldn't wear these garments because others don't think we look well? Mull over that for a moment as I present to you some fashion no-no's and what I think about them. 

1- The Plus Size Woman Should never Wear Stripes. 

I wonder what fashion genius though to themselves that stripes caused such a grandiose optical illusion on the plus size woman. Horizontal stripes in particular get a bad rap. They will make you look wider, rounder.. Lets be real. If you have a large bottom, thighs, stomach, or even breasts, those stripes make no difference. They won't make you look longer or wider than you already are. They may bring some attention because, as you know, those who aren't plus size can not resist being drawn into the magical allure that is one bar of color placed parallel on another bar of color. Yes, it is true, that certain solid colors can have a sliming effect but its not on a grand scale. Whether you wear stripes or a solid your size does not change. A proper fitting garment should have no ill effect. 

2- Wearing Black is Slimming. 

Again, I ask, what genius said this? Black is effortless, chic, classy, and timeless. It's not Jenny Craig. It won't take 3 dress sizes off of your body if you put on a little black dress. We have spanx and other products for that. Plus certain patterns and colors can be just as sliming. It all depends on cuts. 

3- Oversized Draping Clothes Hide Fat

Take a woman who is size 2. Put her in an oversized sweater and baggy pants. Sexy right? Imagine a size 22 doing the same thing. It matters not the size, wearing clothes that are too big for your size will make you look bigger, not smaller. Plus size woman may have a few more lumps and bumps than a straight sized woman but that doesn't mean we have to compensate by draping ourselves in unflattering, figure hiding, clothes. A well fitting garment goes a long way. 

4- You Should Only Wear A-line and Pencil Skirts 

This one is beyond false. For years I saw this on various sites for clothing. It was advertised that these two styles were most flattering on a larger frame. Maybe for some shapes but not all shapes look best in these. While hour glass, pear, and rectangle, look phenomenal in these skirts, apple may not. As an apple shaped person myself, I can tell you a flowing skater skirt to hide my belly does a lot more than a pencil skirt that makes me look pregnant. It's always best to go for skirts, clothes in general, that you feel flatter you. Try on different styles and sizes. Don't let a company, magazine, or website tell you one style is for all! 

5- Plus Size Women Aren't Sexy

A blind person could tell just by touching plus size clothing that it isn't exactly quality. The industry views the plus size shopper as someone middle aged. It's a growing epidemic that children and young adults as plus size. While this is unfortunate news, many young adults find themselves wearing cheap clothing or clothing that resembles something very plain. Don't fall into the trap of believing that just because you are plus size you can't wear sexy clothes. Sites like www.torrid.com offer a wide variety of sexy styles for an affordable price. Leave the mom jeans and plain blouses for... whoever still wears mom jeans.  Let your sexy, stylish side show. 

Whatever you do, dress in what makes you happy, makes you feel sexy, and makes you comfortable and confident! 

Dorin Negrau S/S 2015 Brings Unique, Gothic, Flair to Lincoln Center

My 10-year high school reunion is next Friday. Why am I telling you this? Well I've been more than a bit nostalgic lately about my high school years and even more so after the Dorin Negrau show at Lincoln Center. To be honest, I've been mulling over the show since I saw it. 

When I was in high school, I didn't exactly fit in. I was one of the more "goth" kids. Now, I'm not talking about the lite goth culture we have now. I'm talking about the dark, shredded, spiked, leather, eccentric, goth culture that owned my later teen years. Attending underground shows in the Brooklyn rock scene.  Loud, pounding, powerful, music and dramatic fashion. The Dorin Negrau show gave me a front row seat (literally) to my youth with loud Romanian rock music and eccentric designs. 

I loved the peekaboo lace from the first look. 

We've seen a wonderful resurgence of 80's and 90's fashion done, quite a bit, more tastefully than the original decades. It really doesn't  surprise me that Dorin Negrau's gothic, Romanian styles reminded me of the late 90's, early 2000's goth culture. If all fashion is cyclical, it's about time that the goths had their moment again. 

The Dorin Negrau show didn't just feature darker looks, flowing gowns were mixed in with highly sexualized garter belts and bare breasts. Electrical tape hair accessories were placed in contrast to Romanian inspired belts and  accessories. Sequins, leather crosses on sheer tops, velvet, even lace were featured in the designs. Long, sheer maxi skirts flowed down the runaway in white, pink, and black. 

The mixture of lingerie under sheer maxi skirts paired with velvet, lace, or sequin top can be sexy and classy. 

While the show started a bit odd, a woman dancing a spiderweb type of cloth off of herself, it was anything but boring. Dorin Negrau's first show at Lincoln Center was a success and I was left wondering what was next with every garment. This type of fashion certainly isn't for everyone but if we can take away anything from this show, we should take away that pushing boundaries, combining different accessories, and channeling our inner goth might just be fun for spring 2015. 

 Adding a little goth flair with red sequin bandeau top under this flowing and elegant black dress. 

Plunging backs with Romanian accessories. 

Layers. Layers. Layers. 

Gothic style can be elegant and Dorin Negrau shows us how!

A lighter side. Boxy cuts and interesting necklines in lighter shades. 

Neon For Fall

I'd like to consider myself one that follows trends and fashion rules. Im always looking forward to whats new for the season. I do get naughty occasionally, however, and take a nod from a past season or a past trend. Trends, after all, do recycle themselves. 

  

Neon shades are typically reserved for the spring and summer season but why not incorporate them into fall? Today I paired a neon yellow, chiffon, blouse with a leather accented, knit jacket with houndstooth print pants. 

PANTS: www.rainbowshops.com

TOP: Www.moddeals.com

JACKET: Www.torrid.com

Necklace: www.bezelbox.com

By keeping my accessories minimal and matching my shoes to my shirt I believe I have managed to keep my look grounded in fall. As for the makeup I wore, I decided to go for a bright eye, minimal face, and dark fall, statement lips. 

Cosmetics details:

Eyes: primer- la base pro from Lancôme, shadows- smokey palette from NYX- white shade used all over lid and up to brow, sand shade on crease blended up to brow bone. Plum shade on outer v. ColourPop cosmetics Glowstix on lid and lower lash line. On water line- Marc Jacobs high liner gel pencil in brown out. Mascara is LaSplash cosmetics Glamour eyes volume Max and also I used Kiss lashes and adhesive. 

Face: Loreal visible lift foundation and concealer. Rimmel London BB cream in medium dark to contour. Maybelline Fit Me 220 powder to set foundation. Sculpt powder to contour from Mac cosmetics. Cream base in Diamonds from Mac cosmetics. Highlight is lightscapde, also from Mac cosmetics. 

Lips- vino pencil from Mac cosmetics and boudoir  from coloured raine lipstick. 

What do you all think about bringing trends from past seasons and mixing them in current the season? 

Zelie for She: Pink Carousel Collection

Confession: I'm a kid at heart, a kid born in the 80s. Anything pink and sparkly will immediately bring me back to my childhood were Barbie was always in princess cap sleeves, Jem ruled Saturday morning cartoons, and everything was just a bit over the top. My nostalgia went into full gear when I saw the preview shots for the new collection from Zelie for She called Pink Carousel. 

  

Pink sequins adorn many, if not, all the pieces. These are not for the girl who prefers a little black dress at a party. Body hugging dresses to flowing skater skirts, there is sure to be something to flatter any body type. 

 

Best of all, a portion of the sales will go to support breast cancer. Fashion with a cause? Sign me up! These will be available on September 12th, in extended sizes L-4X, at www.zelieforshe.com 

(All photos are from @zelieforshe Instagram) 

Venexiana by Kati Stern S/S 2015 Collection

Summer slowly ends, weather cools down, and fashion comes to New York. There is no other exciting time for a fashion loving, cosmeholic such as myself than fashion week. This year I was able to attend the Venexiana/Kati Stern show at Lincoln Center. 

If this show was any indication of the trends to come we are in luck. It was a dreamy show filled with 57 gorgeous gowns. Many gowns were adorned with  crystals and in soft pastel shades of aqua, peach, yellow, and lilac. There was a feeling of vintage elegance as the designer channeled Grace Kelly but with a modern 80s revival feel to it. Metallics were also a big part of the show with gold and silver standing out in both fabric and accent form. Of course there were a few little black dresses but they featured plunging necklines that may not impress the more conservative of style seekers. 

Kati Stern is sold in Saks Fifth Avenue, Neimen Marcus, and 

My favorite looks of the night:

Soft shades draped the models as they walked the runway. 

Channeling an era gone by with a modern twist. 

I love the use of metallics and color. 

These dresses reminded me of an elegant Jessica rabbit. 

The silver dress seemed almost sc-if inspired but still read classy while the pink dress with a branch design was quite unique. 

Kati Stern, you put on an amazing show. 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Pre-Fall

It's that beautiful time of the year where we bid adieu to the summer styles and welcome the transitional styles into the cooler weather.  Pre-fall is all about transitioning. Don't start packing up your summer wardrobe or staples just yet. A lot of what you already own will most likely work in this transitional period. Are you wondering what's trending or what you should pick up to compliment what you may already have? You've come to the right place. 

Transitional pieces:

Jumpsuits/rompers- these are some of the easiest pieces to transition. These garments saw a bit of an explosion in popularity in the spring and summer so you may already own one. You can add some tights or nylons under your rompers or use a leather jacket, moto jacket, or cardigan to pair over your jumpsuit. 

Black and white- The summer saw an unexpected trend in black and white pieces. Since these are classic staples you can effortlessly bring them into fall. If you have shorts or capris pair with an oversized sweater or layers. If you have black or white tops pair with burgundy, navy, or even brown pants or pencil skirts. 

Crochet shorts- pair with a pair of burgundy, navy, mustard, or black nylons/tights underneath. Edgy tops pair well too. 

Harem pants- tuck in a simple v neck top in any fall shade, pair with a cardigan or choose a fall pattern. 

Bikini tops and crop tops- plus size fashion got a taste of the cropped life and also we had options for bikinis this year. You can take your Bikini top or crop top and use it as a layering piece. Under a blazer, these also work well. 

Neon- neon pairs well with many of the fall pieces below. Pop of neon is great for fall but don't overdo it and don't pair with white. It will read too summer. Neon flats are also a great option. 

Floral- pair with edgy pieces  or match with fall shads. 

What should you consider picking up for fall?

Leather peices or leather accents- leather skirts, leather leggings, leather tops, leather accents, leather jackets- They can can add a lot of edge to any outfit but be feminized by pairing work neon, floral, lace, or crochet pieces. 

Knit leggings- these will keep your legs warm and transition you well into the winter months. There are some great shades and designs this season such as burgundy, charcoal, and navy, don't just stick to black! 

Patterns and shades for fall:

Houndstooth

Plaid

Lace

Black and white

Bordeaux 

Charcoal 

Purple

Royal blue

More traditional?

The most traditional staples for fall include animal prints, military styles, basic fall shades like oranges, browns, reds, nudes. Lace and leather are also on the traditional spectrum if worn in more retro ways. 

When planning your fall wardrobe remember the best rule of all- make shre to have fun! If you don't like to take risks maybe now is your chance to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. 

Want to see some of my picks;

Dresses on top: forever 21

Dress and bootie: rainbow shops 

Lace accented navy top: forever 21

Leather Skirt: forever 21

Leather bag: forever 21

Headband: forever 21

Harem pants: forever 21

Sweater: forever 21

Scarf: forever21

Lace kimono: rainbow shops 

Scarf: forever 21

Color block top: rainbow shops

Booties in oxblood: rainbow shops

Circle skirt: rainbow shops

Shirt dress: rainbow shops

Cream colored top- forever 21

Neon flats: rainbow shops

Leather skater skirt: forever 21

Floral crop top: forever 21

Crochet knit cardigan: forever 21

Neon peach dress: forever 21

Cropped leather jacket: forever 21

All of these items are from www.torrid.com

Opaque tights 

Swing dresses

Polka dot peplum shirt

Leather crop blazer

All items from www.torrid.com

Bordeaux colored hat

Lace up leather corset style heels

Red peplum style blazer

Garter belt style leggings

Military style cropped jacket

Leopard print top 

Pink dress- www.eloquii.com

Pink blazer: www.monifclarke.com

African violet crop top: www.eloquii.com

Leather midi skirt: www.eloqii.com

Crochet and chiffon top: forever 21

Long draped brown vest: forever 21

Black Harem pants: forever 21

Baroque pattern pencil skirt: forever 21

Knit harem pants: forever 21

Leather accented leggings: forever 21

Lace cut out shirt: forever 21

Leather vest: forever21