October 2011 | Page 3 of 4 | Style Plus Curves - A Chicago Plus Size Fashion Blog

October 7, 2011 in Plus Size Style

OOTD: Skinny Jeans and Kimono Cardi

I’ve been waiting for the perfect day to wear this Kimono jacket from H&M! First of all…it’s from H&M! And it’s a size 12! I can’t imagine that this would look right on an actual size 12 woman…but I thought it looked super cute when I tried it on. The design reminds me of a watercolor painting…with blush, pink, mint green and dark green brushstrokes. lol. Anyway, here I am wearing it for casual Friday at work.

Kimono Cardi: H&M, Skinny Jeans: Forever 21+, Belt: Macy’s, Boots: Fergie by way of Nordstrom Rack, Jewelry: Ravensgoods, Forever 21, and beach vendor

I paired the kimono cardi with a cream tank, gold braided belt, skinny jeans, and my favorite fall boots! My jewelry is kind of jumbled, but I think it all works together…

I need some other outfit ideas for this kimono/caftan/cardigan. What would you wear this with?

October 7, 2011 in Plus Size Style

Chicago Fashion Connect October Mixer

The Chicago Fashion Connect October Mixer was held at Frontier over in the Wicker Park area. It was a great space…although walking up the steep back staircase was extremely treacherous in heels! I arrived a little late, and things were hoppin’ by then.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in was an amazing black and white dress with an asymmetrical hemline…I knew immediately that it had to be one of the Crystal B Designs! I pounced on the model (I think her name was Emily) and got a picture.

The multiple layers and lines of this dress make it visually interesting…it’s a dress you want to keep looking at–marveling at the details. Also, the form and the color-blocking are extremely slimming and can be flattering to a number of different body types. And don’t you love the cobalt blue shoes?

This is another design that is deceptively simple. The unique square sleeves and the boxy neckline draw attention up toward the face…and the neckline is the perfect depth to show cleavage, but not too provocative.

I really enjoyed speaking with this model, Sujey. She pointed out that Crystal’s designs help balance out the female body. If you have a smaller bust line and bigger hips, a dress like this one works to balance them out.

Here’s all of the models with Crystal…don’t they look gorgeous??

And of course, I had to jump in there too. 🙂

And here is Raven, the organizer of the event, with the designer and the models.

Not the best picture, but here I am as the event winds down.

Dress: Dots, Shoes: Me Too (by way of Nordstrom Rack), Jewelry: Forever 21

This event is about the designs, but it’s also about networking with other fashion-minded people in Chicago. I met two super interesting people. First, there was Tatiana…

Tatiana is a photographer who is just getting her feet wet in the industry. She was totally charming, and I plan on searching for her on Facebook at TB Photography 21.

And here was another interesting character. 🙂 Beth from Smoky Joe’s Clothing designs and makes these gorgeous smoking jackets that are all silk and velvet. They are custom made so they can be appropriate for women and men of any size! The website is still getting set up, but check out www.smokyjoesclothing.com in a few weeks to find out more about her designs.

I enjoyed meeting so many different industry professionals…and the dresses from Crystal B Designs were a great addition to the night! I hope I’ll get a chance to interview her in the future, because I’m sure her career is going to take off!

What do you think of Crystal’s Designs? Do tell!

October 4, 2011 in Plus Size Style

Frumpy to Fab with One Quick Change

Ok, I have a confession to make. I bought this leopard print top at Nordstorm Rack (or was it TJ Maxx? I can’t remember!) last year without really trying it on. When I got home, I realized that it had a lot of fabric, a weird sort of elastic waistband with a ruffle…and was really too big for me. But, I wore it anyway because I felt like it hid some of my trouble spots and camouflaged the right parts of my body. The result? Comfortable, but extremely unflattering.

So…this is how I used to wear this shirt:

Two words: FRUMP CITY!!! Although I love the print and the sequin detail, there is just too much fabric.

See how unbalanced this outfit looks? Too much on top…which overwhelms the slim bottom. There’s NO silhouette here. I just look like a giant leopard print bubble.

But…with only ONE CHANGE, this outfit goes from FRUMPY to FAB! Can you guess what that change is? Yep, I tucked in the shirt and let the pencil skirt work its magic.

Magically, I have a figure! And I feel 1000x sexier!

Instead of one big blob on top of a black stick, I have a modest, yet sexy bust line, a waist…and hips!

Oh, and did you notice my nails? I LOVE this orange color! It’s OPI “A Good Man-darin is Hard To Find”

Shirt: Nordstrom Rack (Or TJ Maxx)
Skirt: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: Forever 21 and H&M
Shoes: Vince Camuto (are you tired of seeing these yet??)

I couldn’t believe what a big difference this made! In fact, all three skirt outfits I’ve posted lately have included me tucking in my shirt. I am a total convert. Even if you’re scared, just try it!

Oh, and here’s a tip: the key to tucking shirts into skirts if you have an apple shape like mine, is to pull the waistband up higher than your natural waist, but not far enough to reach your girls. Having it sit a little higher lets the fabric hang a little out from your body–so that it doesn’t cling to any rolls that you’d rather keep hidden.

What do you think? Do you tuck your shirts into your pants/skirts? Any tips?

Have a fantastically fierce day, my lovelies!
xoxo

October 3, 2011 in Plus Size Style

Chicago Fashion Fetish Fete: What I Wore

So…I hope you’ve enjoyed all of the runway shows I’ve been posting from the Fashion Fetish Fete. But if not, you’ll be happy to know that this is the last one! I’m wrapping up the series with a few shots of me and what I wore.

I found this cobalt blue and black ruched dress at TJ Maxx, and I thought it’d be perfect for the night. I didn’t count on the reflectiveness of the fabric…which actually makes the dress look worse in pictures than it did on me. lol. It was actually quite flattering…but in some of these pics, the light reflects off of my midsection (the site of the dreaded roll). 🙁 Oh well, as long as I know it looked better in person, then I’m OK. lol

What is my leg doing in this picture??? I have no idea how it got like that!!!! hahahaahahah.

I loved meeting Christina Raddi from the Catholic Charities (the beneficiary of the event). She was fabulous!

I managed to get a pic with the hostess for the evening, Aleah Connect (from WCIU’s Fashion Express). She was very friendly…and looked gorgeous in that bright pink!

In the taxi…headed to another party. 🙂

This is a much better representation of what the dress looked like…See? Not so unflattering!

My friend Wendy made me pose for this picture. lol. I’m supposed to look cool and casual. lol. Did I pull it off?

Dress: TJ Maxx

Shrug: LucieLu

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Jewelry: Forever 21

Check out the other shows from the Fashion Fetish Fete:
Fashion For Good: Fashion Fetish Fete, part 1
blank nation apparel

Sinuous by Felicia
Modahnik
Shavonne Dorsey
Crescendo Apparel
Doolin, of Adela Red

October 3, 2011 in Plus Size Style

Chicago Fashion Fetish Fete: Doolin, of Adela Red

I’m not sure of the story behind this line, but I think the designer’s name is Jessy Doolin. The line is called Doolin, of Adela Red. Her designs are playful and sexy with a touch of innocence. I love the sassy jewelry, shoes, fans, parasols and accessories she paired with the clothes. They truly set the tone for the show…and I adore it! This is how I would dress everyday if I had the resources for it!