I bought this dress 2 years ago at Ross Dress for Less, and have never worn it! It was ridiculously cheap (like $12), and I thought it would be fine to throw on for a low-key day at the office. However, when I put it on, I realized it was just a bad buy. It was too thin, too short, and too busty-mcbusterson. It actually doesn’t look that bad in pictures, but y’all know what a cheap dress feels like, and how you feel in it.
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| The weird waistband hit right under my girls, and it kept riding up when I’d walk two feet. |
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So, how do you save a bad buy?? You keep adding to it! I grabbed a vest I got at Forever 21 earlier this year, which added an extra layer (so the dress didn’t feel so thin), and diminished the over-exposed bustline.
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Then, I added a belt over the vest, at a more flattering spot at my waist. This gave me more of an hour-glass shape, and added more depth or dimension to the dress.
I also added boots over the black tights which saved the dress from appearing as short as it was. Even though these tights look way sheer in the flash than they did in real life…
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So, with these few additions, I made a bad buy better…still not great, but a definite improvement. I need to keep working with this outfit, and maybe I’ll come up with something that redeems the whole purchase. lol.
That’s one thing I always keep in mind when I get dressed in the mornings: I build on previous outfits and try to add one more thing or change something up so that it continues to evolve. And I’m open to suggestions! What would you do to make this bad buy better? Tell me!
Can you tell that I’ve been looking forward to meeting Shavonne Dorsey at this month’s Chicago Fashion Connect mixer?? I know I’ve mentioned it a billion times…but it lived up to my expectations! Shavonne is one of the most promising plus-size designers I’ve encountered–and she’s based here in Chicago. She is absolutely charming and her designs are approachable, pretty, comfortable…and above all…flattering!
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| Here I am with two of the gorgeous models in Shavonne Dorsey’s S/S12 designs: TaJ’ae Robinson and Perry Ellis Fish. |
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| Can’t you just see yourself wearing either of these dresses to a wedding, a nice brunch, or a happy hour on a patio somewhere? Gorgeous! |
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| And of course, here’s my friend Nikeya Young looking stunning in this flowered wrap dress! |
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| In case you’re wondering, I’m wearing the Siren Satin Dress in the Graphic Rupture Print from Kiyonna. |
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| The sherbert-bright colors are perfect for Spring/Summer! |
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| This is my favorite picture! So ladylike! |
So, the November mixer was held at 120 Ultra Lounge, which was a great space right across from the entrance to Navy Pier. Raven and the team at Chicago Fashion Connect put on another great event. And I must say that I am so impressed that they would draw attention to a traditionally neglected sector of fashion-the plus size market. I met some great people at the event, and ran into some regular faces, too. 🙂
What do you think of these dresses? Can you see yourself wearing them??
How gorgeous is this Graphic Rupture Print Siren Satin Dress by Kiyonna?? I am honored to be a part of Kiyonna’s Blogger Brigade, which features real women with curves in Kiyonna’s signature dresses.
This dress was everything I could hope for: a flattering sweetheart neckline, a ladylike length, slim arms (that lay nicely under a cardigan), and a great retro-feeling silhouette. To take these pics, my friend Wendy and I moseyed down to the Allegro Hotel and had some fun posing all over the lobby. This dress is on sale right now for $96! And Kiyonna just released their Screen Siren collection, which has me swooning! Check out Kiyonna right now!
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| This is how I wore it to work: with Kiyonna’s Elizabeth Retro Cardigan. So very work appropriate! 🙂 |
Do you have any dresses from Kiyonna? What are your favorites?
Shavonne Dorsey is taking Chicago by storm and is totally representing for the curvy ladies everywhere! I was first introduced to her designs at the Fashion Fetish Fete, and again during the Macy’s Chicago Fashion Incubator show.
And now…I get to meet her in person at Chicago Fashion Connect’s November Mixer tomorrow night, where she is the featured designer. I’m so excited! And since I’m in the Shavonne Dorsey fan-girl mode, I thought I’d post a video I took of her runway show during the Fashion Focus week.
Her designs are fun and practical at the same time. I could see myself wearing that floral wrap dress to work, brunch, a wedding shower…or any number of other events. The shapes of Shavonne’s dresses are flattering and have an unexpected flair.
What’d you think? Which dresses were your favorite?
Check back on Friday to see pictures from the event tomorrow night! 🙂
Last week, on a perfect fall day, I was feeling especially sassy. So, I pulled these gold boots outta storage and picked out a brightly-colored dress with a fun orange and magenta pattern. All of this work…only to spend the whole day in the office-and back in a storage closet. 🙁 *sigh
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| Don’t forget to check the budget shoe stores like Payless…you can stumble upon some awesome deals like these gold boots for $25! |
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| Isn’t this the perfect fall dress? The intricate diamond patterns and empire waistline with the knee length A-line skirt is probably the most flattering combination of elements that can be pulled together in one dress. The only drawback is that you have to find something to wear underneath it since the neckline is too low without a tank. Perfect for organizing boxes in the storage room, right?? lol |
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| Reaching for the top shelf…. |
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| And it all comes tumbling down!! |
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| *dramatic sigh…I have to work SO hard! |
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| Why reach, when you can climb? 😉 |
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| Success!! lol |
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| Dress: Sandra Darren via Marshalls (I think), Gold Boots: Payless, Jade Quartz Earrings and Crystal bracelet: Love and Pieces, Gold plated necklace: Embellish |
Just another day at the office, of course. lol.
So…here’s a little tip for accessorizing bright colors. I say…go for bright, chunky earrings in a color that does not appear in the rest of your outfit. It’s an unexpected touch that draws attention up to your face and creates even more visual interest. Some days I tend to be very matchy-matchy, but wearing accessories in an unexpected color makes me feel a little edgier and a little more exciting. Sometimes, that’s all it takes, right?
What do you wear to feel sassy or to kick your outfit up a notch?
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