This fall is all about classic looks in shades of gray, and I’m totally feeling preppy! So…I got out my pearls and my houndstooth swing coat and started pulling together a demure, old-school look that feels fresh and on trend. The perfect base for this preppy outfit was a super comfortable gray Jessica London Ponte Knit Dress.
The fit and flare shape is so easy to wear and flattering for many figures…while the seaming at the bust and the waist adds some shape to the dress. For some extra flair and dimension, I decided to wear a denim shirt underneath the dress and then set the whole outfit off with a pop of lemon heels.
Classic prep with some modern flair…perfect for fall in Chicago!
*SWOONING* Pardon me while I pick up my jaw from the floor after trying on the gorgeous plussize Isabel Toledo collection for Lane Bryant. The collection is full of luxurious fabrics, high-quality hardware, unique designs and gorgeous draping…in short, everything I’ve been searching for in the plussize market! I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to actually meet Isabel and her husband, Ruben, and the incredible corporate team from Lane Bryant. The event was a raging success, attracting a who’s who in the plussize fashion world.
What a fantastic night!!
Y’all know I’m a sucker for animal print-anything! And these leopard print denim jeans from Jessica London were just fabulous enough to catch my eye. Perfect for transitioning into fall…pair these jeans with a comfy warm black sweater, a wonderfully basic, well-fitting scoop-neck tank top–like this one from Skinny Tees–and some edgy accessories, and you’ve got a sassy little ensemble for day or night.
Let me take a moment to talk about my tank top…What’s so special about it? Well, this one is from a company called Skinny Tees which makes its tank tops out of a special blend of nylon and spandex for a super flattering fit. And they are size-inclusive! They have a version called “And a Little More” Camisole which fits a range of plus sizes. It’s quickly become a wardrobe staple for me!
For the leopard-lover, these jeans will be another fun statement piece in your wardrobe…But be sure to order up one size — especially if you’re apple-shaped like me, since they are higher waisted and sit right at the belly button.
If you’re hungry for more animal print from Jessica London, check out this adorable Leopard Print Dress, this Animal Print Hobo Bag, and this Cheetah Print Sweater Tunic–which I can just see tucked into a fab pencil skirt and popped with a blazer. MEOW.
It’s #NYFW…and even though you and I are stuck in our everyday work days…there’s no excuse not to #WERK your wardrobe! Ashley Stewart is having a crazy hot season right now…fabulous styles for curvy, trend-conscious plussize gals, and they were so nice to help dress me for Fashion Week here at home.
Just look at this Ashley Stewart Animal Print Mock Neck Sheath! HOTTTTTT. So hott, that I felt I was walking the runway when I was just running to get coffee.
And look how fierce it looks with a blazer!
Ashley Stewart also ran this two-toned animal print in a fab pencil skirt!
Fashion is all about going over the top…And because I can’t get enough pops of color and luscious floral prints, I HAD to try Ashley Stewart’s Sleeveless Crossneck Floral Peplum top with the coordinating pencil skirt. The top’s cross over neckline was a little too luscious for the office–especially for us chesty gals…but I flipped it around and discovered that it worked just as well backwards!
How did you #werk your wardrobe for Fashion Week this year??
Lydia Hamilton, the owner of Boutique Larrieux – a fantastic plussize boutique in Milwaukee – and Stephanie Sack – the former owner of vive la femme boutique – recently joined forces to bring a pop up shop full of gorgeous plussize clothes back to Chicago. This is the second pop up shop that these two powerhouses have collaborated on, and I hope it’s not the last. Since vive la femme closed it’s doors last year, I’ve been in a mourning period…and these pop ups are a refreshing burst of sartorial energy that I so desperately need!
And thank goodness, our plussize community has found a new home base at Ganesha Yoga and Adventures in Fitness. This is the size-friendly yoga studio on Lincoln and Ashland — that not only holds plus size specific classes…but also makes a point to carry plussize yoga and workout gear. Because Jane and Mindy are so amazingly awesome, they’ve been partnering with Lydia and Stephanie to host these pop up shops…and man, are we grateful!
Last Saturday’s Midwest Fashion Fete showcased 3 main designers: Cabiria, Chalet, and Poppy and Bloom.
I’ve been a fan of Cabiria since I met the designer, Eden, at an event a year ago…and absolutely adore her collection this season! Cabiria’s line is full of luxurious fabrics, playful prints and immaculate tailoring. These are statement pieces that you will fall in love with again every time you put one on. Case in point–here’s 1 dress on 3 different girls. It looked fantastic on all of us–even though we have dramatically different body types! How could we not fall in love?
And here’s the same dress in a different print…a fabulous blue and black sweetheart neck faux wrap dress…and some to-die-for bird pants!
Chalet is a line that’s new to me…and at first glance, the tunics and more relaxed shapes didn’t appear to be in line with my aesthetic…but THEN I tried some of the pieces on! I totally fell in love with the polished casual styles with unique shapes…some have interesting hemlines…or necklines or pleats or unexpected ruffles. And each one can be ordered in any of 8 colors! I love the versatility and easy-wear style of these tunics.
Poppy and Bloom is a fun line that has a nice balance of retro silhouettes and classic day dresses. Look how cute two shoppers are in their gorgeous dresses!
So…seriously it was a great night! Until Stephanie and Lydia can bring another pop up shop back to Chicago…check out Boutique Larrieux in Milwaukee or order using their online store…and drop by Ganesha Yoga to shop some workout gear or to do a yoga class!
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