Tag: #ThisIsPlus

Making Straight Sizes Werk

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Shopping in general can be a very frustrating and draining experience, even more so when you attempt to do so in the straight sizes, however it doesn’t have to be. I think the key to shopping the straight size section is really not getting too focused on size. What I mean is, if you find something you like, try it on. If it fits, go for it and make it werk! But if it doesn’t fit, it really isn’t the end of the world, after all that is where the fun begins. When I find something I really like in the straight sizes that doesn’t fit I start to look into how I can recreate it. Sometimes that means getting creative with separates to recreate a dress or focusing my shopping efforts to find something very similar in retailers that carry my size. And I should note that I do the same thing for plus size pieces that I can’t afford. In fact, I have found that this shopping tactic helps keep my spending in check as I only spend what funds I have on something specific rather than being solely driven by impulse, which is not to say that doesn’t happen; as was the case with this statement top. Continue reading →

Sweet Pink and Gray Floral Plaid

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20170116_135208-2It’s only the third week of this new year and so much has happened in this short amount of time.  For one thing, this blog has officially turned two but I’ve also started a new job.  As of last week I am a part of the Dia&Co. team!. If you are not aware,  Dia&Co. is an online personal styling service for plus size women sizes 14-32. You create an online profile outlining our preferences in style and fit. A stylist then styles of box for you with a selection of five pieces that is then mailed to your home where you get to try them on, keep what you like and return what you don’t want. I love the fact that I get to work for a body positive mission-focused employer that seeks to empower women through fashion. After having spent the beginning of last year of being unemployed and subsequently juggling four part time jobs by the end, I’m super excited for to see what this year holds for me professionally.

20170116_1349350When it comes to dressing for the office, be it for work or for a work interview, I usually stay traditional, wearing black. Part of  the reason behind this decision is that it is a New Yorker thing, but more importantly its safe.  However, as the office dress code is business casual and even encourages trying new things, when my first day at work came I decided to go on a different route– with this bright pastel floral plaid pattern skirt as it is such a unique combination that creates visual interest.  (I should point out that this skirt is currently on sale for less than $6!)

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My Two Cents: Real Fashion Inclusivity?

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Well the inevitable has happened –body positivity has gone mainstream. Untouched and unedited ads have garnered so much media attention to the point a straight size brand has “resorted” to featuring plus models in their marketing campaigns to profit of this trend even though these same models don’t fit in the very clothes the brand sells in stores. This particular ad campaign received some backlash on social media, with many people demanding the retailer introduce size inclusive collections that reflect what they currently marketing and of course bringing up the debate as to whether or not plus should be dropped all together as creates unnecessary division. Modcloth immediately comes to mind as a brand that pushed for this as they announced back in 2015 that they would be dropping the “plus size” category on their site. It was a decision that received massive praise across the internet for it implied the idea of shopping by style instead of size. I’ll admit that at first I was ecstatic to hear about this change because I thought this size inclusive shopping experience meant more pieces being available in plus sizes. Sadly that was not the case as there are many pieces up on the site that are only available up to a size 12 if you are lucky. In order to ensure that you are shopping pieces available in plus sizes, you have to refine your search by size which is basically manually re-creating the plus size page they once had.  Now I have to give them credit, they conducted an independent survey on their customers to find out more about their needs and wants in terms of fashion. HOWEVER, the very idea that simply dropping the category is being size inclusive is very misguided.

Which leads me to the what initiated this blog post. Lovesick.

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Oh Lovesick…size UP not down. SMH

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Confessions of a Recovering Wallflower

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Let me take this time to confess something: ever since I was a pre-teen I have suffered with severe social anxiety. I have been known to have a panic attack at just the mere thought of doing any kind of activity in front of a crowd, like public speaking. I have gotten ill. I have even literally run away. I would blush severely and break out into sweat whenever I raised my hand in class or  even when speaking to someone outside of my immediate circle of friends and family.

Growing up I constantly received so many negative comments about my weight, hair and overall appearance that I became more than content at being behind the scenes because that is where  I was told I belonged.  I developed a warped understanding of  beauty and self-worth to the point that I told myself  that only those that were conventionally beautiful were meant to be photographed. I wasn’t, so I didn’t need to be. 20161229_151024-2So how does a person like this become a fashion blogger? With much difficulty and purpose-fueled drive. For example, whenever I go out for blog shoots I am very self aware of what I am doing mostly because half the time there are people around. I get self conscious as to what these passersby may be thinking especially when there have been times that they have stopped to watch. I’ve only managed to follow through because my blog photographers are so enthusiastic about the entire process and my body positive mission that it becomes so easy to forget about the curious looks from those around.

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Velvet Joy

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After a month full of nonstop work and holiday events I saved my favorite holiday look for Christmas Eve. I spent the day at church with the family which was followed by a late lunch by the East River before heading into Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to take in some of the gorgeous Christmas light displays.  It was a full day, but it was amazing because I got to spend it with my family. What made it even better was this Eloquii dress I purchased as a gift to myself.  This dress was everything that I could want for a holiday look — elegant, feminine and festive. 20161224_164529-4 Continue reading →