NEW POST: Reading is Fundamental
Ima read that bitch
Ima school that bitch
I’m gonna take that bitch to college
I’m gonna give that bitch some knowledge
So let me give y’all some knowledge. You don’t have to stress out over making a dress fit whatever occasion you might have. Simple accessory changes can alter the feeling of an entire outfit.
With the addition of red pumps and a bright blue book clutch, the first look seems appropriate at both a bridal shower and at church/temple/wedding where everyone is asked to wear white. It could even be a patriotic bridal look for an impromptu 4th of July courthouse wedding.
Change out the pumps and clutch for blue velvet booties, a vintage gold necklace and pearl embellished round sunglasses, and you’ve got a laid-back, hippie-esq vibe. I could be off to go-go dance at a 60’s themed birthday party, or a Sunday brunch date at the hottest gluten-free, vegan joint in Williamsburg.
Same dress, different story.
Dress: Macy’s
Book Clutch: ASOS
Shoes: ALDO
Booties: Urban Outfitters
Pendent Necklace: Vintage
Sunglasses: Boohoo
WHO: Style blogger Kellie B. of FatshionInsider.com created Shop & Swap, a unique shopping experience where she along side Allison (AllisonMcGevna.com), Nicolette (NicoletteMason.com/Marie Claire), Claire (FashionBombDaily.com), Nadia (NadiaAboulhosn.com) and Madeline (Plus Model Magazine) will host a shop my closet party for their readers. These ladies have style for days and are inviting readers to raid their carefully curated closets!
WHAT: Shop & Swap (open to the public/cash only) is the first shopping party of it’s kind. Catering specifically to women size 10 and bigger, each blogger will bring wears from their closets (clothing, accessories, bags, jewelry) including highly coveted vintage pieces, luxury brands like Fendi, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and the very best of plus size fashion. Fashion brands MYNT 1792 and SimplyBe.com join Shop & Swap to preview new collections at the event. Loads of door prizes, giveaways and Twitter contests!
WHEN: 6-9PM Thursday, June 13th
WHERE: Old Bowery Station, 168 Bowery (corner of Kenmare) in NYC
NEW POST: Mad For Plaid
We’re all mad here… or at least I am, for this Madras plaid crop tank & easy, breezy, beautiful gauzy maxi skirt. It’s the perfect airy combo for the super-sweltering days of summer that have been teasing the East Coast lately… and with even higher temps on their way I know I’ll be rocking this look quite frequently this summer.
I feel like I’m breaking two big girl fashion rules… wearing white (on bottom, oh, the horrors!) and wearing a crop top. To that antiquated notion I say, good. I hope my “rule breaking” breaks the judgmental views of anyone that thinks that certain people can’t wear specific styles. Wear what makes you happy.
Top: Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren (from Macy’s)
Skirt: ASOS
Sunglasses: Prada
NEW POST: An Outfit to Tie-Dye For
Maybe it’s my inner hippie, maybe it’s because my mother once wanted to name me “Sunshine” (no, seriously, my name could have been “Sunshine Black”), but whatever the reason I unashamedly adore tie-dye.
Sadly, not everyone has the same fondness for the swirl of shades, and I suppose a big ol’ rainbow of colors can cause some unexpected acid flashbacks, so I think I may have found a solution of how I can rock adult tie-dye.
The secret is in the classic black & white print; by keeping it in such a neutral territory, people are less likely to assume I’m an unwashed Hippie, and more likely to think I’m an unwashed Hipster. (That’s better, right?)
Even though the pants are quite the statement piece, I’ve effortlessly worn them with heels and a blouse at work, sandals and a tank at home, and, as seen in this post, I’ve street-ed them up with chrome wedge sneakers, a spike-shoulder t-shirt, contrast-sleeve jacket, and a jewel & stud encrusted snapback.
Shirt: Forever21
Jacket: Forever21
Pants: ASOS
Wedge Sneakers: (similar here: Boohoo)
Hat: Boohoo
Sunglasses : Warby Parker
The Other F Word: Why Are We Still Uncomfortable With The Word “Fat”?
This article was originally written for and appeared on Refinery29. You can view and comment on the original here: http://www.refinery29.com/fat-fashion
When I wrote about Gabi Gregg’s capsule collection for swimsuitsforall just a couple weeks ago, I honestly was not expecting the level of ire that came with using the term “Fatkini,” a term coined by Gregg herself.
You see, I’m fat. You can call me plus-size, curvy, voluptuous, or full-figured, and they’re all accurate descriptions of my body shape. And so is fat. That word once had a huge negative connotation behind it to me, and I’ve shed tears over being called “fat,” so I can understand the anguish that can come with such a tiny word. But I have embraced my body, my weight, my size. I’m active and I eat a plant-based diet; I know I’m healthy, and no amount of pounds is going to tell me otherwise. This is my body, and I accept it as such. So, I no longer view “fat” as an insult — to me, it’s become more of a descriptor word (like skinny, tall, short), and nothing more. But not everyone views “fat” the same way.
The most vocal of our readers jumped to the attack, or the defense, on Refinery29’s Facebook page. With comments running the gamut from, “That is the most horrible thing you could have said,” to, “My fat ass will look fabulous in one of those bikinis,” it was clear that “fat” can bring up some heavy feelings.
While the body-acceptance movement has encouraged us to embrace the word fat, the feelings within the plus-size community are still mixed. There are those who accept the word at face value, like blogger Gabi Gregg and Cult of California designer, Jen Wilder. “I learned about women reclaiming the word eight years ago and haven’t looked back since — it changed my life,” Gregg explained. “Realizing that I could be simultaneously happy, beautiful, AND fat was definitely a turning point in my life. I still strive for health, but I realize that my health is between me and my doctors, not strangers on the Internet or on the street, and it isn’t determined by a specific size.” Cult of California designer Jen Wilder shares Gregg’s sentiments. “It’s true I am FAT. I cannot deny that. But I am NOT any of the things you are really calling me, which are stupid, lazy, slow, outcast, etc. It’s not the word; it’s what they MEAN when they say it!”
But not everyone is eager to start calling themselves fat. “The word ‘fat’ has negative connotations, and is never used to compliment. I prefer being called curvy, full-figured, or plus-sized,” explained plus-size model Katherine Roll. “Plus means ‘in addition to’ and therefore, simply defines my size as additional sexiness added to the straight-sized woman!” Aimee Cheshire, founder and CEO of Madison Plus Select, can see both sides of the spectrum. “I personally do not use the word ‘fat,’ not on MadisonPlusSelect.com or in my personal life. I have too many sad memories associated with the word. I do appreciate that the plus-size blogger community wants to reclaim the word back, and more power to them. While I understand why, and I truly love what they are doing, it just won’t find a place in my vocabulary. I have too many other battles to fight.”
In a society where we’re striving for body acceptance, is supporting “fat” a step in the right direction? Whether you’re embracing the word, appalled by its usage, view it just as a descriptor, or feel altogether something else about it, we want to know. What does fat mean to you?
Photo: Courtesy of Lydia Hudgens
