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
Please VOTE for me in Lane Bryant’s Fashion Style Off!
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Top: Lane Collection
Jeans: Lane Collection
Bag: Lane Bryant
Sandals: Lane Bryant
Bracelet: Lane Bryant
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
Do you want stylish, edgy, cool plus-size clothes? Of course you do! Then, please, chip in and help save the amazing line CULT of California! Her investors have unwisely backed out, so it’s up to us, the plus-size consumers, to help save this line from going the way of so many other fabulous full-figure collections. Any amount helps, so please donate! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wildestwilder/cult-of-california-swim-launch-and-party
Sweater: Old Navy
Turtleneck: Old Navy
Jeans: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans
Bag: Vintage
Belt: Target
Hat: Target
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Booties: Kenneth Cole Reaction
P.S. It’s Fashion <3’s boohoo
Have you heard about the UK brand boohoo? Like every other brand that comes from the UK (ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, New Look) they’re edgy, chic and so on trend. Thankfully, they’re also totally affordable, with prices that resemble those at Forever21/H&M.
Well, in even more awesomer news, boohoo now has come to the US! They’re taking over the world, making it more fashionable, country by country… And thankfully they’re here to inject us with some British fabulousness.
When I attended their boohoo takeover event I was thrilled to see their stylishly affordable clothes in action (along with super delicious libations, an interactive photobooth, talented DJ and basement-esq flashback of a wall that everyone decorated with black-light paint!
While they don’t currently offer plus sizes (fingers crossed that changes in the near future!), their accessories are trendy and cool enough that it’s worth hitting their site- regardless of your size!
Jacket: ASOS (Size 14)
Sweater: Old Navy (Size XL)
Vest: H&M (Size 12)
Jeans: Old Navy (Size 16)
Sneaker Wedges: Boohoo (Size 9)
Hat: Boohoo
Bag: Sam Edelman
NEW POST: I Look Egg-cellent
(Happy belated Easter to those who like punintentional humor)
While we’re not religious, I do visit my in-laws for Easter. For us, it’s just an excuse to go out to eat, and for me, it’s an excuse to dress up a bit.
When most people think of Easter, they think of pastels, but personally I’m not much of a pastel fan. Being that I’m so white I’m practically translucent, pastels always seem to make me look sickly and washed out.
So, I threw on a super-soft high-low jersey dress, and cinched in my waist with a ladylike meets tomboy lace-trimmed denim blouse. The denim is so soft and the unexpected swath of lace along the back is an unexpected accent to the classic denim shirt.
And for me, so much of an outfit is about the accessories. I Eastered up (that’s a thing, right?) my outfit with pearl encrusted sunglasses, summer-esq white espadrille sandals, and a perfectly woven wicker purse- a fresh take on the typical Easter basket.
Top: Wet Seal (1X)
Dress: Forever21 (1X)
Shoes: Paloma Barcelo
Bag: Vintage
Sunglasses: Boohoo
Get Grungy.
Being that I grew up in the 90s (I was an 80s baby), I got a full dose of 90s style right in my formative years. I’m talking burgundy corduroy overalls, fuzzy wizard-sleeve bell-neck sweaters (I had it in 2 colors!), holographic-ish daisy print baby tees (bought at Contempo Casuals, of course), platform flip-flops, JNCO jeans… the works!
But the one thing I never really wore was plaid. Oh, I imagine some might have snuck in there (I use to be a Curler- the sport- and plaid runs rampant in Curling clubs) but I certainly wasn’t “grunge” by any means.
So, am I making up for lost time now? Perhaps… I find myself drawn to plaid tops and a hell of a lot of black clothes lately, but I’m not about to jump in my Delorean and head back 20 years (omg, the 90s were TWENTY (plus or minus) YEARS AGO!?) to douse myself in H2T 90s nostalgia.
So, while I might be slipping a little grunge into my style now and then, don’t expect me to go full 90s. Never go full 90s.
Dress: ASOS Curve (size 14)
Coat: ASOS (size 14)
Shirt: Old Navy (Size XXL) (Similar here)
Booties: Kenneth Cole (Similar here)
Bag: Sam Edelman
