Plus-Size Look of the Week #1

You all know by now that I'm a plus-size girl. I love fashion, but sometimes dressing a full-figured body isn't easy. To rock the styles you like, sometimes you have to be brave and do things like baring your arms, chicken wings or no chicken wings. Case in point, my pic below...lol

*photo courtesy of Dominika Martyniuk

You also have to learn to take chances. That's what I like about my first Plus-Size Look of the Week. This outfit from Lane Bryant combines a lot of funky details—the cardigan paired with the satin, printed dress, then belted and worn with a soft scarf. And I love the little booties. I even like the hat, though I'm not sure I'd wear it myself.

Now, I have a hard time wearing satiny materials. They tend to show a lot of lumps and bumps. I'd recommend wearing a slip or a scary-stomach-sucking-in apparatus to smooth you out (I heart Spanx!). Also, try mixing your prints. Try wearing a scarf that has a lot of the same colors as your dress, but a very subtle print so it's not too crazy of a mix. And, listen up you larger ladies. The trick with boots is, you need a heel. If you're going to wear boots with dresses or skirts, you gotta go with some height. A flat boot, while I love them with pants, just looks too stumpy with dresses. I've tried to rock this look, but I failed miserably.

Personally, I'll try this layered look with dresses I already own, particularly summery dresses that will need a cardigan in the next few months.

For all you skinny ladies out there, take advice from my Plus-Size Look of the Week too. We all need help to look slimmer and more fashionable at times!

A special shout-out to my co-worker JoAnn, who requested more plus-size postings. I hope you enjoyed this first one!

Is She Punk or Pretty?

Another Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen. You're so cute as Jenny. I love the scarf, and the hair, jewelry, and dress below are totally gourmet.

Other times...you're just a hot mess:

What do you think? A young girl just trying to find herself? Or a true identity crisis?

My Style Icon: Leighton Meester, aka Blair Waldorf

I know she's supposed to be in high school, but the way she puts together outfits is so amazingly cool. And by "she" I mean Leighton herself, or the stylist for Blair. LOL They're kind of one and the same because the both have a sophisticated style that pushes boundaries...exactly the kind of style I'd like to have myself. 

Check her out:

I don't know what I like more here, the satin slim pants, the voluminous sleeves on her sweater, or that amazing chair she's sitting on!

Ruffles. I love ruffles. And that coat? I just love how her outerwear and accessories (Hello? The gloves? The headband?) aren't forgotten items. They aren't just convenient pieces she throws on. She puts thought into them.

Blair mixes prints a lot. I love it. A lot.

Plaid is so hot this fall. I love the pops of color in this outfit—the purple turtleneck, the green headband. To make this a little more sophisticated, I'd wear heels and a button down top under this jumper. Ready for work.

Repeat after me: This fall I will wear cardigans and something navy blue. Cardigans and something navy blue.

Cute little dresses, simple little shorts, and comfy flat sandals. The summertime uniform of any Manhattan girl...or Birmingham girl, for that matter.

Ah, the cape. Keep an eye out for a soon-to-come posting on outerwear. For now, simply covet this little brown cape as I do. Loving it!

How sexy is this dress? The bustier effect of the neckline, the gathered belt across her waist. Tres chic. And the color combo is unexpected too.

This little black-and-white number is so sophisticated, I can't even stand it! The sweetheart neckline is so perfect for her. The print is graphic and the white is so flattering. Can you say green with envy?

Fashion Flubs

I get that the 80s are back. Leggings, bangles, vests. I can get behind those trends. 

But the three trends below are just...heinous.

So, yeah. I just don't get cropped tops. They cut you off in a weird place and just look, well, sloppy.

Boots with sundresses? Too Alicia Silverstone in Aerosmith videos for me. I don't know if this is 80s or 90s, I just know I don't like it. Tall boots or sleek booties with regular dresses (with tights, preferrably)? That's fine. But these dresses should be worn with sandals, wedges, or heels.

There are a lot of new things going on with denim this year. I love the idea of black jeans. I might (MIGHT) even be able to get behind a tear or two if balanced well with the rest of the outfit so it's not too grungy. But tie-dye? No. Thank you.

PS—thank you to people.com for these pics. Have you guys checked out their style pages? Tres awesome.

Clothes DO Make the Man

When I set out to write a post about men's fashion, I thought, "This will be easy. I know exactly what I like guys to wear."

Wrong! It's so hard to define what looks good on a man because, for me, it all comes down to his attitude. I finally get what guys are always saying about a woman's confidence and the way she carries herself...that's what's sexy. Same goes for the guys.

One thing I do know—there's one go-to outfit that most men pull on day after day, week after week, that just irritates the crap out of me.

Take one pair of pleat-front khaki shorts:

And add one polo shirt:

Now you have the most cliché, boring look worn by guys the world over. Well, not really. This is a quintessentially American look. And it needs some spice. At the very least, get rid of your pleat-front ANYTHING!! The look is dated. Please, please try flat-front shorts and pants. And if you go for the polo, choose a solid color..stripes or other patterns make you look too...golfy.

Now, for shoes. I'm very picky about guys' shoes. I'm not going to even address dress shoes (though I will say, try square-toe slip-ons rather than ones that tie). But here's some picks for sneakers...the key? Stay away from the average Nikes, New Balance sneakers and try some "fashion" sneakers.

And for summer? Flip-flops. Simple, pure, surfer's flip-flops, like these Reefs. Birkenstocks are OK too.Finally, here's some inspiration for you...these looks aren't necessarily for summer, but just look at the way these guys layer clothes, how they use accessories...and my No. 1 rule for guys—wear dark jeans!!!!!!! No more stonewash or light-wash. Dark, dark denim on a man is HOT!

Love J.T.'s casual style—a simple soccer jacket and nice jeans.

This is great! A leather jacket instead of a blazer. And ya gotta love a man who can rock a hat like him.

My friends don't get it, but there's just something about Jay-Z's swagger that gets me! I love the layers here—a button-up shirt, sweater, jacket and scarf. Do you see how the plaids are different but they work together?

Oh, those Gossip guys. Their style on the show may be a little out there, but Chase Crawford looks tres hot in this sweater-jacket thing. And the scarf? It's the little things that count. Who wouldn't want to snuggle up to him?

OK, Dane Cook needs darker jeans. But no one rocks a T-shirt like him! And what makes it look this good? The belt. He just knows how to wear a belt. Want the girls to pay extra special attention to your...um...below the belt area? Pick out a cool buckle. Trust me.

I've always thought Ne-Yo was one of the hottest dressed men out there...and I still do. Not to mention I'm a sucker for a man in a newsboy cap. Is it the hip-hop style? Or the "Cheerio, I'm from London" style? Either way, I love it. And I love the casual way he wears this sweater vest over a button-up shirt that's untucked. Stellar.

And, finally, try brown, fellas. I think guys often go with what they know—blue, black, plain ol' T-shirts. Try a brown color palette, and please, for next fall try this button-up shirt + cardigan/sweater vest look. It's a simple way to look a tad more dressed up without going to the blazer. And the hat? If you dare, I promise the ladies will love it!

The 3 Things I'd Buy This Summer

Ladies, I don't know about you, but the money's running a little low these days. But, still, my desire to indulge in fashion can never be stamped down! So I've decided to seek out three things this summer to update my wardrobe with little jazzy touches.

First, florals. They're just so sweet and light and airy. Down here in 'Bama, Lord knows I need light-weight fabrics to keep me cool. Check out Kate Moss below...she's wearing a dainty dress, but she looks hot!! I'd pair this dress (or any of the tops from Forever 21 below) with leather sandals that have metal details to add a little edge.

Second, let's talk about sandals. See how great Blake Lively looks in these? I'm still a fan of the strappy sandals out now...call them gladiators, call them sandals, as long as they don't strap all the way up your legs, I'm in. The trick this summer, I think, is to look for funky textures or added metal touches. I love these pictured here.

And, finally, don't you just love these headbands??!! I'll admit it, I'm having a bit of a love affair with Leighton Meester's headware on Gossip Girl. Her pink adornment here is a bit risky (do you dare?). But check out the jeweled or feather examples below...so fun!!

Take 21: Crimes Against Fashion

These are my picks for the current Top 5 Worst Fashion Sins. 

You've probably seen some of these before in various fashion magazines. The sad thing is, they're still happening. Every day. All around you. Now, I'm all for individual expression in fashion...no doubt about it. Some things I wear, like my new turquoise bejeweled flats (on sale for $7.50 at Target), other girls wouldn't be caught dead in. But the problem with these 5 is they just. don't. make. sense!!!

1. Uggs worn during the summer with skirts. Most of my friends know that I'm not a huge fan of Uggs in the first place. I think they kinda make women clomp around like Abominable Snowmen, and they're not feminine in any way, shape, or form. But, in Chicago, or Wisconsin, or Canada, I get it. I get that it's freaking ridiculously cold and sheep's wool or whatever they're made of would feel fantastic snuggled around your little tootsies. Check out the photo to the right, though. Seriously? Seriously??? Is it at all practical or necessary or even flattering to wear these clod-hopper boots with skirts? Skirts??? If it's warm enough to wear a skirt without tights, please, please find a cute pair of sandals or some funky low-top Converse sneakers to wear with your jean skirt. Please!!!

2. Coordinating sweatsuits. Listen up Tri-State area women! Yes, I'm mainly talking to you. Thankfully this trend has passed in the South. Or it never came here. But regardless of where you live, this look is over. O-V-E-R. I firmly support fashion gurus Tim Gunn, Clinton Kelly, and Stacy London who plead with women everywhere to have a sweatsuit alternative. That's right. No more velour. No more pastels. No more "Juicy" written across your ass. Pull on a pair of jeans, cute tee, and fashion sneakers. Slip on a cozy sweater. Sweats are worn to...um...what's that again? Oh, yeah.  SWEAT!!!

3. Crocs. Look, I've gotten a lot of flack in the past for saying how much I detest these shoes. Or rubber gloves for your feet, as I think they look and feel. It's just...come on! They're clunky. And rubber. Rubber!!!! And they have holes all over them and come in neon colors and they must smell soooooo bad when your feet sweat. Which they will. Because your shoes are made of rubber. Unless you're actually working in a garden, or professional kitchen, or I guess, maybe even a hospital, just don't do it. Just say no.

4. Socks and sandals. The fact that there's a man or woman alive that thinks this looks good just baffles me. One of my friends said, "Well, maybe he/she has really funky toes." Get a pedicure. See a podiatrist. Wear sneakers.

5. Muffin tops. So, I'm a plus-size girl. There's no question that I can't always camouflage to the degree that I'd like the fact that I have some lumpy bits. But I implore you...please! Just buy a larger size!! That's all it would take here. These jeans are clearly too low and too tight to accommodate the shape of these women. Can you imagine how sleek and streamlined they'd look in a properly fitting pair of jeans? I know, believe me I know, the damage going up a size can do to your psyche. But if you look better in the end, isn't it worth it?! Repeat after me ladies: No More Muffin Tops!!!