A few weeks ago Jessica left me this awesome comment:
Could you do a post on where you find your clothes and about your style? I think it rocks and I totally want to be like you. In a non-scary, non-stalkerish sort of way!
Is it stalkerish to ask other people about their clothes? I hope not, ’cause I do it all the time. I’m kind of a fashion junkie so any excuse to talk about clothes and accessories is fine by me. Plus I know how hard it can be for bigger girls to find cute clothes I am happy to oblige.
Let’s start with the easy part — I buy 99% of my clothes at one of three stores: Old Navy, Lane Bryant or Macys. Really. The only thing I can think of that didn’t come from one of those stores are my tights, which I picked up at Avenue last fall. Even my underwear comes from Lane Bryant and my workout clothes came from Old Navy. I am predictable.
As for my personal style, that’s a little harder for me to describe. I don’t really prescribe to a specific clothing style — I’m not goth or preppy or hippie/boho chic — but now that I think about it I have elements of those looks in my closet. Deep down my primary objective is to not look like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. But I don’t want to wear boring, black clothes all the time either. Where’s the fun in that? Here’s what I tend to focus on (with photographic examples from my own closet).
brown shirt, blue cardigan, jeans and red flats
Color: I know what colors work for me (jewel tones — emerald green, royal purple, deep red — blues, dark brown, coral, white, gray and black) and which colors to stay away from (beige, yellow, and certain shades of pink and orange). I don’t wear a lot of prints* and usually focus on interesting color pairings instead. Case and point – here’s what I wore this past Sunday. It’s basic, but slightly less basic than jeans and a t-shirt.
Cut/Fabric: I’m super picky about fabrics and the way clothing is cut. I carry a lot of my weight in my middle, so picking shirts can be a frustrating experience. Anything too clingy accentuates my rolls, but tops that are too blousy make me look bigger than I am and that’s no good. Also I have big boobs (what? I do) so anything too low-cut makes me look trampy but shirts with a high neckline can make my boobs look saggy. I’m also self-conscious about my upper arms, so I don’t wear anything sleeveless (unless it’s layered under a cardigan or jacket).
cotton stretch jersey upper, cotton lower
This navy blue dress (from Macys.com) works on me for a couple reasons. The jersey on top fits me where I want to be fitted (the boobs) and the cotton skirt pulls away from the body to help hide my trouble spots (my gut). If this dress was all jersey fabric there’s no way I would wear it because it would be too clingy. I need my clothes, specifically jackets, pants and skirts, to have some structure. Even though this dress looks simple it’s got some structure worked in. The banding around the middle even makes it look like I have a waist. Bonus! Plus the skirt is a little whimsical, which I love. And it goes great with a cardigan or cropped jacket.
Other thoughts:
- I try a lot of stuff on, a lot, but it’s rare for me to buy more than one or two things at a time. If I don’t love it then I don’t buy it. Period.
- I don’t let the size get to me. Really. Earlier this morning I was wearing a size 18/20 coat and right now I’m wearing cropped PJ pants that are a size 26/28. Is it possible I jumped three sizes in 12-hours? Possible, but unlikely. Fabric, cut, designer — they all impact the size of your clothes. I wear what fits — sizes be damned.
- Accessorize! It’s amazing how much cuter jeans and a t-shirt can be when you throw on a cute pair of shoes, earrings, or scarf.
Have I mentioned my love of heels before? No?
flats and wedges
even more shoes
*You know what I said about not wearing a lot of prints? It’s true. But even I break the rules every now and then. It helps keep things interesting.
From Lane Bryant (WARNING: If you wear this coat, people will look at you.)
Paired with jeans, red heels, and a white t-shirt? Heaven.
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Bravo! I like this post! It really is possible for a large girl to look put together and nice. My mom makes most of my clothes and like you I tend to go for colours and not prints.
Unlike you I haven’t worn heels in ages, but then again, I’m a housewife who is much taller than her husband. So there’s really no need for heels in my closet!
You are totally fabulous! I need to change your website in my reader… I am a bit slow! Hope all is well!
I love this post! I only started dressing cute a few months ago, but it makes a big difference on the way I take on the world every day. Have you ever shopped at Torrid? (I don’t know if they have those over there). Super cute picks even though there is some goth/crazy stuff in there.
I’ve been to Torrid a couple times but never bought anything from there. I might give it another go though, some of their dresses are adorable.
This is great, I too am fashionly challenged most of the time. I just love Torrid, I do with I was about 10 years younger then more of the stuff would be spot on for me. I get a lot of my pants and skirts for work from there. Thanks for posting this. I have started to embrace the “great shoe makes the outfit” theory.
P.S.I have the same shoes in brown as the green ones with the buckles.
Dude – you are awesome. I remember your little red spotted flats from OtR! I still love them!
You make your style seem so do-able, even for someone challenged like me!
Wanna go shopping? Twist my arm a little!
I love your style! Thanks for sharing with us all! You are fabulous!
Love this post. I’m a complete twit when it comes to fashion and really have no clue how to dress myself. If I had the money, I’d totally hire you (or someone like you) to take me shopping and help me figure out my style and how to set up a good wardrobe for work and home.
Thanks Lizdom! That’s a super nice compliment! If only I could get paid to shop for other people… DREAM JOB.
According to Clinton and Stacy it’s ok to wear prints! But if you’re larger/taller go for larger prints. If your smaller/short go for smaller prints. I just started wearing prints after swearing them off… They are right. I love your coat!
I’ also have the big breasted issue (i wish they were smaller) so I follow Clinton and Stacy again with the deep v top to draw attention upwards but I pair it with a tank top underneath to keep me from looking trampy.. unless trampy is the look for the night…
Also I learned that Empire tops/dresses are essential for apple shapes… I only have a few that I save for special occaisions (ie dates) becase they make you look thinner by drawing eyes to the thinnest part of you.
I watch too much what not to wear… although today’s outfit clinton and stacy would not be proud and would probably nominate me for my jeans and tshirt to my corporate job… oh well. If you always dress nice people will expect it.
Val – I loooooove Clinton and Stacy and watch their show all the time. Empire waisted stuff is kind of hit or miss for me though, since I have a spare tire around my middle. Sometimes the empire waist stuff looks great and other times it’s a fashion don’t for me.
Awesome post. Definitely could have written it myself (in terms of the content!)
I am finally learning the true meaning of accessories and it’s amazing how it really helps pull everything together.
Love it! Thank you so much.
I’m totally inspired – and wondering when I can fit some good shopping time into the schedule and budget!
And I total second Lizdom – you could be my personal shopper anytime!
Oh gosh, I love the peep toe leopard print flats! Cute!
Old Navy is the best for clothing in all sizes, I think. They make clothes that are stylish for big girls. I also like how inexpensive they are so you can buy new stuff as you lose weight.
I have never tried Macys
I like Old Navy for casual clothes but tend to have the best luck with dressier tops for work at Macys.
I felt like I was watching “What Not To Wear” with Clint and Stacy
You’d make them so proud!
PS Great shoes!
I am a lover of flats…have Way to many pairs! I think your jacket is FAB!
Those red peekaboo pumps…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! You’ve got a grea fashion sense!! Gorgeous!
I heart your closet. Now I must go buy some shoes.