Victoria Beckham’s Plus Size Line at Target!

When I saw Victoria Beckham had a new line at Target, and that it also came in plus sizes, I knew I had to check it out. This skirt is my favorite. I love the 70s Mod look.
But I was concerned that a 3X might be too small. Imagine my surprise when it was too big. I have a big waist, since I have an apple shaped body and I carry most of my weight around my waist. But several of the reviews for the skirt said that it ran large, and boy does it. Today I looked at the reviews of this skirt, and read a Facebook post, and many of them said the entire line fit poorly. That makes me sad because my concern is that there will not be a second line, because this one fit poorly, and thus sold poorly. But I like it so much that I am going to take this skirt to the tailor to have it taken in a little.

And I wish you could see the earrings. One of my favorite things to do is to get a new look and then find earrings to match. I only wear clips so my go to is Etsy and I love finding some  vintage, under $20, including shipping, earrings.
Look at all the choices I had. The key is narrowing down the options. Etsy first lets you define your search “Flower Clip Earrings”, then I choose a color, and “vintage”. It takes time, but it amuses me to have vintage matching earrings.

Victoria Beckham’s Mod Skirt at Target, Size 3X (it’s on sale, try sizing down)
Black Teggings, Regular Length, One Size

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Fearlessly Just Me
(Marcy, it was such a treat to meet you in real life, thanks for encouraging me to blog again)

Eloquii Embroidered Red Flower Holiday Dress Review

Eloquii Holiday Black Red Dress

I wore this fabulous dress to a party last night. And as I suspected, I got tons of compliments. Of course, I was a little overdressed, but what is new about that, in California in the San Francisco Bay Area, where good jeans are just as appropriate as a party dress?
Eloquii Embroidered Red Flower Tulle Fit and Flare DressThe embroidered flowers are made of tiny sequins. It is a little big in the shoulders, and a little small and high in the waist for me. I tried the smaller size but it was way too small. I chose it partially because I think “fit & flare” generally works on my body really well.

Eloquii Embroidered Red Flower Holiday Dress ReviewThe little ruffle at the neck and wrists is a little stuffy for me, and I may cut them off, but kinda scary don’t you think?
I love this dress. This dress would not have existed in my size ten years ago so thank you Eloquii. And thank you for Petites, and Viola, for those with larger hips, and for extended sizes. I may try a Petite next time since I am only 5’4” these days. YAY for Eloquii.

Eloquii Embroidered Tulle Fit and Flare DressFor awhile, it had over 1,000 women on the waiting list after Aidy Bryant wore it to the Emmy Awards this year. They have restocked the dress twice and I see that it is sold out in every size once again. BUT, the dress does have a wait list and that is how I was able to buy this dress. It would be as great for Valentine’s Day as it is for the holidays.

Eloquii Embroidered Tulle Fit and Flare Dress Size 24

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

A Little Mod in Geometric Fall Colors

I bought this dress a few weeks ago from Simply Be. I try not to buy clothes from the U.K. retailers because returns are so expensive. But this dress had a little mod look to it, and it was a good length, and guess what, it is my favorite dress at the moment. It is easy and fun, doesn’t need a sweater since it has long sleeves and it feels good on. I get compliments every time I wear it.

AX Paris Swing Dress U.S. Size 22, Length 36″

Yesterday I bought
Geometric Earrings at ETSY and some Essie Nail Polish. I am going to paint the white part of the earring with the same color of the red/rust/marsala as one of the components of the dress. I promise to let you know how it looks. Geometrics for geometrics.

AX Paris at Simply BeThe Swing dress is sold out but I think if I were going to buy another AX Paris dress right now it would be this Longline Shirt Dress. I like the long sleeves. I like the print, it looks a little arty. BUT, it is 39″ rather than 36″ and I like the shorter length.

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

Plus Size Planets from Retrolicious

Planets Dress RetroliciousYou may know that I tutor first grade reading two mornings a week.. So when I see a dress I like, that I think might also entertain them, I have to have it, and that is how I bought this fun dress with planets (and stars! and a galaxy!) all over it.
screen-shot-2016-11-30-at-3-29-21-amIt is sleeveless so I will need a jacket or a little sweater over it in the winter. It was 56 degrees here in the San Francisco Bay today. I especially love it because it is a mini skirt. I am only about 5’4″ these days and I like my dresses to come just to my knee and not below the knee.
Every time I wear it people comment on it, the colors are so vibrant.

Here is the DRESS (only in a 4X).
Here is a link to a skirt in this fabric.

So here are links to a couple of other Retrolicious dresses in a Size 4X (I am wearing a 3X in this photo).

Footless Tights: SWAK Designs, my favorite, they don’t ride up, they are opaque, and this pair is two years old. And OMG, they seem to be out of stock.
This is my alternative:
Re-Dress Teggings (Extra Long and Regular in varied colors) (but they seem to be out of black too)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

 

A Fabulous Geometric Print From Eloquii!

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I have been wanting to try Eloquii for awhile. They used to have a lot of clothing to wear to the office, but now they have added a lot of fun clothes. I fell in love with this geometric print of silver and gold, but as much as I loved it, the arms were cut too long and I could barely lift them when my arms in the sleeves. And the jacket was a little boxy for my apple shaped body.
I don’t have a link to show you because it has sold out. This was a Size 22.

Just for your information, they have some extended sizes to a Size 28. They also have a new line of clothing, Viola, for pear shaped bodies in particular and they also carry a petite line.
I am going to keep trying, I think Eloquii is the future. Sophisticated with a nod to different shaped bodies in the plus size community.

BE ART Necklaces (Designed by my friend Laura Kimpton)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

Ashley Nell Tipton Plus Size Crop Tops

Ashley Nell Tipton Plus Size Crop Tops

jth_pm_ant-stripe-bestI fell in love with these Ashley Nell Tipton plus size crop tops and wanted to buy them to encourage J.C. Penney to continue to collaborate with her. I love the print, both the stripes and the fabulous lipstick print. But I found that they ran quite large and I had not ordered properly, so they looked a little boxy on me. I went down a size from my usual 4X, after noting that the Ashley Nell Tipton bomber jacket ran quite large, but even the 3X was a little big, as you can see. But they are so cute, still available, and YAY come to a generous size 5X, on-sale right now.

jth_ant-pm-lipstick-bestAshley Nell Tipton Scuba Crop Top Size 3X (runs big)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

Black Floral for Fall

jth_pm_floral-jkt-tights-goodBlack Floral, everywhere I go there it is, and I love it. I liked it in 2014 on this fabulous blazer, and I like it now. And these $30+ black floral bomber jackets are particularly prevalent (see below for links to several).
jth_pm_floral-jct-no-tightsThe look without leggings (that is what the cool girls are doing but I feel a little naked.)

You may notice that the skirt hits right at my knees, I tend to buy skater or mini dresses because at 5’4″ most things are too long for me, and petite sizes are so limited.

I am wearing:
Lovesick Knit Floral Bomber Jacket Size 3X (Only Size 00 in stock at this time)
Mini Pleated Skirt (similar) Torrid Size 3
Avenue Ankle Boots (similar)

Other Floral Bombers:
Roamans’ Bomber Jacket
(to size 30)
Woman Within Puffer Floral Jacket, lots of colors (to size 5X)
Maurices Floral Gray Bomber (up to size 4)
Charlotte Russe Black Floral Bomber (to size 3X)
Wet Seal Black Floral Bomber (to Size 3X)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

Ashley Nell Tipton’s Sequin Bomber Jacket

2-ant-sequin-jacket-cropI have been an Ashley Nell Tipton fan since long before she won Project Runway. You might remember my fun sequin skirt and how excited I was when I found out she was going to be on Project Runway. After she won Project Runway I heard rumors that she was going to work with JC Penney, and I saw a little clip of her with this jacket on, and then I stalked their site every day for several weeks before it was available for sale.

So imagine my disappointment when I ordered this amazing jacket with sequin arms, two sizes too big. I have the jacket binder-clipped in the back so I could show it to you. The jacket is cute, but way too heavy and hot for California. And it runs large. I bought a 4X, and I should have purchased a 2X. But it is on sale right now, and how fun to have a fabulous jacket from the Project Runway Season 14 Winner, Ashley Nell Tipton. Who thought that we would ever have a plus size collection winner and then she would have a plus size collection, that I could afford to buy. YAY!

Ashely Nell Tipton Sequin Sleeve Bomber Jacket Size 4 (runs large)
Torrid Rib Knit Skater Dress Size 3 (a little small for me, I should have kept the Size 4)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

That Last Moment of Black Floral for Summer!

black-floral-dress-best-picmonkey-jimI bought this Lovesick floral print, scuba fabric dress on sale a couple of weeks ago. We usually have a little warm weather in October here in California and I thought it would be good for those days. You may have noticed that florals on black are everywhere this year. It is cute, but I find scuba fabric a little hot and cloying, so I don’t know how much I will be wearing this dress. But right now it is on sale, so check it out!

cutout-picmonkey-black-floral-dress-good-jimBut I was not paying attention, and I did not realize that it has a little cut-out just above the waist, that shows skin. Clearly not appropriate for tutoring. So do I cover the cut-out by putting a little cloth on the inside of the dress or do I just wear it to play in? I have not decided that yet. But I might just wear it to brunch this morning.

I love the hat. I hate the sun and I am always looking for a hat. And in case you were wondering, it is quite a large hat, and fits my 21 1/4″ head with a little room to spare.

Lovesick Floral Scuba Dress with Cutout, Size 3
Lovesick Straw Flat Brim Hat
Zipper Gladiator Sandals Size 10 WW – Jessica London ComfortView

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE.

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi

Love This Torrid Floral Skirt!

2floral-skirt-good-jim-picmonkeyI fell in love with this skirt the moment I saw it. I was reluctant to buy it because it seemed too “dressy” to wear tutoring or to lunch with the girls, but it is not as dressy looking as I thought it might be, even though it has both a mesh overlay and a tulle lining. I am going to wear it on Tuesday to tutor with my go-to tutoring top, which does not show as much skin.  Sleeveless Turtleneck, Size 20, ASOS Curve
Seems appropriate doesn’t it? And I will wear a pair of sandals but I like the boot look too! I usually buy mini skirts, (this one is 21 inches) because then they generally fall just below my knee.

Sock Hack (to show more color, and balance the outfit)
sox hackThis is the same sock hack I used a few weeks ago (thus the green sock photo). I had some pink socks that I hoped would peek out of the boot, just to add a little matching color to the outfit, but they were way too bulky to wear under my boots. Great thin socks are always a struggle in plus sizes. So I cut the foot off of them and wore them like short leg warmers, since all I really cared about was adding a little color to the bottom half of my legs (I will wear the foot portion to sleep in so no waste here). I wish I had worn bright pink earrings to bring the same color up to my face. I suspect you will see the sock hack fairly often.

Floral Skirt Torrid, Size 3
Strappy Cami Torrid, Size 3
Re/Dress Teggings – Regular length
Torrid Combat Boots – 10.5 W

Update, October 10, 2016:
I love this skirt, it is pretty much my current fav! I just found a dress that is similar:
Floral Mesh Dress (up to Size 3X)

To compare my measurements to yours click HERE

Peace, Affinity

photo: Jim Hirabayashi