Summer at In Full Swing

X-Two

X-Two

I know most of my readers are from all over the map, but every once in awhile I like to point out something local for those of you who do not like to shop online. Our friends at In Full Swing in Oakland, CA are carrying a new product line,  X-Two, and it is fun and a little sassy.  They also have the top in the photo with sleeves in the same fabric.  The sizing tends to vary by style, so stop by and let them help you choose something that looks fabulous on you.

Citron

Citron

In addition, for the last few weeks they have been receiving shipments from Citron, Flax, Tianello, and Fridaze wrinkle resistant linen. Lots of great things to choose from!

If you stop by, tell them Affinity sent you.

Peace…affinity

D.I.Y. Embellished Plus Size Military Jacket

yours clothing jacketsYou may remember a few weeks ago I posted this Military Jacket that Yours Clothing, a plus size store in the U.K. was generous enough to send me. The details I wrote at the time are at the bottom of the page. But I could not help but think of it as a canvas for embellishment. The buttons and pendants are Burning Man related and are mostly gifts from various artists for a contribution to their work, whether monetary or social media work, or a gift at Burning Man, like the pendant from  artist JennyBird Alcantara,  since Burning Man is a Gift Economy.

Mural: American Steel Studios, Oakland CA

Mural: American Steel Studios, Oakland CA

Of course you can use anything, including glam brooches or patches or hand made buttons or vintage buttons or use old items from around your house or jewelry box or your Mom’s or Aunt’s jewelry box, or make your own buttons.  I think it’s more fun if it speaks to who you are.

Assembly Notes: It gets heavy and awkward.  When I went through all my drawers I had way more than I could use.  And it works best if you can anchor the items, i.e. secure at the top and bottom.  Many of my pendants are made to wear as necklaces and move more than I would like on the jacket.  I think it looks best if the larger pieces are at the top, and I put two large pieces on an arm.  But that is just my point of view.

assemblage jacketThis was my inspiration for the asymmetry, and I may fill in some spots or add to the other lapel, I will know more after I wear it more.  I had not done much crafting for several years until I retired recently and I had forgotten to pay attention to wearability.

I wrote this about the Yours Clothing “band jacket” in my prior post:

It is a UK Size 30-32 that fits my US size 26-28 body. The arms are a good fit for me as are the shoulders, so it is very comfortable and you know that is important to me.  And it is 100% cotton, which means that in the cool San Francisco Bay area I will be able to wear it most evenings since the temperatures stay in the 60°s here.  I have always been a pacifist so I think more of it as a “band jacket” but regardless, it is everywhere this season, and now it comes in our size.  There are epaulets on the shoulders, with buttons and similar details in the back.

Peace…affinity

photo of my embellished jacket: Great Scott Photography

Vintage Dr. Martens

doc martensI have a friend Nancy Frank Radin, you met her here, and guess what, she does not buy retail.  This photo is of her 1980 vintage Dr. Martens.  How cool are those?  I have always had a point of view that I can’t buy vintage because it does not come in my size, and that I have to buy retail, but Nancy is proving me wrong.  Maybe it is time to try a consignment store or two.

I would love to know what your experience has been with all alternative forms of shopping: thrift stores, Facebook sites, online consignment, Goodwill.  Tell me how to do it.

Thanks Nancy, for making me think about things in a different way.

Update: May 15, 2013: Nancy’s comments: I love the look of those black and white shoes,  so graphic and comfortable yeah even good wheels and Goodwill’s have plus size racks now it’s great to repurpose and recycle clothing.

Peace…affinity

A Plus Size Dress from “My Baby Jo” at Rehearsal for Jerk Church

Jennifer Raiser's photo of her feature on Jerk Church in the SF Chronicle

Jennifer Raiser’s photo of her feature on Jerk Church in the SF Chronicle

A few weeks ago I was hanging out in a backyard in Oakland, my brand new neighborhood.  It was hot, I was in the shade, and there was a rehearsal for Jerk Church, a creative musical learning community for musicians and non-musicians alike that gather each Sunday to break bread, share a cup and a song. I was there to hang out with my good friend Jennifer Raiser whom you have met here and here and here and here before.  Jennifer was writing this fabulous piece about Jerk Church that you can and should read right HERE.  The Church started as a group of friends just hanging out together, and have turned into performers who were going to perform that very evening, and they have a Hymnal so you can sing along if you like.

ChurchInTheYardThese men and women were dressed mainly in “Sunday Go to Meetin’ ” clothes, retro dress for the most part, either vintage or new, one of my favorite looks, and the men also looked like they could have stepped out of a backyard party that my grandmother might have given.  There were pies, and cakes, and little sandwiches and deviled eggs, my favorite, and beer and cold drinks.

kaitlin braidinglizards braidThen I turned and there was Kaitlan Hutchinson, braiding her friend Lizard’s hair in a fishtail braid (the tattoo on Lizard’s back is a Tibetan prayer).  Kaitlan was wearing a fabulous teal dress, beautifully made, and of course I had to know more about it.   The dress is a Size 1X Haute Milan Dress in Lake from My Baby Jo in Los Angeles and the material had a wonderful hand to it.  I love the crisscross in the front and the beautiful way the waist is tailored so the skirt flows into semi-pleats. I love it, and it is such a treat to just be out and about and see someone wearing something so beautiful and accessible.  And of course the hat was an extra bonus.

kaitlin better

Peace…affinity

Review of Black Maxi Dress from Yours Clothing

black maxi YC  LGYours Clothing sent me a black maxi dress that is a wear anywhere dress. This dress is a UK size 30-32 or a US size 26-28, I a quite sure a US size 30-32 could wear it. It is a light stretch jersey, very easy to wear, the armholes run fairly large and since I am 5″5″ tall, I had to shorten it a little. It could be worn anywhere, lunch, dinner, a kids birthday party, or even the opera, but in that case I think it could use some long gloves to dress it up a little.  I am wearing my husband’s grandfather’s watch as jewelry and Torrid bracelets as usual, and my Size 10 Lane Bryant flats.

maxi midriff for detail  LGThe dress has a lovely twisted front detail which give it a little extra shape, and there is a tie in the back so you can pull it in or let it out at the waist as needed.  It is an elegant and comfy dress, and we know those are difficult to find.

Peace…affinity

Styling a Plus Size Maxi Dress or the DIY Plus Size Statement Necklace

Affinity & April     Photo: James Saint James Pell

Affinity & April Photo: James Saint James Pell

On Saturday night my friends hosted a table at the Crucible’s Fire & Light Soiree and Art Auction and were sweet enough to include me. As you can see, I dressed up a black dress with a fascinator I purchased in a little shop down the street and a lot of jewelry that I  upcycled.

photo: Ed Jay

photo: Ed Jay

Our friend, Dennis Bartels, the Executive Director of the Exploratorium, was being honored for his enthusiastic support of the art community so I wanted to dress up, and I knew it was an opportunity to be a little over the top since it is a pretty arty crowd.

photo: Ed Jay

photo: Ed Jay

I love this photo of Suzi Bartels and I, it was so fun to spend a little time with her.

maxi dress YC  LGYours Clothing sent me the black maxi dress.  It is a UK size 30-32 or a US size 26-28 and I am quite sure a US size 30-32 could wear it. It is a light jersey, very easy to wear, the armholes run fairly large and since I am 5″5″ tall, I had to shorten it a little. It is difficult to see but there is a twisted front that is a nice detail in the torso area.  It was a great piece to accessorize and I loved that I was so comfortable and I thought the dress looked very elegant.

photo: Leori Gill

photo: Leori Gill

I think I am going to "silver leaf: this before I wear it again.  photo: Leori Gill

I think I am going to “silver leaf: this before I wear it again. photo: Leori Gill

photo: Leori Gill

photo: Leori Gill

Here are the close ups of the jewelry, mostly made from vintage or thrift store finds (on Etsy) or left-overs in my jewelry box. A tutorial to come, I promise.

It was a fabulous fun filled evening and I loved being a little outrageous in my style, and have a vision for making the look a little more who I am.

Peace…affinity