Monthly Archives: November 2013

Dare to Wear – A Plus Size Goth, Renaissance, Romantic San Francisco Clothing Company

Posted on by

I got an email from a friend of mine telling me about the local plus size retailer she is working for, Dare to Wear.  They are a local mom and pop retail / wholesaler (yes both) with goth/ renaissance/ romantic style plus size clothing. Everything is made here is San Francisco.

They have several goth/ renassaince/ romantic styles that go up to a size 5X (and here is their Size 5X selection). I love that you can sort the clothes by size. I have not tried them yet, but I wanted to let you know about them because of my friend and because if you love this type of clothing, you know how hard it is to find in plus sizes.

Here is their Size Chart so you can see if it might fit. I think I would probably wear a 5X rather than my usual 4X, but I have not actually tried anything yet.

Update: I just heard from one of my readers:

I love their things and have purchased a few styles. I would say the sizes run at least one size smaller, so order up one size, and if it is form fitting then possibly two. Some of the fabrics are stretchy however.

They will be having sales this weekend so this would be a great time to check them out. I would love to hear from any of you about fit and how you like their clothes.

Peace…affinity

ASOS Curve Body Con Geometric Dress – Plus Size Review

Posted on by

asos geometric lgI just cannot decide whether or not to keep this dress.  Clearly it needs to be shortened, but I fits comfortably, it is made of light fabric and it is really fun. I bought it on sale so it is not that expensive, maybe without the belt and a better bra…  BUT the real question is will I wear it? All those dresses I have that are easy to wear, and fun and flirty, this is sort of dramatic and VERY revealing.  I would love to hear your opinion. And I suspect I am leaning toward sending it back since this is the only time I have worn it.

To compare my measurements to yours, to see if these clothes might fit, click HERE.

ASOS Curve Body Con Dress, US Size 24
Avenue Size 9.5W Boots, my review is HERE, and they are currently on sale.
Jewelry

Peace…affinity

The Affinity Award 2013

Posted on by
Maria Partridge & I - the 2012 and 2013 Winners of the Affinity Award

Maria Partridge & I – the 2012 and 2013 Winners of the Affinity Award


affinity necklace
November 25: I am thankful for being honored by having the “Affinity Award”, for volunteerism, above and beyond, and having it named after me, and last year being the first recipient, given by the Black Rock Arts Foundation. On Saturday at the ARTumnal my friend and colleague Maria Loli Partridge became the 2nd recipient and I am honored, there is no one I would rather share it with. There is now a trophy and we each got a necklace that was carefully crafted for the award.

If you want to read more about it, here click HERE.

This is one of those “That could never happen to me moments”
My life is just so much more fun and fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Thanks to all of you who made this possible, Especially Christina Pettigrew, Crimson Rose and Harley Dubois.

FYI: This post is dated because in November, every day, I write a little post on Facebook about what I am grateful for. It keeps me living in my heart and acknowledging the people around me.

Peace…affinity

Fabulous Custom Made Plus Size Clothing

Posted on by

nicole MaronI got a note and a photo from my friend Nicole Maron recently. She had had her amazing friend and designer extraordinaire Kelly Williams custom make this three piece ensemble – top, skirt, headpiece – for the 1920’s themed wedding she was attending.

Nicole got many compliments, including that she looked like “She just came from Prague”. I love the gorgeous ensemble and it looks like it would feel fabulous to wear.

This is what Nicole has to say about her friend Kelly as a designer:

nicoleKelly is a unique talent who understands the three-dimensionality of real bodies large and small, and who can create anything from custom costumes like this to perfectly tailored coats to fun casual wear to glamtastic modern party duds to sophisticated work clothing. She is also an *excellent* patternmaker. I think she deserves an angel who can start a clothing line and hire her as their lead designer, but she is looking for any good design job leads. You can see some of her older stuff at foompa and she offers sewing classes at Craft Haven. Really you should get her to take you on a tour of her own closet – she designed and made everything in it!

 

 

Kelly and Nicole, thanks for sharing with me, I am always thrilled to be able to share something truly different with my readers.

Peace…affinity

SWAK Red Cherry Dress Size 5X – Review

Posted on by

swak 2 cherryI have always liked Sealed With A Kiss (SWAK), in fact their one size fits all leggings are my favorite since they hug my skinny ankle. Our blogging collective, Ahead of the Curve’s theme this month is Big Girls Can’t Wear Prints? (See below) So when I saw SWAK’s Red Cherry Dress at Gwynnie Bee, I just had to try it. I ordered the 5X, just assuming it would fit, well it was too big in the bust and back. I am going to try another dress in the 4X and we will see if that is a better fit.

As you may know from this review, I have a trial membership to Gwynnie Bee, and if you are interested in trying it FREE for 30 Day please read more HERE (full disclosure) if you sign up I do get a free month free.

Dress: SWAK, Red Cherry Dress, Size 5X (too big) (On Sale)

To compare my measurements to yours, to see if these clothes might fit, click HERE.

ffffinalAhead of the Curve is a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have written a post responding to the oft heard point of view “Big Girls Can’t Wear Prints?” so check them out by clicking on each link:

Push Th’ Little Daisies…Fat Girl Flower Power
Perfect prints, right?
Fat Girls Can
Black, White, and Red All Over
Falltivest
Prints? Absolutely.
My Life In Prints…A Big Girl’s Perspective
Print En Kimono
Big Gals Can Wear Prints

Photo: Leori Gill
Banner: Elizabeth Tamny

ASOS Curve Size 24 Ombre Pencil Skirt – Review

Posted on by

photo-4I am in Palm Springs this week and this has been my Go To outfit.  Out to dinner, dinner at a friends, just dressed up enough for the desert. This is how it looks after having it shortened about 3″

photo: Leori Gill

photo: Leori Gill

This is how it looked before it was shortened, and the leggings were too much for the skirt.

brastrapOn the desert I wore a Cult of California bra that created a more interesting back.

top w flower medAnd then I got an idea in my head that I should put one of the cut off flowers from the left over material from the hem shortening, on the cami.  That did not work out so well. I will be removing it.  LOL

pp leaBut the best part of the week was a housewarming dinner party at my friend’s fabulous mid-century house in Rancho Mirage. SO FUN!  Thank you!

Skirt: ASOS Curve US Size 24 – Great fit,does not pull, VERY light, ON SALE (hips are 69″ stretched)
Cami: Avenue Size 26/28 I have 6 or 7 of these
Bra: Cult of California – Size 5  Run a little small, but I have two and I wear them when I want to create a little contrast to what I am wearing
Belt: Torrid Size 4X – perfect fit (similar- Buy One Get One Free)
Bird Necklace: Early JennyBird Alcantara

To compare my measurements to yours, to see if these clothes might fit, click HERE.

Peace…affinity

Kiyonna Chameleon Convertible Skirt & Dress Plus Size 5X Review

Posted on by

kiyanna dressWe are in Palm Springs this week because a friend was kind enough to offer us her timeshare that she was not going to use.  So in anticipation of being in 90° weather I went to my Gwynnie Bee account to have something light and deserty to wear. It turns out that this Kiyonna skirt/dress is incredibly heavy and I would NEVER be able to wear in warm weather, even though, since it is strapless it looks like it is designed for a hot day.  I was quite disappointed.

kiyanna descriptionI did not pay attention to the size chart (my bad) and the 5X fell off of me so much that I could not really even take a photo of it.  My measurements are HERE if you want to compare your size to mine and see if this would fit.  The sizing is good to know, since I have never worn Kiyonna before, that this skirt/dress it runs true to size, since I usually wear a 4X. This dress not longer appears to be for sale but you can still find it on Gwynnie Bee.

As you know from this review, I have a trial membership to Gwynnie Bee, and if you are interested in checking it out please read more HERE (full disclosure) if you sign up I do get a free month free.

Peace…affinity

ASOS CURVE Sequin Pencil Skirt Size US 24 – Review

Posted on by

asos curve sequin skirt LG2As you know from this review, I have a trial membership to Gwynnie Bee, and if you are interested in checking it out please read more HERE (full disclosure) if you sign up I do NOT get a free month free since I am not going to continue my membership beyond the trial.

I would not have bought this wild multi color sequin pencil skirt, but when I saw it was one of the choices I could “rent”, in a US Size 24 no less, of course I had to try it. It is a little snug, but after all it is a pencil skirt. The entire skirt is made from a stretch poly blend. (ASOS does have a free/easy return policy, which makes it easier to take chances) You can see my measurements HERE if you want to know how this might fit YOU.

I probably would not buy this, even if I needed a sequin pencil skirt, because sequins are not very comfortable to wear, but oh is this SO gorgeous.  When I opened the box my husbanded was blinded and loved it. And guess what, it is on sale right now. I saw another blogger had belted the top and I wish I had thought to do that with a thin belt in one of the colors found in the skirt (lots of choices), it seemed to give the outfit more definition.

The top I am wearing is several years old INC International Concepts Size 24 made of a stretchy knit, which is very comfortable and fits quite well.

Lots more Gwynnie Bee outfits to come, watch this space.

Peace…affinity

ASOS Curve Body Con Dress Size 24 – Review

Posted on by

red asos pencil LGAs you know from this review, I have a trial membership to Gwynnie Bee, and if you are interested in checking it out please read more HERE (full disclosure: if you sign up after the trial, I get a free month free).  One of the first dresses I tried was this one, because I love the body con look, but because I am apple shaped I thought it would not be a great look for me, and “renting” the look seemed perfect.

This dress looks great standing up forward, although it could use a little shortening, but both standing sideway and sitting down it is not as forgiving as a fit & flare dress, which is how I usually dress. I am thrilled to have tried it and I would love to hear about your body con adventures.

You can see my measurements HERE if you want to know how this might fit YOU. The Size US 24 was a very comfortable fit for me.

Dress: ASOS Curve, Size 24
Boots: Avenue Size 9.5W, my review is HERE, and they are currently on sale
Glasses: I found these in my jewelry drawer, something similar HERE

12/10/13 Update: The red and black dress above has turned out to be my favorite of the ASOS Curve Body Con dresses I have tried on, and FYI it is on sale right now, HERE. I like the weight of the dress, I like the black panels, I may have to buy it.

asos pencil LGI also tried another ASOS Curve Body Con Dress, which I had been coveting for months, via Gwynnie Bee, and once again I loved it, although it was much longer and would need to be shortened, and because it was a much lighter material, it did not do well with the leggings.

Peace…affinity

photos: Leori Gill