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Plus Size Clothing at the Burning Man Global Leadership Conference

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Gloria Lamb

Gloria Lamb

We had been in our new condo for two days when it was time for the Burning Man Global Leadership Conference.  Since we had volunteered for all five previous conferences to be the registrars, we set aside our unpacking and off we went.  I had a chance to take a couple of shots of the attendees and I wanted to share them with you, since I love their style.  Gloria Lamb, aka LaLa, is the Burning Man Regional Contact for Los Angeles. Love the scarf and boots.

RealGirl

RealGirl

This shot of Debbie ‘RealGirl’ von Huene, the Regional Contact for the South Bay, is fun.  She happens to be wearing the Leg Avenue bustle that I featured in my DIY Steampunk post and you can see how well it works with a jacket and matching purple sweater or t-shirt.

Jalapeña, Michelle Ochoa

Jalapeña, Michelle Ochoa

Jalapeña aka Michelle Ochoa, is the Operations Manager for Black Rock Solar which is part of a network of non-profit groups working to grow the Burning Man cultural movement. She’s wearing horizontal stripes, one of my favorite looks this year, and I love the cut-out in the back.

aff BWB tshirt glcAnd in a very casual look for me, no jewelry or accessories, (since everything was packed), I am wearing a cami, size 26-28 from avenue, to which I had appliquéd a logo from a man’s t-shirt, bordering it with some trim and including a couple of rhinestones. The pants are TrippNYC, size 30, from Torrid, which I do not see in a size 30 much these days.

BWB tshirtHere is a close up of the cami.  Why do I have this logo on a cami? When Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area in 2005, a group of “Burners” banded together their collective skills, and over the next eight months gifted over $1 million worth of reconstruction and debris removal to the residents of Mississippi, and Burners Without Borders was born.  When the leader of the crew showed up with t-shirts at a Burning Man staff meeting, as a fundraising tool to keep the crew fed, I just had to have one. So I cut up the t-shirt and put them on a cami that I had in my drawer.  The first of many DIY projects to bring Burning Man schwag into my life.

Peace…affinity

Review Plus Size Pleather Skater Skirt – Asos Curve – New Look

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IMG_0906You know how sometimes you have something hanging around that somehow you never get to.  Well, I have this photo in this fun pleather skirt. I never posted because I bought the skirt in the photo above on a Facebook Thrift Store and I did not have anyplace to send you to buy one. But now I do and I love this fun, funky look.

asos curve new look pleatherThis skirt in the photo is not the skirt I am wearing in my photo.  This skirt from Asos Curve, is much shorter than the skirt I am wearing in my photo. It comes to a US Size 24 and and the brand is New Look from Asos Curve. I have a very large waist and generally wear a size 28 and sometimes a 30 in a tight jean. I just bought a similar skirt in a different material but this brand and US size 24 and because of the elastic waist it fits just fine, BUT it is short, so it is a leggings sort of skirt. The description of the skirt on the Asos Curve web site does not indicate how long it is.

Black Sheer Striped Top: Cult of California, Size 5X – runs a little small
Tshirt: avenue Size 26-28  – To a size 30-32 and runs true to size.
Skirt: Asos Curve US Size 24  – see above for size information – This is not the skirt I am wearing in my photo.
Belt: Custom – Ebay
Leggings: Torrid – footless, Size 2.  Torrid Size 3/4X are too small for me but the footless version seems to run larger.
Boots: avenue, Size 9.5, for more information click here.

Peace…affinity

Summer at In Full Swing

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Review of Plus Size Gold Lace Skater Dress From Yours Clothing

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Best Yours Clothing Gold LGLast Thursday night I went to a Fun-d-raiser for the 65 foot Truth is Beauty Sculpture that is being built to be installed at Burning Man this summer.  I wore this femme little gold lace skater dress that Yours Clothing was kind enough to send to me. They sent me a UK size 30-32 which is a US size 26-28 and it fits really well (and now they only carry a U.S. Size 24), and might be able to be worn by someone a little larger than I am.  Everyone loved it and it was fun and easy to wear.  I feel like I could wear this to lunch with the girls or to an evening out since it has such a casual yet dressy look.

better back gold YC LGI also loved the cut out back which covered my bra perfectly and adds a little extra sex appeal without actually revealing anything. And in case you have not been following along, my tattoo says affinity in Sanskrit, or actually “kindred” which was the closest iteration.

tib Marco JuliaThe event was at Marco Cochrane’s studio, and he did a live sculpture of his wife Julia while we were there.  Marco is the first person I had ever seen live sculpt, and it is a mystery to me how he gets what he sees through his eyes made into a clay, or a 65 foot steel sculpture.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/62843802 w=600&h=338]
photos of skater dress: Leori Gill
photo of Marco and Julia: JRH Photography

Review of Plus Size Flirty Mini from Yours Clothing

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good Yours Clothing polka dot LGSince my sweetie and I bought a condo in Oakland, CA, last month I have been catching up with my friends that live on this side of the Bay and going out to lunch or a movie whenever I can.  This flirty polka dot mini dress, with leggings, is my new go-to outfit.  Yours Clothing was kind enough to send it to me to be reviewed. It is a UK Size 26 – 28 which would be a US size 22 – 24, and it is a great fit. I also love this black version with a print, which I might just have to have for the warm weather to come.  It looks fun, and it is very lightweight which is great since Oakland weather is about 10 degrees warmer than San Francisco.

I have been wearing this dress with neon pink fishnet tights from We Love Color, which come in 51 colors, and these are Plus Size “One Size” Size 1X – 3X and they fit perfectly, but I think I am at the top of their range, since I am a size 26-28, the size chart says hips to 48 inches and mine are well over 50″, they are also not very long.  I think the fishnets would also be fun with black stockings underneath them, to match the polka dot color even more, but it would have to be a pretty cold day to make that comfortable.

The silver shoes are a Size 10 from Torrid and I would love to have 10 pair of them.  They are my favorites, and I seem to have bought the last pair in the world.  And the silver belt was a gift from a friend.IMG_2783I also tried the dress with cropped tights and little black flats since it was really warm one day, but I think it looks better with long tights whether they are pink or black.

Peace…affinity

Screen Shot 2013-05-03 at 6.37.38 AM5/32013 Update:  One of my readers suggested the pink tights needed a pop of pink at the top of my body, perhaps a scarf, and I agreed.  But I am not really a scarf girl so I bought some vintage 1980s big button clip on earrings which are totally tubular for less than $10 including shipping.  We will see if that does the trick.

Top photo: Leori Gill