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Eloquii Embroidered Red Flower Holiday Dress Review

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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

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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

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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

 

Black Floral for Fall

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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

That Last Moment of Black Floral for Summer!

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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!

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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

Plus Size Plaid & Avenue Wide Boots

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plaid tightsresized smaller CSPlaid is everywhere this fall! Usually I don’t buy patterned leggings. That’s not really true, I buy them, but then I don’t wear them, so I try not to buy them. But I had to have these, and I thought I would just wear them with a long top. After I saw the photo below, I decided I needed another tartan to bring the look together and I bought a scarf, which makes me much happier. Continue reading →

Plus Size Costumes 4X to 9X!

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IMG_0926I LOVE costumes, as you can tell, I love to dress up for events and halloween. For several years I have been writing posts about where you can find Size 4X and larger plus size costumes, and with Halloween coming it is time for an update. In addition to retail 4X+ costumes, I am including a “Make Your Own Costume” or (DIY) section at the bottom of the page.
My experience is that retail costumes run small, so buyer beware.

torrid costumes newerLet me start with a major change in the plus size costume world and a shout out to Torrid! Torrid is carrying 63 costume choices, and it is only early September. And 23 of them come to a Size 6, which is a size 30/32, so that is where I would start. But, by my standards their Size 3/4 runs fairly small.
Screen Shot 2016-09-03 at 9.47.43 AMIn addition, they have a lot of costume accessories. I love accessories because you can build your own costume from clothes that you already own, as I detail at the bottom of this post in “Making Your Own Costume”. You can buy many accessories anywhere but with Torrid you can assume they have sized up the hat or other accessory. Torrid has created and depth of PopCulture and Cosplay looks and costumes that we only dreamed of 10 years ago!

Halloween Costumes carries 67 different Size 5X costumes, priced between $19 – $104. They even have 12 Size 7X costumes. Based on one of my reader’s experience, these costumes appear to be true to size. They have quite a bit of variety and I think it is worth the effort to check out what they are offering, and these costumes appear to be exclusive to them. Do check out their accessories, because they are a Halloween store the have tons of accessories. But be careful of gloves and headbands, make sure they are adult sizes, and that may even run small. I happen to know that the Wonderland Cat to the left is a stretchy knit and very generously sized. A reader said “I believe the 4X would fit a size 30”. The Wonderland Cat includes the shrug and “wristlets”

BigGals Lingerie has costumes up to a size 6X (and Club Wear up to 12X, custom made).  They are somewhat expensive, but it is good to know what your options are.

Sanctuarie has more costumes this year that run to a 9X that are very cute, and some moderate pricing, as well as quite a few accessories and make-up. The site says to check sizing for each item. I think this is a fabulous resource if their costume themes speak to you.

Plus-Size Costume Shop carries handmade costumes up to a 7X.  They are pricey but quite lovely and lean toward renaissance costumes and witches. At this time they do not suggest a specific date by which you should place your order, but since most of their costumes are custom made, it seems like you might want to order as early as possible.

Etsy seems to have fewer Size 4X options this year. What I found was expensive and I had seen many of them elsewhere. Each seller will have a different policy so be sure to check that out. That said, they have a plethora of accessories, Paws, Animal Hats, various ears, and Tutus, which vary in their plus sizes. And don’t forget the amazing masks, which are not size specific, and vary tremendously in cost. And they even have some themed Halloween hats, but I have a pretty big head, so I have to be careful of hats.

eBay of course has a variety of choices in both quality and fit.  This is what I came up with when I searched for Costume 5X. It seemed to me that most of the costumes were also being sold on the other sites I have mentioned, and I would be particularly careful of the bustier sizing, which always seems to vary a lot.

hips and curves sexy witch hatHips and Curves has a lovely collection of costumes and accessories, some to a 6X, which appear to run a bit small. I love the look of these costumes and I have not seen most of them anywhere else. And OMG, this sexy witch hat, I have never seen anything like it. And look at this hoop skirt which comes to a 50″ waist. 10/26/14 Update fror a reader, confirming my fears that sizing might run somewhat small:

I have some of the Hips ‘n Curves items. They run extremely small. I have the satin sleeves, and I can’t get them around my arms….also some of the school girl items and petticoats. The petticoats are my favorite…they stretch!

Lady Strange Erotic Lingerie carries very sexy costumes and some of them come to a 12X, which I assume are custom, so communicate with them and ask for a delivery date.

In addition to the 4X+ size costumes, I owned this Maleficent, Size 24 costume for years. It more than fit my size 26/28 body, and I have even had readers state that they thought it would fit to a size 6X, but I cannot vouch for that.

If you are looking for costumes through a 1/2X 3/4X or 1X – 3X, there are many options.  Most Halloween Costume vendors, like Halloween Express often carry up to a 3X, the list is quite long and you only have to Google “plus size costumes” to see the list of choices.

Most costumes tend to run a little smaller than standard sizes so check the size charts carefully when you are ordering.

aff and MB 50_1659500_nMaking Your Own Costume: And last but not least, there is making your own costume.  Go through your closet and see if there is anything that would work as the base of the outfit. Is there a black outfit that could be witch-like, or something gauzy for a princess or large sleeved for a pirate wench, or a leopard print that just needs leopard ears (these fit both my husband and I perfectly), the list is endless.  There are a ton of tutorials out there on how to make a headband or accessory to fill out the illusion. In my experience everyone wants to believe in your costume and it only takes a little sleight of hand to make it fun and festive for Halloween. Here are some costumes/DIY tips from prior years.

DIY Clown Plus Size Costume
DIY Wonder Woman Plus Size Costume
DIY VooDoo Doll Plus Size Costume
DIY Steampunk or Edwardian Plus Size Costume
VERY casual Bee Costume (good for a child)
DIY Mrs. Claus Plus Size Costume
Spider Outfit for Halloween
2013 Post about 4X gloves (most are still available)
Long Lace Gloves (the ribbon makes them adjustable)
Opera Gloves with stretch
Long Fingerless Fishnet Gloves (these are my go-to gloves)

I hope you find this useful and as always if you have additional suggestions please comment.  In addition, I would love to see some photos if you do decide to dress up for Halloween, or any time.

Peace…affinity

Torrid Shorts – What Size Should I Buy?

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shorts best copyTorrid Shorts – What Size Should I Buy?

I am Los Angeles visiting a friend that I worked with in the ’80s. Loving her pool, I will be water walking a little later this morning, and then perhaps a dip in the hot tub, which is really good for my back and sciatica.

I know, this looks like a skirt rather than shorts and that is why I love them. I just had to show you these shorts right away because they are SO cute, and comfy and I bet they sell out soon. I think I will be able to wear these when I tutor first graders at the elementary school down the street from where I live.

The shorts are lined, they have a robust drawstring, and I think they are really fun and cute. I will be looking for another pair of these in a different fabric. They are a Torrid Size 4, I think I might have been able to wear a Size 3, It is, of course, quite a bit longer on me than it is on the Torrid model.

You might find the  High Neck Tee, a little tight in the neck. I snipped the back seam, just in the neck, to give me a little more room. It is too warm in the heat of the day, but it will be perfect for the cool fall days, and I have a couple of them.

Torrid Chiffon Short – Size 4, but they are a little large, I could have worn a Size 3.
ASOS Curve Sleveless High Neck Tee – Size US 24

Peace, Affinity

photo: Joe Anaya

DIY Plus Size Clown Costume

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DIY Plus Size Clown CostumeHave you ever made a DIY Plus Size Clown Costume? If you have been following along you may already know that I go to Burning Man. In fact, 2015 was our 16th year.  The 2015 theme was Carnival of Mirrors, and like everyone else, I decided I needed a clown costume.  I bought some parts of it, and I had some many pieces in my closet. At first glance, it may seem to be a little too much, and it is. I will simplify the costume  for Burning Man by not wearing any makeup, seems like the nose is plenty.

DIY Plus Size Clown CostumeThe first thing I decided I needed were a clown collar and cuffs. If I knew how to sew, even a little bit, I could have made these, perhaps without the black ribbon edging for very little money. But I don’t, so I bought mine, but I tried to use clothes from other outfits or costumes.

Clown Collar & Cuffs
White Gloves (I bought a dozen in case I wanted to give some away)
Headpiece (painted and reused)
Skirt, leggings and boots (from my closet)

Photos: Tex Allen, Portrayou

Peace…affinity