Category Archives: Plus Size Clothing Reviews

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

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

Ashley Nell Tipton’s Sequin Bomber Jacket

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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

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

Ashley Nell Tipton Unicorn Skirt – Plus Size 4X

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sequin skirt at holiday sparkI had loved this skirt for awhile and was excited when I purchased it a few months ago. In my life I can pretty much wear a sequin skirt to most of the evening events I go to, whether it is an art opening or a house party…BUT, I just struggled with what to wear it with. I looked at dozens of tops. Should I buy a sequin top, in beige, lavender or blue? I looked at floral t-shirts that I could perhaps add some sequins. I looked at pastels t-shirts of every hue, and then one day I realized it was really a pink base and decided to take a VERY casual approach with a graphic t-shirt and my trusty black denim jacket. Sometimes you have to just give it a try and enjoy it already.  So off I went to a holiday party. Continue reading →

Affatshionista’s 5 Posts You Loved the Most in 2014!

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I just want to close out 2014 with a review of the posts you loved the most on Affatshionista this year. Over the course of the year, more than 90,000 readers visited our site. So what were the most popular posts of 2014?

Continue reading →

I Don’t Wear Plus Size Winter Accessories!

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Since I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is fairly unusual for me to need a winter hat, gloves and/or a scarf. For the occasional fire on the beach I have a 10 year old kitty hat and a pair of purple leather gloves. Last night we went to a party and it was warm enough to sit outside for a drink while we were near the fireplace. But, I did live in Minnesota one winter and loved the winter coats and scarves and hats, the weather, not so much.

So I looked around and these are what I would be wearing if I lived in snow country right now. I love a cloche hat and thought the faux mink collar and gloves would be fabulous with either of them. Did you see the collar also comes in leopard print. And they are all on sale!

One Stop Plus has the best selection of plus size hats I have ever seen. Winter hats, summer hats, sunday go to church hats, cowboy hats, silly hats, bright colored hats, they have over 400 hats. A great place to start when you are hat shopping.

And did you know fur collars are EVERYWHERE this year? In fact, I think most of these standard size collars will accommodate plus sizes. The short collars are about 20 inches, which would work for me with a longer ribbon, and the longer “collars” or faux fur scarves, would work at their current 46″ length. I think they are fun and add depth and breadth to any outfit.

Some of them are very fun and others are more conservative, and many of them are on sale.

Leopard Hat and Gloves Quilted Gloves Studded Gloves

Roaman’s Leopard Hat and Gloves
Catherine’s Quilted Gloves
Lane Bryant Studded Gloves

I wanted to bring you one last set of choices. A black leopard hat with several different glove possibilities. The fleece hat and gloves, as well as the quilted gloves are all on sale and would make great gifts.

BOOTS: I cannot discuss Winter without mentioning boots. The hunt for wide calf boots is always with us. If you want to see what I think are the widest calf boots available, please click HERE.

Layout 1Don’t stop here. Check out what Cherie and I from  AHEAD OF THE CURVE had to say about our theme this month, “Brrr…Plus Size Winter Accessories”.
Just click HERE.

Ahead of the Curve, is a collective of plus size bloggers that come together to post on the same subject. Stay in the know with Ahead of the Curve by liking us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram as Ahead_of_the_Curve_Bloggers.

Peace…affinity

Fall Into Autumn in an ASOS Curve Lace Jacket

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ASOS Curve Size 24 Lace Jacket Land's End Mock Turtleneck Size 3X

ASOS Curve Size 24 Lace Jacket
Land’s End Mock Turtleneck Size 3X – (They do not have it in this color right now)

As fall approached I began thinking about my fall wardrobe and what I liked of the new arrivals at the various on-line stores. And guess what, I could not find anything in fall colors that spoke to me except this jacket, and black (or white, which it also came in) is not a fall color. In the San Francisco Bay area where I live, everyone wears black year-round, so sometimes I really try to buy something that is not black, but not this time.

asos photo of lace jacketWhen I purchased the jacket I did not realize that it had as much mesh as it did lace. I could not really tell that from the ASOS Curve photo because it is black on black. I still love it.

lace jacket statue zippedIt is a tiny bit snug when zipped, which was surprising since it is an ASOS Curve US Size 24, which is usually quite generous on me, but since it does not actually provide much protection from the cold I probably will wear it unzipped. Usually I wear a size 26/28, but can fit into a size 24 in the ASOS Curve brand (but not all of the brands that they carry), and sometimes a US Size 22. There is NO stretch in this jacket, but I am enjoying wearing it.

To compare my measurements to yours, click HERE.

Layout 1Don’t stop here. Check out what all the chic, smart bloggers from AHEAD OF THE CURVE had to say about our theme this month, “Feels Like Fall”.
Just click HERE.

Ahead of the Curve, is a collective of plus size bloggers that come together to post on the same subject. Stay in the know with Ahead of the Curve by liking us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram as Ahead_of_the_Curve_Bloggers.

Peace…affinity

photos: Alissa Heath

Geometrics Rock My World

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Eyeglasses Pendant Cami Belt Skirt Gladiator Sandals

ASOS Curve Skirt Size 24 – Eyeglasses – Pendant – Cami (similar)                                Torrid Stretch Belt Size 4 (similar)- Gladiator Sandals Size 9.5WW (similar)

I fell in love with this skirt the moment I saw it. I love that the geometric print runs into itself and is a little off kilter, and I have continued to love the black and white trend and I still see it everywhere in fashion.

Black and White always looks modern,
whatever that word means.   Karl Lagerfeld

The skirt I am wearing is a Size 24 which is a little big and I have it pinned, but the Size 22 was a little small. I am wearing it backwards because I like the way the print falls better, and since it is a pencil skirt, back or front do not matter. The eyeglasses are vintage and just like the ones Doris Day wore in Caprice.

Earrings

I found the earrings on Etsy, and they were just vintage round checkered tin earrings that someone had made cuts into, so that the pattern was uneven. I was so amused that they were as off kilter as the skirt that I bought them. And I suspect you will see me use that trick again. In addition they were stud earrings, and about ten years ago my ears started rejecting metal, so now I only wear clip earrings. Thus, I cut off the stud and replaced it with a set of clips, attached with my favorite glue E600, which it seems like I use everyday.

To compare my measurements to yours, click HERE.

Peace…affinity

 

Outfit Photos: Lydia Hudgens

Catherines New Black Label Collection Includes Size 34W/5X

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CATHERINES BLACK LABEL PROMOI was an attorney before I retired two years ago and Catherines was my go-to store. I have been a size 26/28 since at least 1990, just one size larger than most plus size retailer carry, and Wear to Work line was a life saver for me, since they carried up to a size 34W. Before the on-line revolution, I would even drive a couple of hours in each direction to Sacramento from San Francisco, so I could be properly dressed for work (now they have a store just 20 miles from my home).

You can imagine how thrilled I am to see Catherines Black Label line of clothes.

Quilted Jacket Available September 2nd

Uptown Quilted Jacket
Available September 2nd

But of course since I an now retired and can wear whatever I want, and my favorites are the Uptown Quilted Jacket, above, which will be online on September 2nd, and the Rialto Lace Jacket, below.

This is what Catherines has to say about their Black Label Line:

Catherines, a leading women’s plus size specialty retailer for sizes 16W–34W and 0X–5X, is excited to announce the launch of Black Label by Catherines, a limited-edition collection of statement-making fashions focused on quality, luxury and impeccable styling. Available in select stores and online at catherines.com beginning September 2, Black Label by Catherines offers plus size women the modern wardrobe options they crave, with exclusive pieces designed to fit beautifully.

What differentiates Black Label from other plus size luxury collections is the focus on the higher end of the plus size range. A number of retailers offer fashions up to size 22. But the Black Label collection gives full-figured women modern, luxurious looks up to sizes 34W and 5X. “It’s all about fitting women beautifully, while providing an elevated collection they just can’t get anywhere else,” says head of design, Kate McKee. “Our design team is dedicated to creating fresh looks that really flatter, within well-edited collections that are on-trend for every season.

I am thrilled that I am seeing more high end, beautiful, fun clothes in extended sizes, and they have free shipping and easy returns to their local stores.

Peace…affinity

photos: Catherines