OMG, I love this. Not exactly the cutting edge I would wish for, but it is a start, baby steps.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2KScmEUu8k?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Peace…affinity
Plus Size 4X Edwardian or Steampunk Costumes
My friend Amber Clisura is back this week with How to Dress for the Edwardian Ball. I think she provides great costume advice even if you do not happen to be going to the Edwardian Ball. I have a couple of cheap tips and plus size suggestions.
The obvious is a corset top. Dare to Wear has this style and other styles in a 5X, and I hear they run a little small. You can read my review and readers comments HERE.
You can find small headbands and “fascinators” everywhere now, but I love the breadth at Amazon, for figuring out how to make your own or buying one inexpensively. The one above as only $10 plus shipping and would dress up any outfit (second page of the Amazon link). As you may know I live in a costume sort of world so I am always looking for tricks to make it easy. In the photos in her post some women are wearing bustiers over their clothing, or over a bra, rather than alone. You get the effect without being so exposed.
I also find that most stretch or fishnet fingerless gloves fit me just fine, even inexpensive ones (at 275 lbs). I have not tried these velvet stretch fingerless gloves and they are a little more expensive, but I would be surprised if they did not fit. In very worst case, if they did not fit you could sew a little piece of black eleastic into one of the seams, easy and effective.
These little fishnet gloves I own in many colors, they are very inexpensive and have never found a pair that does not fit.
In addition, a Tie-On Bustle, which will make any skirt you own a costume. It says it is one size, but I have worn these before by just replacing the ribbon. If you want to spend more I would check out Etsy. Steampunk is kind of “Around the World in 80 Daysish” and not unlike Edwardian in the costume world.
So with a pair of gloves, a fascinator, a ribbon around your neck and a tie-on bustle, you could make almost anything in your closet into a Steampunk or Edwardian Costume. If you want to stretch a little and try a bustier it would make the costume even more authentic.
And a video with lots of ideas that are not size related, make-up, masks, big fun: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO4eIRpIZ1k?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Hips and Curves has a Steampunk Section on their site. A lot of the collection only runs to a waist measurement of 50″ so that may not be helpful, but they have some cute accessories.
Bustiers: Here is a great bog post, Plus Size and Proud, about Corset Boulevard Global and how they fit and how they look. Great information, and there are a couple of great photos.
In addition, Clockwork Couture has a variety of accessories.
Or you could do a little DIY steampunk, it is all over the web, last year I did a vacuum tube hat and necklace made out of computer and old doll parts.
Peace…affinity
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Fractured Friday v.01/18/2013
Fractured Friday includes items that may not be FATSHION but are a variety of things that have caught my eye that I want to share with you.
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OMG! A fabulous men’s fashion blog: Highsnobiety Thanks for the tip Jenny Strauss.
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I am the Social Media Coordinator for Cool Neon. They created this electroluminescent wire peacock costume for Katy Perry in 2010. I had never seen the video before and I liked it so much that I thought you might enjoy it too.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZEBNioAMxU?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
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On CBS News Sunday Morning, a TV show I have been watching as long as I can remember, they did a review of Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones, an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. It was amazing and I want to share this hat in particular that Stephen Jones designed for Dior. Each little “paint dab” is made up of 2,000 sequins.
Here is a must see video which was made when the exhibit was in New York:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yl4CeQVLo8?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
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LOVE is 20 feet high and the installation was created by my friends Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg.
…affinity
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Torrid CrossBack Dress Review
I went to my fabulous tailor this week, Barbra Hume, who is also a designer. She was altering a dress for me to wear to the Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fashion and Fire, fashion show I was going to and we discussed why I feel like I need to wear one dress or another for a particular occasion! That turned out to be very interesting because that afternoon this Torrid dress arrived in the mail and I knew I had to wear it rather than the fabulous Simply Be dress that I am going to save for The Bay Lights Opening Ceremony on March 5th. Why, because I could not wear this strappy, too revealing, form fitting and short for an old fat lady, to an event the Mayor of San Francisco and the Lt. Governor of California are going to attend. But I love it, so I wore it to an evening of boundary stretching fashion.
The photos of me in this dress are not very good. I promise to reshoot and post them soon. It is the best fitting strappy dress I have ever tried on. The straps fit perfectly, the waist is long enough and it is just fun. I was sure it would be too small but just that little bit of spandex made it work in the waist and yet not tug anywhere. But, I cannot seem to get a great photo of me in it to share with you. I am so happy I took a chance on it after looking at it for a couple of weeks before I took the risk, rarely does anything this fun last that long on Fattoo Grand, the Facebook online resale page. I love it.
Here are the deets:
Dress: Torrid – Size 5X – purchased thru Fattoo Grand
Coat: Lane Bryant – Size 24 – Double Breasted and pulls a little if I try to button all the buttons Here is a similar version I cannot tell you how many compliments I got on this coat! Purchased from Jessica Kane on Fattoo. How fun is that? Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time.
Tights with studs (glued on): Lane Bryant – Size 26-28 – Way too large – purchased through Fattoo
Regarding Leggings: I tried on some Avenue Size E leggings that I had but I could not even get them up my skinny legs. Since I am 5’5″ and weigh 275 lbs. I was very disappointed when they did not fit. I guess I will buy some Size EE while they are on sale.
Avenue Size Chart
Shoes: Lane Bryant – Size 10W – my most comfortable flat
photo: Gary J. Wilson
I thought you might like to see some photos of the show:
This was my favorite dress of the evening with the windowpane design
photo: Brittany Schell
photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography
photo: Ed Jay
photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography
A stained glass gown and a dress bejeweled with images displayed in LED lights are just a few of the pieces of evening wear made from steel, wire, leather and other industrial materials that will be paraded down the runway this weekend at The Crucible in West Oakland for the Hot Couture fashion show. Brittany Schell
And Rose Nisker Aerialist did a beautiful performance with a live violin accompaniment
All in all a very exciting evening.
01/18/2013 Update: An Oakland Local Blog review of the event.
Peace…affinity
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Enrich Your Life, Make a Contribution
As most of you know I am an avid Burner (one who goes to Burning Man). I volunteer, I blog and most of my community stems from these amazing artists and people who make things and get things done. I volunteer because Burning Man and its culture and ethos have enriched my life.
I don’t usually write about much that isn’t fashion related here, but this project in Haiti is a chance for me to give to a group of artists that need skills that are more practical so they can make a living. Please help if you can, even if only a little.
Currently I am volunteering for Burners Without Borders and what I am asking is that if you also have found Burning Man to have enriched your life, or you would like to enrich another person’s life, that you consider helping Burners Without Borders in its partnership with Haiti’s Jakmel Ekspresyon Art Center, a unique community arts center for an important segment of Haiti’s artistic community. As the people of Haiti recover and rebuild from the 2010 earthquake, this center for creativity and self-expression is a vital part of its future. With the support of the Burning Man community, we can make a real and lasting difference in transforming this paradigm. This screen printing project will be the first of its kind in Haiti. Burners Without Borders will send ten artists to Jacmel to teach skills in design, screen printing and professional development. There are currently no screen printing services available in Jacmel to create post-cards and t-shirts for the tourism industry or for the various international organizations who work there. This project is sure to be a success and we need your participation to make it happen. Please help Burners Without Borders and Jakmel Ekspresyon launch a new arts/artists-in-residence program that will benefit the local economy for the long term! Please spread the word.
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In Full Swing is Having a Sale
My friends at In Full Swing are having their Winter sale until January 31, 2013 in Oakland, CA, so stop on by and check out the variety of sale items.
In addition, In Full Swing just received a big shipment of Sympli which our friend Jenny Srauss is modeling, and I love this look.
And I love how she dresses up this “go from work to evening” look. The Purse/Briefcase she is carrying is a Coach bag, the shoes are Fluevog Mini Zazas and the coat is Calvin Klein from Nordstrom (last year). A fabulous look.
Peace…affinity
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Fractured Friday v01/11/12
My friend Catherine Gacad ask me to be a guest blogger on her “Money Monday” series because my husband and I retired early. I worked in the financial industy for 35 years in addition to my husband, Tom Mingle, being a strong influence on my spending habits. It is pretty basic advice. but I wanted to include it in case you were interested. Thanks for the invitation Catherine, I look forward to posting about other financial subjects.
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My friend Amber Clisura, a blogger, a designer and one of my fashion heroes, is writing a “tutorial” on How to Dress for the Edwardian Ball. I thought you might enjoy reading her piece about a very unusual event.
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The Four Seasons by Frederic Aranda – Christine Suppes wearing Chanel couture
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From Sex + Design (With Levi Ripley)
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From Sex + Design Can you believe this is a PENCIL drawing? Incredible!
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floating by Fat Girl Posing from Flickr
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Happiness arises as a result of different causes and conditions. If you harm someone out of anger, you may feel some superficial satisfaction, but deep down you know it was wrong. Your confidence will be undermined. However, if you have an altruistic attitude, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in the presence of others. Dali Lama
Peace…affinity
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Joe Zee’s 2013 Fashion Trends – Where Can I Find Them in Plus Sizes?
I am a big fan of Joe Zee. He is the the Creative Director of Elle Magazine and hosts “All on the Line”, a fashion series on the Sundance Channel. I feel like he has his finger on the pulse of what works and what is next so when I saw that ABC did an interview with him I wanted to share the highlights. I thought you might like to see the suggestions in some plus sizes.
TREND #1: LACE
Torrid Nude And Black Lace Splice Tank Dress – On sale now $39
Torrid Red And Black Lace Tube Top – On sale now $32.98
Lace was huge on the runways for spring. Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Bottega Veneta and Burberry were some of the best examples. It is definitely a return to delicate, feminine dressing. I love the idea of lace detailing on skirts, pants and coats. Lace tops are great to pair with a structured blazer to offset the sweetness. A super easy way to integrate the lace trend into spring is a lace tight! Joe Zee
TREND #2: JAILHOUSE STRIPES
Graphic prints like stripes and checkerboard were huge on the spring runways. Most notable were the Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton shows, both designed by Marc Jacobs. Strong prints were sent down the runway in all silhouettes, from gowns to minis to suit sets. The best way to integrate this into your spring wardrobe is piece by piece. A strong jacket or blazer pairs well with a dark jean or cropped pant where as a skirt or pant goes well with a classic button down or a super soft t-shirt in black or white. You can keep your whole outfit graphic and on trend without turning into an optical illusion! Joe Zee
TREND #3: 90′s GRUNGE
“90’s grunge is rough and girly with a great mix of patterns and proportions. It’s about a balance of texture and toughness.”
I am about to add rhinestones going the other direction on this DIY Size 4X top, and you cannot really tell that the shoulders have lace on them. This is a top I found in my drawer and decided to use for studding…affinity
For spring, layer a great knit over a delicate dress and add a great boot. Mixing prints like floral and plaid with a solid in between is also a great way to step into this trend! Joe Zee
In Joe Zee’s Own Words: Four Wardrobe Must-Haves
1) A black leather moto jacket. This is an Elle wardrobe staple for all seasons. Leather adds great texture and toughness to almost all pieces of a woman’s wardrobe. Cool with jeans, pencil skirts or over dresses. We saw spring-weight leather at many shows this past season – always a great investment piece. Joe Zee
Simply Be Leather Look Biker Jacket – $105
Michael Kors Biker Jacket – $399 – only in 1X
Inc. Non-leather Jacket – $99.50 (plus 15% off code) size to 3X – I find this brand runs large. If I needed a jacket, this is what I would try and I am a 4X…affinity
IZOD Leather Moto Jacket – $129
Very difficult to find this late in the season most of the plus size biker jackets I looked at were sold out…affinity
2) Skinny dark jeans (slim cut). Denim finds its way onto every runway season and it’s why it’s on our trend list each season. Dark denim is seasonless and a necessary addition for spring. Pair it with a blazer or leather and add accessories to go from day to night. Joe Zee
Torrid currently has 67 versions of skinny jeans
3) A blouse or skirt with ruffle detail. Ruffles and romantic details were huge this spring! Tone it down with a ruffle detail on a blouse for a bit of romance without being overwhelming. Joe Zee
Torrid has a wide selection of items with ruffles
I had a more difficult time finding just ruffle detail on the edge of a collar or just down one side of the skirt. Maybe those are not yet in plus sizes…affinity
4) A structured blazer. Another major trend this past spring was suiting. We love the idea of breaking up a suit to still keep it cool! Pair it with jeans and a t-shirt to keep the ease. Joe Zee
ASOS Curve Blazers – Size 22 = about a size 26 US
Blazers are everywhere this year, Avenue, Lane Bryant, Jessica London, etc. I have tons from my many years of working in the corporate world so I will not be buying any…affinity
PEACE…affinity
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First Fractured Fridays
I am going to try posting some items that are not fashion driven, but are a variety of things that I have seen during the week that I find interesting and maybe some plus sizes clothing sales both local and national. I have stolen the idea from Tutus and Tiny Hats. This is our first little start. Let me know what you think and if we like it I will continue, or I may decide that my time is better spent just bringing you curvy fashion news.
Hot Couture at the Crucible – January 11 & 12 – A Fusion of Fashion and Fire
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13 Fashion Trends to Ditch in 2013
I had to read this because I am always just a step behind the curve. I am loving studs and spikes all of a sudden and neon will always be on my list.
Speaking of neon, here is a link from Jenny Strauss of some neon jewelry.
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For Sale:
Heidi Guttman has 150+ pieces of clothing including shoes, purses, swimsuits. Mostly +/- size 26, shoes size 10.5/11W, bras +/-44DD. In the Oakland Hills. Prices are mostly less than $10 for the clothes except for some new designer stuff. Her email is ocean.earth.heaven@gmail.com
Feel free to contact her directly if you are interested.
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Daisy Baloon Dress by Osaka Takashimaya_________________________________________________________________
OMG!
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My friend Marilyn Wann was interviewed on CNN, Big Deal: You Can Be Fat and Fit, this week and someone made her hero paper dolls. This is a must read if you are interested in fat and health.
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100 Coolest Harajuku Looks of 2012 — Straight from Tokyo
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The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health….Dali Lama
Peace…affinity
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Affatshionista in 2012
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for Affatshionista, for her first year. In the spirit of transparency I thought you might like to see it. The blog received over 12,000 views in a little over 10 months, there were 104 new posts, and the busiest day of the year was October 25th with 351 views and of course the most popular post that day was Beth Ditto – My Fatshion Hero.
Thanks to each of you for reading and contributing to my blog. I love including people I meet along the way, my friends and my funny Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) projects. I am thrilled when you find something useful or amusing, I am having a great time. A special shout-out to my friend to Ali Baba, my most avid reader and commenter, but know that I can feel the presence of each and every one of you helping to stretch the parameters of what is fun and appropriate clothing for a 64 year old supersize fat woman. I continue to be most delighted by receiving hits from around the world, I cannot imagine what they think.
Click here to see the complete report.
Our journey together continues, but for the last time in 2012, Ciao Bellas…affinity
