Tag Archives: fatshion

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

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

 

Plus Size 24+ Blog Roll

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The Plus Side of Me included Affatshionista on a list of 20 Plus Size Fashion Bloggers at Sizes US 24+ a few months ago. I was thrilled to see her list and to be included. I had been looking for these blogs, and there was now a plethora of new ones to gobble up. I find the list very useful and often refer to it.

To bring in the new year, I used it to update my Blog Roll. In addition, I added some of the Ahead of the Curve Bloggers, that are part of the blogging collective I participate in, and some other bloggers, mainly from the US. I chose bloggers that provided information about US Size 24+ clothes, mostly clothes you can purchase but some with DIY approaches, and that were more clothing oriented rather than lifestyle or beauty oriented. I hope you will find it useful.

So check out my new list on the upper right side of my blog:   Blogs I Love  – 24+

Happy New Year!

ASOS Curve Size 24 Ombre Pencil Skirt – Review

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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

ASOS CURVE Sequin Pencil Skirt Size US 24 – Review

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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

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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

Hell Bunny Plus Size Sweaters or How I Learned to Love Spiders!

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* Hell Bunny lgest LGSo I have always been kind of prissy about gore and spiders and the macabre (fiction is fine but at the movies I might have to cover my eyes). And then I met this amazing group of people that includes artists, scientists and creatives in general, who love that world. In particular I met Jennybird Alcantara, whose work is sometimes defined as morbidly romantic, and science educator Melissa Alexander, who has a love of all things science and art, and I started seeing the beauty in that world. So when my fellow Ahead of the Curve (see below) blogger, Stina Scott, started blogging about Hell Bunny Plus Sizes and calling her Sugar Skull cardigan spooktacular, and I ran across these amazing Hello Kitty Spider Panties, I could see my point of view had changed, and I had to have them.  AND THEN, I fell in love with this Hell Bunny Spider Cardigan, but be forewarned, I might have bought the last 4X anywhere, after many phone calls!

hell bunny spider sweater LG1This 4X sweater is a tiny bit snug and as you can see does not close easily if left unbuttoned. It feels soft on my body and the design is beautifully crafted. It is a little warm for California but would be perfect for most points East and North. I think it might have looked cute with a white cami for contrast.

FYI: I suspect that the Hell Bunny Dresses would be too small for me in the waist, but if you have a more hourglass shape they might work for you. But I am always thrilled to find a new brand and love their alternative street wear, that encompasses the macabre, retro and a little punk edge.

GLOVES: You can find my discussion about finding gloves HERE.

* Hell Bunny lgest skirt LGSKIRT: This is an ASOS Curve skirt, Size 22, that i added a little felt spider appliqué ribbon to, which I may remove.  It came with a belt, which was way too small, and the waist just barely buttons on my 53″ waist.  In order to wear ASOS Curve in the waist, I really need a little stretch since I am barrel shaped, and the widest place on my body is my waist. But I really wear a size 24, which they do not have, so it is really my fault it does not fit.  And by the way, I had to IRON it to get the wrinkles out.  I don’t know about you, but most days I can just spray something and let it hang and get out any wrinkles, but that did not work with this skirt.

You can see my measurements HERE if you want to know how these clothes might fit YOU.

BOOTS: Please see my review of my Torrid Studded Boots HERE.halloween ahead of the curve

Happy Halloween, See my fellow bloggers below in Ahead of the Curve! We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have a post on “Halloween” so check them out by clicking on each link.

Trick or Treat Halloween Vintage Pin Up Skirt
Happy Halloween
Halloween Costume Flashback
Halloween: The Fat Girl’s History
I’m a Ballerina!  Plus Size Halloween Costume for the Girly Girl!

Peace…affinity

photo: Leori Gill Photography

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

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 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