I made a little fashion mistake last week. I ordered a size 4X leggings from Roaman’s. I did not review their size chart, I did not look at any notes I might have had about sizing for Roaman’s. But guess what, Roaman’s runs VERY large. According to their size chart a 4X is equal to a 34-36, not a 26-28, which is what I usually wear. Good to know, doncha think? So I am off on my vacation to Europe without tights to match my new Forever 21 t-shirts, which you will be seeing soon…affinity
The vintage look is all the rage right now and one on-line store I have been looking at Chic Star hails from China. One of my favorite aspects of Chic Star is that they solicit designs from the public and pay them a small fee if the design is used, thus the designs have quite a bit of breadth. In addition, as lots of on-line stores are doing right now they encourage buyers to send in their photos.
Their size range includes a 4X with a bust size up to 56 inches, but the waist is only 48 inches, seems like the designs might work better on an hourglass figure rather than an apple shaped size 26-28 like me. I am concerned that the waist will not fit, and that has kept me from buying one of these fun dresses. I would love to hear about it if you have a Chic Star dress…affinity
A Tripp skirt might be the first piece of clothing I ever bought from Torrid, years ago. The skirt was a purple underskirt with tulle overlay and was a 4X, and always a bit small, but I loved it so I wore it anyway. At the time it seems to reflect Torrid’s edgy style. Then this fall I found this turquoise pleated skirt at Torrid in a 5X, and it is a perfect fit. That drew me back to Tripp and I bought a couple of pairs of jeans (leopard which you will see later), which you can buy at One Stop Plus or Torrid (as well as a bustier on sale) for about the same price. FYI, the short jeans are just a bit too short for me and I am 5′ 5″. I look for Tripp pretty often on Ebay because I rarely find anything else that I like quite as much.
A few weeks ago, I found this 4X mini pleated skirt in a purple plaid and I just had to have it but as you can see below it is a little small and I will not be wearing it again. So it seems to me that Tripp NYC runs just a tiny bit small but I love their fun style and I think it reflects who I am, so I will continue to buy it when I can find it in my size.
I purchased the belt on Ebay many years ago. If I were buying it today I would not buy rhinestones since I have lost a few over the years…affinity
This week there was a going away party at the Burning Man Headquarters because one of my favorite people ever and the Communications Manager and Regional Network Manager, Andie Grace is moving on. She was my boss when I was the Wedding Coordinator for Burning Man for several years and I will miss her terribly. Although it was 68 degrees in San Francisco that day I knew it would be warm at the party so I wore my new sundress.
A couple of weeks ago I decided that I should check out kmart’s plus size clothes, just ’cause. I ordered this Festival Dress in a Size 26-28 (my size) for $18.74 with an extra 15% off, and it is 100% cotton, what a bargain. I had no hope of it fitting and then it came and when I tried it on it did not fit, but while I was putting it back in the bag and felt a drawstring which untied and then tried again – and OMG it fits and it is precious. I cannot remember the last time I was so happy with a piece of clothing. It was made for Burning Man or a hot day in the city. It also comes in a print and if you wear this sort of thing it is a must have. You might also want to check out the rest of the Love Your Style Love Your Size line. I am pleasantly surprised by kmart plus sizes…affinity
Necklace: I made this is 2009, Precious Metal Clay and Colored Pencil
Bra: White strapless Goddess bra, fabric spray painted green for project
Bracelet: Handmade gift at Burning Man 2006
Earrings: Dichroic Glass from Etsy
Just for your amusement I have added a photo of the project that the bra was spray painted for, I made a life size paper mache of Tara: the Tibetian Goddess of Compassion. I don’t paper mache anymore but I thought this might make you smile.
photo of me and Tara: Julian Cash
photo: George Post
I think this morning might have been the last little rain that we are going to have so I wanted to tell you about my Mycra Pac size XL raincoat (I am a size 26-28). I fell in love with one in a store but they generally run over $200, so I stalked them on ebay until I found one for $100. They are reversible, they run very large, I really wanted an animal print and I always feel dressed up when I wear it, what more could I ask for?…affinity
P.S. I hear there is an outlet store but I have never been there: Mycra Pac Designer Wear Outlet 535 Center St · Moraga, California
June 2013 Update: Since I wrote this post In Full Swing in Oakland CA has started carrying these fabulous coats.
I bought this polka dot black bow belt in a size 4X from Torrid a couple of weeks ago and I love it. I am always looking for a belt with a little more style. It fits snugly on my size 28 waist, the elastic parts fold where they should and it is very comfortable. The little piece of sheer ribbon with the polka dots is not going to hold up and will have to be cut off, but that is okay.
I wear a belt almost every day, so I will be in the look-out and would love to hear about any that have worked for you…affinity
I have twelve working days until I retire, after working for more than 47 years. So I want to show you my work drag while I am still wearing it. I bought these pants at the Avenue store in Palm Desert, CA. I like to shop on the desert when I am there because they have lighter weight clothing which feels great to me. This jacket is a couple of years old and is from In Full Swing, a clothing store in Oakland, CA owned by one of my closest friends. I especially love this jacket because I love text in any language, but especially Chinese. My husband and I have been to China a couple of times and I could never find anything in my size, so I always think of this as my Chinese jacket. The Count Down Begins…Twelve…affinity
Jacket: Painted Pony – Size 3X – Great Fit
Slacks: Avenue – Size 28 – Good length & love the belt loops
Turtleneck: L.L. Bean – Size 3X
Heather Hale
Dress: LucieLu
Tights: AdditionElle
Shoe: Aldo 
Sarah Griffith – Oregon
Heather – Vancouver, Canada
These are some women I met a couple of weeks ago at the Burning Man Regional Summit. My husband and I have been volunteer registrars for the last six years. The Regional Summit is a leadership conference that allows Burning Man community leaders to stay in touch and learn from one another. This is what I wore to the Summit. I said I would bring you a little fashion from the Summit and here it is. What I loved most is the variety. There was a little funk, and little everyday wear and a little verve. I cannot even tell you how happy it makes me to be a part of this event and meet people from all over the world.
The photos of Kameron Hammon from Utah and her fabulous outfit were lost. Hopefully she will send some new photos to me at affinitymingle@gmail.com …affinity
