Sheer Madness!

     

     Like so many women, I like to show off my legs and my arms. I don't have the legs of a Victoria's Secret model, but you know what? Neither do they. They are photoshopped up the ying yang. So, I shrug my shoulders and get on with feeling the sun on my bare skin. My thoughts are that on one's deathbed, one isn't going to wish that they covered themselves up more and felt guilty and ashamed about their body. They are going to wish that they felt the kiss of the elements on their flesh. For those of you that need some coaxing, I present to you a perfect primer....sheer! It gives you the coverage you feel comfortable in, yet it shows some skin. It is also ultra sleek and makes limbs look long and sultry. 

I present to you the cream of my finds....the best pieces that have risen to the top and would love to go for a spin with you!

1) This Vince Camuto dress ($128.83 CDN at Bloomingdale's) is just the ticket for a gal who has been itching to show some leg. The inside skirt is just above the knee and the sheer panel takes the line from knee to ankle. It looks glamourous and elevated and has a columnar effect on the wearer. One can pair it with heels, like the image provided or with sandals if one wants to dress it down. 

2) Cult of California is by far and away one of my favorite labels. The designer, Jen Wilder, is a dedicated soul that sees bringing quality, on-trend plus size fashions to all as a labour of love. Cult of California is not only designed but made in the United States. This dress is a perfect fun and flirty Spring to Summertime dress. This dress will do wonders to balance out a fuller bottom half as the top half has volume via the batwing sleeves. It also nips in at the waist, making it figure flattering for pretty well every body type. This comes in at the amazing price of $75.00. You simply cannot find prices like that on dresses that are made in the States!

3) Manon Baptiste does it again. This is a beautiful dress for the woman that likes to show the tiniest hint of skin, but looking polished whilst doing so. The sleeves are made of 100% silk, which is a wonderful touch of luxury on this simple but chic dress. This dress is available on Navabi for $127.90 CDN. 

4) The final dress is a master class in plus size body confidence. It calls for a strapless or a clear strap bra, in addition to being well above the knee and a body con fit. This dress would be so fun to wear for a night on the town, but probably not for general office wear. Files would be dropping all over the place and creepy people with leering eyes would be asking you to pick up pencils for them. The ruching details throughout the dress smooth out all sorts of dimples and bumps that might pop out. This is dress is $72.09 at Macy's. 

     Well, there you have it, folks. Dresses running from reasonably conservative to downright h-o-t! Wear them with a smile and with confidence! 

Looking Crisp in Black and White

   

      Hello, my beauties! How is your day? I just accidentally shaved a sizeable chunk off my eyebrows. Damnit! So I am going to be filling them in just a little more for the next few weeks. Dang!

     

     One thing I have been noticing in the pages of Vogue and in store windows downtown is black and white. Bold use of black and white. Graphic use of black and white. In amazing patterns and a-symmetrical panels and in blocks, it is looking so fresh and put together. I personally LOVE black and white put together. LOVE IT! Be it a polka dot, a check or stripes, I cannot get enough. 

     I know that many plus size women shy away from stripes and prints fearing that it will be unflattering and unappealing on them. Fear not. I have being doing some editing, and I think that I have assembled some pieces that will make you look fashionable and polished. 

   Before we get to that, let's quickly touch on pattern. What size of pattern looks good on a rounded figure? There are two schools of thought. One is: the size of the pattern must match the size of the person. Big girl, big print. I learned this in my image consulting programme.  Tim Gunn, however, thinks that a small print looks just right on a fuller figure. He fears that if the print is too large, it might look a little tenty. 

     I wear both. I have a shift that is white with black polka dots and it features big dots. About the size of a twoonie. I also have a blouse that has much smaller dots on it. For the smaller print, I pair it with a bold cardigan, like a bright yellow or a fuchsia. I also then put a belt around my waist. This gives it structure and makes the blouse fit my shape and not the other way around. As for the dress, it has darting and seaming up the ying yang, so I just pair it with a statement necklace and at times a sweater if it gets chilly. 

     My rule of thumb is that if it is tailored to your figure, it won't look like a tent. Have it taken in, buy dresses with darts or ruching or self belts and you are laughing. Big shapeless panels will make pretty well anyone look like a shapeless panel themselves. Belts are your friend. Simple, chic, streamlined thin belts that are an inch or more in width is perfect. Anything thinner than that is lost in the outfit. Giant belts are to be tucked away this season to make way for their more demure cousin. Don't be afraid to skinny belt it! I do....every freaking day!

Before I sign off, here is "The List"(starting from the far top left, running clockwise)

1) Striped Skirt Dress: Eshakti: $69.95

2) Pink Cross Body Bag: J. Crew: $156.00

3) Ink Striped Dress: Dorothy Perkins: £39.50

4) Small Dot Dress: Eloquii: $129.00

5) White and Black Zip Dress: Asos: $39.29

6) Dotted Silk Blouse: Talbots: $99.00

7) Ink Short Sleeve Sweater: Joe Fresh: $39.00

8) Yellow Satchel: J Crew: $398.00

9) Chunky Heel Bow Pumps: Lanvin: $685.00

10) Floral Skirt: Navabi: $131.90

11) Black and White Striped Shirt: Forever 21: $23.80

Belts:

1) Pink Belt: Talbots: $49.50

2) Blue Belt: Felicee: $3.98

Love Your Body!

     

Seeing Red!

     Valentine's Day is quickly upon us. For some, it is the "most romantic day of the year." For others, it is looked down upon like a leaper crawling across the calendar. For me, Valentine's Day is a trifecta of sure things for me. I get: 

a) action between the sheets

b) flowers of some description

c) tasty dessert

Therefore, I like this holiday, as contrived as it may be.