Powered by Blogger.
"Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone." ~ Shannon L. Alder
For almost a year now, I have been working as a First Fit Reviewer for Gwynnie Bee. I basically act as a fit model for new styles and provide honest reviews on the styles I try, in order to help other women find styles at GB that will work for them.I take my job seriously. Shopping is a challenge for me because I have large upper arms, a small waist, wide hips and large calves. I also tend to be between a petite and average length in pants - I'm 5'7" and sometimes pants are either too long or too short. I'm also a size 26/28 and you don't see many of us represented on websites and campaigns. So I love being able to try things on at Gwynnie Bee and offer my honest opinion on the fit.
Some pieces are definitely not my style and I have tried things I thought I would never wear, like a jumpsuit, a mini dress and a body con dress. This job has opened my eyes to the fashion out there and has helped me get out of my comfort zone. My style has evolved and is now more about what suits my personality and less about my own hang-ups that feed my fear to try new styles.
So every month, I will be giving all of you a sneak peek as to what's to come the following month that are my favorite styles. I also will be sharing some styles that are on the site that I love. As always, check out my reviews for a more detailed description of my fit experience and if you have any questions, you can always reach out to me on Facebook and Instagram.
I tried this Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Space Dyed Asymmetrical Cardigan yesterday and am in love with it so much!
I'm wearing a size 4X and it fits so well! I love the neckline and the thumb holes! This will be launching on the site on January 10, 2017.
This Kiyonna Foxfire Dress in Purple was a style I did not think I could pull off. But I was so wrong. I love it so much. I definitely felt sexy but chic in this number. I am wearing a 4. This will launch on January 3, 2017.
Another win from Melissa McCarthy Seven7! This Kiss Stain Pintuck Blouse is amazing. I love that you can tie it in the front or back. I'm wearing a 4X. I'm definitely closeting this and buying it. This will also launch on the GB site on January 3, 2017.
My two closet picks for the month are:
I'm wearing a 3X (!) and this cape blazer is simply fabulous. This was my first time wearing a cape style (another venture outside my comfort zone) and I am sold!
As always you can read my full reviews on the GB site. If you aren't a member of Gwynnie Bee and want to try the service out, you can try it for 30 days FREE of charge. Just click here to sign up. You won't be disappointed and you'll never know until you try.
Happy holidays and stay tuned for next month where I will share my faves for January 2017.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein
I have made no secret of my hunt for the perfect fitting jean. I especially have yet to find a pair of skinny jeans that fit me.When you're plus size, you know all too well how sizing is inconsistent across the board and that because of all of our different shapes and sizes, shopping is a challenge.
For me, I have a small waist, wide hips and turkey leg shaped calves, where my upper calves measure 22" around but then I have smaller ankles.
Most skinny jeans fit tight on the calves and I can't even get them up my leg. Some boot cut jeans fit tight in the knee but super baggy in the calves. And let's not discuss the gaping at the back of my waist. I hate wearing belts but to keep my pants up, it's a necessary evil.
Jeans are not the only item I have fit issues with.
My hips are wide so sometimes with coats, I struggle to find one that fits well AND will button up without looking like I'm going to burst out of it. So most times with coats, I leave the bottom button undone. And then there's my larger upper arms, which make sleeves the enemy.
After making do with what I have available to me and having many "making it work" moments, the day has come when my dreams have finally come true.
fullbeauty delivered a Christmas miracle my way this year BIG TIME. Not only did they have skinny jeans that fit me but also mid-calf boots that I am able to wear OVER my jeans as well as a comfy plaid coat that fits perfectly.
These Woman Within Premium Denim Skinny Ankle Jeans are amazing. They're a true skinny fit and the stretch denim fabric makes them so comfortable. I ordered the regular women's length and at 5'7", they are long enough where I can roll them up and still have a decent length. I opted for the Indigo wash, which I love. The jeans come in six other washes and I plan to stock up on them.
What I love the most about fullbeauty is their massive shoe selection in wide and double wide widths. I have flat feet with no arch so I wear custom insoles in my shoes to give me arch support. So I always opt for a double wide shoe when I can.
These Madison Booties by Comfortview are so comfy and had more than enough room for me to add my insoles. They're available in M, W, and WW widths and also have half sizes! I'm a solid 9 but always get 9 1/2 because of my insoles.
The boots fit perfectly over my jeans and this is something I have not been able to do since high school! I was so happy that my confidence went from a 10 to 100.
Last but certainly not least... this coat!!!! I have been on the hunt for a coat with a hood that's warm without feeling bulky. I tend to get hot quickly and since I live in New York City, winters can be unpredictable.
I have never owned a plaid coat before so when I saw this Jessica London Shawl Collar Hooded Coat, it called out to me. The neutral grey and black print would go with almost everything and the hood looked super warm. I also loved how it had a tie waist and snap button closure.
This is definitely a cozy winter look that I will be wearing on repeat this season. I love the casual aspect of it but it also has a stylish touch to it courtesy of the boots and skinny jean. I would so throw on a sequin sweatshirt for some bling or maybe add a fur hat. I'm all about having fun with fashion but still making it work on a daily basis since I am always running around town or at work.
You can shop my look at the links below:
Woman Within Premium Denim Skinny Ankle Jeans, available in sizes 12W to 34W in Average, Petite and Tall (I'm wearing a 28W in Indigo)
Madison Booties by Comfortview, available in sizes 7 to 12 in M, W, WW in burgundy, black and brown (I'm wearing a 9 1/2 WW in black)
Jessica London Shawl Collar Hooded Coat, available in sizes 12 to 28 (I'm wearing a 28)
What do you think of my look? What about your fashion struggles? Comment below and let's chat!
**Clothing was sponsored via fullbeauty but all opinions are my own.
"When women support each other, incredible things happen." - Anonymous
I've been in this place in my life where I am evolving and growing. It's crazy. Just when you think you know what you're doing or think you know the industry, something happens to change your perception and enlighten you.
This lookbook I am about to discuss with y'all has changed my life and outlook on the plus size community and industry on a whole.
I am a big believer in creating opportunities for myself. I spent a long time complaining and being resentful that others were getting opportunities and I was being turned down and passed over. Then one day, I realized that I needed to get out of this pity party because at the end of the day, I am in control of my life. I can make things happen.
Why not create opportunities for myself and others?
My biggest gripe has always been that there is not enough representation of women my size in campaigns and in the media. I yearned to see bodies like mine. In talking to many in the industry, I have heard an array of reasons why diversity hasn't fully taken its place in the plus size industry. From fat phobia within brands run by straight size people to the masses not being ready to see larger bodies, I have had so many conversations about this.
However, those conversations did not change the fact that I, as a size 26/28 woman, often feels ignored by the plus size fashion industry. Hell, sometimes I feel excluded by my own community including the activists. It often feels like I straddle the line between the fashion community and the activists and feel like I have to choose a side. But why should I?
I love fashion and dressing up. I also love speaking out against fat bias, discrimination and lack of support. I want to join the fight in pushing size diversity to the masses and bringing attention to what's going on in the world. I mean, Marilyn Wann is my hero and has been for years. But I also love showing my outfits of the day and talking to women about fit and style, especially those above a size 22. This is when the idea of creating a style book came about.
Bloggers put out lookbooks all the time to promote a brand, a trend or season. It's a great visual way to show the products on a non-model body, gain exposure and provide some style inspiration. So I thought, why not use a lookbook as a way to introduce a group of bloggers over a size 22 to the masses while offering their quotes on confidence, body image, style and fit? And it was then that the Style 22+ lookbook was born.
So I began creating my dream list of bloggers I wanted to include in this lookbook. I tend to follow a lot of bloggers because of my current job at PLUS Model Magazine and tend to gravitate towards bloggers who are not only stylish but fearless, genuine and down-to-earth. I tend to not look at numbers or how fancy images are.
Images can be strong on their own when the person in the image is exuding confidence and true happiness from within while knowing that while they are not perfect, they are beautiful. I also wanted to show bodies that you normally do not see in the media or campaigns like those apple shaped girls who carry most of their weight on top.
And I wanted this lookbook to be different. So not only did I ask the women to submit images of them wearing their favorite looks that showcase their style, but I also asked them to answer questions from which I pulled quotes from and placed throughout the lookbook. The quotes talked to topics such as confidence, inspiration, body image, shopping, fit and more.
The lookbook is almost like a mini book that introduces these fabulous women who are all different in style but have the same intent... to live fully in the bodies they are in now, happy and confident. It shows that women above a size 22 can be happy and dress to the nines.
This lookbook taught me the importance of community. It taught me the importance of support. It taught me the importance of having a tribe. Most of all, it taught me that my purpose is bigger than I could have ever imagined.
In the blogger world, there are those who are all about themselves... ME, ME, ME. However, if any change is going to be made in the industry on a whole, we need to support, help and teach each other. We should never view each other as competition because at the end of the day, I believe that there is room at the table for ALL of us.
It's so easy to compare yourself to others and resent their successes because you wonder why you didn't get that opportunity. But honestly, if that opportunity was meant for you, it would be yours. Again, it's about creating your own opportunities and putting your best foot forward. Never giving up and being true to your purpose.
We are all unique and should showcase that. There's no one else like you in the world so why would you think you're competing with someone? The only person you're competing with is yourself.
All of the women in this lookbook are amazing. And they inspire me to keep going. We've already been featured in Buzzfeed, The Curvy Fashionista, Estrella Fashion Report, Daily Venus Diva, PLUS Model Magazine and Dressing Room 8. And it is not over.
This lookbook has me excited for 2017. Because I am so ready to see where this takes me. I have big dreams and ideas that I am going to make happen. I'm already working on the next lookbook, which will be about body love.
I want to show the world that you don't have to be naked to be body positive. I want to show the world that an activist can also be a fashionista. I want to show that all bodies are beautiful. I want to tell the world that fashion is for everyone. And style isn't dictated by size.
Madonna recently spoke about how she's a rebel and rebels are fighters. She then said:
"At the end of the day, it's the rebels who change the world."
That's what I am... a rebel. I will never give up on my mission to support ALL women and inspire them to know that they are beautiful and worthy at ANY SIZE. And health and fashion/style should never be in the same sentence.
Click here to check out the Style 22+ lookbook. Or view it below. And stay tuned for other body diverse and positive projects from yours truly. :-)
Special THANK YOU to the amazing women who joined me in the Style 22+ Lookbook Project:
ShaKera of The Real Sample Size
Amanda W. of Bella Moxie
Meshel of The Muffin Queen's Closet
Ashley of Simply Curvy
Lisa of MustangSallyTwo
Amanda K. of The Koker Chronicles
Meagan of This is Meagan Kerr
Corissa of Fat Girl Flow
Amanda A. of Fashion, Love & Martinis
Emily of Authentically Emmie
Rebecca of The Plus Side of Me
All of them are incredible women that are leaders in this big girl revolution taking place. Yes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons