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Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts
How kate spade new york & Eloquii Proved That Plus Size Women Shop & Will Spend Their Coins
Friday, September 27, 2024
"I think the details and the quality are so important that it has to have an emotional tug. Even if it's the simplest shoe, it has to have something that says, 'Oh, I have to have you.' " ~ Kate Spade
And have you they did, kate spade new york & Eloquii!
The major fashion news this week was the announcement that plus size fashion brand Eloquii partnered with fashion design brand kate spade new york on a limited-edition holiday collection in sizes 14 to 28.
According to the official press release, the two brands partnered to deliver "a collection that evokes joy and empowers the customer through personal style and self-expression."
We all know that Eloquii has been serving lewks for years and this honestly is a match made in Heaven. I first saw the collection on my fellow OG blogger Emily Ho's IG page and immediately ran to her blog Authentically Emmie to learn more here. My jaw dropped to the ground.
I got a little teary-eyed. Emily is a size 26/28 like me and someone who makes me feel like I am seeing myself, when she posts content, showing herself in clothing. And believe me, we, as customers, know how important that is. Unfortunately, many brands haven't gotten that memo yet no matter how many times we have relayed that message.
The collection is gorgeous! And this is proof that plus size women will spend the money because those price points, mi gente, were not cheap. The collection launched yesterday (Thursday, 9/26) and it's almost sold out!
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| ELOQUII x kate spade new york Sequin And Feather Mini Dress, $399 |
The press release goes on to say:
"The new assortment features a range of festive styles that bring together ELOQUII’s fashion-forward, playful yet polished apparel approach and kate spade new york’s fresh, modern sensibility to deliver a dazzling array of pieces perfect for dressing with confidence at any holiday gathering."
Despite being late on posting this, I still felt I had to blog about this because of what I saw online.
I SAW FAT JOY.
So it's no surprise that Charlotte Warshaw, VP NA Wholesale, Global Licensing & Collaborations, and General Manager of Jewelry at kate spade new york officially said:
"At kate spade new york, we believe that fashion should spark joy, and this capsule does just that. With a shared commitment to women’s empowerment and the celebration of style, we’re thrilled to bring our signature aesthetic to the ELOQUII community, together creating a collection that not only looks beautiful but feels amazing to wear."
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| ELOQUII x kate spade new york Feather Sleeve Wool Coat, $499 / Sequin Column Dress With Bustier, $129 |
Over on Sarah Chiwaya's IG page for her brand Curvily, she posted a reel she filmed while at the launch party in NYC on Thursday 9/26, showing numerous plus size influencers in their Eloquii x kate spade new york looks. Smiles, laughter and joy all around. Peep that here.
But the one IG reel that really tugged at my heart was by plus size influencer Abby Bible. See, Abby worked in a kate spade new york store while in college. Imagine working in a store where you could not fit into any of the clothes? I've been there and I am sure many of you have.
She said to be able to see and wear the brand in her size healed her and that the collection had "everything plus size women are told not to wear to avoid standing out". She went on to say "it's everything kate spade believes in to be boldly you." Amen, sister!
This is why access to clothing is so important to plus size women. Inclusion, representation and accessibility is everything. Like Kate Spade said above, it's all about the details and quality. If we look at something and think "I have to have it!", we will buy. And that goes for ALL women, not just those between sizes 14 to 32.
I am hoping this is the beginning of more designer plus size collabs to come and I hope to see more collabs offer above a size 24. While this went up to a 28, I think if it had been available in up to 32, those sizes would have sold out too.
I didn't get my hands on any of the collection so I can't speak on fit but from how good everyone looked at the event and from what I have seen so far, the fit looked on point.
The FAT JOY, tho... I tell ya, that truly made my fashion spirit smile.
Did you get to cop any of the Eloquii x kate spade new york pieces? Would love to know your thoughts. Comment below or on IG and let me know!
Pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
With everything going on in the world at the moment surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing has forced many people to reflect, me included.With Women's History Month and International Women's Day both happening this month, March is always a time that I reflect on the women in my life who have inspired me to be a better person. And being home, practicing social distancing has me in double reflection mode.
I'll be totally transparent and admit that I have been practicing social distancing for a while now, since my niece died over a year ago.
As many of you know, my oldest niece Teá passed away in August 2018 at the age of 18. And she was my biggest cheerleader. She loved fashion and wanted to be a fashion designer.
When you lose a child in your life, it hits deeper than other losses. Losing my dad and brother were different. Still painful but different. Losing a child forces you to truly see life can end at any time. And for me, it was so much easier to retreat into my cave and not engage with others as I tried to figure out how to deal with the tragic loss.
Fashion and style has always been one of the major driving forces in my relationship with my nieces. Those two things helped all of us build confidence, connect and honestly, feel happy.
My nieces inspire me on so many levels because they have made me into the woman I am today. When I look at them, I see my reflection and that reminds me to keep pushing through.
I'm better because of them. They have taught me patience and compassion. They have reminded me of my beauty and greatness. They encourage me to keep my confidence consistent. They also remind me to be present and live fully in the moment.
Basically, my nieces, my "little women", are an important part of my life. They are like my lifeline.
They are the ones who encourage me to be different and celebrate who I am.
My late niece especially. She was all about creating her own trends and not being a slave to what the industry offered. She wore what she loved and boy, did she love fashion!
When my nieces were babies, I worried so much about them and always tried to lead by example but it hasn't always been easy, especially being on a journey of my own.
This journey included me finding out who I was, learning to love myself unconditionally and in turn, being who I was 100% through my style.
Fear had always been the deciding factor when I wanted to wear something bold that was so me. Fear of what others would say or think.
And my nieces see me in a different light than I do. So seeing myself through their eyes was so imperative to me during my journey because it showed me that I was my own biggest critic.
While there were times in my life where I just wanted to blend in with the background and not have a spotlight on me because of that fear of how others would look at me, my nieces always reminded me that I should embrace my uniqueness and own my space. That the only opinion that should matter is the one I have for myself.
They instilled in me the importance of the story I tell myself and how important it is to create a narrative that will uplift me and not bring me down.
Part of my uniqueness is my love for sneakers, especially adidas. I have been known to incorporate sneakers into my looks, even wearing sneakers with a gown on the red carpet.
Growing up in the 80's, the Run-DMC song "My adidas" became my "Rocky" anthem. To this day, when I hear that song and I'm wearing adidas, I walk taller with my head up high, with a pep in my step. I forget I'm a fat girl. I'm just me, rocking my style and my adidas.
Being plus size, not every store carries my size, so to be able to shop for sneakers and not worry about my size not being offered is MAJOR. I feel included, especially since I'm a shoe size 9, which is considered average.
What I love the most about adidas is how they celebrate women. This year for Women's History Month / International Women's Day, they are partnering with iFundWomen to support women entrepreneurs in sport. They want to create opportunity and visibility for women in the sport industry through access to funding and expert coaching. You can find out more here.
Sneakers have been part of my DNA since I was a kid and to be able to feel like everyone else and wear the same things as everyone else gives me peace in a world where I constantly stand out, sometimes for the wrong reasons.
I just want to exist, live my life to its fullest with lots of laughs and fun with my little women. But the world isn't that kind at times, with some expressing their opinions about me existing in a fat body.
I did not set out to be an activist but living in a fat body makes me one every time I choose to walk out the door and into the world.
My nieces remind me that while there are some who will react negatively to my existence, the majority of the world sees me as someone who inspires them to own their space.
They also remind me the importance of my work of encouraging my audience to celebrate who they are and step into the power of their personal style no matter what size or age they are.
I think about Teá every time I get dressed. Even after her death, she continues to take every step with me in this journey to living the best life possible.
I'm so thankful for the little women in my life for just being in it.
Suvana turns 18 this year in May and will be able to vote for the first time. She is a gifted artist who loves to wear all black, has a collection of combat boots and watches Steven Universe.
Angel will be 14 in June, a few days after the six-year anniversary of the death of her dad. But that child has so much light and color that I know she will make him proud. Her Tik Tok videos kill me every time.
Ashley will be 2 in May and is already showing that she has a stand out personality and is so independent. She loves to try on my adidas and walk around in them. Serenity is three weeks old and I cannot wait to see the woman that she becomes.
Man, these kids make me want to do incredible things so they in turn will want to do the same. Plus, I want to always be the cool Auntie, lol. The next generation looks so bright and I hope I live long enough to see all them blossom into their ultimate greatness.
At the end of the day, they remind me daily that we all have a story. Let's make sure it's a story worth living.
Here's some links to check out while you're home!
My favorite collection from adidas - Superstar! CLICK HERE
My newest pair of kicks - trying out the Advantage style CLICK HERE
The tee I'm wearing - it's a men's tee (wearing a size 3X)! CLICK HERE
And the next 2 pairs I am eyeing:
Superstar kicks in a snake print - YES!!!
Superstar kicks in a heart print - OMGOSH!!!
**This blog post was sponsored by adidas but all opinions and statements are my own.
Age and size are only numbers. It's the attitude you bring to clothes that make the difference. ~ Donna Karan
As a size 26/28 woman over 40, finding clothes I love, that also fit well, can be frustrating.
I have a streetwear style aesthetic and often times, I am told I should dress my age.
Also, my struggle is different than those plus size women under a size 24. They have much more options than I have when it comes to shopping.
Many brands think plus sizes stop at a size 24 so often, I can't shop new size expansions and have to get crafty when it comes to putting together looks.
Since sizing is so inconsistent across the board, there are times I can fit into a 24 and 3X but those times are rare. I believe in taking chances so instead of just bypassing those brands that don't offer above a size 24, I instead look at their assortment and pick items based on fabric, measurements and customer reviews.
Those three key factors truly make the difference when shopping for clothing.
So when the folks at Fashion to Figure invited me to try their new subscription service for three months, at first, I was hesitant, because they don't carry my size. But then, I reminded myself of my three key shopping factors and dived in!
The FTF subscription service mirrors Gwynnie Bee's model so it was easy for me to start creating my closet as I have used the GB service before. The service offers a 3-garment plan for $54.95 with free shipping both ways. You can get as many boxes as you can within that month. And you can purchase items you have at home at a discount.
It's required that you add at least 8 items to your closet to have your first box prepared and shipped. So I got busy, adding items.
For reference, I'm 5'6", my measurements are 57-51-68 and I wear a 44/46F in bras.
This maxi dress is so lightweight and stretchy. When I saw that the fabric contained 5% spandex, I immediately added it to my closet because I knew it would have some give. I love the tie dye print and how well it matched with my hair. The off the shoulder ruffle neckline is so feminine and fun.
Since I am a sneakerhead and wear sneakers with everything, I paired the dress with my favorite pair of Adidas that have a blue floral design on the sides, along with a cute little black purse from Fashion to Figure.
FYI, accessories are not included in the subscription service.
This dress also paired well with my green clutch (an oldie but goodie from FTF) so I love that I can also add a pop of color to this look as well.
In terms of fit, I was able to move around easily in this dress. I was also able to sit comfortably as well. It did fit close to the body but I didn't mind that. I actually loved how it hugged my body and skimmed it well, not squeezing the life out of me. The fabric is very soft and stretchy. Perfect for this humid NYC summer weather. The side slit hit me at the knee and the length hit me at the ankles.
All in all, I love this dress and would wear it again.
Look #2: 'Catch Flights Not Feelings' Lazer Cut Tee in Black + the Jennie High-Low Taffeta Skirt in Coral
And I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised that the tee and skirt fit comfortably. The skirt is a high/low silhouette and to be honest, the front part is a bit short for me but I am all about getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things. So I was showing off them legs in these streets...
About this fanny pack... When I checked the measurements for the size 3, it said 50". I took a chance, even though my waist is 51", because I noticed that the belt was half faux leather and half chain. I figured if I needed extra chain links to make it fit, a little trip to Michaels would help with that. #plussizefashionhacks
Well, I didn't need those extra chain links, folks! It actually fit a little big!!!!
About the fit... the tee fit well and the fabric was soft and stretchy. I had no issues with the short sleeves (for reference, my upper arms measure 21" around). The length is a bit short for my taste (it hit me at upper hip) but that was not a deal breaker as I tucked in the tee.
The skirt flared out so there was ample room for my legs to move around freely. The waist fit well and has a tie belt. I opted to tuck in the ties so I could wear the fanny pack.
Once I was done with all three items, I placed them in the pre-paid bag that was in my box and took the bag to my local post office to send back to FTF. I selected Return on the items in my closet on the site to notify them of the return and FTF will now begin to put together my next box. Easy peasy!
All in all, I am really happy I took a chance and tried FTF's subscription service. I am sure I will have some misses but if I don't try, I won't know what WILL fit. And I can just send back what doesn't fit.
Stay tuned as I share more of my looks during the next three months and show how I made my closet work for me, even though FTF doesn't carry my size.
And maybe... just maybe... one day, they will expand to a size 4, maybe a 5? I know I am dreaming out loud but who knows?
You can check out Fashion to Figure's subscription service here. Get $10 off your first month if you sign up thru that link!
Here's the links to the FTF accessories I wore with my two looks:
Black Round Handbag with Handle
Zebra & Chain Fanny Pack
Hot Pink Double Circle Earrings
**This blog post was sponsored by Fashion to Figure but all opinions and statements are my own.
"Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day." ~ Author Unknown
Fashion is personal. So personal.
This rings true especially for plus size women as it's harder for us to find clothing we love that fits well. Now if you're above a size 24, it's even more challenging to find cute stuff.
I believe we are all worthy of having access to clothing that fits us in our size and style. This is why I believe it’s important for customers to see bodies like theirs reflected in the models shown online, in store ads and in campaigns. Showing a diverse set of bodies not only shows a more accurate fit of the garment on different shapes and sizes but also empowers women to try new styles and shop more.
But there is still more work to be done and I personally feel like instead of griping and complaining, I should use my pen and voice to do something positive. We, as customers, have the power to let brands know what we want. Believe me, they are listening.
So this is why I have decided to create a new size inclusive series aptly titled #IAmFearlessly Me. I want all of us, no matter what size you are, to be fearless in who you are because we are all beautiful and worthy of being seen.
It seems appropriate to kick off this series with Catherines, a retailer who offers up to a size 5X. They're a great brand to shop for extended sizes and petites, offering quality basics, stylish (and cute!) dresses and tops, as well as amazing denim.
I have made no secret of my love for their Right Fit jean, which is the only jean I can wear without a belt. I recently did a dressing room video that you can see on my IGTV channel on Instagram where I loved almost everything I tried on.
Some may view Catherines as a matronly brand but honestly, it's all in how you style your items. I saw some major gems in store and honestly, their fit is much better in my experience than most plus size brands.
Catherines recently debuted a skinny jean, which piqued my curiosity so I thought that would be a great item to feature in this series. I mean, who doesn't love a skinny jean, especially if the fit is right?
I asked my fellow blogger sister ShaKera of The Real Sample Size to join me and show how the jean fits both of us.
Here's our sizes and body shapes for reference:
ShaKera is a size 20/22 and carries most of her weight on top. She has thinner legs and ankles. She's 5'6".
I'm a size 26/28 and depending on the brand, I wear either size in jeans. I have a cross between a pear and hourglass shape with a defined waist. I carry most of my weight in my hips and my calves are fuller, measuring 23" around. I'm 5'6".
We're both wearing Catherines' skinny leg jean, styled our way. ShaKera is wearing a size 22 in the jean and I'm wearing a size 26 petite, as I have short legs and a long torso.
I like to mix prints so I paired my jeans with this cute Printed Timeless Tunic Tank with Cutout. It was lightweight and fit so well. I added the Printed Effortless Linen Buttonfront Top that has this pretty white pineapple print. I opted to wear it open but will wear this tied in a knot in the front or closed with a belt. The styling options are endless.
When mixing prints, you have to choose colors that coordinate well. For me, the base color is pink with these two tops.
The jeans fit nicely, like a second skin. And I was shocked that it fit well in the calves as they are a slim fit. The only con for me was that the rise was a bit low for my taste. Since I have a long torso, I like a higher rise in my bottoms.
ShaKera was pleasantly surprised that the jeans fit her calves and ankles well. She usually has the opposite problem than I have, where the calves and ankle area are too big on her since she has thinner legs. This shows that Catherines paid attention to the cut of that area as they sized up in the pattern to allow more room as the jeans got larger but not too much so that the stretch can accommodate calves of different widths.
The true test was sitting down while wearing these jeans and seeing how comfy they were. And they passed! We were able to sit with no issue and be comfortable. Yes!
Now back to the main reason for this collab. I want to know... how do you feel seeing bodies like ours?
Would you like to see bodies like ours on retailer websites as models. Would you like to see bodies like ours featured in campaigns?
Please let me know below in a comment or on social media @fearlesslyjustme on Instagram and here on Facebook.
Who would you like to see me collab with next in this series? And what brand? Let me know!
You can shop our looks below:
ShaKera
Roman Terrace Buttonfront Tunic Top (wearing size 2X)
Skinny Leg Jean (wearing size 22)
My Look
Printed Effortless Linen Buttonfront Top (wearing size 3X)
Skinny Leg Jean (wearing size 26W in petite)
Good Soles Sparkling Sandal (wearing size 9W)
**This blog post was sponsored by Catherines but all opinions and statements are my own.
"I am recognizing that the voice inside my head is urging me to be myself but never follow someone else." ~ Q-Tip, "Steve Biko (Stir it Up)"
For years, I wore the wrong size. I thought I was larger than I was AND I had been fed that notion growing up that wearing baggy clothing would hide my fat and draw less attention from the world. I used to lie about my size because I was ashamed to be a size 24 and wore clothing that was a size 30/32 in order to hide my body.
For me, those days of hiding and lying about my size are over. I'm still on my journey to complete self love and I know that journey is a lifetime commitment.
Now I'm a size 26/28 and I don't lie about it. I embrace it because it is me and honestly, my size does not dictate my worth in anything. My clothes fit me better -- I mean, how amazing do I look in those Lane Bryant jeans in the above pic? Baggy jeans were not a good look for me. I'm daring to step out of my comfort zone more and wearing different styles - the more fashion I try and love, the more my confidence builds.
AND... my size has actually been my strength and worked for me in a positive way. It has helped me with this blog and reaching other women who need inspiration and empowerment from someone who they resonate with. It has helped me get signed as an extended sizes fit model with State Management, it has helped me stand out in the influencer space and it has taught me how to use my voice to make change in the world.
However, these days, I am now seeing women (including bloggers) lie about their size and saying they are smaller. I see them squeezing into clothing that doesn't fit well. And it confuses me because it's evident that the clothing is too tight and ill fitting, as well as the wearer not looking super comfortable.
Girl. Why are you doing that to yourself?
I'm all for people wearing what they want but I also want to inspire women to embrace who they are, including their size. There is nothing to be ashamed of. We are all beautiful in our own right, no matter your size, age, gender, race and etc.
I want women to proudly wear their size and not think twice about it. I want them to not get caught up in the number and focus on being comfortable in what they choose to wear. Why? Because then you will feel good and will feel more comfortable and strong, wearing something that fits well, isn't stopping your breathing and squeezing the life out of you.
Another reason I personally don't get caught up in sizes anymore is because it is so inconsistent across the board. I wear a size 22 in ASOS, a size XXL (24) in City Chic, a 26 in LOFT, a 28 in Lane Bryant, and so on. Shoot, sometimes I have worn a size 5X at Gwynnie Bee! If I let all that get to my head, I would lose it.
So I shop by my measurements and wear what I love. I wear styles that enhance my curves, lumps and bumps. I know my body shape and know what looks good on me. I wear clothing that I feel good in and that includes those "taboo" styles like a body con dress, a crop top, shorts and leggings. As long as I feel good and love how it looks on me, I wear it.
If you love how that extra tight smaller size looks on, then I will be quiet and let you live. But it does sadden me that some women feel like they have to lie about their size, their weight and all of that vanity stuff because we do those things for others; to seek validation from others.
At the end of the day, we shouldn't be dependent on the validation of others because what counts is the validation we give ourselves.
The most important relationship you can have in life is the one you have with yourself. That relationship will determine how the other relationships in your life will go. And if you can't keep it real with yourself, how will you do so in other relationships?
Some food for thought...
Life is short. Be proud of you and all you have been able to do in your life in your body. Size ain't nothing but a number and has nothing to do with your beauty and what you bring to the world. There is only 1 you in the world so why not celebrate that?
"You gotta have the mindstate like: 'I'm so great,' and can't nobody do it like you do. Miraculous, phenomenal and ain't nobody in here stopping you." ~ Remy Ma, "Conceited"
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