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Showing posts with label Torrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torrid. Show all posts
"Fashion is not about clothes. It is about a look." ~ Carine Roitfeld
And my look won't be on point if what's underneath is not right. So finding amazing (& comfy!) bras has become my mission. |
| Shirt: Walmart - Terra & Sky / Bra: Parfait via Livi Rae Lingerie |
As I wrote about in my last blog post here, I had to get professionally fitted first so I knew what bra size I really was. It was a no-brainer that I was wearing the wrong bra size as 80% of women are in that same situation.
Once I was armed with information that was a combination of my true bra size (and knowing my bra size zone), my breast shape and what I should look for in a bra, I was all set. Now to find bras that can fit my lifestyle.
For me, I need a few bras for different things I have happening in my life so I was not looking for just 1 bra and I knew I would have to shop around and try different brands.
I relied a lot on word of mouth also. I'm that girl who reads reviews and really looks at feedback and comments on social media. Hell, I've even easedropped on some conversations in-store and interjected my own self into them! LOL!
So here's my fave and go-to bras for every aspect of my life...
For Fit Modeling and Strapless dresses:
This bra is the truth! I'll be honest. I haven't had the best luck with Torrid bras. I need a supportive band and can't do the lacy band that many of their styles used to have. But Torrid has improved vastly with their bras and now they have supportive options that I love. This is the my go-to bra for when I go to fit modeling gigs as it is imperative you have a nude bra. Plus, the option to remove the straps or cross them in the back is so important.
Also, I have been wearing more strapless styles lately as my confidence grows and a great strapless bra that holds the girls up and keeps my back and side fat smoothed out is a necessity. This bra does ALL OF THAT. You can find it here.
For when I need a basic everyday black bra:
I discovered Trusst over a year ago and haven't looked back. Launched via Kickstarter in 2015, Trusst Brands has become a company that not only offers an innovative alternative to underwire but also caters to the D+ cup woman. They offer comfortable but supportive bras using 3D-printing for their bra design and obtaining a patent for their Breast Advanced Support Technology (BAST™), based on the engineering principles of a bridge truss. They now use that technology to create bras that use the core of your body to lift your breast weight from underneath the bust, reducing strain on the shoulders and back. Their bras also have a moisture-wicking, antimicrobial jersey lining and molded cups.
Let me tell you... if you ever hated your underwire stabbing you in the sides or poking through your bra, you MUST try a bra from Trusst. It has changed my life. I love how you can wear the bra as a racerback too! Plus, it's a company founded by a women for women. It can't any better than that.
Supportive Sport Bras:
The Ultimate Sports Bra from SHEFIT had me so happy that I was dancing all over the place. I admit I was skeptical when I first heard about the bra. The sizing is different where they fit you by band versus cup and they state that their sizing fits up to 97% of bra sizes.
That's a high percentage to boast so I was intrigued. After the SHEFIT representative showed me how to put on the bra (you slip it on like you would a jacket, then close the three clips in the front and zip up, then do the scoop and swoop technique), she helped me adjust the velcro straps and band. I was fitted into a size 6 Luxe and it fit SO WELL. The girls went up and didn't move. The support was so real, I didn't take it off and wore it home under my top.
So their patented Zip, Cinch, Lift is the truth. I can see how they secured an investor on Shark Tank last year. Read more about their story here - it's pretty incredible. I also love how they spotlight women of ALL sizes on their blog being active while wearing their bras.
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| With Alysse of Ready to Stare at the Curvy Couture LA Office |
I had no idea sports bras with underwire existed so when I learned during a visit to Curvy Couture's offices in LA that they had one, I was elated and eager to try it on. Two years later, they have a newer version than the one I tried on and it is fabulous.
I actually fit into a 44 band at Curvy Couture when I am usually a 46 so knowing your bra size zone is key. Most women are wearing too large a band and too small a cup size so believe me, once you know your bra size zone, the fit becomes magical.
For those sexy but comfy moments:
Elomi has so many styles that fit this category that overall, they are one of my fave brands to buy bras from. So it's no surprise that my top fave sexy-comfy bra is from Elomi, courtesy of Livi Rae Lingerie while I was in Atlanta.
I have this bra in black (courtesy of my Elomi fitting above) and then in blue and pink (courtesy of Livi Rae Lingerie). I love that it's sexy but also comfy while lifting the girls to new heights.
When I saw the blue one at Livi Rae, I swooned! I was already on Cloud Nine from my experience there so this sealed the deal. If you're ever in the Atlanta area, you MUST check them out. They really are the bra experts and know what styles are perfect for you by just looking at you. The dressing rooms are so big and tricked out with a comfy chair, long-view mirror, pretty curtains and positive affirmations on the walls. And the owners and salespeople there are fabulous!
In Elomi, I wear a 46F. Again, bra zone, people! :-)
I like to have a sexy but comfy black bra to wear under shirts that will be seen through in a subtle way. I think it gives your look some sexiness. I also sometimes will wear a bra under a mesh top or blazer. This bra from Parfait is perfect for that. This is the bra I put on and left on as I walked out of Livi Rae Lingerie and headed to the airport.
Now that I have a nice bra collection to wear and wearing the right size, I feel like I can conquer the world because my back doesn't hurt anymore and no more straps digging into my shoulders.
Next up, I want to try ThirdLove, more Trusst styles and more Curvy Couture styles. I especially can't wait to get my hands on the Morgan in Coral Haze, the Bijou Flirt in Raspberry and the Kim in Caramel from Elomi. I will definitely be sharing my thoughts on those styles on the blog so stay tuned.
What are your favorite bra styles? Have you tried ThirdLove? I'd love to know. Let's chat in the comments below.
**FYI, this post is not sponsored. All opinions and thoughts are my own.**
"Wear them, they will make you brave."~ Ann Brashares, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I have always been vocal on the topic of finding jeans that fit my size 26/28 body AND seeing more bodies that look like mine in campaigns and in the media.Jeans have been the devil for most of my life. I love them so much but finding a pair that fits has been like looking for a Holy Grail.
So when an opportunity to collaborate with 4 other size 26/28 style influencers/bloggers and show how the same pair of jeans looks on all of our bodies, I had to be a part of it.
Welcome to the Sisterhood of the Size 26/28 Traveling Pants!
We're all from from different areas (including Canada!), different backgrounds and different ethnicities. The main thing that binds us together in this sisterhood is that we are all a size 26/28.
We are (from left to right):
- Saucye West: Plus size model, #fatandfree creator, body positive advocate
- Jessica Kane: Owner of Society+, Editor-in-Chief of Skorch Magazine, style influencer behind the blog Life and Style of Jessica Kane
- Corissa Enneking: Blogger/influencer behind the blog Fat Girl Flow, Body Positive Advocate, Public Speaker and Entrepreneur
- Lisa Schoenberger: Blogger/influencer behind the blog MustangSallyTwo, accountant by day, sometimes model by night (and weekends!)
- And myself!
We decided to review a pair of the same jeans from Avenue and see how they fit all of us. We were each given a size 26 and a size 28 in the 1432 Skinny Jean in Medium Wash.
For the record, my measurements are 57-51-68 and I'm 5'7". I typically wear a size 28 regular in jeans. My calves measure 23" around the largest part so skinny jeans are always an issue for me.
Avenue is a brand that has been around since the 80's and they have always offered up to a size 32. I personally have been rocking with them since then and even worked for the company in the late 80's as a store employee.
For me, I have a belly and a small waist. I have rolls in my thighs so I tend to shy away from light colored jeans because they show EVERYTHING. So this was a major challenge for me. I'm still on this journey of loving all of me, including what I THINK are my flaws.
But then I thought about the four other women in this collab and how they were going to wear the jeans too. And it did make me feel brave, just like the character Bridget in the movie Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants said they would.
I also paired them with my new Audrey Hepburn tee from Torrid and my sequin sleeve bomber jacket from Ashley Nell Tipton's line at JC Penney last year. Something about sequins, Audrey and also wearing my favorite leopard print Puma sneakers made me feel brave enough to wear these jeans out in the world with my not-so-smooth thighs.
I have to say, I loved the fit on these jeans. I fit into the 26 average and everything fit well except for the waist. Since I have a smaller waist in comparison to my hips, I almost always have a gap in the back of my pants and have to wear a belt. These were no different.
Small tip for my smaller waist girls: I have found that if jeans have back elastic, they don't gap.
I wore them all day to really see how the recovery is because no one likes jeans that stretch out as you move and then don't bounce back. These have great recovery and provided me with support, which I loved.
I decided to wear these jeans on a day at the park. They recently built a new park across the street from my house and it has a track, hopscotch grid, tennis court and other cool things. I have been wanting to start walking the track for a while now but kept putting it off out of fear of people staring at me.
Sometimes I just love to walk so I usually don't intentionally wear workout clothing. I am usually in a tee and jeans like I was this day. So I thought to myself, why not do a lap while wearing these jeans? And I did and I made it!
That day I overcame some more of my fears like wearing light colored jeans and finally getting to the park to walk a lap. And guess what? No one stared at me. Sometimes I think we all get into our heads too much instead of just living.
So when I made it to the FINISH line, I was so happy and overjoyed. I felt proud of myself. And that's what being fearless is all about.
As we left the park, I saw a No Standing sign and thought to myself all of those times where people told me I was not worthy of being here or taking space and how I never gave up and stayed put. I can stand where I want, being me.
Just as I am allowed to have fashion accessible to me in my size RIGHT NOW and not 4 sizes from now. Thank you Avenue for always offering great fashion in my size and not giving up on that customer. It means so much to me and I am sure to so many more women out there like me.
Shop my look below:
1432 Skinny Jean in Medium Wash from Avenue
Audrey Hepburn Diamonds Crew Tee from Torrid
Puma Clyde Suits Sneakers at 6pm.com
Click below to see how my Sisterhood felt in their jeans:
Saucye West
Jessica Kane - Life and Style of Jessica Kane
Corissa Enneking - Fat Girl Flow
Lisa Schoenberger - MustangSallyTwo
*This post is in collaboration with Avenue but all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains some affiliate links and I'll earn a small commission if you shop through them. This is one of the ways I can continue to bring you inspiring content. Thank you!
It’s easier to make a comeback from a little tumble than from a steep fall. It’s a shorter road back up. So, baby steps, slow and steady. Now start with one foot and go for it. ~ Harriet Cabelly for Tiny Buddha
The journey to self-love is all about acceptance and unconditional love. We all have body parts that we don't like and nitpick at. For some of us, that makes us cover up those parts so we can hide them. Me included.
When I started this journey, I had to be realistic and accept that it would not end in a day and would require a lifetime commitment to taking baby steps to loving ALL of me. That includes my inner self too. I had to commit to not only taking chances with fashion and having fun with it but also caring for myself mentally and emotionally because the way I talk to myself impacts what I choose do in my life, including what I wear.
When it comes to body love, the baby steps I have taken became major accomplishments that have changed my life. I'm wearing more color and prints; I'm wearing sleeveless styles. I'm wearing jumpsuits and even a romper. I'm now more open to trying styles.
Basically, I'm wearing the clothes and they are not wearing me anymore.
I choose what I wear based on what I like and how it looks on my body instead of trying to camouflage areas and hide my body.
My next baby steps are wearing shorter length tops and not worrying about how my lumpy thighs look in pants.
For years, I wore tops that were at least 32" long so I could cover my upper thighs. I was so self-conscious of my lumpy thighs. This also led me to always wearing dark denim so my lumps wouldn't show.
This is why wearing a jumpsuit was major for me and that baby step led me to this place where I was ready to wear some light colored denim and a top that wasn't 32" long.
I discovered that when I wear long tops, it made my legs appear shorter than they are. I have a long torso with a waist so I had to change my thoughts towards my thighs when it came to creating looks for myself. As I said above, I wanted to wear the clothes and not have them wear me. I was dressing to hide flaws and that wasn't fun because it was limiting me in what I wore.
I realized that a better style for me to wear that would elongate my legs and show off my curves would be a shorter length top that fell lower hip or even, dare I say it, upper hip. Yes, my belly would be exposed but hmmmm, let me see how this goes. That is how I talk to myself now when dressing my body. I don't say no to much anymore. Everything is worth a try.
You know what? The world didn't come to an end and no one was staring at me. And I felt like I looked fabulous.
This is the first time I have found a pair of Torrid jeans that fit me well! I have large calves and smaller ankles so skinny jeans are not my friend. I have found that with Torrid jeans, the calf area never fits. This time, I decided to try a boyfriend silhouette, which is more baggy in the calf area than a skinny. And it fit well!
I cannot tell you how empowering it felt to be able to wear distressed jeans again. I haven't worn them since the 90's. I felt "normal".
As I went about my day in these jeans, I felt like everyone else and no one stared at me. As someone who is often outsized in the plus size fashion world, this was one of those days where I forgot my size and just had a happy day, wearing jeans that fit.
I decided I wanted to add a print and a bold colored shoe to give the outfit that Marcy "fearless" vibe.
While in California, my good friend, designer Jill Alexander gifted me this gorgeous cocoon kimono cropped sweater in a pretty pink/blue print. I then added my favorite cobalt blue flats from Lane Bryant to finish up this look.
The sweater is super lightweight and soft. It's a great layering piece when you want to add some color and print to your look. I'm not wearing it to cover my arms at all. I'm wearing it because I love the print.
The pink top from Beth Ditto that I am wearing under it is sleeveless so I have the option to take off the jacket and just wear the top on its own during the hotter months. And I got it on sale for $13! Winning...
Creating an outfit is not daunting to me anymore. And I love how fashion has helped me be more fearless in my life. I love how wearing things like distressed jeans made me feel so happy and empowered.
After this day and this baby step, I am feeling more inspired and determined to try more shorter tops and more bottoms. Hey, you never know... you might see me trying a crop top next!
Lesson learned... baby steps do add up to major accomplishments in life. And once you take one baby step, you'll never look back. You'll keep stepping forward.
Shop my look here:
Top: Beth Ditto (sold out), similar here
Kimono Cardigan Sweater: Jill Alexander Designs
Boyfriend Distressed Jeans: Torrid
Flats: Lane Bryant
Photography by Bettye of Fashion Schlub
"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." ~ Shirley Chisholm
I hear plus size women all the time griping how they wish they could shop at straight size stores or how hard it is for them to shop in plus stores and sometimes, even though I love my fellow plus sisters, I look at them like this:
Listen, I feel your pain but if you're under a size 24, in my eyes, you have an abundance of fashion accessible to you. Try being outsized in not only the straight size world but the plus size one too! Then you will understand why I am giving y'all the Anna Wintour resting bitch face with an undercover side eye under my sunglasses.
If you're a size 18 and under, you can even shop at straight size stores! And I am not mad at you. You go, Girl and shop! But please recognize that my fashion struggle is very different than yours.
For example... recently, GabiFresh launched her latest swimwear collection with SwimsuitsForall. And I loved the whole collection. However, I can't wear any of it because it stops at a size 24. And I love me some GabiFresh - so I hope she will expand on her sizes very soon.
I try to shop more by fit than size because sizing is so inconsistent across the board. I have fit into clothing from brands like ASOS and City Chic but it hasn't been often. It truly depends on fabric and cut.
For a long time, I felt like I wasn't worthy of fashion or that I needed to lose weight in order to fit into a smaller size. It's terrible and now looking back, I wonder how young girls, like my nieces who are considered plus size, feel when shopping.
Having fashion available in a wide range of sizes is not promoting obesity. Fashion builds confidence and will help someone with their self-esteem when dressing in what they love, which in turn will inspire them to be the healthiest they can be, at any size. This in turn will change how we view health and body size.
I believe that fashion is for everyone. And style isn't limited by size.
There are so many great plus size brands that I personally would love to shop but they do not offer my size. The only way to change the minds of others is to educate them and let our voices be heard.
We all have the power of the wallet. Support those companies that support us while telling the others what we want. There's strength in numbers and with social media at our fingertips, we can easily talk to companies and let them know how we feel.
With that said, here's my top 5 brands that I would definitely shop, if they expanded their size range:
When the Essie X Kelly collection came out over the holidays, I would have bought every single item in that collection. But of course, it only went up to a size 3X and 24. FTF is so affordable and they have physical stores in my area. So I'd be shopping in there and online often.
I will admit I've scored some pieces from them that fit but believe me, after trying on everything in store (yes everything!), I walked away with like 8 pieces. And that in itself was exhausting.
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| I still wear this FTF skater dress to this day (it's from 2015) |
I love their new active line and even tried a pair of their jeans which was available in a size 26 but they didn't fit. ::fashion tears::
The company itself is filled with amazing people including the CEO Michael Kaplan. I would support them in an instant if they expanded their size range. Hell, I'd be the President of their fan club.
I feel like many women sleep on debshops because a lot of their stuff is revealing but let me tell you, they have some nice, affordable styles. They relaunched bigger and better last year. However, their sizing is 1XL to 3XL so um no, not fitting me.
And they have reached out to me to work with them and are so nice. I wish! I would work with them in a heartbeat and get my big sexy chic on.
#3: Boohoo
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| This jumpsuit from Boohoo has my name written all over it. ::sigh:: |
#4: Elvi
I recently discovered this brand and was so disappointed that they stop at a size 24. I just noticed they added a size 26 on some styles, which is great, but if I don't fit into it, I can't size up. They have such great styles too! And they're affordable!
#5: Rachel Roy
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| Rachel Roy, help a size 26/28 sister out, please! I want this dress! |
Other brands I'd like to mention....
Lane Bryant - I won't front. If it wasn't for Lane Bryant, I wouldn't even own any designer pieces (That Christian Siriano line still has me swooning). But I silently pray daily that they expand to a size 30/32 because in all honesty, 7 times out of 10, their size 28 bottoms don't fit me. So I usually only buy tops and dresses from them. And sometimes, fit is an issue for me there.
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| Thank you Christian Siriano for this amazing jacket |
Melissa McCarthy Seven7 - Same here. She offers 4X and up to a 28 on some styles but not all. And of course, they are styles I want badly.
SLINK Jeans - I want to try them so bad but they only go up to a size 24 and I'm usually a 28 in jeans because of my hips. Ugh, they look so good on everyone I see wearing them.
Special shout out to brands like Avenue, Old Navy and Torrid who have been offering above a size 24 for years. And a special thank you to Eloquii, Charlotte Russe and Ashley Stewart for expanding their size ranges. I'm still working on finding my fit at CR and Ashley Stewart but Eloquii has really made me fall in love with them.
I also want to thank eShakti for offering not only sizes 0 to 36W but also in custom measurements for an extra $7.50. They have been a lifesaver for me for a few years.
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| My absolute fave custom eShakti dress |
And in a future blog post, I will talk about how we can let our voices be heard! Let's make 2017 the year where we demand inclusion and acceptance because we are all worthy of having accessible fashion.
"As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning." ~ Criss Jami
New Year's Eve... many of us think of it as a time for new beginnings. A do-over.
I look at New Year's as a day of reflection. I usually treat my birthday as my real "New Year's" so at this point, it's a great time to reassess where I am in life and keep pushing forward. We never stop evolving and as long as you're alive, you can always create a new beginning for yourself.
New Year's Eve also gives me a great excuse to dress up, drink some champagne and reminisce about the good times while looking forward to what's to come. It's all about enjoying that very moment and remaining hopeful for the future.
Back to the dressing up part, I have been wanting to wear a tulle skirt for a long time. But I'll be honest and say that I haven't seen one I truly love. So when planning my outfit for this third installment of our #CurvasenNYC New Year's Eve holiday fashion collaboration, I wanted something fun and bold. And I found it in the form of a red tulle skirt, which I fell in love with at first sight. Yes!
As you can see, I opted for fun and sparkly whereas Darlene went for a glam and modern black look with a touch of fur and Dana went for a beautiful, "Old Hollywood" look in blue. I love how we all complement each other and are ready to hit some parties and dance the night away.
I paired this red Tulle Mesh Midi Skirt from Torrid with the Makeup Face Tee from their new Torrid Insider collection and the Sequin Open Front Jacket, which I love so much as well. I have been trying many sequin pieces this season and this is the first one I am keeping. The sequins are not heavy or like weapons (you don't even want to know) and the jacket is ponte so there's stretch and it's comfy. I finished off my look with the Phone Clutch Bag and gold flats (my own).
I had so much fun in this outfit that I couldn't stop smiling and laughing. That's when you know you have found the perfect outfit. It's not about just looking fierce but more about how happy it makes you feel. You can look dope but be uncomfortable and that shows.
Honestly, this whole look is comfy and easy to move around in. So I can get my dance on as I wait for midnight and feel amazing while doing so.
Shop my look from Torrid:
Be sure to check out Dana's and Darlene's New Year's Eve looks over at their blogs:
Who's That Girl Dana? - www.whosthatgirl524.wordpress.com
Suits, Heels & Curves - www.suitsheelsandcurves.com
If you missed any of our previous installments of our #CurvasenNYC holiday fashion series, you can find them below:
You can also see what we are up to this holiday season by finding us on social media via the hashtag: #CurvasenNYC
What do you plan to wear for New Year's Eve?
**While this was a sponsored post, all opinions and comments stated are my own.
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