So I have a new job (part of the reason why I’ve been a little silent lately), new boyfriend (who lives three hours away, and my car takes premium gas. Hello!?), and new waistline (dropped from a size 28 to a 22 the gradual way — this is a project of mine that’s taken me months to achieve!). So now I wonder what I ought to wear to work.
You see, I work in a call center. My co-workers wear jeans. I own maybe 2 pairs of jeans (with one of them being wayyy too big for me to wear now! Part of me wants to autograph them and sell ‘em, but that’s my ego talkin 
)
I wear lots of blouse + slacks combos, because the slacks are flattering and they do give me a professional edge. However, I don’t want to stick out THAT much, but I don’t want to wear jeans.
I’m thinking maybe a softer look, like khakis or chinos or those cute pants from yester-fashion-year — you remember the black, brown and grey short pants…lordy I can’t remember what they’re called and they were a MAJOR fashion must-have last year…my pair are black, with a tab waist…they go a few inches below the knee, and are pants with a silky polyester material. What they’re called is on the tip of my tongeu, but I can’t think of it.
When I wash them, I’ll take a pic and see if anyone knows what I’m talking about.
And yes, I’m back. 
I will try, try, try to post at least 2x a week. Oh, and if you’re contacting me for any reason, do realize there is a severe email backlog — so if you’ve emailed me in the last couple of months and haven’t heard from me, send me another email.
It’s not feeling like Spring here in the Ozarks — the rain makes everything feel colder than it should be. I know, I know, April Showers bring May Flowers. But now it’s May, so I want my flowers!
I’ll take a Mexican Dress as a consolation prize, though. Check out The Mexican Dress Lady’s amazingly-simple-looking-yet-beautiful dress creation!
I love the way it looks — so long and flowy, yet very feminine looking. I’m holding back on sewing until I get a better place to do it in, but if you’re wondering how to put that old Singer to work, this is a great “try-me” pattern.
I strongly recommend this cute little dress, and it’s not because The Mexican Dress Lady enticed me with magical chiles…
…OK, a couple. I couldn’t resist. Kidding, kidding. Seriously, this is probably one of the best purchases you can make for 5 bucks. Not quite free, but unlawfully cheap. C’mon, fashionistas, get crafty
Skirts. Dresses. Blouses. I’ve never really been a t-shirt and jeans type of person. One thing I’m really interested in are short skirts.
Yes, I said it: short skirts. It’s not a crime for a plus-sized gal to be able to slip into something slinky that sits a few inches above the knee, flirty and feminine. Or maybe a long skirt with a dangerously-high slit. I’m into sexy-looking clothes for evening wear, and unless I bump heads with the lingerie sites, I’m incapable of locating what I’m looking for.
So I’m turning to the greatest audience on earth — help! And an additional question — what’s your sexy?
And no, I actually did some checking online too
Y’all have probably heard this video again.
Favorite quote from the video: “Throw out the clothes that you can’t wear anymore. They’re just taking up space, and PISSING YOU OFF!”
Thoughts, ladies and gents?
Even though I’m moving towards low-carb eating after Passover/Unleavened Bread/First Fruits, I still hear loud and clear what she’s saying! Rockin’.
Oh yeah, and the woman is BEAUTIFUL. Oh man.
I cannot tell you how much I’m looking forward to this sizzling summer season that’s right around the corner. I’m thinking halter tops, tube tops, flouncy skirts, and dresses that go from day to night. Can I get a witness on that?
Winter time has brought Me nothing but ice storms and bra straps. Of course, when you’re fighting to stay warm, you aren’t thinking about the bra straps. But when the weather turns in your favor and it’s time to get some sun (and show a little skin!), you can’t throw on the same old bra with those big ol’ straps, can you?
I’m really starting to get on a strapless bra streak. I’ve found some that are comfy and actually hang on for dear life, instead of slipping down or flopping around. Of course, the straps aren’t leaving forever — there are so many dresses that need them!
…then again, I’m never quite sure. You see, I don’t see Tyra Banks as fat in the slightest. By the same token, I’m not automatically looking at myself and going, “I’m still hot, I’m still hot”. My life doesn’t revolve around a woman who has made millions off her body. Part of that livelihood means that there will be critics that will note that you’ve gained weight. Some may not be as polite as that, but it is what it is.
“It is what it is” is the catchphrase of our industry — from mainstream fashion right back into us little plus sized ladies. We don’t like our options, but sigh, mentioning our little catchphrase into the conversation: it is what it is. For most, it’s either the mainstream fare, the online boutiques (I’m still not in a clothes buying place, let alone with enough cash to put down for a Monif C. dress), or the sewing machine. Hey, it was good enough for Grandma.
I don’t have anything against Tyra Banks, except that what she’s going through the rest of us go through every. single. day. Maybe that little walk around in a fat suit has finally made her realize that “golly, other people feel like this all the time — *giggle*”. I still don’t think a 5′10″, 161lb. woman can call herself “plus-sized”, but that doesn’t mean I can’t say I don’t understand what she’s going through. It’s quite simple.
The. spotlight. blows. Add in the ex-model part, blend it with the “I tell young women on my hit reality tv show whether or not they make good professional clothes hangers” part, and you’ve got a whole mess of issues just waiting to come out. Sorry to be crass, but let’s not forget one thing: Ms. Banks is a celebrity — and there’s no such thing as bad PR, to be perfectly honest.
Parallel? I’m an internet marketer — and I’ve watched some of the best marketers in the field get torn apart in forums — everything from “this product blows” to more personal attacks. Does it hurt? Of course. However, every single person I know faces criticism in some area. Should Ms. Banks garner more sympathy because she’s a celebrity, even though several of you lovely readers go through similar, if not the exact same struggle every day of the week?
I’ll believe that Ms. Banks has made a change when her ventures change. It’s all well and good to ask for sympathy, but I can’t stay quiet when she runs a reality tv show that’s severely based on weight / appearance. Ms. Banks, does this mean that you’re going to make a way for America’s Next (Plus Sized) Top Model?
I wanna be on top.
Wouldn’t it be cool if life looked as spicy, exotic and breathlessly carefree as this outfit? That’s what I was thinking too.
I’m in love with red, to the point where close family & friends can practically bet their child’s college fund on the probability of me wearing red at least twice a week, if not more so. They’d make a killing, I swear. Cheap jokes aside, I like red because it can mean just about anything, but my favorite color wakes up all the right emotions: feelings of power, of attraction, of femininity. This is a color not to be messed up.
I like that the shirt has the ruching where it counts — a shirt that sexy can’t dare go out in public without drawing attention!
Red and black share scary-perfect harmony here as well, but I’m biased: I’m a huge fan of black pants. My worst nightmare is my closet launching a massive coup and ruling the world, one pair of wide-legged palazzo pants at a time.
The outfit, the outfit, the mighty mighty outfit. Roar.
I swear there’s one word that everyone understands, language notwithstanding: free. We like free. No cost, zero worry, no problem, right? Rosalee Womensize Apparel, one of our great sponsors, offers a free item of clothing every month in Rosalee’s monthly giveaway.
I’ve talked about Rosalee before, and once again, Rosalee overdelivers great style that definitely caters to the plus size market (sizes 18w - 50w). Her giveaway for this month — what’s left of it, anyway — is a denim patchwork multitone jacket with embedded sequins. Now, remember that the jacket is the “it” thing this season — you can wear it to formal events, and turn yesterday’s tired outfit into tonight’s new little sizzler!
Make your entrance in this stunning little number today! How? Bring it on down to Rosalee’s Blog or the main company site, Rosalee Womensize Apparel. This jacket retials for $79.99, but you can register for the contest and get it for free! If you go onto Rosalee Womensize Apparel, be sure to fill out the “contact us” form.
Stay stylish in 2007, ladies!
…is the gift of self-control. Seriously.
My involvement in the field notwithstanding, we’re bombarded with a whole lot of “buy it now” orders from every direction. I’m not saying to stay in your homes 365 days a year and never purchase anything (yeah, I’m talking to the online shoppers too — I keep my credit cards far, far away from my laptop). I am saying not to feel bad if you aren’t walking around busting your piggy bank.
Shopping is one of those areas that hit all the high notes — functionality, entertainment, community. We shop alone and in packs, we shop for what we need and what we could live without. Keeping perspective during this marketing overloaded holiday season is key to getting what you want, when you want it.
Why do I constantly get on this theme for the last six months? Because I believe that just because we’re plus size people, it doesn’t mean that we should kow-tow to any retailer. If Big Fashion Co. said to me, “Isabella, we’re giving you a full wardrobe in exchange for something-that-irks-my-moral-compass”, I’m going to have to pass up on that opportunity.
I’ve often heard the refrain, “Well, we should be thankful…”
Pardon my irreverence, but “thankful”? The only thing I’m thankful for is that God continues to pump oxygen through my wonderful curvy body. I can live without kimono-inspired blouses, I can’t live without oxygen.
I’m never thankful when someone snatches dollars out of my wallet. You shouldn’t be either. Instead, we should continue to be picky, and discern what’s best for us. No business can stay alive without customers.
What customer are you going to be today?
I’m an American citizen. So when I write for Deluxegrrl, that’s the perspective that you’re getting. I’ve lived all over the States, and spent a few years in Europe as well. However, my experiences are strongly American — when I was staying in Germany, I wasn’t worried about plus size fashion — my mother made my clothes.
Swing forward to 2006 — I’m in southwest Missouri, where I have a few boutiques, the Charming Shoppes trifecta, and that’s about it. Is it peachy? No, it’s not. However, after reading some responses from those of you outside the US (and probably Canada as well), I guess I have a lot to be thankful for.
I owe my international readers a big apology — the grass always looks greener on the other side, but for all of you living outside of the States, our grass has got to be a mighty bright green.
I’m a picky shopper, and this blog doesn’t hide that — my darling fiancee-cum-accountant sees all of my receipts. I have to truly like not just the clothes, but the experience. That’s what I focus on — the experience of the purchase, not just the purchase itself.
If Igigi treated its customer base the way, say, Walmart, Target, Kohls & Co. do, would you honestly fanworship them? Would you buzz your designer on your blog, wear their clothing? When it comes to an exclusive shop like Igigi, it’s harder to play the income / circumstance card than it is for the other stores mentioned. In a nutshell, Igigi is more of a luxury, whilst if you’re clipping coupons, you might buy one or two pieces from Igigi, but they’re going to be few and far between.
However, all that aside — I’m blessed to be able to complain about experience. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop pointing out glaring customer service errors, nor will I stop discussing the dearth of other components of the shopping experience (more promotional pieces that make us center-stage, not just a leftover — see ‘The Five Finer Points of Plus Size Magazines’)
It simply means that I hear what you’re saying, international readers. Your problem is lack of product, period. My problem is decent product, substandard service.
I’m not going to drop $500+ for a new wardrobe, only to find the store ringing up my things (remember that employees are still agents of the company, and therefore contribute to the image of the store) doesn’t really give a flying notebook about my needs.
So I’m American-centric. My apologies. But I don’t know how bad the problem is unless you international folks give me a shout.
This started bubbling in my brain thanks to Tanis, one of our commentors without a webpage. Thank you, Tanis, for giving me food for thought.
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dee·lux·GRRL n.An intelligent, dynamic female who isn't afraid to take risks, take time for herself, or create her own unique style!
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