Summertime! Cute and Cool Looks for the Plus and Petites

I don't know about you but I couldn't be happier summertime has finally arrived! The air feels warmer, the breeze not as chilly, and the streets much more crowded with foot-traffic and some great eye candy outfits. It's the perfect time to bust out with some shorter hemlines and some sleeveless tops. There's nothing like the freedom a dress or a skirt brings from skinny jeans. True liberation and style lies in that which is comfortable, so says I.

However, I have a great many clients who are either plus or petite size and who struggle not only to find something to wear but also something that suits the season. This post is for all those ladies here today. There are incredibly cute things to wear right now! I know when I'm out shopping, I'm never 100% satisfied with what's available in stores but I'm very skilled at updating a closet that probably has some basics in it. Here, are some quick tips and options to liven up your wardrobe for summer. First up, Petites.

If you want to embrace the neon trend, you can either do it in an accessory or in a piece of clothing. This dress by Maggy London is a perfect hybrid. It's got the balance of a casual dress but it's also great for an office. The only thing "loud" about it is the color. The all-over print keeps the eye moving so it never settles in one place and the V-neck brings the attention back up to the face. All A+'s in my book.

Maggy London, Nordstrom, $98

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your closet is to incorporate a few more fun and fresh tops. That means color and/or print. Colors are mood manipulators so why not wear what makes you happy!? I love the silhouette of this top. It's perfect when you're feeling bloated. Make sure to avoid looking big all over by balancing the top out with a skinnier bottom. A pencil skirt would work as an alternative to skinny jeans.

Citron top, Nordstrom, $92 (it's machine washable silk!)

If you don't know what chambray is but have heard it before, don't worry. It's not a fancy fabric. Think of it as a very light weight denim. It's sort of like going from a muslin to a canvas. The name is your clue to what weight it is, light or heavy. In this case, chambray is a great jean but "not jean" option for summer. It's best done as a skirt.

Nic + Zoe skirt, Nordstrom, on sale for $71.90

Because we live in the bay area, it's never really safe to leave home with out a jacket or sweater of some kind. Just because it's warm outside, doesn't mean you're safe from the wind. A great summer  option to wear when the chill comes back is a knit blazer. 

Caslon blazer, Nordstrom,  $59

 For Plus-

A versatile dress in a pop of color will always look good and always feel good. The relaxed silhouette of this dress marks it as being easily dressed up or down. A good staple for any woman to have.

Kelsey dress, IGIGI, $118

Many people think they can't wear yellow. They're wrong! It just has to be your shade of yellow. Most people have it as an undertone in their skin anyway so if you kind a yellow that compliments your undertones, it'll make you look radiant. Trust me.

Double collar, sleeveless top, ASOS.com, on sale for $24.86

Since most plus-size clients I have dislike their legs, I figured pants might be the way to go here. Instead of turning to your typical jeans or work pants, try a cropped pant in a bright blue. The blue is familiar but not "safe" by any means because of the vibrancy of the color. They'll nicely compliment the bright yellow in the top above.

Cropped pants, Avenue.com, on sale for $32.99

To finish off any pants and top combo, you need a cute jacket. I love the color and cut of this motorcycle-inspired one. And if you paired it with the pants and yellow top, you'd have a stunning look from head to toe.

Faux leather jacket, ASOS.com, on sale for $54.68

One thing that doesn't discriminate based on size is shoes. Shoes (almost) always fit. So to really finalize these looks, I picked one heel and one flat sandal that all women, regardless of size, could drool over.

Whistles "Noemi" sandal, ASOS.com, $207.13

One of my favorite style of sandal for any gal is a gladiator sandal. The numerous straps helps shape the foot into a flattering appearance. Most sandals are a little too naked for my taste but these have a bit more "shoe" to them so they'll feel like they cover more of your foot.

Nine West, Nordstrom, on sale for $38.90

Hopefully as the days continue to get warmer, you continue to find inspiration in the season and dare to be cute and cool, regardless of what size you are. There's never been a more appropriate season for women than summer. After all, we get to wear dresses and skirts! Enjoy it!

Image(s) courtesy of asos.com, nordstrom.com, avenue.com, igigi.com

Bring on the Fireworks!

Happy Fourth of July ladies! This is the day where beaches, beer, and explosives go hand-in-hand and we're all sort of fine with that. So long as you don't get drunk and handle the fireworks around an actual fire, 9 times out of 10 you'll get to keep your fingers. But let's get back on track here. This is about what you should wear to the party to show your patriotic fingers...I mean feelings :)

A potential recipe for disaster

As luck would have it, red, white and blue go really well together. Nothing like some primary colors complimented by a neutral to get you in the holiday spirit. With fashion, there's a lot of room to play with those colors and find areas to incorporate it.  In other words, you don't have to reduce yourself to finding a dress with every color in it or settle on gaudy novelty earrings to be festive. Good grief this isn't the 80's! We can go beyond that.

For those gloriously hot summer days, my favorite look is a dress. Seriously ladies, side note: we all need an arsenal of fabulous dresses at our disposal so that when the occasion calls for it, we look good. There's no thought to it. It's a one stop shop look. This time, I found a beautiful periwinkle blue dress.

Puckered Dress, J. Crew, $128

To make this cute little number ready for the 4th, you can add in the red and white with accessories. Maybe try a red belt? Be sure to place the belt right around the seam where the bodice of the dress was sewn to the skirt.

Luxury Divas, found on Amazon.com, $13.99

Now that we've got the dress and belt, we need a shoe, no? If you're going to watch the fireworks from the beach, a sandal would be the best option.

Vince Camuto, Zappos.com, $62.99

And if you're going anywhere else BUT the beach, these heeled sandals would be amazing! Plus, they have a little more color thanks to the purple straps at the toe.

Diane Von Furstenberg, Zappos.com, $298

Now that we've got red checked off our list for this fabulous 4th of July outfit, we need something white. What better way to deal with San Francisco's bipolar weather than with a cute, cozy,white sweater?

New York & Co., ShopStyle.com, $46.95

Lastly, you need a bag. Something to tote around all your belongings while you head out of the 4th for a grand celebration.

Street Level, Nordstrom via ShopStyle.com, $42

Don't let this bag fool you. It's got TONS of storage space and the best part is the adjustable and removable strap means you can use this bag a hundred different ways. It'll last well beyond the 4th.

I don't know about you but I can't wait to assemble my own perfectly patriotic look. Fireworks and warm summer nights is what July is all about. Cheers!

Image(s) courtesy of ShopStyle.com, Zappos.com, Amazon.com, J.Crew.com
flickr.com 

"Honey Don't"- Men, What Not to Wear This Summer

In the article "Honey Don't: Menswear Faux-pas", Women's Wear Daily (WWD) asked some of their favorite fashionable ladies what their take on bad men's summer fashion looked like.  Some of the answers varied from obvious...

"...I don’t like that Speedos thing. I see it in France and Brazil all the time. In Brazil, it’s different, I think, because there that doesn’t count, it’s fine. But here…no." - Doutzen Kroes

 

...to equally obvious but pretty darn funny...

"A rhinestone T-shirt. You don’t look like a man. You look like an idiot." - Sophia Bush

I read this and had to add my two cents on the topic.  Living in the San Francisco Bay Area where tech is king, I've seen plenty of this "uniform"...

"Pleated khakis and short sleeved button-down shirts for work. Don't forget multiple cell phones attached to belt."- Jennifer @ Beyond Black

So I ask you, if you had the chance to ask your man "Honey, don't..." in regards to his wardrobe, what would you tell him not to wear this summer?

 

How did we go from this.......

Like myself, you may have decided to give the ol' string bikini suit a heave-ho into the forgotten depths that is the back of your closet in lieu of something a little more conservative.  If you've read my previous blog posts on all of the cute one-piece and plus-sized swimsuits available this season, that might have helped you make the switch (it did me).  I was more than happy to get rid of the floss meant to cover my "bits" because I knew I never really felt comfortable in something so tiny anyway.

But do you know what it took, and how long, for society to let you walk out onto the beach dressed so scantily clad? Like the fact that the first bikini didn't show up on the scene until 1946?  I didn't until I found this great blog post from Divine Caroline showcasing "Swimsuits Through the Ages."  Enjoy...

... to this?

All images from Divine Caroline

Swimwear 101: Best Swimsuits for Men

It's just as important for guys to look good at the pool as it is for women.  Unlike the trend in womens swimwear, smaller swimsuits on men are not always sexy...

case in point

...unless you look like this...

... so stick to shorts.

But when there are so many eyesore versions to pick from, how do you choose?  Will you go the route of of the many men who've gone before you and wear what can only be described as something you picked up last-minute at a gift shop somewhere (see left)?  Or will you opt for something a little less Hawaii 5-0 this summer?  The basics of all clothing, including swimwear, is a balance of proportions.  Don't go for anything too small or too short.  Nothing too long (ie- hangs down to your calves) or too baggy.





Personal Shopper Picks: from Norsdtrom

Sundek Volley Wim Shorts $119

Simple enough to throw on a tee and sandals and head off the beach into town.  I personally prefer this shorter (not short) length because it's a little more universal for the average man's proportions.

Hurley "Puerto Rico" Recycled Board Shorts $49

Again, could easily go from swim to walking shorts.  Think about it in terms of having to pack one less item on vacation.  Just throw this on with a polo and some slip-on shoes and you're good to go.

Ezekiel Strip Board Short $54

It's a print... It's a color... But what it's not is a suit you will regret wearing again a few years from now.

BOSS Black "Tigerfish"Volley Swim Shorts $89

While they not be the most exciting pair of trunks at the pool, it's really hard to mess up the overall look of black swim trunks.

Penguin 'Scalloped' Volley Swim Shorts $59

Goodbye Fantasy Island, hello Bay Watch.  I promise the cute girl at the bar won't miss you in these!

Additional image(s) courtesy of Gooole Search

Swimwear 101: Cover-Ups

Once you've found the perfect swimsuit that has you throwing caution to the wind and actually wanting to go out half naked in public, it's time to shop for the swimsuit cover-up.  They are, just like their name suggests, a way to cover up your newly sun-kissed skin.  I personally love a cute cover-up because they not only protect me from getting burned, they are what make a poolside outfit.  And let's be honest, the only time I actually want to see my thighs is while slathering them in sunscreen on my lounge chair.  We've come a long way from the muumuu as far as style.

Personal Shopper Picks: (from one of my favorite places to shop for swimwear, Victoria's Secret)

Trend #1: 70's Chic

VS Cotton Crochet Tunic Sweater $59.50

VS Striped Linen Cover-Up Sweater $49.50

VS Split-sleeve Romper $48

VS Tunic Cover-up $58

Trend #2: Brights

VS Solid Plunge Cover-up Tunic $33

VS Tie-waist Cover-up Dress $33

VS Neon Lace Cover-up $38

Trend #3: Neutrals & Whites

VS One-shoulder Crochet Cover-up $74

VS Beach Linen Knit-waist Short $29.50

VS T-back Romper $82

VS Beach Linen Zip-front Romper $39.50

Image(s) courtesy of Victoria's Secret

Swimwear 101: Plus-Size Gals Celebrating Their Curves

I'm about to head off on a last-minute (much needed) vacation to Hawaii with my husband.  The first since we were married in 2009.  When he told me we were going I was first very excited thinking about the hot sun, warm sand and cool blue waters.  Then I realized, thanks to a substantial injury and a lack of self-control when it came to chocolate, that I didn't have a swimsuit that fit me anymore.  All of a sudden my shock and awe at the good news was blown to bits by my worry over having to swimsuit shop for myself.  Sure, it's much easier to help other people show for swimwear.  I'm a wardrobe stylist, I'm supposed to know how to do this- which I do.  But the pace I had made with my thighs was on shaky ground when I knew I wasn't going to be able to hide them in clothing all the time.

So I set about to find myself a plus-sized swimsuit.  I'm one of those weird body shapes that is not plus-sized everywhere, but my bust has grown so much over the last year (38E) that regular misses sized suits let my cups runneth over (Psalm 23:5).  After an exhaustive online search of plus-sized swimwear, including ordering and truing many of them on myself, here are my favorites...

Personal Shopper Picks:

OneStopPlus.com $79.99

This is the little number I will be sporting this week.  The little ruffled skirt hides the top of my thighs, but not so much that it looks like a dress.  It actually has a cute vintage feeling to it.

Monif C. $118

Who says plus-sized has to nothing but a swim dress?  I think this ruffle is great, and would nicely play up your bust line to proportionally minimize the size of your thighs.

Torrid $34

Have a top that you love, but a bottom that you don't (I can't help but laugh at the pun)?  These shorts are great because they will match pretty much any top you already have, and they are adjustable via the draw strong cords on the sides.

OneStopPlus.com $49.40

A not-so-fitted tankini is a great way to hide any lumps and bumps in your midsection.  It's also a good option for those of us with longer torsos.

Lane Bryant $119.95

This large print will keep the eye moving and won't linger over any spots you don't want seen.  The ruched sides also help disguise and bulges.

This summer I vow:

...not to hide my curves under a matronly swim dress.
...to go beyond black and wear colorful swimwear.
...to celebrate my curves by not hiding in my clothes all summer.