Pulling off a crop top takes a lot of guts. Wearing one as a plus size babe takes extra courage, as this is an item of clothing not typically deemed as “acceptable” to be worn by a larger lady, with mainstream beauty standards being what they are.
So how does a plus sized gal – moi – dare to wear a crop top to the office?
Let me show ya! 🙂
I took this simple black 3/4 sleeved crop top and layered it over top of a sheer white collared shirt, to create a demure Monday morning polished and sophisticated look.
Since the majority of this outfit is quite monochromatic, I decided to add a blingy statement necklace with loud bright pinks and greens, and earrings to match. (For other monochromatic looks click here, here and here.)
Old Navy‘s Pixie pants were recently on sale again recently – which I immediately alerted everyone to via the FB page – you’re welcome 🙂
I look a little hysterical, I know! Shopping deals on perfect fitting pants do that to me 🙂
I found this great houndstooth pattern among them. Just love the look of them with these glossy pumps!
Plus, I finally unveiled the wine moto jacket y’all helped me buy … well, helped with your comments on FB to determine whether or not I should bring this baby home from Reitmans! Haaza!
Curious about my #ootd in this picture? Click here 🙂
How I Got The Look:
Wine Moto Jacket, Reitmans; Statement necklace and earrings, LOFT; Striped paten leather purse, Kate Spade NY; Houndstooth Pixie pants, Old Navy; Sheer collared white shirt, Winners; Black 3/4 sleeved crop top, Forever21; Black glossy pumps, Payless; Michael Kors bracelet watch
The easiest way to make your Summer pieces more Fall appropriate isn’t to ditch them altogether, but to come up with new ways to wear them.
Here are a few simple ways to stretch your wardrobe and make all your old favorites work until Winter.
This simple short-sleeved navy geometric patterned, faux wrap cotton summer dress has been in my Summer-outfit-rotation for a few years now. I picked it up from the GAP in LA…and even though it’s starting to fad, I just can’t part with it. It’s kinda perfect for Lindy Hop lessons – that’s where I was off to in this outfit. 😉
To make it work for Fall weather I simply added tights. If you’re not into tights, try leggings (like I’m doing in these pics). They’re perfect to wear under your summery dresses for more coverage and warmth, while still staying fashion-forward. I chose a loud colour to help break up the other darker colours of this outfit.
Boots are an autumn staple! They make all of your summer outfits warmer and more functional. Easy Peasy!
You can find booties on the cheap and wear them with your favorite skirt and cardigan/sweater combo like I’ve done in this Outfit of the Day. Boots are an ideal item to stretch your wardrobe — I highly suggest you getting a couple of pairs in different heights. 😉
How I Got The Look: Navy geometric patterned dress from GAP; Ooh-la-la sweater, Navy & gold earrings and tights from Old Navy;Guess purse
So waddya think of the tips in this post? Will they help YOU transition some of your Summer pieces into the Fall? Use the Comments section and let me know.
By now y’all know how much I love any excuse to dress up. Costume and themed events just make my heart happy! 🙂
And this year there were THREEfun-filled nights over two weekends of Halloween Magnificence to get ready for!!!
EVENT 1: Toronto Lindy Hop’s Halloween Dance
This was a tricky costume to come up — All I knew was that this fabulous blue fringed wig NEEDED to be a part of it. Plus, whatever I came up with, I needed to wear something that was ‘dance appropriate’ … i.e. something I could sweat and move comfortably in AND one that kept ‘the girls’ demure and tamed for close dancing with strangers 😉
Tah-Dah!!! Dressed head-to-toe in blue (peplum top & pencil skirt from Forever21, patterned leggings from Old Navy) with a fabulous musical fascinator (Thanks for your craft work Erin!) Sooo….. What am I? Any guesses?
I’m THE BLUES!!!!
Pretty fun night dancing away to the Tia Brazda Swing Band … who dressed up in Halloween splendour too! Love it!
Love that the Toronto Lindy Hop community is sooooo into dress up too! How great is this pic!!! For full album of pics click here.
I’m happy to report that my wig and headgear stayed on all night….even during spins and dips and everything. It only slipped off once 😉
EVENT 2: Impromptu drinking and dancing in The Village on Church St. – Toronto
On Halloween Night, the rain killed all original plans to parade around Church St. in Day-of-the-Dead makeup. Sooooo ended up drinking with a last-minute posse of peoples I haven’t seen in ages, in my skeleton inspired sweater dress from Damzels. A chubby skeleton – HA! Kinda funny, no? 🙂
Me in my Day-of-the-Dead Mask (from Claire’s Accessories), Skeleton-esk finger mittens (from Old Navy) and Skeleton inspired sweater dress (from Damzels Doll Factory).
I’m not gonna lie …. the drinking might have gotten a wee bit outta control this night. Followed by a cab ride into The Village for dancing and pancakes in the wee hours of the AM. Needless to say, I was bed ridden the entire next day, until it was time to get into costume #3!!!
Check out the crazy long line up in the rain for the Cadbury Chocolate Factory on Halloween night! It was nuts!
EVENT 3: Retro Video Dance Party’s Halloween Night @The Mod Club – Toronto
And the best for last …. “SHE-RA! SHE-RA!” {insert musical interlude here}
I’ve been wanting to dress as She-ra for Halloween for as long as I can remember. Sadly, store-bought costumes were all extremely little with zero options for a plus size bod like mine. Le sigh…
I shared my story of disappointment with the talented Carmen of CNL Designs , plus sent her a link to this DIY costume I found via The Stylish Geek, to help her get all the pieces together and TA-DAH!!! Magic happened!!!
Entire costume from crown to cape to boot covers made by CNL Designs. Sword from Dollarama. Blonde wig from Black Market Vintage. And the AH-MAZING ‘industrial strength’ Strapess Bra from Cacique, Lane Bryant.Princess of Power with Marilyn Monroe (aka the Birthday Girl that night)
There were some impressive costumes at this party — including Bret ‘The Hitman’ Heart, Bjork, and The Shinning’s Grady Twins (creepiest costumes there that night…yikes!)
My favourite pic of the night: Shera vs. Thor!!!!
There was a lot of dancing and I’m happy to report that the costume held up pretty well all night. Minus my crown tips sadly as you can see below …sigh
“For the honour of Greyskull….I AM SHE-RA!!!!!”
Sadly, I didn’t win for best costume (wasn’t even in the running….sigh). 😦
But you know who did? Someone from my posse — A Tribute to Robin Williams! Isn’t she amazing!!!!
Soooooo there you have it friends!!! THREE costumes for Halloween 2014!
Which one did you like best? What did you all dress as for Halloween? Tell me all about it in the Comments section 🙂
PPMeow! 