SKINNY GIRL FASHION FOR CURVY BODIES

Happy Monday curvy girls! It's skinny girl fashion Mondays. In this feature we take a celebrity look and recreate it for the plus size curvy girls. This week, Stylish Curves wants to give you a little inspiration from Taylor Swift.

What I love about this look is that its sweet and girly. An empire waist with a ruffle hem is flattering on just about every shape. The bright red color of the dress reminds me that spring is only a couple months away. I love that Taylor (or her stylist) chose to pair the dress with a black cardigan and mary janes. It makes the look casual enough to run errands in and cute enough to have some daytime fun with your girls.
Get Inspired:

Dress: Faith 21 $27.80, Sizes 1X-3X

Cardigan: Old Navy $16.50, Sizes XS-XXL

Bag, Topshop $55

Shoes: MIA $49.95

CELEBRITY FASHIONATION FRIDAYS!

Hey Curvy Girls:

Today's celebrity fashionation is Jordin Sparks.

Ms. Sparks wears a red flirty dress with black Chuck Taylors.

Is she "Working It!" or is it "Back To The Drawing Board!" for Jordin?

Vote:

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

All this week The Fashion Bomb has been posting throw backs of black history fashion trends (my favorite was the big gold rope chains that Run DMC used to wear) and it inspired me to represent some of the history that black plus size curvy women have made.

Photo Credit: Jordan Tesfay

Cover Girl has been influential in representing women of color. Thanks to Queen Latifah's Cover Girl line, Jordan Tesfay was the first black plus size model to be in a nation wide campaign, for Cover Girl cosmetics.

Who is Jordan Tesfay: (According to Wikipedia and her myspace page)- Jordan is a model with Wilhelmina model agency in New York. She won a model search with MODE (Remember this magazine) magazine. She has made appearances in the straight to DVD movie, Carlitos Way, Rise to Power. She has graced the cover of Amaze magazine multiple times.

 

Check out her spread inside the Nordstrom 2009 Fall Winter catalog

                       Photo Credits: Runway Revolution

Stay tuned for more black stylish curvy girl moments in history

 

What do you think?

VALENTINES DAY THE CURVY GIRLS WAY

Hey curvy girls!

Valentines day will be here before you know it. Are you going out with that special someone who makes you smile, laugh, and feel all tingly inside? Then wear something that shows off your curves in a sexy understated chic way.

For this Valentines day step away from the norm by choosing to wear something black. Go for a fitted bandage v-neck dress with red peep toe ankle boots and a pair of heart patterned tights. Ditch your usual perfume and try something new. I suggest Michael Kors "Very Hollywood" perfume. The smell is alluring and sensual (perfect for Valentines Day). Step the look up by choosing bold lips with minimal makeup and false eyelashes for a hollywood effect. Lastly, complete the look with silver accessories. A y-shaped necklace, drop earrings, and bracelet are just the dainty accessories you need to make him say, "WOW!"

MY ASOS DRESS

This weekend I received my ASOS Curve dress in the mail. I was so excited to get it, because I was looking for a new black dress to wear to work. All of the black dresses I have are made of jersey material, so, I wanted something with a little more structure. Since I work down on Wall street, I like to keep things structured and corporate.

When I tried the dress on, it fit great and the little puff sleeves actually stood up and didn't sag. The material was light and soft with a hint of stretch. Since this was my first time buying something from ASOS I was a little skeptical. So many times have I ordered something that looks great online and it disappoints in person. This was not the case with this dress. It looked the same and moved the same as it did on the model. This week I will be ordering more pieces.

What I'm Wearing:

Photo On Left:
Thrift store necklace, NY & Company belt, fishnet stockings, Nine West suede pumps.

Photo on Right:
Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft (Summer 2010 collection), NY & Company belt, Forever21 earrings, Nine West suede pumps.

BLACK PLUS SIZE MODELS

Where are the Black Plus Size Models?

Before you read what I have to say today, I want to be clear that I am not trying to pull the race card (Ok, maybe I am), but, I have good reason. For the past couple of months plus size women have been taking over fashion magazines. First it was Glamour then V magazine, and countless others. It seems that the fashion world is finally starting to see the power of curves and how common they are. Crystal Renn, Kate Dillon, Lizzie Miller, and Amy Grahams are some of the most known plus size models today. Crystal Renn is considered the leader of the pack when it comes to plus size models and high fashion.

While, I think all of this is great, I can't help but to wonder where are all the black plus size models? Back in 2007 there was an uproar in the fashion world about designers not using black straigh size models. Legendary model Bethann Hardison was at the front of the line shedding light on the issue. She even hosted a debate in October of 2007. Could this be the same issue for plus size models? Well, I think so and the proof is in the pictures. A few months ago Glamour magazine pledged to use more plus size models in their magazine with a photo of some of the top plus size models today. In that photo there was only one black plus size model, Anansa Sims, daughter of legendary model Beverley Johnson.

I think there is not enough light being shined on black plus size models. Fashion, an industry that has shunned curvy women is finally beginning to accept us, even if it is just the size 12 and 14 models, nevertheless, fashion's most prominent leaders are taking notice. I just wish I could see more black faces. Especially when black women are known for having the most curvacious bodies of any other race.

So, today I dedicate this post to some of the known and unknown black plus size models of today:

Check them out:

Teiko Dornor
London based model and organizer of Miss Plus Africa. For more info check out her self titled blog Teiko Dornor

                          

Toccara Jones
Americas Next Top Model contestant and the FIRST BLACK PLUS SIZE MODEL to be featured in Italian Vogue.

Anansa Sims
Featured in Glamour Magazine's plus size photo shoot

Mia Amber Davis

Jordan Borgella

Haitian model who was the winner of Mo'Niques F.A.T chance and American Idol contestant

Check out her interview about the Haiti disaster in the February issue of Plus Magazine

Sharon Quinn

Runway Diva for Plus Size models as well as a 3 time judge on Mo'Nique's F.A.T chance check her out in the February 2010 issue of Plus Magazine and her self titled website Sharon Quinn

I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Do you feel like there is a lack of black plus size models?

LABEL LOVERS: GUCCI SHOES FOR $150!

To all my label loving curvy girls, have I got some fantastic news for you. As I was reading one of my new favorite blogs Nitrolicious, I came across a post about Gucci shoes for $150 (I couldn't believe my eyes). One thing curvy girls don't have to worry about fitting into is shoes. Shoes always fit.

The rubber colored flats features interlocking G details. They look like a luxury version of jelly sandals (Remember those). I went to the Gucci site to check them out and they are selling out fast. The size ranges are from US sizes 4.5 -12. The "Marola" flats are from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Hurry and get yours before they are gone!

FASHION NEWS GABOUREY SIDIBE COVERS EBONY MAGAZINE

If you don't know who she is by now, then you must have been under a rock. Gabourey Sidibe covers the March 2010 issue of Ebony Magazine. This plus size beauty has been the talk of the town since the premiere of  the movie Precious.

Gabourey has an infectious spirit that we all can use. She knows who she is, what she looks like, and she doesn't make any apologies for it. Here is a quote that I love from the interview:

Gabourey says:

“I don’t try to live up to the standards of Hollywood or any of that – I know that I’m different and I celebrate it. In a weird way, I kind of really, really love being the alien in the room. I dig it.”


For more on the story check out: Brown Sista
Oh, by the way, the dress she is wearing on the cover is by Monif C.  and it retails for $175.
Check it out at Monif C.

Classic Style

Classic VS Edgy

I like to think of myself as an open minded person who can accept other people's views on individuality when it comes to fashion. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. After all, it's their opinion, right? Well, yesterday I was reading some articles from self proclaimed fashionistas who felt like if you looked to celebrities for style inspiration or chose a more classic style of fashion that you were not showing individuality. As I was reading, I kept thinking to myself, this is not true. In my opinion your style should be true to who you are as a person and should reflect what inspires you whether that is a person, place, or thing.

I think when it comes to being young and curvy, everyone is fighting to standout and be different. Think Beth Ditto. Who loves to let all her rolls hang out and wears outrageous fashion. It's like when the whole goth craze started and the goth kids were against the preppy kids. I feel like that is happening amongst young plus size curvy girls. You have your girls who are more edgy and love everything that is black, and their favorite designer is Jean Paul Gaultier, and they hate anything that has to do with celebrity style. I love girls like that. I think they're bad ass.

What I don't like is when they hate on the plus size curvy girls who like the girly side of fashion. I am proud to say that I am one of those girls. I love rocking blazers, button ups, and shift dresses. I love classic looks, I love bright colors and I love 4 inch heels and flirty dresses. My favorite designers are Donna Karan and Michael Kors. I also like looking at celebrities and being inspired by their style (well, the stylist who styled them) I love mimicking a celebrity look. This does not make me any less of an individual nor does it make me boring and not standout.

Classic looks will always stand the test of time and will never go out of style. While I admire those bad ass plus size fashionistas who wear combat boots with mini skirts, I also, love those plus size curvy girls whose favorite stores are Banana Republic and Ann Taylor and wear classic simplistic pieces. They standout just as much as the next girl.

If you are a plus size curvy girl and you love Jackie O. and Mrs. Obama's style this post is dedicated to you.

With all that being said ( I know it was a mouth full), check out my new watch list from new spring arrivals at some of my favorite sites. A mixture of classic and edgy pieces.

From top left to right

1. Chambray Moto Jacket American Eagle, $69.50, sizes XS-XXL

2. Chambray Corset Sundress, $49.95, sizes 0-26

3. Utility Jacket Gap, $79.50, sizes XS-XXL

4. Bloom Print Dress $89.50, Ann Taylor Loft, sizes 2-18

5. Gray T-strap sandals Betsey Johnson $190

6. Animal Print Pumps Betsey Johnson $150

7. Butterfly Hoops Dorothy Perkins

8. Wood Disc earrings Dorothy Perkins

9. Satin Leopard Dress Torrid, $54, sizes 0-4

10. Rose Ruffled Tube Dress Torrid, $68, sizes 12-26

11. Sequin Sweater $82.12 Michael Kors, sizes 1X-3X

12. Marble Print Dress $139 Michael Kors, sizes 2-16

Ann Taylor Loft 2010 Summer Collection

Hey Curvy Girls:

On Tuesday I had the privelage (Thanks TBF) along with other bloggers to get an exclusive look at Ann Taylor Lofts 2010 summer collection. Loft (formerly known as Ann Taylor Loft) is one of my favorite stores to shop in, so it's no surprise that I liked just about everything I saw. Loft is one of those chain stores that has great quality pieces that work for just about every aspect of your life.

The summer collection did not disappoint. Geometric and animal prints dominated a number of dresses and skirts. There were clean classic nautical looks and ethnic inspired looks. As soon as I walked into the studio I immediately felt like I was about to go on vacation. Half of the room gave a beachy Miami feel and the other half gave an african safari feel.

As a curvy girl I was looking at how many of the pieces would fit and flatter a curvy girls shape. Unsurprisingly many of the pieces would flatter a curvy girl with ample hips, butt, thighs, and breast. Not only were the clothes chic, the jewelry was big and bold, just how I like it. Large necklaces with baubles, coral, and lucite complimented just about every outfit.

Dresses and Jackets are under $100

Accessories under $50

And in case you did not know, Loft carries sizes 0-18, so many of us plus size curvy girls can get in on these looks too.

Summer Collection hits stores in June

Take a look at some of my favorites:

My Favorite Accessories