TAILOR MADE

I think every curvy girl should have a tailor on speed dial. They really work wonders when it comes to making clothes fit our bodies. I bought this vintage polka dot jacket from none other than my fave resale store ReDressNYC. I saw it on a mannequin in the window back in June. I tried it on and it was too big. I knew what I had to do. So, I bought it and took it to my tailor over at Bridge Cleaners in Brooklyn. My tailor always educates me on pieces that require a little more work. This particular jacket was made for a tall person so he had to shorten the torso, take in the chest, and shorten the sleeves. Basically, he reconstructed the entire jacket.

Once it was completed I loved it and thought that the jacket would look great as a top and paired with wide leg trouser jeans. I found this cool gold studded belt for $5 and thought it was a perfect touch to the outfit.

Outfit breakdown: Jacket-Redress, Jeans-Z. Cavaracci, Shoes-Banana Republic, Bracelet-Loft, Watch-Michael Kors, Earrings-H&M, Belt-NY&CO

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR WORK WARDROBE

Let's face it, if you work in corporate America, sometimes buying work clothes can be a bit of a snooze. You know what I'm talking about. How many button up shirts, sleeveless black shift dresses, and plain pumps can one have. In my opinion no matter your size you should always make an effort to standout at work when it comes to your clothes. I'm not saying dress for work like your going to the club, but, you can definitley have a little fun with your work wardrobe and still abide by company rules.

Here are a few ways to update that boring old work wardrobe:

Try a leather skirt with a tweed jacket

In a mix of all those regular blazers, reach for a tuxedo blazer for day

Try a billowy printed blouse tucked into your pencil skirts

Give the classic pumps a rest and try a pair of ankle booties

A pair of patterned tights adds flavor to any look.

Can the the plain black shift dresses and try an animal print sheath.

As women we always go for the standard two piece suit, why not take a cue from the men and go for a three piece suit. It's super sexy and chic.

ARE CELEBRITIES INSPIRING YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT?

 It seems like these days every curvy celebrity is shedding major weight. From America Ferrera to Jennifer Hudson our favorite curvy celebrities have all gotten healthy. When asked what's the reasoning behind the weightloss everyone has the same story. They were not really happy with the size they were before. On a recent episode of Wendy Williams Kelly Osbourne told some painful stories of how she was teased and ridiculed about her weight and that it made her unhappy. It took her run on "Dancing With The Stars" to realize she could lose weight and have a body she was happy with. In a Weight Watcher's commercial Jennifer Hudson says how happy she is that she doesn't have to stand in front of people and not suck anything in and how she is the smallest she's ever been in her adult life.

Are celebrity weight losses making you realize how unhappy you really are with your body? Are they making you feel like you need to get healthy too?

GRAY, WHITE, AND BLACK. A PERFECT COMBINATION

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Lately I have been picking up some pretty cute versatile pieces from some of my favorite clothing stores. While cleaning out my closet I realized that a lot of the pieces that I've been purchasing have been gray with accents of white and black. Normally, I'm all about color, but, in these pieces, I just loved all the cute little details in them.

Checkout my fave new gray and black pieces for Fall
I am madly in love with these black lace detailed Betsey Johnson lace up peep toe booties. I have worn them numerous times. They just add a bit of edginess to everything I wear them with.

Outfit breakdown: Jeans-Faith21, Blazer-Loft, Lace Top-Nordstrom, Chain Necklace-Old Navy

I got this biker jacket back in August from Old Navy and was dying to wear it. Now that it's officially Fall and the weather is cooler, I've been able to wear it and it goes well with a number of pieces in my closet.

Outfit breakdown:Jacket-Old Navy, Skirt-Loft, Headband-Forever21

Another Loft purchase was this gray cardigan with black piping. I actually waited until this sucker went on sale. I just thought it was so adorable and different from all the other cardigans and scooped it up as soon as I saw it went on sale. I wear this one all the time with everything.

Outfit Breakdown:Blouse-Loft, Jeggings-Jolt, Shoes-Steve Madden

CURVY GIRL STYLE BATTLE, JENNIFER VS AMERICA

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Today's curvy girl style battle is between Jennifer Hudson and America Ferrera. Jennifer dons a very slimming black strapless velvet dress with black strappy sandals while America went for a satin draped neck dress with black peeptoe pumps.

Who wins this style battle?

Vote

Jennifer Hudson

VS

America Ferrera

1 SHIRT 3 DIFFERENT WAYS

Yesterday I did a post on tie neck shirts and how chic and versatile they are. So today, I wanted to share with you a few looks from a tie neck shirt I recently got on sale. The goal is to show you how to incorporate the tie neck look into your wardrobe so you can have less mornings stressing over what to wear. I know I need those easy get dressed mornings myself.

Checkout my looks
This look is my absolute favorite. It's for those days when you feel like going the extra mile when it comes to putting looks together. This look would be great for blogger events or for work. I love this double breasted cropped jacket because it's 3 years old but it still looks new. I think it offers a nice proportion for my shape. I fell in love with this skirt during a shopping trip 2 weeks ago to Forever21 store. I bought it a size bigger just so the draping could be seen more. This skirt is amazing in so many ways. I threw in my fave leopard print pumps from Michael Kors because I wanted to add another interesting element. Although some black suede 4 inch heels would be perfect with this too.

Outfit breakdown: Skirt Faith 21, Jacket NY&CO, Shoes Michael Kors, Earrings H&M

This look is my 2nd fave because I think it's perfect for the weekend when I meet my friends or sister for lunch or if I'm just going to the movies. It's casual yet it's still cute. I got this sweater which is so comfortable and soft from Nordstrom's which is doing a new plus size line. they sent it to me to try it out and it is one of my new fave Fall pieces.

Outfit breakdown: Sweater -Nordstom's (gifted), Jeans -Old Navy, Watch-Michael Kors, Shoes-Nine West, Bracelets-Ashley Stewart (gifted), Bag-Coach

For my final look, I thought the tie neck shirt would be a great option for the office. I love how the tie peaks out from the trench and the trousers add another level of chicness. Yo can easily change up the belt for a different look. I added my Sally Jesse Raphael glasses because some days I feel like getting my geek on.

Outfit breakdown: Trench-Old Navy, Trousers-Loft, Shoes-Carlos Santana, Earrings-Call It Spring Shoes, Ring-The Limited (gifted)

The tie neck top is from NY&Co. I caught it on sale yesterday for $14.99. It's still available. Also, the shirt is very loose so I bought a large. I could have even gone for a medium because the cut was so big.

NY&CO

Skirt

Faith 21

 

ROCK YOUR FASHION INSPIRATION CONTEST

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
I'm so excited to announce that Stylish Curves and Plus Model Magazine are partnering with Fashion To Figure to offer one lucky winner a free makeover. "The Rock Your Fashion Inspiration" contest will run from now until October 24th. In order to enter you must answer this question, "What's Your Fashion Inspiration and why?"

The winner will receive a free outfit totaling up to $100 and a style consultation with me (yes, yours truly) at the Fashion To Figure store here in NYC and receive a photo feature in Plus Model Magazine by my Plus Model Magazine Editor Madeline Figueroa.

The Second Prize winner will receive a $75 gift card.

How will the winner be chosen:
The FTF, Plus Model Magazine, and Stylish Curves stylist panel will choose the top 5 responses. Make us laugh or cry! And then it is up to you to vote for the winners. Vote here or on FTF's facebook page from October 25th - November 1st. The winner will be announced on November 3rd.

So tell everyone you know to enter the contest.

Below is the link to enter the contest and the contest official rules.
http://www.fashiontofigure.com/makeover_contest.asp

TIRED OF THAT OLD BORING BUTTON UP? TRY A TIE NECK SHIRT

Next to ruffle tops, the tie neck shirt is one of my all time favorites. It's a very versatile chic piece that can literally be worn with everything. Try a printed version under a solid color blazer or wear one under a v-neck cardigan with the bow peaking out.

I am a super fan of the over sized ones that are out this season. I'll be pairing mine with leggings and a big cozy waterfall sweater. The tie neck shirt can also be sexy tucked into a pair of high waisted jeans or skinny pants. So, put that old button up to the back of the closet and get your hands on a tie neck shirt to add a little flavor to your wardrobe.

Here are a few options

1. Ruffle tie neck blouse

2. Ralph Lauren Tie Neck top

3. Animal print Pussy Bow Blouse-ASOS

4. Bow Front Top-The Limited

5. Bow Front Button Down-The Limited

WHAT'S HOT AT H&M THIS WEEK

H&M has released photos of  the new pieces that are hitting their stores this week. It looks like it's all about pink, black, and gray. The pieces scream sweet meets street. SC loves the soft pink draped dress paired with the black faux leather trim hi neck swing coat.

You just have to give it to H&M. No matter your style, they always have what your looking for.

Like what you see? These looks are set to be in stores Oct. 7th.

Photo source: H&M on Facebook

MISS TINA'S EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY COLLECTION AT WALMART

I have a confession to make. I love Beyonce's mom Tina Knowles. Mainly I love her because she is one of those celeb moms who isn't afraid to put their children in check when they're getting out of line or acting a tad bit bratty. Also, to be a woman of a certain age she looks fantastic. Miss Tina (dubbed by family and friends) has been the brain child behind many of Destiny's Childs and Beyonce's look. Her fashion sense is sometimes in question especially with the less than fashionable designs from Dereon and House of Dereon, however Miss Tina has had success with those brands as well as with her very own HSN line Miss Tina.

This time around Tina has branched out and has launched her own exclusive holiday collection Miss Tina by Tina Knowles in budget friendly store Walmart.  The line boasts prices $20 and under and offers a variety of  sizes ranging from 2-20. The collection offers classic pieces like the fitted white shirt and pencil skirt as well as trendy pieces like the waterfall cardigan and leopard print dress.

Miss Tina is showcasing her styles with various body types. She has enlisted model Chastity to show how her designs look on a curvy plus size figure. A few of the pieces are cute, but, I need to see them close up to determine if they look or feel cheap.
Bella from the blog Bella Styles actually went to her local Walmart to try on a few things. Checkout her
review on the collection Here

 

CURVY GIRL STYLE BATTLE

Today's curvy girl style battle is a good one. We have Raven Symone (yes, again) and Mo'Nique. Two curvaceous women who recently lost a few pounds in their waist on ya (in my best Missy Elliott voice).

Mo'Nique
While on hiatus after sweeping last years award season from her role as the angry abusive mother in Precious. Mo'Nique emerges for the BET Hip Hop awards as host looking stunning in a v-neck sequin mini dress.

VS

Raven Symone
Due to an abundance of black Hollywood parties and events Raven Symone has been showing off her new style and commanding attention on the red carpet. This weekend Raven was spotted wearing a metallic cutout mini dress and black open toe sandals.

So, SC wants to know which curvy girl wins this style battle.
 VOTE!

 

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SHOWS CURVY GIRLS SOME LOVE AT HIS 2011 SPRING SHOW

Beth Ditto, Crystal Renn, and Marquita Pring all represented for curvy women by walking the runway for Jean Paul Gaultiers Spring 2011 show. Beth Ditto who is unapologetic about her size and embraces her body opened and closed the show. There was a beaming light upon her as she confidently strutted down the runway. While

Beth may have opened up the show, models Crystal Renn and Marquita Pring did what models do best, gave their best face and walked in edgy rocker chic pieces from the Spring collection

Photos: Skinny VS Curvy & Socialite Life 

WORK IT GIRL OR BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD:TYRA BANKS

Tyra Banks was spotted at French Vogue's 90th anniversary party in Paris wearing a beautiful black beaded gown and a fishnet face mask that she made out of a pair of stockings. Now, there were other models with masks like

  Gisele

 Alessandro & Natalia

 
                                   Is Tyra working it or is it back to the drawing board?

Vote

BRITISH MAGAZINE BANS DIETING TIPS AND AIRBRUSHING

The Brits really have the US beat.

According to StyleList:

"Britain has launched Just as Beautiful -- the first glossy magazine devoted to plus-size women, the Daily Mail reports.

Previously a digital publication, the pro-curves tome just debuted as a bimonthly magazine featuring only models who are a UK size 14 (a US 10) or higher, according to the paper. What´s more, the magazine will reportedly ban dieting tips and airbrushing.

"If you´re a woman over Size 14, you´re likely to be stuck for something to read that doesn´t make you feel like you´re too big or 'wrong' because you´re not a Size Zero," editor Sue Thomason tells readers in the issue.

"We want our readers to know that they don't need to change their appearance to 'fit in' or be truly happy."

The magazine will feature articles on fashion, cooking, and lifestyle. However, they will be offering exercise tips.

 According to Publisher Ronnie Ajoku, "We might have interviews from plus-size celebrities but they are straightforward interviews and don´t concentrate on their size."

"The point of the magazine is not to make such a big deal about women´s figures like other magazines do."

PS, I love that they have a photo of Christina from Musings Of A Fatshionista on the cover asking , "Who are the fatshionista?"

Go Christina!

Here's what the models look like inside. They are all sized from 14-20

All photos: Dailymail.co.uk