FLOWER GIRL

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

My taste in clothing is truly changing. Two years ago, I would have never bought a floral print dress. I used to hate anything with flowers on it. Now, my tune has changed. This summer you have seen me wear and write about a few floral pieces. For some reason, I have been attracted to floral prints like crazy. When I saw this floral print dress on ASOS I fell madly in love with it. What really caught my attention was the color combination of black and red. The boldness of the print and the flared bottom of the dress just screamed chic to me. It also has a rectangular cutout in the back which gives a hint of sexiness. It was just what my wardrobe needed. I thought it would be fun to top the look off with a pair of cat eye sunnies which I wrote about last week (Read Here) and I am enjoying my bright yellow nails.

As you can see I have a new hairstyle. As my short hair is growing out, I've decided to play around with a few hairstyles until I reach my desired length. I enjoyed having the ponytail especially during those super hot days. For the next few weeks I will be rocking this short above  the chin bob. I like it because there is no hair on my neck. I had my stylist make one side shorter than the other for an asymmetrical look. It is super easy to maintain and I can create a few different looks with it.

Well, that's it for me. Hope you guys had an awesome weekend.

What I'm Wearing

Dress:ASOS

Shoes: Call It Spring (Gifted)

Clutch:Century 21

Belt: NY&Co

Cuff: Loft (gifted)

Earrings: Forever21

Sunglasses: Forever21

QUEEN LATIFAH AT NET-A-PORTER AND DOLCE AND GABBANA EVENT

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
This week we spotted fellow plus size curvy girl Queen Latifah at the Net-A-Porter and Dolce & Gabbana event in London. The Queen is known for being ultra feminine, but, every now and again she likes to show her inner tomboy. The Queen rocked an all black tuxedo style suit with a tapered leg. She completed the look with a white crisp button up and Mr. T style gold chains.

Is she working it or is back to the drawing board for this curvy girl?

Vote!

PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE'S SEXY SWIMSUIT ISSUE

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Plus Model Magazine pushes the envelope again with their sexy July swimsuit issue. The supplemental issue is part of the magazine's 5th year anniversary. In true Plus Model Magazine fashion, Editor and Chief Madeline Figueroa is bringing you nothing less than amazing and sexy photos of beautiful plus size models looking uber hot in fierce swimsuits.

Madeline gave five photographers who love shooting plus size women full creative control to come up with their own visions, models of their choice, and locations of their choice to bring you a Sports Illustrated-esque swimsuit edition of the magazine. All we have to say is, you haven't seen plus size swimwear like this.

We suggest you head over to Plus Model Mag's site and check it out for yourself HERE

Open publication - Free publishing - More arts

SEXUALLY EXPLOITING OR SEXUALLY EMBRACING: THE TERRY RICHARDSON TONS OF FUN PHOTOSHOOT WITH PLUS SIZE WOMEN

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Legendary and controversial photographer Terry Richardson recently shot a few plus size women (some models) for Vice Magazine in a spread called "Tons of Fun." The spread features the women in sexy clothes positioned in provacative poses. Some of the women are grabbing, shall we say a few of their assets, and some are just standing proud in lingerie or a swimsuit. At first glance I immediately thought yes, plus size power. Then, after staring at the pictures for awhile, I couldn't help but to think what is the true message these photos are sending?  As a plus size girl myself, I am all for being proud of my body and showing that plus size women are beautiful and sexy.

 Part of me loves the raunchiness of the photos but the other part of me, questions the message. The title and the poses are enough to say that the message is sexually exploiting the plus size woman. However, the confidence of the women say they're sexually embracing their curves.

What do you say?

Check out the rest of the photos HERE

SNEAK PEAK: SIMPLY BE FALL 2011

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Simply Be gives us a sneak peek of what's to come from their fall 2011 collection. The new collection is 60's and 70's inspired with ditsy print maxi skirts, palazzo trousers, and double breasted pea coats. You will also see designer inspirations from Louis Vuitton and Diane Von Furstenberg.

The color palette for the new collection will be rich neutrals like caramel, toffee, and terracotta. They will also be packing a punch with a few vibrant reds.  For holiday parties, Simply Be may be your go to spot because they will be serving up velvet gowns, chiffon maxi's, and colored lace dresses.

SC will keep you updated when they unveil the rest of their Autumn/Winter 2011 collection.

In the mean time, Simply Be still has some great summer pieces on sale check it out at www.simplybe.com

OUTFIT IDEA: AT THE OFFICE

Dress-ASOS, Shoes-Steve Madden, Tote-Dorothy Perkins, Earrings-TopShop, Watch-Michael Kors, Necklace-Nordstrom

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Living in NYC , I've seen a myriad of chic office looks for the summer and a number of looks that just leaves me shaking my head. Last week I told you the challenge I had finding summer dresses that were appropriate for work (my office).  I've been on a hunt to find a few really cute and chic summer dresses that weren't too sheer, too short, or too tight. I've been making my wish lists of my favorite work appropriate summer dresses and I thought I would share one of them with you. I absolutely love this green ruffled sleeve dress from ASOS (also comes in cork). Not only do I think the cut is chic and work appropriate, but the color is rich and amazing.

 I am aware that many people still work under those old school office dress codes but I don't. I feel like company's are changing their dress codes and finally getting with the times.

A bold color dress like this works for my office environment. Since the color is bold I would definitely keep the shoes neutral. The nude pump is a major hot item this year and the Mary Jane style is ultra feminine yet professional. I love to wear a bright colored bag with bold colored dresses. It just makes your look more interesting. 

If you're like me and in a summer work wear rut, I hope this look gives you inspiration and sparks your own summer at the office outfit ideas.

Side Note:

I'm looking for readers to send in pictures of their best summer work wear looks to be featured on the blog for a special post. You can send your full body shots (no cut off heads) to stylishcurves@gmail.com.

NEW CURVY GIRL SITE: SORELLA SWIMWEAR

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

SC was just alerted about a new swimwear line called Sorella Swimwear. The designer and owner of Sorella swimwear goes by the name Jessica Petersen. Jessica's line specifically caters to the curvy girl who wants luxury swimwear that she can not only look good in but feel good in.

When asked about her luxury swimwear line for curves, here's what Jessica had to say:

"I am offering curvy women a level of style that has never been offered in the world of swimwear for sizes 10-24."

The Sorella collection is a mixture of retro and trendy swim styles with branded gold metal hardware that creates a signature look. Sorella swimwear will begin hitting stores around Nov/Dec and they will be participating in Miami's famous Swim Fashion Week. Now, that's what we call a good look.

For more information and to see the full line check out Sorella at:

 http://www.sorellaswim.com/

View a few of the pieces below and tell SC what you think:

AMERICA FERRERA AT HARRY POTTER PREMIERE

Fellow curvy girl America Ferrera was spotted at the Harry Potter premiere in a neutral lace fringed dress and black peeptoe pumps. Normally when we see America on the red carpet she's either in a chic shift or one shoulder draped dress. This is a different look for her.

Tell SC is she working it or is it back to the drawing board for this curvy girl?

ASOS CURVE GETS INSPIRED BY PRADA

ASOS Curve is quickly becoming one of the top places for young and hip plus size girls to shop. They are consistently keeping up with the trends and recreating designer looks for the plus size curvy girl. Creating inspired designer pieces are nothing new but, it is very rare for plus size brands or plus bridge lines to recreate designer looks. Many of them think that plus size women don't want those looks.

While checking out the ASOS Curve site yesterday, I came across one of their newer items. A multi colored striped fishtail Prada inspired dress designed for a girl with a little meat on her bones. We love the thicker straps and the smaller stripes. We wish that the fishtail was a little more full, but, it's ok. I think our hearts just grew a little bigger for ASOS Curve.

The best thing about this dress is that it will only run you $60 and it goes up to a size 22.

What do you think of ASOS's take on the Prada multi colored striped fishtail dress? If you love it, then get the look HERE

Buy it HERE

FOLLOW THE ARROWS

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

When it comes to choosing prints, I find it to be quite challenging. I feel like my eye automatically goes to bold prints that many may interpret as ugly. When I saw this arrow print one shoulder dress on Fashion to Figure's website a few weeks ago I thought it was interesting and kind of cool. It's the kind of print that stands out in a crowd. In addition to the dress catching my eye, I also saw a pair of red jewel encrusted earrings that I thought would go well with it.

I really do like that Fashion to Figure offers on trend styles but their sizing is what I would categorize as junior plus. Often times I have to go two sizes up just to get the right fit. Which was the case with this dress.

I pinned my ponytail up into a bun because the weave was getting ruff, rugged, and raw. Basically, it's time for a new do.

Hope you guys have a pleasant evening.

What I'm Wearing

Dress: Fashion to Figure

Shoes: Guess

Earrings: Fashion to Figure

Bracelets: Ashley Stewart

CURVY GIRL STYLE INSPIRATION: GABI FRESH CREATES A LOOKBOOK WITH WILHELMINA CURVE MODELS

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Even if you consider yourself to be the dopest fashionista in the world, every now and again we all need a little fashion inspiration. This week MTV TJ and Young, Fat, and Fabulous creator (Now Gabi Fresh) was blessed with the opportunity to create her own lookbook for her blog using Wilhelmina's Curve Models. I must say, that Gabi definitely knocked it out the park on this one.
She dressed Whilhelmina models, Sylvie Lekarski, Amanda Dougherty, Joanne Borgella, and Misha Bernier in two looks that reflected the current trends. Her first look was color blocking and the second was neutrals. We love that she used plus size friendly brands like ASOS and Monif C. The looks are bold, sexy, and trendy. A true representation of how the modern young plus size curvy girl wants to look.

For more looks check out Gabi's blog Here

Check out the looks and tell SC what you think?

NEW SITE TO SHOP: GISELA RAMIREZ

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Again, I am eager to share with you another plus size curvy girl designer, Gisela Ramirez. A few months ago I spotted this white cage skirt on someones Tumblr blog. I wanted to use it so I could do a trend post, but when I tried to find it again, I couldn't remember whose Tumblr I found it on. To my surprise I spotted the cage skirt again this week. It was featured on Gabi Gregg's aka Gabi Fresh's blog. She used the skirt in a look book she created with Whilimena Modeling Agency for their plus size division. Check that out HERE

I Love a woman who embraces her body and doesn't allow fashion or its outlandish rules stop them from being who they are or dressing the way they want. Gisela Ramirez designs does just that. We love that her collection is compiled of luxurious silk and chiffon tops and dresses. We think Gisela's designs are bold and edgy from the brightly colored one sleeve body suits to the ultra fab caged skirt. You don't see these styles available anywhere for plus size women and if they were you better believe they would have a straight sized model rocking it. Which is why we think it's fantastic that Gisela's models are plus size girls too. Although her styles are simple they still pack a punch. Gisela's designs can be incorporated in your wardrobe a myriad of ways. You can throw one of her sheer dresses over a tank or strapless body con dress and you would have an instantly saucy look. Wear the one sleeve body suit with a skirt or a pair of wide leg pants.

It's like she's American Apparel for the big girl.

We can't wait to see more from this line.

Her designs come in sizes S-2X and you can shop them at

http://giselaramirez.bigcartel.com/

ACCESSORIES TREND: CAT EYE SUNGLASSES

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
One of the hottest accessory trends this summer are the cat eye sunglasses. Some of our favorite curvy celebs like Adele are rocking their cat eye sunnies. We love the different interpretations from power house brands like Prada and Alexander Wang. Cat eye sunglasses are a fun way to liven up an outfit and to stand out in a crowd. Have you been on a search for your very own pair, well, SC of course, has got you covered. We picked out a few of our favorites to help you find yours.

Check it out:

More Cat Eye...

NEW CURVY GIRL LINE: KRA BY SKINNY MINORITY

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

It is sincerely my pleasure to introduce to you new curvy girl clothing line KRA by Skinny Minority. I first found out about Skinny Minority last year while at a Black Style Bloggers event. A very lovely and curvy young stylist by the name of Karima Renee tapped me on my shoulder and said hey, "you're from Stylish Curves right?" I said yes and we started chatting immediately. While we were talking about fashion and the lack thereof for  plus sizes, she alerted me that she had her own clothing brand called Skinny Minority and she was launching her first collection called "KRA" in the Fall of 2011. I became excited. A curvy girl designing for other curvy girls is what the fashion industry needs more of. 

I kept in touch with Karima and yesterday she sent me pictures from the KRA collection lookbook. Can I just say that the designs are chic and sexy with a splash of edginess.  Stylist and image consultant Karima is no newcomer to the fashion industry. She has worked with fashion stylist heavy weights such as June Ambrose and Becca Alexis. Her celebrity client list includes curvy girl faves such as Chrisette Michele and Jazmin Sullivan.

 I spoke with Karima at the beginning of this year and she told me how important it was for her to design clothes that truly fit and flattered curves. She worked with a seamstress who had extensive experience in designing clothes for curvy and plus size women. She also chose to utilize her experience working with curvy celebs to create styles that were youthful and edgy yet sophisticated.

Her choice of fabrics were nothing short of luxe materials. This is not a fast fashion line. The KRA collection boasts impeccable tailoring and cuts to fit your curves. When asked about the inspiration behind the line, here's what the brand had to say,

"The inspiration was simple, to develop a product to better serve her clients and bring back the joy of shopping to curvy American women."

"Designer fashion tends to exclude the fuller women, KRA by Skinny Minority is leveling the playing field."

KRA collection comes in sizes 8-20 and will be available this Fall season. For more info.

Check out their website at http://skinnyminority.com.

 

What do you think about KRA by Skinny Minority clothing line?