Hey, check out the wedding belle! She's gorgeous!

 

(Am crazy busy working toward an end-of-the-month deadline, but just had to share this.)

 

Hi Amanda!  Finally got everything in.  The lace dress was not really fitted enough for me, but the fit and flare one you picked out for your work ensemble was (surprisingly) much more flattering.  I don't know how to post pictures to your blog, but I did send you a picture of the total look.  It's a little blurry and my hair isn't really done, but the main elements are in place, and I feel so happy!  I will be appropriate, ladylike, feminine, AND comfortable!  Thanks again.

 

Here's the total look.  So great to feel all polished and put together.  BTW, it turns out I'm a 12 in Ashley Stewart!

I'm totally impressed. VERY nice. Can't believe this is the lady who said she doesn't wear dresses.

Frugal Frames for (Stylish) Punkin-Head Dames

A lot of plus size sites include wide width shoes. Not something I need. But what I DO need are big-size glasses, ones that actually fit my broad forehead and cheekbones and wide set eyes. Was delighted when I took a peek at http://www.zennioptical.com and found that they've got it set up so you can easily search by the size of the frame AND that when you get up to the big sizes you can find all sorts of great, fun, funky stuff like this:











 


 

 
 














 Just the selection is worth the visit, if, like me, you've gone into optical shops and found maybe one frame in the women's section that is your size. But better still, all of their stuff is genuinely budget priced. Instead of $$$ like they are here in Oz, these frames range from $13-$35. And you can find plenty of others even cheaper, as low as $7.  Here are some great, fun xl women's styles that cost less than $10:











Reviews are generally positive--even for the prescription lenses--but given how fiddly mine are with prisms and so on, I think I'd just buy the frames and go to a brick and mortar place to get the rest done.

Over 40, At Work, In ASOS Curve

I don't usually think of style in terms of a particular age (except for when I'm forced to, as for instance when items I just think of as "clothes" are called "retro 90s"), but I had to name it something and since I am myself waaaaay over 40  and shop at ASOS (regularly described in media as a site for 20-somethings) for work-wear, thought I'd go with that. Actually, this post is really just an excuse to ogle some items on my ever-growing ASOS Curve wishlist. The totals make it pretty clear why this is just a VIRTUAL shopping trip.



1. "Puss in Boots"

ASOS curve swing dress with pussybow $44, curve tights $8, red light ankle boots, $75, ASOS neoprene tote, $20, River Island crystal earrings $12.$159.

2. "Juiced Couture"

 

ASOS curve viscose-nylon kick flare pant (in lengths), $43, hammered crepe hip length jacket, chartreuse, $78, faux suede brogues, $40 river island earrings, $15. $176.

3. "Wine Me Up"

 

ASOS curve soft drape jacket, $78, spear bib necklace, $21, easy leather ankle boots in oxblood, $58, junarose vest midi dress, $26, kenneth jay lane ball drop earrings, $15. $198.

4. "Knot Now"

 

ASOS curve peplum top knot detail, $63, wide leg viscose pants, $43, jumble suede look flatforms, $55, Kenneth Jay Lane spike earrings, $20. $181.

5. "Pretty Polygon"

 

ASOS curve v neck swing dress, longer length, $50, crop leggings, $16, New Look Jingy orange asymmetrical flats, $24, and Finchittida Finch Cow Bell Earrings, $10, Becksondergaard C-Diva Star Warm Blush Scarf, $20. $104.

And in case you are wondering, especially with the last outfit: no, my workplace does not have a clothing policy, lucky me. But I spend a good deal of work time making presentations, so being pulled together, if not exactly dressed up, is a priority, right along with my own standards of work appropriateness (which for me = no armpits, knees or significant cleavage on display ) comfort and ease (low heel or flat shoes, low or mid heel boots, leggings or tights are ok, but no panty hose or spanx, nothing that requires constant adjustment or fiddling to look right--except lippy)

Listen to the Wedding Belle (and Reply)

I got a lovely reply from the Wedding Belle, that also told me a bit more about her taste and style:

I think I like the construction of #1 best, the overall look of # 2, and the colour and accessories of #4, although I'm a bit timid about putting a bunch or ruching/pleating on my chest,  I also like #3 and #8.  . . . I am fairly pale, dark eyes, sable coloured hair, which I highlight silver.  Yellow kinds of wash me out, and I think I look best in medium bright colours.  My favorite neutrals are taupe, black, and bittersweet chocolate, which is really hard to find. Actually, I think of wine/burgundy as a kind of neutral as well, since I have so much of it. I'm a nurse, so mostly I wear scrubs, and always feel a little awkward when I'm out of them. P.S LOVE the necklaces and little sweaters!!!  

OK. This is how I'm reading the response:
 'construction of #1' = simple, a bit tailored
 'overall look of #2' = classic, ladylike, elegant (ditto 'love necklaces and little sweaters') w/emphasis on neutrals and texture
'colour and accessories of #4' = rich details, warm brights, purple family

So with these things in mind, I've put together a couple more outfits, the first two based on more simply styled dresses. These can be easily dressed up or down (as in, pumps and pearls to sandals and sunnies), so it is less likely they'll just sit in the closet after the wedding is over.



1. "Wine Red Rose"

Eshakti Adelyn dress, $49 w/custom size (sale); 

Amazon, MIA ‘Sweetness’ flat, burgundy suede, $99; jessica mcclintock black satin clutch, $18; Etsy, petite black crystal flower charm necklace, KandiRockss, $13, petite jet drop earrings, CrownJewelsGoddess, $1. $180 sans ship. (ouch! but love those shoes)

2. "Lady Takes a Bow"

Eshakti ‘Jessica’ dress in black poplin, $56 ; Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi, black, 30% off, $17; 6 PM Fergalicious Alana flat (which I now really want for myself), $23; Etsy, black patent clutch, steelcityvintage, $13, handmade faux pearl earrings with black fabric bows, JewelrybyAshNicole, $12, white pearl necklace, goodglasspearl, $7. $128 sans ship.

3. "Rich in Rose”

OSP, Jessica London lace dress $30 w/50% off coupon (check retail me not) ; Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi, black, 30% off, $17; 6 PM Bloch Noverre Court pink flats, $50; ASOS New Look Necklace, $12;  Etsy, floral pink beaded bag, GraphikMania, $22. $130 sans ship.

In Your Shoes

Another note!

I also have a wedding coming up, but have a special problem in that I am very hard to fit for shoes, with huge feet that are wide too and require orthotics. I can't wear anything higher than 7 cm so the cute flats and heels you feature aren't something I can wear. Is there any way to make granny shoes look stylish?

And it came with two pictures (no site credits, but the top is Aetrex Rose and the bottom is Hush Puppy Brooke).

 
 

Actually, I'd call these (especially the second ones) simple and classic. My own gran had great style (even when elderly and no longer able to sew as she'd done for most of her life, she could go into a thrift shop and come out with a great outfit). She would definitely have worn the second one. And I'm no granny myself, but I think the first one has a great vintage vibe (and is the only one of the two I could wear, since I don't walk in anything over 5 cm/2 inches).

There is no way of making a very casual shoe, say with chunky sole and big buckle and buttons, lots of large-scale top-stitching, etc. look dressy (funky and stylish, yes, dressy, no) but that isn't a problem with these. They can be a base of operations, so to speak, for a number of different looks. Maybe not the cruising-a-1970s-singles-bar or dicing-at-Vegas-circa-1989 look that influences some wedding styles (yes, I've been googling again) but if that were the goal you wouldn't be talking to me, lol.




1. "Tulle Time"

Eshakti ‘grace’ dress in spring green w/black tulle detail, $49 (on sale); your hush puppy heels with tulle roses (Etsy handmade from rosecarmen, $5 --plus shoe clip blanks, DIYBridalSupplies $3); Etsy vintage velvet satin evening bag, $35, handmade lace + glass bead earrings, SofiaFerreiraDesigns, $9. $101 sans shipping.

2. "Take a Bow in Stripes"

 Eshakti ‘show your stripes’ a-line dress, $57 (on sale); your hush puppy shoes with Etsy handmade bow shoe clips, AtelierAppasionata, $25, vintage bangle with rhinestones, Vintageandnature, $15, ‘50s crystal-studded clutch, LovedThreads, $26, silver plate rhinestone earrings, HipCrafts, $13. $136 sans shipping.

3. "More Glam than Gran"

Eshakti cotton poplin fit and flare dress, $58 (sale) with your Aetrex Rose shoes (somebody else’s feet, though); Torrid fishnet stockings, $15; Etsy, black velvet beaded clutch, MacaroniVintage, $25, handmade neo-victorian necklace, SilverTrumpetJewelry, $45 with neo-victorian earrings, $25. $168 sans ship.

4. "East Virginia"

Eshakti, deep navy cotton Virginia dress, $42; Etsy, Hmong clutch purse, TawanShine, $19, ornate statement choker, handforever, $6, vintage dupatta scarf/shawl, queensclub, $15, handmade petite ‘palace’ earrings, CobblestoneAvenue, $15. $97 sans ship. 

Wedding Belles

I am totally chuffed, because a) somebody actually looked at my blog, and b) actually asked for some fashion ideas for an upcoming wedding. An excuse to look at goodies on line, Yay!

Here's the note that inspired this post:

I need your help!  I will be a guest at a wedding in August, outdoors, involves hiking.  I am 5'3" and measurements are 45 40 48.  Don't want to look like the mother of the bride, but not pathetic either.  I am fashion impaired.  I like the lace dress, but not the coral colour so much.  Please do your magic!

After preening a little (just to myself) when I read the word 'magic'. I googled 'hiking' plus 'wedding' because these are two words that don't often get used together in my world.

I saw pix of happy people out of doors and several of brides picking up their fluffy white skirts to show boots beneath (in only one case were these hiking boots, the others wore cowboy boots, which are of course way more glamorous, but totally useless for rock-climbing or serious walking). I took from this bit of research that weddings with hiking are a thing, but a thing that more likely involves walking up a trail rather than, say, rappelling down a mountainside. Most importantly, it seemed to confirm that I don't need to create outfits that actually include hiking boots (whew).

Then I looked up the area where the wedding guest lives (am assuming that she is sort of near where the wedding is, as her address has 'mountain' in it which, unlike wedding, is a word I do associate with hiking) and found that the weather in August has temperatures between 57 and 75 F.

So: this post is for a
-plus-size petite with a balanced figure and defined waist (which is pretty much what I have been most of my life so I've got a good idea of the issues),
-who doesn't like coral (at least not a whole dress of it, which is understandable),
-and is going to a not-exactly-traditional, outdoor wedding, where she may need to walk a bit to get to the ceremony site,
-in the early fall, when it is likely be sort of cool in the evening and sort of warm in the day.

I've worked in the Jessica London lace dress she liked (it isn't a petite, but the godets begin fairly high up--so it's somewhere between an empire and waist-defining style that should work for someone shorter through the torso, which is the real issue for petites, more so than skirt length). But I used the black one (which is ok for weddings so long as you don't look like you are in mourning). I've also included another Jessica London from the OSP site that I've had my eye on. It is viscose/elastine knit, another breathable, multi-season fabric. The rest of the dresses come from e-shakti and I've factored in the extra $7.50 for 'custom fit', since our wedding guest's figure is between standard sizes and an inch shorter than the standard height range. There's a special on right now that brings the price down, as there nearly always is, just like there are always coupons for OSP.

I've chosen styles with a defined waist but that don't add fullness and don't require messing with a belt. They are all variations on the fit and flare, either with princess seams, gores, or, in one case, box pleats that (should) lie flat (although if your bum sticks out, the pleats will follow, especially once you've sat on the pleats for a while and get up again).

Most of these eshakti dresses are woven cotton (I like knits, but have NEVER had any success with getting them from eshakti), with the exception of a couple of rather beautiful printed poly's. In addition to the fun vintage styles, the custom fit, and good fabric, eshakti allows you to customize with things like sleeves and necklines. I think that the 'Havana' and the 'Lillian' would both look fab with elbow sleeves (very Bette Davis in All About Eve), as might the 'Ellen'. I am not so sure about 'Grace' (would the sleeves be solid or sheer?). The 'Chelsea' might look really strange with sleeves, as there is already a lot of fabric in the bust area.

I've put these with flat shoes because heels can be a real pain if the ground is either soft or rocky or uneven (and that's nature for you). Add a glass of champagne in one hand and you've got a disaster waiting to happen. (So: there's a reason that animals wear fur and not frocks--it doesn't show wine spills.)

As usual, I've had a ball with accessories (weddings, to my mind, are an opportunity not just to celebrate the love of your friends and family and drink champers, but also to dig out all those gorgeous but impractical bits and pieces that we otherwise don't get a chance to wear).

Once I get some feedback from my wedding guest (who may, for all I know, be allergic to cotton, dislike vintage purses, flowers, rhinestones, pearls, ballet pumps, as well as the colours black, green, navy, gray, silver, plum, and crimson), I'll post another couple of outfits that work to incorporate her more specific preferences.

Isn't this fun?
 


1."What a Good Year for the Roses"

Eshakti floral cotton empire waist dress, with custom sizing and 30% off special = $52; 6 PM Esprit, ‘yang’ flats $31 and Jessica McClintock black satin clutch, $18; Etsy, yellow pink rhinestone drop earrings, SSSJ, $10. $111 total sans ship.

I don't think I'd add sleeves to this dress, which is spring-like but works for autumn thanks to the olive green in it and the black piping. If I wanted the option of a cover up for when things get cool, I'd opt for a black cardi, one of the crop shrugs from Ashley Stewart I've used in a couple of other outfits. There are very high quality, with a girly vintage vibe that combined with the waist length keeps them from looking frumpy with fit and flare style dresses.

2. "String of Pearls"

Jessica London lace dress $30 (w/50% off first item coupon--check Retail Me Not); Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi in ‘rattan’ $17 (w/discount, Retail Me Not); 6PM RSVP Harmoni flat, $30; 60” white pearl necklace, EastWorkshop, $16 and earrings (not shown) $8, vintage blush fabric and faux pearl evening bag, SouthernLadyEstates, $5. $106 sans ship.

Unless you've got gorgeous pale or dark skin it can be difficult to wear beige near your face--but the white of the pearls with the black lace makes a difference. I'd probably double or triple these up.

3. "The Green Wedding"

Eshakti ‘Chelsea’ dress, cotton, with custom sizing and 30% off special, $52; Etsy handmade statement necklace, Fionaniushop, $29; 6PM Dolce black flats, $25, Jessica Mcclintock black satin rose clutch, $18. $124 sans ship.

4. "Punjab Wedding Song"

Eshakti cotton poplin ‘Havana’ dress with custom sizing and 30% off special, $52; Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi, 30% off, $17; 6 PM, Nine West Speakup black patent flat, $45; Etsy, purple and rhinestone statement necklace, MoloRoseGarden, $29, pink wedding bag, abbaint, $27. $170 total, sans ship.

Reviewers RAVE about this dress on the e-shakti site.

5."Chapel in the Moonlight"

Jessica London slate gray viscose/ elastine  surplice dress $25 w/50% off coupon (check retail me not); 6PM RSVP Harmoni flat, $30; 60” white pearl necklace, EastWorkshop, $16 and earrings (not shown) $8, vintage faux pearl evening bag, GourmetVintage, $18. $97 total, sans ship.

 6."It was a Teenage Wedding (and the Old Folks Wished Them Well)"

Eshakti ‘Lillian’ dress, poly sateen with poly taffeta lining (so, not for the hot natured—but would probably be waterproof!)  with custom sizing and 30% off special = $90; Etsy, vintage NOS gunne sax plum evening bag with chain strap, ThePrimAndProperShop, $10, vintage smokey and clear rhinestone flower earrings, TheocraticGreetings, $8, vintage rhinestone bangle, Jannasjewelrycabanna, $5 ;6 pm Nine West ‘speakup’ flats in Pewter metallic, $40. $153 total, sans ship.

7."Apple Blossom Wedding"

Eshakti poly crepe ‘Ellen’ dress with custom sizing and 30% off special = $82; 6 PM MIA 'Abie' taupe suede flat, $30; etsy, vintage nile green beads, AuntValsVintage, $15, silk purse ColorfulVintage, $15. $142 total, sans ship .

8."Wedding Bell Blues"

Good outfit for those who want to wear black, but keep remembering that their Gran (and Miss Manners) said on the subject. Eshakti navy with black accents, cotton poplin ‘Grace’ dress, with illusion trim, custom sizing and 30% off special, $52; Amazon, com. Rockport ‘ashika’ scooped ballet flat $79; Etsy, vintage velvet beaded bag, kuhlektabulz, $12, brooch with red rhinestone, robinsvintage, $4, rhinestone drop earrings, SSSJ, $10. $157 sans ship.

9. "I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock'n'Roll)"

Eshakti ‘Lillian’ dress, cotton, with custom sizing and 30% off special = $52; 6 PM Mia scallop edge black suede flat, $25; Etsy, vintage tapestry bag with ornate frame and looooong strap, MaryAliceFeltLikeIt,  $16, black rose earrings, NewDayRisingVintage, $8, handmade vintage style ‘fab-a-lite’ leaf bracelet, ThePinkBungaloo, $21. $97 total.



10. "Something Blue"

E-shakti ‘Valerie’ dress in radiant orchid, w/custom fitting and 30% off deal, $52; Etsy, vintage blue/purple evening bag, northstarvintage, $55, navy pearl necklace, pearlandjewelry, $7; Amazon, rockport ‘ashika’ navy patent flat, $50. $164 total, sans shipping.


When I saw the feather cross-body bag on the ASOS site (no, probably not practical for a hiking wedding), I knew that this post needed one more--MOD!--outfit. Just for a change of pace.

 

11. "(Nice Day For A) White Wedding"

 Jessica London fit/flare viscose knit dress, $30 (sale); ASOS, River Island feather cross body bag $59, Asos Shoreditch shoes, $35, white half round sunglasses, $12. $136 sans shipping.