styelle

/ Q

What kind of fashion advice can you give to a plus size shopper? I love all the styles you post on the site, but aside from shoes, there's nothing on here that I can apply to my wardrobe (yet). I'm sick of wearing black all the time and living in hoodies!

/ A

Hello miss! Welllll MY belief is that size doesn’t matter when it comes to fashion. Whether you are a size 2 or size 32, finding things that fit well and look good is hard work. It requires dedication to long and/or frequent shopping trips. You eventually will become “educated” on what looks good on your body. And TRY THINGS ON! I cannot stress that enough! Even if you think it MIGHT look bad, just try it! It will further your education, if nothing else. There is a GREAT blog I follow called Young, Fat and Fabulous (gabifresh.com or youngfatandfabulous.com). The writer’s views echo my sentiments. (And take note that her default is black from top to bottom! I myself happen to mostly wear black as well. Whatever works girfren!) She has some videos on YouTube as well. Basically, her take is that you can shop most places regardless of your size, you just have to be a tad more creative and willing to improvise. Honestly, I believe that should not just apply to plus-size shopping. It’s often “easier” to shop non-plus size, but that means it’s also easier to be lazy and unoriginal with your image. (Case in point: are you not sick of seeing the J.Crew look? You know the one— messy side bun, pearls, a polo, denim skirt, and flip-flops? The look every size 2-6 Long Islander has been wearing for the past decade? Ugh kill me.) ANYWAY, there are quite a few blogs featuring plus-size fashion, I just happen to follow that one regularly. Really the best way you will broaden your style horizon is to constantly browse to find out what you like, try things on to find out what likes you back, and keep an eye out for any magazine or online articles that apply to your body and personal style. And don’t be afraid to take risks, even little ones (like wearing dark blue or purple instead of black)!

Another of my Fashion Week favorites, Zac Posen’s collection mainly consisted of structured dresses and gowns.  Anyone who says they have ZERO interest in fashion::ahem-ladies-at-the-table-next-to-me-at-dinner-the-other-night-ahem::needs to seriously take a look at the gowns in this collection—the craftsmanship is unreal.

<——FAVE ALERT<——FAVE ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——FAVE ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——TILDA SWINTON ALERT

<——FAVE ALERT<——UBER-FAVE ALERT

After perusing through the various Fashion Week collections, I was surprised to find that one of my favorites was Carolina Herrera’s ready-to-wear.  I say “surprised” only because I’ve never considered myself a major fan, more “indifferent” (sorry CH, I know that must just crush you).  This season however, my socks have been straight-up knocked off!  IMHO, it is one of the most diverse yet consistently GOOD collections this season. Hers is probably the only one I flipped through and thought “love….love…..love….love…love…”.  I TRIED to narrow it down to just my favorites……but wound up posting basically the entire collection….  

Sheer Over-sized Plaids…..

Wispy Whites……..

Long and Flowy Geometric Shapes and Prints……

Chain-Mail-esque, yet fluid…..

Bold and Beautiful Colors with a Touch of Lineation…..  

Bold and Structured with a Touch of Frill…..

Variations on The Pantsuit…..

Structured Workwear…..

Beading and Sparkle……

…….and more collections from this season to follow! Stay tuned girfren. 

The girl’s not even fifteen, yet I’m envious of her wardrobe.  I don’t know whether or not she has a stylist, but regardless, I suspect she simply has a good eye.  An unusually good eye, given her age.  (Granted, probably not many fourteen-year-olds have Karl Lagerfeld in their inner circle, so….) Speaking of age, take note of how appropriate she always looks.  She has a sophisticated style, yet never looks like a child that somebody dressed to look like a mini-adult.   

But seriously, this chick looks so excellent all the time that it makes me want to cry. Seriously.

Some of my faves:

in Prabal Gurung

in Topshop

in Marchesa

in Marchesa

in Miu Miu (she’s the face of their Fall 2011 ad campaign)

in Alberta Ferretti

in Stella McCartney

in Louis Vuitton

in Miu Miu

in Miu Miu 

in Marc Jacobs

in Calvin Klein

in Stella McCartney

in Chloé

in Valentino

in Tory Burch

in Moschino

in 3.1 Phillip Lim

in Jenny Packham

in Tommy Hilfiger

in Lanvin for H&M

in Miu Miu

This weekend, I was forced to abandon my humble abode in fear of Hurricane Irene.  This was quite stressful for me.  How was I possibly going to quickly and efficiently pack all the necessary items I would need to restart my life after Irene completely wiped out New York??  I needed to map out my emergency E-Vac plan, and fast!  

First was the obvious: my jewelry. Now I had to be reasonable. I could only bring the pieces I REALLY loved.  From each category.  So I got to work throwing about ten of everything (bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, etc.) into separate jewelry containers.  I was like Noah loading the ark, except I had ten of everything, and nothing was included for reproduction purposes.  

Next came shoes.  Now at first I only grabbed my summer shoes (flip flops, peep-toes, etc.).  But then I thought, well HEY, I have invested in many a pair of winter shoes(booties, boots, etc.), and I’ll be garsh-darned if I don’t get a return on that investment!  (Not to mention the possibility of nuclear winter after Irene wreaks havoc on all of earth, in which case I might need some warm leopard-print wedges to keep my tootsies warm.)  So I threw my favorite boots, booties, heels, and wedges in a bag.  

Next of course, came clothes.  I figured I might need a pair of jeans in every wash and color, just in case my house was destroyed and all stores were destroyed and I could not find any grey skinny jeans ever again.  I also decided to plan ahead (once again, in case of nuclear winter due to a hurricane), and pack up all my most prized sweaters, cardigans, blazers, and jackets.  I threw in a bikini for good measure, just in case after the hurricane earth went all Mad Max on me and I needed to stay cool while traveling the desert wastelands searching for water.     

Finally, I decided to throw in some second-string necessities, such as underwear.  

Now as it turned out, Hurricane Irene didn’t really amount to anything much more than some wind and rain.  And possibly a little bit of flash-flooding in some parts of the East Coast.  But if it HAD caused havoc and destruction, I would have been one prepared hurpocolysta.  Because there are some emergencies one just can’t depend on FEMA for.  

Jennifer Meyer Diamond Bar Ring and Gold Stackable Rings

Vera Wang Lavender Label Peep-Toe Ankle Boot

Gucci’s flow-y, sheer, jewel tones

Welp, it has been years, and the Cartier Love bracelet is still on my wishlist!

Rag & Bone “Classic Newbury” Boot

Thakoon Blanket Dress

Top: Coach “Liana” Boot

Bottom: Rachel Bilson in her Coach “Liana” boots. Have you ever seen a comfier-looking beeatch? I have not.

If you are on a budget and/or have enough self-discipline to not go hog-wild when at the mall, then 1) you are a better person than I, congratulations, and 2) these are my suggestions for what shoes should be in your arsenal:

Pointy-Toe Unembellished Flats 

These are good for wearing under wider pants, when you just want your toes to “peek” out from underneath.  I find that a round-toe looks too bulky with wide-leg pants.

Peep-Toe Flats

I find these to be a great alternative to sandals for summer, especially if your job does not allow you to wear sandals and you still want your feet to get a lil’ ventilation! Personally, I find them to be more comfortable than sandals as well.  

Round-Toe Unembellished Flats

I usually favor a round-toe over a pointy-toe when wearing flats with skinny jeans. IMHO, it helps balance out the proportions.  I actually own this exact pair (from Land’s End! I know right?) and LOVE the color and shape.  Not to mention that they are uber-comfy. 

Nude Pumps

As I’m sure you’ve heard before, nude pumps help elongate the legs, and can be worn with anything.  

Flip-Flops

Obviously, everyone needs at least one pair of flip-flops.  If you have to get just one pair, I would go with Havaianas with a gold thong, as gold will flatter the Jennifer-Aniston-like-summer-glow that you will most certainly have during the summer.  

Black Pumps

Like nude pumps, black pumps are at the top of every fashion guru’s “must list”.  They are your oh-muh-guh-I-have-to-go-to-a-funeral-and-need-to-look-presentable-but-can’t-look-like-i’m-trying-because-that’s-disrespectful shoes.

Uggs (Neutral)

I know boys hate them, but oh lawdy I hope Uggs are here to stay.  As every female knows, they are beyond comfortable and if they didn’t “go” with everything a few years ago, well we have MADE them go!  Jeans, skirts, shorts, tights, we don’t care, we’re wearing ‘um!  That being said, I would suggest a neutral color (none of the blinged-out or even buttoned styles).  Either tall or short will do.  

Booties

I was unprepared for some of the images that came up when I Googled “nude booties”, although I suppose I should have been.  Anywho, while booties are a current “trend”, and normally I despise “trends”, in a neutral color I believe you can get good mileage out of a pair of ankle booties.  

Slim Leather Flat Boots

Because there is no heel, these can just be worn with anything, period.  You can dress up or dress down.  

Slim Suede Boots

This is simply my personal opinion, but suede makes me feel more “dressed up” than leather.  Therefore, if you want a boot with a heel, I would opt for suede over leather.  

For me, it is the best fashion event of the year.  Better than the Oscars, better than the Golden Globes, better than the Grammy’s.  

The Costume Institute Gala is an annual ball held to celebrate each year’s opening of the fashion exhibit at the Met’s Costume Institute.  The theme this year honored the late (and great) Alexander McQueen and the exhibition Savage Beauty, which opened at the Met on May 4th.  Personally, I intend to go see the exhibit ASAP.  

Here are the looks that caught my eye because they were A) interesting, B) beautiful, or C) both.  IMHO, at the Met Gala, the more unusual and original, the better.  After all, it is the Costume Institute, amiright?

Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang

Jessica Stam in Tommy Hilfiger

Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein Collection

Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney

Solange Knowles in Dries van Noten

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen

Liv Tyler in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci

Kerry Washington in Escada

Dakota Fanning in Valentino

Ginnifer Goodwin in a Topshop dress and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry

Hailee Steinfeld in Stella McCartney

Aimee Mullins in Olivier Theyskens

Natasha Poly in Alexander Wang

Natalie Vodianova in Valentino

Leelee Sobieski in Vionnet

Chanel Iman in Dolce & Gabbana

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

Doutzen Kroes in Giambattista Valli

Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney

Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford

Lara Stone in Calvin Klein Collection

Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney