Full Figured Fall

I think my most regular readers realize Wednesday is my roughest day, but let me just explain why I didn’t post anything yesterday with this: work deadline + root canal = suckiest Wednesday ever. Seriously, I was at the dentist until after 7:00 p.m. So not fun.

I’ve been fighting this summer-never-dies fight for too long now, and the weather’s begun to turn on me. In fact, this whole week has been a dreary, bleak washout. The season has changed with a vengance. Yesterday it literally rained all day. Welcome to fall in Miami. Fingers crossed for no hurricanes!

The funniest part of fall in Miami is the store windows. Retail stores must change storefronts with the season, but because it never really gets THAT cold here, the racks of coats and all those cute scarves, gloves, and knit caps just don’t make sense here. I always feel a pang of shopper’s envy — fall clothes are so cute! As the weather gets wetter and chillier, I always start checking out the season’s cutest sweaters. And I gotta tell ya, Old Navy is coming out swinging. Yeah, I said Old Navy.

I’d given up completely on Old Navy for a while. Online their stuff was kinda cute…  kinda. But then I’d go to the store and find myself completely unimpressed. But now that Todd Oldham’s been named Old Navy’s creative director, hope is on the way. And their sweater game is tight right now!

I’m biding my time, but stealthily watching this cable-knit kimono sweater. As I hurtle towards thirty, I’m increasingly attracted to the kinds of clothes my mother would call “the basic essentials,” which means less teeshirts with random phrases on them, and more classic pieces I can mix and match with other stuff. This “tan heather” sweater looks so soft and comfy, and I can already visualize the big hoop earrings and pretty necklace I’d rock with it. Layer it over a cute tank, add your favorite jeans and a pair of funky flats (leopard, anyone?), and that’s effortlessly chic Miami fall fashion if you ask me. I’m just a sucker for a cool cardigan. I also adore this one from b & lu, which is another great site for plus size divas. (But seriously — being a bella on a budget, I can’t justify a $46 teeshirt. No matter how cute it is).

Fall colors are so rich and jewel bright and resplendent on bellas of all shades. This season, Torrid is all about gold and so am I! This Betsey Johnson gold foil bag would take my comfy sweater ensemble to the next level. And I’m tempted to go up an inch or so higher than my usual flats with these peeptoe gold wedge heels. Adorable! (warning — there is such a thing as too much gold. Kimora probably doesn’t agree with me).

My favorite fall colors are the wines and the deep berrys, and the purple, purple, purple. I’m a fool for purple, and I would totally rock this Old Navy charmeuse top. But I must be honest — I own a LOT of shirts just like this. Flowy sleeves, v-neck, waistband. Without that lush color and floral pattern, this top would not be that special. Check out the green and see what I mean — although it could be jazzed up with accessories, that just screams “renaissance fair” to me. Not the look I’m going for. The next shirt I buy needs to really speak to me. It needs to call my name, and whisper sweet nothings about how fabulous it’s gonna make me look. That shirt doesn’t speak loud enough to me.

Heavily patterned kimono prints in soft fabrics are currently the mainstay of the women’s section of Ross and TJ Maxx (trust me, I know). If you’re looking for a cute, flowy, fun top in a crazy pattern — forget Torrid, forget Lane Bryant (unless you enjoy spending over $35 for a teeshirt). I didn’t pay more than $15 for any of the newest shirts I’ve gotten recently, which are all empire waist tops from brands like Self Esteem, Chocolate Factory, and One Step Up. Which brings me to Alight.com — a great place to shop for full figured bellas with a passion for fashion. (pssst – were you wondering about the dress I got for that wedding in Lake Tahoe? It’s very similar to this one, and I wore a shrug with it. I’ll post pix soon, promise).

Let’s talk bottoms. Finding the perfect pair of jeans can be such a mission for curvy mamas, and shopping online for jeans if you’ve got an unusual waist-to-hip ratio just isn’t a good idea. So take my friendly advice and head straight to Lane Bryant. Their new Right Fit Jeans could be exactly what you’ve been searching for. They’re definitely making plus size bloggers happy. I sincerely advise you to read this follow-up post on The Pretty Pear about the pros and cons of Right Fit.

The system of sizing is completely different for these jeans, so there’s no size-based shame for the customer. I’m a size 4, baby! And I’ve never been able to say that before in my life. That doesn’t mean that I’m deluding myself into thinking I’ve somehow shrunk, but I do believe lots of plus size women feel weird shame about wearing sizes in double digits.

Another important word of friendly advice? Buy them in the store. I ordered mine online and had to send a pair back. They were way too big. At least in the store you have the option of working with a sales associate and trying them on first to make sure your Right Fits fit right. Now that I finally got the perfect size for me, I could NOT be happier! I have the light rinse flares in size 4, and they’re so, so comfortable. They make my butt look perky, and the waist and length are just perfect. And the price is right!

They cost $39.50, and come in stretch, boot cut, flare, and A-line cuts in rinses from light to dark. It’s a wonderful thing to find a pair of jeans that fit as comfortably as a pair of sweats. And that’s how I feel in these jeans. I used to come home, go upstairs and change immediately into comfortable clothes. Now I don’t need to! Love these jeans. But they might not be for every curvy bella.

Have you tried these jeans yet? Let me know how your Right Fits fit you! What cool clothes are you eyeing for fall?

Tags: Randomness

Category: Body, Product Reviews