Sparkle Tweed Coat for the Holidays

December 4, 2014 By Jay

Coat: Melissa Masse | Jumpsuit: ASOS | Shoes: Flounce | Necklace: F21

This one is dedicated to the minimalists out there who still want to make an entrance at the holiday party. Don’t hate me, but I was a little bit inspired by Kim Kardashian’s style. I love when she wears a simple coordinated set topped with a gorgeous, oversized coat, so I tried to recreate that look here. I have the pleasure of wearing this truly outstanding black, grey, and metallic tweed coat from Melissa Masse. Her line is a personal favorite because it includes both straight and plus sizes.

The grosgrain detailing and subtle shimmer make this a dream coat for me and since long coats are the style du jour, I’ll be wearing this well into our California winter. While the right coat can help you make elegant statement, you still want to look good after you take it off. I opted for this slinky jumpsuit underneath—in the link above you can see its cute straps. I love jumpsuits and I’m happy they’re fairly easy to find in plus sizes now. This also happens to be a great look for transitioning summer wardrobe pieces into fall and winter. I finished this outfit with a jewel necklace and silver glitter pumps. They add a few more touches of shimmer, which is always good in my book.

Home for the Holidays

November 10, 2014 By Jay

With the holidays around the corner, I’m sharing the first in a series of holiday inspired outfits. This cozy cardigan look is perfect for casual family gatherings, shopping around town, or grabbing a peppermint mocha with your sweetheart. Printed cardigans take the guesswork out of outfit planning, which makes them a fall/winter essential. I found this beautiful grey and white one from bar III at Macy’s and it works with jeans, leggings, and joggers.

I wore this outfit with my woven tote from Mercado Global. They don’t only make gorgeous, exquisitely handcrafted bags, this brand has heart. Mercado Global employs rural indigenous women artisans in Guatemala and helps strengthen local communities through education and empowerment. I feel connected to their mission because my mom’s family is from Guatemala and both the country and its people are beautiful. Weaving is part of the culture and history, which makes these bags timeless. If you’re in the market for a unique and beautiful gift—for yourself or someone you love—you have to check out their fall collection.

bar III cardigan, Torrid jeans + top, Mercado Global Tote, & Stuart Weitzman boots

This cardigan isn’t plus-size, but it’s definitely plus-size friendly and runs through size XXL. I’m wearing it in a size XL and it has a generous sweep. I’m obsessed with mine and this label makes so many cute ones! I’m sharing my favorites below. Click on any image for direct links!

Luxe and Ladylike for Fall with navabi

October 6, 2014 By Jay

Feature sponsored by navabi. Opinions are my own.

Around this time of year I start to envision the fall wardrobe of my dreams. I make mental notes of my favorite trends and those notes guide my shopping. For instance, I loved the ladylike plaid looks at the Delpozo and Victoria Bechkam for Fall 2014, so I knew I wanted to add some plaid to my closet this season! Like any plus-size girl, I know how hard it can be to find current trends in our size. This is getting better and better each year though.

One of the shops I’ve had bookmarked ever since they first came on the plus-size scene a few years ago is navabi. They’re based in Germany but ship worldwide. I consider it the place to find premium plus-size fashion, particularly from European plus-size designers. Here, you can see what’s new at navabi, including fall fashion trends and an intimates collection by the gorgeous Ashley Graham.

I picked this beautiful plaid coat, long sheer blouse, and faux leather trousers.

OK, can we talk about these leather trousers? They feel so luxe, like real leather, but have stretch and are lined with a knit material so they’re actually pretty comfortable. They fit like leggings and I recommend taking one size larger than your normal size. The coat is on-trend but elegant, my favorite combination. The sheer top is perfect for layering and the length helps soften the leather look. The quality of everything is amazing and I know I’ll mix and match these pieces through fall and winter. I also wore this jeweled sweatshirt I already had in my closet. Pumps are Cole Haan from long ago and the bag is Louis Vuitton.

If I were packing for a getaway in London, Paris, or Berlin, I would definitely bring this ensemble along. No doubt, it’s one of those outfits I’d feel beautiful wearing no matter where I am—in this case, having dinner with my husband in Claremont, Calif. Wishing you happy fall shopping. x

The Evening Suit

July 31, 2014 By Jay

For an evening in Los Angeles I wanted to wear something that had the feel of an evening suit. The core pieces are your jacket and trouser, and ideally they would each be a little dressier than your office suit. Think slim lapels, color, or refined textures. I debated about which top to wear until I pulled out this lace and satin camisole with a built-in bra from my dresser. Technically, it’s a piece of lingerie-inspired shapewear, but wears like a supportive cami. I’ve had it for years and it still had tags on it! I wore this outfit to a fall fashion preview hosted by UK brand Simply Be.