CurvyPlusStyle

Author: Kiyoka

  • Hoopty-Hoop

    Hoopty-Hoop

    I’ve been looking for a medium size hoop that I can wear everyday. The hoops I have are large and too big for the workplace. That’s my opinion. My workplace does not have a dress code. I don’t wear earrings daily. In the past, I opted for studs but kept losing them so I’m trying hoops this time around. I also have a new hair cut. Hello nature pixie! I feel like hoops or drop earrings complete the look.

    Up until last week, I had not found what I was looking for. I was scrolling Instagram and saw an ad with Tabitha Brown and Hoop Mobb. I took a quick look at their website and saw that they were one of Oprah’s favorite things. I immediately loved the melanated collection because I love a good flesh-tone. We don’t get that a lot on the darker skin end of the spectrum. I bought two pairs and they arrived today.

  • Don’t Rely on Search Engines

    Don’t Rely on Search Engines

    Last week as I was getting ready for work, I realized that I needed a jacket to wear with black. I decided on a black trench coat from City Chic. It arrive a couple days ago and was beautiful, but too small. City Chic doesn’t carry larger sizes so I started looking for an alternative. My first instinct was to Google, Black Trench Coat Plus Size. Several black trenches came up in the search, but none of them that I wanted.

    I left the search and returned to it later in the day. I saw a link for Mango. I’ve seen the brand name before, but wasn’t familiar with it. I decided to click on it and found a number of black trenches. I wasn’t thrilled with the price, but it got me to thinking about what else isn’t showing up in my searches. I realized in that moment not all brands products show up in search results and there could be a lot that I’m looking for that I’ll never see unless I search those brands sites myself. When I looked at the Mango site, I found a cropped cardigan as well which I’ve been looking for for weeks but it was never in any of my search results.

  • Printed Pants for Spring

    Printed Pants for Spring

    It’s my understanding that New York & Company has carried plus size for a few year now, but I’ve only recently learned of it. Back when I was straight and mid-sized, New York & Company was my jam, especially when they were Lerner’s. As I gained weight, I was no longer able to shop with them, but at the same time the quality of their clothing changed for the worse. So when I saw the ad on Instagram, I immediately checked it out. Frankly, I wasn’t impressed with what I saw, but I loved these pants. In the Spring, I searched for printed wide-leg pants, but never found a pair that I loved. Then I saw these. They are polyester instead of the jersey material I wanted, but I love the design. They are not the typical pull-on. They are designed like a trouser with slant pockets and a hook and bar closure. I really love the bright color. I don’t normally gravitate towards florals, but this comes across as subtle which I like. I sized down to a 2X because lately when I purchase wide-leg pants in my size they are too big. In this case they are a little too tight in the hip and thigh. I would be able to sit comfortably without worrying about splitting them so I repurchased them in a 3X. Unfortunately, you can only return, not exchange. When I return the first pair, I’ll have to pay a restock fee. Luckily, when I repurchased they were cheaper and I got a discount on top of the lower price so as they say ‘a win is a win’

    I love when I find a great buy out of season.

    I’m looking forward to seeing what else this retailer will drop.

  • Voluminous Sleeves

    Voluminous Sleeves

    I loved the original Eloquii, owned by Limited Brands. I learned to like the second rendition of the brand, but I always felt it catered to younger and more trendy dressers. Today, the brand is own by the same company that own’s Catherine’s among other brands. When I learned of the merger, I thought it was odd. These are two totally different populations. I immediately noticed the differences in the clothing, the price (or promotions) as well as the logistics (shipping). Going forward, I don’t anticipate buying much from them, but had a few things I already wanted to try. This is a mini shirtdress. I have never been a mini-dress girl, not even when I was thin. I love the sleeve. My intention was to wear this as a shirt. Since I’ve tried it on, I think that I’m willing to try it as a dress with leggings and booties. I accidentally bought the green and decided to keep it also. What I don’t like about this dress is the weird button seam. For some reason they designed it off center. From the model in the photo, I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or the way she was posing. It’s weird, but I can live with it.

  • Perfect Chino

    Perfect Chino

    I have been searching for a chino pant since 2019! Let that be a lesson in how long it can take to find a basic item in plus size.

    I’ve tried really hard to stay away from Kardashian brands. I decided that I wanted to test out the fit and never expected that what I found. I love the material. It reminds me of Dickies. The material is nice and durable. I love the length. I used to be a 3.75″ heels kind of girl and loved a long pant that cover my entire show. These are those kind of pants. These days I’m a flats girl so I’ll have these tailored, but still to cover my entire shoe. I originally bought these in a size 26, my normal size, but they were too big. When I’m shopping brands that are new to plus size or new brands in general, I tend to size up or buy my size regardless of their size chart because newer brands tend to run smaller. I’m just realizing the description says loose, oversized wide leg fit so that explains my need to size down. I usually need to size down in wide leg pants. As a plus size person, I miss shopping at places like the Gap and these pants are the closest things to that Gap Chino that I’ve found that actually fit. These don’t really stretch, but I have a feeling that wearing them will “break them in” and they’ll loosen up in the thigh. I didn’t love the price of these pants either, but fortunately I caught a 30% off sale. And since I couldn’t do price adjustments, I had to return and repurchase these a few times. Beware that they do charge restock fee.

    I doubt that I will shop frequently with this brand, but I don’t want to try their blazers. The Kardashians were definitely the ones to put me on to blazers so I’ll try that next.

  • Plus Size Brand Review: Lands’ End

    Plus Size Brand Review: Lands’ End

    This past month I moved to a new state and re-entered the professional workforce which means I need a work appropriate wardrobe. While living in Florida for nearly four years, I worked in a very casual environment and literally wore jeans and sneakers daily. Now that I’m in a position that requires more business attire, I’m on the hunt. I started searching online for clothes and doing what little brick and mortar shopping I could. Let’s just say it’s been a challenge.

    I’m into classic styles and I prefer to invest more in my clothing. Unfortunately this style can be difficult to accommodate when you a plus size and more so when you are on the larger side of plus. 

    As much as I enjoy fashion, I haven’t kept up with it over the last four years so I was surprised to learn that Lands’ End carried larger sizes. It’s not a brand that I’ve identified with in the past, but it looked quality so I went shopping. 

    Here’s what I bought and what I thought. (NOTE: Most of this stuff was returned before I created this blog so there are no photos.)

    BUTTON DOWNS

    • Women’s Plus Size No Iron Supima Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt – I bought this in a 26. I love the quality. The material was soft and had a slight shine to it. But it was too tight in the arms, shoulders and chest. A 26 is the largest size so I couldn’t go up in size. I decided to try another style of button down.
    • Women’s Plus Size Long Sleeve Broadcloth Shirt – This is a different material than the Supima Cotton. It’s slightly stiffer and no gloss. It’s good quality, but I just liked the Supima Cotton look and feel better. I bought a size 28 in this one and had the same problem with the arms, shoulders, and chest being too tight. This one goes up to a 34, but I decided against sizing up again because I’d have to have the body of the shirt tailored increasing the cost and I didn’t feel it was worth it.

    CHINOS

    • Women’s Plus Size Plain Straight Leg Chino Pants – This was the product that I was most excited about. I have been looking for a chino in plus for at least two years and have not been able to find a good quality pair. Other brands haven’t had the best material or color. I bought these in a 28 in Black and Khaki. I wanted something less formal than a trouser, but not as casual as jeans to wear to work daily. The color and material were awesome, but they were too tight in the crotch and thigh. So I tried a second time and I ordered a 30 in Khaki, Black and Navy. The second time they were too big in the thigh and crotch, but too tight in the calf.

    OUTERWEAR

    • Women’s Plus Size Wool Peacoat – I love a peacoat. I bought this in a 26 and it fits perfectly. The color and quality are good. It was a little wrinkled but I think I can fix that.
    • Women’s Plus Size Lightweight Cotton Jacket – I bought this in a 26. It seemed like the perfect lightweight casual jacket. It was too tight in the arms, shoulders, and chest. It doesn’t go up in size beyond 26.

    SHOES

    • Women’s Wedge Chelsea Boots – This was another item I was really excited about. I bought an 11 Wide. I don’t normally buy wide, but the medium fit was sold out and I figured I could wear socks. They fit great and are the perfect height for someone who hasn’t worn a heel of any height in four years.

    Overall, I would recommend Lands’ End because it might work for someone else. What I found out after the fact is that Lands’ End is “proportioned to flatter full-figured women.” That’s a statement straight from their website. So if you’re like me and you are on the curvier side, especially pear/triangle shapes, you’ll want to consider going up a size or two in certain items. I would suggest paying attention to the cut and the material. For example, I usually size up in straight fit pants or jeans and down in a wide leg fit. I would also recommend comparing to your “old reliable” plus size brand to help you decide on sizing. I don’t feel surprised by the outcome. In my experience brands new to plus size tend to run on the smaller side, although some brands have always catered to flatter full-figured. 

    There’s been a surge in the number of brands carrying plus sized clothing, but they fall more on the trendy side. We really need quality, classic pieces and the number of brands that actually carry that is small. There’s a market for it. I think Lands’ End could take advantage of that market, but they’ll have to carry a more universal fit for plus size women.