by Glitter | Oct 10, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
I am really excited because I came up with a theme this week. Mostly because I needed something to help me keep focused in my posting. I seem to neglect this lil blog sometimes, and I am trying to be better about it. Please oh please forgive me? Anyways, back to this theme shenanigans. This week- is straight up juicy, berry juicy. I’ve been noticing all the amazing berry tones in the stores these days and I couldn’t help but riff on it for the week. So this week I’ll be rocking threads drenched with a lil tart berry pucker. Today I kick it all off with a little pomegranate (that’s kind of a berry, right?) promenade.
There is nothing that says fall more to me than an oversized duster sweater draped over a jersey dress. It’s the look of the season in my own humble opinion. Dusters allow us to transition and to begin the process of heat swaddling before packing on the extra thermal layers. Plus a good duster makes a sassy sexy dress feel work appropriate. The pomegranate lace up dress on it’s own is basically a man trap- catching all the men with the power of accentuated curves and exposed cleavage. However paired with the duster it becomes almost homey- still adorable and flattering- just more approachable and seemingly modest.
The length of the duster allows the dress to just peak out below. I have a special place in my heart for duster/dress combinations that fall this perfectly. Why can’t everything be this seemingly easy? Lets talk about why adore this peak a boo affect so much. The red dash at the bottom causes the eyes to really acknowledge the striped details in the sweater and creates comfort and cohesion for the brain. Too much and it seems disjointed, too little and it feels unresolved. This my chickadees, is a perfect amount of peak. The orange belt also offers visual comfort, making a subtle nod to another line of striping in the sweater.
You can find the duster and dress at Torrid. As for the boots, belt, sass, and charisma of the model- unfortunately they are the stylist own.
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by Glitter | Sep 19, 2016 | Fashion, Trends
I posted a video on YouTube about plus size sizing, where I showed 4 pairs of jeans, all different sizes that all fit me. I mainly addressed Plus Size sizing in this video, because well I don’t know much (if anything) about straight sizes. After an overwhelming display of comments from straight sized girls saying this was also an issue for them, I decided I wanted to do some investigation. I decided to explore sizing through two stages of analysis:
- Compare various size charts to see what stated variance there was for a sizes between stores
- Compare those measurements to actual products in store and see how much they differed
This is part one of that analysis and will be followed by part two next week. In this part of the investigation I analyzed the actual size charts provided by 12 major straight sized brands and 12 major plus brands. I tried to include several stores that had both plus and straight sized lines to see if there were any unusual differences. Let’s see the results.
Size 8 size charts plotted for 12 major brands. Data collected Sept 18, 2016
Size 20 size charts plotted for 12 major brands. Data collected Sept 18, 2016
I think it’s fairly easy to see right off the bat, that plus size size charts were significantly more varied when compared with the non-plus sizing. In order to make this difference a little more clear, I created a chart showing just the variance (smallest potential measurement subtracted from the largest) for each size. Plus sizing had a variance of 6,6.5, 6.7 for bust, waist and hips respectfully. The size 8 measurement variance of 5.5, 2.5, 3 for the same areas.
Size 8 + 20 potential variance. Data collected Sept 18, 2016
For straight sizing, the only significant variance is in the bust measurement. This makes sense as some brands are likely targeting a younger, less well- endowed target market. However, the variance is extreme for each of the plus measurements- with the hips toting a nearly 7 inch difference in measurement between the brands with the largest and smallest measurement.
The lowest, highest and average measurement for a size 8 and a size 20. Data collected Sept 18, 2016.
The chart above provides further clarity about a few things about both the size 20 and size 8 variance and helps us better understand why the variance occurs. In the size 8 lines we can see the average lines matches more closely with the high measurement for both bust and hips. On the other hand, we see the average line aligns better with the low line on the waist measurement. What does this mean? In each of the measured category (bust, waist and hips) there is likely one to two brands with outlier measurements. What’s an outlier? It’s basically a fancy numbers way for saying an out of the ordinary occurrence. Like me, I’m probably an outlier. So in short, these outliers creates a greater variance than generally exists in the market place. So in short, thestraight size charts vary much less if we were to remove those pesky outliers (Asos + Forver 21). Plus, and this is just for those super data nerds out there, the median and mode which fell inline with the average, ensuring those pesky outliers were not in fact also skewing the average.
Notice how the average for the plus size brands sits right smack damn in the middle? It’s because the variance is real. When we reference the chart previously shared of each individual brands sizing we can see huge amounts of visual space between every line. The scale of the variance isn’t inflated, it’s the reality.
The difference between a size 8 and size 20 in inches for each retailer that offer both plus and straight sized clothes. Data collected Sept 18, 2016.
So then I took a deeper look into the stores that offered both plus and regular lines, how did they compare? Big shocker here but some of the brands had variance that was just too consistent for words. Meaning for plus size clothing they have simply taken a size 8, added a uniform amount of inches to each measurement, and declared it fit for a plus size women. In fashion this practice is called grading. However past a size 8 plus women do not gain weight uniformly, so grading a size 8 to a 20? That’s kind of a no-no. Most plus brands use size 18 fit models to establish sizing, so they are grading the product from a size relatively close to the actual wearer. Asos, Old Navy, and Modcloth while I love your designs, grading a size 8 to a size 20 isn’t just ridiculous, it’s disappointing.
So what does this mean? Plus size clothing is designed with a greater scale of variance than straight size clothing. Some of this variance may be a result of brands who offer both plus and straight size clothing grading up, instead of fitting and sizing off of a plus model’s measurements.
However what remains to be seen is if this variance is actually translated into the physical clothes themselves. How consistently are clothes made against these measurements? Do these size charts really hold up? There are so many interesting and valuable questions left unanswered. So this weekend I am going to the mall to hand measure several size 8s and size 20s from a few retailers. And I’ll analyze those measurements to see how they stack up against sizing charts. I’ll share the methodology, process and results of that analysis next Monday. I have this sneaky feeling that these measurements are going to explain the real reason why every body is frustrated about sizing when buying clothes.
by Glitter | Sep 13, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
I didn’t think an MC Hammer inspired outfit would become one of my favorites; I KNEW its. There’s something about wearing oversized pants and gold lame that really gets my motor running. Plus, it’s like this challenge I accepted and conquered. It’s also led to me running to coworkers desks and occasionally screaming “HAMMER TIME” as I shimmy back and forth with such enthusiasm and gusto that only channeling the original Hammer could do. 
This outfit should be a joke. It shouldn’t be taken seriously. It’s so many textures, so many statements, so many conflicting styles. However, that’s exactly why it succeeds; there is an unexpected playfulness that makes a bold impression. This look is the very definition of a fashion statement. I only wish I had been able to capture it on the street, surrounded by the whimsy of the city. Sadly, this look is office bound today. 
The quilted jacket is a golden wonder I snagged as a gift from Eloquii. Expect to see this blazer wonder many many more times this season. The pants were an impulse buy from the Monif C clearance section. While this pair is sold out, here’s an alternative I found a Lane Bryant that you could easily add straps to the side for the same affect. The athletic knit crop top is also a bargain buy, bought during a 50% sale, from Fashion to Figure. The shoes are crocs. Mock me now, these things are comfortable AF while looking all kinds of cool. 
by Glitter | Sep 7, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
So today is the official start of Content Marketing World the Conference I am here in Cleveland attending, and the reason I am fixed up and looking sharp. I am resisting the extreme urge to scream “buy buy, sell sell” at random intervals and to sing “Business Time” by Flight of the Conchords. 
Today’s look is simple. It’s my favorite dress I’ve ever purchased in my entire life. Internet meet the unicorn of professional dresses, this multi-colored mash-up frock from Eloquii. I love it. I love how it flares out when I twirl. I love all the hues. I love the pleated empire waist. I love that it’s so light weight. I love everything about it. It’s the best. 
And people here at the conference seem to think it’s the best too. This is the most in my entire life that strangers have gone out of their way to discuss my dress. Women from all walks, commenting on the daring of my dress, the cool of my chemise, the bow chick a bow WOW of my business attire. I feel like a technicolor goddess. 
Wanna wear the best dress in the world? Get on the wait list here. Yes, there is a wait list. This sounds ridiculous, but this pretty piece seems to move fast whenever it finds itself on the site. So do yourself a favor and sign up for an alert; just click join the waitlist on this product page. I only own this dress because I stalked the site for days, signed up to be notified and bought it as soon as I discovered it’s magic could be mine.
by Glitter | Sep 6, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
So since I have to dress very professionally the next few days I thought it would be mucho fun to do a little mini blog series on plus size professional wear thats corporate, but still bananas stylish. Today we kick of the series with a bang by keeping simple while also keeping it bold.
A white blouse is the staple essential in any power bitch’s wardrobe, but that does not mean it has to be boring. This perfect poplin peplum white blouse demands the attention fo the board and the power of the board. The mandarin collar with simply but unique embroidery adds a nice umph to the shirt while also saying I’ve got expensive taste boys. 
I keep the simple but luxe look going by pairing this amazing top with a sassy stretch pencil skirt, with a modern zipper detail. It says I like to be comfortable and kick ass at the same time. The waffle like texture of the skirt adds interest with out complicating the look with unnecessary details.
Wanna rock this look? Linky links to all the corporate kitten magic below:
