How to Dress up A Wide Striped Sweater Dress

How to Dress up A Wide Striped Sweater Dress

plus-size-sweater-dresses-forever21-plus-striped-5Wide striped sweater dresses have the tendency to read “I’m in high school and I want to wear a dress, but not  really dress, so this striped sweater frock is my happy medium- worn with my rebellious and beat up jean jacket and my black chucks.” While that look is great for weekend exploration, it’s awkward and bizarre for an adult in her early 30s who needs to look super important and inspiring during her next business meeting.

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So if the jean jacket and chucks look isn’t appropriate for your office, how do you dress up this collegiate staple? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3- because people like things in 3s and so do search engines. I really want to start singing school house rock, but does anyone even remember school house rock anymore?

Add a Contrasting Pattern

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Add a little sass to those stripes by pairing the dress with a fun patterned scarf. For this look I used a similar colored plaid scarf that I picked up from the dollar spot at Target. The dollar spot is my special fashion magic place. For some reason there is always something special nested in those little wire metal bins, and this scarf was definitely a mega steal.

Bust Out Those Heels

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Or in my case wedges, because wedges are less of the foot devil than a stiletto… and more of a sex kitten surprise than a ballet flat. They are the middle ground of business shoes. They manage to capture both sex appeal and foot pain prevention in one sassy leather foot casing. Truthfully speaking, heels elevate the look and add a nice visual dissonance. The key fashion is to create contrast and to make to unexpected things work. A good pair of heels with an athletic striped dress is that little bit of contrast and intrigue that just works.

Rock Rosy Cheeks and Red Lips

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Making this look sing really takes only a little bit of extra prep commitment. To show that this is not just another casual striped dress, top the dress with some bright lipstick.  Be Bold. The addition of a little painted pucker is what makes this style. It’s like you approached the dress and never saw it as anything else than an adult, business lady, sexy yet work appropriate outfit. The lipstick wasn’t a need- it was a natural reaction to how boss lady fantastic you look.

Shop this look

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Ready to throw away those varsity blues, step away from  a where’s waldo costume gone bad, and join the ranks of ladies who rock dem rows like queens? Here’s where you can get the items featured in this look.

 

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How to Dress for Work: Plus Size Outfit Ideas for the Office

How to Dress for Work: Plus Size Outfit Ideas for the Office

Look #1: Golden Galplus size work outfit ideas

Looking rich is fun. Looking like a fashion bad ass that’s also rich is better.  I like pushing the limits and pairing a bold tight with an other wise black and white outfit. This yellow pair worked perfect because they are a nice visual reference to the gold piping the bib of the dress.  Topping this playful power combo with a luxe fur trimmed coat, really does give the impression you are a golden gal.

  • White Ruffle Bib Detail Shift Dress http://bit.ly/2eDnetk
  • Car Coat with Faux Fur Collar  http://bit.ly/2eDp8Kg
  • Yellow we love colors tights http://bit.ly/2fcO5ip
  • Boots: No longer available, I like this alternative: http://bit.ly/2eIEwVQ

Look #2: Overall Eclectic and Electricplus size work outfit ideas 2

There’s something inspiring about the vim and vigor a little pattern can bring to your step. Put me in a pretty print and instantly their is a spring in my step and and smile on my face. This sassy button down brings to life one of this seasons most pervasive trends- a pinafore dress. Bring the outfit to life by introducing subtle nods to school fays long a go like playful brogues, bobby socks, and few pieces of flair.

  • Studio Overall A Line Dress http://bit.ly/2dCR5zb
  • Blouse: No Longer available but I like this alternative http://bit.ly/2eDinr3
  • Mixed emotions club pin: http://bit.ly/2erwcO3
  • Brogues not longer available, but i like these: http://bit.ly/2dFSeev
  • Socks: http://bit.ly/2f4Zj9y

Look #3 Vintage Vixenplus size work outfit ideas 3

I love a good vintage floral, something that says “I’m almost your grandmas couch, if your grandma was really cool and into making couches out for awesome pant fabric.” I love pushing limits so it was a no brainer to punch up this ballsy floral with a pop of puckery perfect yellow. The yellow sock s tie the shirt into the look and the red shoes add a clever nod to the subtle crimson tones in the pants.

  • Yellow Bow Neck Ruffle Detail Blouse http://bit.ly/2ezrTeJ
  • Kady Fit Printed Crepe Pant In Floral  http://bit.ly/2f8Gvp4
  • Brogues no longer available but I like these http://bit.ly/2ekGXhB
  • Socks We Love colors http://bit.ly/2fcO5ip
Fall Fashion Inspiration: Mustard and Rose with a Touch of Bold

Fall Fashion Inspiration: Mustard and Rose with a Touch of Bold

Plus size fashion fall ideas 6One of the most unusually pervasive trends this fall season was the pairing of mustard yellow hues with soft delicate rose quartz touches. While the color combination seems nothing short of an odd couple, getting the right balance can make a look really stand out.
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So how do you make it work? Keep it simple. Choose one hue to rock the stage and the other to play a supporting role. For example, in this look I only added a light nod of pale pink as a sleeve under a deliciously golden dress.

Plus size fashion fall ideas 3Highlighting another popular Fall 2016 trend – statement wrap chokers, Ive pair this look with rope belt wrapped twice around my neck and tied as a necklace. The red adds a pop of color and adds dimension to the look .Plus size fashion fall ideas 1

The result is a look that has a vintage feel, with a modern color palate. So many trends this season bring in the old while providing something new. I really enjoy the yellow pink pairing because it feels fresh and young, but at the same time makes me want to go to a disco.

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Want to rock a look like this? The items used in this look are no longer available, but I’ve found some amazing alternatives. Check out the items below:
Golden rod dress: Asos
Rose t-shirt: Old Navy
Tassel wrap choker: Etsy
Metallic Court shoes:  Jason Wu

Photo by the amazing Dr Photo

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How to Add a Little 90s Flair to Your Plus Size Wardrobe

How to Add a Little 90s Flair to Your Plus Size Wardrobe

Plus size fashion 90s inspired styleI loved the 90s. Claire Danes was cool, oversized plaid was in and Delia’s carried plus sized clothing. So today I am sharing one of the easiest ways to add a 90s throwback into your day to day wardrobe. Somewhere in the back of your wardrobe you have a spaghetti strap dress. We all do; it’s a staple. All you need to do is add a simple ring tee underneath ( I got this white one at Target for next to nothing) and blame-o you’ve got some killer 90s magic.

Plus size fashion 90s inspired style

This is an easy way to give a humble nod with out going to far over the deep end. Want to push the limits? Try pairing this look with a similarly colored plaid shirt tied at the waist. This takes this look from popular girl, to grunge goddess still mourning the loss of Cobain.

Create this look by leveraging these amazing fashion essentials:

How to Transition a Summer Camisole to Fall

How to Transition a Summer Camisole to Fall

I’m a big fan of making summer extend just a little bit longer in my wardrobe. One thing I like to do if find fun and fancy ways to make a cute baby doll tank seem perfectly at home with the oranges and crimsons of changing tree leaves. So when I saw this toucan tank, I had to have it. I knew I could make it work, and it was born to flatter these plus size curves. Torrid plus size fall look 1
To take this summer swing and transition it to fall fierce, I paired it with an olive green pant to bring out the greens in the camisole. I then highlighted the warm undertones with some tan over the knee boots and a red handkerchief. I threw ona few of the bracelets I got from a yoga retreat in Costa Rica ans I was ready to rock.. on rocks. Because I was standing on them . By providing subtle nods back to all the accents in the shirt, they pop more. Thus the focus is no more on the summer cut, but rather on the funky jungle print- perfect for fall. If the temp gets a bit chilly, you could throw on an amazing jean jacket and conquer the world.
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For this look I used the following plus size fashions from Torrid.

3 Ways to Wear It: The Penelope Dress

3 Ways to Wear It: The Penelope Dress

Super excited to create my own style spin on this amazing Karina Dress. I challenged myself, I pushed my boundaries and used this currently cotton candy pink clad noggin to flower the purty Penelope Dress with 3 fabulous fashion variations. We’ve got floral go with the flow cool, bloomin’ and ready for business, and peonies be popping night out look. Which one is your favorite?

Floral Go with Flow Cool
Plus Size Fashion Blog Outfit 1I make the most of a dress by using a belt to reduce the height to a more proper tunic length. I spice it up and add a dash of cool by donning a funky homemade t-shirt  fringe scarf (tutorial here) instead of a necklace. I pack a punch with cheap but chic gas station sunglasses and use simple black leggings and mint t- strap sandals to complete the look.

Bloomin’ Business Casual
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I made my hair look all fancy using this very simple tutorial I love. Its seriously is so easy peasy and your hair looks gorgeously curly when you take it out. Hell yeah, two day dirty hair that still looks deliciously good.  I brought the tangerine accents in the Penelope dress forward by  adding my pretty and perfectly peach blazer from Target.  It gives this look a classy corporate style an unexpected pop. I kept all other accents very neutral and simple- black peep toe flats, a cocktail ring and vintage pearl earrings.

Peonies be Popping
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The final look is made to surprise. I use one of favorite style tricks and lengthen this  party dress by adding a black tutu underneath. The tutu adds length and structure- which is important. That way the dress won’t fly up while I’m getting down with my bad self. I added some visual interest by adding a thick black leather bow belt and metallic leather earrings. I created an unexpected charm to the look by ditching heels for reflective mint loafers. I love pairing unusual flats with dressy looks, you’re more comfortable AND you make a statement,

A huge thanks to Karina Dresses for providing this sassy frock for me to wear and style as I pleased. I truly loved it and I can’t wait to take this glorious garb for a night on the town. The vintage floral is amazing and I love that the colors in the print are bright and unexpected. It’s not your typical floral dress. FYI: They didn’t pay me to say that. I have truth syndrome. I can’t lie.  I love this dress!