One of my favorite go-to places for reliable plus size shopping is Nordstrom.
I get asked on multiple times a day the “Where can I…” questions.
Where can I find a formal gown?
Where can I found good shape wear?
Where can I find the perfect date night outfit?
More often then not I will suggest heading straight to Nordstrom because you can literally find everything that you’re looking for and then some.
I have been a self proclaimed Nordy’s girl not only because they carry all of my favorite brands (Eloquii, City Chic, Leith and Reformation to name just a few) in one spot but they have the best customer service too.
It’s tough out here for a fat girl that loves fashion and Nordstrom just happens to be one of those reliable resources that never lets me down.
Picked up this work appropriate, party appropriate and all around fun, femme, floral black and white two piece (who doesn’t love a two piece) look from their newest arrivals from the Gibson x Hi Sugar Plum Collection.
Whether you are looking something for a special occasion, office attire or the perfect date night outfit — I rounded up my faves below now available at Nordy’s!
This look reminds me of a cup of smooth, rich hot chocolate. The real deal hot chocolate – not that watered down powdered packet stuff.
I’m talking about that chopped chocolate bar, whisked with butter, cream and milk, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Now that’s a hot chocolate. 🔥
I used to be afraid of being washed out wearing chocolate brown but including different colors of the same warm color family helped create depth and texture and keep my rich melanin intact.
Now that I have my Fall wardrobe together I just need Florida to drop at least 30º so I can actually wear my fab layers without breaking a sweat.
A cold weather getaway is so necessary. Now just have to figure out where?
Want to jump on trend train that is here to stay?! Get yourself an all pink power suit!
I’m a believer in the dramatics of a strong monochromatic outfit especially in my signature color.
And I’m not the only either! I’ve been seeing pink power suits all over — from the streets of NYFW to some of my favorite celebs like Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, Tika Sumpter and Beyoncé gets an honorable mention in all the pink numbers she wore in Sardinia.
If you’re afraid to tackle on the rosey hue from head-to-toe try wearing the blazer alone with a pair of black wide cropped jeans or trousers with a moto jacket. But for those that are ready for a full punchy look I’ve rounded a few pink suits that will be great to keep in rotation in your Fall wardrobe.
Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen Collection: How They Listened to the Neglected Plus Size Consumer
It’s always reaffirming and really quite amazing when you can use your voice to elicit change and something actually happens.
I’ve been blogging about plus size fashion, the joys and struggles for almost 7 years and I’ve been a fat girl for more than 30.
So, you can say that I’m an expert at plus size consumer relations. I’ve been a neglected often ostracized fashion consumer my entire life.
But I’ve made due. I had too.
Making the best with what I’ve been given is the norm. Saying “I wish they made this I’m my size,” is the norm.
I wish it wasn’t.
I wish I could say that all my 10 year-old fat girl fashion problems were a thing of the past but it isn’t.
Don’t get me wrong, in the last 15 years, plus size fashion has made some amazing strides in offering high quality, stylish fashion and changing the culture.
We now have Eloquii dropping a new collection almost every week. There’s the CurvyCon. We have dozens of fat women strutting around during NYFW! It’s awesome but with anything there’s always room for improvement.
Lately it seemed that many straight sized brands were catching on, albeit, very very late but hey, progress is progress.
The idea of size inclusivity, diversity, and visibility has been a pretty popular trend lately. For a while it seemed that every single brand I wished I could shop in high school and college were now debuting an extended range or plus sizes for the first time.
But as an expert of being a fat fashion consumer I can tell when it’s the real deal or a brand is jumping on the trendy bandwagon and wants to appear as if they are truly about the cause.
Casein point is Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen Nordstrom collaboration. Before I delve in let me just preface that I’m a really big fan of Blair Eadie Bee. Her style is unmatched. She’s the ultimate femme maxamist and all of her outfits are goals. She was literally one the first outfits I ever pinned on Pinterest!
She’s the ultimate business woman and works really hard on her brand. So when she announced that she was launching her first clothing collaboration with Halogen (a brand that had already established offering extended sizes) I was beyond excited!
The collection featured her in the ultimate Blair outfit: a blush pink blouse with velvet bows and a pink tulle ruffled tiered skirt. Blair herself said these were some of her favorite pieces in the collection and it was one of the main outfits featured in her campaign. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
The collaboration had all the necessary elements: blush pink, a popular stylish influencer, a trusted big name brand and the claim of size inclusivity.
I stayed up to purchase the bow blouse and tulle skirt to only be disappointed. This outfit was basically the face of the campaign and it wouldn’t be available in the extended range.
I felt bamboozled.
I felt like the campaign was capitalizing on the idea of being size inclusive but in reality wasn’t offering the main pieces featured in campaign for everyone.
Once again there I was making due with what was offered to me. I was going to buy what I could from the collection that was in my size but had a change of heart.
That’s not the shopping experience anyone should have regardless of their size. We should be thought of and not an after thought.
I wasn’t going to but I expressed my feelings with a comment on Blair’s IG posts about the campaign and too my surprise I wasn’t the only one. Other bloggers and fans of hers that found themselves in my position – being excluded from a shopping experience because of size, shared their frustrations too.
The way Blair and the Halogen team responded was pretty amazing. They listened to us. They took what we said and put it into action right away. Instead of ignoring the complaints of what may seem like a small group of consumers they instituted change in the very next drop.
Atlantic Pacific x Halogen re-released the most popular piece from the first collection in dress form and included more sizes. Not only did it sell out within days but it re-tells the long told story that fat bodies love fashion and are willing to pay for it.
So kudos to Blair and Halogen for doing what most brand collaborations don’t – listening to a neglected demographic and recognizing the body inclusivity and diversity isn’t just a trend — it represent the lives of so many.
Hopefully this isn’t just a isolated incident and other brand collaborations will follow suit. I’m a fan of brands that genuinely champion for size inclusivity and diversity. Choosing where I spend my dollars makes a difference. The fat fashion consumer has more power than they might think.
Can’t overthink Falls favorite color palette — tans and browns will always represent a facet of the Fall season and I’m not mad at it.
So how to wear everyone’s favorite Fall hue. TEXTURE.
Neutrals don’t have to be boring. Mix textures and fabrics to create a more dynamic spot way of wearing neutrals. I chose to wear a ribbed knit sweater dress, wool hat and a camel leather satchel to wear the trend but still keep the look cohesive.
Texture play is a great way to wear a monochromatic neutral look and still keep it stylish and exciting.
A neutral braided headband, statement coat, suede over-the-knee-boots, tortoise accented belts and sweaters are other ways to bring in texture, fabric and pattern play to a monochromatic look.
In the great words of Peter Kavinsky from To All the Boys I’ve Loved before; “Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah!”
I’m so shook that today’s look is completely from Walmart! They dress America alright!
Like you, I follow several style influencers on Instagram and have been seeing so many cute outfits from them all hailing from Walmart.
So I just had to check it out for myself especially with Fall coming upon us. #influenced
I could use some new finds that won’t break the bank.
Although I don’t want to spend a whole lot on a brand new season of clothes one thing I don’t compromise on is quality — regardless of the price, QUALITY ALWAYS WINS. So scoring this amazing everyday chic Fall look at Walmart was major.
I discovered so many brands on Walmart‘s website with endless options for plus size fashion, accessories and footwear.
I was so excited to discover the Melrose Ave. They have THE cutest booties that are perfect for everyday. It comes in three different colors that will go along with all of you Fall outfits.
BOOTIES
MORE FAVORITES
Stylish dresses, fun print cardigans, moto jackets and more , all at great prices! So — are you shopping Walmart this season yet? I know I am. I have to checkout right now actually — byeeee.
People are ready for pumpkin spiced lattes, apple picking and all the Fall-scented candles; but living in Florida I am reminded every day that summer is here to stay – for several more months anyway.
But you know what else is right around the corner?
Winter Getaways!
This look would be perfect on an island vacation with a piña colada in hand. So yes, Fall is on the minds of most of the nation guess what? Seasonal depression is a real thing people and you’re going to want to get some vitamin D.
Just make sure to bookmark this post so you can come back to when you’re itching for a warm weather destination!
I’ve rounded up some of the cutest vacation-wear that are perfect for your cold winter get away.
Anthropologie 50% off Sale Items — Limited Time Only
Anthropologie has always been one of my favorite stores to shop for a long time but to be honest it was more for the experience.
They have one of the best store layout and store fronts. It’s just such a fun store to walk around while using all of your senses exploring and ever since they’ve lauched A+ Anthropologie I’m literally on their site every day. I wish my local Anthropologie carried their plus range in store.
I’ve turned to Anthro for many pieces of my home and wardrobe and right now for a limited time you can save 50% off sale prices (clothing and accessories and extra 20% off furniture/home). I’ve rounded up my favorites that won’t be around for long so head their now!
Anthropoligie Plus Jumpsuit + Shooting in the Rain
It will never cease to amaze me how transformative a little makeup, hair and a new outfit can be for your mood. Lately I haven’t been feeling like myself.
Nothing seemed to be going my way — not that I expect everything to go my way 100% of the time. But you know when the usual, trusty things become well, untrust-y?
I felt like I lost my mojo. My magic. Gone.
And as a visual storyteller, that’s kinda a problem, especially when my platform’s message is to primarily inspire creativity and confidence.
What’s the reason behind my melancholic state you might ask?
I’m tired. I’m honestly tired of juggling the many hats that I wear. Daughter, sister, caregiver, nurse, blogger, human.
Without the energy that sparks my love of doing everything that I do, I clam up on the couch and get lost down a rabbit hole of Investigation Discovery.
I’m all in or I’m all out.
I’m either doing it all or absolutely nothing and it’s really effecting my headspace.
When I’m high off of doing so much it makes me want to take on more. I have on an invisible invincibility cape and I’m just soaring through life.
But when I’m in a low depressed state, that figurative cape is replaced by a very real blanket, one where I wrap myself up in and isolate from the rest of civilization. I barely want to get out of bed and participate in adulting.
There has to be more balance in my life so that I don’t have those moments swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other because I want to continue doing all the things that I love doing with just that — love.
I would talk to other creative people in hopes of having their spark rub off on me. I read positive quotes. I said my affirmations in a mirror. I prayed.
Slowly I found enough courage to try and be creative.
I said to myself I’m going to get in front of the camera again and create a soft, modern bohemian look with this beautiful jumpsuit my friends from Anthropologie gifted me.
I turned on some of my favorite GRWM music and slowly as I highlighted and contoured my life away I started to feel good — more like myself.
I started to remember the girl that loved to do this. How much fun she had in the prep of it all.
As Taylor, my trusty photographer and sometimes hype woman, and I weaved around cars trying to find the perfect spot to shoot the look, I started to feel the rush of the challenge of shooting the look and having it come out the way it looked in my head.
I was feeling determined.
So much so that when we found the perfect spot and it started to rain mid shoot I didn’t care. I was going to get the shot because I was feeling myself– no rain could stop this!
I looked good and felt even better so I knew I had to commit to capturing this euphoria on camera while I still had it in me.
So these photos aren’t perfect. They’re are water spots on my clothes and arms from when a bought of rain poured down on me. It was the muggiest day ever and my make up started to sweat. Of course it was the day I didn’t have my trusty electric handheld fan with me.
But you know what, I felt awesome and was having a great time. Plus a cute passerby said I looked gorgeous which only amplified my Sascha Fierce mood.
Thank you Good Samaritan of Riverside Jacksonville, Florida!
All of this to say that it’s not a completely fixed problem and no, makeup or cute outfit won’t resolve my issues long term but I can’t deny that it did help a little.
What I am saying is that you have to do whatever you have to, to fight for the you, that you miss. The real you.
What do you do to help yourself get out of a funky mood? Tell me in the comments below.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram you probably know that I’ve recently tried Chic Soul for the first time.
Chic Soul is a plus size online boutique focused on stylish pieces for everyday fashion.
I’m totally obsessed.
The styles are fun and things that I would often see in straight size e-commerce boutique but never made in my size. They carry everything from cute dresses like the one in today’s post, to perfectly distressed denim, tunics and shoes.
So I definitely think they are worth trying out and can be an option for everyday casually chic looks. You can also save 10% with the code THAMARR10 at checkout.
I love to mx it up but always keep it real. My heart will forever go pitter patter with something with ruffles, tulle or anything that moves when I do.
What I’m not is a fan of are big trends that seem to be all the rage but wind up living out their lives on the expired fashion shelf.
But when a trend and a classic come together its pretty much magic.
Case in point; the skort.
There is something so quintessentially femme and nostalgic about a skort.
Besides being a practical option if you don’t want to wear a mini skirt, a skort is such a throw back to simpler fashion times, for me anyway.
This particular skort is not your typical grade school, Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper, Giga Pet skort. This skort drinks red wine. It’s grown. It’s sexy and confident.
The paperbag waist detail is a great way to incorporate a modern trend. The classic tan trench coat fabric and the double button detail keeps in chic.
To keep this look a lá Thamarr, I wore a feminine white blouse with a beautiful sweetheart neckline. It’s such a pretty way to show off summertime décolletage without baring too much.
I also paired it with a fun statement sandal with gingham print ribbons that tie up. By adding pieces that felt very me and feminine it helped pull this look together and to me, make it real world wearable.
I went out to dinner with girlfriends after shooting this look and it was perfect. I was comfortable and didn’t have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction.
So the question I pose to you now: to skort or not to skort?
Nothing beats the summer heat than a darling white eyelet dress — well, maybe a ice cold cocktail but let’s stick to fashion, shall we?
If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time you know that I’m a devout lover of white dresses all year long but especially during the summer.
To me, a little white dress provides effortless style without having to do the most.
It’s way too hot to fuss about fashion — my summer style is chic, easy and comfortable.
That’s what I love about a little white dress. Besides being super comfortable what’s so great about this chic and classy piece is that you will never have to worry about compromising on style.
Trust me. It’s wise to invest in a quality white dress that will come in handy season after season.
Dress it up with heels and a pearl necklace, keep it casual with a pair of sneaks and a denim jacket or if for miracle temps dropped low enough at night, edge up the sweetness with a leather moto.
On Sunday June 23rd LIKEtoKNOW.it app users will have access to exclusive discounts and promo codes — it’s the very first LTK Day — an exclusive in-app shopping day!
Brands like Abercrombie, Anthropologie, Outdoor Voices, Urban Outfitters and more are offering major deals for Liketoknow.it app users and I’ve rounded up my favorites to help you navigate your way through all of it.
I personally have a game plan to hit up Anthropologie and Urban Outfitter to stock up on furniture and home decor. Here is a complete list of brands with their offered discount.
Don’t have the app?
Go to your App Store or Google Play and download LIKEtoKNOW.it
Search for Musings of a Curvy Lady under Influencer Search
Start shopping my Instagram posts with a screenshot and start saving!
I personally have a game plan to hit up Anthropologie and Urban Outfitter to stock up on furniture and home decor. Â Here is a complete list of brands with their offered discount:
