Fashion Friday - Apples

Okay, before I get started today with my weekly fashion faux pas (and if you have read my other fashion posts, you know one is coming...), I want to say that my "Fashion Friday" title may be the result of my addiction to blogs.  As I was reading through some of my favorite blogs, I realized that there are a lot of us that use the "Fashion Friday" title to talk about, well... Fashion.  

And in my defense, I was not copying....  At least, I did not realize I was... It just rolled around in my head until I thought "Fashion Friday!  That's sounds like a great title and it forces me to show off my lack of style every Friday!"  I have to say that it just sounds right.... It rolls off the tongue...  It's "cutesy"...  

Roll with it friends!

On to fashion:  Unless you live under a rock, you most likely have seen men walk around with their pants hanging off their bum....  (On behalf of all of us moms, this just looks ridiculous.  Seriously...)

Justin Bieber... You know his momma is probably cringing... "I taught that boy better!"  Okay, maybe that is what I would have said if he was my son...    Really?

So you can imagine what I said when I noticed this:

Yep, that's my pants with my crotch almost to my knees... Okay, almost halfway to my knees...  (This New Year's resolution to "not exaggerate as much" is getting on my nerves!)  Do you think I could start a new trend with this look?  Middle-aged women with low hanging crotches?  

That last phrase sounded better in my head.

  And yes, my zipper does not lay down flat....  Why am I still wearing these?

On Fridays, it is "bluejeans" day at work.  We pay $5.00 for the privilege to wear the jeans and that money goes to a local charity.  I like my little bluejeans Capri pants.  Because I get hot easily, I cannot wear bluejeans all summer long.  So these Capri pants fit the bill.  But I think pants that fit are a better choice.  

My body type is an "apple".  Which basically means that I carry my extra weight in my upper torso with most of my weight focused in my mid-section.  (Lucky me!)  My legs are thinner than the rest of my body and it can make buying pants a problem.  If I get them to fit around my tummy, they generally hang around my legs, hence the sagging crotch.  

With my new commitment to learn how to style myself, I wondered how an "apple" should dress.  

So I "googled"....  Googling is my favorite.

Here are some fashion tips for all of us "apples" out there:

Pants:  

1. Wear boot cut or wide leg.  What I've been reading is apples cannot wear skinny jeans under any circumstance.  I protest this.  And I will capture pictures in a later post to get your thoughts.  I protest this because I LOVE skinny jeans/pants with the right pair of shoes.  Like a pair of boots... or some wedges.  Sometimes, I want to wear a skinny pant.
2. Wear stretchable fabric.  (Duh.)  Stretchable fabric has been my friend since puberty.  In fact, I believe stretchable fabric has never left me like some of my other friends have.  Always loyal, always true. 
3. Purchase a "long leg line".  Because 5' 3 1/2" can totally find a "long leg line."

Tops:

1. Purchase button down shirts and tailored jackets.
2. Purchase tops long enough to hit the hip area (hit below waist line) to hide the problem area - ya' think?
3. Purchase ‘V’ neck tops which give a natural slimming effect.

I will blog pear, hourglass, and tube body shapes in future posts. 

What are you creating this weekend?

xoxo,

Tracy

"Every artist joins a conversation that's been going on for generations, even millennia, before he or she joins the scene."  John Barth

References:

http://lifemixx.com/apple-shaped-body-best-exercises-suitable-clothing.html

http://www.full-figured-beauty.com/apple-shaped-body.html

Fashion Friday - Scarf Love

First of all, Happy Anniversary to my mom and stepdad!  Today, they have been married 38 years!  Good for you both!

 

Okay, I believe I am getting better at this fashion stuff...  (I am not sure what you believe.... This is where you say "Hey, I'll leave you a comment then!" Hint...Hint...)

I discarded those HIDEOUS Capri pants, along with a few others, so I am making progress.  

One a side note:  Make sure you have one person that will be completely honest with you about things like your wardrobe.  For me, that's my sister-in-law (SIL) Krystal.  And I LIKE that about her...   Not only will she be completely honest, but she will totally laugh about your gross lack of style!  In fact, I think the exact phrase during her fit of laughter was "Oh my gosh!  You wore that?"  It only added to my shame!!!  Once the laughter has subsided, she will say "Let's go shopping..."  So at least she mocks and then offers assistance....

This week, I added a scarf to one of my outfits.  I was supremely proud of myself!  Now listen...  scarves and I kinda have a love/hate relationship.  I love the fashion sense they give me, but once my "personal summers" kick in, the scarf gets flung across the room....  People walking by me must be willing to duck at a moment's notice!

This week's outfit includes my standard black work pants and a red pullover top.  I added my scarf that has matching colors.  While I am trying to get more "hip", I still have issues with mixing contrasting colors.  Baby steps people....

I think for the summer, that I need to purchase a few "lighter" scarves.  I am sure you are thinking, "It is a SCARF!   How light does it need to be?"  But there are differences in thickness.  Because I have hot flashes, I need something thinner in material.  

Like this one:

 

Or this one!

It's 100% silk and only $7.99!  You cannot beat that.

So, how did I do this week?  

I know this... I did not feel that I needed to hide under my desk this week.  THAT is a good thing!

ON A SERIOUS NOTE:

While I try to keep my blog lighthearted, I wanted to take a moment to discuss this wonderful video below.  (Get tissues handy...)

I have been the hardest on myself my whole life.  I am the first one to criticize myself because I know that if I do it first, then you (the populace) cannot hurt me with your words.  It is my way of protecting myself.  In fact, I would love to point out my "flaws" in the above picture, but I am refusing to allow my negative thoughts to intrude.  

Unfortunately, my insecurities trickled over onto my daughters and now they battle with self esteem.   Us women have been taught our whole lives that blond, blue eyes, tall, and thin (too thin!) is beautiful.  We see if from the time that we are small girls.  Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine are all tiny, big breasted, big eyes and lips, sexual cartoons and we all know from an early age that society believes those women to be beautiful.  When our adjectives to describe ourselves are different, we believe that we must not be beautiful.  

Watch the video below and notice how these women describe themselves, and then how someone they just met describes them.  You will see our warped sense of self.  And after you watch this video, be a little kinder to yourself.  I know I am going to be.

Show your beauty in your creativity.  Whether it is a funky manicure, dynamic eye shadow, a homemade card, or a beautiful home, you can create in your every day life.  YOU and your creativity are what make the world beautiful!

"Creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."  Albert Einstein

xoxo,

Tracy

Fashion Friday - Post 1

Okay, you realize that the only reason I am posting this is to keep myself accountable so that I make a change, right?  Because... this is embarrassing.  

As I have stated before, I am trying to update my fashion sense and I am failing miserably.  Take a look at this ensemble that I actually wore to work this week. 

Egads!  (Does anyone say that anymore?)

I am a short woman.  These Capri pants did NOTHING to help to elongate myself.  The sneakers I can forgive because I have a sprained ankle (hence, the untied shoe).  But the casual shirt, the too big Capri pants?  I look as wide as I look tall!   Not a great combo.  

Now, because I know me, I will have to actually take these pants to Goodwill this weekend (after a wash) and donate them so that I will not wear them again.  If I do not do that and hang them back up, you can bet your sweet bippy that I will put these puppies on again!!!  (Does anyone say "sweet bippy" anymore?)

What I was thinking when I walked into my closet today was "comfort" and "cool" (because it is going to be warm today).  For me, those two adjectives will make me show no concern for fashion in a quick New York minute.  But once I arrived at work and realized my fashion faux-pas, I sat at my desk all day, dying of shame and hoping no one would need me so people would not see me!  The question is, how can I get "comfort", "cool", and "fashion" all together?

So, I have once again been scouring the Internet for fashions for plus size women.  And what I find frustrates me.  Take a look at this picture....

I like this top.  She's lovely.  However, does this woman look like a plus sized model to you?  Do you KNOW what that top would look like on me and my shape?  Okay, I know that you do not know me personally, so take it from me... It would accentuate the part of me that I want to hide!  How can we women make sound choices on fashion when clearly the fashion world does not appreciate that women come in all shapes and sizes?  I think I need to write to the Fashion Police and express my concern...



I found a few new websites for plus sized shopping.  Check out Roamans.  That is where I found the top above and I am liking everything I have seen so far.  

Except for maybe these:

Really?  

I do not think I could wear those to work either.  Are we back in the 70s? 

Also take a look at OneStopPlus.  Look how cute...

And this....

Both sites have really cute clothes for reasonable prices.  I just wish they would use a more realistic view of their clothing.  I tell you what... I will order something and give you feedback.   I will tell hubby it is for research!  This blogging is getting fun!

Thanks for continuing to read!  I appreciate your support!

Keep creating because it makes the world a beautiful place!

Tracy

More realistic fashion...For a woman my age...

I have been reading blogs lately and I am thoroughly enjoying most of them.  My recent favorites are Mix and Match Family, and Pinterest Told Me To, among others.   These women are fun, fashion conscious, young mamas and it is fun to read about their daily lives.   I have been wanting to work on my wardrobe for many years and I am sure that if I were ever to go on the TV show "What Not To Wear", I would be the first person that Stacy London could not makeover.....  (Who doesn't love a pair of sweat pants and a big fluffy sweat shirt?)  So I love to see what fashion Shay and Sheaffer are conjuring up for us ladies...  The fashions on these blogs make me think "Oh!  I should try to wear my shorty shorts with my WEDGES!  Why didn't I think of that!" Because that is what women in their late 40s are doing these days!  

NOT.  And if we are, we should all make a "citizen's arrest!" when we see one.  Come on!  Not only is it a crime against all humanity, but did you see my post about my ankle?  It cannot take the agony of a wedge, as cute as they are....

The common theme with most of the blogs I am reading lately are that they are young moms, who are all skinny!  (I do not remember being skinny when I was a young mom!!!)  Are there any blogs out there discussing fashion for us older moms who have rounded around our edges?  ("Rounded around"?  Hmmmm....)

To answer that question as I am writing this, I am not sure.  So why can't my blog discuss fashion?  Even though my fashion tastes leave a lot to be desired, I would like to talk about fashion for us "older" women and what looks good and makes us feel pretty.  After all, skinny jeans may not be for everyone....

Strike that last sentence.  Skinny jeans ARE for everyone!  They make your legs look really good, as long as you pair them with an oversized shirt that hides the lumps and bumps.  You know which ones I am talking about!  And if our ankles are sensitive, why can't we wear cute flats instead of a wedge?

I am going to have an occasional post regarding fashion for women in our 40s and 50s.  And I'm going to start with Cato Fashions.  This is one of my favorite stores to find clothing that FITS me and is fashionable.  (Note:  I am not being endorsed by anyone, as you can see, on my blog.  This is my personal opinion.)  

Take a look at this lace top!

I'm not sure about the "no-sleeves" for us with our own private wind-sails, but this is so pretty!  It's $27.99!  What a great addition to amp up your summer wardrobe.  Throw away those t-shirts ladies!

And look at this cute ensemble...

LOVE those wedges!  Wish my ankle could wear them!  The top is $19.99 and the pants are $24.99.  What a cute outfit at an affordable price.  

Where do you shop for affordable clothes that make you feel pretty?  Give a shout out to let us know!

Thanks for reading!

Tracy