Keisha on StyleLikeU

By now most of you know I love StyleLikeU, a blog that showcases the closets of people with great personal style. (By the way, I'm actually working on adding this type of thing to YFF!) When I saw they featured another plus size girl, Keisha, I had to share:

Keisha Davis from StyeLikeU.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

Check out more of Keisha here.

Angel

One thing I love most about blogging is getting emails from readers and seeing their personal style, especially when they dress differently from me. Meet Angel, creator of the popular urban gossip blog Concrete Loop. Her style is completely unlike my own, yet I still find it really inspirational. If you're digging her clothes as much as I am, you're in luck: she's just launched an ebay store where she'll be selling plus size clothes and shoes in sizes 10-11. If you want more, check our her personal blog Angel on Fire.

Name: Angel
Age: 25
Location: North Carolina & NYC
Size: 16/18
Favorite Places to Shop: Vintage/Thrift shops, Dorothy Perkins, Old Navy, Free People, Etsy.com and Zappos.
My Fashion Icons: Little Edie, her style was to die for and she had head wraps for days. Erykah Badu is so quirky but cool and only she can make a hoodie and a bowler hat look dope. I'm also a fan of Kelly Osbourne - I think she has great style. And yes, I dig me some Kanye West. He's a trendsetter.
Current Obsession: Jim Barnier Boots (handmade artisan boots from Cali) are must haves! I'm also getting into brogue shoes.
Advice to other YFF Girls: Do You! If you wake up one day and want to wear some off the wall outfit, wear it (no matter your size). I've spent too many years trying to "fit in", when I should have spent them loving myself. Life is waaay too short to worry about what other people think. Cliche, but very very true.

Neutral Ground

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has congratulated me on my new position with Vogue Italia, I really appreciate it! I've gotten a ton of comments, emails, and tweets asking about Akira, the store I featured in the video. Akira does not carry plus sizes, but as you know, I am the queen of making things work and I encourage you to do the same! Because I've gotten such an amazing response, the wonderful people at Akira are offering my readers a 20% discount if you shop online at shop.akirachicago.com and enter this code at checkout: GABI20. The code is valid through March 31st. (You can find items I wore in the Vogue video here, here and here.)

This Spring, I'm loving light-colored neutrals like cream, tan, taupe, beige, nude, and even light pink. I just about died when I spotted this taupe dress with black sequin/beaded shoulders at H&M. (Everything in that store this season is perfection!) Today, I paired the dress with my new studded Jeffrey Campbell boots from Akira (still available on the website). We all know how hard it is to find thigh-high boots that actually fit, so discovering these made my year!

I initially wanted to show you guys this outfit in a video post, but it was a huge FAIL. People always find it surprising when I say I'm super shy in person, but it's true! I hate being on camera, so I always have a million and one outtakes. I never got a good take describing the outfit, but the actual footage shows the colors/details of my dress much better than the pictures, so I decided to just upload the outtakes anyway! Enjoy!

Gabi in Vogue

Sorry for the slow down in posts this month, things have gotten a bit hectic. The good news is that my first Vogue Italia video is now up! (A big thank you to all of the wonderful people at Akira Chicago). I am so not used to seeing myself on video, so I'm still adjusting to that part...but the fact that I can see my face with the words VOGUE in the corner is kind of surreal. Let me know what you guys think!

Vogue Italia: Curvy

I've been holding my tongue for what seems like forever, and now I'm so excited because I can finally share the great news with you! VOGUE Italia has officially launched their new website, and it includes a special section for curvy girls! I am one of their contributing vloggers and I will be making videos shopping at different stores and boutiques around Chicago. Sakina of Saks and the City is also participating, and her first video can be seen on the website now. Mine should be up by next week (and content will continually be updated), so make sure to check back often!

Guest Post: Amelia Pontes

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've gotten some amazing pieces recently and I can't wait to show you guys! I'm in Chicago at the moment, but when I get a second to breathe I promise to take pictures.

One of my favorite bloggers (and people) in the world is Amelia Pontes, creator of the blog Sound Bites. In this guest post, she discusses her relationship with fashion, and why everyone needs to get over their obsession with wearing "flattering" clothing.

In the sixth grade, in my first radical attempt to be fashionable, I picked up a men’s size XXXL neon yellow FUBU t-shirt from Foot Locker and began my path into the world of a cool teenager. It was loud. It was obnoxious. Heck, I am even sure it was downright distracting to my classmates, but it was me.

I was in strict opposition to the camouflaging flower patterns found in the plus size section of department stores which transformed me into mobile wallpaper. I was no wallflower. My new radioactive t-shirt had me beaming out of fat girl invisibility. And the most surprising thing about it was that not one person ever dared make fun of me. Perhaps I was lucky, but I’d like to think that once I stopped trying to hide in the fat girl closet, everyone sort of got over making my weight a punch line.

Eve’s fig leaf continues to haunt fat women. Somehow, thin women have earned the right to disrobe themselves, the fear of exposing anything more than a collarbone from a big woman still lingers in the form of arm shrugs. I refuse to feel ashamed for wearing clothes that make others take a second glance. You will look. You will get over it. Then magically, you will fall in love with my confidence and my audacity to wear something that was not, well, “flattering.”

They try to make us invisible when they stick our clothing in the back corner of the department store, or when we are delegated to one-stop shopping in a storm of bedazzled house coats (not that I mind a little sequins).

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased an oversized white satin bow headband, that flopped down over my short black hair like a hound dog’s ears. Again, it was obnoxious. It was outrageous. And it was loud. But it’s me. When I finally wore it out in public, I got the stares and I got the looks, but mostly I got compliments from people who said, “I could never wear that! But you can!”

They’re right. I can wear it better than them. I have what it takes to back it up. I refuse to be a little hound dog crying over what I don’t have and what I cannot be.

If there is anything we can all learn from fatshion blogs and of major fashion designers and magazines taking note of the “plus size trend,” it is that we don’t have to hide anymore. The small closet they tried to fit us in has finally busted at its hinges. And if we so choose to wear bedazzled jeweled housecoats, it will be of our own choosing, not because we didn't have any options.

How To Thrift

I told you guys a while back that I would be making a "How to Thrift" video, but I got ridiculously busy and never got around to it. (Well, actually I tried once, but the thrift store was busy and trying to film myself got a little awkward). I'd still planned on making one, but Gabby of Corazones Rojos beat me to the punch! She's pretty much the queen of thrifting, so I'm happy to share her video with you. Make sure you check out her blog if you haven't done so yet!

Vlog #2: Thrifting Tips from corazonesrojos on Vimeo.

I still will probably make a video with some of my own tips, but hopefully this will be a good start for those of you who have been emailing me with questions!

Color Coded

Spring is fast approaching (though you wouldn't know it by the ten inches of snow outside my window), and I've been coming up with ideas to transition my mostly-black wardrobe into the warmer months. I've added a little color to my closet recently, so I decided to come up with a few looks that mixed black with brighter hues to take me into next season. What do you think? (Sorry about the weird contrast in the bottom pictures, I can't fix it!)

Photographs taken by Kelsey Arrington

1) Dress & Sequins Blazer-H&M, Accessories-F21
2)Dress-H&M, Belt-CarmaKoma, Jewelry-F21
3) Dress-F21, Sequins Jacket-Thrifted
4) Skirt-F21, Top-Macy's, Blazer-Thrifted

Sheer Madness

I've talked about how much I love all things sheer and/or mesh in the past, and I've also mentioned how hard it can be to find this trend in plus sizes. When I saw this long sleeved mesh dress from Jen's Fashion Plus, I knew I had to have it. I'm not crazy about bubble hems, so I'm thinking a little DIY project might be in order. Speaking of DIY, I cut thumb holes in the sleeves to add a bit of fun detail.

Yesterday was pretty horrible. First, I got the worst haircut e-v-e-r (luckily it's not my real hair), then my DSLR fell and broke. All in all, I'm not feeling too great, and (as you can tell from the photos below) my pictures probably won't be of quality for a while.

Dress-Sent by Jen's Fashion Plus/Chain Necklace-Forever21/Boots-Chinese Laundry/Ring-NYC Vendor

Nik

Meet Nik, the Southern girl behind the blog Mezzo Fashionisto. She has fierce style, and we share a love for all things black and bodycon. Unlike me, she actually knows her stuff when it comes to makeup, and her blog is filled with great ideas in both fashion and beauty. Super inspirational, Nik looks amazing whether she's going for bold or barely there. Follow her on twitter @flymezzosoprano!

Name: Nik
Age: 26
Location: East Texas
Size: 18/20
Favorite Places to Shop: My granny's closet, Torrid, Target, Thrift stores, Forever 21/Faith 21
Fashion Icons: Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, All of my fellow fatshion bloggers (they make me want to try harder), Delmy from Fashion Bananas and Karla from Karla's Closet.
Current Obsession: I'm getting into florals, leather, lace up boots, and bright pink lipstick.
Advice to other YFF Girls: I know sometimes it can be hard to have confidence in a world which is literally bashing you everyday, but you have to embrace how you were born. I feel like embracing my fat is just like embracing my womanhood, embracing my race, it is essential to my personality and who I am. I decided a while ago that I just didn't have the time to hate my body anymore; there is so much more I want out of life and I'm not going to get it sulking and hating who I am. It's a journey, and I am still on it, I can only hope to inspire other fat ladies to join me in that journey. We can do it ladies!

If you want to be considered for YFF's Girl of the Moment, email me! gabi@youngfatandfabulous.com
PS-Check out The Guardian's awesome article on all of us fatshion bloggers!

Size Matters

A while back, Deena blogged about the Spring Preview from Evans and I was on the fence about whether I loved it. Now that the retailer has released photos from their new campaign, I'm officially a fan. The photo shoot features five gorgeous plus size models (Britney Vecchio, Hayley Morley, Crystal Renn, Amber Tolliver, and Peeky) wearing some of the pieces from the Spring/Summer '10 collection. The jackets and skinnies are simply fabulous, and I cannot wait to see what else is to come.

Make sure you check out more images of the preview on Deena's blog!
Do you guys like what you see so far?

Make It Work

I disagree with pretty much every "fashion expert" in the biz. You'll constantly hear them talk about how "being bigger doesn't matter as long as you're wearing things in your size that flatter your body!" I basically argue the opposite--as fat girls our options are extremely limited, so if we want to stay on trend, we are forced to find creative ways to do so. To stay current, I've worn dresses as tunics and chain belts as necklaces. I scour thrift stores for hours, trying everything on whether it's marked my size or not. I am telling you, as I have many times before, to forget the size on the tag. Get innovative. Turn that tube dress into a mini skirt! Hem that muumuu and throw a belt over it! Make it work. I made a video with a little more explanation (check out my new 'do!):


For the record, this can be a very frustrating process. Many things you try on will NOT work. Finding things that work for you takes time and practice, and some days you won't find anything at all. The dress I wore in the video was the only thing I bought that day after trying on tons of clothes! If you're worried about the looks you'll get from sales associates/other shoppers, or you're generally uncomfortable with shopping at straight size stores, shop online first. You may have to return things (which is annoying when it comes to shipping fees), but eventually you will get the hang of it.

Asos Curve Launches

The day is finally here: ASOS Curve has officially launched. Head on over to the site and let me know what you guys think! Right now there are a lot of great basics (which ASOS does really, really well) with a few cool pieces thrown in, but I'm optimistic that this line will only get better with time. My hope is that ultimately, Curve will grow to include all of the amazing, unique, and fun pieces that ASOS is so well known for.

After missing out on my opportunity to purchase the Beth Ditto for Evans cropped leather jacket, I'm going to make sure I grab this one before it's too late! Oh, and if you haven't done so yet, make sure you see Sakina's review! She looks absolutely stunning!

Once You Go Black

You'd think by now I'd be sick of the rocker-chic-all-black-studded-and-spiked-everything look. It's so overdone it's almost nauseating. The truth is, I kind of want to stop wearing it (mostly because every single person on the street short of my grandmother is rockin' Rihanna's style), but I can't get over it! Nothing else feels quite right. Here are a few items that are currently on my mind:

1)Faith 21 Blazer. Okay, okay, so I know technically I already own this, but I thought I'd let you guys know it's available for purchase online now!
2) Source of Wisdom Skinnies. There's nothing like the perfect black skinny jean.
3) Alloy Beaded Neck Dress. I love casual dresses that you can take from day tonight, and this one has the perfect amount of detail to dress up or down.
4) Jeffrey Campbell 99s.Platform wedges are pretty much my favorite type of shoe right now--all the height with none of the pain? Yes please. Jeffrey Campbell can do no wrong.
5) Faith 21 Mini. Velour mini skirt? Is this heaven? (I definitely already ordered this one--it's on its way to becoming a new favorite, I can feel it).
6) nOir Rings. nOir makes the coolest rings in the world. And you never know, those spikes might come in handy.
7) Forever21 Chain Necklace. Can't beat a gold chain wrapped in mesh black fabric. It should basically be named after me.
8) Torrid Heart Fishnets. No words necessary.
9) American Apparel Mouse Nailpolish. I'm obsessed with AA's new line of polish, and this color is the perfect shade of greyish brown.

PS-50% Off Clearance Event at Torrid ends tomorrow!

ASOS Curve Review

Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that the UK retailer, ASOS, is quite possibly my favorite store ever. When they announced that they would be launching a plus size line, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. They were kind enough to send some of us fatshion bloggers items to review before the line launches next week (Jan 22nd), and I don't think I've ever been happier than when the box arrived on my porch this morning. They sent me five items: a white lace dress, a black batwing dress, a blue trench coat, a pair of jeggings, and a slouchy white tee.

1) The white lace dress is simply amazing. It's super flirty and feminine, and it reminds me of the Rodarte for Target dresses that I couldn't fit into! It is perfect for Spring, but paired with tights and a bomber can definitely work through the winter months as well.

2) The batwing dress is every girl's dream. Everyone knows I can never have enough bodycon black dresses. The cool sleeves and slouchy top give it some flair, and I'm certain this will become a staple in my wardrobe. I wish I could have gotten a better picture showing the detail (trust me, I tried), but for some reason the flash and the material of the dress weren't working well together. I'm sure ASOS will be able to capture its magnificence a little more accurately!
3) This blue swing coat is just adorable. Nothing makes my heart flutter like big, gold buttons, and the huge pockets are the icing on the cake!
4) Never in my life have I felt a tee as soft as this one! I cannot even explain how hard it is as a fat girl to find slouchy t-shirts that look fashionable, so I was ecstatic to find out that ASOS has stepped up to the plate. Now that I know how well they fit, I will definitely be purchasing more. The jeggings are equally amazing--much better than any other brand I've tried. They're very thick, so I doubt they'll pill and rip, which is good because I don't think I'll be taking them off for a while.
I cannot say enough about the quality of these clothes; they literally feel like butter. Christina of Musings has also received some items that she will be reviewing in the next few days, and apparently hers are a bit more edgy. I'm extremely happy with the line so far, and cannot wait to see what else is offered when it launches next week!

Sizing: I believe the line will go up to a size UK26. To figure out what size you should order, my best advice is to take your measurements and check their size chart. I usually wear a US 16/18 on top and 18/20 on bottom. All of the ASOS stuff fit perfectly, and I ordered the dresses/tops in size UK20 and the jeggings in UK22.

In case anyone is wondering, all of the accessories and the studded shoes are from Forever21, the faux fur vest is from Target, and the black wedges are BCBG.

Class Act

Although I generally stray away from classic pieces, I knew I had to have this little black dress from Jen's Fashion Plus as soon as I spotted it. The combination of the cowl neck, silver buttons, and big front pockets is simply perfection. The material is super soft and comfy, so this dress has definitely become my go-to item when I have nothing else to throw on. I didn't want to over-style this look, so I kept it minimal by adding nothing but red lips.

Dress-Sent by Jen's Fashion Plus/Studded Booties-BCBG/Earrings & Headband-F21

Hair Tutorial

I've had quite a few requests for me to explain how I do my hair, so I made a video. Hope you enjoy! (I know it's a really cute freeze frame!)

Products I use: Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo & Conditioner, Aveda Defining Whip

Hayley

When I discovered Hayley's blog a few months back, I was totally blown away. To see another young, plus-sized girl breaking into the fashion world is extremely inspiring for me. Her photo shoots are always amazing and her eye for style is impeccable. She constantly impresses me by wearing things I'd never think to put together, and her styling portfolio is perfection. Make sure you visit Fashion Hayley to see her work.

Name: Hayley Hughes
Age: 25
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: Australian size 16, which according to an online conversion is a 14 in the USA.
Favorite Places to Shop: In Australia there are really limited options for plus size clothing. The best plus size store here is City Chic as its the only one that caters to the young fashion forward market with on trend clothes. Otherwise I love Sportsgirl which is the Australian equivalent of Topshop but their sizing is a bit off and on the small side so it can be hard to find clothes that fit. I also love op shopping (thats 'straylian for thrifting/good will shopping) and I love supporting local designers like Gorman, Alpha60 and Limedrop.
Fashion Icons: My fashion icons aren't celebrities per se, although they are kinda becoming them in their own country as they appear on TV and in magazines. Basically my fashion icons are my friends in Tokyo, the fashion kids of Harajuku. When I lived there I was constantly inspired and I find myself needing to go back at least once a year to get my creative juices flowing again. The fashion is indescribable, just take a look at www.dropsnap.jp to get an idea of what I'm talking about. You just never see that sort of dressing anywhere else in the world.
Current Obsession: Wedges. I've bought so many recently and it doesn't look like I can stop. They are the only heels I can walk in so its opened up a whole new world of elongated leg to me, ha.
Advice to other YFF Girls: Be confident in yourself and it will come through. Stand tall and be proud of your curves and don't let anyone else get you down. I've learned that the hard way (working in fashion as a plus size girl is tough!) but now I'm able to dress how I want and do what I want without caring what other people might think. It's the best way to be.

Sir, Yes Sir

99% of my blazers come from thrift stores, but once in a great while, I'll spot a fabulous one at full price that I can't pass up. That's what happened when I came across this cropped black military blazer from Faith21. Everything about it was so perfect that I didn't mind paying the forty bucks. I don't see it available on the website yet (though they do have other cute options), but hopefully it will be added soon!

Typical.

For Christmas, I finally bought myself a DSLR camera! I've wanted one forever, and I'm extremely happy with my new Nikon D60. You'll definitely notice a huge difference in terms of the quality of my pictures now.

This outfit isn't anything too special, just my typical mini skirt/boot/blazer combo. At least this time I'm not wearing all black! Mustard is quite possibly my favorite color, and it looks great with black and purple.




Blazer-Thrifted/Tee-Faith21/Skirt-Forever21/Earrings-Forever21/Boots-Chinese Laundry
PS-Christina and J wore some amazing outfits in their most recent posts, check 'em out!