Classically Curvy: November 2016

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Classy in a Graphic Tee

Hey Ladies!

What do you think of when you hear someone mention t-shirts? You might think of casual wear, laid back vibes, or maybe you even think they're sloppy with no place in your wardrobe. Well I'm here to tell you that is so not the case. T-shirts can be classy, beautiful, artistic, and so expressive of your personality. Of course you can wear a t-shirt on it's own, with a pair of jeans and little to no accessories, but you can also really dress them up! There are graphic t-shirts, which we're mainly focusing on today in this blog post, but there are solid colored t-shirts and patterned t-shirts, different textures and weights, this list goes on and on. So for the sake of time, we're talking about graphic tee's today.

Graphic tee's first made their debut in the 1940's. However, it wasn't until the late 50's, early 60's that graphic tee's really gained popularity and that was largely due to the invention of plastisol ink. This is when graphic tee's became a form of self expression, that could mean anything from a slogan, to a protest, an advertisement, or maybe even a souvenir of a place you visited.

Most people when you mention, "Throwing on a t-shirt" immediately imagine a chilled out vibe, or not quite so put together look. But I'm going to show you that it's possible to be comfortable and put together while rocking your favorite t-shirts.

Add a blazer to create a more put together look. It will add depth to your outfit and make it seem like you really put effort into your appearance. You can never go wrong with a good blazer. I love this peplum blazer from Ann Taylor. First of all it does wonders for my figure, it really accentuates my hour glass shape. I love the flare, it makes me feel extra feminine. I wore my classic two toned Chanel ballerinas to accommodate a day of shopping and running errands. If you'd like, you can read all about these shoes and their story here. I love my 1920's inspired black wool cloche hat. Although I think a big, beautiful, floppy hat might suit this graphic t-shirt better, as the lady in the image and the focal point of this look, is sporting a gorgeous floppy hat. I was so inspired as I wrote this blog post, that I immediately ordered myself one! So look for that in a future blog post!

As mentioned above, graphic tee's are a means of self expression. If you read my blog, you know I'm positively obsessed with Coco Chanel. The image on this particular tee reminds me of her, or maybe even Audrey Hepburn's "Sabrina". I just love it so much and it is so me. The colors are absolutely stunning. I will most definitely be wearing this t-shirt all on it's own in the warmer months, but a blazer over the top allows me to wear it through the cooler months as well.

"Chic is a combination of style and fashion".

When I saw this next t-shirt in my favorite Etsy shop (keep scrolling for details), it was love at first sight. "Be My Valentino", with a stunning image of a classic nude Valentino Rockstud heel. For this look I went with my favorite wool camel blazer from J Crew Factory, which you can read more about here. I wore nude high heels with it for the time being, but look for this beauty in a VERY exciting upcoming blog post. Simple black skinny jeans and a messy bun are a casual look, but it still looks like I made the effort.

I couldn't love this shirt more. I have quite a large bust so it does distort the image a bit, but I'm okay with that because this shirt just makes me so happy!

Without the blazer, just jeans and heels.

Patent nude heels by Nine West

This graphic tee from J Crew is another favorite of mine. For this look I styled it with navy blue curvy jeans from Ann Taylor, a navy blue blazer from Banana Republic, and my favorite navy blue heels by LK Bennett. I know, lots of navy, but I really want the beautiful graphic to be the focal point of my look.

Here is the same t-shirt styled with a vibrant pencil skirt. You can really go all out with t-shirts if you so desire. Have fun with it. I featured this gorgeous pencil skirt in a previous blog post which you can read here.

This stunning t-shirt, (honestly, I hate to even refer to it as a simple t-shirt because it is truly art) is also from my favorite Etsy shop. If ever there was a shirt that expressed my personality, it's this one. I love pink, I love Chanel, I love makeup, and I adore flowers. I featured this piece in a previous blog post as well, which can be found here. I styled this shirt with a collarless blazer by Ann Taylor, and this gorgeous statement necklace by Mirina Collections which you can read about here.

The artwork on these shirts by Neomy Designs is just out of this world. Please keep scrolling for more info on her shop.

Here is the same t-shirt styled with a black wool sidewalk skirt and Caryn cardigan from J Crew Factory. Black tights and black suede heels from Nine West, create a fun and classy look.

I went with big pearl earrings from Mirina Collections, for a simple but classic look that still makes a statement. These earrings are amazing because they are double sided, the side I am wearing here is the larger side, but flip them around for a more understated look.

A chic low pony tail allows me to really show off my earrings. An updo would be fabulous as well.

"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance". ~ Coco Chanel

So, as you can see, the options for styling a graphic t-shirt are truly endless. If you're like me and you appreciate being put together and you favor a more classic style, don't be afraid of t-shirts, especially graphic tee's. I hope I've given you some inspiration for your wardrobe! If you try out any of these looks please tag me on Instagram @Classicallycurvy. Remember to always be true to yourself and your personal style, but never be afraid to step outside of the box.

A little about my favorite Etsy shop, NoemyStyle. Her designs are just stunning, as you can see. Head on over to her shop and look at all the beautiful images to choose from. She has some great promotions going on right now! Some designs are offered in different colors, and different necklines. You can choose what suits you best. I am beyond satisfied with the quality of her merchandise. Not only are the shirts beautiful, the cotton is so soft and comfortable. They wash nicely as well. Click here to check out her work. I am about to place yet another order with her because I just love every single design she creates!

That's all for now! But stay tuned for lots more coming your way!

Love,

Kate

Shop!

Shop NeomyStyles GORGEOUS t-shirts here.

Similar Cloche Hat

My Ann Taylor peplum blazer is sold out, as it's several years old, but here is a similar version.

A plus size specific peplum blazer

Check your local Chanel Boutique for two toned Chanel ballerinas.

Tory Burch "Jodi" flats as an alternative to the Chanel flats.

My J Crew Factory Wool Camel Blazer is sold out but here is an alternative from J Crew

Plus size specific Camel Blazer

Similar Nine West Patent Nude Heels

J Crew New York City Graphic Tee

My LK Bennett Art Court shoes in navy are sold out, but you can shop LK Bennett London shoes here.

My Chanel sunglasses featuring the white bow are sold out and extremely hard to find, but here is a similar pair, a bit more of a cat eye, than a round shape like mine, but if you love the femininity of the bow as I do, check these out.

Click here to shop my red pencil skirt!

Mirina Collections "Leona" Necklace

Read my blog post about this necklace here.

J Crew Factory Wool Sidewalk Skirt

Mirina Collections Double Sided Pearl Earrings

Source: http://www.inyourfaceapparel.com/2/history-of-the-graphic-tee/

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Sharpen Your Wardrobe with a Pencil Skirt!

Hey Ladies!

Oh man, I can't wait to share my new love with all of you! I have always thought that my figure (curves galore and a booty for days) couldn't pull off the timeless and classic look of a pencil skirt. Boy was I wrong.

Let me start by saying, I have two children, one still a baby, both delivered by c-section. So I have a mama pooch. I could workout forever and try every exercise under the sun and that pooch isn't going anywhere, and I'm perfectly okay with that. I didn't used to be. I used to loathe this part of my body. Not these days though. Now, when I look at my mama pooch I see the miracle of my body and how it was home to my two precious boys. Us women are capable of amazing and incredible things. That's what I see now, not a belly I want gone, gone, GONE, but the miracle of life and how I was able to carry my beautiful babies. That being said, I always like to look put together and as classy and streamlined as possible, that's just my style. So, I wasn't sure my mama pooch and my booty would get along with a pencil skirt. I was wrong. I couldn't love this look more! And I think you'd love it too.

I was on the hunt for the perfect pencil skirt. I thought about going with black, as that would help hide the mama pooch. But then I decided, what the heck, and I just went for it with a gorgeous red or "bright cerise" pencil skirt from J Crew Factory. I purchased this skirt a while back. It hung in my closet, almost taunting me, "You know you want to try me on", but I was so afraid it was going to look awful, and I wasn't ready to let go of the dream just yet, so I just admired it on the hanger for a while longer. Then date night with my hubby came along, and I took this beauty out for her maiden voyage. It was love at first wear. So on to how I styled this fiery little number!

Look Number One

This is my favorite look so far with this skirt! Honestly, it's a look I have always just loved, but never thought I could pull off. I wore the skirt with navy blue high heels by LK Bennett. On top a navy blue, cropped, nautical military inspired, blazer from Ann Taylor Loft and a New York City graphic tee by J Crew.

New York City is my most favorite place on earth. I try to visit as often as I am able, but it's never enough. I dream of living in the city. This t-shirt makes me so happy. The hints of red in the artwork pair perfectly with this vibrant skirt and the navy blue neckline couldn't go more perfectly with this blazer. I love this look so much!

LK Bennett Art Court Shoes in Navy Blue

I love the chunky heel on these beauties. There isn't a platform in them and they are quite high, but the chunky heel allows for easier walking. Which explains why the Duchess of Cambridge has worn them for several engagements. They're my go to navy blue heels.

Look Number Two

While pencil skirts are commonly thought of as business attire, that doesn't mean they have to be! In fact, when Christian Dior first introduced the pencil skirt post WWII women embraced, and practically fawned over the feminine and curvy look. Having just come out of the flapper era, where women's clothing leaned towards a more shapeless cut, this curve hugging skirt was fresh and new. Once celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe, to Audrey Hepburn, and Betty Page started sporting the look, well that was all she wrote on that. Everyone had to have one. Today, they are everywhere, in every color, print, and fabric imaginable. Have some fun with your look. If you've been following me for any length of time, you know I am obsessed with my bright red Hunter boots. It was super rainy in my neck of the woods the other day and I decided to try out my new pencil skirt with some Hunter wellies.

I wore my hair in an easy (messy) "rainy day chic" bun and rocked my favorite gingham button up shirt from the Gap with a navy blue puffer vest from J Crew Factory, for a casual but put together look. I couldn't be happier with the results. I love having classic items in my wardrobe, but more than that I love versatility. This skirt is both! And I'm not even going to lie, I love what this baby does for my booty.

My beloved Hunter wellies! If you'd like to learn more about them and how I style them, click here.

Look Number Three

This look just screams holiday vibes all day long. I hiked it up a little bit and wore it on my natural waist. A tartan button up, my favorite herringbone vest, and multi strand pearls from J Crew Factory really class it up. I went with black tights, and black suede heels from Nine West, for a more wintry feel and dressy approach.

Lose the vest for non-layered and less casual look.

Strike a pose and own it!

Lips here are Ruby Woo by Mac Cosmetics. My all time favorite red lipstick. I feel like I could rule the world in this lipstick!

I love this skirt. I know I'll have it forever. What I love even more, is that I stepped outside of my comfort zone and am beyond pleasantly surprised with the outcome! So don't be afraid to give something a try. You might end up loving it. I went into this thinking I would end up returning the skirt, but it's mine forever now. That's another thing, pencil skirts are timeless, you'll never be out of style. So if you've been on the fence about trying a new look, do what I did, "pencil it in" (see what I did there haha), and if you don't like it, you can always try something different! But I bet you'll be just as happy as I am!

Just remember to embrace all of you, every single bit, and wear what makes you happy. The world needs more happy. Tag me on Instagram @classicallycurvy if you decide to try this look!

Love,

Kate

Shop!

J Crew Factory Pencil Skirt in Bright Cerise

J Crew Destination Art New York City Shirt

Sadly my Ann Taylor Loft Nautical Military inspired blazer is several years old. They are out there on the internet if you desperately want this exact one. Click here for one available on Poshmark. You can do a simple google search for nautical or military inspired blazers and spend hours perusing the results. Below I've linked to a few options.

Plus Size Nautical Studio Blazer