Stand Up To Beauty Standards

Tag: plus size denim

  • Tie Dye Summer: with rue21

    Tie Dye Summer: with rue21

    Tie Dye Summer: with rue21 

    Summer is here! Well…basically! Regardless, I’m in full summer mode and right now I’m on a major tie dye kick! Tie dye just screams summer to me. I don’t know if maybe it’s because I always made tie dye t-shirts at camp every summer or if it’s because it’s the ultimate fashion statement for a laidback, I’m-here-to-have-fun vibe. Whatever the reason, every summer I am decked out in tie dye everything! Last summer it was all about the matching tie dye sweatsuit sets because we were all stuck in the house watching Tiger King, making whipped coffee and trying to figure out Zoom. But thankfully this summer is full of hope and fun plans! So, while I do still love the matching sweatsuit sets, I’m excited to kick things up a notch! And rue21 is a one-stop-shop for all our tie dye needs at crazy affordable prices! 

    This first look is simple, comfy, and to the point! A sweet, little tie dye dress is an extremely underrated statement piece! This dress is super light weight which is perfect for the unbearable heat down here in the south. Even though this dress is comfortable and weather appropriate, making it a practical choice, the hot pink makes a bold statement! The tie spaghetti straps, ruching at the bust, and ruffle at the bottom of the skirt all give off a retro, early ‘00s vibe. I added white platform slides and pink, heart shaped sunnies, and now I’m getting major Elle Woods vibes from this look! A pink lemonade isn’t required to complete this look but, hey, it doesn’t hurt! 

    This next look is a game changer and a bunch of fashion firsts for me! This is my first matching denim set, and my first tie dye denim. I know this sounds dramatic, and maybe I feel dramatic because this look screams Sharpay Evans, but this outfit has CHANGED ME. Like, wow, who is she? Is this a practical, mature outfit? Yeah, no, not really. But I couldn’t care less! This is exactly the whimsical, vibrant statement I’m trying to make! When I wear this fit out in public, I want everyone to be like, “oh she definitely had a pink Razor flip phone in highschool and probably still owns roll-on glitter.” By the way, both of those statements are true but I’m sure none of you are surprised! A simple white tank and the same white platform slides and heart sunnies, and *boom*, instant Disney Channel “it” girl. Also, low-key, maybe high-key, feel like barbie in this ensemble. Y’all, rue21 has done it again and I’m fully obsessed with this fit. It’s officially going in my favorite outfits hall of fame! 

    This last look is all about color and comfort! Which, honestly, is probably a great way to describe my personal fashion philosophy. You might remember this blue bikini from last month’s vacation looks! Choosing a favorite suit from last month is tough, but I really think this one takes the cake. I love the full coverage of the bottoms, and equally love the less-than-full coverage of the top. Hey, what can I say? If you got it, flaunt it! The fabric is soft and stretchy which is always a plus when you plan to wear your swimsuit all day long. Which I definitely do, because I’m a total water baby! But those early summer nights get chilly and if you go inside for a drink or snack the air conditioning can be freezing, so I love an oversized, zip up hoodie as a cozy cover up! That may be a bit of an unpopular opinion, but don’t knock it till you try it! Those crochet dresses and sarongs are cute and perfect for midday heat. But when the sun goes down, you’ll be wishing you had a snuggly hoodie to wrap up in! Especially on those unseasonably cold days that randomly pop-up sometimes or if you live somewhere it doesn’t really get hot until later in the summer! Anyway, now that I’ve made my case for summer hoodies, rue21 has a great selection of tie dye sweatshirts, sweatpants, and shorts! You can mix and match, which I think is so fun! I guess we’ve kinda come full circle now with the tie dye sweats! 

    Tie dye is a fun and timeless trend that never really goes out of style. Summer is about having fun so don’t shy away from wearing fun clothes, even if it’s silly or “childish”. Life is short and summer is shorter! Check out the rue21 blog for more summer fashion inspo! Which look was your favorite? 

  • Spring Break Styles: With rue21

    Spring Break Styles: With rue21

    Spring Break road trip anyone!? I’m super excited because I partnered with rue21 to create some plus size looks with a spring break/pre-summer vibe! Ugh I miss the days when I could take a whole week off and go on vacation! Now, between my workload and the “panoramic”, I’m not exactly beach bound. But I am trying to prioritize some down time for fun outdoor activities in this beautiful spring sunshine! Last weekend my bestie and I took a mini road trip to a tulip field on a little farm in the country and this weekend I’m headed to my local botanical gardens! For my next micro-adventure, I think I’ll force my friends to go to the safari park 2 hours outside of nashville because there’s truly nothing more fun than feeding an emu from a bucket in a moving car! But if I’m gonna keep going on these little adventures all spring, I’ll need some comfy cute outfits perfect for car rides and activities! Thankfully rue21 has me covered…and for suuuper affordable prices! 

    This first look is an instant favorite, though I could probably say that about all of these looks! I have to cut to the chase and tell you, these leggings are hands down the MOST comfortable leggings I’ve ever put on my body in my entire life. This sounds dramatic, I know, but you have to understand, they are so soft, so stretchy, and cut just right and I actually wasn’t expecting to love them THIS much. I paired these dreamy leggings with this 90’s throwback tank top! The clouds and the butterfly, remind me of something I would have worn when I was 12 and hanestly, I love it. I think it’s so fun that 90’s styles are so on trend right now! This denim jacket is perfect because it’s a bit longer than most, which is perfect for covering my bum and keeping me warm when the air conditioner is blasting or the nights get chilly! This butterfly ball cap and heart shaped sunglasses are both the perfect combination of whimsical and practical (which I definitely identify with) so I decided to wear them with all of my looks! I also opted to wear these white sandals with each look because they’re so versatile, and super comfortable! 

    This little tie dye number is like a cross between a mini dress and an oversized sweatshirt! I could see myself wearing this dress as a pool or beach cover up! I personally have long legs, so to wear it out and about, I think next time I’ll pair it with leggings or bike shorts! Since we are all friends here, I’ll tell you the whole truth: the night after this photoshoot I actually wore this dress to bed. It was just too comfortable to take off! 

    Speaking of bike shorts and tie dye, this look is definitely going to be a wardrobe staple for me! I was slow to get on the bike short bandwagon that began last summer but I’m here now and I’m loving it! These bike shorts are light weight and have lots of stretch so you don’t have that restrictive feeling or sweaty effect like with other pairs. This sweatshirt reminds me of a more grown-up, stylish version of a sweatshirt I’d buy at a beach shop on Spring Break in high school! I could totally see myself dressing this sweatshirt up with jeans and gold jewelry for margarita on a patio or with a denim skirt and cowgirl boots for a Nashville vibe! 

    Now all I need is one of those hair wraps (with storing and beads, remember!?) and a puka shell necklace and I’m ready for Spring Break! For more inspo to get you in the Spring Break mood or plan for summer, check out the rue21 blog! Let me know which look is your favorite over on Instagram!

  • Finally, Jeans That FIT!

    Finally, Jeans That FIT!

    If I said these Eloquii bellbottom jeans changed my life would that be dramatic? Yes. And they dramatically changed my life so…I said what I said💁🏼‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️

    Shopping for jeans is really freaking hard! Not a lot of jeans are cut for body types with any amount of curve so when you’re an “apple-glass” like me, curvy all over, it’s especially tricky! 

    I have a vivid memory of being 14 years old in the dressing room of the Gap trying on every style of jeans they had in my size, (mot much) and eventually falling to the ground, tears rolling down my cheeks, feeling totally defeated. I felt like a freak of nature who doesn’t deserve clothes that fit. 

     Like a cheesy coming-of-age film, the song The Middle by Jimmy Eat World started playing overhead on the radio. The words really resonated with me, as corny as it sounds! “It just take some time, little girl. you’re in the middle of the ride. everything will be just fine, everything will be all right.” I sat there wondering when things will feel all right and when I would feel fine. 

    The kicker is, at the time I was only a size 14. But in 2006 the trend was low rise and slim cut and for a girl with a lot of junk in the trunk, thick thighs, and curvy hips and belly, that just wasn’t right for me. Don’t get me wrong, I believe any body type can wear any style! The key is that you feel comfortable. And the key to everyone having the opportunity to feel comfortable is having OPTIONS and back then, there weren’t many options for plus sizes. 

    I’m so grateful that 15 years later (and many body changes later), there are more options for different body types. We still have a long way to go with inclusive fashion, but we’ve come so far! 

    These jeans come in three different cuts: classic (self-explanatory) Gena (for a curvy midsection), and viola (for curvy hips). I am wearing the Gena in a 24 and I find it super generous in size! The future of inclusive fashion is sizing based on body type and custom options. I’m really pleased to see brands like Eloquii offering more inclusive sizing and I look forward to seeing more pieces like this! These are normally $120 but today they’re on sale for $49! You can click here to shop these jeans (I do make a modest commission at no extra cost to you and I deeply appreciate you shopping with me!). This look was graciously gifted by Eloquii for review. As always, my opinions are my own.