Stand Up To Beauty Standards

Tag: spring style

  • 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!

  • Spring Fashion Series With rue21 Part One: Mad For Plaid

    Spring Fashion Series With rue21 Part One: Mad For Plaid

    YOU GUYS…Spring is just around the corner! Can I get an “AMEN!” *cue hallelujah chorus*! As the snow and ice melts and the flowers start to bloom it’s time to pack up those coats and sweaters to make room for some new Spring styles! I’ve partnered with my friends over at rue21 to show you my favorite trends for Spring! This first installment of my Spring Style With rue21 series focuses on pastels, plaid, and getting back in touch with your inner school-girl “it” girl! I’m talking Clueless, “As if!”, Mean Girls, “so fetch”, captain of the cheer squad, “bring it on” vibes! Got it? Don’t got it? Don’t worry! Keeping reading, I’ve got your back (and links for easy peasy, budget friendly impulse purchases)!

    Plaid tennis skirts were a go-to wardrobe staple in the 90’s and I’m so excited to see this trend making the rounds again! Plaid is still a huge fixture of Fall and Winter fashion but I think it’s a super underrated pattern for the warmer months! Neutral and pastel colors instantly turn plaid from cozy to fresh! A plaid skirt is definitely a youthful look, and you can play up the Hit Me Baby One More Time, Britney vibes with pigtails and tied up button down shirts! But the plaid skirt look can also be matured a bit with a blazer, heels, or a blouse. For my rue21 plaid skirt looks I personally leaned into the youthful side of this trend but I think these pieces are super versatile and I’m excited to style them a bunch of different ways throughout the season! 

    Speaking of versatile, let’s start with this black plaid tennis skirt! It’s such a great staple piece because it can be worn in literally any season! It can be dressed up or down and even is a great jumping off point for a lot of DIY costumes or cosplays! Basically what I’m trying to say is, if you don’t currently have a black plaid skirt in your closet what the heck are you doing?! Okay so, for this look I kept it pretty simple, pairing my black plaid skirt with a black t-shirt. I opted for pigtails with faux fur scrunchies and I think it’s safe to say, I’m totally ready for cheer squad tryouts! I think The next time I wear this skirt, I’ll pair with a solid color tank top and a denim jacket on top! 

    A Neutral plaid skirt is versatile but a pastel plaid skirt adds that extra element of sass so you can really tap into your inner Regina George! This fabulous pink plaid tennis skirt paired perfectly with this soft pink cardigan. I added a pink terry bucket hat for a major throwback and I almost felt too trendy! It’s seriously growing on me and I definitely see more bucket hats in my future! This pink plaid skirt and sweater combo is a fun and flirty look and definitely one of my favorites! I would love to see this skirt with a white button down shirt tied in the front! I also think I need butterfly clips for that look! 

    Now that we’ve fully covered skirts, lets launch right into a trickier subject: plaid dresses! I’ve heard so many opinions about plaid dresses being too loud and busy for plus size folks and I will not stand for it! First of all, what’s wrong with being loud and busy?! But more importantly, I think being afraid of brightly colored patterned pieces is directly related to society preferring that us plus size babes hide ourselves in a corner away from the spotlight. No ma’am, not now not ever again! So bring on the vibrant colors and pretty plaids! 

    I am absolutely obsessed with this periwinkle and pink plaid matching dress and cardigan set! In this fit I feel like Cher Horowitz so I had to pair this set with a headband! I think a matching set is automatically fashion forward and makes me feel like i have my life together! If the colors are a bit much for ya, or you just want a more understated vibe, this set does come in taupe which is so chic! If I were styling the taupe I think I’d opt for a pop of red for my accessories for a high-end designer look! 

    Okay so hear me out. The skirtall is a grossly overlooked alternative to the very popular overall trend! Overalls aren’t for me, I just don’t feel my best in them, but I love the playful spring vibe that the overall style accomplishes. I know skirtalls have a very cathoilic school girl reputation, but I believe they are the answer to participating in the spring overall trend for those of us who prefer skirts! This blue skirtall is such a lovely shade and paired with this white button down,actually gives me some modern Alic in Wonderland vibes (and maybe even Dorothy from Wizard of Oz or Belle from the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast)! Fairy Tails aside this look is perfect for transitioning from winter to spring and most importantly…IT HAS POCKETS! Pockets are the holy grail and I was sooo stoked about this! If blue isn’t your hue, rue21 has plaid skirtalls and plaid dresses in pink, black, and yellow too!  

    What are your favorite tried and true Spring pieces? What new trends or must-have pieces do you have your eye on for Spring? I plan on sharing tons more Spring fashion inspo so please let me know what you want to see from me! I’m seeing lots of butterflies, tie dye, and ruching and I’m loving it! I’ll get to work on that but in the meantime, check out the rue21 blog for more Spring trends and the newest arrivals!