An Elegant Black Friday

The few times that I have gotten to go inside a truly beautiful store, I savor the experience. Being from the Midwest, in a smallish city mostly populated with big-box general merchandisers, the experience of being in a real department store is one that I savor. It feels like something out of a movie. I tend to go around with my mouth agape at all the pretty things!

My in-laws live in Kansas City, and we decided to forgo the early Black Friday crowds and instead go downtown to the beautiful Country Club Plaza and Crown Center. My MIL recently retired from management in Hallmark, and she has been dying to take me to Halls. The fabulous things she wears almost always come from there, and she and my sister-in-law love to hit their sale racks. Apparently the sales at Halls are famous. I was about to see why!

While the price-tags on most of the merchandise were WAY out of my price range, I enjoyed seeing how the other half lives. Women were picking up $2500 sweaters and draping them over their arms like I do at a thrift store. Since I have caviar taste on a ramen noodle budget,  I hit the clearance racks! With 66% off most of the fall merchandise, we were able to make out pretty well for not much money. We scored great deals from brands like Rag & Bone, Vince Camuto, and Free People. In fact, Halls boasts an impressive array of designers. 

I coveted this Rachel Zoe vest, but decided at the last minute it wasn't in my budget.

But the best part was the atmosphere. Beautiful decorations, lights everywhere, and the LIVE Christmas music being played while we shopped was amazing. The store wasn't crowded, and the salespeople were very friendly and helpful with outfit pairings and service. While I've been to New York and Vegas, I usually avoid the high end stores, and just window shop. I know I will be disappointed by the price tags, plus I have visions of the scene from "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts is snubbed by the salesgirls. I usually covet the Versace and Dior from the safety of my living room sofa, and try to duplicate what I see with bargains from TJ Maxx, Target, and local vintage stores. 

I felt very comfortable at Halls, and I would very much recommend a visit when you go to KC. If you want that big-city department store experience, Halls delivers with Midwestern friendliness and charm.

I can't wait to go back! It was a wonderful afternoon of shopping and female bonding with my family.

All photos courtesy of  blog.halls.com  

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Fashion + Technology = Great Bedfellows

As I was browsing through the September issue of InStyle, I ran across a tidbit which got my attention immediately. It was a blurb about a new App: Cloth for the iPhone.  The app helps with fashion mixology - in YOUR own closet!  Basically, you take a mirror snap of you in your favorite outfits, and the it catalogs the looks and makes suggestions on different outfits, within your existing inventory!  It's like having a high-tech best friend to help you decide what to wear when you're in a rush and don't have time to think about it.

You can also share your photos with your friends, on the website, and of course to all of your favorite social media outlets.  You can also categorize your outfits by purpose - such as date night, interview, and weekend mocha run. I think this app is especially beneficial for color mixology - something many of us struggle with.

I downloaded Cloth today, and I've been enjoying playing around with it and beginning to catalog my closet. Technology is so great...apps like Instagram and Pixlr-omatic have revolutionized blogging and photo-sharing.  Now apps like Cloth can help us be more thrifty, and get the most mileage from our favorite clothes. Pretty nifty, huh?

All images from Clothapp.com

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New Curves for Autumn

Hello bombshells - I owe you an apology. I have not been a blogging fashionista lately. It was a busy summer, and I am hard at work on a novel in my spare time, with a December deadline - but no excuses! Fall fashion is nigh, and without further ado, here are the trends I have gleaned from the glossies. The Fall fashion issues of your favorite magazines not only serve as inspiration, but GREAT exercise equipment. Just plop one on the scale and you'll see what I mean...

Color Watch:
PURPLE and GOLD

  

      

These colors are everywhere. From Katy Perry's aubergine streaks, to the golden apparitions walking the Dolce and Gabbana runway, opulence is back. Pretty much anything in jewel tones is a go-to colorway for autumn. If you're color shy, try adding  bright purple shoes to basic black, or layering on the gold bangles and a statement necklace.  This trend is a nice break from the neon hues of summer.



Pattern of the Season:
TAPESTRY

Taking a cue from Medieval times, tapestry is the newest-looking old pattern we have seen: at least since the late nineties. (Remembering a tapestry vest I had in college.)To keep this pattern from becoming overwhelming and wearing YOU, add it in small doses: a vintage tapestry handbag (this one is mine, thrifted) or a skirt with tapestry accents.



Fashion Theme:
WESTERN

Western and California Boho chic is the all-encompassing look for fall. I'm a BIG fan of this look - when I'm not in something tailored, I'm usually in something airy. Your favorite Maxi dress can go into Fall with the addition of a belted cardigan and boots. Cowboy boots are the definitive shoe purchase you should make this season. You can wear them with everything, and they come in so many colors you can find a pair for any outfit!  I just purchased these from ShoeDazzle:

If you haven't checked out their site yet, you should! A friend told me about them, and they will customize a Showroom to fit your own particular shoe fetish. It's fun, and their prices are GREAT.


Silhouette Staple for Curvy Ladies:
THE PENCIL SKIRT

Hallelujah! Thanks to the 1960's inspired resurgence of tailored fashion, this denizen of sexy and streamlined is back in business! Great with a ruffled blouse, a sweater, or a strappy tank top, this little skirt can go from the office to cocktails with just a change of shoes and jewelry. Just make sure to buy a pair of Spanx to hold the jiggle as you wiggle in all the right places. ;)

I am so ready for crisp Autumn mornings, with a warm cup of coffee in my hands, cozy sweaters, and tights in a rainbow of colors. Fall is my favorite season, and with this year's fashion trends, it's sure to be a colorful one!

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Decades

One of my favorite things to do with my mad money is to take a Saturday afternoon and spend it with Jina at Decades Boutique; playing dress-up and coming home with at least one new favorite to add to my wardrobe. I recently interviewed Jina for Zaftig, and had an opportunity to photograph Alex in one of the fabulous dresses that Jina has in stock. One of the best things about shopping at Decades is Jina's encyclopedic knowledge of vintage fashion, as well as her perfect instincts about what will look best on her customers!  Here is our Q&A with one of our favorite Zaftig girls!

                                                                                                                                           

What made you decide to open Decades?

"From childhood I quickly discovered an appreciation for the art, design and textiles of vintage clothing. More than that I realized the therapy- in the form of fashion -that this world of historic beauty offered me. I learned, unlike new clothing, that I could not put on a piece of vintage clothing without smiling. I was a piece of history revived. This, in and of itself, was attractive to me. This business is in my blood. And when I discovered, at age 24, that I could do what I love and offer a house of vintage treasures to Springfield, I had to jump on the opportunity. The miracle of it all was I did it all without having to accumulate any debt. I literally felt like God led me to the right place, at the right time, and all I had to do was show up. It really was one of the miracles of my life, and I can't explain in short what the experience of opening Decades was like for me - from the very start."                                        

  When did you first discover your love of vintage clothing?

"Simply stated, always. I have memories, being super young - I'm talking 5 years old at best,  collecting vintage clutches, hats, and gloves. By age 9 or 10 I had a a fine collection of these items as well as a turquoise 1950s ballerina costume: sequin, tulle and all the layers... it was the most exquisite thing I had laid eyes on, and it was all mine. You can imagine the innocence of a child adoring and admiring such an item. I was never like 'a kid in a candy store,'  rather, a kid in an antique store, for eye-candy of the vintage and antique world fascinated me - far beyond sweets of any kind."

On Alex:

Dress: "Tasty Sherbet"

Decades Boutique

Hair and Makeup: Alchemy...a Salon

 Which era or genre of vintage do you love the most?

"Naturally, I love all of the 'Decades'. There is beauty to be found in each one. It seems every time I pick up a piece of clothing from my endless piles of back-stock, I fall in love with each decade all over again. My most current love is the 20s and 30s art deco movement. I am absolutely moved with the glamour and grace of each piece."

What is your favorite part of the day at Decades? 

"Honestly, there is nothing in the world as fulfilling as knowing you're helping a woman feel beautiful..and not just on the outside. To me, fashion is there to enhance and accentuate what a woman already has, and THAT is what shines through her eyes from within. The best part of my job is making each woman feel the worth that she has and leave Decades feeling like a princess!"

Look how much fun vintage can be!

Which piece of clothing should EVERY curvy woman have in her closet?

"Absolutely the silhouette of the late 40s through the 50s is amazing. With the fullness of the skirt, the hips, thighs and lower abdomen are all made to appear beautiful. I'd say, grab a circular skirt and tuck in a blouse, and voila! Dress it down with cute flats, or dress it up with a pair of heels. Make clothing work for you and your lifestyle."

Do you believe in fashion “rules," or are rules made to be broken?

"Rules are guidelines for the conservative.. at least when considering fashion. Knowing your body and how to flatter your figure is where the real focus should be.  To me every woman is a canvas and how she styles her body is a reflection of who she is inside. 'Rules' are something that are put into place to keep us 'safe'. A woman who knows herself, and her limits, doesn't have to play it safe with fashion.  Fashion is fun, and always flexible!"  

                                        

***

"I would just add that I would love to meet some of the curvy women who are directed to, or stumble upon this blog. For everyone that visits the blog and is inspired to visit Decades, I will give them 25% off any purchase from now until the end of July." - Jina

It was a fantastic day of fashion, beauty, and glamour with Jina and Decades! Look for future blog posts featuring the fashion expertise of Jina, along with photos of REAL vintage on our Zaftig girls! Happy shopping!

  *All photos: Paulette Hughes, Canon EOS on Historic Commercial Street

  *Makeup: Sa'dia Luallen, Alchemy...a Salon

  *Hair: Paulette Hughes, Alchemy...a Salon

  *All featured clothing and shoes from Decades Boutique, 213 West Commercial, Springfield MO

  *Model: Alex

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Alive...with Color!

Color can become a fashion pitfall. Go to your closet, look in. What do you see? If your closet is anything like most women, you'll see a plethora of black, with maybe a few of your favorite colors thrown in. Especially for curvy girls, we feel safe in black. True, it can be very chic, slimming, and elegant. But, it can also be boring, and if you are fair-skinned, it can drain your complexion if you wear it alone. Black has its place in every woman's closet. But, consider some color and pattern as well.

It can be very confusing to walk into a store full of clothing, with  bombardment to the senses occurring at every turn of an aisle.  "Will this match anything I already have at home? Does this pattern clash with that one?"  I have been in those frustrating shoes. Then, I started taking some chances.

As hairstylists, we help people determine the best hair color for their features and coloring. We learn to use the color wheel to determine complementary color and tertiary colors. These same rules apply to all areas of design - whether you're choosing a new paint palette for your loft, or the layout for your website.  We see it in nature all the time - just look at the earth-tones in a cheetah's pelt, or the fan of a peacock's tail.  You should use the same logic when choosing your clothing.

Some designers which are inspirational for color and pattern are:

Missoni: This Italian family has been in the fashion industry since the late 1940s. They are unparelleled in their use of pattern and color.  The unique chevron pattern, which is their trademark, is instantly recognizable.  The interplay of colors in their knitwear is a good way to discover new, unthought of combinations.

Pucci: Emilio Pucci was the seminal designer for the jet-set 60s. His brilliant, opulent designs caressed the forms of movie stars and housewives alike. A Pucci print dress or scarf could carry you through many seasons - and this great design house is still turning out brilliant works of wearable art. 

Lilly Pulitzer: This Palm Beach fashion maven designed patterns and color combinations that influenced the golf course, the carpool, and the debutante scene of the South. These colors POP. My vintage Lilly dress is my favorite wardrobe item, hands down. People stop me on the street when I wear it. I got it from Decades, naturally!  If you want to be happy, choose a palette based on Pulitzer prints. It'll be summer wherever you go!

Vera Neumann:  In the 1960s-70s an artist named Vera created functional works of art for the home, scarves, and apparel for chic women everywhere.  Jina at Decades and I are crazy for her.  Her trademark watercolor and screen-printed scarves are great color informers.  I found a Vera scarf at a flea market two days ago for $1.95!  Always be on the lookout for unique accessories. They can take that black t-shirt in your closet to "WOW" in an instant. 

Another fun option for planning a wardrobe palette is very simple: go to your local home-improvement store, grab a palette booklet that has complimentary colors grouped together, and take it shopping with you.  Adding color to your wardrobe doesn't have to be complicated, and you might be surprised by what you come up with! 

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What is Zaftig?

zaf·tig

 

adjective Slang .

1.

(of a woman) having a pleasantly plump figure.

2.

full-bodied; well-proportioned.

Also, zoftig.

Origin: 
1935–40;  < Yiddish zaftik  literally, juicy, succulent

I first became acquainted with this word while reading a book on American opera singers. I was a little strange as a teen, and enjoyed reading biographies about luminous ladies from bygone eras. One of these ladies was Beverly Sills - or "Bubbles" as her peers fondly called her. Ms. Sills described herself as a "rather zaftig redhead." Hmm. I recall looking down at my rounded limbs and little potbelly and thinking I was rather zaftig myself.  But Ms. Sills wasn't necessarily fat -  She was pleasingly soft in all the right places, with hills and valleys in her figure. Her costumes and characters celebrated these assets. I thought that it wasn't such a bad thing. She looked happy; like she could have a piece of cheesecake and not feel bad. During the height of the heroin-chic late 80s, this was a big deal for me.


Throughout my life, my weight has been a fluctuating melodrama. I have been everywhere on the size chart from a size 4 to a size 18. Finally, my weight seems to have stabilized right in the middle - a size 8 to 10. I'm ok with that, as long as I am healthy and fit and my favorite jeans still make my butt look good.  I have slender friends, and I have plus-size friends, and all of them are gorgeous. What's right for me isn't necessarily right for everyone, and I can appreciate that. But, this blog is about those of us in the middle - the size mediums to larges (when we're on our periods!)

Here, you'll find tips for dressing that luscious body of yours in clothing that suits your curves. You'll find tips on makeup, hairstyles (with the help of my business partner, Sa'dia), and just general celebrations of your womanly figure. There are plenty of blogs out there for ladies who are above a size 16, and below a size 8. I noticed a real dearth of fashion advice for us so-called "normal" sized women - thus the blog.





The fashion focus will be mostly on vintage 
and vintage-inspired clothing  - a mutual love that I share with many of my friends. My friend Jina, herself a curvy beauty and vintage boutique owner, will be an occasional co-conspirator and expert fashion advisor. Keep your eyes peeled for posts involving her store, Decades. It can be tricky to find clothing in modern medium and large sizes within the vintage realm, so we will be showing you creative ways to incorporate pieces into your wardrobe with a fresh spin.  Also, we will be showing you how to dress UNDER your clothes - an often overlooked facet of a pulled-together outfit, especially for women whose thighs touch.

From the perfect LBD, to the benefits of corset-training and finding the best-fitting bra for your buxom bosom, you will learn tricks and tips that will help you feel confident and sexy. Glamour is back. Let's throw it a big welcome-home party. 

Photo of Decades courtesy of Jina Gorham

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