Fashion: Upgrading the Denim in Wardrobe

I am still wardrobe building.  I went to Torrid a couple of weeks ago and decided to try something a little different. I fell in love with the red zebra skinny jeans(pictured below).  I couldn't leave them in to store, they were a steal at $21 bucks, originally $64.50. I also purchase the British love shirt as well, which only ended up being $11 bucks. I love the fit of Torrd's Jeans and the quality has definitely improved since the last time I visited one of their stores.  I don't know where I am going to where this outfit, but I am loving that bold prints are still trending for spring and summer 2013.

For Zebra Jeans CLICK HERE For British Love Tee CLICK HERE

 

Trendy patterned jeans aren't the only investments that I am making right now, denim is a staple that goes beyond jeans. The denim portion of my wardrobe currently consist of three pair of dark wash skinny jeans, one pair of never worn white jeans, a  denim vest, cropped jean jack t and now the red zebra skinny's.  I would like to add a couple of additional washes of jeans as well as two more denim jackets, a dark wash denim vest, and a jean skirt.  Since all of these aren't my budget right now I am narrowing my search to a multifunctional denim jacket.

In my opinion a good quality denim jacket is nothing skimp on when it comes to basics in your wardrobe. They can be paired with just about anything from silk blouses to chiffon skirts.  My criteria is a lot simplier this time around. I am looking for a denim jacket any wash, cropped or regular fit that can go with multiple outfits including maxi dresses. I am not looking for anything too fancy,  no studs, feathers, lace, or extra embellishment, just a plain ole jean jacket.

I started my search a week or so ago and here is what I have found so far.

Torrid Denim Authentic Fitted Jacket

Torrid Hidden Dessert Denim Jacket

Ashley Stewart Casual Denim Jacket

JcPenny-JCP Denim Jacket Plus

Not sure which jacket I am going to try yet, but I will be adding one to my wardrobe as soon as possible. What are you wardrobe staples?

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

This week on Pintrest: On Trend Polyvore Pins

Honestly I had no idea where all the fashion collages came from on Pintrest. Over the past couple of days I have found myself pinning more and more Polyvore Fashion inspirations.  Some power colors for spring are Mint Green, Melon,Cream and Peach.  Here are some of my favorite on trend Polyvore Pins...

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Lock(A momma' on a mission to get her groove back, fashionably that is)

The Search for the Perfect Curvy Girl Skinny Jean Continues

Okay so I am still in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe. I need all the basics, jeans, solid t-shirts, solid tank-tops, est.  I have a little black dress, which was a big help during the holiday season.  My accessory collections is growing exponential since I have started my own handmade jewelry collection, Curlitude. The majority of my wardrobe consists of items that I have had since high school and college, I seldom wear them and overall my closet is looking a little sparse. It happens to the best of us, especially mothers who take care of everyone else before themselves.

Ashley Stewart: Average Skinny Five Pocket Denim

I'm not fashionista' but I do enjoy mixing colors, patterns, shapes, and styles to express myself.  When both of you parents went to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and your creatively inclined you have certain expectations for yourself.

Bootleg cut jeans have been my go-to gals for the past five years, but I am ready for change. A couple of months ago I was on the Search for the Perfect Curvy Girl Skinny Jean. It took me about 2 weeks to compile a list of contenders, Ashley Stewart, Asos, Fashion to Figure, Lane Bryant, and Torrid. I finally decided, after much review I purchased the Ashley Stewart's Average Skinny Five Pocket Denim, pictured on the left. They were a great fit with excellent tummy control and no muffin top, but definitely not a skinny jean.  They fit more like a slim boot cut or straight leg jean. Good jeans, but not the look that I was going for.

Maybe it is just me, and my proportions are drastically different from most women that jeans are manufactered for.  Maybe the companies that manufacturer jeans skinny leg jeans for curvy girls are attempting to accommodate women who have large calf muscles? It is entirely possible, but I want a pair too.  Some say that curvy girls shouldn't wear skinny's, but to those rare individuals I say have a seat cause' you can't put this curvy diva in a box.

Fashion to Figure(Dark Wash Basic Skinny Jean)

I won't give up.  The first pair from Ashley Stewart didn't work, so time to move on.   Fashion to Figure Extra Dark Wash Basic Skinny Jean  is around the same price point. I'm a mom on a budget and my criteria remains the same. I want a pair of Dark Wash Skinny Jeans that are $50 or less, have a little tummy control and are high enough to accommodate, in the words of Phaedra Parks of RHOA, "Donkey Booty". (Don't judge, I watch a little trash TV from time to time.)  We will see how this goes.  I have heard  nothing but great things about the Fashion to Figure brand, and one of my favorite fashion bloggers Gabifresh wears items from their line often. I hope that this pair is actually skinny and not another  imposter. 

How do you rock your skinny jeans?How have you updated your wardrobe lately? What are your go-to items in your closet?

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman (I AM Curly Locks, Mom on mission to find the perfect skinny jeans for a curvy girl)

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The Search for the Perfect Curvy Girl Skinny Jean

I am on the search for the perfect curvy diva skinny jean.  My wardrobe is definitely lacking since I became a mom. Most of the items in my wardrobe have been with me since college and have seen better days. Over the next couple of months I will be rebuilding my wardrobe. I will be purchasing staples, which in my world consist of one pair of skinny's, one pair of dark wash boot cuts, a statement blazer, five basic tees, three graphic tees, three pair of chucks, and accessories. I'm no diva, but I do like to express myself through fashion.  I refuse to fall into the trap of stretchy pants, stained tees, mom jeans and all things soccer mom.  

As you may have noticed from my previous post, Plus Size Swimsuit Search   I'm a little picky.  Okay maybe not picky, I just know what I am looking for and sometimes it is hard to find. Over the past week I have been looking for Skinny jeans and here is what I have found...

ASOS CURVE Jet Black Skinny Jean #4

$49.25

Currently on SALE FOR $34.30

ASOS CURVE Super Sexy Skinny Jeans

$35.18

 Old Navy (Women's Plus The Rockstar Jeggings)

$39.94

Torrid (Tripp NYC - The Black Skinny Pant in Tall)

Regular $48 Currently On Sale for $29.99

Torrid(Torrid Denim - Curvy Skinny Jean (Tall)

$58.50

 

 Ashley Stewart(Average Skinny Five Pocket Denim)

$29.50

 Fashion to Figure (Extra-Dark Wash Basic Skinny Jean)

$34

Due to the lack of curvy girl options available near by, I will inevitibly be purchasing a pair without trying them on, online.  We will see how this goes.  I didn't purchase a swimsuit until the end of Summer so I pray my skinny jean search goes better than that.  I am giving myself a deadline and a pair of jeans must be purchased by tonight.  These are all great options and are within a price range that I can appreciate. (I refuse to pay more than $100 bucks for jeans, but I won't skimp on quality.) 

Rebuilding my post-pregnancy wardrobe one piece at a time.

Peace and Love, 

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks(Future Skinny Jean wearer)

My favorite fashion bloggers

I am not the most fashionable woman in America, but every now and then I dawn a little curlitude.  Though I am not the best at styling, I know a few people on the blogosphere that provide inspiration.  There are ton's of fashion bloggers out there, here are a few of my favorites.

 GabiFresh

Photo from Gabifresh.com

Miss GabiFresh is definitely number one on my list of fashion bloggers. Not only is she a native Detroiter, she's taking the New York by storm, and just happens to be a curvy girl like me.  She also dawns her natural curls from time to time and blogs about it.  You won't see this diva wearing black and a-lines all the time, she is not afraid of a bold prints, skinny jeans, and pencil skirts.  She courageous breaks the mold that people try to put us plus size divas into.In her own words-

"If you love fashion but you're sick of being told to wear A-line skirts, wrap dresses, boot cut jeans, and slimming prints, this is the blog for you."- Gabi, from gabifresh.com 

Mimi G. 

 

I am fairly new to Mimi G's blog, but I didn't realize how many of her outfits I have come across on my in my Facebook feed. Mimi is a self taught seamstress, mother of six, who works in the entertainment industry and finds time to maker her own clothes including the chic olive maxi dress pictured above.    Mimi sales both patterns and tutorials for many of her ready-to-wear eye catching designs, making her blog an excellent tool for frugal fashionista's who want to create their own stylish treads.  Looking forward to seeing more from miss Mimi G, a power mom. Check her out at http://www.mimigstyle.com/

Michelle Phan

I originally discovered Michelle Phan on her Youtube channel . I sat for two hours watching her make-up transformations, becoming celebrities, fairies, Disney characters,  and Super Heros with a few make up tricks.  Her blog is all things fashion: nails, hair, skin-care, make-up, style, DIY Projects, and tutorials galore. Spring 2012 Michelle introduced her own fashion jewelry line, Ever Eden, in collaboration with glamhouse.com and a new media company/Youtube channel called FAWN, For All Women Network.  FAWN features haul vids, celebrity stylist interviews and covers some of the most fashionable events and venues.  Check her out her blog at http://www.michellephan.com/.

J'Adore Fashion Blog(by Stella).  

Photo from jadore-fashion.com

J'Adore Fashion Blog is another blog that I am fairly new to/  I don't know how miss Stella manages to blog, go to school, work a full time job, and stay fashionable all at the same time, but she does it quite well.  I wasn't able to find much information about this diva, but I do know that her blog speaks for itself.  With over 2000+ subscribes she is definitely not afraid to mix colors, patterns, and prints, the end result is something amazing.  Here eye for fashion  impeccable and I am looking forward to see more of what her blog has to offer. Check her out at http://www.jadore-fashion.com/

  

I hope you enjoy this fashion forward collection of my favorite bloggers.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Plus Size Swimwear Search

The truth is I, like many mommies haven't wore a bathing suit in quite a while, two years to be exact.  Before baby a could just walk into a department store and pick out my size with no problem, after baby I have to be much more selective, my body just isn't the same as it used to be.  I am body conscious and I only like to wear what is figure flattering to me.  I have rolls and a tummy which I don't like to put on full display. Truth is I will never be skinny, nor desire to be so, but I do desire to one day rock a bikini. Miss Gabifresh gave me much inspiration in her Bikini post, not encouraging women to be fat, but to embrace their God given body no matter the size or shape.  I'm not quite their yet, maybe next year.

Photo from swimsuitsforall.com

I've been on the search for over two months now and I am just not satisfied with my choices.  It has been much harder than I thought that it would be.  Most of the swimsuits that you find at departments stores or other retailers in my opinion are matronly and made for women who do not embrace personal style or self expression.My plus size hour glass figure needs a few more inches not a homely floral pattern. My ideal swimsuit doesn't exist on the market, meaning I am going to have to loose some of my lengthy list of suit requirements.I want to be classy and sassy at the same time.

A recent Google  let me to a website called Swimsuitsforall.com, where I quickly ordered what I thought would be my perfect swimsuit (Pictured on the left).  I figured it would be the perfect fit for me.  Coral is a great color for my skin tone, ruching near the tummy area should take away from my mommy flab, and the swim-dress style covered my thunder thighs.   It wasn't a bad fit, in fact my hubby was in love with it, but I just wasn't feeling it, a few to many things were hanging out from the front, back and side, and my mommy pouch was frowning at me. Though this particular swimsuit wasn't for me, Swimsuitsforall has a great selection to choose from for every size woman.  I will not give up, and I will wear a swimsuit this summer.

I posted a couple of frustrated status updates on facebook and got a few sympathetic hints on a few stores and online sites to check out; Torrid, Fashion Bug/Lane Bryant , Always for me , and Ashley Stewart.  A lot of swimwear is on sale right now,  which is a bonus.  I like online shopping but I wish that the there were more fashionable opportunities to try items on in store.  I have only been able to purchase a fashionable swimsuit in a store location once over the past five years, and I had to go to two different stores for each piece.  There has to be one of two things going on here . 1.  Manufacterers are underestimating the amount of plus size customers who need swimwear and do not buy/order enough fashionable items. 2.  They think that all plus size women are between the ages of 40-60 and do not desire fashionable swimwear.  I don't know which option it is, but I would like to be able purchase swimwear  in a store one day without paying between $50-120.

Swimsuit #2 from Ashley Stewart.com

Update June 26, 2012 : Well I ordered my second swimsuit online, but this time I ordered it from AshleyStewart.com.  On the plus side it was on sale and I was also able to order the Butterfly Convertible bra, also on sale for half price.  I had a good problem this time, the swimsuit was actually way to big and very unflattering to my boobs.  I hoped that my search was over especially since the 4th is next week.  Here I am, still without a swimsuit to fit my plus size curvacious body.  Why is this so hard.   I just want a swimsuit that fits my curves without making me look matronly and disguises my mommy flab.   Every time I have a swimsuit fail, I get closer and closer to my assumption that the swimsuit that I want does not exist.    Time for me to put this one back in the mail and try again.  I would like to go swimming this year, but maybe that just isn't in the cards.  It stinks for my wee one's though, they love the water, but I can't take them to our apartment complex pool because I simply don't have the right attire.  Am I asking for to much here?  Maybe I need to eliminate a few things off my list. Maybe consider high-waisted bikini bottoms as flaunted by  the fabulous Gabifresh and countless other Plus size women choosing to live comfortably in their own skin.  Or should I opt for a tankini option instead of a skirtkini or shirt-dress.  Am I boxing myself in when it comes to swimsuit.  Am I being to picky? Do I expect to much from Plus size fashion? Does the perfect suit not exist? Am I am the only one with this dilemma?

The search continues in another post Plus Size Swimwear Search (Continued)

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks