UNIQLO Jegging Review for Plus Size

Four years ago I road tripped up to New York with a friend. She explained to me that one of her friends, John, always wore the best fitting pants. It is a really weird descriptor for a person, but I took one look at him and fell in love...with his pants.

Notice how all these people look thin; Photo from their site

We headed to Uniqlo and I was really nervous that nothing would fit. All the clothing was so perfectly tailored and fitted, which normally means bad news for me. Looking for clothes in "straight size" clothing stores is a constant theme in my life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it just doesn't... Imagine looking at beautiful, pressed clothes on the hanger and looking in the mirror and seeing a twisted roll of clothing pinching you, probably above or below your chest depending on how determined you were. I just don't understand why companies make clothing for large audiences but don't include a wider range. 

So I was very surprised when I found Uniqlo's x-large jeggings fit! And fit pretty well! I was running around grabbing every different color and fabric in a frantic. 

Photo from their site

It wasn't until this year that I was able to purchase some more. The style is different, they took the drawstring away in favor of an elastic waist. I think I preferred the drawstring tbh. They were on sale for $13 (originally $20) and I bought 4 pairs. Two black trouser leggings, one faded black jegging and another in a true blue color. I am a size 14-16, so I am surprised they fit. Though, the different materials and washes fit me differently.

Pros:-extremely skinny
-jeans are fairly thick fabric
-back pockets
-different colors and fabrics
-free alterations

Cons:
-not good in the dryer
-not good for short shirts 

-rolls sometime
-might not fit people with bigger backsides
-not good for most sizes over 16
-not in a lot of locations...yet!

P.S. my shirt say "no nos puede deportar a todos" :)

BCBG: A Forgiving Brand

Shopping has really sucked since I have gained weight this past year. I am surprised/disappointed how a desk job could effect my body so dramatically in the span of 11 months. In my last post, I mentioned how my weight was taking a toll on my body and how I am actively trying to change that.

Until then, I need clothes that fit my body NOW.

BCBG is a surprising choice for a plus size blogger, but I almost always am able to find clothing that will fit my size. Not everything is forgiving. Leather blazers, zippered pants, and most cocktail dresses are too narrow and form fitting for me.

As for everything else, I have several skirts, blouses, dresses, and a few jackets that not only fit, but look good on. I always shop sale and I don't find something every single time (which is a blessing in disguise for my debit card), but if you are sizes 12-18, maybe even 20, you will be able to find some great pieces. 

Though, I have to give a warning. This is not a plus size store and an article of clothing that is wrong for you can be a trigger. I suggest this brand because I have found several articles of clothing over the past few years, but I understand how difficult it is when trying on clothing that is too small. When I was younger, I would take my body frustrations out on my mom unfairly. Yet, her unconditional love and kind words have calmed those frustrations and allowed me to accept and move on without affecting my self-esteem too much. She is also the person who bought me this outfit because she got all crazy motherly last time I saw her.

This entire outfit from BCBG + a shoe bonus after the cut! 

Below are sweater details and the shoe bonus!

Dress shirts: The ups and downs pt. 1

I love a good button down. 

So much so that almost all of my tops are button downs. Which is surprising because not only am I plus sized, I have an hour glass figure and large bust. T_T

Originally intended for men, the construction of a button up was designed for someone with very little (or no) curves. It is true that the construction of button ups have slowly transformed with darting and patterns to fit a larger audience, but even so, looking for a button up is a painstaking (and probably delusional) task.

Over the years I have come to terms with never looking like This Is England's Lol (or even Woody for that matter). 

Source: 1, 2

This look is generally geared for skinny people because most "looks" are, big surprise. God knows I wouldn't be caught dead with my shirt tucked into my jeans. But there are some girls who just live and breath this lifestyle no matter what size they are and I really admire that. I wish I could say I was that confident. Or that stylish. 

I can only hope Part One of my button down review will help them and the many other struggling to find The Perfect Button Down.

More photos under the cut!

WDIOT: Statement Pieces

My style will never be called refined because it’s not defined. I have what I call “impulse style”.

That means I don’t have a look. My clothing choice adapts to my feelings at the time of purchase, or, unfortunately, to what fits my body. That is why I love jewelry since it is one size fits all.

         

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4

As part of my make-believe fashion theories, I don't do subtle jewelry.  Some of our other contributors look so good in with their delicate pieces, but with my wavy hair and plus size body (I think), I look better in statement pieces.

But not all statement pieces are created equal, which is why I am going to show you some WDIOT pieces from my clothes.

With impulse style comes failure.

Don't Tell Me I'm Beautiful

I had a lot of things to say about that Dove ad that you and your mama have already seen but since I don't post until now, it's probably old news because the Internet travels at lightning speed. The one thing I will say is--besides the obvious glaring omission of any WOC getting camera time and/or physical beauty is not the only thing that should define you--is that when this ad meant "beauty," they meant the Western notion of what physical beauty is. And this is definitely something I struggle with--not so much now but definitely when I was growing up/hitting puberty.

A lot of what Western beauty means is, and it's reiterated time and time again in that Dove ad, is "you should be skinny," as you can see when they describe the women in a "positive" light (she is described as having a thin chin, for example). This notion of BEING SKINNY, a very Western concept, has permeated Eastern consciousness that in cities like Hong Kong (where my parents were born and raised and where I spent a lot of my childhood years), it's been getting a little out of hand.