LOOK-ALIKES: Lane Bryant Brocade Jacquard Blazer

Wow, this is the first Look-Alikes post I've done in a really long time! And to be honest, I actually really miss doing these posts in particular the most. They're easy and I love being able to find clothes/shoes/what have you's that look exactly the same....but for much less! :D This week's post is brought to you from Lane Bryant. I actually love Lane Bryant. In a mere 4 months (or so) I have noticed a COMPLETE AND TOTAL overhaul of their brand. I'm talkin' a 180 switch in their targeted demographic. In my opinion, Lane Bryant is obviously positioning themselves to be in direct competition with Torrid, which is really the only major name in younger curvy women's' fashion. I'm serious: take a walk-through next time you have the opportunity - you'll be pleasantly surprised, I promise. 

Enough of that! On to the meat and potatoes of this post: the look-alike of course! I'm seeing a lot of luxurious textiles for these coming holidays so I thought I'd showcase a plus-size option: the Brocade Jacquard Blazer. See the high-end below:

Stretch Jacquard Jacket, Lane Bryant, $99.95

It is a GORGEOUS blazer. The flat satin lapel is perfection. The price, unfortunately, isn't as perfect. That is a lot to spend on a decidedly formal jacket (i.e - how often will you really wear this after the holidays?). However, before I skip to the less expensive alternative, I'll mention that it looks like Lane Bryant is having a pretty big sale during the month of November. $25 off of $75, $50 off $150, and $75 off $225. So, saying you buy just the jacket, the actual cost of this blazer would be $74.95...which is still kind of spendy. But I say if it floats your boat! :P

Below is the look-alike curtesy of Torrid:

Brocade Blazer, Torrid, $64.50

Look familiar, much??? (I love question marks...?) The brocade jacquard fabric is extremely similar, as are the flat pockets (I don't know if they're functional. the only differences are that the Torrid version doesn't have the flat satin lapel and it has a TWO button closure instead of one hook and eye fastener. As far as price goes, the Torrid version is still on the more expensive side. 

For me, if I could combine the satin lapel of the Lane Bryant blazer with the double-button closure (I feel that's more flattering - and comfortable! - if you're bustier) it would be like the holy grail of Holiday jackets. Unfortunately, I'm not in the market for another black jacket/blazer, but I figured I'd give you fabulous readers the option. :D (You're welcome.) Have a lovely Sunday, and thanks for dropping by!

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Pre-Fall Picks for the Plus-Size Girls

I'm sorry everyone for the weird gap I've had recently in blog posts. I've definitely dropped the ball this week! To make it up to you I'm going to upload another post write after this, and I have Sunday's Look-Alikes post all ready to go. Thanks for your patience!

I titled this post "Pre-Fall Picks" because to me it isn't yet fall. Or, at least we haven't had much fall weather here in Eugene yet. However, all the stores have almost all their fall stuff out already - hence, the "Pre-fall." :D

I LOVE fall. Like, seriously, if I could find a place where it was early fall weather (mid-sixties to early seventies), and the trees were always just changing color year-round, I would move there. IMMEDIATELY. Early fall in Oregon is really spectacular. We have so much foliage in the valley (where I live) that it looks like...it's hard to describe. It's just beautiful. Now, I say early fall because mid-fall and right through to the end of spring it rains almost 100% of the time. The rain is nice...until you have to walk a mile to the bus stop in it (I'm currently on the hunt for some wide-calf rain boots)...and it doesn't stop for days on end. I get SAD (as in "seasonal affective disorder" - for those of you who live in sunnier environments) something awful so overcast weather is hard for me to deal with.

Anyway, let's get down to the meat and potatoes of this post: my personal pre-fall favorites for the curvier ladies. I'm so happy with where plus-size fashion is going - there are so many great options! - that it was hard to select just a few. But I was able to whittle it down to nine (...I know that's a weird number. But what can I say? I love an odd number. :P):

1. Leopard Jersey Skater Dress, Dorothy Perkins
2. Spiked Moto Jacket, Forever21+
3. H&M+ Sweater, H&M
4. Dennis Basso Striped Tipped Faux Fur Vest with Knit Side Panels, QVC
5. Virgo Astrology Sign Tank Top, Torrid
6. New Look Inspire Drape Front Leather Look Jacket, ASOS Curve
7. Black Ponte Zip Wrap Skirt, Dorothy Perkins (Larger sizes sold out. Similar here)
8. H&M+ Jersey Dress, H&M
9. Beaded Faux Tusk Necklace, Forever21

OOTD: Showers of Flowers

ASOS CURVE Swing Dress with Daisy Applique, ASOS, $110.31
Black Gold Metal Stretch Belt, Torrid, $16.50

Can I just stop and say how much I absolutely, positively, limitlessly, LOOOOOVE this dress???!!! Okay, glad I got that out of my system. But seriously, it's fabulous. I feel like a fairy princess when I wear it (don't judge me). The sleeves are long, but they're a bit too long on me, plus it was HOT, so I pushed them up. I wore this to go on an apartment tour. The plan is that I'll be moving into a dorm/apartment hybrid building downtown the day after my birthday, which is a while from now, but I hope to sign a lease soon.

The dress is a trapeze dress, so unless you want to look: a) pregnant or b) like an enormous flowery...I don't know - panda? - you're gonna wanna belt that sucker. I used my new favorite belt from Torrid. I've been looking for a gold bar belt for quite some time. There was a time a while back where it seemed like EVERYONE was wearing them, and I couldn't find one anywhere! But then ASOS Curve had one, and it sold out in every size within a week. So I waited...like a mongoose. :P Finally I saw this one at Torrid and sprang on it (like a mongoose!) not knowing it it too would instantly sell out.  Luckily for all of you ladies it is indeed still in stock. It is a little overpriced in my opinion, but I think it's worth it. It looks great with this dress. Oh yeah, another thing about the belt: It doesn't come bent at the waist, like you see mine is. It comes as a flat bar. I'm not sure if that's the way it's supposed to look, but I bent it over my thigh to fit my waist better because I couldn't stand seeing the elastic gap at the ends of the straight metal bar...it's hard to describe. But the thing to take away from this is that it looks so much better when it's moulded to your shape.

One last thing about the (fabulous) dress. Do not buy if you don't own a nude bra (which you should anyway!!!). The lace is see through, and though you can't tell from the picture (thanks to a nude bra) the top of the dress actually cuts across almost mid bra. In other words, if you weren't wearing a bra you'd be seeing an indecent amount of cleavage. And the back is sheer lace as well. Use your best class-girl judgement. That's all I'm sayin'.

Enjoy the rest of you day!

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LOOK-ALIKES: Valentino "Rockstud" Ankle Strap Heels

(The Look-Alike heels may be sold out by now, but I did a similar Look-Alikes post on the Valentino Rockstud Patent Ballet Flat here that is still in stock!)

UPDATE!!! - I just came across another pair of shoes that look EXACTLY like the Valentinos - it's not even funny. And guess what..........they're only $34.00. Yes. That is correct. Find them (and pounce) here. You're welcome.

Hello! Another day, another Sunday Look-Alikes post! This week I though I'd showcase an extreme example of Look-Alikes (i.e - BIIIIIG price difference) and also one that is somewhat specific to plus-size women (i.e - wide width). So from the "wide width" and the post title you should have figured out by now that this post will be all about shoes, shoes, shoes. Amazingly, as much as I love fashion, I've never been that into shoes. They just don't really do it for me. Now jewelry on the other hand...that's a different story! However, since so many fashionistas out there, regardless of size, live for shoes I thought I'd throw you all a bone. :D Below you will see the ultimate "It" shoe of right now. I can't tell you how many well-know celebrities and bloggers this shoe has graced the feet of. If you're unprepared for the awesomeness...I suggest you shield your eyes...

Valentino Rockstud Patent Sandal, Bergdorf Goodman, $945.00

They're not my style so much, but they seem to be almost everyone else's style! Here is where we get to the sticky part. First of all, not many women have a spare $950 just laying around (I assume). This is a pricey shoe! Second of all, if you're anything like me you've noticed that being plus-size occasionally means foot fat. And nobody looked good in ANY shoe with a muffin top on their foot. Ever. So sometime we big girls have to look at "wide width" shoes, which can be anything from wide calves on boots to a wider foot bed in flats, thus eliminating the foot fat. This all brings me to the less pricier version of the Valentino:

Pink & Nude Color Blocked Studded Heels, Torrid, $44.50

While it says "medium width" on the website, it also says at the bottom, "fits roomier than the standard medium width." That means your cup will not spillith over. And when I say cup...I mean "voluptuous" feet. Isn't the similarity striking? And for almost $900 less than the Valentinos, WHAT A STEAL!!! I kind of like that the heel is shorter. My max heel height is about 3 inches, 4" with a platform. I can't stand when women try to hobble around on shoes that are clearly too tall for them! Tall heels are supposed to be sexy I guess, but what's sexy about a woman stumbling down the rode like a drunk seagull? Anyway, that's my mini rant for the day. Hope your Sunday is going well, and happy shopping!

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