Blue Valentine

Daily Outfit, 2/14/2011

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day, but I couldn't resist naming my post this.  I'm back at work, I'm in blue (again), and it's Valentine's Day.

I found this dress on my last thrifting trip a couple of weeks ago.  It's at least a size too big, but I loved the colors so much I had to have it.  And I think it looks okay belted.  The blazer is from Gap and apparently needs to be steamed.  The tights are Spanx "Tight End" tights, the belt is from Target, and the booties are BC Shoes' "Swear" booties.

Happy Monday!

Gracey

Shopping for Giants

This is my Valentine's Day gift to you all.  As comprehensive a list of tall/plus sized clothing and big shoes as I could compile.

Tall/Plus Brands

All of these brands carry tall lengths (at least 35”) in plus sizes, but usually only online.

·         Ann Taylor: 35” inseam in sizes up to 18;  but no long tops only pants, some jackets and some dresses

·         Old Navy: 36” inseam to size 20

·         Gap: their Long & Lean, Perfect Boot, Sexy Boot and Curvy pant styles are the longest at 37” in sizes up to 16

·         Banana Republic: pant inseams of 36” and denim inseams of 37” in sizes up to 16

·         J. Jill: 35” inseam in sizes up to 20

·         Eddie Bauer: 35” inseam in sizes up to 20

·         J. Crew: 36” inseam in sizes up to 16; very small selection

·         New York and Company: 35” inseam, up to size 18

·         American Eagle Outfitters: Long = 35” and XL = 36”, both up to size 18

·         Lucky Jeans: 36” inseam, up to size 16; they have a handy “Hard to Find Lengths” section on their site.

·         Lands End: up to 36” unhemmed/uncuffed, up to size 18

Tall/Plus Websites

All of these websites carry tall lengths in plus sizes from a variety of brands.

·         Alloy: 37” inseam, up to size 25; as the juniors sizing indicates, this site carries younger, trendier clothes

·         Metrostyle: 35” inseam (varies by style though), up to size 20

·         Tall Couture: up to 39” inseams (varies by brand/style), up to size 18 (varies by brand)

·         Long Tall Sally: this British site carries inseams from 34” – 39” up to size 20

·         Top Shop: 35” inseam, up to size 16; even if the pants aren’t long enough, visit for the cute tops and dresses

·         Simply Tall: they carry inseams up to 40” (even their leggings have a 39” inseam) and they carry up to size 24 ; and some of the items are fairly stylish

·         Long Elegant Legs: 36” inseams up to at least size 18 (more sizes in some styles);  it’s fairly pedestrian you can find good work basics

·         Roamans: inseams at least 35” up to size 32; again, pretty pedestrian but you can find some good basics

·         Dorothy Perkins: this British site carries cute, trendy clothes up to size 22 (inseams = 36”)

·         The Buckle: denim with an inseam up to 37” and up to size 16

Shoes (Brands and Sites)

·         Nine West: up to size 12  

·         Barefoot Tess: this site carries sizes 9 – 15

·         Tall Couture: sizes 10-15

·         J. Crew: they offer a small selection of their shoes up to size 12

·         Piperlime: sizes up to 13

·         Nordstrom: sizes up to 14

·         Zappos: sizes up to 15 (?)

·         Payless: sizes up to 13

·         6pm: sizes up to 12

·         Endless: sizes up to 16

Two other sites I’d recommend are Ruche (up to size 18) and Spotted Moth (up to size 20) – neither carries tall sizes, but they both carry a small selection of unique plus sized clothing that you won’t find on any of these other sites.

Does anyone else have any sites or brands they'd like to suggest?  I'm sure I missed some.

Happy Shopping!

Gracey

Weecap: Martini Garnish and a Shiny New Scarf

Pre-Valentine's Day Weekend in which Gracey goes shopping, buys a bright pink dress and a shiny new scarf, wears said shiny new scarf, has a slumber party and watches a confusing and creepy movie.

Saturday, 02/12/11

I am a huge fan of the color olive, in part because it works so well with orange.  So, when I received my new Gap Skinnies in olive this weekend I decided to pair them with more olive.  I layered an olive long-sleeve tee (also Gap) over a white tee from Target and wore a thrifted belt and Target shoes.

This picture was intended to provide a close-up of my shiny new scarf, from BCBG, purchased on Saturday while shopping with Jodee, but I'm afraid it just provides proof that my friend Lori is crazy.  Thank you, Lori, for making my outfit pics more "interesting" and thank you Jen, for shooting them for me.

Sunday, 02/13/2011

Sunday was more olive and more of the shiny new scarf.  I think I might love this scarf.  It's both stripe-y and shiny and therefore fabulous, in my opinion.  The jeans are Gap Real Straight, the dolman sleeve sweater is from JC Penney (a.n.a), the shoes are Jessica Simpson "Daffy" flats, the charm bracelet is from Banana Republic and the umbrella is from Target.

Today Alex and I watched Black Swan.  Have you guys seen this movie yet?  It's crazy confusing.  But good.  Very good.  Natalie Portman does an excellent job, but I think Barbara Hershey was phenomenal.  If you have seen it, what did you think?  Also, has anyone seen Blue Valentine yet?  She and I are thinking of watching that next - is it as good as it seems?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!

Gracey

My Clothes are Blue, I’m Just Tired

Daily Outfit, Friday, February 11, 2011

So, I went to Jazzercise last night (yay!).  But as a result, my body is exhausted today (boo).  Therefore I couldn’t think past comfort when it came to choosing something to wear today.  And I didn’t want to think too hard about matching either.

When it comes to comfort, these jeans are the best.  They’re Gap Long and Leans and they fit more loosely than most other Gap jeans on me, so they’re super comfy.  I paired the jeans with a long-sleeve tee (Old Navy) layered underneath a flutter-sleeve top (Flounce via Nordstrom).  I added a pale yellow polka-dotted scarf (Old Navy) and my low boots (Target) and I was done.  Simple and comfortable, but with enough color in the top and the scarf to keep it from being boring.  At least I hope it’s not boring.  I worry quite a bit about boring you guys.

Well, that’s it for me for this week.  It felt like such a loooooooonnngggg week too, so I’m glad it’s finally over.  And, I’m super excited for this weekend.  I’ll be shopping with Jodee, having a slumber party with Jenny & Lori and (finally) watching the Black Swan with Alex.   How about you, Style Nation, any big plans for the weekend?

I hope everyone has a great weekend, whatever your plans.

Gracey

My First Friend Friday: Color Wars

Basket of Scarves

1. What color dominates your closet?

Black, but only barely.  I have a lot of color in my closet, but I have a little more black than any other color.

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis

in your closet?

More orange.  No, really.  For example, if I had the money, I would purchase pretty much everything on this post by Ashley at Hearty Chic.  As it is, I’ve purchased a few items for spring/summer and they’ve all been orange.

With so many shades to choose from I think there is a shade of orange out there for everyone.  But most people don’t wear it.  Poor neglected orange…

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?

It’s the same mantra I have about mixing patterns – I love a challenge!  Mixing colors can be daunting, but I like to experiment.  Does it always work?  Absolutely not, but I’m okay with that.

I like tried and true color combinations, but I also like to try unexpected color combinations.  I don’t usually mix more than three colors (colors, not neutrals) in a single outfit though.  It’s not a hard and fast rule, but for me, more than three can feel busy and unintentional.  And I think that style should be intentional.  I think style is intentional.

When I mix colors, I try to look as though I purposely selected those colors, those items, to put together.  Not like I rolled out of bed and before I turned on the light grabbed whatever was at hand and wore it. 

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?

I try to have at least one piece with color in an outfit, usually a scarf.  Okay, usually an orange scarf.  But, I’ve also incorporated color with jewelry, tights, shoes and even pants.  That’s the great thing about color, depending on how much or how little you want in an outfit, you can find an item of clothing or an accessory that provides just the right amount. 

And I think even just the smallest pop of color with an all black outfit elevates that outfit.  Take an all black outfit, add red earrings and the outfit just got a hundred percent more interesting.

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color

into their wardrobe?

Let’s see… Jentine at My Edit because her color combinations are often unexpected and I like that.  Linda at Little Tin Soldier does an amazing job combining brights, which can be difficult; but she pulls it off.  Sal over at Already Pretty – she is FEARLESS when it comes to color.  And Lyddie at Chic on the Cheap is pretty fearless too.

Happy Friday!

Gracey