Month: September 2016

5 Dope Ways to Wear Sweaters for Fall

Posted on by thickemscloset

Hey y’all! I am writing to you guys from the coziest place on earth…. MY BED! lol. After two long ass weeks, it’s nice to be settled (even if just for a moment) and able to write to you guys. So, this post is all about my favoriteeeeee piece of fall appeal: SWEATERS!

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Though many may see sweaters as a “basic” item, if finessed properly a dope sweater can elevate your outfit/look while simultaneously keeping you warm and cozy during the change of season; so without further ado, I give you…. 5 dope ways to wear sweaters for the fall!

1. The Preppy Look

The best thing about outfitting for the fall is the ability to layer. Sweaters are a great layering piece because they can add some texture and dimension to your outfit, taking it from “Ehh” to “Damn!” The preppy look is created by taking a collard shirt and layering a sweater on top. Simple right?! Pair with some lightly distressed jeans for a casual look or a midi skirt for a more classic look.

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2. The Oversized Look

Sometimes as plus size women, we shy away from clothes that make us look bigger than we really are; however, the oversized sweater is not one of the pieces to shy away from! The oversized look is really fun, playful and carefree: perfect to show off your street style. It allows for a lot of focus on cool accessories, like statement necklaces, and always looks amazing with a nice pump!

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3. The Cut-Off Look

If sultry/flirty looks are more your thing, don’t think just because a sweater has bulk it cannot bring the funk! Cut-off sweaters have that tease effect where you show just enough to hook ’em. This look is very versatile: try a cut-off shoulder with a fitted pant and heels for those after six moves!

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4. The Cropped Look

JUst because summer is ending, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your beloved cropped tops. Cropped sweaters are a perfect replacement for your summer crop tops…maybe even better because you get to play with layering and the contrast of loose and fitted looks. Add a cropped sweater with a body con dress and booties for a girly look, high-waisted jeans and sneakers for an edgier feel or with culottes/flared skirt for a chic vintage vibe!

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5. The Sweater Dress Look

Lastly, for those of you who refuse to play it safe, the boxy cut of sweaters coupled with the cool designs and prints (or sometimes the sheer simplicity) makes sweaters great for the edgy sweater dress look! Not the typical oddly fitted sweater dress, but getting a sweater a few sizes too big and wearing it as a dress. With some knee (or thigh) high boots, you can create the perfect edgy look certain to turn heads!

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Peace. Ife Michelle.

Not So 20/20 Vision

Posted on by thickemscloset

Good morning you guys! It is 10:12 am and I am writing to you all from my porch in the midst of a pre-hurricane storm; this is my favorite weather, so I am at complete peace. With that being said, today’s topic is not one about fashion or confidence or anything that is exclusive to being a plus size woman-it is one that has come from a place of peace, reevaluation, frustration and the inevitable calm after the storm…

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me: 4Thirty-Two went viral, we performed and slayed at Charlotte’s first plus size fashion show: Rock the Curves.  I was chosen to walk for several designers in this show in addition to being able to make some great connections with models and designers for future endeavours; however, in the midst of all of this (plus work, bills, adulting, family, etc.), I began to realize that everything I thought I had figured out in my “life plan” had began to go hazy: my 20/20 vision had been blurred. Now granted, nothing in life is definite and it is often the times that we have things planned out to a “T” that they seem to go array, but still the feelings of doubt, anxiety and fear that comes with watching your plans take continuous detours, can be suffocating.

It is in these moments I find myself growing the most. The discomfort of being trapped forces you to push your  boundaries (different parts of your life) reevaluate, and figure out the best way to move forward (increase!) For me the discomfort is my job. I like what I do, but I don’t like the environment, the hours, the pay, or working for other people. The added discomfort is having a vision of starting my own business but not being able to see it come to fruition for one reason or another. This feeling of discomfort sparked a need to push my boundaries so I could “breathe”. I reevaluated all the aspects of my life, trying to decipher the common thread and pay attention to how all my circumstances could indeed come together to help elevate me. Well, meeting the designers and models at the show (that I auditioned for at random) can serve as essential parts to the development of my business since they are the niche’ I have been trying to find. The information I learn from my job can be used to fine tune my business, working for others (especially when they are not your favorite people) is teaching me to work diligently with different kinds of people and value what they bring to the table. Combined with other life lessons learned through adulting, I have been able to take the negative and make it positive.

Whew!

Now, is it easy…. hell no. Yet, it is possible. For me, for you!

I say all this to say, even when you feel you 20/20 vision is blurred, all the pieces are already coming together. Just take a step back, connect the dots and watch how everything comes back into focus!

Peace. Ife Michelle.

P.S. Here are some photos from Charlotte’s own Rock The Curves Fashion Show!

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