While much of the northern hemisphere is still frozen stiff, the roses are blooming in good ol’ north-central California. It’s nowhere near warm, but the light’s changed and our days are getting longer. Spring is almost here, and you know what that means: IT’S PANTONE TIME. Continue reading “Spring colors and wish list!”
Outfit of the Week: Valentine Flowers
Spring’s not quite in the air, but love’s already in bloom.
One of my favorite pieces is this Pinup Couture Doris Skirt in red floral fabric. It’s relatively easy-care – you can machine wash it cold – and the A-line shape also makes it easy-wear. The cheerful red blooms are evocative of the Valentine’s Day holiday without being too obviously heart-y or anything like that.
I’m wearing the skirt here with the Pinup Couture Laura Top in red.
Must-have dresses from Pinup Girl Clothing
The wide variety of vintage-inspired, retro, rockabilly, and pinup-style fashions available online is both a blessing and a curse, especially if you like to wear dresses. There are literally hundreds of options available at a variety of price points, from slinky and elegant pencil dresses in work-perfect, subdued colors to frothy tulle gowns in bright tones. It’s fun to check out all the pretty clothes, but it’s also really easy to get overwhelmed.
If you’ve never done business with an internet clothing seller, how can you be sure of fit, color, quality, and service? Will the dress that comes to your door be as beautiful as the dress you saw on the web page? And perhaps most importantly, is the sense of dresslust you sate by clicking that order button really worth the money you spend? If you’re wanting to jump into the online vintage-inspired clothing world but you’re afraid of making decisions you’ll regret, Pinup Girl Clothing is a wonderful place to start. In fact, I have six versatile, high-quality, American-made dress choices pulled from the Pinup Girl house brands to get you happily on your way in the world of retro-fabulous fashion! Continue reading “Must-have dresses from Pinup Girl Clothing”
Outfits of the Year: Pinup fun with Holly West, Deadly Dames, and new friends!
Most of you probably know that I’ve lost around 150 pounds over the last several years. I’ve battled with crappy body image for much of my life, and medically influenced massive weight gain in my mid-twenties certainly didn’t help. My goal has never been to get “skinny” or hit some sort of arbitrary weight goal. I’m happy just to feel comfortable with my body again, and the photo shoots in which I’ve participated this year have definitely helped with that. My most recent shoot happened this September at a custom car shop in Sacramento, with the superlative photographer Holly West. Continue reading “Outfits of the Year: Pinup fun with Holly West, Deadly Dames, and new friends!”
The wonderful world of PANTS: Part Un
Lately, a lot of my friends have been talking about pants. For me and for many others, pants are a touchy subject. My crazy waist-to-hip ratio makes it hard for me to find pants that fit comfortably and attractively. As I’m roughly 42-32/3-48″, a pair that fits in the hip is almost always too big in the waist. Sometimes, pants are fine in the thighs and WAY too baggy in the knees/calves. Continue reading “The wonderful world of PANTS: Part Un”
UPDATED! Pinup and Plus: Black Friday (Week) Sales!
But wait! There’s more! Edited on Wednesday, November 21 to add more sales!
For those who love clothing, shopping on the internet, and epic sales, Thanksgiving week is your dream come true! Here’s a smattering of online retailers offering excellent sales on plus and retro styles this week:
- JBR Clothing – This retro and rockabilly retailer is offering special deals every day (except Thanksgiving) through Sunday. The traditional “Black Friday” discount will be 20-25% off, depending on the time of day you buy. JBR carries sizes XS-XL.
- Pinup Girl Clothing – This retro and pinup manufacturer and retailer will be offering a Black Friday special, most likely to newsletter subscribers (sign up at the bottom left of the main page). Past PUG Black Friday sales have included significant percentage discounts on entire orders and Cyber Monday specials on specific items. PUG’s made-in-USA house brand pieces – which include Pinup Couture, Deadly Dames, Laura Byrnes Black Label (Laura Byrnes California), and Dixiefried – come in sizes XS-2X (some in up to 4X).
- Heartbreaker Fashion – This retro and rockabilly manufacturer is offering a secret Black Friday deal to newsletter subscribers. There will also be Facebook sale rack discounts on Saturday and Sunday and a gift certificate offer on Monday. Heartbreaker offers beautiful, American-made pieces in sizes XS-2X.
- City Chic – 60% off sitewide and up to 80% off sale items through November 26. City Chic offers contemporary plus fashions in sizes 14-24.
- Torrid – 40% all regular price items now through Friday for Divastyle members with email code ONLY4DIVAS (web) and email ad itself (in store). The 40% extends to everyone online starting on Thanksgiving, and in stores on Black Friday proper. For free shipping on orders over $25 on Thursday and Friday, use code BLKFRISHIP. Also, BOGO 50% off through today (Wednesday). Torrid carries fashionable plus size clothing for “young” women, including some top pieces from retro manufacturers like Stop Staring! As of this writing, they have the famous Billion Dollar Baby dress in stock on the website in black and red. Sizes 24 and 26 available in each!
- Eliza Parker – 35% off everything through November 26 with code LOTSOFLOVE35. Eliza Parker presents elegant and versatile American-made fashions in plus sizes.
- Kiyonna – From now through November 26, save 30% of almost everything on the site with code THANKFUL (minimum $150 purchase). Kiyonna offers gorgeous American-made dresses and separates in sizes 10-32, including the retro classic Scalloped Lace Boudoir dress and Retro Glam Lace dress.
- Eshakti – Up to 50% off many current styles through Black Friday – no coupon required! Eshakti carries both misses and plus sizes, with custom sizing available for a small fee. Their styles range from contemporary to vintage-inspired.
Q & A: Readers ask about size and shapewear
I don’t get a ton of email from readers, but I do get enough useful questions to merit an irregular feature on the subject. Since a large part of the blog involves fashion, fit is an obvious concern. To consider how an item or style might fit you, it’s important to know the circumstances of my photos and reviews. With that in mind, I’ll address my first two questions: Continue reading “Q & A: Readers ask about size and shapewear”
Outfits of the Season: A very vintage autumn!
When the 100+ degree weather finally subsides, I suddenly remember why fall is awesome:
- I don’t have to run the AC at night
- Halloween is coming
- Christmas isn’t far behind it
- I can wear nifty dark colors and heavier, fluffier, more luxurious fabrics
I just so happen to have a crap-ton of spiffy fall fashions from some of my favorite vintage purveyors. Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: A very vintage autumn!”