The Pretty Pear

Review: Faith21 by Forever21

I’ve been keeping an eye on the items available as part of the Faith21 line since its debut last fall but I didn’t feel compelled to pick anything up until really recently. I have to say, I’m really glad I gave it a chance and ordered some stuff because I’m happy with every single item I ordered. Keep in mind that I didn’t push things too much – I stuck to stretchy knit tops and didn’t buy any pants or dresses.

My measurements for tops are just a bit bigger than their sizing indicates but the tops I got all fit well. I typically wear a 22/24 in tops and the 3X fits just fine. Even better is that the quality is nicer than I was expecting, especially considering how inexpensive everything is. The fabrics are soft, the construction is good, and I can’t say that anything looks cheap or flimsy. That doesn’t mean I think that they’ll all last for years but I don’t expect anything to disintegrate in the wash, either.

There are two down sides. One, their stock turns over really quickly so if you see something you want, you have to snap it up quick. Two, the items in the Faith21 line aren’t as fashion forward as the items in the regular Forever21 line. There are a lot of drapey cardigans, empire waist dresses, etc. I hope they’ll branch out into more creative and unique pieces some time soon. One more thing – they offer free shipping but it’s on orders over $75. This is great but when almost everything is under $15-20, you might need to toss in some accessories to hit $75.

Bottom line:

• Really affordable prices
• Decent selection of tops, bottoms, and dresses
• Good quality for the price
• I’d definitely shop with them again

I hope this was helpful! If there’s a store you’re curious about and you’d like me to write a review, leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do.

Review: wool blend coat from Old Navy

I imagine that some of you have spotted this short wool blend coat on the Old Navy site and are curious about it. I decided to order it when I had a 30% off coupon and it was on sale. I got it for $28 so that right there is a definite plus. I was leaning toward the red but decided on the black because I already have accessories that go better with a neutral color. I would be happy with any of the three available colors, though.

Since the coat is a wool blend and the sleeves are not full length, I won’t be wearing it when it’s freeze your face off cold. This is an early winter or very early spring coat. With gloves and a scarf, it will be plenty toasty for me when the temps are a little milder. If you live in an area that doesn’t get oh my God did my lungs just crystallize? cold, this might be your warm winter coat.

The lining inside the black coat is a nice, satiny pewter colored polyester that is fully sewn in and comfortable. The outer fabric is a smooth wool blend. The construction is nice and the proportions are unique. I was worried about the dramatic collar but I quite like it. I really like where the belt sits and that the bottom hem hits right below my hip.

I know some people think the shorter sleeves on a coat are impractical but the look is too cute to let that deter me. The sleeves are around bracelet length on me and look fantastic with the long, cashmere blend gloves I picked up from Lane Bryant.

I haven’t worn the coat out yet but I expect to very soon when the temperature drops a bit. I’m trying to think of something I don’t like about it and I can’t say there’s anything that would keep me from recommending it. The sleeve length might put some people off so just be aware of that feature.

The short wool blend coat is on sale for $60 in sizes 1-4X. I’d say it runs true to size so follow the size chart.

Bonus deal: You can save up to 25% off at Old Navy with the code ONSAVE15 through November 24th.

Review: Custom jeans by Thimbler

The folks at Thimbler were nice enough to offer me a chance to try a pair of their custom made jeans and I jumped at the chance. I’m always interested in trying new jeans. A good pair is so hard to find, especially in plus sizes.

I ordered the designer straight leg jean ($89), which are fitted from the waist to the knee and then straight to the hem. I would classify them as slightly bootcut but definitely not a flare.

Once you select the style you like, you then choose the fabric, finishing options (distressing, whiskering, etc.) and the pocket style. The example to the left shows the options I chose.

Next, you input your waist, seat/hip, thigh, inseam and outseam measurements. There's an illustration and video to help you take each measurement accurately. I was measuring myself so I cheated a little and measured the thigh circumference and inseam/outseam lengths on a pair of jeans that fit OK and adjusted to what I really wanted. This would also work well if you want to replicate the fit of a pair of existing jeans that you like. Clever, right?

Next, you’ll choose your closest match from a series of hip, seat, and belly shapes. The options I chose are shown in the image on the right. I like that they ask for information about shape because measurements aren’t enough to create a pair of jeans that will truly fit your specific body.

For example, my hip measurement is 56” and for most people, a lot of that would be in the booty. Nay, not I! My butt is flat and my upper thighs are where the fullness is. Jeans for a flat butt and full thighs are cut differently than a pair for a full butt and slimmer thighs. Magic.

After selecting your sizes and shapes, you’re pretty much done. Add the jeans to your cart and wait for them to be delivered to your doorstep. If you don’t like your custom jeans, Thimbler will tweak them until they’re perfect. Check out their shopper FAQ page. They’ll even send you fabric swatches so you can touch and feel the denim before choosing.

So, how do my custom jeans fit?

Let me take a few steps back. I have actually ordered custom jeans before, from QVC. And when I got them, I thought they were pretty great but I wore them less and less over time as I noticed issues. The rise was too long, the fabric was too spandexy, the wash wasn’t as dark as I was expecting. It seemed like they made them to fit the waist and inseam measurements and the rest was pieced together from there. Basically, they fit like mass produced, generic jeans. Because of this, I was a little skeptical of custom jeans in general.

Here’s the difference with Thimbler – I specifically mentioned in the notes that I’m short waisted and have a hard time finding jeans that fit in the rise. I wasn’t sure that anyone would actually read that note but guess what? The rise is perfect.

Really, my only complaint is that the pockets are just a bit small in comparison to the size of my butt. They offered to correct that but it’s not enough of an issue for me to want to have another pair made.

Thimbler’s plus size selection offers three styles of jeans, four trouser options, and five blouse styles. If you’re frustrated with off the rack styles that never seem to fit quite right, I would highly recommend giving Thimbler a try.

We Love Colors review

I’m going to call this a two part review because it’s August and not really tight-wearing weather. But I wanted to share my initial thoughts about the plus size tights from We Love Colors. I was actually going to pick up a pair or two myself but I decided to ask if they’d be willing to send me a sample to review and yay, they did!

I’ve heard really good things about the Nylon/Lycra plus size tights and purple is the big deal color right now, so I chose the amethyst. They were nice and tossed in a pair of the charcoal, too which is great because who doesn’t need a pair of dark gray tights?

Below is my feeble attempt at pictures of me wearing the tights. The amethyst on the left is actually brighter and more of a pinky, warm purple. The charcoal on the right is pretty true to the real color.

I haven’t worn these out of my apartment because like I said, it’s August. But just from trying these on, I will say that I’m impressed and I think they’re worth the $15. I will give a fuller review of how they hold up when I get to wear them out and about. So far, they’re very promising. I’ll be nice and call my skintone “milky white,” so some lightness does show through, but not much. On a normal person, they’d be rich and opaque.

We Love Colors offers these tights in 51 different colors. Yes, you read that right - 51 different shades of tights. Need a pair of bright red tights? They have them. Neon pink? Yup. Cubs blue? They call it “royal” but yes, Cubs blue! Just about any shade you’ll ever need or want, they have it. They offer the same colors in a footless style as well.

But for me, the impressive part is the fit and fabrication. I haven’t worn tights in years because I could never bring myself to yank on a pair of itchy, ill-fitting tights. These are soft like a very, very thin cotton legging. They’re obviously not cotton but oh, are they soft. The smoothness of the nylon actually surprised me when I took them out of the package.

The sizing is generous and I could almost stand to go down a size from where I fall on the size chart. I can pull the waistband all the way up to my bra line but I am 5’4” and pretty short waisted. I personally like that they’re roomy but I would definitely say to order according to the size chart to be safe.

The Nylon/Lycra plus size tights tights fit up to 375 pounds/6 feet tall, which makes me extra super happy. I love when a company carries an extended range of sizes, especially in such a specific product like brightly hued tights. You can see the full range of plus size items that they offer here. Note that only some of the products are available in extended plus sizes. I hope they make the fishnets in bigger sizes soon!

I’m already planning on ordering at least a couple more pairs of the tights in black and teal, And maybe pink. And scout green. And the lighter gray. I might need a pair of the footless tights, too. Decisions!

Thanks to We Love Colors for the samples! You can follow them on Twitter here and make sure to fan them on Facebook here.

The scoop on the Right Fit Straight Leg jeans!

The folks at Lane Bryant were kind enough to send me a pair of the new Right Fit straight leg jeans to try. They’re Right Fit Blue size 6 petite in black (the pair pictured left are the “medium sandblast” blue). I’m between inseam lengths so for jeans, I’ll generally wear a petite length with flats and an average length with any other shoe.

Before even putting the jeans on, I noticed that the waistband is a little wider and there are double belt loops, which are nice touches. The black denim isn’t a true black; it’s a dusty, dark gray with distressing, whiskering, fading, etc. There's even a bit of subtle whiskering below the knee area. The denim itself feels much smoother than the denim used for the trouser jeans and is a nice, substantial weight (but not too heavy!).

I did a sniff test right out of the packaging and there was a definite chemically dye smell. I decided to wash them before letting the smell sway my overall opinion of the jeans. There was still a very faint smell after the first wash but I suspect it’ll fade over the next couple of runs through the washer.

Now for the important part – the cut. From the waist to the knee, the jeans fit a lot like the bootcuts. The cut from the knee to hem is straight but not so stick straight that the jeans are tight around my calves, which was my main concern. The leg is definitely straight and not tapered. The wider waistband is a welcomed improvement and should be more comfortable.

Overall, my first impression is that the straight leg jeans are a lot like the bootcuts but with… a straighter leg! I’ll be ordering the medium sandblast blue color in Blue 6 but in the average length. The inseam might be just a bit too long with most of my shoes but I think the hem will bunch around the ankle, in a cute way. I like the bootcuts in size Blue 5 but I have a feeling if I went down a size in the straight leg, they’d be a little too snug.

I can see these jeans being a really good alternative to skinny jeans if you want the same straight leg look, without the skinny-tightness. If you do want a skinnier look, you could try going down a size. These jeans are also good if you’re just over the bootcut/flare look and want a true straight leg.

The Right Fit straight leg jeans are available online now in average lengths for $54.50. They’re priced higher because of the additional detailing and (noticeably) improved fabrication. Honestly, I think $55 is a fair price for these jeans. If nothing else, I  know I can bend over in a pair of Right Fit jeans and not flash my panties at passersby! That’s actually a major issue for me, so the fit at the waist is worth the price of admission.

If you’re a fan of the Right Fit line in general, I think you’ll like this latest addition. If you have any questions about the new jeans, feel free to leave a comment on this post. I’ll try my best to answer!

Cotton sundresses from Avenue

Something I hear quite often is that there aren’t enough lightweight cotton sundresses available for plus sizes. There are plenty of dresses made from poly blend fabrics, some of which are quite light and comfortable, but a nice cotton dress can be hard to come by.

Last week, I noticed that the Avenue had some cotton sundresses for the super affordable price of $23 each available online. The cut and style of the dresses are all the same and there’s a handful of different patterns to choose from. Being highly curious and also somewhat bored, I decided to trek to the closest Avenue location and see if they had them in-store. Luckily, they did! Here’s everything you need to know.

The cotton is super lightweight. Some might find it to be too thin, others will find it to be airy and comfortable. For $23, I think thin cotton is just fine, especially when it’s blazing hot outside. As for sizing, the 22/24 fit my 50” bust comfortably so the cut is true to Avenue’s size chart. There’s elastic at the empire waist and the skirt is full so go by your bust measurement for the best fit. The website has eight different patterns to choose from. You can see all of them here under sundresses. My favorites are Honey (pictured above) and Felicia.

I would absolutely recommend trying these dresses if you like the cut and the patterns that are available. I didn’t pick one up at the store because I really wanted Honey and they didn’t have my size. I will be ordering it online, though. If you decide to order online too, click here and receive $20 off a $100 purchase.

Try it on: Junonia

Like many women, I cannot wear a skirt or dress without a layer underneath to protect my inner thighs from the much-dreaded chub rub, the delightful chaffing that happens when friction meets skin. When it's cooler out, I just wear Spanx or tights and those do the job. But when it gets warmer, I definitely want cotton. I know that cotton/spandex bike shorts are pretty easy to find but I feel like regular bike shorts would be too thick to layer when it's 110 degrees with 100% humidity. No thanks!

I've been looking for a good option and so far, the best candidate I can find are the cotton lace under-bike short from Junonia. At $25, these are more expensive than any panty I've ever purchased and are a little bit of an investment. But I am willing to pay for quality and I've heard nothing but good things about Junonia's products.

I ordered two pairs, in black and in ivory. I tried on the black pair right out of the package (I'm impatient!) and I noticed that the lace at the thigh and waist were a little itchy. Luckily, that went away after washing. I do wish they made the same shorts without the lace, just as on option to wear under closer-fitting knits when you want a more streamlined undergarment.

After wearing these a couple of times, I can say that they're very comfy and do exactly what I want them to do. I really like that there's a double layer of cotton right in the inner thigh, where you need the most protection and are bound to see wear first. These are made of nice, soft cotton so I don't see having to replace them any time soon.

The only downside I can think of is that they tend to stretch out a tad after a couple of hours. If you're between sizes at all, go for the smaller size. These aren't shaping garments by any means. They're definitely intended to provide cottony comfort that's perfect for warmer weather.

I'd recommend these if you're looking for reliable chub rub protection this summer and don't mind splurging a little on quality undergarments.

Try it on: Spring items from Old Navy

Shopping from Old Navy's plus section is an adventure into the unknown. You have to be willing to order a bunch of stuff without really knowing what you're going to get. I generally just order several items that I have a good feeling about (fashion intuition, I guess) and then return what I don't want.

I really don't mind this process because I can just hop on a bus to return everything but I know this can be a pain in the butt for a lot of people. They do pay for return shipping on women's plus items but you still have to buy the big-ass-envelope to put the stuff in and I've heard of people having issues with the online return process.

I personally haven't had any issues returning purchases and I've been shopping with Old Navy online since they started carrying the women's plus line. I've ended up with some items that I really like and they keep coming out with cute stuff, so I'm sure I'll continue onward with my Old Navy Adventure. The whole Old Navy thing is a little controversial but I'm not really upset enough about anything to boycott them.

Anyway! I recently tried a few items from the spring selection. Usually, I keep the shirts that I order and have to return most of the pants but this time, the exact opposite happened! I have details and reviews of each item I tried on after the cut.

Try it on (again): Kiyonna

One of my silly little New Year's resolutions is to buy less clothing, but to spend more on quality, classic pieces instead of trendy whatevers. So essentially... break even. But I'd like to see if it works out better in the long run. I recently ordered three tops from Kiyonna because I believe their clothes are really good quality for the price and I like the style and colors they choose. We'll start with the good.

I ordered the Modal Scoopneck Tee in bordeaux and I'm really considering getting another in black. I was expecting a slightly looser fit but I'm glad that it fits quite snugly around the bust, as I think a loose fit there would look less polished in larger sizes. The ties on the sleeves bugged me a little at first but I got used to them and they are a nice detail on otherwise basic top. I love Modal and the fabric Kiyonna uses is much studier and smoother than other cotton/Modal blends I've seen. I see myself wearing this top for many seasons to come.

I ordered the Modal Kimono Sleeved Surplice Tee in steel blue to go with gray trousers and I think it will work really nicely. I have to admit that I'm mostly sick of the "kimono sleeve" trend but the sleeves on this tee are basically just wide. I wouldn't call them a "kimono" sleeve by any means. The fit is just like you see it on the model and runs true to the size chart. Overall, a cute top that can be worn casually with jeans or a little dressier with a skirt or trousers.

And on the "maybe on someone else but not me" side of things, we have the Modal Convertible Ballet Wrap. I really wanted this top to work because the fabric is so soft and comfy and the wrap style is really versatile but sadly, it just isn't cut for my shape. I have a very defined waist and the bottom hem sits right there in the waist dent and it just didn't work. Maybe if it was a little longer? I do think the style would work for someone with more boobs than hips, though.

I might have a good reason to order one of Kiyonna's fancy dresses someday but for right now, I'm very happy with their tees. I always look forward to seeing what's new on their website. It seems like their styles get better and better every season.

Try it on: b&lu

I recently ordered the Sovereign dress from b&lu. The picture to the left is me in said dress, you can click to see it full size. I apologize for the crappy image quality. Word has it that Santa's bringing me a real digital camera for Christmas.

There are some great things about this dress. The fabric is softer and more substantial than I was expecting. It has a bit of heft to it without being heavy, which is great for winter but not too much for spring and fall. The fit is really nice. I ordered by my bust size and thankfully, it isn't too snug on my lower half, perfect for pear shaped ladies. The quality is good, especially considering it costs under $65. I like the details, including the long tie that can be wrapped in a few different ways and the waist inset and gray borders that go all the way around, rather than just across the front. This dress has expensive details without being pricey.

There are a few things I'm unsure about as well. I feel like it's too long and hemming this dress would be a pain. The sleeves are either a little too short or way too long, I can't decide. When I asked my boyfriend what he thought of the dress, he said it looked like I was in an "Amish church cult." I think he means that it's a little dowdy and overall, it seems like a bit much for me. All the black is overwhelming.

Bottom line: I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this particular dress but I will gladly order more pieces from b&lu in the future.

Try it on: Pecan boots from Avenue

I've written about the Pecan boots from Avenue previously (here) and after staring at them for a while online, I finally decided to order a pair for myself. They're on sale and I had a coupon and if they didn't fit, returning them to a store would be easy, so why not give them a try?

I'm pretty sure I have around a 20 inch calf but I decided to play it safe and go with these because they can be adjusted up to 23 inches with the laces up the back. I wear between a size 8 and 9 in shoes, so I ordered the 8.5. They come in both wide and double wide widths, I ordered the WW width. The shoe part of the boot fits fine. I could probably wear the wide width but I like the extra bit of room for comfort and room for socks on extra cold days.

The shaft part of the boot was a bit of a struggle, even after loosening the laces. I really had to work at getting them zipped up. After I got past my lower leg, they were easier to get on. Now that I've broken them in, they zip up pretty easily. There's a wide gusset in back, under the laces, that provides a good three or four inches of adjustment room at the top and down the leg. The laces are really stretchy, too. I'd recommend taking the laces out completely, wearing them for a while to break them in, and then re-lace to get the right fit.

These aren't super high quality, leather boots and they're not pretending to be. They look really good, better than I expected and I'm pretty thrilled to have found a pair of boots that actually fit my thick legs. I don't typically wear any type of heel but the two inch heel on these is sturdy and totally doable, even for my klutzy self. My only complaint is that the sole of the shoe part is grippy and the sole on the heel is a little slippy. It's a tad unbalanced.

Overall, I'm very pleased. I'd recommend these boots if:

• You have calves that are wider than the standard wide calf boot. I have more than enough room around the top of the shaft but my ankles are pushin' it.
• You don't plan to wear them every single day. They're nice but not indestructible.
• You want to try a pair of knee boots without investing a lot of money.
• You have a wide foot, these don't come in regular widths.

Try it on: Hips & Curves

I've written about Hips and Curves before here and after looking around their website, I finally decided to order a few things for myself. I've bought almost all of my bras and panties in the same styles from the same retailer for literally years now, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to try something new. I've heard nothing but good things about Hips and Curves and I felt confident ordering from them. Let's take a look at what I tried!

Smooth and Sultry Underwire Bra
Buying bras online can be a really tricky thing, I'll just say that from the get-go. This is mostly because no two companies make their bras to the same specifications. I measure a 46D but I usually size down to a 44D. I decided to order this bra in a 46 to be on the safe side and sadly, it's way, way too big both in the band and the cup. However, from trying it on, I can tell that if I had ordered the right size, it'd be a nice fit and comfortable. For $28, I think it's a well made bra and it's pretty, too.

String-Him-Along Lace Boyleg Panty
I ordered these in pink, which match the bra above despite the slight coloration difference in the pictures. What you can't see is that the sides of the panties are open and held together by strings, four on each side. I'm pretty sure they're the same panties seen in this photo on adipositivity. I'm really pleased with these. The lace is soft but not flimsy and they're really comfy, though the strings would create some crazy panty lines under clingier fabrics. They work just fine under jeans and isn't it fun to hide a lacey surprise under your casual clothes? These panties are $11 and worth every penny. I would recommend ordering one size down from the size chart with these. I could almost go down two sizes but it's not a big enough deal for me to send them back.

Ruffle Cup & Rhinestone Bra and Rhinestone Panty
Sexy, right? I guess I like the stringy look. I ordered a 46D in this bra and it's just the teensiest bit too big in the cup. It's more of a lingerie bra than an everyday bra so I'm keeping it. The red satin and ruffle trim on the bra is so, so pretty. The panties are super sexy and comfortable, which I love. I think it's okay to sacrifice a little bit of comfort when it comes to showy lingerie but I like being able to breathe. This set is as comfy as it is cute. It also comes in black but the red is so festive! The bra is $25 and the panties are $13. I went down one size from the chart for the panties and they fit well.

There are a lot of really great things about Hips and Curves - wide selection in a whole range of styles, sizes up to extended plus sizes, excellent customer service, and a very positive attitude towards their plus size customers. Make sure to check the return policy and size charts before ordering and then have some fun. Everyone deserves to have pretty underthings.

On the holiday tip - check out their selection of Christmasy lingerie. It's so fun and naughty I can't stand it. And guys, check out the tips for men section. If you're looking for a gift and just can't decide, their customer service will be happy to help.

Next?

So far, I've written about IGIGI, QVC's customized jeans, Kiyonna, and Spanx. B & Lu seems like the next logical candidate to me but I'm wondering if there's a retailer you're just dying to know about. I'm willing to try just about any site as long as it's not crazy expensive, isn't totally outside of my own personal taste, and they carry my size. Leave a comment with your vote!

Ok! So, Spanx.

I finally got my Spanx Power Panties! First of all, I love cute packaging and Spanx has that down pat. Very cute.

I've only tried them on and worn them around my apartment a bit, so I can't say that I've fully formed an opinion just yet. I will say that I was expecting them to be more pantyhose-ish, made of the typical nylon stuff that I haven't worn in... ever. The material is more like what you'd get from a pair of tights, more knit-ish than nylon-ish.

They are indeed very comfortable and non-binding. They do make the swish swish noise a little but it's not obnoxious. I think maybe I should have ordered a size down because there's pretty much no "shaping" going on. My butt and thighs probably look a bit smoother but I can't say I spent a lot of time contemplating the lumpiness of my tush.

One thing I did notice is that I'm either even more short-waisted than I thought or they run long in the torso - I can pull them all the way up to my bra band. This is probably so there's more room in the tummy to accommodate a broader range of belly sizes. I have to say that I like the extra length, though.

I can see myself wearing them under skirts on a regular basis, but not on seriously hot and humid summer days. The material is fairly thick but it seems to be pretty durable because of that. I'm sure I could find a way to snag them but not without effort.

So my final verdict - try them if you're curious. I don't have strong feelings about them either way. They're nice quality, comfortable, and do the job. I think I'd like them more if they were a bit lighter and thinner but they'd be a nice choice for a cooler spring day, or in the fall.

I think my own perfect chub rub solution would be made of a really lightweight cotton with enough spandex to retain shape and fit close to the skin. Junonia has some anti-chafe undergarments that might work better for my needs. But I will still wear the Spanx when it's cooler out... and because I already paid $25 for the things.

Let's try on some Spanx, I guess.

I have ordered a pair of Spanx Power Panties and am waiting for them to come. I have been putting off trying Spanx for a number of reasons, including:

1. My apprehension towards anything surrounded by that much hype.
2. You can't get them on sale or with a coupon or even a teensy bit cheaper anywhere and believe me, I've tried. This is compounded by me needing a size in the higher end of their plus sizes, which are only available from a few stores. I got mine from Lane Bryant but any coupon you use doesn't apply to Spanx, which pains me. I loathe paying full price.
3. I pretty much always wear cottony, breathable underthings unless I have some reason to be fancied up, which is never. The idea of shoving my fat ass into a "shaping garment" does not appeal to me. But if the hype is true and they're breathable and comfy, then fine. I need something to protect my luscious thighs from chub rub* anyway.

Having said all that, I've heard very mixed opinions of Spanx and figured I'd just try them my damn self. If they suck, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure someone reading my blog is interested in them so we can all learn together.

I have three wants for these things - that they're at least somewhat comfortable, that they don't make that swishy noise when I walk, and that they don't ride up or otherwise migrate. If they do indeed provide "shaping," then that's a bonus. I'm very cynical about Spanx, obviously.

* If you search google for "chub rub," my blog comes up first. This is really exciting to me.

Update: Due to some shipping issue (not LB's fault) I won't be getting my Spanx for a few more days. I am glad to see that so many of you are interested in my thoughts about them, though. Stay tuned.