Wild Card Wednesday: Unconventional Holiday Color

Most of us think of red and green when we think of the holidays, but non-traditional colors can be just as festive and are a little more unexpected.  For example, today's looks with a magenta skirt would be perfect for a holiday party. 

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

I featured this skirt on the blog before, but I decided to shorten it from a maxi length to a midi length to make it a little more versatile.  Today's two looks dress the look up with faux fur and metallic heels.

Clutch:  The Limited

For the first look, I paired the skirt with a bodysuit and added a soft gray faux fur scarf.  I like how the scarf helps pull the look together with the silver shoes.

Shoes:  ASOS

Bracelets:  NY&CO, LOFT, and Wet Seal

Scarf:  The Limited

For a little added warmth, I lost the scarf and add a faux fur jacket.  This Torrid jacket is thin, but surprisingly warm!!! It was about 10 degrees Fahrenheit when I was taking these pictures, and I was about as cozy as one can possibly be in such weather!

Bodysuit:  Boohoo Plus (Available here)

Glasses:  Valentino

The leopard print lining is such an amazing touch and am looking forward to playing more with this lining in future looks.

Stay warm, my friends!!

Shop Your Closet: The Red Suit

For the past two years, I did a series on color and confidence.  This year, I was struggling to come up with a purple look, so I decided not to do the whole series, but expect to see a lot of color this week anyway!

Pants:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)

For today's post, I am showing some ways to get a little more mileage out of a suit.  Red packs such a bold and powerful statement, and for the first look, I wanted to go all out.

Jacket:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)

Shoes:  ASOS (Available here)

I paired my red suit with a red crop top and a red lip for a strong dose of color.  The gold heels and fun clutch make this look ready for evening.  For work, I could simply pair with a more formal blouse and basic pumps.

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Sunglasses: Tory Burch

The next two looks I actually did wear to work.  I paired the red pants with a black tunic, white pumps, and a skinny white scarf for an easy colorblocked look.  

Black Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Scarf:  Eloquii (scarf from jacket here)

Purse:  Torrid
Glasses:  Coach

For work, I added a basic cardigan to stave off the air-conditioning chill.

Heels:  Candie's

For the last look, I went more colorful, pairing one of my favorite dresses from last year with the red blazer for a fun take on primary colors.

Dress:  Eloquii

Satchel:  The Limited

Booties:  ASOS (Available here)

I used to wear a lot of suits but have gotten a little more casual as of late.  A great suit though is such an important investment, and it is a truly versatile purchase!

Normally, I would suggest sticking with a neutral like black, navy, or grey, but a red suit can be almost as versatile and definitely projects a confident appearance!

Need more red inspiration?  Check out these posts from the last year for more ways to incorporate red into your wardrobe:

Pair red with faux leather and/or leopard print!
Left to right:  Spring Transitioning; Winter Romance

Something about red and stripes!!
Left to right:  Reading Between the Lines; Baby, You're a Firework!; Fall Colors

For the dress in other looks, see here and here.
For more red looks from Color & Confidence 1 & 2, see here and here.

Indie Spotlight: Myrda J Designer Apparel

I have been trying to shop more with indie designers and stores, so I decided to start a new regular feature on my blog where I put the spotlight on some of my favorite independent designers and shops who are helping revolutionize the fashion industry through their philosophies, business plans, and fashionable offerings.

Pants:  Myrda J (Available here)

Up first is Myrda J Designer Apparel!  I have featured pieces from Las Vegas-based Myrda J on the blog a few times - this great vest here and here and these adorable plaid shorts here.  Myrda started out by offering sizes Small to 3L (3X), but now she focuses on offering up petite plus options for all of us short AND curvy fashionistas!!

As a petite plus woman herself, Myrda understands the special fit needs of shorter women, and she brings her casual but feminine and edgy personal style to her line.

Designer Myrda J wearing top of her own design and IGIGI trousers

Top:  ASOS (Available here)

Shoes:  Sugar
Purse:  Vintage

Her pieces include fashion-forward basics like the comfy knit harem pants I am wearing today, classic wrap dresses, sexy lace dresses, and so much more!  

Items available for Pre-Order

Don't take my word for it - take a look at some of my favorites:

Top and skirt available for Pre-Order

Body Con Lace Dress (Available here)

Deep V-Neck Mesh Dress (Available here)

Shorts:  Available here
Top:  Available for Pre-Order

As is the case with many indie designers, Myrda's products are made-to-order and take about a week to make.  Please be sure to enter Cassentials2016 at checkout!

Interested in the pre-order items?  Contact Myrda at orders@myrdaj.com.

As always, all items are made in the USA.  Myrda offers international shipping and free Priority Mail shipping within the States.

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein
Cuff:  The Limited

See anything you like?  If you're petite plus, what are some styles you would love to find in your size?

Are you an independent designer or clothing store who would like to be featured?  Send me an e-mail at stylecassentials29@gmail.com!

See the tank in another look here.

Disclosure: Items purchased using code Cassentials2016 may result in commisions for this site. 

Casual Friday: Baby, You're a Firework!

In anticipation of 4th of July, I decided to do a themed post for this Casual Friday, wearing a couple pieces I received from Eloquii during my recent Style & Substance photo shoot.

Skirt:  c/o Eloquii (Available here)
Top:  c/o Eloquii (Sold out; join the waitlist here)

I didn't tell you?  I was selected to talk about alterations for the June issue of Eloquii's Style & Substance customer spotlight series.  It's no secret that I love Eloquii, so I was super excited to be offered this opportunity! 

For today's look, I paired a striped midi in its patriotic color palette with a ruffled crop top for a sweet All-American look with just a hint of 70s vibe, sparklers totally optional. 

Glasses:  Valentino
Earrings:  House of Harlow 1960

Since my Eloquii feature was all about tailoring, I should mention that I had the skirt hemmed and the straps taken up on the crop top to get a better fit.  In fact, all the pieces from my Eloquii photo shoot were altered.  From hemming to shortening of sleeves to shoulders taken in and more, every piece was carefully tweaked by my tailor.  I seriously think tailoring is so important, so it was fantastic that I got to talk about it for my S&S feature.

It was also such an honor to be chosen for the feature.  Everybody at Eloquii was so supportive, and I was shocked at how at-ease and at-home I felt during my experience.  

Shoes:  Sugar
Clutch:  Twig & Arrow (Available at Target here)

Meeting Creative Director Jodi Arnold was also amazing!  Through her genius (and that of the rest of the team), she has helped make Eloquii a major innovator in the plus size fashion market and my favorite go-to brand.  

More on my experience coming to the blog soon, but for now, head over to Eloquii to see my full Style & Substance feature!!!

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Are you a fan of Eloquii?  Any fun 4th of July plans?

Wild Card Wednesday: The Floral Set

So, several months ago, Eloquii came out with this adorable two-piece set (see here and here).  I loved it, but I didn't think it would look right on me given that I'm so petite.  I also wondered whether I would wear it enough to make the purchase worthwhile.  I held off and decided not to get it.

Pants:  Eloquii (Available here)

Then a few weeks ago, Eloquii came out with another set in the same style but with a different floral print.  I loved this print a little bit more (though both are seriously great) and decided that I would just go for it and see whether it fit.  I could always return it if it didn't work out.

Top:  Eloquii (Available here)

The top was a great fit right out of the package, a little longer than intended, but not a bad fit!  The rise in the pants was too long as I expected, and the pants were too long, as I expected even more.  I had the waistband taken up and the pants hemmed, and now, they are perfect!!!

Shoes:  Candie's

Necklace:  The Limited

While I don't mind a crop top, I love that the longer length of the top allows me to tuck the top into the pants a bit and wear this outfit with a blazer for casual Fridays at work.

Clutch:  Ann Taylor

Here, I feature the look as worn for a dinner out with the hubs.  I added white heels, a subdued red lip, and a blue cross-body bag to bring out the colors of the floral print.

I can also see myself pairing the separates with other pieces, so even if I don't wear this outfit a ton, it will still get plenty of wear!!

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch
Bangle:  Target

Do you avoid trying pieces because you think they won't fit?  How do you get over that or do you?  Have you found a good tailor to work his or her magic??

Shop Your Closet: The Printed Midi

Ugh....I have been away from the blog much too long!!  I have missed you guys!!  Work has been super busy and has left me with no time for blogging, but I hope to change that this coming week, even if I will still be working long hours!  So today, it's time for another Shop Your Closet post!

 Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

Today, I'm rocking this amazing printed skirt from Eloquii.  They have some of the best prints, and this one is just so perfect for summer!  This skirt is the same style as the striped one I previously featured here and here, and there is also a matching crop top. 

Sadly, the crop top didn't work for me in either fabrication, but that's okay!  There are still sooooo many ways to style this skirt, and today, I am offering you four!

For the first look, I went for a little date night chic.  I love the sophisticated and sexy feel of this off the shoulder top. 

Black off-the-shoulder top:  Eloquii (Available here)

I haven't had much luck with off-the-shoulder styles this season.  I have narrow shoulders and big arms, so it's hard to find a fit that doesn't slide right back up on my shoulders.  This top from Eloquii is more like a tube top with an attached scarf that you tie around your arms, so you're sure to get the right fit.

Shoes:  Anne Michelle

In fact, I even tried it out as a tube top and loved that variation too.

Clutch:  Target

Bracelets:  LOFT

To not compete with the tie on the top, I tied the attached self-tie belt to the back of the skirt, creating a bow in the back of the skirt (sorry, no photos).

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

For the next look, I kept things a little more casual.  I paired the printed midi with a white crop top from ASOS layered over a lace bralette from Torrid.  I debated between white sneakers and wedges, and while both worked, ultimately, the wedges won out.

Tie-front crop top:  ASOS (Available here)

Wedges:  Sugar

Bralette:  Torrid (Available here)

Sunglasses:  Calvin Klein

For work, I decided to go with a bold mixed print look by pairing a striped button down shirt with the skirt.   

Striped button-down top:  Eloquii (Available here)

Shoes:  New Look

Bracelets:  LOFT
Satchel:  The Limited

Lastly, I wanted to create a go-anywhere look, one that I could wear to work but that I would be equally as likely to wear outside of work as well. Pairing the skirt with this simple orange blouse is an easy combo.  

Top:  The Limited (old)

Booties:  ASOS

Necklace:  Eloquii

Clutch:  Boohoo

Which look is your favorite?  How would you style this skirt?

For the orange top in other looks, see here, here, here, and here.