I recently saw the visual smorgasbord film that is The Great Gatsby, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s novel. Yes, I liked it. I loved the unconventional musical choices, connecting the revelry of the Roaring 20’s with the party anthems of our time. I was frustrated at the injustice of tragedy, and wanted to shake Daisy and scream at her a little. But most of all, I adored the fabulous flapper fashions!
So how does a modern girl infuse a little Great Gatsby style into her wardrobe, without looking too costumey? Easy, thanks to the current trend of sheer blouses, dresses, & skirts! I started with a vintage sheer 1920’s dress from Abandoned Fashions, a local couture pop-up shop, and modernized it with a fitted black tube skirt and bandeau top underneath. Add a platform heel and fun jewelry, and I’m ready to rock any summer cocktail party!
Have you ever made an impulse buy, something that caught your eye and you just had to have it? Sure, I’ve made $5 bargain bin store mistakes; those sweet deals you just can’t pass up, but never end up wearing because you have NOTHING to go with them… Don’t you hate that?
When I first saw these floral skinny jeans from Vault Denim, I thought, “Beautiful! I have to get those!” But a tiny part of me was worried that they would be difficult to coordinate around, because of the pattern.
I recently fell in love with Express‘s latest addition to their fashion & career wear: nearly-sheer button-up blouses. They’re so soft and feminine, yet entirely work-appropriate (with the right underpinnings, of course!) I love the versatility of this blouse; I can wear it over a lacy camisole, with glam shorts and embellished wedge sandals, for an evening on the town. Or, tie it up with a skirt and more subdued tank top, like the outfit above, for a work-appropriate ensemble!
Express.com has them in like a bazillion colors (ok, more like 22, but some of them even have studded accents – swoon!) So tell me: How would you wear this blouse?
Thank you to Geneva, who posted this question on my Facebook page:
“I have a question for you. I’m a plus size woman who is bigger on bottom than on top. I’m needing long skirts/dresses for a mission trip to Kenya with IC World. But can’t seem to find anything that looks good. I am 5’8″ and live in Nampa.”
Many mission & volunteer programs do, however, have a dress code, depending on the culture you are working with. How to be respectful, comfortable, and appropriately-dressed for the requirements of your trip, AND your personal style & body type? It can be challenging, but not impossible! 😀
Some tips…
1. I recently found the maxi-skirt-of-my-dreams (that’s me on the left!) in the newly-opened Nordstrom Rack.
It’s from a brand called Bobeau, who makes comfortable, stretchy, stylish clothing (affordable, too!) in misses and plus sizes! It’s a lightweight breathable rayon material, and most importantly, it’s super-duper-DUPER stretchy! The waist can be worn folded up or down, depending on what top you wear with it. Either way, it’s so comfy, it kind of blows your mind! The Rack carries them in a variety of colors, and right now they carry womens’ sizes XS-XL. Some of their other Bobeau items DO come specifically plus sizes, but these skirts are so generously sized, it might definitely be worth trying them on!
2. Watch out for pleats on your maxi skirt! If you are a lady with curvier hips, pleats around the waistline will make those curves look even curvier! 😉 The Bobeau skirt I mentioned (left) has barely any pleating around the waist; when worn, they pretty much disappear! If you hold up a maxi skirt and the hips puff out on the hanger, it is NOT going to be a slenderizing skirt on an actual woman. (Only exception: if you put a big, chunky statement belt over the waist & pleats!)
3. Another tip: Look for maxi dresses! These are everywhere right now, from Ross to Macy’s to Target – there’s a style for every budget! Steer clear of low-cut styles that would be inappropriate for the work you are doing. Empire-waist styles can emphasize your bust, so if you are a lady with a pear-shaped body type, these can be very figure-balancing & flattering! If you have a larger bust size, look for lower-waisted styles, or maxi’s that don’t have a defined waist, but instead flow gently (not too tight, or too baggy!) over your curves. Ask your mission coordinators what the rules are regarding bare arms & shoulders, too; these guidelines will also affect your shopping choices!
4. Many of my overseas-traveling girl friends concur on this point: a local re-sale store will be your best resource! Long skirts come and go in fashion, year after year. Your local Saver’s, Goodwill, etc. should have a good selection of long skirts, at really decent prices. And be SURE to check your local consignment stores, for skirts that are more current, and often in better condition. 😉
A quick internet search pulled up some great options in Nampa, Geneva! I found 1. Catwalk Consignment Boutique – 1310 2nd St S, (208) 466-4832. 2. 11th Ave. Consignments – 1509 Caldwell Blvd # 1178, (208) 466-7700. 3. A to Z Resale Inc. – 1407 2nd St S, (208) 442-7900. 4. Magic Again – 819 12th Ave S, (208) 991-2341.
Hopefully some of these ideas will be helpful to you! Good luck, and please post pictures of your trip!
XOXO,
StyleSpyGirl
P.S. Fashion friends, do you have ideas & shopping tips for Geneva? Feel free to add your helpful comments! 😀
Unless you live in a cave – or avoid any form of news media, in or out of that cave – you’ve probably heard something about the latest addition to this town’s shopping landscape.
A Nordstrom Rack opened last week near Boise Towne Square Mall. There were news crews, long lines, screaming stampedes of giddy shoppers, crowded aisles, “controversy” over secret pre-parties (yup, we were at one of those – it totally rocked!!!), and basic new-store shopping mayhem.
But amidst all the hoopla, an important element of this store’s grand arrival seems to have been forgotten; the main thing that had fashion bloggers, big-city transplants, style hunters, and bargain shoppers salivating from the time the Nordstrom Rack sign went up on that building…
It’s ALL about the CLOTHES!!!!!
Nordstrom Rack brings something NEW to Boise; brands that haven’t had a presence in this town until now will finally be accessible to those who love the style & quality of high-end names like Burberry, Tory Burch, Allen Edmonds, Diesel, Armani, Kate Spade, & Marc Jacobs. The Rack also offers extensive fashion pieces from lines like Betsey Johnson, Juicy Couture, and Joe’s; brands that currently have a limited presence in other stores. And everything is sold at a discount, anywhere from 20-90% off of retail!
But why are these names so imortant? Because new brands give Boise access to new styles, and new perspectives on fashion! Now, those fashion-forward styles we see in the magazines are one step closer to being worn in Boise. The question is: are Boiseans brave enough to wear them?
Only time will tell, but if the thrilled & satisfied shoppers from Thursday’s Rack opening were any indication, Boise’s fashion landscape is about to have the brightest and boldest Spring it’s ever seen.
Here are some of the happy faces we saw, with their great fashion finds…
(Me & Ammo Photog, covering the Grand Opening for Fusion Magazine)
When the newly-opening Nordstrom Rack comes up in casual conversation, I usually hear one of two reactions. Many folks are thrilled, and can’t wait for the grand opening. Others look at me puzzled, and say: “What’s a Rack???” For those of you who fall into the first category, you’ll be happy to know the rumors are true: Boise is, indeed, opening it’s first Nordstrom Rack on April 12th, 2012. (Info on the Grand Opening Celebration is HERE!)
For those of you who fall into the second category, here’s the scoop on why everyone’s so excited: if you love high-quality, fashion-forward clothing, shoe, & accessories for less than department store prices, Nordstrom Rack is a little slice of shopping Heaven. Actually, I take that back; it’s a BIG slice!!!
But wait, you may say, what makes Nordstrom Rack different from other “fashion for less” stores? Because the items & brands they carry are different! Racks receive shipments of high-end clothing, directly from their mainline Nordstrom stores in Seattle, Portland, LA, and other parts of the country. Things that are still current, but maybe have only a few size options left, get sent to the Rack where they are deeply discounted. In fact, once or twice I’ve come across a clothing item in the Rack, that is STILL in the mainline stores, but at half the price!
A Nordstrom Rack in town gives us access to fashion styles and high-end names that are new to Boise! (Can you just hear the fashion bloggers salivating? Lol, I’m doing cartwheels!) Shopping in the Rack is like digging for buried treasure on a tropical beach; every day the tide washes out, and brings a whole new selection of amazing discoveries! We’re talking about fashion gems like Kate Spade totes, Chanel wallets, Gucci shoes, Diane von Furstenberg blouses, Givenchy jewelry, Nanette Lepore dresses, Armani jackets… I could go on and on, but you get my point. These are brands and styles that are HARD TO FIND in Boise – up until now! (Or rather, up until April 12th!)
So rejoice, Boise! And get ready for something new. Nordstrom Rack is coming, and I for one will be first in line! 😉 See you at the Grand Opening!!
~StyleSpyGirl
P.S. Seriously, I hope you can all join me for the amazing Opening Day party! There will be entertainment, refreshments, and giveaways, including 20 Gold Hangers hidden throughout the store – each worth $100!!!
Dress: Vintage from Abandoned Fashion // Bandeau & Skirt: Nordstrom Rack // Shoes: Jessica Simpson // Headband: Francesca’s // Handbag: Vintage from Abandoned Fashion
Blouse: 
Style Spy Girl 