Plus Size Outfit of the Day ~ March 22-27
What’ch’yall wearing this first week of spring??
SATURDAY
I woke up this morning and thought…WWKTD (bonus points if you get the acronym)?? I’ve had both this olive green tee and grey cardigan for many years…and it has never occurred to me to put them together. But after doing my recent “Inspired By” post, I thought they might play well together. I’m digging the deep, dark tones. It’s a little somber for the first day of spring but I’m cold and feeling a little somber, so…it’s perfect.
PS: when wearing the olive with the grey, the little KT voice in my head said…”this would look amazing with the mustard gold jeans you did not buy the other night…so go…go…like the wind…and purchase them immediately.”
And I did. And they lived happily ever after. The End.
Tee-shirt: Asos. You know, the company I was banned from for not keeping things I bought. Like this tee shirt. 3x. It still enrages amuses me that I am actually BANNED from a store.
Cardigan: Dean&White, 2x. Old. But the pockets still work.
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, Callisto wash, 20 short
Sneakers: Converse Shoreline slip-ons
SUNDAY
Now I can’t remember if this sweater was in last month’s What I Bought or if it’s going to be in the next one (it’s hard living the future and present tense blogger life), but…I said I was going to return it. HOWEVER, turns out it was final sale and cannot be returned (could have SWORN I checked that before purchasing cuz I’ve gotten caught on that on Madewell in the past). OH WELL. Making the best of it and wearing it out to breakfast on a chilly day. Who am I going to breakfast with, you ask? My favorite person: ME ha ha.
I LIKE it…there’s just too much fabric around the shoulders/upper arms/underarms area, and the knit is so thick and not that pliable that…ugh. Other than that, I like it.
V-neck Pullover: Madewell, 3x
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, Frisco wash, 20 short
Sneakers: Converse Shoreline slip-ons
MONDAY
Work from home. Mildish out. Chilly in. I don’t get any warming sun in this apartment. This is helpful in the summer when it’s hot out, but the rest of the year unless I turn the heat up it’s chilly. I have a real resistance to turning the heat up. Not sure what that’s about, but.
Button-down: Madewell, 3x
Tee Shirt: H&M, 3x
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, Frisco wash, 20 shorr
TUESDAY
Uhm. It’s getting warmer but visually I still want layers. I like the soft lilac with the light grey in theory, it’s a very gentle, low-contrast combo. I just don’t love this cardigan. It was purchased in “I can’t find the grey cardigan I WANT, so I’ll get this one instead” mode, so I tend to not reach for it.
Am I only one who has a hard time with a light-colored cardigan? Something about the “color weight” (is that a thing?) being out of balance with the lightest color being “on top” or on the outside. A light cardigan with a dark shirt under it just feels so OFF-BALANCE to me. I see other people doing it and it looks fine…but I just can’t do it comfortably.
If you’re building a tower out of three blocks of three different sizes…you’re going to put the largest on the bottom, the next largest in the middle, and the smallest one on the top (I know some smarty mcsmartypants is going to try and defy the laws of structural engineering here but you get my point), right? To me, “dark” is the largest block…and “light” is the smallest one. Does anyone/everyone else think like that?
Lilac V-Neck: , 3x
White Tee: H&M, 3x
Grey Cardigan: Old Navy, 2x (still available)
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, Frisco wash, 20 short
Sneakers: Converse Shoreline slip-ons
WEDNESDAY
Annnd here we have the second appearance of this cardigan this week (see Saturday). I’m so happy I found it after years of it being MIA. I just love it so much. I wish I could marry it. I’m going to change my Facebook relationship status to “Complicated” and put a picture of me wearing it (which I guess isn’t that weird considering for the past three years I’ve been in a “complicated” relationship with my dead dog).
You may be thinking, “uhm, Bettye, it’s really not that special,” but it’s exactly that “not specialness” that makes it so special! It’s like the “invisible” black dress. It’s like tofu. It takes on the taste of whatever you combine it with. It’s just THERE, by your side, supporting you no matter what. It’s got buttons! And pockets! And is just the right length! And what can’t you wear a charcoal grey cardigan with?? I defy you to come up with something.
I DEFY YOU.
Then. The black jeans. They’re perfect. Y’all know I wear Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans A LOT. They’re my soulmates. But THESE are The Best Ones. They’re all the same brand, make and model, size, length…but each different wash fits differently. The fabric wears different. THESE are PERFECT. Perfect fit in the waist, perfect length, perfect leg size. Perfect. Few things in life are perfect. Especially by MY annoying standards. But these?? Chef’s Kiss.
Then the mustardy-gold tee. Hmm. This is the only potential problem child of the bunch. I wanted to wear the mustardy-gold color with the charcoal grey cardigan and the black jeans. And the color is a good combo. But I don’t know about the vee of the tee (yep, I said it) with the vee of the cardigan (neckline, that is. v-neckline). Is that just me? Or is that a thing?
I’m guessing it’s just me.
Polkadot Tee: Old Navy, 3x
Grey Cardigan: Dean&White, 2x
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, black wash, 20 short
Sneakers: Converse Shoreline slip-ons
THURSDAY
Woohoo, fresh and new today! New shirt, new shoes! Whoa!
If you remember from last month’s What I Bought, I THOUGHT I had bought this Loft blouse, but actually I’d only put it in the cart without clicking “buy.” By the time I realized this, it was sold out in my size. But SHOPTAGR to the rescue, it let me know when they got my size back in stock AND it was even still on sale. Score.
It’s not EXACTLY what I’d hoped (shocker). I’d thought the ruffled band collar would stand up against my neck more so in the cold weather I could wear it under crewnecks and the little ruffly bit would show over the sweater. How good would THAT be? But, it’s more of a “lay flat” collar. BUT, I still like the color (in summer, blue is my color, somehow), and I LOVE the fit and fabric (tencel, but like even thinner than usual), it’s super drapey. So, it stays and will be worn as a standalone.
I’ve always sort of regretted not keeping this blouse (I had it on rental through Gwynnie Bee) back in 2018; I did love the look over the white jeans. I feel like this NEW Loft (funny that they’re both Loft) shirt does the same trick.
I’m looking forward to wearing it over the black skinny jeans next time…I just wore black pants yesterday so was trying to not repeat.
PS: Speaking of Loft, they are discontinuing their plus size (they’ll stop their sizing at 18), so it’s a good time to check out their sales….
Then…NEW CONVERSE! I went with the navy for now…and next will be the light grey. They feel just as comfy as the other pair, so…yay.
Blue Buttondown: Loft Plus, 22/24
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda, 20 short, Crystal White
Sneakers: Navy Converse Shoreline Slipons
FRIDAY
Whoa. New things two days in a row. Who even AM I right now? If you had any idea how many things I had to BUY to KEEP two…?! Sheesh. And I LO–o-o-o–O-VE this striped tee. First, stipes. Second, boxy fit. Third, light, stretchy, drapey fabric. Fourth, good neckline. Fifth, non-color color. Target calls it brown. Target calls everything brown. I bought a “brown” dress last year that was pink. PINK. These stripes are like…something a shade off of taupe. Maybe like taupe+cream. Creamy Taupe? Ew no. Anyway, I like it. The color.
The Only Issue (you cannot be shocked) is the sleeves. They’re too long, they’re too loose. I spoke with the brightest minds today and many workarounds were discussed…I just don’t know. I may just take it to be altered.
As I’m preparing to return to work in-office M-F, I’m thinking of all the clothes I tried to have altered last year…that are around here somewhere still needing to be altered. I guess the search for a tailor begins anew.
Long-Sleeved Striped-Tee: A New Day/Target, 3x.
Jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda, 20 short, black wash
Sneakers: Black Converse Shoreline Slipons
WHAT I WORE THIS WEEK ONE YEAR AGO
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Thanks for playing!
jodie filogomo
OMG…in our little talk, I thought the striped top was black and white….gosh, my eyes must be going!!
So much to say, so little time (because it’s bedtime in my world)…
First, I do love that Sunday sweater. Sure, I see the too much material BUT ONLY after you pointed it out. WHY? Because people don’t examine other people’s clothing items in such detail like you do. That cool neck is the focus and focus I did!! LOL
Plus when you’re with people, you’re in 3-D (as opposed to looking at a photo) plus you’re usually in motion somehow, someway. So I bet most people would NEVER pick up on half the details you notice!!
As for those building blocks….nope. I’m about all color combinations whether over, under or any which way!!! That pink and light grey are so in balance and beautiful.
The Wednesday outfit…funny because my favorite is the gold tee…it’s bright. It’s fun. It says Bettye is fun. The other pieces that you are ready to marry, not so much!! But you need a combination of them otherwise you start looking crazy like me, LOL!!
And here’s another idea for that striped top…see those thingies (seriously, I don’t know what they are called) on the jacket on the sleeves. Could you add those to the top? Sure…a little sewing involved but all hand sewing and the key word, “little”…not sure it would work but seeing the jacket made me think about it.
One other note. Do you add something in the soles of your converse sneakers?? I don’t understand how you think they are comfy otherwise….they are SO flat and hard!! Either that or I’ve gotten the wrong ones!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
PS…BTW, I don’t love your comment box…it scrolls too much so I can’t see what I just wrote. Which makes me laugh that I said that. The clothes are fine for me, but the comment box bugs me!! I’m becoming you!!!
bettyewp
Well, this wasn’t trash at all! 🙂
I get you on the one-dimensional photo vs real life. Part of why I try to move as much as possible while taking photos to show some movement in the clothing or my hair or something. It just looks better (on me, to me, anyway). I’ll include in this theory how different outfits look in the mirror vs in pictures. I think photos are the HARSHEST critics of outfits…which is why they’re my go to for assessing an outfit, cuz if an outfit can make it there, it can make it anywhere.
Internet (gold) Bettye is fun. Real (grey) Bettye is more quiet and anonymitiy-seeking. Fun (gold) Bettye is just the sprinkles on top of (grey) Bettye’s introverted donut. You gotta have the donuts first. Or there’s nothing to put the sprinkles ON 🙂 I probably have a ratio of like 10:1 of donuts:sprinkles. I’ve got a couple sprinkles in my Anthropologie cart right now. Anthro is good for that. But they’re $$$$ so it’s hard to pull the trigger and I want to be VERY SURE I really need those sprinkles.
Now I want donuts.
Nope to the tab sleeved shirt (that’s what they’re called). I generally avoid those. I know the jacket has them but…I liked the jacket so much I had to just deal with it. And I’ve fallen for them several other times, but those items end up unreached for all too often. Plus, “tabbed up” and pushed up are not the same thing. Oh, I was gonna wear my Perfect Sleeve Shirt today just to show you but I got caught up in a whole other direction (making a short YT about it later, will link in Monday’s Week in Review”). But I’ll wear it tomorrow. I wish it was another color, cuz the SHIRT is so good, but I’m not much of one for wine.
PS I did search on Task Rabbit and Thumbtack yesterday for local “freelance” tailors/seamstresses and no. First, they’re in Queens or beyond…and they mostly do like wedding gowns and formal wear. They’re not going to want to spend their valuable time doing my minor alterations (plus, so far away). I still have to check Nextdoor Neighborhood, it’s just always a pita to go onto for some reaosn.
Are you wearing Converse…or Converse SHORELINE SLIP-ONS? They’re two different animals. Straight converse have soles like slabs of concrete. The Shorelines feel like cozy snug slippers on my feet with lovely support in just the right place. PLUS, slip-on without LOOKING like a slip-on. So many good things.
Could you take a picture of how my comment box looks to you? Cuz when I look at it it looks the same as always. What browser are you using? Maybe that could make a difference?
Thanks for stopping by and giving me more things I can say NO to! Ha ha.
bettyewp
Oh wait, I see it now. Like it’s very SHORT (as in not tall), a wide but short rectangle, so you only see like 1-2 lines of text at a time. Got it. I hate that, too. Ha. Will look into that! Thanks for pointing it out.
Sally in St Paul
I hear you on the light colored cardigan thing. I can usually do light colored cardigan over light colored top, but I struggle when it’s light cardigan over darker top. Sometimes it works and sometimes I hate it, and I have no clue why or why not. I would like there to be a principle or formula or something here. I can get where you’re coming from with this not being the best light grey cardigan on you; it does that thing that makes me CRAZY of hanging open along the outside of the bust so it’s all LOOK AT THESE GIRLS ugh no. Whereas the charcoal cardigan hangs well in both photos. And I LOVE the blue striped shirt. I looked at that lovely taupe striped T on Target’s site and was all Woo on sale and it’s an awesome rosy taupe-y color! But then I thought I’d look for a reason NOT to buy it and I quickly realized, Oh yeah, it has one of those little Target T pockets on the front that I never like at all. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the sleeves are both wide and long because in my experience Target always makes their sleeves insanely tight, as though the person buying a plus size t-shirt there is actually a thin 17 year old who wants it really oversized around but normal sized arms.
Bettye, I love how picky you are with your clothing and I enjoy reading your analyses of what you like/dislike, what works/doesn’t work. A person would probably do very well being more Bettye about buying/keeping and more Jodie about using what they already own!
bettyewp
“I struggle when it’s light cardigan over darker top. Sometimes it works and sometimes I hate it, and I have no clue why or why not.” YES!!! I HAVE FOUND MY PEOPLE!!!
Wow, I never noticed that about Target and their slim sleeve trend. I just returned a SUPER CUTE pale celery-ish green sweatshirt cuz of too-long too-wide sleeves. Since they only gave me a Target e-credit as refund (GRRRR) I may try the next size down, but I think the body will be too snug then. We’ll see.
Ha, The Light Grey Cardigan That I Don’t Like That Much will now forever be known as The Look at the Girls Cardigan 😉
xoxo
Sally in St Paul
How strange, my comment got eaten. But I will restate this part: I LOVE how picky you are about what you buy. I could do worse than become more Bettye about what I buy/keep (it’s got to check ALL the boxes) and more Jodie about what I already own (experiment, have fun, make it work).
bettyewp
GAHHH!!! I have finally found someone who appreciates my pickiness (what I call “selectiveness”). MY WORK HERE IS COMPLETE.
XOXO