Archive for the ‘Been There Worn That’ Category
Dear Bandit: Skinny Jeans for Big Girls
Jennifer Hudson's Sexy Skinny Jeans
I need help…I’m taking the leap and plan on purchasing a pair (or two) of skinny jeans. (it takes me a while to jump on the trend bandwagon). I worry because most people I see wearing these jeans are usually…well…skinny. Something that I am not. I’m not fat, per say, but I’m certainly no stick.
Can you please point me in the right direction? I don’t want to spend days, weeks or months trying on a thousand different of pairs of skinnies only to realize I need fatties.
Can us not so skinny folks wear skinnies, too?
* * * *
Dear Miss Not So Skinny:
Slim fitting jeans are a wardrobe staple every woman can enjoy. For gals with fuller legs, the trick is to find a denim that has a bit of stretch. If you’re thicker in the middle, look for a style that has a higher rise to avoid the dreaded muffin top spillover. No matter your size, an ill-fitting pair of jeans will inevitably make you look heavier than you are, but the perfect pair will celebrate your ample assets.
Embrace your hot bod with these curve-friendly skinny jeans.
Been There Worn That: Killer Heels
BCBGirls: Retail $110. Paid: $30!
Sexy or slutty? I’m gonna say both. Ordinarily, I would have tried them on, put them down, exited the store, bought a glazin’ raisin pretzel, returned to the store, tried them on…you get the picture. But the bargains overrode my better judgment and I left Belk (which was going out business at my local mall) with two pairs of sexy/slutty new shoes. The black and gold caught the attention of my inner Lady Gaga (obsessed with her) and the quilting reminded me of mock-off Chanel so I was seduced. Enough said.
Jessica Simpson: Retail $89. Paid: $35!
As for the red shoes, I have to blame the yellow center aisle of the shoe department because between the two, it was as if I were picked up and carried away to merry old land of Oz. I know what they say about women who wear red shoes (prostitution whore!) but let ‘em talk. A sky high red stiletto will lift your ass as well as your spirits, so I say click your heels three times and take ‘em home.
Now for a few words of advice from a gal who falls head over heels for pretty shoes and has the battle scars to prove it: You’re never gonna wear shoes if they hurt your feet. So even if you scored them at a megaclearanceblowoutbonanza for $5, they aren’t a deal. They’re a waste of $5. Sure, you could donate them to Goodwill, but is it really “goodwill” to give hellish heels to the less fortunate?
Check out these tips for breaking in new shoes:
1) Wear them around the house with a pair of gym socks. Stuffing them with tissue paper and leaving them in your closet could stretch them out too much and leave them misshapen.
2) Take them on a test drive. Before you commit to a night on the town, wear them to run a quick errand or to a movie – somewhere that requires minimal activity. Check for pinching or tight areas that need more stretching.
3) If any areas are still uncomfortable – pinky toes, heels, etc., apply a very thin swipe of antiperspirant or olive oil to the inner edges of your shoes (NOT on silk, satin or suede), or directly on your skin, to reduce friction. In a pinch (ha) clear lip gloss will work like a charm.
4) Resist the urge to cover blisters with bandages. They’ll inevitably scrunch up and peek awkwardly from your shoe.
5) Try before you buy! Shoes that are too small will crowd your toes and ruin a pretty pedicure, and larger ones will scrape your heels. Bottom line: If they don’t fit, don’t buy them.
Dear Bandit: Cuffed Boots
Dear Bandit~
I just bought a pair of tall, cuffed brown boots today–I love them but clearly they are the type of boot that is meant to wear over pants. Since I’m a little behind fashion trends I was hoping you could help me find the right type of jeans to wear with these. (In all honesty I have no reason to validate purchasing these boots…I’m unemployed! Alas boots are my weakness, never met a pair I didn’t like. Perhaps I can wear them when I vacuum. I can hear my husband now… “as long as you vacuum I don’t care what you wear!” tee hee)
Sincerely,
A no fashion sense mess (Tucker, GA)
Dear Miss Mess:
Considering you mentioned how great these boots will look over jeans, you already have more fashion sense that you realize. As for the style, I would say the skinnier the better – anything too loose would look a little “Ahoy, matey” for my taste. Regardless of how you choose to wear them, sticking to an overall slim silhouette will help you avoid looking like a pirate. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous – and what she pirate isn’t? – try them with leggings, a tee and a fitted casual jacket or pair them with shirt dress like Lindsay Lohan.
Here are some styles to inspire you:
