Thursday, August 29, 2013

Natalie's top ten stores

Hey kiddies! I'm not counting that intro as Thursday's post since it didn't really include anything other than ranting.
So, as my first real live actual legit post, I will answer the question I get asked most. 

 

after that one....

"Where do you get your clothes?" 

And for you, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite places and best finds....
(not in any particular order) 

1. Forever 21
Walking into a Forever 21 is kind of like walking into a giant pit of polyester, denim and doom and there is no rhyme or reason to the chaos of girls fighting over a polka dot jumper (which i may or may not have done....sorrynotsorry). And from time to time, it is in fact possible to find some good things there. the key is patience and the will to just keep digging after all the hope has been lost. For super cheap, you can get a lot of really nice stuff there. The downsides? Poorly made, everyone already seems to have it, and its geared primarily towards the -14s. I have been seeing more and more plus sized sections in Forever 21, but as usual, they are a lot larger and look really baggy on me. 

2. H&M
This store is nowhere near as daunting as Forever 21. Everyone H&M I have been in has been small and pretty well organized. They will have all of your wardrobe staples including your favorite blazers, pencil skirts, basic t-shirts and tanks. I am a huge believer in the basic dresses made out of a really nice, comfy, stretchy fabric that have the ability to be comfortable as well as stylish. I have one in green and it is flawless. I also own two of their awesome blazers. Those both come in handy quite frequently because I do the local campus news station. 

3. Macy's 
I am in love with Macy's. Yes, a little more pricy, but it is possible to not spend a zillion dollars there. How? Sale rack. It is the best thing ever. My personal Macy's favorites include American Rag for a folk-ish/western/romantic/vintage vibe, as well as Levi (the curvy jeans the best jeans in my book) Macy's is also really good for girls my size. Not too small, not too big. I'm also kind of a cheater in the fact that I get all my bathing suits from the so called "old lady" department...but that shit will keep you tucked in. No rolls at all. They are even cute. 

4. Amazon
Online shopping for the win. I have gotten two pairs of boots on Amazon and they are the most brilliant things. Just know your measurements for online shopping. In this case, since they were both knee high boots, measure your calf (mine comes in at about 16 in.) If you have the big calves like me, you will want to make sure they fit. 

5. St. Vinnie's/The Goodwill/Salvation Army
Thrifting is a gift from the shopping gods. My favorite two sweaters in the whole world each cost $5 and $10. What a steal. Also extremely awesome for halloween costumes as well. 

6. Lost and Found Vintage Royal Oak, MI
Alas, since most real vintage clothes are not available in larger sizes, it is extremely difficult finding something I am in love with that actually fits. But the accessories I find here are the coolest things. And also the scarves are awesome and look great in the hair as well as around the neck. The t-shirt selection is also quite amusing to browse through as well. 

7. Target
To be honest, I think the majority of my wardrobe is from Target. Real talk now. Cute, not completely shitty, and inexpensive. I am sold. The fact I could spend all my money at Target on clothes, accessories, shoes, and still be able to grab a gallon of milk just blows my mind. 'Murica. 

8. Pitaya Royal Oak, MI
I think this store was made for me. All of the cute clothes. A little on the expensive side, but adorable all the time. A few of these statement pieces look great in your wardrobe. 

9. Rust Belt Market Ferndale, MI
Not only is there amazing art, but there are vendors selling unique clothing and jewelry too! I have jewelry pouring out of my butt from here, I have so much of it. The best part? You are the only who has it. So if you are all about being original, this is for you. Plus, you get to support local artists! 

10. Modcloth.com 
Hooolllyyy moly. thank you lawddd for online shopping! Though I mostly just dream, I love me some modcloth. A lot of the things are rather pricy and not so super quality BUT they are the cutest things ever and make for great inspiration if you were to see it somewhere else. My favorite purchase from here is a berry colored circle scarf that I wear all the time. 


About the lady behind the laptop

Ahoy there!
Welcome to Fourteen: The Fashion Blog for Sizes in Between! First off, I am not here to be that girl who does nothing but posts those obnoxious mirror selfies about how awesome (or not awesome if I am fishing for compliments) I look today. Nuh uh. I ain't about that life. If I am sounding like a narcissist at any point, feel free to send me hate mail.
The idea behind this blog is fashion advice for us girls who fall in the awkward middle between regular sizes (under size 14) and plus sizes (over 14). Being that awkward size fourteen, I often find that clothes at plus sized stores are just built wrong for my body shape and made of odd billowy fabric that is too loose in places I'd rather flaunt. On the other hand, shopping at the regular size stores are the opposite: they accentuate the parts of my body that I'd rather keep covered with annoying short hemlines, too tight arms--not to mention the ever present muffin top problems that every girl on the planet fears.
And its just kind of like....well shit. what the hell am I supposed to wear now?
Well alas! Salvation!
Here I am with my "sage" fashion advice having survived high school relatively unscathed and then some with a year and two weeks of college under my belt.

But before you grab your credit card and zoom away to the nearest mall, you should probably know a little more about me and why you should even be paying attention to my shenanigans....

I'm currently a sophomore at Northern Michigan University wayyy up yonder in Marquette (originally from Detroit, hollah) working towards my degree in theatre and digital cinema. My personal style has always been a huge part of me and, being an art student, an art within itself.

You may ask "why should I care about what I wear? Its not like other people's opinions matter..."
well, you are right. Their opinions of you don't matter. But its your opinion of yourself that matters. Dressing up in a way that makes you feel good.
I am a big believer in the "dress for success" motto. The way I dress completely affects the way I function throughout the day and if I am looking like a bum, you will probably find me sitting in a cardboard box on the street rambling about how the world is coming to an end.
I ain't about that life.
Anyway, if you are the kind of person who feels totally awesome and alive looking like a hobo, kudos to you! Its definitely an easier option and I sometimes wish it was something I could do. You may disregard everything I am saying or just steal the tips you do like. Whatever floats yo boat.

P.S. sorry for this long ass novel of a post. I pinky promise that they won't be this long winded and will include pictures too...maybe gifs if I'm feeling so inclined.

So, stay tuned and stay classy, kiddies.

xoxo
Natalie