Three Steps to Holiday Polish

Black Friday came and went.

The goal of 'Context, Proportion and Comfort for the Holidays' remains.

Time to set up a few go-to outfits that can take me everywhere I need to go over the next month or so. Holiday traditions and shopping are revving up and so am I. Here's one of my go-to outfits and I thought I'd share my thought process with you.

Three Questions:

Question #1:
Can one outfit take me to work, to shopping and still later in the evening to a social gathering?

Response:
Remember my last post? Build from the bottom - up. I'm loving my Matte Jersey Straight Leg Pants, 02635.

Reason:
Comfort and sleek tops my list of dressing priorities when I've got people to see and places to go!

Question #2:
Can the outfit be tweaked to reflect the context and joy of the Holidays and my size as a plus size woman?

Response:
I'm adding my Ulla Gilded Foil Knit Top, #15554.

Reason:
Does the embellishment on this top echo joy for the Season or what?!?! The proportion of the embellishment is so right for me as a plus size woman.

Question #3:
Will it be comfy, stylish and able to handle the 'wear and tear' required by the Season?

Response:
I'm accessorizing with my:

Comfort Ballet Flat, #14924, pewter

Reason:
I love to mix metallics and I'm opting for the comfort sole.

Eva Graham Filigree Chandelier Earrings, #14935

Reason:
These earrings are high volume impact, very 'holiday,' and very light weight to wear (and the Ulla Gilded Foil Top already says so much!)


Easy as 1-2-3 and out-the-door!

What's your Holiday go-to outfit?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best!

Early Plus Size Clothing Holiday Musings

Earlier this week, a client invited me to lunch to discuss refreshing her wardrobe for the holidays. She arrived, decked out in an outfit I had styled for her two years ago. Back then, it looked great. Now, however, it no longer looked so flattering. What had changed? The style? Not really. The color palette? Nope.

Lets be honest, what had changed was that she either had gained some weight or her weight had redistributed itself around her tummy.Gosh, can I related to that, or what!

So I had a choice, do I bring it up or wait and see if she does. I figured I'm here to help and certainly I know first-hand of what I speak. I broached the topic by saying, "Talk to me, you seem uncomfortable." She looked at me, held my glance for an extra second, burst into tears but managed to blurt out, "Babe, I turned 50 last year and almost to the day my tummy popped out, I'm so uncomfortable in everything I own - What a birthday present!" Ah, the old "menopot" strikes again!

I can't change menopause but I do have a tip that can help and I think you'll appreciate it all the more as the holidays get closer. Build an outfit from the bottom up. Find a pant that gives you comfort and sleek at the same time. Where is such a delectable item to be found? Smack in the middle of Ulla's Matte Jersey Collection. I recommend trying the pant in two different cuts, the Straight Leg Pants, #02635 and the Wide Leg Pants, #91624.

Here's why you'll love them as much as I do:

* Elastic waistband, 1 inch thick so it doesn't roll down
* Stretch throughout the tummy, hips and thighs
* Matte Jersey fabric, thick enough to cover the cottage cheese and thin enough to pour over curves like creamy warm cocoa - forgive the food analogies :)
* Cut that manufactures a very flattering silhouette

Give yourself a gift for the holidays before they get here, a pair of pants that lets you, breathe, laugh heartily and look smashing and sleek.

What else are you thinking about giving yourself for the holidays?

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.

Psycho-Graphic More Than Demographic

Recently. I learned the term "psycho-graphic," and as a stylist and blogger, it really turned me on! Typically, merchandisers look to the traditional elements of demographics to produce items that will be purchased by plus size baby boomers

Let's look for a moment, however, at who we are; a psycho-graphic peek, and what that might mean for the clothing we buy:

1. We don't dress like our mothers did. Which means we are figuring it out for the first time, for ourselves.
2. We believe 50 is the new 40 and reject the traditional boundaries of middle age.
3. We dress to please ourselves.
4. The balance between "fade" and "focus" is a continuous, but creative challenge.
5. We seek harmony between self-adornment, self-improvement and self-esteem.
6. Our spending power is staggering.

So what does this have to do with dressing? Quite a lot. I appreciate having access to clothing that projects my concept of self-worth to the world, fits comfortably and looks amazing!

Yes, there are items that shout, "Count me in. The day is fresh and... 'I'm worth it'." Ulla's Layered Peasant Top, #15539, is such an item. It's gorgeous, the color is rich and the embellishments are alive.

What does this top say to you?

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best!

Effortless Plus Size Dressing

Have you ever eyed a woman in your travels and thought, "Wow, she looks great and it all looks so natural on her, like she's not even trying?" Effortless dressing is a goal for those of us 'of a certain age.' When I say 'effortless' - I mean in terms of appearance and in terms of energy expended. Yup, that's why 'dress' rings loud and clear when discussing effortless dressing. That's why I love to wear dresses.

Look for a dress that embraces the 'now' of your lifestyle and your body. Take pride and dress your body well, after all, it is the body that allows you to be all you are. Embrace it. Love it. Dress it well.

Look for a dress that has four elements working for you:

* shape
* drape
* line
* detail

A great example of effortless dressing can be found in Ulla's Matte Jersey Sequin Sleeve Dress, #95207. The fabric, poly with a healthy amount of spandex, supports the cut of the dress and makes it soft and comfy to wear throughout the day, and the style offers a great silhouette with coverage and pretty details.

If you want to rev it up, pair it with Ulla's Scrunch Dress Boot, #15923, in Leopard, or if you want to wear a flat, consider Ulla's Essential Skimmer,#15936, either the purple, gunmetal or black.

Please share what effortless dressing means to you.

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Be your personal best.