Transition Dressing and the LGD

It's cold - it's warm - it's in-between! Hmmnn...sometimes it's a reflection of the temperature on the outside and sometimes - the temperature on the 'inside!'

Applying the standard of the iconic Tim Gunn, can we find a go-to plus size woman's dress and "make it work?" Yes, Tim, we can! We're going to substitute a little gray dress (LGD) for a little black dress (LBD).


In Feng Shui, each color brings a different quality of energy. "Noble gray" is treated as a sophisticated, upscale Feng Shui color and is worth considering when building a little flexibility and transitional quality around a LGD. Three Ulla plus size dresses that seem particularly 'noble' are:

1. Matte Jersey Gathered Neck Dress, #21231
2. Floral Embroidered Knit Dress, # 21224
3. Color Block Knit Dress, #21225

Some guidelines that ease the transition between cool and warm temperatures:

• Knits that are lightweight but not clingy.
• Sleeves that fall in between the elbow and wrist - 3/4 is my favorite length
  
• Coloration that is neutral, deep, and easy to work with.
  

In the cooler months:

• Wear with opaque tights with (black, metallic or gray) flats or boots
• Layer with a mid-weight neutral or black cardigan
• Choose black, metallic or neutral accessories

In the warmer months:

• Wear with bare legs and ballet flats
• Layer with a light weight neutral or colorful cardigan
• Choose colorful jewelry and other accessories that coordinate with the cardigan
  

If you have any ideas to share that ease the transition into Spring, we'd love to hear them!

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear!

Until I Lose Weight - NOT!

Those pants won't look good until I lose weight. How often has that tape circulated in my mind? Too often!

I was blessed with 'thunder thighs." No, it's true. When I was younger and played tennis, volleyball and softball, I got great strength from my lower half and it helped me compete successfully. But that was m-a-n-y years ago.

Now, I have to give extra thought to the pants I choose and I have often stayed away from leggings for that reason. Some of the sound bites that ran through my head were, "Gee, I love the look of leggings and I wish I could wear them" or "Those leggings won't look good until I lose weight." or "Only thin women get to wear leggings - unfair!" Well guess what, I didn't lose any weight and the shape and size of my thighs have remained the same.

That said, here's a picture of me wearing plus size bottoms, leggings, specifically. I made choices that made a great pair of leggings work for me.

I chose:

• a longer, flashy top, to draw attention upward.
• hot accessories to steal the show.
• the boot cut legging to balance larger thighs.
• a legging fabric that has great weight and stretch to keep things smooth. (14621, Stretch Ponte Boot Cut Knit Leggings)
• a color that was deep and neutral (they come in gray and black)

The rub, so to speak, wasn't about "Those pants won't look good until I lose weight," but rather in making smart choices to pick the right pair of plus size womans leggings and make them look good on me here and now.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about sound bites like - "Those pants won't look good until I lose weight."

Babe
Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger
Feel good in what you wear.

Finding the Energy to Move Forward, Beautifully

One of the most bizarre things about working in the fashion industry is how much in advance of the season we plan or even photograph a collection. We took the pictures for Babe's Picks for Spring in November. Frankly, my heart and mind was filled with the Holidays.

That being said, I just saw the new lay-out for Babe's Picks and I can't tell you how happy it made me, it actually put a spring in my step. The clothing is so fresh, colorful and energized and the fabrics are soft, upscale and lean. Thinking about it for a while, I realized, sometimes I need a push to move forward. One of my New Year's resolutions is to intuit good energy around me, 'wear it' and allow it to move me forward. Where can you find that 'good energy' though?

Let's talk about 'wearing good energy' for a moment, both metaphorically and literally. As a metaphor, it inspires me to be attuned to positive vibes from people, places and things, and thereby uplift my attitude, my presence and my impact in my own small corner of the world. Literally, it raises my fashion quotient which I then parlay to do much of the same, uplift my attitude, my presence and my impact in the world. Here's my recipe, and the best part is that you can uplift yourself, that is, find 'good energy' right in your closet:

• Choose an empowering silhouette, one that flatters and propels you fashion-forward.
  
• Choose color that uplifts your skin tone and spirit.
• Choose sensuous accessories that make you feel pretty and feminine.
• Choose cuts and fabrics that help you to be comfortable in your own skin.

As we go forth in the New Year, what's your recipe for wearing 'good energy?'

Happy New Year!

Babe
Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist
Feel good in what you wear!