All Black Everything

HANDS DOWN, this has got to be my favorite outfit I've ever worn. 

I got the chance to get all dolled up, when the girls and I made our way to the Friday Night Live ROM. (Which is a party they throw at the Toronto museum) We actually got to sip cocktails while looking at exhibits then shook our booties around old artifacts (not really).

There was no dress code identified on the event, so when in doubt: All Black Everything. 

An all black outfit always looks chic and fashionable (with no real effort) and it's hard to define if you're overdressed or not. But in my opinon, go fashionably over-dressed if you're unsure of the dress code. You'll just look more fabulous than others than awkwardly out of place. 

I mentioned this faux leather skirt in a Friday Favorites, and even though it's a size larger (than I order) it was actually a bit too tight! I could barely breathe but it really emphasized my waist. The pleating in this skirt was also perfect. 

I was unsure over which top to wear, so I tried on about 4 black body suits and narrowed it down to these two:

I love (and have never worn) the one with the sheer sleeves, but I felt too over done (and too many textures). I think if it was a bigger night time event it would've been perfect. The one I'm wearing on the right is my basic body suit, and it is such a staple (I recommend everyone to own one). The only downfall was how sheer it is, and how my red bra pops (when taken with flash). I actually had to edit the red out.  

I'm also in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this belt, I received so many compliments on it! And the combination with this skirt was just too perfect. 

(here is a random photo of the scooped back)

**Also, excuse the crazy curls...the wind was not friendly that night.**

Outfit Details:

Black 3/4 sleeved body suit - ASOS Curve
Faux leather skater skirt - Newlook.com (Inspire)
Sheer black tights - ASOS Curve
Riding boots - Lanebyrant.com

Arrow necklace - ASOS

Oui/Non belt - ASOS Curve

How Michelle Styles Doc Martens (Part Two)

Here is the 2nd outfit to my "How I style Doc Martens" series! 

This outfit is also featuring my black docs (I have two pairs, and I believe amanda has three or four). This was my way to show how I wear Docs with something "dressier" like a skirt! 

This outfit is still very casual and falls into the "wintery" theme. If you'd like to see Docs paired with a dress, check out Amanda's (Part Three) post. 

This is another example of using Docs as an unexpected twist to an outfit. A skirt and cardigan can easily be paired with tall riding boots or loafers, but Docs always do a great job of adding edge to any outfit. 

Later on, while I was combing through the pictures. I felt like this outfit could have been done without the socks. It would've made it look a bit dressier and make my legs look longer. Small touches with acessories really make or break an outfit. I can also tell this outfit definitely need MORE accessories. I was in a bit of a rush and forgot to put on any jewelry (but to be honest I haven't fussed with any in a few weeks). 

Michelle's (Doc Marten) Tips:

 "The more you wear it, the nicer they will look!"

Doc Martens actually look better the longer you own them. The wearing in the leather will look more vintage (and also more comfortable)

But this doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of them like any other boot

- Make sure you are using a water resistant protectant spray on your Docs (at least once a week/or less if you don't wear them as often)

- Doc's can still get dinged up and the color scratched off (the leather). So even though they are heavy duty, treat them like you would a pair of riding boots.

- Canadian weather + driveway salt can really fuck up your boots in the winter. I haven't had a lot of damage done to my Doc's in the winter because when I notice salt stains I take a wet cloth and just rub them off. 

Outfit Details: 

Cardigan - english.gmarket.co.kr

White scoop neck tshirt - Old Navy

Skirt - Asos Curve

Tights - welovecolors.com

Socks - H&M

Doc Martens - CNE (The Ex Fair)

How Michelle Styles Doc Martens (Part One)

Welcome to our mini series: How Michelle/Amanda Styles Doc Martens

Amanda and I have collected a few pairs of Doc martens over the years and we decided to bring a series of posts showing how we like to style them!

**Of course there are a million ways to wear docs, so we are just showcasing how we spin our style on the classic 1460 Doc Marten boot (in all different colors). 

The first outfit I've chosen, I wants to show how to soften the look of Doc Martens. You don't always need leather and spikes to pull off these type of shoes. I decided to paired it when my classic matte black docs. 

Nothing says soft and cozy like a cable knit sweater! The soft material is a real contrast to my black heavy boots, but still pulls the look together. I had to keep going with this winter knit theme with the mittens and wool socks. You can still curl up beside a fire place with hot cocoa, even in Docs (if anything you'll be even warmer!)

Michelle's (Doc Marten) Tips:

- If you have black docs, match them with black pants or leggings and they'll elongate your legs!

- Play around with having your docs laced up all the way or loosely laced, they really make a difference to your look

- Don't attach yourself to what looks good WITH your docs, but throw them into any outfit to see how they look. It'll broaden your range and you'll get more wear out of them. 

Outfit Details:

Sweater - H&M (L)

Leggings - Forever21+ (2XL)

Socks (H&M)

Black Doc Martens - CNE (The Ex Fair)

Mittens - H&M

"Let me twirl my hair and bat my lash."

Long time no see dolls! 

Its been such a long time since I've done a post and my apologies! As you guys may know I'm back to school, so I'm pretty rusty at juggling school work. These photos were actually taken a couple weeks ago, before Amanda and I headed out to a friend's birthday. 

It was a low key bar scene so I decided to keep it simple. I've been OBSESSED with tall boots with tall socks, I try to wear them with all my fall outfits. The striped shirt was buried in my closet but really added a cute touch. I felt nautical and parisian :) 

**Thick calves/thigh? Having trouble with finding tall socks? I use very stretchy leg warmers! They give the illusion of thigh high socks. (I've gotten many of mine from H&M). I've also gotten many tall socks from sockdreamz.com. They have a wide plus size selection.** 

Clearly I need a break...or to go out more often. Curled hair?? EYESHADOW?!? 

I've been slacking on putting effort into the little things that make me feel more glamourous. No matter how hectic things can get, never forget a little self-care! 

The Canadian cold is playing tricks on us this year. One day it's windy and frigid, the next day I'm sweating in just a sweater. So no matter what I always need to be prepared, this is my fall-jacket-when-the-weather-kind-of-feels-more-like-winter jacket. 

I also kept accessories at a minimal so I just threw on my casio watch and a studded bracelet. 

Outfit Details:

Striped top - H&M

Black skater skirt - ASOS Curve

Sheer black tights - ASOS Curve

Wool legwarmers - H&M

Black riding boots - Lane Bryant

Green parka - Forever21+

Casio watch - eBay

Studded bracelet - Aldo

Love,

Michelle

Sweet Sweet Sailor

I think you guys knew this was coming... a nautical inspired outfit (surprised?). Even though I love anything nautical, I still want to spread some diversity across my half of the blog. But I do have to get back to my roots and dress up as a sailor in an unconventional way. 

This is an outfit I would love to wear out because it's kind of sexy but also represents my cute style. Sadly, I put this on so I could take pictures with Amanda in her backyard. The most interaction we had was being buffet food for the swarm of mosquitos (and when a dragonfly bumped into me). But if my social life really was kickin', I would be rocking an outfit like this. 

The top I'm wearing is actually a crop top! It's a shirt that typically wouldn't fit me (but thank god for cotton right?) so I have to make it look like it's tucked into something. The cut of the tank top isn't what I'm usually comfortable with, but I will do anything for a sailor inspired top. 

The tights were definitely not needed for this outfit, but I'm still trying to experiment with layering (accessories) and not always going for the bare minimum. 

Outfit Details

Sailor Crop Top - Forever21 (Large)

Black Skater Skirt - ASOS Curve (UK22)

Mock Sock Tights - eBay (2XL)

Black Brogues - Forever21

Navy Hair Bow - American Apparel 

See you on the high seas!

Love,

Michelle

Blue Skies Over Badlands

This necklace proves that impulse shopping leads to great things. It's the most expensive jewelery I've ever bought from Forever 21, however I only realized how much it cost after I hit purchase. I ended up loving it and it made for great pictures.

Lesson? BUY BUY BUY. And think later.

I wore this outfit to volunteer at my research job downtown which requires me to dress up (no jeans, running shoes, etc.), so I usually pull together some kind of cute shirt, skirt, flats combo. I've owned the skirt for a few years now, and it's made its way to staple status in my wardrobe, largely in part due to its having pockets. I really aim high.

Despite the fun I've had putting together outfits for the blog so far, I often rant about my hate for summer - particularly the fact that you can't layer. You put on a skirt and a top and... that's it. Where are the scarves! The legwarmers! The cardigans! Sigh. If anyone needs me, I'll be in a field somewhere waiting for The Great Pumpkin. 

Begrudgingly yours,
-A

Outfit Details:
Necklace - Forever 21
Top - Winners
Skirt - H&M (2009)
Flats - Forever 21

(Pssst, you can also follow me on Tumblr here.)

An Overall Great Outfit

So punny. I can't help myself!

Some days, I pull things together and I can't tell if I look cute because I'm dressing on trend, or because I look like a four year old boy whose slightly gender confused. The result of which was overalls and heart-patterned pantyhose.

I do this thing a lot when thrifting where I pull some strange garment from deep within the racks and hold it out in front of me and ask myself "can you really pull of shoulder pads?", "are you thin enough to wear something this tight?", etc. But, in spirit of the blog, I keep reminding myself I can wear whatever I want as long as I think I look awesome in it. Or if this whatever-I-want has, like, 15 pockets. I'll never need a purse again!

And because I'm really bad at posing (the outtakes of this shoot will haunt me for weeks), and since I felt like a prepubescent boy, I thought it most appropriate to go exploring. Next to a sewer. Next to a condo.

 

Since deciding to start up the blog, I've realized that I've been really off my accessory game lately, so when I saw this jade ring at H&M while shopping last week, I knew I needed to give it a home on my left middle finger.

(If anyone asks, the run in my pantyhose is totally on purpose, and not because I get caught on door frames and sit on pavement and stuff.)

-A

Outfit Details:
Overalls - Thrifted, Black Market
T-Shirt - Thrifted, Value Village (originally Forever 21)
Stockings - American Apparel
Shoes - Chucks (old faithfuls since I was 16)
Ring (jade) - H&M 
Ring (peace signs) - Street Vendor on Queen West
Earrings - Forever 21

Wind Swept But Still Edgy

I wanted to make sure not every outfit had a nautical theme, so I decided to dress a bit edgier (IMO). This outfit started out simple with my newly DIY'ed knotted tee and my new thrifted denim shorts. I decided to spice it up with a bunch of accessories and looked like an awkward bad ass wearing heels in a park. 

 

Even though it was a really cool day, my hair could not hold curls for it's own dear life. I ended up with some loose beachy curls that may or may not look like I did it on purpose. It was fun to flip in the wind though. 

This outfit was definitely a little more "daring" for me. That tiny patch of skin showing through the knot is something I would never have done last year. But I'm slowly breaking into the "I can wear anything I want" belief.

Outfit Details:

White knotted tshirt - Forever21+ (DIY'ed knot)

Denim high waisted shorts - Thrifted

Thin black belt - Forever21+

Tan suede wedges - Forever21

Triangle necklace - ASOS.com (mens section)

Beaded bracelets - Aldo, my temple

Rings - eBay.ca

Michelle - Simply Nautical

Ahoy there! To my old followers on youtube/tumblr or some lovely new ones! For my first outfit-of-the-day, I thought I could bring what I love most and represent on this blog; anything nautical :)

I guarantee you that the next few outfits posts from me will look extremely awkward because I am NOT used to posing for self portraits at all. I'm new to the plus size fashion world but I'm taking it by storm by wearing what I like and trying to love my body day-to-day.

Here I am wearing a basic nautical themed outfit. My view on maritime themed clothing can be broad but I love navy blue, stripes and anchors! I'm also wearing extensions, so you may have to get used to seeing me with all different lengths of hair :)

Outfit Details:
Wide neck striped t-shirt - Forever21+ (2xl)
Navy blue A-line skirt - Thrifted (1xl)
Black canvas shoes - Toms
Navy blue hair bow - Forever21
Black cord and gold anchor bracelet - ASOS.com

Amanda - The First Floral

Ahhh, this is weird. My first outfit-of-the-day is overall average. One of the challenges I face on a day-to-day basis is working in a professional atmosphere (hospitals, labs, etc.) while still trying to pull of loud prints or short skirts or strange accessories. Today was one of those days I had to keep things super simple so that I wouldn't scare off potential clients at work! The product of which was me throwing on this adorable floral print dress and black leggings, with a tied blouse on top for good measure.

 

I can't tell if I'm happy or sad in this picture.

After spending about 10 minutes outside, I did what any class woman would. I changed out of my leggings in a Tim Horton's bathroom. I also got an Iced Capp. Now that's multi-tasking.

I feel like I'm only allowed to take these kinds of shots if I have knuckle tattoos.

Taking these pictures and looking at them now, I realize that Tyra would so kick me off America's Next Top Model. I can barely keep my balance while walking, and the body awkwardness definitely shines through. That, and I'm not even smize-ing.

-A

Outfit Details:
Dress - H&M (2011)
Blouse - Thrifted, Value Village
Moccassins - Town Shoes
Owl Ring - Forever 21
Peace Sign Ring - Queen Street vendor in Toronto
Emerald Ring -18th Birthday Present