You are here: Home / Archives for wardrobe essentials

Corporate Curves Report: High Street Shirt versus Campbell & Kate Shirt

April 30, 2013 By 10 Comments

Well hello again to you all. This week I planned to deviate a bit from the recent US shopping trip reviews with a review of this spring’s grunge style, but let’s get back to that next week. The reason for this sudden change of plans was the Campbell & Kate parcel waiting for me when I got home today, and I just had to try it on immediately to compare it to the high street shirt I had been wearing.

The high street shirt from Seppälä – a Finnish chain store. It sort of fit without peekaboo gaping, but it’s obvious that it’s too tight around the bosom.

Easy to guess which was a better fit–the Campbell & Kate shirt of course! The high street spring trend coral shirt was a very decent fit for what the shirt is, especially it being from a Nordic high street store which tend to be bigger around the bust and roomier around the shoulders. That is because statistically the Nordics are a busty and tall region on the world map. I’m only 5’4″ myself, though, only an inch taller than Darlene.

Campbell & Kate shirt, fits like a glove! Material is soft and nice and has enough elasticity to make it comfortable to wear. Personally like it most when buttoned all the way up! Dress pants are by NYDJ and the jacket is the Nine West one that you’ve seen in the past weeks.

Please excuse the bra. I was only trying the shirt on after work! I’m not wearing it outside like this. :) I’m so happy to finally add a comfortable and well-fitting classic white shirt to my wardrobe and to start styling it. I have tons of styling ideas buzzing in my head and would love to hear your favorite ways of wearing a classic white shirt–with jeans and casual shoes to lunch on a Saturday or strictly to the office?

A note from Darlene: I promise I didn’t put Tina up to writing this post, and she paid for her own shirt, but of course I’m thrilled that it looks so amazing on her and that she wanted to write about it. You can see two more photos of her wearing a C&K shirt last October on FB (front view and side view), including shirt and bra size information. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings if you have any critical observations to make in the comments. Personally, I can’t wait to see how else she wears it.

 

Filed Under: Buxom Blazers, Jackets and Coats, Corporate Curves Report, Shirt Reviews, wardrobe essentials

Big Bust, Small Budget: Wearing My New Urkye Mala to a Spring Benefit

April 24, 2013 By 21 Comments

When I catch up with an old friend on Friday night, we’ll be doing it over dinner at a spring benefit she’s invited me to. The dress code is “festive attire”.

I’m interpreting “festive attire” to include “little black dress”. Fortunately, another friend of mine just purchased the Urkye Mala dress in size 40 44 00/000, decided it wasn’t for her even though she looked amazing in it, and sold it to me for $50 including shipping. After reading Erica’s review of the Mala dress, seeing it on my friend, and trying it for myself, I’m convinced that the Mala dress is a wardrobe sure thing for every busty woman. You can find my quick rundown of its pros and cons after the jump.

In preparing for Friday, I’m remembering one important lesson that I’ve learned from attending other New York City benefits where people dress up: Don’t try to be something I’m not. One thing I’m not is a woman with an unlimited clothing budget. I can’t afford to buy the kind of dress that will pass me off as a socialite who can’t afford to be seen in the same dress twice.  Instead, I need to concentrate on what I’ve been learning since writing this blog: try to be the best me possible.

Fortunately, the Mala dress serves as a great foundation for this goal, and after a quick trip to Marshall’s on Sunday, I put together the following looks for Friday night. None of them say “look at me“, but I think they avoid “hide me”. I welcome your opinions because there’s still time to try something else if you point me in the right direction!

P.S. I’m also experimenting with extending my legs with dark hose and black shoes, or beige shoes that match my skin tone. After the jump, I post a pic that convinced me that nude legs and black shoes are not an option. Also, shorten the dress an inch, or is it fine as it is?

I was wondering if I had time to order from Sleevey Wonders when I had the idea of finding an inexpensive, tight sleeved top to create my own version of a Sleevey Wonder by cutting away everything but the points where the sleeves are connected to the bodice. I also remembered XLHourglass’s addition of sleeves to a formal dress last December: http://xlhourglass.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html However, in this photo, the entire Max Studio top fit under the dress and would require just a little pinning to hide the neckline.

You can’t see it, but this $25 Nine West cardi has gold thread woven throughout, which dresses it up. When I see myself in the mirror in this outfit, I really like it. When I see it in photographs, I think it looks too office-like for Friday night.

I think this is my favorite look, but I’m not sure why. I borrowed the wrap from my friend, so it’s also the least expensive look. (Excuse the thigh highs sliding down in the pic on the left!)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Accessories for Busty Women, Bridal and Evening Wear, Dress Reviews, wardrobe essentials, wardrobe tips
«Older Posts