If I'm being honest, January has been an absolute nightmare. I tend to use the first month of a New Year as foreshadowing material — but I am seriously hoping that 2015's is a fluke. Perhaps all of the really terrible things are getting themselves out of the way to make way for softer, kinder months, especially considering that by the end of 2014, I was actually looking forward to the coming 12 months. But I guess that's what you get for having good expectations. (Moral of the story: Never have expectations other than bad ones.)
I know it's hard to tell how bad January has been based on these photographs — but I can't take any credit for that. The ethereal prettiness is mostly down to Rachel Crittenden's beautiful photography (and, you know, how she is as a human), and also the fact that it's hard not to feel happy when wearing a dress like this. I've been obsessed with red lately, and I think this dress is definitely that obsession's climax. It's a little number by Chi Chi Clothing for ASOS and is basically everything I need from an almost-gown. It flows and swirls. It has intricate lace detailing. And it has that nifty little ability of transporting you to age-5 before the world interfered in your never-ending happy dance.
Nothing about this dress is particularly "flattering," in the way that you hear that word so often thrown around. It doesn't show off my curves so that I look like a bombshell-classic-beauty-with-an-hourglass-figure. Nor does it hide them in a way that would make me pass as anything less than a chunky lady. But I think that's why I love it. It's not trying to be a fashion rule. It's just existing timelessly, as though the rules of dressing for your size never even crossed its mind.
Get the Look:
Chi Chi Plus Longsleeved Lace Bardot Midi Dress/ASOS
Those of you who know me — or who have spent time reading this blog — know my fascination with all things princess-like. I know, I know. Disney princesses have historically been bad role models, but they're improving! And besides, I think my love for all things regal stems from a desire to be pampered more than anything else (What can I say? I love a good cuddle and someone to bake cupcakes for me). Back when the Christmas market was in town, I gifted myself an Avigail Adams tiara that was so woodland fairy I honestly couldn't resist. And in the couple of weeks since, I've been waiting for the perfect dress to pair it with. Low and behold: The Jane Dress by Rum + Coke.
Everything about this is luxurious. The emerald velvet. The high-slits at either side. The sophisticated neck. For my January "Yes, Plus Size Women Can Wear..." column at Bustle, I knew I wanted to focus on slits and cut-outs — and the inspiration for that decision was definitely this dress.
Sometimes I want to feel pretty. Sometimes I want to feel casual. Sometimes I want to feel slouchy. At other times, I want to feel sexy. I feel like we often limit ourselves to one fashion sentiment — maybe because the world tells us we can only be one thing. But this dress kind of makes me feel everything. And that's a rare gem in this crazy world.
The natural decision for who to shoot me in this was obviously going to point me in the direction of Rachel Crittenden — my dear friend and a truly amazing photographer and writer whom I lucky to work with almost every day. She understands my not-so-subconscious desire to want to feel like/be a queen. And she captures that desire through her art. We shot in upstate New York at all these old estates and mansions, and it couldn't have been a better day. Mostly because she's also a princess.
There's a lot of crap that permeates the Internet — and society — revolving around all the things plus-size women can't wear. And though I haven't seen thigh-slits and cut-outs on those lists, I'm sure they're there somewhere. Because we're not supposed to show so much skin. But, alas. I am nothing if not a chunky lady rule breaker.
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