Rackstagram: Shades Edition

It's summer, and you know what that means. Aside from sunshine and swimming pools, it also means its the season of sunglasses! This year I may have gone a little crazy getting my corneas ready for the blaze, but it's not like its hurting anyone but haters (yahuuuurd!)

A Fine day for Wearing Leather

The Leather Biker Jacket from Asos Curve
Beautiful details
Gorgeous Fit
Incredible comfort

The Tee and Tights
Shirt - Dorothy Perkins
Leggins - Forever 21+
Boots - Thrift

The Eccentric Edge
Shirt - Thrift
Skirt - New Look Inspire
Tights - Forever 21+
Creepers - Demonia via eBay

The Ladylike Edge
Dress - Alfani
Leggings - Forever 21+
Boots - Thrift

I love this jacket and what a great option it is for assembling good warm-weather outfits. I'm definitely warm-weather bias and I love to layer and wear neck-to-ankle covering ensembles. Not because of body shame or whathaveyou, but because its so many more options, so many more things one can wear without sweating to death. Fall and Winter have always been more about wearing clothes than wearing less clothes. I put together these three looks to show sort of the way I would style this jacket with my clothes now. The weather is getting chillier by the day, people are bundling up, and I am ready to suit up in my cold weather best. Bring on the scarves and gloves and jackets, tis the season!

Whether the Leather is Better

I got this leather look circle skirt from New Look a while ago but haven't been able to wear it. It's all crinkled up from the trip over here in my car but still, it's a bit fetching is it not?

Barring the ashy legs and be-socked feet, the wrinkles and the obvious
haste with which this 'fit has been thrown together, I think it's a
pretty decent look don't you?

Jonesin' for some Jackets

SO! The Great Jacket Debate of 2012 ended with the resounding bang of big money being dropped on that famed Asos leather jacket. Perspiring brows were wiped, great sighs of relief were heaved, triumph reigned above all!

But that wasn’t the end of it.

No, for where there is a winter, there is a way! A way to battling the chill with cunningly designed and executed outerwear that is, and I’ve thrown together (the first of what might be a series of) examples of stylish cold weather protection.

1 - Country Quilted Jacket - 39.99 GBP

• Look at this jacket, its a beaut! Aside from the obvious trend appeal in the quilting, you have to take a minute to appreciate the other details that make this jacket really great. I’ve seen plenty of quilted jackets and its really the details that take them from “granny chic” to the kind of classy trendy look I like. This one features awesome shoulder and back patches, subtle matching lining along the bottoms and front, and gold zippers. Cute and relatively inexpensive, up to size UK26

2 - Fairisle Boyfriend Cardi - 26.99 GBP

• I personally enjoy almost everything boyfriend. I’ve got a pair of shoulders an ox would envy so the relaxed cut and sizing of boyfriend items gives me a respite from the usual constraints of female aimed tailoring. That said, this cardigan appeals to me on more levels than just potential for comfort and good fit, it’s got an extremely cute and on-trend pattern going on. You can waltz out to any winter wonderland and wait for everyone else to get jealous. This also comes in a tribal monochrome for those of us who prefer our blacks and whites

3 - Navy Suedette Trim Jacket - 69.00

• Another manifestation of the quilted trend, coming up strong next to the New Look option. Dorothy Perkin’s incarnation comes in Navy instead of cream like the one from New Look. This jacket also has a brown trim but, instead of gold zippers, has brass looking button details and flap pockets. 

4 - PU Sleeve Coat - 125.00

• This jacket, from Simply Be, has made an appearance on my wishlist already but I just felt the need to bring it back up because it is amazing. At first glance, anyone could think “oh its just a black jacket” but that’s only the first layer. It’s taken being just black to a deeper level of style that has me waxing poetical. The PU sleeves, lapel, and pocket detail send this “plain black jacket” miles up on the style meter. You’ll turn heads strutting around in this number, its got that kind of funk. Flash without being flash, clean and understated but still eyecatching. Difficult to achieve but this jacket does it. 

5 - Double Breasted Trench Coat - 99.00

• This jacket is the kind of cute and trendy deviation from the usual in trenchcoat fare that never fails to catch my eye. I’m pretty weak to cute and deviant. I like the capelet part of it as well, that differentiates it. Nothing too crazy, but just enough detail to make it distinctive. It’s the kind of jacket you can wear for a long time and be relatively unbothered by the fluctuation of trend. Simply Be has taken a traditional trench and just tweaked it a bit and I think I really like it.

6 - Swing Duffle Coat - 127.73

• Asos never fails to make amazing an understatement and this jacket is no exception. From the moment I first lay eyes on it, I wanted to Know it and for it to Know me…biblically. No, I kid. But all jokes aside, this jacket is the serious Business. It’s reminiscent of very early childhood spent running through puddles in the full skirt pea-coat type thing your mom always forced you into…or something. Anyway, this jacket has a hood, a full skirt, and cute front details. Black it may be, but boring it is not.

7 - (its also marked as 6 because I am an idiot) Shrunken Boyfriend Blazer - 76.64

• Boyfriend blazers might be old hat in the Game of Jackets and Coats, but I figured that someone out there might not have glommed on to that particular mode of winter protection yet and might enjoy an option, however expensive this one is. Unlike your usual boyfriend blazer, this one from Asos is shrunken, made to fit just a little more closely to your lady lumps. That might be off putting for some of us, but its actually a good idea to have a good fitted blazer in your outerwear arsenal and this one is pretty darn decent. Simple lines and a suave black on black look make this blazer extremely versatile. Which means you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

8 - Faux Fur Coat with Contrast Hem - OOS (47.68)

• When I first saw this, I recoiled. I was like, Asos! What gives!? But the more I looked at it, and with a helpful visual of what it would look like on the body of someone plus size and not a model, the more I came to realize that it was the most beautiful thing ever. Of course the two-tonedness of it is a trendy detail that’s impossible to miss, and let’s not forget to give a nod to the animal friendliness of it’s fake-fur. All in all, its a jacket I wish I could shrug my (considerably expansive) shoulders into this winter. Sadly, it is sold out. Quelle Dommage! Perhaps Asos will put out another fake fur jacket in the near future? Who knows.

9 - Popper Parka - 110.70

• Last but not least we have this tribute to the rage of military trend that is making its resurgence in lady clothes this season. As far as camo-print outwear goes, I’m all set, and once I stud my bad boy to within an inch of its life, I will be styling on everyone. But this olive colored wonder still calls out to me, despite my (yet unfinished) means to military swag completion. It’s got a hood and the cut of it is cute and flattering. A drawstring at the waist ensures lady lump visibility and the eyecatching metal accents on it are icing on the top. It’s a pretty great parka and rides the line of simple and edgy comfortably. Chuck on some Docs or some destroyed denim to play up the edge or maybe some slim black pants and a neutral colored shirt for the other. Versatility is this jacket’s middle name.

SO there you have it. My spin on these 9 pieces of outdoors wear. Questions? Comments? Style concerns?

The Great Jacket Debate of 2012

AT LAST!

These are actually pretty giant

Use Asos code BACKTOSCHOOL to get 20% off anything in the store! I used it on these two items and got my total reduced from about 195 to 154! Still a whopper of a price tag for someone whose budget has to stretch to include anything over $20 but totally worth it in the end! I am in love with this jacket and knew I needed to own these earrings the second I spied them on Nicolette Mason's blog a little while back.

I'm happy as a cat that got the glam-bam ear shinies and the badass leather jacket cream. I'll do a review on the products when they get in, but for now I can bask in the glow of materialistic accomplishment.

Earrings

Jacket

.
My Wish List for the Fall

1.  Biker Jacket with Detachable Fur from Simply Be, $95.

2. Sheer Contrast Collar Shirt in White from Forever 21, $14.50.

3. ASOS CURVE Matt Leggings, $29.83.

4. ASOS Punk Multipack Mitchmatch Rings, $16.57.

5. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Knitted with Contrast, $58.00

6. ASOS Quilted Metal Corners Across Body Bag, $33.14.

7. Jeffrey Campbell - Foxy Wood in Black Kidskin from Solestruck, $119.95.

8. Square Enamel Ring from New York & Company, $16.95.

9. Jeffrey Campbell - Foxy Wood in Pewter Glitter from Solestruck, $119.95.

10. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Top with Peplum Hem in Oxblood, $36.45.

11. Cooperative Suede Platform Wedges in Black from Urban Outfitters, $19.99.

12. Faceted Cabochon Choker from New York & Company, $24.95.

13. Faceted Button Stone Earrings from Lane Bryant, $14.95

14. Crystal Embellished Round Face Watch in Rose Gold from New York & Company, $24.95.

15. ASOS Smooth Triangle Collar Tips in Gold, $16.57.

16. This jacket is featured in a couple of the Forever 21+ looks. I hope it comes out soon because my shoulders need it because of reasons.

17. Tipped Shirt from Simply Be, $39.00.

18.  Over the Knee Stretch Boots (Wide Calf) from Lane Bryant, $84.95.

What’s in your wish list?

OOTD: I'm Such a Stud

Beetlejuice striped leggings - ebay
triangle studded denim shirt - DIY
leopard smoking slippers on my ashy feet - lane bryant
awesome gold casio watch - amazon
red little purse - a gift from my ma

closeup of the stud job taken from my instagram
follow me @nsq89 for some cool stuff

I had seen this shirt on tumblah and it was this awesome studded number in denim and I thought to myself, gurr, you ain't nevah gonna find dat in yo size. And so I ordered some gold cone studs and shook out one of my nice thrifted denim shirts that would button up all the way and went to work. It took a little doing, but I got it done. Wore it to the mall to meet with Vikky. Luckily it was near the end of the day so I didn't burn up...but what am I even saying!? I've lived here so long that I can wear sleeves in 100 degree weather. Philly is gonna be tough!

Internet Window Shopping

It's been a tough few days over here and I thought, you know what you need? A bit of retail therapy! Unfortunately, my wallet doesn't provide much wiggle room in terms of buying out the entire stock of Asos Curve, but that doesn't mean that I can't find joy in looking now does it? And so my wishlists are born!

Already this wishlist has brought me joy. The New Look Skirt, the MAC lipstick, the
 Lane Bryant Boots and the Casio watch are already miiine!

1) Asos Curve Circle Skirt (damn, looks like they sold out?)

2) Asos Curve Matt Leggings - 29.83

4) Asos Curve Swing Duffle Coat - 124.28

5) Asos Curve Leather Biker Jacket - 165.70

6) Regal Rose “Alexa” Vintage Chunky Chain Necklace - 16.00 GBP

7) Regal Rose “Vivienne” Heavy Metal Chain & Spike Necklace in Silver - 15.00 GBP

8) MAC “Ruby Woo” Lipstick - 15.00

9) NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Polynesia - 42.00

10) New Look Leather Look Circle Skirt - 19.99 GBP

11) Lane Bryant Side Zip Buckle Boots in Black - 79.95

12) Black Tied Multicolored Hamsa Hand Bracelet - 18.12

13) DANNIJO “Lucy” earrings - 224.00

14) Gold Casio Watch - 34.00

15) Miista “Alka” in Black - 139.95

I know the watch is a repeat but that's because I want the gold on gold watch
as well as the black on gold one I already have

1) Simply be PU Trim Trench - 60

2) Simply Be Biker Jacket with detachable Fur Collar - 95

3) New Look White Chiffon Roll-Sleeve Safari Shirt - 17.99 GBP

4) Regal Rose Edah Lotus Jade Cross Bracelet - 14 GBP

5) Asos Multi-Zip Cat Clutch Bag - 37.28

6) Simply Be PU Sleeve Coat - 125

7) Casio A168WG-9EF Gold Plated Digital Watch - 66.28

8) New Look Pale Blue Denim Shirt Dress - 22.99 GBP

9) Regal Rose Rene Huge Gothic Cross Earrings - 13 GBP

10) Fashion to Figure The Pop Star Dress - 40

11) Fashion to Figure L’Amour A-Line Striped Dress - 38

12) Asos Flower and Jewel Drop Earrings - 24.86

13) Fashion to Figure Heiress Stud Earrings - 10

14) Fashion to Figure Gold Chain Link Bracelet - 12

15) Fashion to Figure Heiress Ring With Gold Rope Detail - 8

16) Urban Outfitters Circling Serpent Ring - 24

I'm going after the jewelry next since my stock of bling-a-brack is pretty pathetically low. I'm also on the hunt for the perfect plus size leather jacket, but my wallet shrivels and weeps when I bring that up. Ha! Anyway, loads to do today, can't sit around on the internet.

What a wonderful time of year, and no, I don't mean Christmas.

I’m not sure what it is, but there’s been a tidal wave of good fortune concerning sales and online shopping. I’ve found myself in the position to help myself to some of the (admittedly slim on some places) pickings this year and have indeed gotten my grubby little hands on anything I could. I’ll do a bit of live modeling of the product when they’ve all, like the Avengers, assembled, but for now, pictures of the goods will have to suffice.

Asos

I got this awesome mint clutch. It is giant but really classy looking. I’ve already had compliments on it.

I also picked up these cool PU front leggings which I ordered a size too large so it’s kind of annoying around the waist, but that’s my usual problem. Big ol thighs.

Both of these were on sale and cut down to 70 and 50 percent of their original prices respectively.

Lane Bryant

I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE! 

They’re leopard smoking flats, which I’ve been on the hunt for, for literal ages. I have unfortunate feet in that they’re wide as well as just big so I haven’t been able to find any of these marvels in my size and, of course, the Stubbs and Wooton ones I found just had to be impossibly expensive. These are an excellent gem of trend consciousness in Dorothy Perkins and one I was never expecting to see. I’m dead happy about them.


Dorothy Perkins

I saw this and instantly knew it must be mine. Just look at it. It’s glorious.

The chain and animal theme is dead on with whatever zany trend is going on right now. It’s meant to be quite long but, as I’ve never worn anything from DP (just ordered a few years ago but that was unfortunately lost in the mail) I don’t quite know how their sizing works. I hear only good things about it though and they have some amazing stuff for up to a size 18.

This is a blue orchid print tunic that my heart stopped dead for when I saw it.

I love the mirrored design that keeps this from looking like something a granny would wear. I hope its long enough to wear as a minidress over like, tights or some such thing, I took one look at it and thought it’d be just perfect for that sort of thing.

I’m so excited for all my stuff to be in. I also bought a few things from F21 and Target but those were in-store and the F21 stuff wasn’t on sale (because their sale items in the plus range are almost never anything good here). I’m going to look around a little bit more to see if there’s any other sales I should take advantage of.