Thursday, June 15, 2017

I'm A Damsel, I'm In Distress, I Can Handle This (Megara)

Since it's just about Summer, it's about time we start dressing like it.

Megara for the Busty Y


I like to think of myself as the type of damsel who can get herself out of a bind, as such I've always had a fondness for Megara. Who doesn't like a princess who sees reality and still manages to dream on occasion. So, of course, I decided to put together than outfit for myself.

As someone of taller than average stature (5'9.5") with broad shoulders and no hips who carries her weight in the belly, I have to be careful with maxi dresses. I love them, but if they don't have a visible waist, they don't love me back. Even a gathered waist isn't always enough since I'm also pretty busty and have to go up a size to give the girls enough room. This is also why I have a large collection of belts and scarves. I need to accentuate my natural waist or else I look lumpy in unflattering ways.

Summer in Seattle isn't warm every day, even when the sun is out, and as such I paired the dress with a light weight cardigan. To keep things airy and light go with a light knit with a wide weave. Added bonus, it makes the dress more work appropriate. Since the cardigan is light and stays open, it doesn't make you look wider than normal. If you are worried about things like that, you could also belt over the top of the cardigan.

Accessories are how you really make or break an outfit. Instead of being a standard sprint outfit, we want this to be Megara. As such keep to a Greek style. Gladiator sandals, simple knots, geometric designs and gold instead of silver. I tossed in a Pegasus clutch becuase how could I not? It was adorable. Nude lip, smokey purple eyes, and your hair pulled up in a pony tail and voi la! The job is done.

Thanks for coming by, it's been a real slice.

Stevie

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Heading to Gasparilla!

The Urban Scallywag and I are leaving cloudy Seattle and heading to sunny Tampa, Florida for sun, fun, and Pirate Shenanigans! Because I, unlike the Captain, do not have a formal pirate outfit, I've had to make do with what was already in my closet. Thankfully, as a cosplayer and general fashion nerd, I happen to have a lot of things in my closet.

Urban Pirate for the Y Shaped Amazon


I understand that wenches wear skirts, but I am not a wench and I have a tendency to accidentally flash people whipping my skirts out of the way when drinking and sword fighting. As such I decided my favorite faux leather leggings were going to be the base for the outfit. Who doesn't like leather pants? Also, they make my ass look amazing and I need all the help I can get. Though it will be cloudy and upper 70's and that's summer weather for me, so I could regret the pants. I'll let you know on the flip side.

So I have discovered I am often arguing with people over whether something is a dress or a tunic. I feel that something that doesn't fall more than an inch past your crotch doesn't really count as a dress, but more of a tunic. I prefer to use them as tunics and long shirts. A dear friend likes to argue, but she's got legs for days and pulls the look off rather well so to each there own. In this case, though, I'm going with tunic and added a belt to add some extra shape. I tend to get my shirts rather loose because I am quite busty (seriously, the ladies aren't getting smaller, just my band size is ...)

Toss on a black jacket (I will actually be wearing my purple cape, though, but to make this work corporate appropriate I went with a jacket), buckle boots, and a leather bag to finish off the clothes. The leather bag is important, but can be alternated with canvas, because it's another nod to pirates and saddle bags. Leather is harder to cut and better to stash your booty in, though. Like a strand of pearls. Everyone knows a lady pirate should have a string of pearls, preferably taken from the throat of a dear little debutante.

Ok, maybe I'm thinking of highway robbers now, it's all in good fun.

Keep your makeup fierce. I like a wing sharp enough to cut anyone that get's in your way and lipstick the same color red as the blood now coating your dagger.

So that's my plans for Saturday, hope everyone else has fun too!

Stevie

Friday, January 20, 2017

You've Heard Of A Dew Drop, This Is A Don't Drop (Silvermist)

We all know Water Fairies go with the flow, but no one is more laid back than the up beat, off beat Silvermist.

Silvermist for the Busty Y


It has been an interesting road, this weight loss journey I've been on. I went from having more belly than boob and no hips at all to quite a bit more boob than belly and the start of some hips. It's very strange to dress for a shape you no longer have and I've had to do some serious renovations to some of my favorite looks. Sadly I still don't have enough hip to wear pencil skirts, but I have hope for the future!

Since it's my journey and my blog I decided I wanted to put together an outfit for myself using one of my very favorite Disney Characters, Silvermist. She's so cheerfully distracted at the most serious of times. I appreciate that in a person.

I have a longer torso and shorter (very nicely shaped) legs, so I like to rock leggings and slim cut trousers. With the shortness of my legs I like to hem them just at the ankle and pair them with heels so my legs look longer. In this case I went with strappy metallic sandals that are darker than my pants but went rather well with the top. The top is loose and flowing, I often find that I need to change flowy shirts and tunics a bit on the sides so the fabric doesn't just hang off my boobs and make me look pregnant. I like the ombre effect and find it very much reminiscent of water. Another problem with boobs is finding something that fits both your breasts and your stomach. I often get one or the other, shirts and jackets not being designed for busty ladies. To circumvent the issue I often look at blazers that are meant to be worn open This one has 3/4 sleeves, which will cover my tattoos if that is an issue that day (some meetings it can be) and is also still fun for warmer weather.

Accessories are really where you make or break an outfit. I couldn't resist the Tinkerbell outline necklace, since Silvermist is one of her best friends. No straight lines here, waving silver lines making up the cuff and turquoise river rocks for the wrists, pretty with or without the jacket. Seahorse earrings, and a canvas tote bag to cart all my stuff with an ocean view printed across it. A hat is personal preference, I love hats, and I also love being lazy with my hair so I would leave it down. Keep everything organic as you can.

Last, but not least, keep your makeup simple. Aqua blue eye shadow, use a bit to line your lower lid as well, and heavy black mascara, nude lips, a hint of blush, and there you are. One Corporate Water Fairy ready for a day at work.

Remember, Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

Stevie

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Sometimes You Gotta Run Before You Can Walk (Iron Man)

Who has time to join a super-secret boy band, anyway? Certainly not me. Between Cosplay, Spartan Races, and actual work I can only dream of creating armor like Iron Man.

Iron Man for the Hourglass


My girl J, the Pepper Potts to her real life Tony Stark, just got her new job and to celebrate I'm doing a blog post for Iron Man, the comic book character that brought those two crazy kids together. Unlike the cinematic Pepper Potts, all willow grace and sleek lines, MY Pepper is a compact hourglass with a poise I only wish I could emulate and the ability to arch her eyebrow like Natalie Rushman, making weaker people jump in line rather than getting in her way.

Now if you are doing Iron Man, you need sleek lines and red all over. As such I went with a bodycon t-shirt dress. Comfortable, flattering, and in that lovely red Iron man is known for. You could wear this without leggings or tights, but if you live in a cold place you may want them. The ombre leggings going from red up to black will have the added bonus of making the legs look longer, especially when paired with stilettos. Note that if you do a lot of walking you may not want to wear heels quite so high. A simple belt is always good to cinch in the dress when you have an hourglass figure, you want the curves to be noticed. I chose a simple gold belt because again, the Iron Man suit is all sleek lines.

The gold tuxedo jacket will draw all eyes to you in a meeting, but it will also keep you warm if the AC is set a little too high. I didn't want a red jacket with the red of the dress, sometimes you need to tone things down a little, but the gold stops the outfit from seeming altogether tame. Warrior Red lipstick, gold jewelry, the simpler the better, hint of a cat eye and lots of volume on the eyelashes and you are done. I added an Iron Man purse because I like the flair and who says you can't have a little whimsy in Corporate America?

Remember - drive it like you stole it.

Stevie

Thursday, February 11, 2016

She Hulk is a smash in these outfits

You ever wanted to punch someone in the face at work, but know you have to use your words instead? Yeah, me too.

She Hulk for the Petite Athletic


Being petite can make it hard, sometimes, to dress. Being any size can make it hard! People aren't built the same, but designers and clothing manufacturers can't really cater to every single body type out there. Sadly custom clothing also isn't a feasible option for most people, it's just too expensive. Thankfully there are people like me in the world who can help you out when you need a little advice.

Sometimes I like to go a bite more literal than others with an outfit. Green pants for a character who likes showing off her green legs? Definitely an easy pick, I know, but I'll make up for it, I promise. I picked skinny leg trousers for the look, make sure they are properly hemmed. If they are too long they will make your legs look shorter than they already are, and no one wants to look short legged (I have short legs, so I assume no one wants short legs.) They shouldn't have room in the butt, if they do, they are the wrong size and you have to go try on another pair. Yes, try them on. Always try on your clothes. I know the process is painful, at times, but it is worth it in the end!

The dainty lace top is sleeveless and high necked, but it shouldn't fall any lower than your hips. The eye will be drawn from the high neck down to the feet, making you appear taller than you are, especially with those cute wedges on. They are high and a soft grey instead of white because I am not a fan of white shoes. Mostly because I live in Seattle, land of rain, and imagine stepping in a questionable puddle while wearing cute white shoes. Yeah, it isn't pretty. I've done it. It's upsetting.

I like the hard and soft concept with She Hulk because Jennifer, despite being strong and intelligent, always seemed a bit soft to me in a lot of ways. The pretty woman with the mind like a steel trap and will of tempered vibranium. So with the pretty lace top all soft and delicate, I chose a structured, purple biker jacket with a flare at the hem. It will add shape to a body that is mostly straight lines, bulking the shoulders a bit and being snug at the waist, giving you the illusion of curves.

No outfit is complete without the accessories! Please note the delicate pearl Saturn earrings, they are lovely and my homage to Planet Hulk. Also the hulk watch because it was awesome. The hat was because I like hats and because Jennifer's hair is green, I love purses and have more than I need (not nearly as many as I want) and like to find one's I think fit the character. Cute, functional, classic, it all seemed very She Hulk to me. Leave your hair down, maybe put some sea spray in it to get some beach wave going, and stick with nude makeup - you don't need anything else to highlight your beauty.

She hulk for the pear shape


I have a friend who hates her hips, it boggles my mind but then the grass is always greener, right? Get it? Green! No? Okay, I'll move on. She wanted an outfit that would mask her hips a bit, so I offered her a skater dress. Simple lines, pretty, looks good on a variety of different figures. This one has a fuller skirt and while I'm usually not a fan of spaghetti straps at work, that is what the big scarf is for, you can use it as a shawl and cover your shoulders if someone takes issue.

We go back to the hard and soft disparity with the leather biker jacket over the sweet dress. The purple bold against the white. Biker jackets tend to have shorter torso's, which work well for pear shaped people as it can make their curves look more dramatic by nipping in at the natural waist and stopping above the swell of the hips. Perfect with a full skirt for the same reason. I wouldn't suggest wearing the dress on a bike, though, for what I hope are obvious reasons.

I am really into hats, I love interesting colors and fun shapes. The purple, in this case, was one that was almost like a softer version of the jacket, and with the black leather band I thought they would pop well together, especially with the green scarf between them. Scarves can be hit or miss. I like ones that are long enough for me to tie both ends together and loop around my shoulders like an infinity scarf. If they are even longer, all for the better!

I went with green ballet flats for this outfit, mostly because I am a big fan of flats, but also because I like the flats with the dress. Personally I'm not one for tights unless it's cold and I see this as more of a summer outfit, so I didn't add them. If you are a nylons person, go with a sheer nude. Or opaque nude if you are hiding tattoos.

I added the same purse as the last outfit because I am in love with it, same goes for the watch and earrings. I need a Hulk watch. I did find an awesome Hulk Fist silver necklace for this one, though! The deeper neckline needed a necklace. So, Hulk smash the cleavage. Super Leave your hair down, add some sea spray for beach waves to look relaxed and effortless. Go with nude makeup, the bright colors of the outfit could make fun colored eye shadow look garish, and you have a complete look!

Remember the key to any outfit is confidence and comfort. If you are emotionally comfortable in your outfit, you have more confidence.

Own it.

Stevie