I know you all love to see different shapes and sizes in my Fashion series, so today Vicki is back and we’re sharing some style updates on her. Vicki mainly shops at Goodwill or thrift stores a lot of the time for her clothing. Not always, but that’s what she tends to do to find new things to add to her wardrobe. That works much of the time and she’s found some great brands and clothing pieces for her closet over the years.
Sometimes though, we need to add a few key pieces to freshen up the wardrobe that can’t always be found scouring the thrift stores. I’ve always wanted to see Vicki in some skinny pants, just to see how they would work on her. I think skinny jeans and pants can be slenderizing, so I wanted to see my theory in action on Vicki. So, she and I went to the local Macy’s at our mall recently and she and I went through the Woman department to pick out a few things for Vicki to try on. I was hoping my plan would work and it did! She looks great in skinny jeans and got such a kick out of trying on black jeggings. She got so inspired and with a little (OK, maybe a lot!) of encouragement from me, she bought a few pieces to take home.
Come along on our shopping trip!
Here’s Vicki on our way into the mall and Macy’s. She looks nice in these flare legged jeans and brown boots. The orange shirt is a great color on her. She and I have similar coloring, although she may be more pink-toned than I am. We both look good in corals and turquoise.
These jeans are also flared and are by Jessica Simpson (Kiss Me Bootcut jeans). They are a little more narrow in the leg, which is definitely slenderizing on Vicki. The long fringed sweater is by NY Collection and skims over her mid-section giving her a more slender appearance. She didn’t buy this one, but really liked it a lot.
Sweater: NY Collection (affiliate link). I don’t see this teal color online.
Jeans: Jessica Simpson Kiss Me Bootcut (affiliate link)
This next outfit was a fun one too. Skinny pants by Jessica Simpson in black (Super Skinny Kiss Me Jegging). We only took her brown boots with us, so imagine this outfit with black boots instead of brown and it would be much better. The bright coral top is by Inc. and the black and white long sweater coat is Calvin Klein. The sweater coat skims over the coral top and the way it meets in the middle camouflages the problem areas as well. She didn’t get this top or the sweater coat, but the black jeggings were a big hit.
I heard her laughing in the dressing room as she tried on jeggings for the first time, exclaiming….I can’t believe I’m wearing jeggings!
I asked her, do you feel sassy in those?! She said, most definitely YES!
Black and White Calvin Klein sweater coat (affiliate link)
Coral Inc Top (affiliate link)
Black Jeans: Jessica Simpson Super Skinny Jeggings (affiliate link)
Also with the black jeggings, we paired it with a long flowy dress, by NY Collection. She loved this dress, but she wouldn’t be comfortable to wear alone, since it is above the knee. She could definitely wear this with black tights and black knee high boots for a nice out to dinner look. Sort of a boho look. She took this dress/long top home with her.
I can’t find this exact dress online, but here’s a similar one in different color tones from NY Collection (affiliate link).
This last outfit was a knockout on Vicki. Again with the black jeggings, this rusty red long sweater is by NY Collection. The flowy cream/lace top is by Eye Shadow. The gray scarf is by Cejon.
I did this video last year for tying a scarf this way:
We loved this look and since Vicki already has a rust colored sweater, she decided to get this sweater in a cobalt blue (see link for colors). It will still have the same look, with a different scarf and black boots (of course!). She also bought the cream lacy tiered top, which looked great on her. It will be a nice layering top for her wardrobe.
Rust Long Sweater: NY Collection (affiliate link)
Cream Lace Top: Eye Shadow /I can’t find this one online at Macy’s, but here’s a similar one. (affiliate link) Too bad, because that is a really cute two layered top. Maybe you could find it at your local Macy’s store.
Gray Scarf: Cejon (Can’t find this scarf online at Macy’s).
It was fun to take Vicki shopping and have her try on clothes that are not normally on her radar. I wanted her to see how these skinny pants could work on her and they really do. She loved the outfits and will enjoy the pieces she took home with her.
So, I hope this gives you ideas if you are a plus-sized woman. You can still wear some trendy things that you might not have thought you could wear. Give it a try and see what you think!
Vicki sent along this well-written essay about our shopping trip and comparison in life in general, that I thought you’d all enjoy reading:
Hello to Rhoda’s faithful readers! Let me be clear! Absolutely no one but my life long friend Rhoda could have gotten me into a pair of JEGGINGS! What a time we had. First she got me into the mall! Second she got me into the jeggings! Third she got me to actually purchase the jeggings! The fashion makeover was a little uncomfortable at first but I’ve always appreciated Rhoda’s guidance and expertise with my wardrobe and my home.
My devotional reading today confirmed what I’d like to share in today’s post. Discontentment! Hopefully you aren’t like me and don’t compare yourself with others but from my experience it’s a common problem for women of all ages, stages and backgrounds. From an article written by a popular magazine editor to Facebook posts by young mothers, women often feel inadequate, never measuring up to the demands of work, home and family.
My self talk goes something like this. If my husband loved me as much as their husband loved them he would buy me a mini van. The new-to-the market automobile designed for moms came out when our children were babies.
I was the only one in the car pool line at the preschool who did not drive a mini van. I obsessed over a mini van. The Budgetmeister did not like mini vans and we never owned one. Then the Ford Explorer came out and I obsessed over this SUV. I just had to have one. Nope. I continued to drive my dated 4 door sedan and eventually moved up to a Taurus station wagon that I did love. But I obsessed over an SUV. For years.
It gets worse. These SUV’s often display bumper stickers touting accolades of one’s children, like “my child is an honor student” or “I’m a Georgia Tech Mom”. Well, I want to scream “my son could’ve gone to Georgia Tech! He could’ve gotten into any university with his SAT scores”. Or the cutesy window stickers with the big happy family complete with 4 children, a dog and 2 cats and the Mickey Mouse ears as proof they vacation at Disney. I’ve never been to Disney, and neither have my kids. Yep! I’m crazy!
But as I was sharing with my d-i-l recently, we don’t know what’s inside the mini van, SUV, or perfectly decorated home. What’s in the hearts of the people who occupy these spaces of my envy? Last week I witnessed a scene that brought me to my senses. A nice silver mini van pulled into a parking space near me. I watched expectantly as an attractive young woman dressed in coordinated workout clothes and tote bag opened the sliding door on the passenger side, assuming she had young children she was getting out. Then she pulled out a ramp and went into the mini van. She wheeled out, not a baby or toddler in a stroller, but an adolescent boy, about 12 or 14, profoundly disabled in a wheelchair. My heart sank. From the outside, her world appeared perfect, but oh how heavy her burden must be.
The same applies to the beautiful homes we see on blogs and Pinterest. It is surely by the grace of God that Facebook and Pinterest were not available when I was a young wife and mother striving just to live up to my own expectations. Imagine if I allowed my self worth to be determined by my comparison to the gorgeous photos of perfect families and perfect homes that permeate our on-line lives. As my devotional advised, I must stop “comparing, competing and complaining”. My happiness should come from things eternal, not things external.
Now we drive the largest SUV ever made and I can truly say I’m no happier than I was during the 4 door sedan days. There are no bumper stickers but if there were it would say “BLESSED!” Happy Fall, y’all!
Here are the same items (or similar) in pictures if you want to shop the post!
SilvanaJoanne says
I think all the outfits look great on her. I especially like the black and white sweater coat!
Renee says
Vickie, the outfits looked great on you that you tried on, you are a beautiful lady inside and out. Love your story, I can relate to that also. It took me a long time to figure out I should be happy with who I am and what God has blessed me with, because you never know what is in someone else’s heart. I also love thrift stores because you just never know what you will find.
gayle says
loved this, Vickie and Rhoda! beautiful ladies, beautiful words. I am blessed, also, and oh, so grateful.
Laurie Giantini says
Vickie you looked amazing in those clothes. Sometimes it is hard to get past our own images of ourselves and see the potential that others can see in us. I, too, have struggled with wishing for what appeared to be on the surface a much better life than mine. However, I have found out through my life that usually as soon as you decide that you can’t stand your own life any longer, God shows you someone else’s life and suddenly yours doesn’t seem so bad. My mother used to tell us to be careful what we wished for and I have found that to be very true. I am very happy with where I am now and very thankful for what I have.
Patricia says
Aww. What a wonderful friend you both have to each other – now that’s one of the most wonderful things you could ever get out of life. I love Vickie in the jeggings. I have some myself, and I have wore them, but I have very big calves compared to the rest of my body and they are so tight in that area I just don’t feel comfortable in them.
Lynn Hancock says
Thank you, Vickie, for sharing your heart. Actually, it’s a story that most of us can relate to to some degree or another. It’s so hard sometimes to not compare our bodies, our homes, our financial status, and even our families to others. Your story spoke to me this morning. Thank you again for sharing. You look great by the way!
Mary Nell says
Yep – my sentiments exactly! 🙂
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
Love your ideas for Vickie, as we have similar shapes 😉
Debbie
Barbara Moore says
Oh how I love these two women. Vicki has inspired me for over 40 years and is truly as beautiful inside as she is outside. You look mah-va-lous, darling! Thanks so much, Rhoda, for sharing her wonderfulness with the world. Vicki, I promise I’m NOT envying your incredible writing talent (you’ve now inspired me to cut out that envy stuff), but I sure would love to express my thoughts so beautifully. Great post!
Bonnie says
Love all the outfits but especially the red one with black jeggings & scarf! I bought a fringe sweater at Dillard’s like the blue one you tried on but mine has a design in the center and is red. I shop everywhere being petite. You look set & fabulous for winter. Right now in Mississippi we still have a/c on so my new clothes are just hanging in the closet but maybe it won’t be long. Enjoy your new clothes – you are so very pretty in your new outfits!
Tammy V. says
I just love you two! Very inspiring…
Laura says
Nice outfits Rhoda..love your fashion sense…great story Vicki. It’s a hard place to get to in ones life, but if only these words would resonate with some of the younger ladies out there they could save themselves years of torture! Why do we as women do this to our selves I’ll just never know! Thanks for sharing!
renee says
The last outfit definitely looks the best. Even if you are not plus size per se, but short and curvy, you have to be careful with the leggings/jeggings/skinny pants. I am only 5’2 and I have an hourglass shape. I have to be very careful with the narrow pant styles and the long/loose, etc. tops. If you are not careful, you can look like a penguin! You know, all the width in the trunk section with skinny little legs beneath! LOL To be honest, flare leg jeans (bootcut) with some chunky mid heels look best on me – because they lengthen me. I can get away with the new look of the cuffed straight leg jean and booties (again with a bit of heel, not flat). Knee boots usually don’t look the best on me because they make my short legs look exactly that – short!
Love that scarf!!
Cathy says
Rhoda, great blog today! You did a great job dressing Vicki. Vicki, I loved your comment at the end and I think you need to have a ton of “Blessed” bumper stickers made and sell them. I for one would buy one. I know from experience that all those things don’t make you happier. And as retirement is right around the corner it is nice to know my husband and I didn’t waste our hard earned money on things. I’ve never been hungry, cold, or without love. What more could I want?
Nancy says
I loved the things she purchased and what she shared at the end! Thank you!
Kate says
Great post!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Vicki! I really struggle with being content with where God has placed me. I have had to quit reading so many blogs because of this. Rhoda, yours is one of the few that manages to inspire and lift my spirits!
Bonnie says
I love Macy’s! It’s def one of my go-to stores. Vickie, all of those outfits look fabulous on you. I thought you had great restraint not buying everything but then I read your essay and understood that you know the important lesson that a lot of things doesn’t automatically equal a lot of happiness. Your essay was so lovely – it made me a little teary eyed too. 🙂
Sofia F. says
You are both beautiful ladies-on the outside, and more importantly, on the inside!! Thank you for sharing your hearts so honestly. Vickie-the black jeggings were made for you. 🙂
Ramona bassett says
I had NO doubt that this beautiful lady would look great in these clothes! She is so beautifull inside and out!
Nancy Cox says
Always love your posts. This one was truly a blessing. Thanks so much for sharing your story Vickie.
Terry says
All the items were cute, except that bulky black and white poncho thing. That was too bulky for any one. I just hate the label plus size. Why must women be labeled? Also, it sounds like Vicki has a good husband, which many women would envy. 🙂