Modest & Trendy?

Recently I posted a few things over on the Facebook page about shopping, clothes, style etc and a few of you reached out to me with some questions.  Mainly- how do you find trendy clothes on a budget and be modest?  Good questions for sure!

I feel like my style has evolved in recent years.  Dressing my 30+ year old self with a body type that does NOT fit the norm and still being on trend (but not too trendy!) can be difficult.

Years ago, I used to wear just about anything that was cute and on sale.  Seriously- those were my requirements.  I really didn't care about the quality of the garment, the overall style, it's longevity, the ability to mix and match it with other items in my closet- it just needed to look cute, fit me and be cheap.  That was 10 years ago.  Praise Jesus my style has evolved since then!

Just the other day a co-worker said to me "Chrissie- you always look so put together.  How do you do it?"  Now, you might have seen a blog post that I wrote last year about my closet.  It's seen some major transformations in the last 10 years but this closet holds the keys to my own personal style.  I've built a solid wardrobe of good quality basics, around colors and styles that compliment my body type and a few trendy accessories.  What every girl secretly wants, right?  But along the way, I've also made sure that my clothes are modest.

 I have since become extremely picky with what I choose to spend my money on and what I bring into my wardrobe.  Here's a few rules that I live by:

1. It must fit and look good from all angles.  Fit is everything for a bigger girl like me you guys!  Make sure that an item looks just as good in the front as it does in the back.  Overall length can be hemmed and you can certainly take a garment to a tailor but some things can't be fixed so keep this in mind when trying on pieces.  I also do not wear clothing that is too tight.  I've found it actually makes me look fatter not to mention I'm extremely uncomfortable.
2. It has to be in one of my colors.  Check out this blog post here to find out what I'm talking about but basically, I have 4 colors in my closet.  White, black, pink and grey.  If it's not one of these colors, its not coming in.  With the exception of jeans y'all- cuz I'm not crazy mmkay!
3. Price must be reasonable.  I don't mind spending a little more for a quality item but I'm not made of money.  There's NO WAY on God's green earth that you'll find me wasting money on clothes.  I shop the sales mmkay...but I've also learned what to spend more money on as an "investment piece" versus what not to.  For example, good black leather boots- SPEND THE MONEY!  White t-shirts- SAVE THE MONEY!
4. It has to travel the seasons.  Here in the Pacific NW, we've got fabulous seasons!  This means I need warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes and everything in between.  When out shopping, I do my best to find items that will carry over from one season to another.
5. Work and Home.  Since I work outside the home in a business casual environment, I have to have work clothes.  I simply don't have money to have 2 separate wardrobes for work and home.  So many of my items that I wear to work, you'll also find me dressing down for home.  They need to serve both purposes.  Psst- cardigans are GREAT for this!
6. Age appropriate items only please!  I tend to stay away from anything with words or a saying on it- "JUICY" across your sweat pant covered buns?  Most definitely NOT.  And while I am a Disney fanatic- you won't find me wearing the characters out in public.  Although I have been known to rock the glitter ears while in the Land.  Dressing too young makes you look older and no one wants that!
7. It's all about the basics.  I've worked hard to build a wardrobe of basics.  I'm talking- plain white t-shirt, converse, good fitting denim, simple black dress, cardigans, black heels etc.  Basics are not as easy as they may seem but if you've got a solid wardrobe full of basic pieces, they will fit all the other rules above.
8. Save the super trendy items for your accessories.  A few things that I'm known for are my super cute purses and fabulous shoes.  You can also play around with jewelry, sunglasses, hair styles etc.  You'll look trendy and on point without spending as much.
9. Steer clear of the "Mom" isle.  Few things scream MOM CLOTHES like ugly jeans, v-neck pastel t-shirts, ill fitting capri's and fugly shoes.  I'm 30, not dead.  While I'm not opposed to wearing capri's- you've got to find some cute ones with style.  Tread carefully here ladies because this can go ALL SORTS OF WRONG in a second!
10. Cover your bits and pieces.  I almost never wear a sleeveless top and shorter shorts- because that's a lot of skin y'all!  I am also careful not to show too much cleavage and I definitely won't be running around in the booty shorts anytime soon.  Maintaining my modesty is super important not only for myself but also for my son and my husband.  I want them to be proud of me and not embarrassed or concerned with what others are thinking of me.

It's possible to dress well, stay on a budget, be on trend and stay modest.  You can also look sexy while still being Mom.  I'm doing it.  It's also possible to be a bigger girl (like me!) and look trendy and put together.  There's seriously no reason to be running around in sweats or super sized t-shirts when out in public, there's so many great options for ALL sizes!

Below is a list of all the stores I shop at:

• Torrid.  Great for some trendier items, be careful with the prints though!  I don't need a dress with lipsticks on it or a t-shirt with a large skull print.  Torrid is also home to the most perfect jeggings on God's green earth!

$38.50!
Just bought this super cute top at their
 BOGO sale, so it was half off!  Didn't think
I would like it but that's why I always try things on!

• Land's End.  Love the plus size line for swimsuits as well as t-shirts.  Personally, I like a heavier weight t-shirt that isn't paper thin and see through, these ones are perfect!  And please- don't buy the pastel ones!  You'll easily add 10 years- eek!  Stay with white, black or a bright, vibrant color.  Also a great place for winter wear and cashmere.

$119!!
Cute cashmere sweater- use a 30% coupon for
even more savings!  Tell me you wouldn't rock that!?!

• Old Navy.  I shop both the regular and plus size sections here as the sizing is seriously WAY OFF!  A word to the wise- don't ever buy jeans from Old Navy.  This is how you will end up with the "Mom Butt".  Ick.  I buy many of my basics here- tank tops, cardigans, maxi dresses and more!  Oh- and of course you should NEVER pay retail here!  I only ever shop the sales and combine with a coupon code.  Old Navy clothing is not the best quality so there's no reason to pay a high price for it!

$30!!
Super cute maxi dresses & other basics!

• Macy's.  I do not regularly shop here but every so often I'll cruise on through.  I recently bought a black maxi skirt here and a cute casual dress- so good for dresses/skirts.  Oh- and shoes!

$15!!!
Chinese Laundry sequin/beaded sandals
on super clearance.  LOVE them!

• Ross.  This is a discount clothing/home goods store.  I used to buy a TON of stuff here but now I'm much more choosy!  Every so often I'll find a cute top but this is rare.  However, they regularly have Levi's and other jeans here that work for my shape.  This is also my go-to for shoes and handbags.  

$49.99!!
Coach shoes- my favorite find here!

• Target.  I'm happy to say that Target has since branched out into the plus sizes and I'm now a HUGE fan of the Ava & Viv line.  This summer I bought three great tops that I can dress up or down.  You might need to order online but they offer free returns in the store and many times they offer a BOGO sale or free shipping.

$24.99!!
Loved this top SO much I bought it in
pink & black!  Looks way cuter in person!

• Lane Bryant.  This store only makes the list because this is where I buy all my undergarments.  Otherwise, I've found the sizing to be off and the clothes not in my style.
• Famous Footwear.  I'm ALL about the back to school BOGO sale here!  Great place to get cute tennis shoes and I typically buy my Converse here!

$54.99!
Buy during the BOGO sale & combine with a coupon code
for even more savings!  I wear these all the time!

• Marshall's.  Also another discount clothing/home goods store.  Great place for some cute tops and accessories and home to one of my favorite plus size designers, Cynthia Rowley.  She's also got some fabulous home items as well!

It's taken me awhile to really find my style and build my personal "look".  I love easy fabrics, comfy pieces and the color pink.  While I do my very best to look polished in public, I've still been found at the grocery store reppin' the yoga pants and flip flops.  Hey- it happens to us all!  But I'm getting better about taking care in my appearance and pride in myself.  It's worth it because I'm worth it.  And that my friends is my message to you all.