Manolo for the Big Girl Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman.

February 8, 2008

Our Very First “Create The Outfit!”

Filed under: Uncategorized — Miss Plumcake @ 2:41 pm

Oh I’m just so excited I could spit. I won’t, because I’m a lady and spitting –along with chewing gum, wearing red shoes, having a dog smaller than my handbag, a hat wider than my shoulders and whatever else the my fabulous yet perma-sloshed grandmother lights upon– is unbecoming of a lady.

So, here are the rules. I give you a certain glorious objet and you build an outfit around it. All clothes have to be at least theoretically available for purchase and come in plus sizes. Give us the outfit and the situation –as involved or simple as you’d like– in which you would wear this ensemble.

Your first test: The gorgeous-but-deadly Yves St. Laurent star stilettos. They were an instant cult favorite at the shows. Let’s see how you’d wear them in real life.

40 Comments

  1. I’m going with a dress that is not floor length because a) you’d kill yourself in those shoes by tripping over it and b) those shoes are super-fantastic enough and should be shown off. So, my choices for the outfit are:

    Igigi Lorena Beaded Dress in Charcoal
    http://www.igigi.com/shop/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.display/currentpage/1/fromcat/1/disptype/5/product_id/396

    Complimented by:
    Alfani Beekman Clutch in Black Leather
    http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=275358&CategoryID=211&LinkType=EverGreen#

    Comment by Toby Wollin — February 8, 2008 @ 3:36 pm

  2. I’m going with a short dress to emphasize the shoes (and for safety’s sake):
    Igigi Lorena Beaded Dress in Charcoal

    http://www.igigi.com/shop/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.display/currentpage/1/fromcat/1/disptype/5/product_id/396

    Complimented by:

    Alfani Beekman Clutch in Black Leather
    http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=275358&CategoryID=211&LinkType=EverGreen#

    Comment by Toby Wollin — February 8, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

  3. OK, you got me — my first comment to your blog because I love building outfits. (Even if I wouldn’t wear this particular pair of shoes…)

    See it here:
    http://www.kaboodle.com/saracarl/outfit.html

    Comment by Sara in Austin — February 8, 2008 @ 3:57 pm

  4. Gorgeous but deadly indeed! So beautiful, but they look amazingly fragile and accident-prone. Especially since it looks like there’s little or nothing protecting the instep from that very pointy star floating right underneath.

    (I have no imagination for outfit-building, alas.)

    Comment by Bridey — February 8, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

  5. I’d wear them with a knee length pencil skirt in black and a jewel toned top. I would NOT wear them with reinforced toe stockings as depicted in that third picture. Oy.

    Comment by Sony — February 8, 2008 @ 5:57 pm

  6. What’s unladylike about red shoes? I get the part about not spitting or chewing gum, but I’ll bet your granma never saw red shoes like these: http://class-factotum.journalspace.com/?entryid=979&h=red%20shoes

    I love these shoes so much that I would marry them if I could. I was wearing them the night I met my fiance’. These red shoes have brought nothing but ladylike joy into my life!

    Comment by class factotum — February 8, 2008 @ 6:33 pm

  7. I know one thing that would not be part of my outfit… the black reinforced-toe stockings as pictured in the 3rd picture. That’s decidely un-fabulous!

    Comment by AmelieWannabe — February 8, 2008 @ 6:45 pm

  8. Dress- http://www.staleygretzinger.com/Pages/madlab/spaced11.07/6.htm
    Purse- http://luxurynavi.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=4586
    Earrings- http://www.bernardine.com/rainbow-hematite-earrings.htm
    Necklace-http://www.bernardine.com/custom/pyrite-drusy-pendant.htm

    This would be with the black and gold pair. Yes the outfit is kind of boho but I always have fun wearing unexpected shoes….

    Comment by Jennie — February 8, 2008 @ 7:24 pm

  9. I kind of like wearing unexpected shoes so I have put together a somewhat boho look…
    Dress http//www.staleygretzinger.com/Pages/madlab/spaced11.07/6.htm
    Purse http://luxurynavi.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=4586
    Earrings http://www.bernardine.com/rainbow-hematite-earrings.htm
    Necklace http://www.bernardine.com/custom/pyrite-drusy-pendant.htm

    Comment by Jennie — February 8, 2008 @ 7:28 pm

  10. Dress
    http://www.staleygretzinger.com/Pages/madlab/spaced11.07/6.htm
    Purse
    http://luxurynavi.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=4586
    Earrings
    http://www.bernardine.com/rainbow-hematite-earrings.htm
    Necklace
    http://www.bernardine.com/custom/pyrite-drusy-pendant.htm

    Comment by Jennie — February 8, 2008 @ 7:29 pm

  11. For some reason this keeps kicking out my outfit selections! And I too LOVE a beautiful pair of red shoes.

    Comment by Jennie — February 8, 2008 @ 7:33 pm

  12. OOOPPPPS! Now they show up!

    Comment by Jennie — February 8, 2008 @ 7:35 pm

  13. I just want to say that I’m thrilled to no end to see that you are doing this! Thanks for responding to my other post!

    Comment by cheeky — February 8, 2008 @ 8:55 pm

  14. Alas! I could not wear these amazing shoes, being of klutzy extraction and having a tendancy not to look where the heck I’m going.

    HOWEVER, that said, I’d pair them with a simple but slinky red dress that comes no lower than knee-length, a fabulous pair of gold earrings, and an attitude to match.

    As for red shoes, I wore a pair of amazing bright red stacked heeled ghillies with winkle picker toes to my mother’s funeral. I knew wherever she was, she was smiling. She was the one who’d convinced me I couldn’t let them linger on the sale rack all unloved and ignored. And I wore bright red dancing ghillies to my wedding. They looked wonderful peeking out from under my very Pride and Prejudice gown.

    If there was one thing I learned to love at my mother’s knee, it was red shoes. They are entirely awesome.

    Comment by Twistie — February 8, 2008 @ 10:12 pm

  15. I’d probably go luxe rockery with them.

    Truck brand skinny jeans
    http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=1668&itemID=47971&sizeFilter=&brandFilter=&incmpid=denim.skinny

    Lafayette leather blouse and linen tank
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446178936&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708552&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202524506732&ev19=2:2

    While we’re dreaming – gorg Tod’s bag:
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446183540&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708980&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202524651932&ev19=2:9

    And, what the heck, throw on a scarf.

    http://www.echodesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=1015

    Comment by dowdydiva — February 8, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

  16. I would go a little luxe-rockery and accessories-happy cause that’s how I roll.

    Skinny Jeans
    http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=1668&itemID=47971&sizeFilter=&brandFilter=&incmpid=denim.skinny

    Leather blouse with a black tee under
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446178936&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708552&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202525499838

    Red Tod’s bag
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446183540&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708980&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202525489497

    And let’s throw in a scarf:
    http://www.echodesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=1015

    Comment by dowdydiva — February 8, 2008 @ 10:53 pm

  17. OMG! I’m so glad other people locked on the reinforced toe stockings! Please tell me they weren’t knee-highs. ::shudder::

    Comment by snarkypants — February 8, 2008 @ 10:55 pm

  18. I would go a little luxe-rockery and accessories-happy cause that’s how I roll.

    Skinny Jeans:
    http://store.alloy.com/item.do?categoryID=1668&itemID=47971&sizeFilter=&brandFilter=&incmpid=denim.skinny

    Leather blouse with a black tee under:
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446178936&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708552&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202525499838

    Red Tod’s bag:
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446183540&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492708980&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202525489497

    And let’s throw in a scarf:
    http://www.echodesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=1015

    Comment by dowdydiva — February 8, 2008 @ 10:55 pm

  19. The situation would be, for the many silly duplicate postings, a night at a lovely, quiet jazz club with a special gentleman. Or perhaps a concert in a nice theatre.

    Comment by dowdydiva — February 8, 2008 @ 11:02 pm

  20. He rang from the airport saying he’d be home in 20 minutes. He said he was hungry and was looking forward to dinner but I knew I could put him off from that with what I had in mind.

    I’d greet him at the door wearing the Yves St Laurent star heels and my mesh negligee (which I purchased at Torrid and is conveniently on sale RIGHT NOW).

    Two beats later he walks in the house, I’m standing there in full glory and he says, “Nice heels” and proceeds to take them off of me…along with the negligee.

    —-

    How’s that?

    Comment by Jadeleah — February 8, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

  21. There must be something wrong with me, as I really don’t like ’em. I’ll wait for next round.

    Comment by Chaser — February 9, 2008 @ 2:08 am

  22. Chaser, that’s not the point. The game requires to find an appropriate outfit to accompany them with, then to describe the scenario. Like a stylist would do. Stylists don’t necessarily like what they’re dressing their clients with, but know how and to who to dress particular pieces with.

    Anyhow, just cos Yves St. Laurent designed them and all of NY’s Fashion Week are jonesing them, doesn’t mean we need to like them. This is true.

    Comment by Jadeleah — February 9, 2008 @ 2:33 am

  23. I adore these shoes, and would want to show them off big time… I’d be wearing the style with the gold stars and would wear it with

    This classic black swimsuit
    http://www.retrodress.com/ew106.html

    A modest black swim skirt for cocktails and strutting before or after lounging
    http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=33374&pid=535394&scid=535394002

    An understated, slightly authoritarian and matching pair of sunglasses
    http://www.spyoptic.com/cat.php?k=62083&p=SPY670175682129

    A widebrim hat to protect my complection
    http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?productId=178783&categoryId=308206&productGroup=

    A glamorous ring, in olive
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2958343?refsid=201611&refcat=0%7e2376779%7e6008000%7e2374604%7e2375354&SourceID=&SlotID=2&origin=related

    and a sexy and stunning patterned towel
    http://thisisauto.com/detail/3,1,11/

    Hopefully after a day a sipping cocktails by the pool I’ll have stars tanned onto my feet!

    Comment by supersam — February 9, 2008 @ 5:52 am

  24. I’m assuming it’s okay to use Polyvore–here’s what I did with the star stiletto:

    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=773878

    Comment by boots — February 9, 2008 @ 8:28 pm

  25. I forgot to do a situation–okay, for mine, opening night at the opera and you have no date. You enjoy playing “mysterious stunning single woman” all evening.

    Comment by boots — February 9, 2008 @ 8:39 pm

  26. Having been fascinated by my predatory femininity and business acumen during merger negotiations, that terribly handsome and unusually young CEO asks me to dinner. You know, to discuss things in a more relaxed setting without other people giving their input. How better to keep him on his toes than with sexy star shoes and a crisp red dress that’s juuuust professional enough to maybe not be a date dress.

    Red Gayla Bentley sash dress, David Yurman bracelet and earrings from Neiman Marcus. YSL Catwalk bag on sale at Bluefly. Star stilettos obviously not worn with evil hose of hideousness.

    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=775583

    Comment by Sara — February 10, 2008 @ 2:22 am

  27. boots, I love that program! Thank you for telling us about it.

    I made my choices into a little picture. It’s cute!

    Comment by dowdydiva — February 10, 2008 @ 10:52 am

  28. I’d pair them with this cute dress (which I may actually get anyway!) http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2966852/0~2376776~2374327~6007059~6007112~6010558?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010558&P=1 because with shoes that busy I wouldn’t want a busy dress, and I like that it’s stylish and still has sleeves. I think this would work well for a pear shape like mine.

    I’d add a fun bag like this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2950503/0~2376779~6008000~2376804~2376249?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2376249&P=2

    And a wrap like this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2815691?refsid=90542&refcat=0%7e2376776%7e2374327%7e6005464%7e6005503%7e6005504&SourceID=&SlotID=1&origin=related

    Comment by barbara — February 10, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

  29. Well, Jadeleah, I guess that’s why I grew up to be something that ends with “onomist” instead of a real stylist (a job which I grant makes me a good deal less fun.)

    I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on the fun, I’m just saying…I got a whole lot of nothing on this one and will be duly impressed if anybody can get me past the barrier of the shoes–although boots’ selection is very nice and I’d wear everything she picked. Except those shoes. They look wicked ouchy. (In fairness to the shoes, I may be stuck irrevocably on the hose in the first picture which caused instantaneous prejudice on my part.

    Comment by Chaser — February 10, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

  30. Nope. It’s the extra stars and straps on the heels. Those bother me and feel like clutter to my eye.

    Anyway, glam on folks–sorry to have been dour.

    Comment by Chaser — February 10, 2008 @ 9:06 pm

  31. I’m going for a more “fabulous night out” setting. Dinner, a club, breakfast at the Pancake House at four in the morning.

    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=783727

    Comment by orora — February 11, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

  32. Darlings, I would avoid them like the plague – especially with those black tights with the toe shading!

    Comment by Lunadog — February 11, 2008 @ 5:55 pm

  33. As follows is my fab-u-lous outfit for those crazy Yves Saint Laurent shoes :P
    Ah Polyvore… how I love thou :)
    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?.mid=embed&id=785629

    Comment by leebee — February 11, 2008 @ 7:25 pm

  34. dowdydiva, don’t thank me yet–polyvore is a notorious time-suck!

    (But it is SUPER fun).

    Comment by boots — February 12, 2008 @ 10:06 am

  35. All right, I’ll put my polyvore one up.

    And BTW all the outfits are so different and so gorg!

    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=775491

    Comment by Dowdydiva — February 12, 2008 @ 11:23 am

  36. Hey,

    I love BTO contests and I’ve been a reader and huge fan of this blog since it went up – the authorial voices and the genuineness of the insights and interests are fabulous, the best I’ve seen on the web. I am not, however, a big girl, even on a liberal interpretation. But though I fought the temptation initially, I had to participate in the contest (it’s not over is it??), and technically, I’m not excluded, I believe.

    I will say this: I have a newfound respect for the difficulty of finding plus-size fashion. I didn’t know whether perhaps I never saw any because I am only looking for yours truly and don’t notice things I can’t wear, but truly, it isn’t easy to find. But I did eventually. Here’s my outfit.

    First, the sitch: obviously, a night out. Those shoes are calling attention to themselves at a very high decibel level and I just can’t picture them in a non-evening setting. As it happens, the girls all have invites to a cocktail party thrown by a major corporate client and have decided to beat the February blues by making it the excuse for a big night out – complete with fun dresses, dinner beforehand at a favorite restaurant, and an intention to DANCE (gently, given the height of the heels). Perhaps the attention of the charming coworker can be attracted on a more sociable level. And, of course, we have to represent our division smartly, right? And what better way to show our star power than with these fabulous heels:

    http://manolobig.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/ysl-star.jpg

    (No. Stockings. Oh, but a nice pedicure – it was worth leaving work at 4 and taking a personal hour for everyone to head down to the spa together to get the feet pampered. After all, when the months are long between fun holidays, sometimes you have to make your own.)

    And this eye-catching silk georgette dress ($119 from Bloomingdale’s online, in sizes 14 to 22):

    http://images.bloomingdales.com/is/image/BLM/products/8/optimized/707898_fpx.tif?wid=213&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bilin&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

    And this classic gold beaded evening clutch, $44 at overstock.com:

    http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/3/P11063743.jpg

    And this cashmere wrap (OK, it’s technically a cape, but no sword is required) with a fur-trimmed hood, $165 at overstock.com:

    http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P10687619.jpg

    And, with a low neckline, a necklace – a wee bit angular, like our stars. Also overstock.com:

    http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P10554197.jpg

    (Though I will admit I was tempted by this simpler one: http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/P10883550.jpg)

    There. All set.

    Comment by again — February 12, 2008 @ 7:46 pm

  37. Throw a scarf on and you are ready
    and add some high heels!!!!

    Comment by jenny — June 12, 2008 @ 8:07 pm

  38. Hi, how I can send PM?

    Comment by proslaviy — September 15, 2008 @ 10:28 pm

  39. have you ever looked at david yurman’s products?

    Comment by Hugo Santos — October 31, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

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