Traveling in Style: A Look from Monica's Closet

This is Yours Truly checking in from Albuquerque, New Mexico aptly named the Land of Enchantment! I flew here with my fiancé to visit family: a lovely way to spend the first few days of 2016.

However, while I love traveling, it presents difficulties in the packing arena. What to bring? What can I leave behind without missing it desperately? 

Less luggage means quicker, easier travel.  Yours Truly's packing goals usually involved bringing the minimum. Though it may not feel like it initially, packing only the basics is exceptionally freeing. I've learned a lot about packing over my years of traveling to far away lands (China, Guatemala, Italy to name a few) or around my own beautiful country. Here are my tips on packing for my curvy, pear-shaped ladies! 

Just a quick definition of a curvy pear before we get started: A curvy pear is a woman whose bottom half (butt and thighs) are wider than her shoulders and chest; however, unlike a 'traditional' pear, her arms and bra size are generously proportioned. For reference, Yours Truly is a size 6 on top and a 6/8 on the bottom. My arms and shoulders are often too big to fit into tops that otherwise fit just fine -- talk about first world problems. I fit into small, medium and large-sized clothing -- discerning which of those to pick depends on the cut and brand. 

Packing tip #1: Use black. As you can see from this look, I chose black as my neutral color. The coat from Forever21 and cowgirl boots set the tone for my travel wardrobe. Black is great for curvy girls because it has a lovely slimming effect, plus it's easily dressed up, giving the casual items you pack the ability to go from day to night. 

Packing tip #2: Bring accessories to liven up your travel wardrobe. The other colors I brought with me were red and blue, as denoted by the scarf; the scarf served as the pulling-together element for all the looks I packed. Packing scarves, jewelry, hats, gloves, etc in different colors will boost your looks and keep you from getting bored of what you packed. 

On a side note, I love the removable faux fur collar on this coat. It adds a great pop of texture that enriches every ensemble it's paired with. 

Packing tip #3: Pack comfortable shoes. My old cowgirl boots from Ariat are now out to pasture because I wore the heel out from April 2015 to November 2015. I loved those boots but I did not like the hollow plastic heel; this time around, my new replacements from Justin brand have a solid, rubber heel which I hope won't wear down as fast. 

Boots are my favorite accessory and shoe, period. I must own at least seven pairs and I cannot recommend packing cozy boots for a winter trip enough, especially if you foresee a lot of walking. 

Even if cowgirl boots aren't your style, any form of black boots is trusty travel companion. They are flexible in the day-to-night sphere so they're useful in paring down your travel wardrobe to a minimum. 

Packing tip #3: Yours Truly recommends packing tunics. They're flattering for a curvy figure, comfortable to sit in if you're flying or driving long distances, and hide bloating associated with staying in a pressurized cabin for hours on end. (Ugh.) Yours Truly packed this tunic by Color Me Red because I'm obsessed with it. 

Yours Truly is unashamed to admit she wore it three times in one week! It's a stretchy blend of lyrica and spandex with fabulous wide sleeves for a 70s-inspired look. The simple black is brought to whole new level by the retro silhouette. I found that the big sleeves drew the eye away from problem areas -- plus this tunic highlights the chest and leaves the love handles un-highlighted. Perfect. 

Packing tip #4: Last but not least, bring skinny jeans. You will not regret it. They dress up and they dress down, are comfortable, fashionable and a dark wash matches anything. Literally. Skinny jeans make your life so much easier while on the road! These particular skinny jeans from American Eagle Outfitters Yours Truly featured on an earlier post, How to Dress as a Curvy Pear: Winter Chic Edition. They are amazing. 

Where Yours Truly Found the Look

// Oversized moto jacket {Forever21, 50% off, $35, similar here on sale} // Freshwater pearl earrings {Christmas gift from my fiancé} // Scarf {also a gift, from my wonderful Secret Santa -- shout out to Julia! Thanks hun!} // Tunic {Thrifted for $10 at The Buffalo Exchange in ABQ, online store here} // Cowgirl boots {Justin's, on sale for $90, here} // 

What are your travel favorites? Let me know in the comments. Is there an item you never leave the house without? Feel free to share your wisdom and adventure tales to us all! 

If you want more tips on how to dress as a curvy pear, check out this curve-huggin' dress from Lauren Conrad! My closet is not just full of drapey tunics; sometimes Yours Truly loves to show off some figure. ;) Thanks as always for reading, commenting, re-sharing, liking on Google+ and just being beautiful! Until next time:

Yours Truly,

Monica :) 

P.S. Feel free to check out my Instagram account here. Yours Truly posts preview pictures for upcoming blog articles, plus lots of extra photos of behind-the-scenes in a blogger's life. ;) 

How to Dress as a Curvy Pear: Winter Chic Edition

There's nothing like closing out the old year with a really good outfit, or so Yours Truly thinks. A really smashing look is hard to find, however, when you're 5'4 with a bottom-heavy figure and love handles from the chocolate that loves you back a little too much. Sound familiar? If so, read on! 

(Please note: Monica has moved to a new blog & a new niche: nutrition & lifestyle for PCOS babes. Want to visit me there?.)

This is Part II to one of my most popular blog posts, From Monica's Closet: How to Dress as a Curvy Pear. If you're looking for tips on how to style taller-than-average height, check out 5'8 Amy's interview here! 

Yours Truly's body type is what I like to call a curvy pear. A pear-shaped woman is usually defined as a lady whose hips are her widest measurement, tapering from small bust, shoulders and arms to a curvier derriere. However some of us ladies, while falling into the pear category, are a little more curvaceous; like Yours Truly, you may have a fuller bust and thicker shoulders, making the guidelines for dressing different from a traditional pear shaped woman. 

I've struggled for years to find the right way to dress my body. It's important to love yourself and your body, but it's hard to when you feel like everything you try on is wrong for you. 

Then I found LOFT. 

When I say it was a perfect fit I am not exaggerating. I'm not paid to say this, nor am I endorsed by LOFT or any other brands -- to be endorsed by LOFT is a definite career goal but currently unfulfilled. Totally unbiased review here! ;)

                         

All their clothes seem to hit at just the right spots, bringing out my curves without highlighting pooch or problem areas. Their items are well-made, stand up to vigorous washing, are gloriously classy and are ridiculously affordable (especially when LOFT has frequent 40% sales. Sign up for their emails! It's so worth it!) 

Which brings me to this winter chic look. I bought this coat 40% off in size medium back in October. I'd been lusting after gorgeous camel coats on Pinterest and this wool blend trench satisfied my craving. It's warm, fashionable, comfortable and not at all itchy. Bonus: there are four deep pockets (when does that happen in women's clothing? Amiright or amiright?) 

It's a lovely, rich color which instantly dresses up a casual outfit but is classy enough to stay in tune with formal attire. I feel like it should be called caramel- versus camel-colored. The belted coat is excellent choice for curvy pear-shaped ladies, because it defines the waist and prevents the "I'm-a-lump-of-bundled-cold-person" look. 

Scarf and convertible mittens were a present from my adorable fiancé. Not only is he the cutest in our engagement photos but he made the cutest Santa ever. I recently posted a smoking pic of him on Instagram @monicadilworth. Don't be scandalized: it's only a cigarette. ;)

Speaking of my man, he very kindly went out into the cold and patiently took photos for Yours Truly.  I think he did a damn good job despite the gray, washed-out light of this winter day. 

This top is a gauzy utility shirt which has become Yours Truly's favorite go-to top. It's flattering and smoothly glides over problem areas. In a word, it's a magical blouse. 

Guess where it's from? That's correct. LOFT. 

I have it two colors, this burgundy and an ice blue. They look amazing loose with jeans or tucked into a pencil skirt. For those looking for minimalist wardrobe, this is a great start, since it flexibly goes from casual to professional. 

This top is great for curvy pear-shaped ladies because its fitted top accentuates the bust but slightly flares to meet the hips. No awkward buckling. At LOFT I'm usually a size small in their tops. 

A word on these heels! They are from Anne Taylor and Yours Truly found them 50% off during the Christmas sales. They are beautiful suede leather and have a surprisingly comfortable bed for the toes.

I've found that the trick to wearing skinny jeans in a flattering manner is to pair them with heels. It elongates the leg and keeps your silhouette from being chunky in the middle and squat in the thighs. More on these skinny jeans from American Eagle Outfitters later!

Toe color is from Drew Barrymore's Flower cosmetic line, in shade #np14, called Budding Romance. 

On the fingers it's Impeccable Greys, #410, from Maybelline's Color Show nail polish line. It's a great post-Christmas-blues hue. Reviews of these nail polishes to come! 

~Where Yours Truly found the look~

//  camel coat {LOFT, same *currently 60% off*} // burgundy blouse {LOFT, same *currently 60% off*} // lace up heels {Anne Taylor, same *currently 40% off*} // skinny jeans {American Eagle Outfitters, same *currently buy one get one 50% off*} // 

It's been a journey discovering what brands work with my body, but I've definitely found a home at LOFT. What brands have you found that work well with your shape? If you have any tips or thoughts on being a curvy pear shaped girl, let Yours Truly know in the comments. Not done with curvy pear how-tos? Check out my previous post featuring a leopard print dress and red boots. As always, thank you for subscribing, commenting, and re-sharing. I always love to hear back!

Wishing you well as 2015 becomes 2016,

Yours Truly,

Monica :) 

CHECK OUT Monica's new blog, here!

Women & Their Wardrobes: How to Style Your Height

While height can give model-status it also makes for challenging fashion situations. Meet Amy, a lovely woman who has gracefully figured out how to style her height. Yours Truly is flattered to have her on the blog for the fourth installment of Women and their Wardrobes! Previously featured were Allie, who taught us the meaning of classy; Annie, who shared tips on dressing your curves; and Kinsey, who shared her all-American style. 

Amy’s style is a boho-vintage-librarian mix, with a lot of various textures, focusing on earth and jewel tones. She is a well-spoken lady who never budges without a book under her arm, Amy works as a tutor and writing coach at her college while earning honors in the English Literature department. She is a beautiful lady who needs no further introduction. 

Body Type: Birch Sprite

Height: 5’8

Spirit Animal: Morning Dove

Currently listening to: The Other Guys

Dream: Dante and Medieval literature and poetry; grad school at Oxford and published author.

Outfit #1: Sunday brunch look 

YT: Thank you for being on the blog! Could you tell us how this casual outfit works with your height? 

Amy: I’m long in the torso and in the legs, so I try to balance the lengths out.  Jeans are definitely the hardest thing to find and I gravitate towards skirts. Maxi skirts are hard sometimes because they hit awkwardly, just 3ish inches above the ankle. I like to go for knee-length skirts or long and sweeping.  I do a lot of altering, either at the waistline or hemline or a combo; whatever makes it work!

The top works well on my because it draws attention to my hips, balancing out my long torso and legs. It’s a long shirt so it makes my proportions look even. A shorter top would make the skirt look longer and throw the whole look off.

These textures are more smooth; the top is sleek with the crinkly skirt. Matches well!

This skirt looks great with the lightness of the top, but a thicker wool or chunky knit sweater would detract from it. 

I love boho and vintage accessories. 

Where Amy got the look: 

// skirt (garage sale, 50c) // top (thrift, $3) // heels (thrift, $5) // anklet (handmade) // scarf (Florence, $7) //

Outfit #2: Casual autumn afternoon look 

YT: Girl’s daytime date look! Great for fall. Why do you love this outfit? 

Amy: I love jewel tones and earth tones, as they look best on me. Pastels are harder for me to wear; they need far more planning to pull off. That's why I naturally tend to gravitate toward darker colors. 

I love lace. I don’t own much but it complements everything and is very vintage. 

I like the lightness of the sweater; fine texture and delicate patterns are what I gravitate towards. I love whispy: long skirts, long cardigans, tunics.

Again, the vintage details are important: I finished off this look with a cameo. 

Where Amy found the look: 

// skirt (thrift, $2) // top (thrift, $3) // long cardigan (Wet Seal, clearance, $10) // boots (Florence, $42) // Necklace (a gift) // Ring (Krakow, Poland, $12) // Charm bracelet (a gift) //

YT: Thank you, Amy, for being on the blog! Any fashion tips for us before we wrap up? 

Amy: Colors are a big deal. Texture matters. Make sure your textures work together! Combining textures is key to dressing outfits up or down. 

Any tips you want to share about being a tall girl in a short world? Let Yours Truly know in the comments! Are you in the same boat as Yours Truly and clock in a magnificent, albeit small, 5'4? Read my post about dressing a short, curvy figure. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to reshare and subscribe. 

Here's hoping you had a safe and blessed holiday season!

Yours Truly,

Monica :)