There’s some looks that I love…really love, but haven’t been able to try because of my size. There are some classic styles that are missing in larger sizes and I’m missing out. WE are missing out. I love a shirt with tails or a long scooped back hemline, every single time I see this style it’s on a ‘regular sized’ woman and I have to keep on dreaming.
I also love the preppy look, I can’t help it I’m mad for the 80’s and Ferris Bueller was a big influence. Recently I picked up this preppy knit vest at SUSSAN (currently on sale), sure it’s regular sizing (up to an 18) but it’s a knit and has stretch so will cater for a few sizes up.
I had planned on wearing the vest with a skirt, I don’t do knits very well so was planning to pop a jacket over the top, gotta love some winter layering hey!
What I really wanted was to team this vest with a collared shirt but I wanted the shirt to have the length at the back. While I can fit into regular sized clothes and plus sized clothes a collared shirt is not an easy wear for me. I’m broad with reconstructed breasts that sit a bit ‘outa whack’ (or as my nan would say ‘skewif’) and I also carry weight in my belly.
To get coverage of my belly and sort out my broad shoulders a button up shirt normally ends up looking masculine and shapeless on me…until now.
I was shopping with a client this week and spied this polka dot shirt at Autograph on the ‘new arrivals’ rack (yup not even invoiced in yet), I picked it up spun it around and did a happy dance. I whipped it on over the top of what I was wearing and instantly put 5 outfits together in my mind, this shirt had to be mine. I had the sales assistant hold it for me until later in the day and when I said goodbye to my client I went back and bought it.
Here’s the kicker, it was only $49 and also comes in a stripe! I know right! I hope they do it in plain white…pretty please! Oh and I love the collar!
So I’ve got my chance, I finally get to do a look I haven’t done since my youth…preppy, but of course it’s ‘my way’. I’ve popped the vest over the shirt and teamed them with my Harlow indigo blue denim jeans. Then I added the obligatory ‘Derby’ shoe…but with a pop of colour. Uhuh my look might be classic but there should always be an injection of personality in your outfit because, well it’s what makes the look ‘yours’.
These Rollie Derby shoes are seriously one of the comfiest pair of shoes I’ve ever worn, true! When I was halfway through chemo I got peripheral neuropathy of my feet, which meant I couldn’t feel my feet…well I could feel the excruciating pain but my feet also felt numb. Weird! It was awful and something that isn’t always reversible, thankfully my chemo dose was adjusted and about a year after chemo ended my feet returned to normal. Annnnywaaay…I stumbled upon Rollie shoes and they were the gift I gave to myself that just keeps giving…so bloody comfortable and the softest buttery leather that your feet will love.
So back to my outfit, look at me at 43 wearing jeans and a preppy vest and loving my look hard! I came late to wearing jeans (42) and these days they are on my arse regularly. But I need to soften this look a little because, ummm short hair/jeans/masculine shirt….so cue rose pink Derby shoes and a statement necklace to finish off. Oh and my other ‘flashback fave’ a backpack! This outfit is a good example of how we can mix finds from plus size and straight size together to create an outfit.
I’m happy I got my look and didn’t have to splash a whole lotta cash.
What’s your favourite line from Ferris Beuller’s day off? Mine is…
FERRIS: Don’t worry about it, I don’t even have a piece of shit. I have to envy yours.
CAMERON: Oh, thanks.
Oh and when SLOANE says…”sooner or later everyone goes to the zoo”
Til next time,
Jen x
Maggie obst says
April 15, 2015 at 4:39 pmLove the look and at any age it’s great,but at nearly 68 I love the look. Wow Wow with lovexxxxx
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 5:01 pmYes Maggie I’m a big believer that we can wear our fave styles at any age or stage of life, sometimes we just need to adjust a little x
sandra says
June 4, 2016 at 10:39 pmJen, you look gorgeous!!
Fleur @ Our urban Box says
April 15, 2015 at 4:41 pmI haven’t watch Ferris in years – I can’t remember a thing from it! Love your preppy look. This post and Jess’s about white shirts makes me think I am missing out on something! LOVE your necklace too x
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 5:00 pmYou might need to try it Fleur
Sarah @ Lady Sadie's Emporium says
April 15, 2015 at 4:47 pmI think this is one of my all time fave outfits you have ever worn! Looks amazing. I love a good shirt, but like you I’ve found that they can make me look too masculine as I need a bigger size to fit over my boobs but then it’s too baggy everywhere else. I did fine a nice white shirt online at Old Navy which I’ve been pretty happy with.
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 4:59 pmThanks for the tip Sarah, I need to check that out x
Alison cameron says
April 15, 2015 at 5:05 pmLove this look – i too have broad shoulders and struggle with collared shirts – so I love this. I couldn’t work out where the shirt was from though, is it from Sussan but not available yet?
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 5:28 pmNo it’s from Autograph I couldn’t see it on the site when I wrote the post but here’s the link http://www.autographfashion.com.au/SOFT-SPLIT-BACK-SHIRT.aspx?p6422388&cr=o523__055356
Pam says
April 15, 2015 at 5:30 pmHi Jen. What’s the sizing like with the Rolloe shoes? I’m always a bit apprehensive about buying shoes online as I need a bit of extra width.
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 6:00 pmI own 2 pairs Pam and have no issues even with my wide 42 feet. My feet were even bigger when I bought them when I was going through chemo! I bought the 41 but they are perfect on my 42 feet. They stretch and get softer and softer (so soft and awesome).Check the website for their return policy Pam. If you are in Adelaide I saw some Rollienation shoes in Rundle St. at the shoe store near the undercover carpark (near subway) you might like to pop in and try x
Pam says
April 15, 2015 at 5:31 pmOops! Meant Rollie not Rolloe. Rolloe sounds more like chocolate!
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 6:01 pmYum chocolate!
Raquel says
April 15, 2015 at 7:54 pmchickachickaah….oh yeah
Love your preppy look 🙂
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 8:32 pmThanks Raquel x
merilyn says
April 15, 2015 at 8:14 pmlove the look on you jen! …
especially the colours and those pink shoes! … gorgeous!
you find some great pieces hun!
you are a hunter like me!
love m:)X
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 8:33 pmI am a hunter Merilyn…and a gatherer hehe
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
April 15, 2015 at 9:38 pmLove that look on you and I love Ferris! When we were in Chicago last year, I insisted on going everywhere that Ferris went! My favourite quote is “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 10:51 pmOMG Sammie following in the footsteps of Ferris would have been awesome…was there a parade?
Saskia says
April 15, 2015 at 9:45 pmLove live this look and have a simular pair of shoes in baby pink! I have CRPS a in my legs and feet I can fee your pain girlfriend for the need to have nice looking comfy shoes! Just love your inspiration and zest for life xoxox
Jenni says
April 15, 2015 at 10:53 pmPain sux Saskia…good shoes are a blessing…and a good excuse for some retail therapy 🙂
Jess - A Little Part of the World says
April 16, 2015 at 10:14 amYou are rocking that look!!! Well done!! I hope your wish comes true and it comes in white!! Jx