In The Thick Of It
Queer fat femme. Fat fashion bargain hunting. Living in Chicago.
inthethickofitfashion@gmail.com
Record Store Day & MYNT 1792 Collaboration
You all know how difficult it can be to find a perfect pair of skinny jeans. How thrilled was I when I was contacted by MYNT 1792 to try their Tribeca Skinny Jeans. These jeans are premium denim. They are not overly stretchy, they are not see-through thin - they ARE a perfect weight with a tiny bit of stretch and they simply fit well. I want to own them in every color.
I decided to wear the new skinnies while I was out shopping on Record Store Day. I needed something that would feel comfortable wearing all day long. Because the weather has still been cold and blustery in Chicago - I needed to pair it with a long sleeve top and then added my go-to jean jacket. I love this look and you’ll be seeing these jeans in many upcoming looks.
Chicago folks will likely recognize these murals from Logan Square and thanks to Fleur (floral shop) for letting us shoot a few inside (it was SO cold/windy!)
Outfit Details
Blackberry Tribeca Skinny Jeans - Mynt 1792 (sz 14)
Leopard/Gray top - H&M Plus (sz 18)
Rose quartz necklace - lovelymusings etsy
Jean jacket - GAP
Gray wedges - Target (last spring)
Glasses - SEE Eyewear
Gray ‘Okinawa’ bag - Vahallah Brooklyn
I’m a 215# queer fat femme
Thanks to MYNT 1792 for the tribeca skinny jeans. My review is not monetarily influenced!
Springtime and Patterned Shorts
I am thrilled that it’s finally spring! Well except that all my dogs are shedding - that isn’t so sweet. But all the flowers and the warmer weather are just making me so happy right now.
My job has been so busy lately that I really haven’t had time to take some fun photos, but I really wanted to show you guys these amazing sweet shorts I recently purchased. I think there’s nothing better than mixing patterns and when I came home and remembered I had this precious lace sweatshirt, I knew I had the perfect outfit. I know this outfit is a little sweet for me - but there’s something about spring that just brings it out of me.
And what about these new creamy pearl glasses from SEE eyewear? I am completely in love!
Outfit details
Navy/seafoam green patterned shorts - Target - Sz 18
Seafoam lace sweatshirt - Target - Sz XXL
Pale pink studded flats - Target
Rose quartz necklace - lovelymusings etsy
white ring - H&M
Rose ring - Fossil
Glasses - SEE eyewear
New sunglasses and cream frames I just got at SEE Eyewear. Can’t wait to get these with my prescription!
#seeeyewear
A moment of sweetness…
My partner S and I have a really lovely life together. I don’t gush about us much here - well because this is a fashion blog, not a relationship blog. But I am so happy.
Anyway…my tumblr friend Coreena drew this SWEET piece of us. LOOK AT MY CHUBBY LITTLE KNEES!!!! She does custom portraits and has some really great cards and things on her etsy. You should REALLY go check out her stuff. Tell her you found her through inthethickofit!
Cloak and Parks
I’m not a religious person by any means, but if I was going to do any worshipping on Easter sunday, it was going to be at the Art Institute and Millenium Park. Nothing better than a little modern wing at the AIC. Seeing as how it was pretty much perfect weather, I was able to venture out in my new cloak and not have to worry about a giant puffy jacket.
I love that this cloak can be worn open or closed - giving it a fully different look each way. It was a great piece for going to the museum, because it could easily be slipped on and off as needed.
Outfit Details
Cloak - Charles Gray London, XL (via nordstrom rack)
Black shirt - Forever 21, 1X
Jeggings - Target, 16
Wedge boots - Topshop (last year)
Necklace - Forever 21 (new)
Wallet clutch - Kenneth Cole Reaction (via nordstrom rack)
Sun glasses - SEE
215# 5’9”
Guest-of-wedding Looks.
I have a TON of requests for ideas for what to wear to a wedding. Since it’s that season, I decided to throw a few ideas out there featuring some dresses from eShakti (they have dresses in a wide range of sizes and they provide custom tailoring).
All the dresses at eShakti tend to run pretty sweet (very 1950s style really), but here are a few different options that would work well for spring/summer weddings!
Polyvore set here
Graphic Print Skirt in the Neo Alley
A day away from the office and I wanted to go out around the city. I had just gone dancing at neo the night before and decided I had to do a photo-shoot in the weird painted alley. Thursday nights at neo remind me of friday night at #’s (“numbers” - it was named in an era when hashtags did not exist) in Houston, which is where I learned to dance in the late 90s/early 00’s. I adore 80s dark synth, so a new wave night just takes me to the best places mentally.
I needed an outfit perfect for a cool, sunny day in Chicago - This elastic-waist skirt is heavy enough to not fly up at the slightest wind. I love the slight touch of neon - just enough to break up the all-black.
Outfit Details
Print Skirt - Target, sz L (new/ mossimo/ runs big!) - available here
Sheer Neon Shirt - Forever 21+, sz 1X - available here
Faux Black Leather Jacket - Forever 21+, Sz XL
Black Tights - Target
Shoes - John Fluevog Selby
Triangle Necklace - Forever 21
Ring - H&M
Bag - Vince Camuto (via Nordstrom Rack)
Glasses - SEE
215# 5’9”
I got my giveaway prize from In The Thick of It today. Thank you Amanda, you’re awesome!
YAY! So Happy you received it (y’all I had a huge fiasco with the first package I sent getting stolen from the mailroom at my office! items are slightly different because I had to replace everything - such a terrible situation!!!)
I saw your other post where you were wearing the citrine necklace - it looks AMAZING on you.
Thanks again everyone for the support and so much love to you, Mountainmover!!!!
To be honest, we can’t remember how we first found Amanda Lee and her blog, In the Thick of It, but at this point her blog has become a must-read for us. It’s like that song you hear over and over without really knowing it, until you realize you know all of the words and sing it at the top of your lungs. Amanda shares her favorite finds, outfit shots, and thoughts on finding the best duds for plus-size ladies. Bonus points? Look at that new cute pink ‘do!
Introduce Yourself! What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you do?
I’m Amanda Lee. I live in Chicago now, but I grew up in the Gulf Coast area (Houston, TX). I’m a graphic artist, blogger and stylist. You can see some of my art on my site.
How would you describe your personal style?
Budget-conscious trendy with a strong pinch of goth. I basically really love the color black.
Do you have any fashion regrets? Or vice versa, things you’ll never stop wearing?
It’s taken me years to craft my style - there were many years of floundering style-wise. There were some embarrassing capri pants situations. I can’t seem to stop wearing my denim jacket - it’s a staple in my closet.
What inspires you?
I draw inspiration from fellow fat-fashion bloggers like Nicolette Mason, Stephanie Zwicky and Gabi Fresh. I also scour runway shows and tumblr. And I obsessively visit art museums and people-watch on city streets anywhere I am to gather general aesthetic inspiration.
Tell me about In the Thick of It Fashion. Where did the name come from? What do you focus on? Any goals for 2013?
In The Thick of It started a few years ago as just a way for me to explore my own style. After many years of interacting with other plus size women online, I decided to just focus on my own outfits as a way to really craft a look. The name is a play on the phrase “in the thick of it.”
I focus on budget-friendly style for plus size folks. I am not at all interested in talking about weight-loss or dieting. It’s very much a blog about loving your body as it is and dressing yourself in that body you have now. My goals for 2013 for the blog include a revamping of the site later this year, and working with a few more plus size partners and advertisers.
What are you listening to right now?
I am obsessed with late 70’s and early 80’s darkwave/synth…basically if it’s put out by Dark Entries label, I’m listening to it. One of my favorites on my record player at the moment is the 1980s Belgian band, Parade Ground. As for new music - I’m very much looking forward to the new albums by Austra and The Knife this summer.
Tell me about your ideal day. What do you do, where do you go, who are you with?
My ideal day starts with waking up with my partner S, getting dressed (we both love to really look stylish) and heading to a cafe. I love to sit outside with a journal to write ideas or sketch while I have coffee and a croissant. Then a little shopping - usually Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Topshop, Forever 21. Then perhaps meeting up with some friends for a late lunch and then home to hang out with our dogs and to watch a movie. I’m a simple person and really love having quiet time. While I do love dancing, I don’t like to go out super late very often - so tend to go out dancing once a month and really have a blast when I do.
Anything I should have asked that I didn’t? Tell me one more thing I should know.
It’s really important to me that fat bodies are taken seriously in fashion. The reason it has taken me so long to really hone my style is that options for plus size folks have been MISERABLE in past years. There are a great number of people that have done so much for fashion for plus size bodies and I’m excited to see that grow even more.
What are you loving on Copious right now? Send me links of things you love and tell me why.
https://copious.com/listings/bobby-boot
This boot is great for bringing a little edge to almost any outfit
https://copious.com/listings/cross-embroidery-sweater
This patterned sweater would be great worn over-sized with some skinny jeans and those bobby boots!
https://copious.com/listings/blackbird-soap-set
Black soap? Yes - it smells amazing and looks cool too.
https://copious.com/listings/peach-aragonite-gold-necklace-1
I love big raw stones in necklaces and earrings - this would bring a touch of flash and color to an all-black outfit.
