In The Thick Of It

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”

The Devil’s in the Details

 Accessories can take any outfit from “just something i threw on” to an actual pulled-together look. I used to be annoyed  that sometimes the only thing I could ever find in a store was accessories, because they carried no clothes in my size, but the reality is that it’s allowed me to amass quite a collection of really cute accessories.  A good outfit has a mixture of colors, patterns and textures in the clothes and the accessories should also reflect that mix.

If nothing else, having some key pieces - a weird necklace or some big earrings that you can throw on that will upgrade an outfit is worth even a small amount of money.

And other thing - for those of you that wear glasses, they can be additional accessory that is fun to change up.  Over many years, I’ve added new pairs to my collection.

This skirt you’ve seen before, but I wanted to show you how I’ve paired it with some new accessories (and a new top!)

The Outfit Details
Sea-foam shirt - Forever 21+ - 1X
Faux Leather Jacket - Forever 21+ - XL
Patent flats - Target 
Sea-foam Necklace (worn as a bracelet) - Forever 21
Pink/silver ring - Fossil
Triangle rings - Stone and Honey
Skirt - Forever 21+ - 1X
Hand Collar Clips - gift
Earrings - local shop
Rose Scarf - vintage/thrifted
Jacket - Guess - XL
Glasses - SEE

The colors of a rose garden

I promised something other than the black/white outfits I’ve been inundating you all with for weeks.  A sunny cold day seemed like just the time to pull out some pink and dark red - one of my favorite color combos.

Photos are from the el, just at sunset.

Outfit details
Pink Tunic - Forever 21 Plus - Sz 1X
Red Jeggings - Target - Sz 16
Green Jacket - GAP - Sz XL
Scarf - Urban Outfitters
Black/gold stud bag - Forever 21
Ring - Stone and Honey
Braided Belt - Nordstrom
Necklace - Forever 21
Boots - Steve Madden
Earrings - local
Glasses - SEE

Lace and Tulle for the New Year

First of all - HAPPY NEW YEAR my dear readers!  InTheThickofIt has grown like CRAZY this year.  Thank you as always for the continued support and love.

Since moving in with S, I have really had to edit my closet as I have much less space than in my old place.  I started to feel like I was wearing the same 10 things over and over again - and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, I just started to feel like I was in a bit of a rut on many levels.  So on new year’s eve, I decided to do a little shopping for some new outfits.  

I’ve been looking for a new skirt and this sweet layered skirt from forever 21+ just called my name. It’s 3 layers - a black fitted layer with a layer of cream lace and then topped with a light pink tulle.  It’s a little bit ballerina a little bit figure skater, which is why i was determined to toughen the look up a bit with my cropped striped sweater from H&M and my studded leather jacket.  It’s a great look for a snowy winter january day, don’t you think?

Clothing Details
Black/Cream Striped Sweater - H&M, Sz XL
Lace/Tulle Skirt - Forever 21+, Sz 1X (similar available here)
Leggings - Forever 21+, Sz 1X
Wedge Shoes - Topshop
Leather stud jacket - Forever 21+, Sz 1X
Horse wool scarf - society for scarves (here)
Crystal necklace - etsy
Earrings - Target
Purse - Dorothy Perkins

I’m 5’9” and approx 215# 
 

Casual Collar and V-Neck Sweater

After lots of holiday parties and dressing up, I just wanted to wear something casual for a trip out to the suburbs this weekend.  But of course it’s me, and I have to add something fancy to the whole look - I added a layered crystal necklace underneath my black button-up collar shirt.  And you’ve seen these oxford shoes recently, but they are so fantastic - I’m completely obsessed with them.

And the trip to the suburbs was great…there was a short stop at IKEA and i got some of my art framed and we bought lots of japanese candy at a huge asian market.  A really sweet Saturday overall.

Clothing Details
Black Collar Button up Shirt - Thrifted
V-Neck Sweater - Calvin Klein L (Thrifted)
Denim Jeggings - Target, Sz 16
Argyle Socks - H&M
Oxford Shoes - thrifted (from toronto!)
Crystal Necklace - Forever 21
Glasses - SEE

I’m 5’9” and approx 215#   

Thanksgiving Day Leather

A thanksgiving dinner with friends and I wanted to wear something easy and cute.  It also happened to be quite warm, so I was able to do some simple light layers. You may recall this dress from the summer, I just paired it with leggings, stompy boots and my favorite leather jacket.

Clothing Details
Patterned Dress - Target Sz XXL
Leggings - Forever 21 Sx XL
Stud Leather Jacket - Forever 21, Sz XL
Black Boots - Vince Camuto
Bag - Dorothy Perkins 

I’m 5’9” and approx 215# 

Coffee at Wormhole and a Vintage Floral Skirt

Saturday morning and a trip to wicker park meant a stop into the lovely coffeeshop Wormhole. Their honey bear latte makes me the happiest. After coffee, it was record shopping at reckless. I got the newest John maus record and haven’t stopped listening to it all weekend.

This vintage skirt is something I’ve had in my closet for several months and I just haven’t had the opportunity to wear it. You may notice I’m wearing the sheer shirt I had in my photos from last week - I love getting lots of looks from a new piece!

Oh and look - I got my hair cut! I needed a little change and decided to even things out a bit so i can grow it out this winter.

What I’m Wearing:
Sheer White shirt - Forever 21 - XL
Vintage floral skirt - no size listed
Tights - Target - XL
Shoes - Chinese Laundry from Akira Chicago
Earrings - etsy
Crystal necklace - etsy
Rings - Stone and Honey
Purse - Valhalla Brooklyn
Glasses - SEE

I’m 5’9” approx 220# queer fat femme!

The Plum Sweater Dress and the Perfect Bag

Ah, yes…the time of year for sweater dresses and layers and perfect weekends filled with walking around, drinking warm beverages and looking at people. It was also a weekend for a massive closet “edit” which means that I found some things that had been buried in the back and I have a HUGE bag of clothes to sell/exchange.  But during that, I found this sweet sweater dress that I just thought would be perfect for this weekend.  It’s a little too big, but who cares - it’s flowy and sweet and one of my favorite colors.

The Outfit

Plum Sweater Dress: Forever 21 (3x)
Gray Leggings: HUE (M)
Wedges: Topshop
Necklace: Forever 21
Rings: Stone and Honey
Bag: the onishi by valhallabrooklyn 

I’m 5’9” approx 220# queer fat femme!

Is it time for fall yet?

Y’all.  I am SO ready for fall colors and cooler weather and BOOTS.  I thought today was going to be the perfect day to wear my new burgundy skinny pants, and while it was a super cute outfit - the weather was still just a little too warm.  However I did have the BEST time at my new favorite record store - Logan Hardware, which has a FREE ARCADE in the back room.  It was magical!.

What I wore:
Black Lace Jacket - Forever 21 - Sz 1X
Pink sequin tank - Forever 21 - Sz 2X
Burgundy Skinny Jeggings - Target - Sz 16
Scarf - Urban Outfitters
Shoes - in one photo I’m in my Franco Sarto Suede Heels, in the other I’m in the Zigi Soho Studded loafers
Bag - Valhalla Brooklyn  

I’m 5’9” approx 220# queer fat femme!