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      in health and weelbeing

      Working Out is Different When You’re Plus-Size—Here’s What I’ve Learned

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      Still to this day, I have a folder under my bed filled with Seventeen and Cosmopolitan workout tear-outs. These workouts felt like a bible to me growing up (as did the entire magazine—I was from a small town that thought eyeshadow only came in brown and the most fashionable thing you could wear is a floral dress from Hollister circa 2011). Everything I knew about fitness came from there, and I’d sit in my room every day and contemplate which workout I’d do. But I never lost weight, I never got lean Carrie Underwood legs, and I definitely never got the abs I was promised.I’ve been plus-size for years (and before that I was at the tail end of straight-size), but I’ve also always been at least somewhat active. No, I didn’t play three sports in high school, and I never stepped foot in a gym until I was in college, but I’ve never been totally “out of shape.” I move my body to an extent, and I pretty much get 10,000 steps in every day. But there are many exercises I can’t do, and I’ve blamed my body and my seemingly innate lack of physical fitness forever, which led me to stress over workouts so much that I basically stopped doing them.

      I’ve been plus-size for years (and before that I was at the tail end of straight-size), but I’ve also always been at least somewhat active.

      It wasn’t until I was watching a YouTube video recently in which a plus-size woman described that she had a hard time doing planks because her wrists weren’t strong enough to hold up how heavy her weight was that everything began to click. Being plus-size doesn’t make me inherently unfit—it just means that my body physically isn’t equipped to do the same exercises as someone half my size. Just because my body is heavier doesn’t mean that it’s wrong; it just means I might have to do exercises differently. And there’s nothing wrong with finding a better way to exercise my body; in actuality, it’s particularly fit of me, if I do say so myself.
      I’d never heard anyone in my plus-size circles talking about this, so I assumed this was either common-knowledge that had never dawned on me or I was the only one who experienced it. Turns out, it was neither; it’s just rarely talked about. Tulin Emre, who goes by Coach Tulin on her blog and Instagram, is the founder of Fit Has No Size, a movement dedicated to showing plus-size women the power of fitness and modifications. She’s been a powerhouse in the plus-size community for influencing change in the culture of fitness. She explained that because there’s such a “shame” around our body types, we think that our goal is to be able to do the exercise just like the fitness instructor or the person in the how-to video. However, “fitness is always about creating challenges,” so shouldn’t we look at modifications as “skill acquisition”?

      Just because my body is heavier doesn’t mean that it’s wrong; it just means I might have to do exercises differently.

      “Fitness doesn’t reach this level of pinnacle success, and it’s easy cruising; you’re always growing and building, but it’s foundational,” Coach Tulin said. Basically, it’s not that you learn how to do a five-minute plank and you’re good to go. Instead, you’re constantly pushing and changing workouts to better suit your fitness goals. Once I learned this, my entire relationship with working out changed, and I stopped thinking of the workout itself as a goal but rather the tool to reach my own fitness goals (not body goals!). Here’s what I’ve learned:

      Modification is a skill
      Being plus-size simply means my body is bigger, so sometimes certain movements don’t work because my stomach or larger thighs get in the way. This doesn’t mean that I’m a complete failure at fitness, it just means that I have to modify the movement to work for me. This seemed like a cop-out at first, but I’ve grown to understand this just means that I’m taking my fitness into my own hands (literally). Julie Newbry, NASM Certified CPT, CES, FNS, explained that just because the fitness industry caters to smaller bodies doesn’t mean that having to modify an exercise for your own is wrong. “So many programs are designed for people in smaller bodies and don’t take into account that plus-size participants may find the size of their stomach, legs, or other body part doesn’t allow them to do a specific move,” Newbry said. “This can leave people in larger bodies feeling like they don’t belong or there is something wrong with their body. The truth is there is nothing wrong with their body; the exercise is wrong for their body, and we work together to find a modification or an alternate move that works for them.” 
      Coach Tulin also explained similar sentiments, stating that it’s OK to feel physically fit and healthy but still have to do modifications for an exercise. Doing a modification doesn’t make the exercise inherently easier if it means that you can perform it with the correct form. “I don’t suck because I modify, I’m actually building skills, and there’s intention behind this,” Coach Tulin said. Newbry agreed. “See modifying a move or doing an alternative move as a way of standing up for yourself,” Newbry said. “You are honoring your body and what it needs, and that is something to be proud of.”
      She also explained the importance of looking at a modification as a variation of the exercise, such as all the different types of squats. “There’s a purpose to every degree … People think if they don’t have a deep squat, they aren’t squatting well enough, but a “deep squat” has a different purpose than a “90-degree squat” or a “box squat” when you use a chair,” Coach Tulin said. Can’t go very low to the ground? There’s still power in that movement. Just because you’re changing the movement doesn’t make it “easier”; it makes it a better fit for your body. 

      Just because you’re changing the movement doesn’t make it “easier”; it makes it a better fit for your body. 

      Work toward fitness goals rather than “body” goals
      As expressed previously, I never got those gosh darn Carrie Underwood legs I was promised in the Back-to-School edition of Seventeen. For as long as I can remember, I’ve approached exercise with a goal for my body. I want leaner legs, a rounder butt, muscular arms a la Michelle Obama, a tiny waist. Regardless of where I was in my journey, I was always working out to make my body look better. Exercise Physiologist Kathleen Terracina, EP-C, encouraged taking weight and body size out of the equation when it comes to adopting a fitness routine. “Set goals that have nothing to do with body size and go after them (run a 5K, bench press XX pounds, dance through a whole playlist, touch your toes, hold a plank for X time, walk up X flights of stairs to work),” Terracina said. “Remember the benefits of movement that hold true even if your body size never changes: stress reduction, improvement in: BP, cholesterol, cardiovascular fitness, sleep, flexibility/mobility, strength, reduction in falls risk—the list goes on. There are so many other exciting, more beneficial things to focus on with exercise instead of body size.” 
      Instead of paying attention to how my body was changing through exercise, I began measuring my fitness through attainable goals (namely, do one pull-up .. I’m keeping it ultra-attainable). 

      Watch how other people work out
      “A lot of us who are plus-size, we can’t see the muscle move [when we’re working out]. We don’t have a visual,” Coach Tulin said. The weight on my body makes it so that I can’t see how my triceps work when I’m doing tricep dips or the way my inner thighs flex during abductions, which sometimes leads to me doing the form of an exercise incorrectly or not understanding the best way to modify something for myself. Coach Tulin recommended looking at other bodies to see how the muscles move; then, we can communicate to our minds what our bodies should do. 
      In the same vein, I’ve found it extremely important to watch other plus-size women work out. It’s a reminder that all bodies can be fit and strong, but it especially helps me to see more ways I can modify or change a movement to work the best for me. Terracina had the same idea, explaining that representation can be a powerful tool to learning how to approach fitness for all body types. “Though your local gym may be behind the times and only have instructors and trainers with smaller bodies, the Internet can be a great place to find people who look like you moving their bodies.” I’ve started following @bethyred, @diannebondyyogaofficial, @iamtulin, @bodypositivefitness_,  @paradisefitnesswithcarly, and more for inspiration and guidance in my own workout journey. 

      Stop comparing yourself
      This is much easier said than done, of course, but it’s crucial in the age of Apple Watch “X calories burned” screenshots clogging your social media feeds (y’all, can we please with that?). I’ve noticed that as a plus-size person, it doesn’t take much for a workout to be “hard” for  me; my body is pretty heavy, so I have to exert a lot of force to do what a smaller body might find extremely easy, like a  long walk. Walking five miles in the morning for me is exerting a similar amount of force as someone much smaller doing a HIIT workout for 30 minutes. Although yours “looks” harder, physically, we’re both getting in a hard workout.
      Once I stopped comparing what everyone else was doing and started approaching fitness by what works for me, it was like a lightbulb went off. It’s OK that I don’t like hour-long intense cardio classes, but I also won’t put myself down for doing a workout I love (hello hip hop dance) that might seem “easy” to someone else. Every body is different, and Terracina said the subtle and not-so-subtle ways we’re fed that thinness is the ideal often clouds that. “If every person ate exactly the same foods and did exactly the same workouts, their bodies would still be different,” Terracina said. “For some, movement and nourishment yield a body that is considered plus size. For others, movement and nourishment yield a body that is considered thin (and a spectrum in between).” Everyone has different fitness goals, likes, and complications, and it’s none of my business to be concerned about what anyone else is doing. 

      Once I stopped comparing what everyone else was doing and started approaching fitness by what works for me, it was like a lightbulb went off.

      It’s not your fault that equipment doesn’t work for you
      Working out at home has been a great reminder that exercise can truly be as simple as your body. But this doesn’t mean the fitness industry is off the hook, as many products, equipment, and tools are made without plus-size people in mind. From seats on spin bikes being too small to flimsy discs that break in half when you step down on it (this has actually happened to me), this can make accessing this equipment difficult and uncomfortable for those with bigger bodies. Not to mention, we already see a lack of plus-size trainers and associates in gyms. Terracina explained this all goes back to the lie that fitness is about getting smaller and the focus on a thin body as the ideal, but the burden shouldn’t fall on you. “This is on the fitness industry to catch up and have equipment that suits everybody and employ leaders with a range of body diversity.” 
      Instead of worrying about how the equipment might not fit you or your body, put it on the leaders of the industry by demanding that they cater to you too. Perhaps this is more about my activism than how I work out, but I know I’ll feel more confident the next time I step into a gym knowing that if the spin bike doesn’t suit me, it’s not my fault. 

      I’ve adopted Health at Every Size (HAES)
      Once I found the HAES movement, my life changed. I was sick of going to every doctor’s appointment and being told that every ailment, pain, or issue I was experiencing was because of my weight. It’s frustrating to be asked, “Have you tried losing weight?” after telling a doctor any and all symptoms. Once, I told a doctor I was having an allergic reaction, and they had the audacity to suggest it was because of my weight. (Fun fact: it was cats, not my large thighs, but whatever.) HAES is the idea that you can be fit and healthy even as an overweight person and that health is more holistic than a number on a scale. It’s a philosophy now practiced by many physicians, trainers, and more, including Newbry and Terracina. 
      “I don’t weigh my clients or take their measurements,” Newbry said. “I’ve seen so much shame accompany those tactics, and I want women to know the power of their body and experience all the benefits of exercise without having to focus on weight changes that may or may not happen.”

      I want women to know the power of their body and experience all the benefits of exercise without having to focus on weight changes that may or may not happen.

      Let go of shame
      Experiencing pain or soreness during or after a workout? You’re not alone, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Painful joints or heavy breathing are a natural part of exercise and can happen to anyone at any fitness level. “Remember all size bodies experience health issues such as knee pain, joint pain, and injuries, so let go of any shame you might be carrying around if you are dealing with those issues,” Newbry said. If you need to rest or take a break, do it. Your right to exercise is not contingent upon the way your body responds; remember that. 
      Newbry also added that if past exercise trauma is valid and to consider reaching out to a loved one or therapist to discuss this as you begin your exercise journey. “If you’ve had deeply shaming experiences in your past with exercise, please have compassion for yourself and reach out for help if needed … Just know that you belong and have the right to move your body however you feel drawn to.” More

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      in beauty and fashion

      The Best Plus-Size Pieces for Fall

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      Whether you’re plus-size or not, one thing is for sure: adding some pieces to your wardrobe for the new season is about the most fun thing I’ve done all year. Maybe it’s some quarantine fatigue, or maybe it’s the ever-exciting begin of fall, but I’m more excited to get some new pieces this year than ever—even if I’m the only one who sees them. This fall, I’m shopping a solid mix of loungewear and trends, plus all the warm and cozy jackets the world has to offer. Here’s everything I’ve had my eye on this fall—and of course, it’s all available in plus-sizes.

      Loungewear

       

      Jackets + Outerwear

       

      Tops

       

      Bottoms

       

      Dresses

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      in beauty and fashion

      The Best Sweaters for Fall Under $50

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      If fall had a mascot, it might as well be a soft, cozy, chunky sweater; after all, what signifies the change in season more than that first day that you can finally throw on a sweater instead of the T-shirts you’ve been living in for months prior?Good sweaters are a staple of any wardrobe; they need to be soft and durable and well-made, and believe it or not, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on them to achieve it. Brands have seemingly mastered the art of the affordable, staple sweater, and to lessen your fall stress, we’ve scoured the depths of the internet to find the very best ones of 2020—all under $50.
      Light that pumpkin-scented candle and fill up your cart with the tops you’ll be living in until next spring—these are bound to sell out fast.

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      in beauty and fashion

      My Honest Thoughts About Dating as a Plus-Size Woman

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      When I was 5 years old, I was in love with my next door neighbor, David. (David isn’t reading this, but his sister, Dana, might be. Hi!) He was charming and funny, older than me, smart, close in proximity, had blonde hair, and his mom always let me stay for dinner. The whole package really. I want to say he liked me back—I mean, he kissed me, and I feel like that means like-like, right?—but if anyone was around, he’d never show it. When we’d play a game of Capture the Flag and it was just us two behind the shed, he’d be nice and funny and sweet to me. But the second anyone came around, he called me ugly and fat and made jokes about me. He was only 6 years old at the time, and I’ve forgiven him for all those times I ran home crying after feeling rejected by him, but I have to wonder if even then, he felt embarrassed to admit he liked a fat girl. And this is how most of my relationships have gone over the years. For a long time, I thought I just had horrible taste in men. To be fair, I kind of do (I’m not kidding when I say my dream man is Pete Davidson, and I know that requires a little bit of self-reflection). But after I read One to Watch, a women’s fiction-romance novel exploring plus-size dating, I began to notice that the patterns might have a little more to do with the men than my interest in them. (It’s also important to note that I’ve never experienced this with women before, but I’ve only been on a few dates with girls in my day, so this could be across genders and sexualities. I’m just speaking on my personal experience.) 
      I wanted to believe that being plus-size wasn’t affecting how men were seeing me. Yeah, there are some jerks out there who fetishize larger bodies or who want to try their personal trainer certification on me, but overall, men couldn’t be that affected by my body weighing more than average, right? After doing a deep-dive on my dating history, I think I’ve concluded that the answer here is no and that actually, being plus-size has played a major role in my love life, even after I started loving myself for who I was.
      Since my very first date at 17, I’ve struggled to meet someone who completely accepts me—rolls, flab, fat, and all. Dating is uncomfortable and stormy regardless of your body type, but I’ve noticed a few common themes in my relationships that seem to correlate with being a plus-size woman. 

      People are embarrassed to admit they’re interested in a plus-size person.
      For whatever reason, I’ve experienced a lot of men who are absolutely embarrassed of me. To the point that when I dated a guy a few years ago who kissed me in public, I put up with all of his other abusive tactics because I was so excited to finally meet someone who didn’t deem public appearances with me as a major hit to their ego. 
      First, they’re embarrassed to even admit to themselves that they find me attractive. Is this speculation? Perhaps. But there’s a reason guys are more likely to talk to me when they’re under the influence or behind the guise of a dating app than IRL. A quick search on a porn site (I did the work, y’all) and you’ll see that porn involving plus-size women gets just as many views as porn with thin women, but I’ve never met a guy who would admit that plus-size women is even something they’re attracted to. There’s a stigma around finding a plus-size woman attractive; men have been conditioned by media and society for generations that thinness is what’s beautiful based on what they see, read, and hear, so they might be othered or uncomfortable admitting that their interest deviates from the norm. For sure, being interested in plus-size women is a preference, and I don’t think you’re automatically fatphobic if that’s not what you’re into, but there’s a real societal pressure at play that keeps plus-size women thinking they’re not worthy all the while men are watching us have sex online with no abandon.
      I explored dating men significantly older than me for a long time because I craved the maturity. Young men I find often don’t have the clear sense of self required to differentiate between what they actually feel and what they think they’re supposed to. And while I think this makes a small difference, there’s still something to be said about the power of masculinity and media portrayals because older men often have outdated views of health and beauty standards. Yep, I’m talking a message once that said, “You’re hot, but you’re unhealthy and will probably get diabetes.” I’m actually plenty healthy, but OK 🙂

      My partners treat our relationship like a secret.
      I’ve also found that partners and dates have been embarrassed to be seen with me too. So, they finally allow themselves to take a chance and date someone fat: congrats, here’s your cookie for going against the grain. But they want every meeting in private. They don’t tell their friends I exist, they don’t take me on public dates (I’ve experienced way too many “Netflix and Chill”s for my liking), they strategically move away from me when we’re at bars together. It’s as if being seen with a fat person ruins their reputation and makes them less of a “man.” And just in the same way that women look to height as a security blanket in men, I think seeking women of a certain body type makes them feel inferior and insecure, like they’re not masculine enough if their partner is bigger than them. 
      The first boy who showed interest in me kept our relationship extremely private, ultimately lying to everyone that he’d ever been interested or attracted to me. Our relationship was kept a secret, complete with Snapchat messages that deleted automatically, a short-lived hookup, and me feeling like absolute garbage when he announced he had a girlfriend the same day I delivered handmade Valentine’s gifts to his locker (I will never get over the sheer embarrassment and shame of this one). This all goes back to being embarrassed of me, as if I’m the impulse purchase you took for a spin with joy one day and completely regretted the next. They seem to think there’s a lenient return policy on having feelings for me.

      People festishize my body. 
      So, you see I’ve had my issues meeting guys in real life and on “normal” dating apps like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge. Then, I tried all the plus-size dating apps. And that was basically a recipe for disaster. The ideas are incredible in theory; a whole community of people who are happy and excited to date a plus-size person. But they were all rife with people who viewed my extra body fat as a kink. 

      …you just KNOW there are gonna be weirdo fetishists on here. Which is why….I almost wish that plus size girls could just *use* normal dating apps freely like everyone else, rather than being treated like a specific ‘kink,’ as it were.
      — Olivia🧜‍♀️ BLACK LIVES MATTER (@myladyteazle) August 14, 2020

      I’ve gotten everything from “I’ve never been with a big girl before, and I really want to try it” (hello, my body isn’t something you can just add to your bucket list, sir) to “Can I use your stomach as a pillow?” to explicit descriptions of how absolutely hot and sexy my rolls are. The worst part is that when I first started dating, I looked at these as compliments. I was so excited that someone was into me that I never allowed myself to feel the discomfort. Plus-size women are made to feel like they’re lucky to have someone be interested in them, so we overlook potential red flags out of fear of rejection. Well, newsflash: I am really f*cking over that. 
      I’m not making plus-size dating seem very fun, and I’ll be the first to admit that I have a lot of trauma and grief to work through over past relationships in relation to my body image. I wish I could end this saying I won’t have this any longer and I’ll only go out with guys who treat me like a princess (heck, just treat me like a regular person, and I’m yours), but it’s not so simple. It’s much more realistic for me to say that I’ll put off dating until I feel confident enough in myself to not allow myself to be treated like this. This is only my experience, and part of being confident and strong is knowing that there are mature, adult people out there who won’t treat me like this one day. I just really wish they’d come a little quicker because I’m getting Carpal Tunnel in my hands from swiping. More

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      in beauty and fashion

      Our Editors Did a Massive Nordstrom Sale Try-On—Here Are Their Favorites

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      Hello, old friends. 
      If you’re new here, welcome! Maddie and I are both fashion-loving, outfit-planning, shopping-obsessed editors at The Everygirl, and based on our close friendship, similar height and style, but absolutely different sizes, we decided to show how clothes look on each of us to give you a better idea of fit, style, and quality. Pre-pandemic, we’d go to the same store and try on a bunch of similar and slightly different pieces. Well, that ended. Consider this Maddie and Beth Try On Clothes: WFH Edition, and this one is very special because every single thing is on sale. 
      Today, we’re tackling the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. We’re sharing all the pieces we tried on: what we loved, what we didn’t, and what we’re thinking about purchasing ourselves (or already have!). Continue on for our thoughts!
      Maddie tried on a bunch of cute pieces safely in the Nordstrom store too!

      Maddie: When I tried this jacket on I immediately felt like a sweet little American Girl Doll in a way that I thoroughly enjoy. The colors are such an exciting alternative to my camel coat that I generally reach for, and it is so soft and warm and high-quality. It’s definitely something I wouldn’t ordinarily gravitate toward but that convinced me to love it the second I put it on.
      Please note my poor old dog getting blinded by the sun.

      Maddie: I, for whatever reason, falsely had it in my head that I didn’t like this fit of the cult classic Madewell jeans. I thought they were too rigid and constricting, so when I put them on expecting to hate them, I was quite surprised to find the opposite. These jeans fit me like a glove. They are soft and perfect and flattering and throughout my 2020 hunt for the perfect straight jean, can’t believe I wrote this off. I’d rank these as a “Top 3 of All-Time” jean for me. I couldn’t recommend enough.

      Beth: Say hello to my mismatched socks! You’ll see them through the rest of this try-on 🙂 Also, I put flowers in this vase the evening after I took these, so there’s that.
      I loved these jeans. I have loved the Classic Vintage jean since Maddie and I did our Madewell try-on a year ago, and I contemplate them every single time Madewell has a sale. I sent this picture to a few friends, and they all were like, “You absolutely have to buy them.” Welp, they sold out. I was still looking to invest in a good pair of jeans (last year, I got Good Americans, and as much as I loved them right at first, they ripped and lost their dye in the inner thigh from rubbing together way too soon for how $$$ they are). NYDJ are my mom’s favorite jeans, and I loved the straight leg fit and high-waist of these. I ordered on a whim, and we’ll see how they fit!

      Maddie: Clearly this coat made me excited! Something about a long, wool coat makes me feel like a socialite who embodies class, and the houndstooth pattern of this one exacerbated it. I love the print and the style, but this is a size small, and I have to disclaim was oddly tight on me in the torso-butt region—almost like it was a little too rigid for my taste. I would be curious to try a size up and see how it felt, but considering I am not at all well-endowed in the butt area, would be weary of the sizing on this one. Luckily, all sizes are still available, so you should be able to find your perfect fit.

      Beth: I was really excited to try this coat because I fell in love with the Avec Les Filles (I took two semesters of French, so yeah, I pronounced it correctly) star print coat last year in the sale (also this one that looks very Meghan Markle-esque). I really love that their XXL fits me, but it’s worth noting that XXL is not size-inclusive—this wouldn’t fit anyone over a size 20 I don’t think. It fit me well through the front, but it bunched up and did the same weird thing to my butt as it did to Maddie. I’d like my butt was too big for it, which I really, really want to believe is true, but I don’t think so, LOL. But that was only when it was buttoned, so if you planned to wear it open, it was all good for me!
      It’s a good statement piece, which I love in Chicago when all anyone can really see of me for months is my coat. It’s a way to show off that you’re stylish and trendy even though you’re wearing leggings and T-shirt underneath.

      Maddie: First, pardon my feet in this. Second and most importantly, this is one of Nordstrom’s most foolproof sale purchases. I got 2019’s version of it from the sale last year and have worn it to death since. A camel-colored suede moto jacket? You can’t go wrong, and for the price, it’s a low-risk investment piece. You can pair this bad boy with anything and it elevates it and makes you look like a million bucks. I’ve found that I love having this as an option as an alternate to my black leather jacket for days I don’t want to feel quite so badass. 

      Maddie: I’d like to think my eyes are so intense in this because I am thinking so deeply about my love for this blazer. When I previewed this year’s sale, this made it onto the top three items on my wish list. I had my eye on this all of last year and had almost bought it at full price, so I figured this was the universe telling me I did, in fact, need it. First, I need to speak on the quality of this. For a faux leather, it is incredibly buttery smooth and feels so luxurious, which you wouldn’t necessarily expect. The fit is also amazing—this is a size small, and it comes in more of a boyfriend fit, so you don’t need to worry about sizing up. I think this is such a fun piece to have in your wardrobe—it’s versatile and a little unexpected and is something you could get wear out of season after season. This is a small, and I maybe could have done an XS if I wanted to.

      I was a little apprehensive of this because in the past, even the XXL from BlankNYC is too small for me. This has a really great stretch, so it actually fit on me OK, but as you can see, there was no way I could ever get it buttoned. If you’re a size 14-16, this would work on you, but there was no getting this buttoned past my boobs.
      I got a leather trench last spring and love the look of it; it’s cool and trendy and just looks a little ~out of the box~, so I pictured myself falling in love with this. I did not, LOL. It just doesn’t look good on my body. I see it on the model, on Maddie, or even on the hanger, and I’m like, “Oh, that’s cool,” but on me it looks like a chubby girl trying to put her size 2 aunt’s old jacket on from the ‘70s. Which is normally a look I’m ready and willing to give the people, but this just looked blah. The quality feels amazing for a faux leather (some of the best I’ve ever seen), but I can’t lie that it just did not give me all the feelings I wanted it to.

      Beth: As you can see above, I’m having quite the tumultuous relationship with Good American right now. When I first tried their jeans and bodysuits, I was utterly obsessed. They fit my plus-size body like a glove. Hugged all the right places. I could tell they were made for plus-size people. But I had some quality issues with my jeans that made me think twice. So, I was unsure how I’d feel about this blazer. First of all, the quality is definitely there. I immediately noticed how lightweight it is. Although everyone gets freezing cold in their office space, I am often hot, especially during September and October when it’s not actually chilly yet. I could easily see myself wearing this with a bodysuit (like this one I paired it with here—from BP., and I’ve bought it in every other available color!) and not being too hot, but then pairing it with sweaters in the winter. 
      I will note that I also enjoy that this is still oversized even though it’s plus-size. I often see a lot of plus-size things not available in oversized options—IDK if it’s the old-adage that big things make us look bigger or what. But I love that GA is saying that it’s totally cool for plus-size women to get in on the boyfriend blazer trend (and they’re actually offering it in our size too!). I’m wearing this here in the size 6, but I definitely would purchase a size 5. (I like her oversized, but this is a little too much). Perhaps we’re on again.

      Maddie: These are—and I cannot emphasize this enough—the jeans of my absolute dreams. I am obsessed with them. I never want to take them off. As you can see in the Madewell jeans pictured above, straight jeans tend to veer on the side of skinny for me. But these? They are the first jeans I have ever put on that I feel look like how I want straight jeans to look on me. Combine it with the wash and the high rise and I truly would change nothing. Nothing! If you can, pick these up.
      I sized up one size in these, and considered sizing up even one more, so beware that they are quite stiff and do run a little small—but after wearing them a couple of times they have loosened a bit and fit perfectly to my body.
      Not available in the Nordstrom sale (will update if they come back in stock!), but they’re available on in a different wash at Nordstrom and Levi’s website in plus-size. 

      Beth: I have tried these on before, and each time I don’t love them. These fit me a little too tight in the stomach and butt region (gave me the dreaded gap in the back), and they attracted lint like no other jean I’ve ever felt in my life. They’re too long for my legs and don’t fit tight enough on my ankles for my liking in a skinny jean. If you’re really unbothered by jeans, these are great, and they’re a good price. But they’re just not for me. Instead, I would recommend these from Kut from the Kloth. The denim feels higher quality with a much better stretch. 
      When I saw this top on the hanger, I thought it looked fine, but I wasn’t overly-excited to try it on. I ended up really enjoying it! The detail on the sleeves makes it a little more interesting, and the fit was good. I’m an XXL at Madewell across the board, and this was no exception.

      Maddie: I never considered myself a long cardigan gal until we got stuck at home for five months straight and I found myself wishing I owned one. I’ll be honest, this isn’t exactly my style to wear to work or really anything outside of an apartment, but man oh man how I’d love to spend some fall days working from home in this. Combined with leggings and a tee it is the perfect way to feel like a normal person while staying away from anything uncomfortable. It’s kind of like being able to wear a giant, fuzzy blanket. This is a small and is ginormous, as Beth will touch on momentarily. Snatch it up.

      Beth: This is what Taylor Swift was talking about, y’all. I really loved this. This is a size large, and it is still MASSIVE on my size 18 body, so I think even more people could fit into this. It was super cozy, not itchy, and looked cute with leggings and jeans. This is what cozy, fall dreams are made of.

      Maddie: OK, here’s the thing: I know this sweater sold out basically immediately, but I still need to talk about it for various reasons. I have owned my Barefoot Dreams robe for two years. Two years later, it is in the same condition as the day that I got it and brings me joy every single time I put it on. It’s in one of those categories to me that I don’t splurge on much, but when I do, wonder why I don’t do it more often (like a bougie candle that makes me feel like a queen to light.) It is truly one of my favorite purchases of all time.
      That being said, it’s been on my mind for a while now to invest in a Barefoot Dreams cardigan, especially since we’re working from home now. I’m all about lounging in my robe, but sometimes it’s just a little too hot, and I envisioned a lighter, cardigan version to throw on every single day during chilly weather, and I couldn’t be more excited about this. Barefoot Dreams has other styles available during the sale, and I think they all would bring the same joy as this. You can see in this picture that it literally is like wrapping yourself in the softest cloud. I can’t wait until the temps drop and I can make this permanently mold to my body and sip hot coffee all winter long in it. If you’re debating if Barefoot Dreams pieces are worth it, I promise, they really, really are.

      Beth: I expected to fall in love with this, but the fit was very off. Barefoot Dreams size XL is a little too tight for my liking! It was still cute and comfortable, but it was just too tight to be comfortable and cozy for cold days. I did, however, pair it with my favorite leggings of all time: Spanx’s Faux Leather Leggings. I’ve expressed my love for these tenfold, but now that they’re on sale I’ll go over it again. As a plus-size gal, I really like my leggings to suck me in. Not for any of those dumb diet culture reasons, but because it feels the most comfortable to have compression on my body. Any plus-size readers feel the same? The leather-look on these makes them look like real pants even though they’re arguably the most comfortable in my closet. I’ve had my pair for two years now, and I have the ever-so-slightest tug in the inner thigh (from rubbing together with the vigor of a thousand burning suns), but I am planning to get them tailored for free with my Nordstrom card the next time I make it into a store. I’ve worn them with sweaters and booties on dates, with sweatshirts and sneakers for airplane OOTDs and movie nights with friends, with jackets—you name it. They’re the most versatile item in my wardrobe, and I had to give them a hearty shoutout in this story.

      Beth: OK … maybe I don’t hate this cardigan … 

      Peep me approximately 15 minutes after I finished this try-on still wearing it and chilling to the max. Over + out ✌🏼 More

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      10 Plus-Size Bloggers to Follow for Style Inspiration

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      Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, finding style inspiration is trouble-free. With a simple hashtag (#theeverygirloutfitrecipes … just sayin’), there are thousands of options at your fingertips to help you put together a look, shop new products, or develop a whole new wardrobe. However, like most things, it’s not as easy when you’re plus-size and all […] More