all round retro

Hey fam!

Thank you for reaching out after I wrote that extremely personal post about how chronic illness and my injuries have impacted my body positivity in only the best, most surprising of ways 🙂

There is plenty where that comes from, so much to talk about and it will be a running theme on the blog. It’s part of what makes me ME and my road to body positivity.

But this post is a lighthearted one, I had NO fashion concept whatsoever with this hahaha but it seemed like a mish mash of several decades gone by. Hence the title.

I Guess this look is a homage of sorts to my Mother, my Father and Me. I’ll tell you why as I go along ..

flutter sleeved blouse : Forever 21 Plus in size 1X

clear aviator glasses: Ali Express

statement earrings : Ready To Stare (not available anymore, I’m afraid)

high waisted leggings : Asos Curve in size 20

I believe I might have mentioned before that I will no longer be wearing heeled shoes because of my knee so I am still updating my flats collection as I really do not own that many pairs of flats that are comfortable and fashionable – hard to find a mix of that to be honest! This pair of sandals are knock off Birkenstocks haha, from a local store. Very comfortable but I admit I am getting tired of wearing them with everything!

I will always love wearing flutter sleeved, bell sleeved blouses or dresses thanks to being in love with my mother’s bohemian fashion sense when she was a young adult. Even later on, she rocked the hell out of sheer retro dresses and blouses. I remember watching her applying her trademark bright red lipstick for a night out and I loved watching her mix and match from her wardrobe.

My Father no longer wears clear aviator glasses now – he is a sharp dresser with cooler glasses than me! But my earliest memories of him are with a pair of silver aviators that framed his face and Apple cheeks just like they frame mine here. Mom always jokes around that she was the ‘cooler’ one of the two when they were younger but I think dad did pretty okay for himself! A modest and humble man who dressed for function and setting; his style has definitely rubbed off on me in that way. I still remember his monogrammed handkerchiefs he carried for work. Today, he enjoys more casual work wear (which isn’t That casual if you ask me the blogger in pajamas).

I have always been a jeans and T shirt kind of girl. I hated fussing with skirts or dresses, preferring something I could move around with more flexibility .. without having to fidget. Today, I have an eclectic style sense but I still feel most at ease in a pair of jeans. Denim shorts, jeans/jeggings, denim skirts – they have been a staple in my wardrobe for 3 decades. I cannot declare my style androgynous, Nor is it overtly feminine or masculine. It is authentic to who I am.

This shoot was such fun! The seasonal rain was quite literally raining on my parade – I detest gloomy weather. It was the perfect sunny evening and I am so pleased these pictures captured it.

I added a tiny bit of the 80s – the decade I was born in – with statement earrings. They were all the rage back then and they are back in trend now, how about that!

To be honest it doesn’t matter if statement earrings or necklaces ever go out of fashion because I will always adore them.

Makeup for this look was probably the most full coverage I have ever done for a fashion post – it was interesting, certainly fun to dabble but I reckon I will stick to light to medium coverage makeup looks. I prefer a more natural finish. For me, Makeup enhances what is already there and I do not wish to find myself obsessing over how much better I can conceal my facial imperfections. The much darker eye circles will always be there, as will the hyper pigmentation and scars. It’s fine. If they show through the images, I don’t see problems to be fixed – I see a face and a person behind that face who does not always love her reflection but does not hate it either.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this all round retro ensemble! You don’t have to buy all of the trendy things to be stylish; pick and choose what you feel works for you. Make trends work for You instead of the reverse.

Take care of yourselves fam! Sending you so much love.

Aarti xxxo

P.S: I do intend to post less about fashion on the blog as the year progresses although it will still be a part of what I do. So I will not plan elaborate looks as I have done in the past. I would much prefer to focus energy on write-ups and other forms of advocacy. Fashion can be a political statement, but so can other kinds of creative expression.

Ready for Fall

Hello loves, 

Thank you for the comments on the previous fashion post..it was a big risk and fortunately it paid off 🙂 

So today’s fashion post is a short and simple one. Its my first look for Fall. 

Peplum is never going out of style in my books. It’s classy with a hint of cute. It’s still hot balmy weather here so the previous dress will only be worn when the weather cools down..whenever that is! However this post’s look is definitely something I enjoy wearing given the climate here. 

The Look

  

   

  
floral printed peplum top, shiny leggings – Asos Curve

book clutch – Society + (formerly known as Cool Gal Blue) 

watch – Lovisa 

heels – Pazzion (local store, Bishan branch) 

This is something I see myself wearing for dinner with friends, a night out in town or as a more polished day look with a blazer. 

Little Details

  

I love how the florals just pop and the colours are so pretty. It looks like a painting. 

  
This shot does not do the leggings justice. It is shiny when you see it in person, if I’m not wrong they were called disco leggings on Asos Curve! Rightly so. 

If you’re familiar with the blog then you know this pair of heels are very loved. Bling and spikes? Hell yes 🙂 

  
This watch is so cute and I prefer simple ones. 

  
My favourite accessory for this look! I’ve been keeping an eye out for book clutches because my bibliophile self loves the idea of them. I saw this on Society Plus’ website and I was sold! And now I want to scour the Internet for more book clutches because it’s just so me to have one of these since I always carry a book around wherever I go 😀 

Fun fact: I used to read dictionaries from cover to cover just so I could learn new words to confuse my teachers with in school. Geek Life Represent! 

  
 

say hello to the resting bitch face

 
For makeup, I focused on a slightly heavier amount of eyeliner on the lower lashline and an old earthy-brown lipstick. 

What is your favourite style of tops to wear? Mine are tees, peplum tops and airy blouses. Although I do step out of my comfort zone on occasion and try something completely different! You know I love a good challenge. 

Have a lovely weekend, chat soon 🙂 

xxxo Aarti Olivia

2014: Fashion Evolution

“Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them will”

Anne Klein

Hey Hey
Told you I’ll be back soon!
So this post will be a look at some of my favourite outfit of the day/night looks from 2014.

I love going through the pictures and looking at the new styles I have tried. I don’t think I have an innate fashion sense like some of my peers do but it definitely is shaping up and coming along nicely. There are some styles I would not try in a million years and some outfits that I have come to consider wardrobe staples. As I get more comfortable in my skin, there is a certain sense of freedom with knowing who I am and knowing the ensembles that work well for me.

We all have to start somewhere and my style sense gained momentum
from the moment I started Curves Become Her.

Before that, I was much too preoccupied finding ways to hide my body and wearing clothes that fit me but did nothing for my fashion palate.
Today, fashion is no longer dreary or depressing..it is a fun ongoing series of experiments. There is a world of inspiration out there and I now consider myself a bonafide style enthusiast. I adore design – be it in architecture, interior design, works of art, fashion shows, photography – and that has made a huge difference to my style picks.

I have never been the sort to give great credence to big fashion labels or follow every single current fashion trend. I will always be a rebel at heart and pushing my boundaries excites me. I am inspired by what I see on the streets, online, my culture, fashion history, what’s going on around the world. Style in my opinion should empower me and it should accommodate who I am at whatever juncture of life I am at. It is about personal expression and slowly but surely creating a solid foundation that I can rely on for years to come.

Cheers to finding more of myself style-wise!

So let’s go!

January

Forever 21 Plus blouse, ASOS Curve skinny jeans, Asos shades

River Island striped black and white crop top, Cotton On basic black leggings, H&M boots

If memory serves me correctly, this was a submission photograph to Skorch Magazine‘s crop top challenge in Jan. It definitely was a first – baring the tummy more than I have done in years. Would I wear this for an outing?
Ah, that’s still something I will need to get comfortable with. This has got to be one of my favourite crop tops.
I quite like this look.

Asos Curve bodycon dress with black front zipper, White heels, Lovisa earrings and metallic cuff

Love that little clutch purse from Asos..it’s made from a recycled rice bag!

Forever 21 Plus Tapestry dress in 2 different styles. Personal preferred style? The first look.

Hands down this is one of my FAV looks from 2014!

Now if only Cotton On Asia would start bringing back larger sizes again! For some reason they no longer bring in size XL and size L in Asia is more like a size S…smh.
On a happy note, Clashing prints is always such fun 🙂

Cotton On chambray blouse, Forever 21 Plus tapestry skirt

One of my standard casual chic looks.

February

Cotton On Jersey pencil skirt in maroon, green cloth belt (Ebay), Forever 21 plus white bodysuit

Pencil skirts have come to be part of my ‘comfort clothing’ collection…they just never go wrong for me. The color combo here is cool and I love the minimal makeup. Tops from F 21 have a really good quality and texture so you see me getting my basic tops from the store a fair bit.

Cotton On sleeveless chiffon blouse,
Asos Curve skinny jeans in light grey,
Charles & Keith Oxford-styled flats

sleeveless Chiffon blouses are another item from the ‘comfort clothing’ collection. Those grey jeans though are definitely not! I like that I tried something beyond my comfort zone with much lighter coloured jeans. Those Oxford-styled flats have got to be one of the coolest pairs of footwear I own. And I don’t own much cool footwear thanks to the injured feet so that’s saying A Lot!

Asos Curve printed jumpsuit

This was my very first jumpsuit!
Verdict? Love it.

Pink leather pencil skirt, River Island.
Forever 21 Plus peplum top, black satin sash as a belt.

March

H&M striped red & white skater dress in Jersey, Marie Claire colourful flats, Asos Curve skinny belts

Forever 21 Plus sequinned black bodycon dress with mesh long sleeves

one of my FAV looks! Something very very different.

Forever 21 Bodycon bandage dress

Purchased this dress off eBay 2 years ago, still a personal fav.

Forever 21 Plus ikat print crop top and pencil skirt.

Another look that I hadn’t tried before.
Ikat prints are very pretty and the vibrant colours on this outfit made buying this a Must!

April

Asos Curve satin camisole and floral printed joggers

One of my least liked looks.
I think the joggers ruined it for me. It would have been better suited for another look. Having said that, this was completely out of my comfort zone and I felt mighty brave trying it.

Cotton On ¾ sleeved top, Asos Curve scuba skirt

H&M long sleeved chiffon dress

This was an ode to my momma’s fashion sense in her youth. Love the Flower Power era 🙂

Forever 21 Plus striped bandeau peplum top, Cotton On striped pencil skirt

Stripes on a big girl? Yes please!

H&M maxi dress with side slits, Romwe floppy hat, Necklace made my Moi

AHS: Coven.
Nuff said.

May

boohoo.com floral sweater, Dorothy Perkins denim shorts, Rubi flats, Cotton On hats

Ah the good old days of tomboyhood.

ModCloth cotton floral printed dress,
Cotton On grey sneakers

My very first ModCloth purchase!

Cotton On sleeveless Jersey top with shoulder embellishment, floral pink Dorothy Perkins pencil skirt

I call this my ‘segzy’ workwear outfit 😉

Forever 21 Plus peplum top and printed leggings, bag from eBay, Rubi floral ballet flats

One of my most loved looks of the year.

Cotton On grey long sleeved crop top, Dorothy Perkins skirt, Aldo clutch purse, Lovisa necklace

Another personal favourite that I call Pastel Perfect

June

Asos Curve long sleeve top, boohoo.com floral printed leggings

A casual look worn on the day I gave the public speech. Seen here having fun shattering gender stereotypes with the hubster hehehe.

Cotton On sleeveless denim blouse,
Dorothy Perkins denim shorts, Lovisa headband and hoops, Pazzion studded flats

Denim on Denim is so cool in my books.

July

Forever 21 bodysuit and joggers,
Dorothy Perkins sheer floral top

Getting my harem pants game on. I have become a convert with regards to wearing looser pants!

Cotton On sleeveless bodycon dress,
Rubi nude strappy heels, leopard printed cloth and metal braided choker.

Another ‘segzy’ look I was pleasantly surprised with 🙂

Asos Curve yellow romper/playsuit,
Cotton On shrug, River Island denim skirt, daisy printed Rubi ballet flats, Lovisa layered cloth and bead necklace

I am not sold on wearing rompers, they are just not for me. But I loved mixing it with the denim skirt and the overall look here is another personal favourite.

Asos Curve leopard printed chiffon dress, Aldo handbag, Charles & Keith olive flats with leather tips, Lovisa hoops

Another personal favourite.
This dress has been reworn the most amount of times since this ootd shoot!

August

Asos Curve velvet bodycon dress,
H&M boots, Lovisa feather necklace

Style with an edge is always very appealing to me. This look has got to be one of my few immaculate ones from the year.

September

Asos Curve sporty dress

This dress is the perfect mix of feminine and sporty chic. It was a completely different style for me and I absolutely love sporty chic style now. And I went blonde after eons – a
refreshing change!

H&M Eiffel Tower print scuba dress with flippy hem, Romwe bowler hat

Love the dress ❤

Kaylene polka dotted print dress, Cotton On shrug, Asos sunglasses

Retro is a personal favourite and I loved dressing up for this look. Definitely looking forward to more retro looks in the near future 🙂

October

H&M animal print top, Forever 21 Black leggings

This top is EVERYTHING.
It has a soft plush quality that I love.

SWAK Designs dress with a sheer skirt

My very first purchase from Sealed With A Kiss!

Forever 21 watercolour print bodycon dress

Favourite F21 Bodycon dress. The Chinese collar, the colours – I knew it was for me at first glance.

Pure Earth kurti, Forever 21 black leggings

2014’s Diwali look, kurti purchased from one of my fav local stores

Asos Curve peplum top and palazzo pants

A very different look on me and I quite like it. Very workwear chic.

November

River Island crop top, Forever 21 PU skater skirt, Lovisa layered black necklace, H&M boots

boohoo.com bodycon dress with shoulder frill

My eye was on the hot pink one for ages but that was out of stock by the time I finished deliberating. But this shade of Marsala (aha! I sneaked that one in! Pantone Colour of 2015!) was a Very worthy Alternative. I love the entire look, very happy with this 🙂

Lace maxi dress, peacock feather hairband

This post was a very special Curves Around the World theme – Bridesmaids around the World – to celebrate our girl Kate’s wedding ❤

December

Forever 21 bodycon dress with sheer panel and Moto jacket

Teal and Chartreuse are not very loved but oh I looooove them. Next stop in 2015 is the latter shade.

Last but not least…
This isn’t an outfit of the day but oh this is something that won’t be leaving me anytime soon. One of my birthday prezzies from my sweet Hubster

Finally! I got inked!

Now to conclude this post..
I hope that my style meanderings have been helpful to you dear reader and have inspired you in some way. Ultimately, it is about feeling good in what you wear.

My hope for the plus size fashion industry is integration of more straight size fashion or high fashion content into what we wear, in a way that is both pleasing to the eye and fashion forward. I think 2014 and the start of 2015 is seeing a lot of good changes with the expansion of the variety of clothing options. My hunch is we are going to see some amazing plus size fashion over the next 12 months.

Is there something you would like to try that you perhaps have not considered before but are curious to try, fashion-wise? Is there something that you have tried that was completely different from your usual style that you were pleasantly surprised with? Is there something you would like to see me giving a try in 2015? Feel free to lend me your thoughts, I’m all ears! and eyes, lol.

Chat soon my loves,
Be Kind to Yourself xxxo
Aarti Olivia

Brand New Kinda Free

A fashion post! Finally!
It’s only been 2 weeks but it feels like it’s been forever.

Hello my loves,
I hope you are keeping well..we’re all in a lazy, festive mood aren’t we? The time of the year where we’d rather be snuggling under covers than be at work or school 🙂

I have come to enjoy my fashion posts and its probably because I have gotten the chance to step out of the proverbial box to try on styles that I would previously have been much too apprehensive to consider.

It’s time to up the ante and step out of the shadows.

I have always been rather shy with showing off my décolletage because people are very blatant with their stares if there is even the hint of cleavage here. In Australia, I could not care less but in Singapore I do find myself shying away from picking dresses or tops with a low neck. I don’t think the objectification is any less than in another country but the outwardly sexually repressive Asian society make people rather two-faced.
Where they’d have no problem perving on women in private, they scream in outrage or tut-tut at a woman who dares to embrace her sexuality by dressing her physique to her liking.

Such Bollocks.

So with today’s shoot, it is a start towards a braver direction of fashion choices. I am going to get myself used to dressing in a way that I like – that may not be accepted by some fools – and not caring for the onlookers.

I think I’ve spent enough years worrying about how others perceive my body.

I am finding that voice that has been muted over the years from shame and embarrassment over my voluptuous female form. I am standing a little taller, hands akimbo, head not facing the ground but at eye level to the world.

It’s a brand new kind of me.

The Look

teal bodycon midi dress with sheer panel, Forever 21 Plus sz 1X

faux leather moto jacket, Forever 21 Plus sz 1X

gold tone chain – Lovisa
black pump wedge heels – Rubi
faux leather bag with gold studs – thrifted

Apparently colours like Teal and chartreuse do not suit my skin tone, so I have read anyway. I have yet to find a colour that repulses me or that I think does nothing to complement my skin tone. I’m going to try every single colour, hue, shade there is out there and there is no stopping me, lol!

Since the festive season is coming close, I wore this decidedly sexy number for a Friday night out with friends. Also, I am so sick and tired of snapping blog shots at that darn carpark and white wall at my block! Time to inject newness with new locations! And what better place to start than one of my favourite areas on the island, Haji Lane.

The material of the dress is snug but stretchy. I seriously have to invest in a few bras for different types of tops or dresses – ladies, you know what I mean..the nude bra I had on for this wasn’t that conspicuous but still. I do not like the strap showing at the sheer panel. Very fussy about these little things.

I really, really, like this moto jacket.
But, like all jackets or Blazers in my wardrobe..I HATE that catch at the mid arm that restricts movement. It’s going to take some getting used to. I feel robotic and it makes me feebly flap my hands instead of move them around. Is this something you struggle with too?

My shoe collection is limited due to the injuries so even though a pretty black strappy number would have added some extra somethin somethin to this look, I made do with black pumps.

Little Details

Yay! Fashion post done!
There are a few things in the works that I cannot divulge at the moment but oooh I can’t wait to share them with you! 😀

In the meantime, I leave you with an image of a girl coming out of her shell as a sign of things to come.

Sending you lots and lots and lots of love! Chat soon 🙂

xxxo Aarti Olivia

Evolution: a Journey (part 2)

My dear dear darlings,

thank you sooo much for the love after my post on the fashion show. You guys are always so good to me!

The night before the show,
Sharmilah (chief editor of BIG) informed us models that local newspaper The New Paper was interested in covering the event and interviewing a few of us. We gave Sharm a few details in point form to summarise our stories (our journey as a plus sized person). My life timeline is pretty long, detailed and varied but I tried to narrow it down. I didn’t give the interview another thought until after the show. I was in hyper focus (those with ADD know what that is) and just concentrated on getting my walk and outfit changes done right for the impending show.

You know the story behind my feet.
Wearing heels for hours on end gave me a throbbing headache and oh my feet hurt like never before. But at the back of the head was a reminder: You know why you’ve got to do this. It is a personal challenge. You will walk the runway, face those fears and come out of this empowered.

So I kept at it, mind over matter 🙂
After the show was over I was ready to call it a day and just rush home to soak my aching feet. But the event was not over per se. We were taking photographs, mingling with the audience and patting each other on the back for being awesome novice models. Although, I am sure Danial would disagree since he was critiquing us the whole time…right D? Oh you know we love you for pushing us so hard 🙂

Priscilla is working hard on her up and coming You Tube channel so her team which involved our friend Desmond as the interviewer had a quick interview with me about the show and my thoughts on the local plus size industry/community. It’s not out yet but once it is, I promise to share it!

Here is yours truly being a cheeky interviewee

How cute is Desmond’s bow tie?? 😀

After that interview, I was approached by the local paper’s reporter to wait for my turn to be interviewed. Okay, didn’t see that coming. Before that the paper’s photographer snapped some pics of the three ladies who were picked to be interviewed : Annie Chan, Rani Dhaschainey and Moi. We took a few individual and group shots, was good fun.

I was apprehensive of course because Singapore is a tiny island..word gets around especially so in the Indian community (it’s like wildfire I tell you!) and there remains a conservative, traditional mindset within my culture. At the same time, I also knew that being open about my story might get girls or ladies who suffer at the hands of societal standards of female physical perfection, to see that there Is a door beyond the one they have shut themselves behind.

I look at my body positive icons like Jes Baker, Virgie Tovar, Ragen Chastain and think about the strides they have made in their midst with helping ladies overcome body shame and understand size acceptance. It’s an uphill struggle for them But it is nothing like the one I have in front of me here in Asia. So I Have to make waves, I have to resonate my stance and stomp my feet against the ridiculous expectations towards physical and aesthetic perfection. The vast number of slimming centres and slimming billboard advertisements here are appalling.

I have actually seen a billboard saying “Why be a whale when you can be a mermaid?”

EXCUSE. ME.

Yet another ad showed the legs of a pig (yes you read that right) in comparison to slim legs to prove their point.

Oh HELL No.

I hear girls here at a size 6 or 8 deem themselves fat. How distorted does your body image have to be to see that big a disparity in the mirror? What is society propagating about our bodies? Imagine having irrational beliefs ingrained in you from childhood. That is a lot of self destruction waiting to happen.

So that is why I share my story time and again. I hated myself from the age of 10. Girls today start much younger. I binge ate and purged my way through high school. I started exercising excessively from the age of 13. Girls are doing that way before high school/secondary school now. That scares me.

I had the good fortune of a guilty conscience that knew that this lifestyle was so wrong and had to change. But it has taken me years and it is still taking me time to adapt to the new and improved self.

This was the interview published in the papers, unfortunately there is no internet edition to it so you’ll have to read the interview in this picture.

Here’s me with my two other friends who are interviewed, how gorgeous are they?

Here was the entire section on us

My friend Annie was scorned by her ex husband for being ‘fat’. Oh how people just love throwing that word around in vain. As you can see, she is an In Betweenie – certainly not fully plus sized nor completely straight sized. She was shamed for her appearance. Thankfully today she is in a much better place in her life and is a relationship coach to many people out there in need of guidance.

My friend Rani has a unique story.
She was never shamed for her weight and grew up feeling comfortable with her body. Like Annie, she is an In Betweenie as well..just like Nadia Aboulhosn is.

In Betweenies don’t have it easy either because they have trouble shopping in the straight sized and plus sized section to find the perfect fit. But these ladies have made it work.

But Rani was so pained by the way women viewed themselves. She decided that they deserved to dress in far less frumpy clothing in dull colours and started her own online store, The Curve Cult. Check out the Facebook Page if you’d like!

I was an In Betweenie for the longest time until becoming a sz US 14/UK 18 a few years back. Back then, I did not know how to dress my body (let alone know what an In Betweenie was), had the hardest time finding clothes that fit me and was called Fat to my face all the time so I hid myself beneath dowdy, drab clothing and hid behind closed doors, even covering the mirrors in my room to avoid looking at my reflection because I believed that I was hideous to look at. It made me want to scratch my face and cut myself, something I did in the past.

But that has changed.
I have changed. And I want you to know that there is no reason to be ashamed of yourself. We are all made imperfect and therein lies our beauty.

Tomorrow, I have a full day ahead of me with the We Can Arts Festival. For the We Can campaign I had given a speech in June that I shared with you.
There is more that needs to be done and I am going to work hard at getting them done.

For sometime this year I was mired in emotional distress. Now that the grey clouds have passed, it is time to step up to the podium and not shy away from the spotlight. So that I can shine a light on the issues close to my heart.

Your greatest ally is the person you see in the mirror. If you don’t see that yet, let me show you the greatness you are capable of when you confront your demons. I will lead by example.

There has been a touching video being passed around of women looking into a mirror and having the reflection speak back. The video was made
by a band called The Mrs, an all-female band from Austin, Texas. This is what they had to say

“We recently asked women how they felt when they looked into the mirror. As you can see, we didn’t like their answers so we decided to help change it.

ENOUGH looking in the mirror with such a critical eye.

ENOUGH of that negative voice we hear in our heads.

ENOUGH letting the world tell us who we should be”

You can view the video Here

I leave you with this lovely thought by Roald Dahl :

“If you have good thoughts,
They will shine out of your face like sunbeams and You will always look lovely”

Be Kind to Yourself ❤

All my love,
Aarti Olivia Dubey xxxo