Chic Styles for Voluptuous Vixens: Jennifer Hudson

"I don't think you ready for this jelly/I don't think you ready for this jelly/I don't think you ready for this/Cause my body too bootylicious for ya babe." Destiny's Child, 'Bootylicious'

Hey!
So reader Iguerri wrote me the following:

"I am a plus size girl who is tired of shopping at Old Navy or having to order offline for specialty sizes only to have to return them because they don’t fit. I feel there is hope for us 14-18 size girls. Can you profile lines or even websites that offer plus size designer jeans, cute dresses, JACKETS, and tops for us ultra curvy, top-heavy, thick hip and thighs, too much junk in the truck fashionistas???"

Great request, huh? Full figured women are always given the shaft in terms of fashionable finds. I decided to do a search, but first I needed a bit of style inspiration. I thought to myself...
Who better to look to than the award winning, cover gracing Jennifer Hudson??

She always makes plus sized friendly fashion choices. Let's take a look:
Jennifer wears mostly dark colors...

...because they tend to have a slimming effect.
She's not afraid to pop on a print...

...knowing that they can act like camouglage, hiding bumps and bulges. She also does service to her shape by wearing v-necks...

...that draw the eye downward and attract attention to the center of her body.
When she wears lighter colors, she makes sure the waist is empire...

...so that it accentuates the smallest part of her waist, then flows over her tummy. She also wears layers as much as possible to deemphasize her 'cup runneth over' chest.
With t's, she likes 'em long...

...all the better to mask jelly, muffin tops, and other junk in the trunk.
Want her look?
The Fashion Bomb searched high and low for similar styles from websites that carry or specialize in plus sized threads.
Check it out:

Top Row, Left to right: Black Floral Kimono Dress, $68, www.torrid.com; Lucille Cocktail Dress in Black/Silver, $129, www.igigi.com; Marilyn Convertible Dress, $165, www.monifc.com; White Denim Halter Dress, $69.50, www.lanebryant.com.
Bottom Row, Left to right: Short Sleeve Wrap Dress, $36, Fashion To Figure; Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Tummy Tuck Stretch Jeans (Plus), $138, www.nordstrom.com; Baby Phat Batwing Large Cat Top, $49, BabyPhat.com
Nine West Piped Trench (Plus), $169, www.nordstrom.com.
Bonus for Fashion to Figure customers: Spend $75, Get $25 OFF - Promo code FTF7525 - Expires March 31
Smootches!
PS For a daily dose of plus sized fashion, check out the blog www.plussizedfashionistainthecity.blogspot.com!

PSS If you love the Fashion Bomb, tell 10 of your friends *today* to visit and live the Bomb life!

Fashion News:
1. WWD reported today that Iconix Brand Group Inc will acquire the Rocawear brand...

...for $204 million in cash. Alright Jay-Z!

2. Jennifer Hudson (speak of the devil) has signed a deal with Avon to become the face of the company's Imari fragrance brand.

Claudia Poccia, president of Avon U.S. Beauty is quoted saying, "We wanted a spokesperson who embodied a youthful spirit and confidence, and Jennifer speaks to a new generation of passionate women trying to achieve their dreams and goals."
Here we go, Jennifer, here we go!

Style File: Kelly Rowland!

"I'm so real, so soft to touch/ My love my kiss so sweet, glorious/ The look on your face/ Anyone can see/No one does it like me."--Kelly Rowland, 'Can't Nobody.'

Hey Guys,
So I'm going to make celebrity 'style file' a regular post every week...and this week, my Style File pick is cute Kelly Rowland.

Though she (and everyone else in D's Child) has always played second fiddle to the mighty Beyonce, Kelly has come to the forefront as a fashionista with a wardrobe that's chic, understated, and sophisticated. Let's take a look:
Kelly looks great in everything from casual t's, jeans, and shades...

To divalicious pencil skirts and pants suits.


She keeps it simple when she goes out...


...adding great accessories like belts, metallic clutches, and jewelry to slinky black pieces.
While she doesn't depart far from a black, white, or neutral color pallette...

..she still, at times, sauces it up with a patterned sexy top.

Glam.
Want her look? Try these Fashion Bomb Certified items:

Clockwise from left: Susana Monaco Hudson Peg Dress, $124,shopbop.com
Monsac Crinkle Patent Leather Clutch, $98, www.nordstrom.com; High Waist Pencil Skirt, $78, www.bananarepublic.com; Bloomingdales One Button Jacket and Wide Legged Pants, $130-$200, www.bloomingdales.com; French Connection Brenda Waist Belt, $78, www.fcuk.com; Tricia Fix Goddess Top, $198, CoutureCandy
Extra Long Chain and Pearl Necklace, $15, www.urbn.com; Ya-Ya Swahili Beach Miller Pant, $230, shopbop.com
Center: Baby Doll Tank Top in Marine, $14.50, www.wetseal.com.
Have a good one!
Smootches!

PS If you're in NY, there are a ton of sample sales coming up. Check it out:

What: Pratesi
Why: Who-needs-Ambien bedding, bath towels, table linens, and more at up to 75 percent off.
When: Mar. 11-13. Sun.-Tues., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: 317 W. 33rd St., b/t Eighth & Ninth Aves. (718-747-1656).

What: Lauren Merkin
Why: Clutches, were $395-$180, now $225-$90; totes, were $350, now $175.
When: Mar. 13-15. Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 231 W. 29th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 201 (212-239-2459).

What: Shelly Steffee
Why: Current collection (clothing and accessories) is 65-85 percent off.
When: Mar. 9-11. Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 34 Gansevoort St., b/t Ninth Ave. & Hudson St. (917-408-0408).

What: Johnson
Why: Trench coats, dresses, shirts, skirts, and pants are $25-$200. Cash only.
When: Mar. 17 & 18. Sat. & Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 179 Orchard St., b/t Houston & Stanton Sts. (646-602-8668).

What: Lulu Guinness
Why: Deals on handbags, cosmetic cases, umbrellas, sunglasses, and more.
When: Mar. 19-21. Mon., noon-7:30 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: 260 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 11th flr. (212-302-4564).

What: Dwell
Why: Duvet sets, pillow shams, sheets, crib sets, and other home accessories, all up to 60 percent off.
When: Mar. 15-Apr. 1. Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 62 Greene St., b/t Spring & Broome Sts. (212-219-9343).

What: Multidesigner Sale
Why: Swimwear, cover-ups, and beachy accessories from Vix, Lisa Curran, Havaianas, and such are $10-$95. Cash only.
When: Mar. 5-9 & 12-16. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: 250 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 510 (212-221-2349).

NAACP Image Awards + Upgrade U Update

"We on Award Tour with Muhammad my man/Goin each and every place with the mic in their hand/New York, NJ, N.C., VA.../We on Award Tour with Muhammad my man/Goin each and every place with the mic in their hand/Oaktown, L.A., San Fran, St. John." Tribe Called Quest, 'Award Tour.'

Good Morning!
So I'm back from my whirlwind trip to DC...and while I *totally* intended to drop in on DC Fashion Week and shopping, I was sooo busy that I couldn't get around to it! We got in late Friday, were booked Saturday, left early Sunday...you know the deal.
I *did*, however, find time to tune in to the NAACP Image Awards on Friday...and I must say that I was super impressed with the red carpet representations. Most stars came with it, but only a select few stood out (in good and bad ways).
Behold, TFB's Awards Tour fashion hits and misses.
First the hits.
The Cheetah Girls...

...looked cute in their coordinated cocktail dresses. I loved the mixture of shiny fabrics, metallic colors, and traditional black.
Ms. Tyra...

....could do no wrong in this navy strapless number.
Aisha Tyler...

...looked flawless in her spring ready gown. The lemony tone complemented her skin and brightened her complexion.
Jada...

...was stunning in her gathered powder blue dress, and Mary J...

...also rocked the pastel with purpose.
Perfection.
The misses were few and far between, but when they happened, it was hard to look away.
Camille Winbush...

...missed the mark in this velvet trainwreck. Velvet is a winter fabric, and there's no place for it in spring months when lighter fabrics like silk and chiffon proliferate. She's forgiven because of her young age, but let's hope her style philosophy ripens like fine wine. Moving along...
India Arie...

...looked great at the Grammies, but dropped the ball here. Fit is of prime importance, and it's obvious that this shift is struggling over them hips. It also doesn't help that her black pumps are categorically unglam. Cool for the office, totally terrible for the carpet.
Sheryl Underwood...

...tried to pull off the Grecian goddess look, but fell short. The top might be more flattering with straps, and a more structured bottom would slim her down and avoid the 'marshmellow' effect.
Lastly Keesha Sharp's satin number...

...could be mistaken for a Vicky's Secret nighty. And a strap shortening would've done her girls some good.
My two cents. What do y'all think?
Smootches!
PS The Beyonce 'Upgrade U' Sunglasses Mystery...

...has been solved (Thanks Jenn)!
The specs are by a company called Cazal. This similar pair...

...is $290, at www.decormyeyes.com and this pair...

...is $254 at www.sunglasses.go-optic.com.
Let them upgrade you.
PSS Visit the end of season sale at shopbop.com

Click here...


...and take a look.
Happy Shopping!