Kubitzi -- A clothing boutique you need to know about

A while back I was approached to try out some fabulous clothing from an up-and-coming boutique, Kubitzi.

Of course, they say on their site that they're for the 20-something set, an age group I sadly passed years ago. But thankfully, there actually is no age limit to style, and if you like it, you should wear it. I'm firmly opposed to all those "stop wearing this if you're over 30" lists. Because, no.

Still, there are certain looks I'm not about to want to pull off at this stage in my life, but Kubitzi sells everything from sexy club looks to professional women's wear.

Now, I'm not going to lie, when I got my outfit, I was certain it was not going to fit me, even a little. The sizing is European, and I am definitely of American stature, physically. At 5'9" and 150 pounds, I cannot be considered petite. So, as you browse, keep in mind that the outfit I'm about to show you is as big as their sizes currently run. So, we're looking at U.S. sizes 6-8 and below. And a size 7-8 shoe.

Everyone with me? Okay, great. So, here's what you've all been waiting for! My pictures. Remember, I am not a professional, and I don't even have a person who is not 7 years old to take photos of me, so you're getting mirror selfies, and the like. But on the plus side, if you wanted to know what clothes look like on an average person with average to poor photography skills, this will definitely not disappoint. The images I'm posting are probably the realest fashion photos you'll ever see in a promo post.

Before we get to me, here is what it looks like online:

Okay, so, that's how it looks online, and I'm confident posting my pictures below because, honestly, the online depiction was pretty spot on. I'm not as great at capturing it, but these pants DO make my butt look like that, and the jacket DOES close like that. And the body suit...well, the body suit is exactly as advertised.

So, if I were a clothing model and this were a catwalk, I feel pretty on point. But I'm not and this isn't. And this is a whole lot of suit to pull off. And boobs.

BUT BUT BUT. I can separate them, yeah? And get half the overwhelming effect which is just perfect for my freelance writing, mom needs.

My friends agreed. (I have a posse of fashion gurus who help me match on a daily basis. They were there for me today.)

This was the winner of every single combination I tried. This is what I'm wearing right now, actually, to sit in a Starbucks and type out this review. I've gotten many compliments.

Second runner up was this, although  my friends worried the button up of the black might make it too dressy and compete with the busy pants. I like it. I feel like it's a good Tuesday look.

This is a more casual take, but I still think it works.

This was the most favorite of the jacket pairings. People seem to go for the white calming effect with the patterning.

The black is the one where buttoning the jacket worked, and I must confess, I prefer the jacket buttoned. I like how it makes my torso look.

To pull this one off, I would have to be super intense, I think. Luckily, I usually am.

And Kubitzi sells more than this kind of look.

Shirts, skirts, dresses, active wear, they've got it.

Anyway, go check them out. Kubitzi. I'm satisfied, for real.

They also ship for free to the UK, Canada and the US, and they're as green as possible about it. And if you use Darlena10 as a promo code, you get 10 percent off your purchase.

Shopping for fancy dress -- Contributor post

I’ve known about my husband’s office holiday party since early November. It’s at a swanky downtown hotel. The invitation specifies semiformal dress.

I translates this as “suit and tie” for him and “cocktail attire” for me.

I’m going to throw up.



Me: Short, postmenopausal round with chubby retail feet and roadmaps for legs. My hair is streaked gray. I’m starting to jowl.

Wardrobe: Work uniform, jeans, t-shirts in the summer and long-sleeved t-shirts or turtlenecks in the winter, hoodies, sneakers. I usually pull my hair back with a clippie. I always wear fake gold hoop earrings because I tend to lose anything that’s real.

A few years ago, at my husband’s urging, I splurged on two “just in case” outfits – two tweed jackets, two matching tops, two pairs of matching pants, two pairs of matching shoes. I haven’t worn any of them in over a year, maybe two.

Clothing makes me anxious. Oh, I can window shop and say that X is cute or that’s a really nice cut/design/color, but you have no idea how anxious it makes me. I can’t afford nor can wear most off-the-rack clothing with any kind of panache. Younger overweight me’s vomit-inducting body anxiety eventually exchanged itself for full-blown panic attacks in the middle of our local mall or refusing to attend whatever-it-was because I needed this particular item and I didn’t want to spend the money or admit that I was THAT size.

I’m nowhere near as overweight now but the anxiety still clings. Nowadays I treat clothes shopping as a military mission. Browsing makes me anxious because what’s the use of browsing if most clothing, nice clothing, doesn’t fit you, especially if you have a disappearing waistline?

Jeans, t-shirts, sneakers. It’s easy and I don’t have to think about it.



So back to this holiday party. One day my husband and our housemate tag with me to Expensive Department Store With The Widest Selection Of Evening Wear.

I’m automatically drawn to the sleek uncluttered dresses made for six-foot stringbeans crooning standards in a Las Vegas nightclub.

They steer me toward the separates. “You’re smaller on top than the bottom,” my husband whispers.

“The trouble with tops,” says our housemate, “is that they’ll fit her at the waist but the shoulders will be too big, or vice versa.” She picks out several spangled tops and sends me into the dressing room.

This makes me feel like a sausage. Hate the color. Too low cut. I’d need a strapless bra (ack, MONEY) to wear this, Spanx (SPANX? ME?!?) to wear that. Too tight, too short-waisted, I’m swimming in this, too tight…

I feel queasy and sit down.

An hour later I’m staring at the floor trying not to cry, piles of shiny sequined bedazzled fabric at my feet.



They eventually find a top while I stare at the floor: It’s an explosion of rich red lace with beribboned roses sprinkled with small red sequins here and there. My husband knocks on the dressing room door and hands it to me.

Oh god no, it looks like something my GRANDMA would wear! No…wait a minute, it’s got some give. Oh, OK, it’s not THAT low cut. Three-quarter sleeves, narrow black ribbon makes it sort of peplum which means it’d give me waist, maybe? Hmm.

I slide it on and peek at myself in the mirror.

Ohhh, I LOVE this color! It’s not too low cut. It’s…holy crap, I HAVE A WAIST! OK, the shoulders are a little big, but maybe…if I pull it down like this maybe?

I keep gazing at my reflection as I turn one way, then the other. I don’t hear our housemate knocking at the door. She exclaims in delight and leads me out so my husband can see. He beams.

Suddenly my mouth feels very dry because OMG, I actually own a bona-fide evening-type fancy top…|ME?!?!?





Then there’s the tale of the skirt for this top, but I’ll save that for another time.



...

Kathi Bourke is a guest contributor on Parentwin.

Mom Fashion

When you see me out and about town, I probably look, to you, severely lacking in style. My fashion choices are questionable, and I seem to be blissfully unaware of trends or even hygiene. I assure you, that is not the case. Here's a simple infographic explaining mom fashion.

So, in conclusion, it's not ONLY that we don't really give a damn what you think. We also don't have time to give a damn what you think. Just roll with it, guys. We have to.







 

Slice of Life - Glasses

This edition of Slice of Life is a special request for one young boy who's nervous about going to school in his new glasses today. We're here to tell you, glasses are AWESOME.

Andy Foley can't even wait to take the tags off.

A mother-daughter team with Barbie and Nikki Contreras!

Cade Russell got his first pair at four. Next up? Hot pink ones.

Corina Maria has many glasses wearers in her family! This is one of her sons.

You know these two are our favorites! Emilie and Eli Blanton.

Jess Palmer and her daughter rock a pair a piece!

Joan Good's family owns stock in glasses. Here's one of her sons. Stay tuned for more!

Josh Van Vranken "volunteered!"

Lisa Cuellar, looking cute as always!

They even wear glasses in Canada! Melissa Elfers.

Patricia Frederickson rocks them.

From child to adult, Sara Ess has been wearing them (and making them work with every fashion. Stay tuned.)

Shellie Guidetti, lounging at home.

Stacie Jankowski, for the win!

Alison and Aislyn Gayton, mom and daughter!

Another child to adult comparison, Anne Theriault, rocking them through the ages.

Brooklynn Williams because cutest.

Cade's mommy, Cheryl Russell.

Danielle Adams and her beautiful child and delicious-looking food.

Jennifer "made for glasses" Alter

Joan Good and her daughter Audrey. Ie: Happiness in glasses.

Jolene Avery-Bauchman. Stunning.

Lil Miss. She's actually killed me with cute, tbh.

Melanie and Libby Greeke. Owning it like the bosses they are.

Oak Andrews for the studious look.

These next two? Sara Ess again. Because glasses. At all times and with all looks. Amaze.

Sarah Yarnes loves her glasses!

Stacey Murkette's daughter. I could seriously look at this photo all day. Wow, adorbs.

Xander Belanger-Taylor looks downright sassy and chic.

Alison Beaton. Thumbs up.

Brenna Davies and her daughter, looking fierce and happy.

Carlos Soria cheers on the Gators in his frames.

Courtney Knight loved glasses so hard, she faked eye trouble as a kid to get hers early. (But then she actually needed them anyway).

Glasses make for better side-eyes. Which is something you'll need in life...a lot. Ask Hazel Hasselhoff.

Bam. Phillip and Jill Copeland. Twins of striking glory.

The rest of Joan Good's family in various states of HAPPY.

Kristen Duvall's sweetness shines through.

MaryAnne Luther. Because sometimes glasses simply complete a look.

Monika Costa, looking cute as ever.

Samantha Williams. Whether wearing babies or not, she's wearing glasses.

Sara Ess, guys. I'm saying, glasses with EVERY look.

Sarah Tormey and her baby boy.

Skylla Kat. Damn, what an amazing photo, though.

Tiffany Yusup, chillaxing.

We saw Aislyn already, but her sister Lyra wanted in on the action!

Ani's daughter doesn't need glasses, but wears play ones to be like mom.

Bree Casson, since the 4th grade.

My husband. Of course. **bows**

Corina Marie's daughter also doesn't need glasses! She wears vanity ones because she loves the look so much!

Emily Santanella, rocking the prof look.

Jessica Wanat. Angelic.

Katy Pika. Fierce.

Lucy Santanella. Adorable.

Missy Sturtevant loves glasses!

The perfect accent for purple hair! Sarah Evans.

Skylla Kat's boyfriend. Couples in glasses!

Teresa Williams and her lovely sister!

Jackie Monck's got six pairs!

Here she is sporting her librarian pair. Fun fact: her mom had almost the exact same pair when she was Jackie's age!

So, you see? Cool people of all ages and styles rock the glasses. And so. do. you. Good luck, little bro! We love you!