In the light of yesterdays post featuring a Forever 21 romper, I had an idea for today's FAB Friday entry. As Kanye says in his song Bound 2, "...rock Forever 21 but just turned 30," Forever 21 has a very youthful stigma around it and I often hear people say "I'm too old to shop there," or "no woman over the age of 30 should shop there." Well, today I'm going to go ahead and say- you are all wrong. I'll admit I often feel old while standing in the crazy long checkout line with a bunch of teeny boppers and college students, but the amazing and fabulous thing about Forever 21 is its range in styles. Sure, you can go in and see something that is definitely for an 18 year old, or you can go in and find something more age appropriate and stylish, while not breaking the bank on a trend that will be gone next year.
Romper pictured from Forever 21+, outfit details in yesterday's Romping Around post.
As you may have noticed from my blog post outfit details, I am an avid Forever 21+ shopper due to the fact that their clothing fits me extremely well and the styles are very in line with my personal style likes. While I can sometimes fit into the regular sizes, I find all too often the cuts are too short or too narrow, and won't even fit over my chest or thighs. I still remember my first encounter with a Forever 21+ section at Mission Valley Mall in San Diego about 4 years ago. I remember thinking "holy s*it this stuff will actually fit my curves" and its been a loving relationship ever since and I watched as the + sections made their way to the DC area stores (my faves are the Metro Center and Pentagon City locations).
This leads into another topic- dressing for your size. Sure, I could squeeze into the normal Forever 21 sizes and feel like a stuffed sausage, but that is not a good look. One thing I am always adamant about with style and dressing, is to wear what fits you. Plenty of times we see people wearing clothing that is too small, and this makes them look bigger than their actual size. On the other side, there are people who hide behind clothing that is too big, also making them look larger than they are. The best thing to do? Buy clothes that fit and flatter your shape and ignore the size label if you have to size up for a good fit. I get it, I totally sigh and take a deep breath any time I have to size up, but if that is what fits me (like the Forever 21+ line) and is more flattering than the smaller size, you'd better believe that's the one I'm buying and I'll cut out the tags as soon as I get home. I know this may sound easier said than done with the media constantly in our heads about having the perfect body or being the perfect size, but as far as I am concerned, the media can (bleep) off because this is who I am today, and life is too short to be hating on yourself. There's already too much hate in the world, so spread the love starting with yourself. Luckily there is a very body-positive vibe going on in the fashion industry right now, which is hands down amazing and fabulous on its own levels.
I also want to bring up personal style. You should embrace your own style- no matter your age or size- and rock it. People always feel best in things they like. So, for me- I am 32 years old and I still like Forever 21. So what? It not only fits me well, but it looks good, and I feel great in it. To prove my point, I have compiled some of my favorite Forever 21+ looks over the past year and a half, to show you if you like something and it fits in your personal style- rock it and own it, no matter what the tags may say.
To sell the point home, I just want to mention Who What Wear has even posted recent articles on affordable chic summer skirts worn by celebs Rose Byrne, 37 and Charlize Theron, 40 who are both over the age of 30 and look fantastic in their skirts. If Who What Wear is standing behind Forever 21, than you have every reason to also.
SO, to wrap up today's FAB Friday, I want to reiterate to wear what you like, wear what fits you, and send praise to Forever 21 for thinking of the girls with curves who cannot get a regular Forever 21 size L shirt over her chest or a pair of jeans over her curvaceous booty, and expanding your line to still provide fashionable and affordable options for women like me.
Love yourself, love your personal style, & stay fabulous.
XOXO
Blonde in the District