My love of fashion began with a thread. I grew up admiring the extravagant. I’ve never needed to attend a gala event, but I’ve been ready for one since grade school. This habit persisted throughout college, a time where most people donned pajamas and sweatpants. I wore skirts all year round and held a certain distaste for jeans.
I was often called garish, as though that meant I lacked taste or style. I was garish, but so was Gucci.
Unfortunately, the market for affordable and adorable fashion for plus size women is pretty small, so most of my looks were ill-fitting and lacked the charm I had been going for. Mood changed all that.
I started writing for Mood a year ago. Flipping through trend reports and finally behind a sewing machine, I’ve been able to alter and make my own clothing. Although my skills were shaky a year ago, I’ve learned a lot by getting hands-on with fashion. I no longer have to rely on flash fashion at overpriced clothing stores, I can wear what I want and what inspires me.
My first post was a look at 2017’s Athleisure trend. Although I think we’re seeing less athleisure today, it’s been integrated into ready-to-wear and casual fashion a lot in 2018. There’s a lot less nylon, and the oversized clothing has become much more fashionable while still maintaining a looser look. Although the fabric in this Versace dress has changed, the leg slit was worn quite a lot on the red carpet this year. I have to say, while I love the tight fabric and windbreakers, I’m not crazy about nylon or this literal tent dress by Versace.
Versace | Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear
Christine Lahti in Romona Keveza by Getty Images
My first project was a spiked leather headband, kind of folk-meets-punk. I definitely messed up a little, but it came out pretty cute and holds my hair back, which is all I was looking for.
DIYNot? Spiked Leather Headband
A trend report that still rings true is the Fiery Red trend from 2017. Seen as an accent or feature fabric, and often paired with a pastel blue, this trend is still strong in 2018. I absolutely love this trend, I’ve been utilizing it more as an accent, especially when paired with pastel pink.
Stella McCartney | Resort 2018
Temperley London | Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear
One of my favorite trend reports to write was Furs. I love the opulence of a funky fur, especially when dyed a pastel or jewel tone, which is exactly where 2018 is headed. I wasn’t crazy about the fur sleeves, but I love coat dresses and vintage looking furs.
Dennis Basso | Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear
Phillipp Plein | Fall 2018 Ready-to-Wear
I also got to make a collection of circle skirts with Mood, all made of velvet. They were so easy and fun, and learning how to work with velvet and sew a rolled hem really helped me advance my sewing skills. Plus, I got to test drive Mood’s Circle Skirt Calculator!
Glamour Girls
My favorite DIY? The Juniper Skirt revamp! As I’ve mentioned before, I love pastels. This skirt was begging for a soft pink, with a fun print on the inside. I love wearing this skirt. Even though the color is loud, it pairs beautifully with prints. I had so much fun making this skirt, and even more styling it.
Juniper Skirt Redux
Mood empowered me, I’m so glad I’ve been able to learn how to sew in such an inspirational environment and look forward to advancing my skills and building a better wardrobe.
What’s your sewing story? Let me know in the comments and hashtag #TellMoodYourStory18 on Instagram for a chance to win a $500 Mood gift card!
8 comments
I really enjoyed your article. Your story inspired me and I totally agree with your fashion favs. Being plus size can be hard and it can be hard to find clothes that fit the trends you want to recreate. You inspired me to maybe try to start making some of my own clothes.
Wow, that makes me really happy to hear! It’s so liberating to look at fashion and say I don’t care that it wasn’t made with me in mind, I’m going to make it for me and I’m going to look good doing it. Sewing is way easier than you think, just get right into and you’ll pick it up along the way!
I do like your recreating something more beautiful to dress up your body stunningly! It is ok to be any size your are at the present time in your life. We should be happy we can be unique and beautiful. I love color; it makes me feel alive and full energy. Older woman too should be unique and feel beautiful. We sometimes forget we have power over our own body as well as life. Thank you for being who you are and keep up the wonderful work! More color and more angle to your lines can bring zip and life back to a dull unfulfilling life. COLOR, COLOR, COLOR and remember the old song BE HAPPY.
Yes, I totally agree! I feel like when it comes to older women, I so often hear people say “Oh, she dresses like she’s thirty,” and all I can think is “let her!” All people are beautiful, and that is what fashion is about; making you feel beautiful and expressing yourself. Thank you for reading my post!
Well done Molly on creating a niche for yourself and encouraging others to be their own person. If I lived in NYC I think I would spend all my time (and money) in MOODS. Just love the store ambience and all the fabric choices and great staff.
Thank you! I absolutely love the New York store, too! But sometimes it’s such a hassle to get into New York, which is why I’m so thankful for Mood’s online store. Fabric right to my doorstep is basically a dream come true!
Love your perspective! I love sewing too. It gets addictive and we have no choice but to try to make it profitable because we’re going to spend all our money on fabrics anyhow
This is my passion: Etsy.com/shop/StringAlongBags
Some days I wake up and feel silly for wanting to be a baglady, other days I feel like a boss. Your article just gave me a boss day! Love the velvet skirts you made. I think velvet should ALWAYS be in style. It’s so classic.
Once I started sewing, I was hooked! I’m glad to hear you follow your passion!