Tadashi Shoji Plus Styling Challenge

June 26, 2012

I was excited when the folks at Tadashi Shoji reached out to have me participate in their plus size styling challenge. The lavender Tadashi Shoji gown worn at the Golden Globes by Octavia Spencer was one of my favorite red carpet looks this year.

The dress I styled is the cutout jersey boatneck cocktail dress. I hadn’t planned on styling it other than as a little black cocktail dress, but as soon as it arrived, I pulled out tons of options to wear with it. In all photos I’m wearing a strapless Cacique bra and a Spanx Simplicity high waisted shaper. Fingernails: OPI I’m Indi-a Mood for Love; Toenails: Color Club Age of Aquarius (via Birchbox). I’m wearing the dress in a size 3X  (US 22/24). Thanks to my friend Anne for photographing.

Look 1: Little Black Dress

Dress paired with Anne Klein slingback patent heels, my Birkin (it was a gift – long story but I don’t want people thinking I have that kind of money!) with a Dorothy Perkins horse scarf (repping Kentucky), and CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane pave hoops via Ideeli.

Look 2: Leather and Booties

Dress paired with faux leather jacket via Target, black leggings from Old Navy, tote from eloquii by The Limited, and booties from Lane Bryant

Look 3: Casual Denim

Dress paired with Old Navy denim jacket, Dorothy Perkins horse scarf, Dorothy Perkins zig zag earrings, mix of bangles from various places.

Look 4: Peek-a-Boo Polka Dots

Dress paired with H&M Polka dot strapless dress underneath (from Inclusive European collection 2011), Anne Klein slingback patent leather heels, Cole Haan silver clutch. Fendi sunglasses via Bluefly and borrowed black sun hat.

Not only was this a pretty dress that made me feel INCREDIBLE, it is very well made with lots of pintucking detail around the waist. I’m so glad that more designers are starting to include plus sizes in their lines. This particular dress is available in the cocktail length like I wore, and also in a full length gown for both straight and plus sizes!

Love the dress as much as I do? Save 20% on it using code EMMIE20:

How would you style the dress? Do you have a favorite out of these looks?

Disclosure: Tadashi Shoji provided the dress, but all opinions enthusiastically my own.

  • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily

    You look positively FABULOUS, Emmie! The dress is stunning all on it’s own, but I think you styles took it to whole new levels! I love the leather and boots look the best, I think. Very sexy and sassy. ;)

    If I owned this dress (I wish!) I might punch up the color with a bright belt/sash or a bright leather bomber jacket.

    • Emmie

      Thanks Em!!!
      Love the idea of bright colors – I thought it would be amazing if it could be lined in a neon yellow or pink that’s so hot right now peeping out of the skirt. Ooh, and a bright skinny belt.

  • Lori

    I liked the peeking polka dot look. It never would have occurred to me to layer it with another dress. You could change the look with a bright skirt or slip all the time. Clever!

  • Jessica

    You look fantastic! Well done.

  • http://twitter.com/retta Retta

    I like them all, a lot! The casual denim is soooo cute and the peek-a-boo polka-dots is very creative. I would not have thought to do that. You look fabulous woman!

  • Molly

    Love the dress, love the stylings, love the fun photo shoot with a friend

  • http://bellaonthebeach.wordpress.com/ Bella

    I am in love with this dress!! You styled it so well in all 4 shots, but I have to say, the first and last ones are my favorites. I like the clean lines and I’m such a sucker for polka dots. Great job!!

  • http://leecooks.blogspot.com Margy and Lee

    I went to the website a was looking at all the dresses, but you make that dress look better than the model does! You definitely look like you’re having more fun!

  • Liz Taylor

    You look fab! I love the dress in every pic. The peek through polka dots was a brilliant idea!

  • Angie

    My goodness Em! You look fantastic in that dress! I would have never been able to pull those styles together. You rocked it all. So creative and so stylish.

  • Lisa

    Wow Em!! I envy gals who can put it all together… you certainly did just that! You are rocking all those styles!!

  • AmyH

    You are just stunning! I would have never have thought of usng the dress the ways you did. Wow!

  • Angie

    You did a great job pulling together such different styles! I love to see stuff like this because otherwise I would wear it as just a LBD. My favorite was the casual denim look.

  • kellee

    Gorgeous! All of them. Love the polka dots, but then again, I am a sucker for feminine details.

    What a beautiful and classic dress. I must check out their line!

  • Mo

    Emily, you have incredible fashion sense! I love all your looks! What an inspiration you are to the fashion challenged like me! I’d love to see more like this! I’m eager to see your next Styling Challenge!

  • Sissy Funk

    You look amazing in these photos. I love the way you put a look together!

  • Sarah Graham

    You look fabulous!! I love it all…especially the peek-a-boo polka dots!

  • Dani

    Em , you look amazing! I love the different styles. I think my favorite is the denim casual. You make me want to run out and get a LBD to see what I can do with it (and I am NOT a dress girl).

  • Nicole

    I like the leather jacket look! That’s a really fun dress and you look great!

    P.S. The Birkin?! I think we want to hear that long story!! :D

  • Mandy

    So cute! I love the denim and head scarf look!

  • Jami

    Super Cute Em!

    I love the booties and leather jacket look.

  • http://www.dotdotmoose.com Sondra

    Looks great Em…gotta love playing with a basic LBD!

  • Rebecca

    Love the leather jacket! I would have never paired it with that dress, but it’s SO cute!

  • Amber

    Femine, flirtry and well put together. Gorgeous!

  • http://losingmyinhibitions.wordpress.com Sarah

    Love all the looks but my favorite is the leather jacket! So completely sassy and funky!

  • Kristy

    I love how you’ve achieved so many different looks with that dress, Emily. So gorgeous!

  • brittle_star

    That dress is fantastic! You look fantastic in it. I especially love the sheer ruffle at the bottom, and I love the way you’ve styled it, especially with the leather jacket and booties. I love the combination of sweet/ladylike (the dress) with tougher accessories. The polka dots peeking out are great, too. If I had $300 to spend on one dress, I’d do it. But being a near-broke public school employee, it doesn’t make sense for me to spend that kind of money on a cocktail dress. Designer fashion is sadly not for me.

  • Lynette S.

    Love the polka dot, it gives this dress so many options! Love it!

  • http://chicagofoodiegirl.com chicago foodie girl

    LOVE the dress — you look fantastic!!

  • Pingback: Drop Dead Diva Plus Fashion

  • Pingback: The Tadashi Shoji Bloggers Styling Challenge | “Trendy Curves"™ by Bella Styles

  • Pingback: The @TadashiShoji Bloggers Styling Challenge featuring Skorch Exec. Fashion Editor @bellastyles | Skorch Plus Size Style Magazine & Global Plus Blog Network

  • Melodie

    You look amazing!

  • Lindsey

    Great outfits! You’re so lucky that you live somewhere that it’s not ridiculously hot all year round, and can experiment more with layering. I live in Central Florida, so there might be a week out of the year that I could use a leather-looking jacket.

  • http://twitter.com/allison_said allison_said

    Love the dress and all the looks!

  • Pingback: Plus Size New Years Dresses |

Previous post:

Next post:

Copyright Skinny Emmie © 2013

Disclaimer