Fattie

zoom

• All I really know about Church attire is that you shouldn’t be vulgar (no boobs hanging out, not to short). I really don’t know if cheetah print is going a little crazy? But even if it is… it is still cute. The skater style (fitted at the top, loose at the bottom) is perfect for a curvy body type! I have finally found the right shape! Yes. Though at times it can be a little shorter then I would want it to be, just because my butt is so dang big! Oh well.
• If cheetah is a little out there for you, find the same style and fit dress with a different pattern and colors that would work day and night; not like pastels.

Church:

• I would probably wear a cardigan but choose one that is sheer and not like little-girl-cardiganish. I found this black one on Polyvore that is perfect, besides the color. Black is cute and would work for night, but I associate wearing black to Church with funerals. Not really the vibe I want to give off. I would look for a cream one and then wear a brown leather, skinny type of belt at the waist so you don’t drown in it.
• The disadvantage of light colored clothes is that you most likely will pack a lot of dark colors. When you go to wash your load and only have two white items, you’re screwed. I end of tossing them in with my dark jeans and get a huge (and sad!) mess. So maybe black after all? Or at least a happy color that will wash well with darks.
• Wear a clinique chubbystick in a pink and natural eye makeup. A chubbystick is soft and natural looking without being to much color and it feels amazing!
• Then, and this is my new obsession, a sweet and patterned headwrap from etsy! When the water from the tank runs out and you aren’t able to wash your hair, just do a fishtail braid to the side and throw this thing on. Easssssy peasy. Though the fishtail is anything but easy… I am just not coordinated! The shoes and earrings you can wear both nights, which is why it is in the middle.

Night:

• Then for night, a cropped studded jean vest, a gold choker, bronze makeup and a dark red lipstick.
• I bought a jean vest from Forever21 that was pretty cheap and has a cool lace back. The necklace I got on sale for $5.00 at Urban Outfitters. I am such a good bargain shopper! Guess you have to be when you don’t have a choice… but that is beside the point!

zoom

There are three major jacket pieces that you need in your wardrobe.

• A jean jacket that hits at your waist to wear with dresses, jeans and everything in between. This American Eagle jean jacket is really soft, which is perfect for me. I hate being restricted in clothing, this one in particular allows movement. I personally don’t like a jean jacket to hit at my hips because one, it isn’t flattering on my short figure. And also, I love my waist and want to show if off, even if the jacket is supposed to be a loose fit. If it hits at your waist, its most likely going to be flattering, especially with dresses. I hate my arms, so I always need a dress with sleeves, or to find cute overlayers to go over them… without looking like a chubby little girl with a shrug.
• A nice leather jacket, with a resonable price. I havent tried this jacket on yet, but I love the color. The fit is, of course, important. So try it out first.
• A cardigan that isn’t short and that is sheer to let your skin breath in the hot weather. A longer fit is ideal because you can wear it with a dress, or with jeggings that require a little length for your back side and you know… not to reveal your cooch. Just sayin’.

Three Key Overlayers by fattieja featuring zip jackets

zoom

Lucky for you all, I have made one huge mistake while on my adventure that you now get to learn from, without much back breaking on your end. And that, was packing the right bag. You will end up traveling, so its just smart to have a bag that can make the trip, without hurting your precious muscles.

I traveled to Kingston on private and public bus and taxi transportation, getting off and on and off and on numerous different seats. I stood and waited around for them all, and then lugged it around in a rush to catch the next departing ride. I had bought a great bag from Urban Outfitters that I used too, as a carry-on bag at the airport. And its purpose was PERFECT for that kind of adventure, but not so much the Lets-Go-Hike-The-Blue-Mountains, kind of overnight bag. It was a cross over large bag that lets just face the facts, was stupid to think would cut it. After hiking from 2 AM for over 7 1/2 hours, my knees were barely able to bend. I was in so much pain the last thing I wanted to do that same day was lug around a cross shoulder bag that dug and cut deep into my shoulder because of the amount of crap I had in it. I am not an avid hiker, but you would have thought common sense would have kicked in when I was packing for Jamaica. I knew too, that one of the things I wanted to do before I left was hike the Blue Mountains, so It wasnt as if I was caught off guard. Common sense just was not my packing friend…

• Let common sense be your driving force while packing.
• Find a bag that is roomy, you will need it when going on overnights.
• A comfortable strap is a no brain-er. It can be cute, and practical at the same time.
• Try looking for a bag that is pretty well secured when closed. A zipper and a closing flap is ideal because it is pretty easy for someone to steal something while your back is to them, so having extra security is smart. Also, if it is possible for a lock to be added that’s a plus.

Gypsy Traveler by fattieja featuring zip bags

zoom

When you are limited with one suitcase for more then a week, you have to find different ways to wear what little you pack. The majority of your suit case should be different accessories that you can use with all the peices in your wardrobe. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of good searching to find the perfect staple clothing items to mix and match, but you’ll thank me when you go to put on that sweat stained shirt… yet again, all because you didn’t plan ahead. Mmmmhm.

• Find key dresses you can mix and match with a leather and a jean jacket. If you take that one main rule, you should be able to find the right dresses. AKA: Not a skin tight clubbing dress… would that work just as well with a leather jacket as it would a jean jacket, or cardigan? I am guessing not so much. Dont get crazy.

Ways to wear it… by fattieja featuring a faux leather jacket

zoom

I met a lot of beautiful European women while volunteering. They were right out of vogue, clearly more casual with little to no makeup, but still they looked amazing with their perfect no-pore skin. I met a British girl thats style seemed like a rougher version of mine, that I just love. She normally would wear band t shirts and a leather jacket, or some variation of that and has inspired me to pack similar tee shirts in my next bag.

• Good thing #1, who cares if its a wrinkled mess? Psst, ah thats how its suposed to look…
• #2, wear with jeggings and boots, or a high waisted skirt. (Both that you will wear a million times, and many different ways.)
• #3, if its a loose fitting tank top like the men’s shirt to the left, wear a sheer sleeved top with pants or a skirt. Good for warmer and cooler nights.
• Wear bright ass lipstick my friends. =)

Dark Tee by fattieja featuring screen printed t shirts

zoom

Here’s in example of what you can wear with a casual tunic for nights out. Still casual enough so your not sticking out like a sore thumb, but dressed up just enough to feel better then you looked at work, rode hard and put up wet. If your feeling a little tougher, then go with the leather stuff. But if your feeling a little more casual and boho, then switch the black leggings for jeggings and your good to go. But please what ever you do, do NOT wear a short length shirt with leggings/jeggings. That is the ugliest thing on the planet, and no even if your ass is perfect and perky that is still just so gross. A tunic should reach an inch below the cup of your booty.

• Pack in your day bag a a brighter lipstick and eyeliner, a little powder and deodorant just in case you have made plans to meet up with friends right after work.
• If your in a pinch and dont have time to run home after work pack along a jacket in your bag, that alone will change the feel of your outfit.
• If your a bag-lady then try and stuff night appropriate shoes in your bag too. If you can do that more power to you girl. I am not much of a high-heel person, so I’d pack an up graded  flipflop or boot.

zoom

The nights in Jamaica are cool, so wearing light weight over layers are probably your best bet. I own the black jacket to the right, and love it. Its a light material that wont bug the hell out of you in the heat. For curvy girls though, this jacket could be a little snug around the arms and back, so be sure to try it on in the store, or take a gamble.

The prices of these over layers could be a little pricey on a limited budget, but in the long run I am sure you will find that it is worth it. The material of the jacket takes a casual outfit to appropriate night wear. The jacket in the middle looks like a perfect option to get that coca-cola body shape Jamaican women and men covet. You can get that also with the other two over layers by wearing another dress in a like material with a gathered waist, or a high waisted skirt with a casual shirt.

• Know your occasion. Your not going to a five star resterant or a clubbing at a rave, so dont dress slutty but dont dress like your Grandma would either. Your going to a bar… bars in Jamaica consist of a shack someone has turned into a drinking spot. So dont dress to crazy now… or you be lookin’ like the weird foreigner.

I like the Kimchi Mix Fabric Crepe Jacket in orange, ivory, black, grey and green. I am leaning more towards the orange because God knows I cant afford them all.

Night: Overlayers by FattieJA featuring lightweight jackets

zoom

Sleeping Beauty.

 If you have a roommate like I did, these clothes are probably (or should probably not) be your go to items. Hey now, I am all for being free and all European-like, but sometimes your best bet is to get some sweats and a solid shirt and call it good. After all, your going to be sleeping…

• Keep your goods out of your roommates face.

On the other hand, if you end up with a situation where you may need a little something that looks less like a housewife and more like a casual seductress with your man, then this is the better bet. Yeah yeah, you may not need it. But then again, you may. When in Vegas right? What? There are Vegas Dancehall themed parties, its close enough.

• Expect the unexpected. And if not for this reason, bring these items for yourself when you need a little confidence boost.
• VS one size fits all is probably not going to be true for us curvy girls, so I am thinking that the shirts are looking a little like a snug around the love disaster. But there are other sleep shirt option from VS, like sheer v-necks that come in every color under the moon. I own a couple, and love them. So I will more then likely buy a few again.
• I have never owned anything from AA before, so I am not sure about the sizing or fits, but these bras look like a cute alternative to a sports bra. And the sheer mesh top would be perfect worn alone when you cant stand to have anything touching your legs in the heat. Ah god, the heat!
• Choose colors that will mix and match within the different pieces, dont go all over the map like above. Only reason its so colored screwed is ‘cause Polyvore didnt have enough color selections. Get on that Polyvore!

My Boyfriend is Jamaican and while on this topic I’d like to put in my two cents about the stereotype that all Jamaican men are cheaters. While this may very well be true for some, it is not the whole of the Island. Is every French man a cheater? American man? African men? Spanish men? Most likely no. And no, I am not an insecure girl who cant see the signs and just let men walk all over me. I have yet to be proven that he is anything but a genuine man, and much like the court systems here in the States, he is innocent until proven guilty. That kind of negativity towards anyone is not likely to be tolerated for long by me. Mostly because its ignorant in my opinion. But again, it is an opinion and you too, are free to have your own.

• Dont be narrow minded. =)

Sleeping Beauty. by FattieJA featuring sheer bras