Happy Tuesday blogger fam, I hope you are having a great week. Its going to be a busy week for me as the March 31st corporate tax filing deadline approaches but after working 20 busy seasons, I’ve got this!
Today is a great day on the blog because I get to introduce you to a new brand – Kari Lyn. They are based out of LA and I happened upon their page while I was scrolling through my Instagram feed one day. What immediately grabbed my attention is that their size range was 10 to 32! I will often see new brands or online boutiques pop up on Instagram and I have learned to be cautiously optimistic as most of the time they don’t carry my size or it is junior plus sizing.
When I see a new brand my next step is always to check out their website and see what they are all about and whether I like the styles they have to offer and I get a sense of their character. I believe in dealing with brands that have integrity and there is a lot to be said for someone with strong character.
I personally love their motto:
“Size doesn’t matter and beauty doesn’t have a weight limit.”
The brand strives to offer affordable luxury clothing for women sizes 10-32, that are constructed from high-quality fabric in the colours and prints of the season. Each figure-flattering piece features an impressive fit and fashion’s hottest trends. When you wear KARI LYN, they believe you will look as fabulous as you feel.
Kari Lyn herself has the experience and knowledge to make this a reality with 15 years of experience working behind the scenes as a manufacturer, whole seller, and private label company for other well-know companies. She decided to start her own label to fill a void in the industry.
Kari believes a woman’s size does not change what she desires – to look her best and feel beautiful. This statement particularly resonates with me as I have always said that we all deserve this no matter our size and we can achieve it. With more brands stepping up to the plate, making it reality will be that much easier.
This is the Carmen Cold Shoulder Dress. While I don’t wear black dresses very often, they are a practical piece to have in your wardrobe and the cold shoulder detail is on trend so I decided to put this one to the test.
I like the fact that the website provides very detailed information about their products including things like where the sleeve of the dress will hit you, is it lined, where will the length of the dress fall, the fabric it is made out of, suggestions for how to accessorize it and washing instructions. I think that this information is super important when you are buying clothes online and very helpful to the customer.
I am wearing the 4x in this dress and I was happy with the fit. At 5’6 it hit me right at the knee and the sleeves have elastic but its not too tight. And it doesn’t cut you off at the elbow. I also really appreciated that the matching sash that comes with it is long enough to allow ample room for me to tie it. The price point on this dress is $80 US which I feel is reasonable for the quality.
And I love the cold shoulder detail! The design on this dress is very smart compared to other cold shoulders I have tried as it has structure. You can wear a normal bra with it, the neckline stays in place and the cut out is strategically placed on your arm without adding unnecessary bulk. It provides a very streamlined look.
I love a dress that provides great versatility and this certainly does. If you work in an office that has a more liberal dress code than I think it is perfect. If you need to cover up the arms, then you could add a cute jacket or sweater. And then you could take the layer off and be ready for dinner and drinks after work. It would also be a great piece for date night – I think this would look fantastic on the dance floor.
I chose to keep the accessories pretty simple for this look, I just added my favourite black patent heels from JD Williams, a statement clutch from ALDO for a pop of colour and a statement necklace that worked great with the high neckline.
The great thing about a well fitting little black dress is that you can reinvent with different accessories to totally change up your look and keep it feeling fresh and new.
I want to say a special thanks to Kari Lyn herself for taking the time to directly respond to my questions and assisting me in selecting the right sizes. Its little touches like this that speak volumes. Stay tuned to my Instagram feed in the next week as I share another look and a video!
Thanks to Rob of Robert Skuja Photography for the stunning images of this look.
Dress by KARI LYN | Shoes by JD WILLIAMS USA | Bag by ALDO (sold out but alternative here) | Necklace from my collection (alternative here) |
