Fat Girl Fashion On A Budget: Lingerie for Valentine's Day

As a plus size model, if there's one thing I love more than lingerie it's cheap lingerie that fits my frame. There's an abundance of places out there for us larger ladies to get some stunning bedroom outfits (Hips and Curves and Curvy Girl Lingerie are the two that come to mind that I absolutely LOVE!) but these places can break the bank in an instant. If you're looking to play around with your style this Valentine's Day, either to surprise your lover or just feel like the princess you are and don't want to invest in something that you may find unflattering, spring for one of these cheap finds. 

Longline Bra from Debshops.com - $17.90

Longline bras are totally retro and totally flattering on larger frames. Delicate and lacy numbers can look disproportionate and not provide a lot of support (although if you're dressing up for your partner instead of yourself, chances are it'll be on the floor before you ever NEED the support.) Long line bras also have the added advantage of sucking in any chub around your ribcage, making your waist look thinner by comparison. The wide straps on this make it appropriate for everyday wear, so it's not strictly a bedroom item, either. No slipping straps? That's a good thing. This piece from DebShops runs $17.90 and can be paired with your favorite black lace boyshort -or if you're daring, a thong or g-string. 

Coral mesh nightgown from glamorose.com - $13.99

Show him (or her!) what she's getting with just a peek through the delicate mesh of this slip-style nightgown. In bright coral, it's flattering to a wide variety of skintones and the straight cut to the hips with a slight flair is flattering on a variety of figures. At $13.99, it's hard to pass this one up. 

Plus size mesh lace teddy and stockings from yandy.com - $17.95

Say you're feeling a little naughty but still want to look nice. At $17.95, this floral patterned lace teddy and matching stockings set from Yandy.com is just the ticket. It hugs your curves, shows off your cleavage and has sassy lace-up detailing at the bust. For a teddy and stockings, the price is great. 

Plus size burlesque-style corset and skirt from IntimatesCare.com - $29.58

I cannot tell you how in love I am with this corset. It's got a bustle detail, so for larger girls without the hips or butt to proportion their bust, this is a great find. It's got a steel busk closure at the front, which is a good thing - you don't want that to snap. For the price, I wouldn't expect a quality corset with steel boning, though I can't say since I don't own this piece (yet!). It's more for play than for actual waist cinching. Still, you'll look fabulous whether you wear it for its own sake or as part of a saloon girl or steampunk roleplay for your lover. At $29.58, it's worth giving it a try. 

Pink plus size babydoll from tidebuy.com - $29.99

If your style is more sweet than sexy, check out this pink babydoll from tidebuy.com. At $29.99, this simple design is guaranteed to give you lots of wear. Pair it with stockings and gloves for an elegant look, or just wear it to bed after you've changed your sheets (I'm not the only one who likes to shower and get dolled up just to roll around in new sheets, am I?). In a bubblegum pink, this piece screams "Sweet!" 

We want to hear from you. What's your favorite place to find plus size lingerie that doesn't break the bank? 

About the Author:

Caitlin Seida has been writing since 2006, with her work appearing on various websites including Livestrong.com, TypeF.com, Salon.com, Dogster.com and The Daily Puppy. A Jill-of-All-Trades, she splits her workday as a writer, humane society advocate and on-call vet tech. What little free time she has goes into pinup modeling, advocating for self-acceptance, knitting and trying to maintain her haunted house (really!). You can find her on Facebook, on Twitter, and of course here on I Feel Delicious!

Fat Girl Fashion on a Budget: 5 Winter Coats Under $50

By Caitlin Seida

Ladies, I feel your pain. Winter coats are expensive, but a good jacket is worth the investment. Pick a timeless cut in a color that suits your wardrobe basics and you'll get years of use out of it, so I'm breaking my own self-imposed rules and expanding the "budget" portion of this column to go up to $50 this time. You can't put a price on warmth, but if you had to, these would be my top picks.

First up is this sassy little number in pink corduroy with a faux fur lining. Sure, it's not necessarily classic or even classy, but we're a sucker for pink here at I Feel Delicious and this number is a girly take on a rugged ranch hand staple. At $9.99 USD, you've got little or nothing to lose. It's machine wash and dry flat, which is a big plus for me. I'm not going to lie - this jacket looks better for everyday wear and is a little on the trendy side, but if you're looking for something a little youthful and fun, this is a good pick. Sizes are in XL and XXL. You can get it here, at 10dollarmall.com.

Next up is the puffer jacket. Ladies, if you think you can't pull off those big puffy jackets because of your size, shape or build, think again. It's all about the details and this number has just the right ones. It's got a long cut that hits at a flattering mid-thigh point. A broad collar draws attention away from any problem areas and up toward your face and a belt cinches you in at your narrowest point. The placement of pockets at the hips has me a little concerned, but if you're not wide through that area, you might just want to try it. And it's a steal at just $5.70 USD. Sizes up to XXL.  Get it here from AliExpress. 

Now we're getting into the more expensive but timeless options. This double breasted wool pea coat is great for us ladies who want to add a little more shape where there might not be one. Rectangular body shapes and pear shapes both look great in this style, as it adds a little volume up top. The belt, again, is a great detail as it can cinch you in at the waist (or give the illusion of one if you aren't too thrilled with what nature gave you.) This piece is wool, sized up to 3XL and is currently on sale for just a hair under $40 (normally $53, so get it while you can!). Find it here at DebShops. 

Ashley Stewart, how I love thee! If you want a trendy print and details with a classic cut, this coat is the one for you. The long trench hits mid-thigh and again, belts at the waist. The cheetah print is on point with the trends, and so are the (faux) leather accents at the collar. This coat is made from 100% man-made materials, so there are no ethical quandaries for the vegans among us. Sizing starts at 12 and goes up to 20. I'm a firm believer that every girl needs a good trench coat and this fits the bill perfectly. It is double breasted, so again, ladies that are larger on top may want to examine other options. At about $35, it's pricey, but worth it. Get it here on Amazon.com.

Any fans of fleece out there? This jacket is just the ticket and it flatters just about every body type. It's an A-line cut, which flows away from the body. It hits at about low-hip and has a rounded shirt-style collar, drawing the eye to your gorgeous face. Princess seams in the front and back add subtle shaping to emphasize curves without giving away the whole picture. It's machine wash and 100% man made. At $50, this is the most expensive item on the list but for good reason: It's the kind of coat that'll see you through many years of use. It's got oversized buttons that are fun and funky without being too trendy or overbearing, and it looks soft enough to roll around in (please tell me I'm not the only one who does that with soft things?) Available in multiple solid colors, heathers and prints (including that cheetah or leopard that we're seeing on runways), this coat comes in sizes up to 5XL. If you're the matchy sort, the vendor also sells hats, gloves and scarves to complement this style. Get it here at Roamans. 

Do you have a favorite winter coat? What style do you like best for your winter outerwear? Do you prefer classic pieces and cuts or more trendy styles you can replace from year to year? We want to know! Talk to us in the comments below. 

5 Halloween Costumes for All Shapes and Sizes

By Caitlin Seida

Every year I fight with myself about what to wear for Halloween. It happens to be my favorite holiday and I love nothing more than dressing up. My "claim to fame" is my Lara Croft costume that went viral - so you know I'm all about defying expectations and don't give a flying rat's ass about whether or not I'm the right "size" to pull off a costume. But not everyone is so confident. Here's a list of five Halloween costumes suited to all shapes and sizes. They're easy to pull together, don't show TOO much skin and are woman-positive - no "slutty cop" or "harem slave girl" options here.  (more on the accusations of "slutty" costumes tomorrow from Staff Blogger Terri Jean, so stay tuned!)

Betty Boop

Get yourself a red dress and heels, style your hair in pinup-esque curls, throw on some gold hoop earrings and some bangles and you're ready to go. Betty Boop has universal appeal - her exaggerated figure needn't dissuade you from dressing up as her because NOBODY looks like Betty Boop does (and if you do, please send us pictures!). Play up your lips with a vampy red lipstick and you're ready for a night on the town. Betty's got this charm and innocence that makes her a fun Halloween costume for ladies of all shapes and sizes.

Rosie the Riveter

Female empowerment? Check. Easy and cheap to throw together costume? Check. Iconic? Check. All the makings of a great Halloween costume whether you're svelte, plus size or in between. Get yourself a blue work shirt, some work pants and red bandanna and you're ready to go. Play up your hair with pinup curls, accentuate your eyes and get ready to show off those biceps! Rosie is as easy as it gets and she emphasizes the strength in every woman. We can do it!

Mother Nature OR Medusa

Do you want to be nurturing to the whole world or cut down everyone in your path? Either way, these costumes are as simple as starting with a basic white sheet for a toga. Mother Nature can opt to dress in earthy tones like green or brown, while Medusa can opt for silvers and blacks - but at their most basic forms, these costumes can both get away with the "toga party" look. Tease your hair and for Mother Nature, adorn with leaves, flowers, vines and even some birds if you feel like it. For Medusa, get a bunch of fake snakes from the dollar store and pin them to your locks. Makeup is entirely optional for either, and you can be as creative or as plain as you'd like to go. These costumes are forgiving of body shape because most of the emphasis is on the face and hair and the costumes themselves can be as loose and flowy or emphasize whatever part of your body you like best. They're also both iconic female figures.

Sexy Ghost

Did you buy a bikini at the beginning of the summer but didn't feel comfortable wearing it (if so, why not girl? YOU can rock that thing!) Put it to good use with the "sexy ghost" costume that doesn't show even a little bit of skin. Throw on a skin colored body suit (white shows through white - skin toned makes an almost invisible under layer) and toss a big white sheet on over it - then put the bikini on top of the sheet. Cut out eye holes for you to see and you're done. Easy as pie.

Velma from Scooby Doo

Who wants to be cold on Halloween? Velma provides the answer to that. Track down an orange sweater, orange knee socks, practical shoes (no blisters, SCORE!) and a skirt to match your shoes (Velma wears an odd shade of pink, but when I put together my costume I opted for black and considered brown). The "real" Velma has short hair and glasses, but with a costume as iconic as hers, it doesn't matter whether you do or don't add those accessories. Velma emphasizes the positive - she's the smart one of the group. And don't think she's without sex appeal, either - one only has to do a quick Google search for "sexy Velma" to see she's got quite a fan following who think nerdy girls are the HEIGHT of sexy.

What are you going as for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments! Or better yet, show us a picture!

Caitlin Seida has been writing since 2006, with her work appearing on various websites including Livestrong.com, TypeF.com, Salon.com, Dogster.com and The Daily Puppy. A Jill-of-All-Trades, she splits her workday as a writer, humane society advocate and on-call vet tech. What little free time she has goes into pinup modeling, advocating for self-acceptance, knitting and trying to maintain her haunted house (really!). You can find her on Facebook, on Twitter, and of course here on I Feel Delicious!

Found this online. Thought I'd share.