We might not be able to have “events” the way we’ve had in the past; as we shelter in place and keep each other safe, it might feel like we don’t have very many excuses to get dressed up and celebrate. But there’s no reason we can’t still create special occasions, even if we’re celebrating on our own or with our partners or families. If you’re looking to celebrate on your own, why not use it as an excuse to make yourself feel glamorous? There are so many ways to feel confident in your own skin and it might be as simple as picking up an inexpensive but beautiful new dress. I’ve always had an affinity for finding fashion bargains; I love being able to fill my closet with dresses that I hunted down on the cheap. A new piece of nice clothing can be so refreshing and make all the difference when it comes to feeling confident, attractive, and excited about a milestone; if you’re looking to treat yourself, one of these cheap dresses might be the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
You can never have too many little black dresses in your wardrobe, and this cheap but elegant option is perfect for day-to-day wear or for making a special occasion.
For a mix between modern and old fashion, this cheaper lace dress provides texture and a gorgeous silhouette while still being easy on your holiday budget.
This striking one-shoulder look will make an impression on any occasion and will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe all year long.
No matter what your style is, picking up a new piece of fashion that makes you feel good about yourself doesn’t always have to cost a lot. One of these cheap but beautiful dress options might be the perfect way to make a day feel special this year even as we still wait to return to normal.
Disney Night is a Dancing with the Starsfan favorite, and it’s one of my favorites as well. I want to give a huge shout out to the production crew and creative team at DWTS, the hair and makeup team and every single person who worked to create the magic of Disney right in our DWTS ballroom. All the Disney princesses were taken by the dancers, so I chose to make up my own princess. I decided to wear pink because it’s the color of the heart chakra, and everything I do right now comes from my heart. The makeup for this episode was beyond anything we’ve ever seen in the past— Carole Baskin and her partner Pasha brought The Lion King to life with a very special flair. Sadly, Carole is not moving on to the next round, but I want to say that I have a lot of respect for her coming on the show and doing something so outside of her realm while spreading the word about her mission of saving big cats. I’m thankful for the production numbers she brought to the show, which will live on in DWTS history for many years to come. My favorite will always be the Viennese Waltz she and Pasha performed last week to Tom Jones’ “What’s New Pussycat?”
Let the magic begin!
In week three, all the couples seem to have found their stride. In past seasons, there have been a lot of elements that could help distract from any flaws in couples’ performances. We’d have fantastic production numbers with backing dancers that would frame the couple and sometimes this would help to mask the couple’s weaknesses. This year, with no backing dancers, we get to focus on the growth of the actual contestants themselves. For me that’s what DWTS is all about.
When I think about the growth I saw this episode, Johnny Weir is the first name that comes to my mind. Johnny is a two-time Olympic skater who’s trained his whole life to do something that is very similar to dance but is not quite dance. His challenge this season has been to learn to use his feet for dancing instead of skating. Johnny has brought so many strengths to this competition; we already know that he knows how to perform, we know he has lyricism. But now we’re watching him make the challenging transition from skating to dancing and I believe we saw his work pay off in this episode He’s traded in his skating feet and finally found his hardwood floor feet, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
A friendly clash between co-hosts
Another breakthrough I saw was in Jeannie and Brandon’s performance to ″Married Life″ from Up. When a celebrity truly learns to trust their pro partner, and the couple finds its energetic balance, that’s when the magic starts to happen. During their ballroom dance I saw this balance and connection manifest for the two of them. I spoke of balance a lot this episode because week three is when the couples start to really become partners. The first two weeks of Dancing with the Stars are always a process for the newcomers to find their bearings, but this year even the pros had to reorient themselves. Our dancers are used to performing to a live audience. Now that the only audience in the house is the three judges, there’s been a dynamic shift. In previous seasons, the audience might go crazy for a couple’s number, even if the technique was wrong. The dancers might have had a hard time listening to our notes while they were receiving such a positive reaction from the crowd. This year, our feedback is the only input the dancers receive, and it’s made for an interesting dynamic between the judges and the dancers.
While I’m talking about balance, I have to acknowledge the growth I saw in another one of our couples: Vernon and Peta. There’s a huge height difference between them which can be a major obstacle for some couples, but their quickstep to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast showed that they’ve not only found a balance between their heights but found balance in their energies as well. That is the goal for every couple, to first find their balance with each other and create a connection so they can dance as one, and then to start building off of that structure. We should start to see even more “wow” moments as the couples deepen their trust for each other and keep building their partnerships.
I want to congratulate all of our couples; I respect them for all the hard work they’ve been putting in.
Princess for a night
Disney Night is such a special night for us, and I feel so fortunate to be on a show that makes time to celebrate the wonder and magic that Disney represents. So many of us grew up with these fairy tales, these heartwarming stories, and all of us can benefit from taking a moment to believe in the magic and whimsy from our childhood. In bringing these stories to life, from Moana to Up to Disney’s upcoming film Soul, I really believe Dancing with the Stars is uplifting our audience and I’ll always feel that it’s important work. Throughout history, dance has always been a source of escapism and joy during difficult times, and that’s exactly what the world needs now. I want to thank my team for helping me be a part of the magic by putting together such a fun look, from the crown to the dress to all my glittering jewelry. I’d like to thank my designer, Steven Khalil, for the perfect fairytale dress, and Dena Kemp and Lafonn for the gorgeous jewelry. To find out more about this episode’s look you can read my Getting-Ready Diary on People.com. Now it’s time to get back to work on The Talk; you can join me there Monday through Friday at 1pm, or streaming online at CBS.com. Be sure to keep following our journey on Dancing With The Starson ABC every Monday at 8pm, because it’s only getting better from here.
The header at the top of Unruly’s website declares itself “your everything guide to plus-size fashion.” Furnished with plus-size finds from every brand fit to wear plus styling tips, outfit ideas and a powerful culture of love, confidence, and inclusion, this claim is more than fair. Unruly started as Maggie Griswold’s dream for a place (and an Instagram account) where plus-size style could thrive, a home for anyone who’s ever had a hard time shopping for their body type at the mall.
Maggie believed that her commitment to creating bold, interesting looks even when plus-size options were few and far between combined with years of trawling shopping sites as a fashion writer put her in the perfect position to start creating a community for plus-size folks to feel and look their best. In August of 2019, Maggie reached out to one of her oldest friends, Lindsey Lanquist, to help the site grow and thrive; since then they’ve created a name for themselves in the plus-size space with their expert commitment, stunning aesthetic and undeniable sense of humor.
We sat down with Maggie to ask her a few questions about her inspirations and influences, as well as her hopes and ambitions for Unruly.
Maggie: The idea for Unruly came from several different aspects of my life. One, years of not being able to find clothes in my size in my favorite stores. Two, the lack of representation of plus-size folks in digital media. Three, working as a fashion writer and having to deep dive into the Internet just to find a few trendy plus-size pieces.
Those who are deemed “unruly” by a fat-shaming society deserve a place to find solace, friendship, and fashion—and I could (I hoped) provide that.
What if there could be an online community where plus-size folks could find their ideal wardrobes (without having to worry whether or not an item was available in their size), ideas on how to actually wear these pieces, and a community amongst other people who have had similar battles with fashion? Those who are deemed “unruly” by a fat-shaming society deserve a place to find solace, friendship, and fashion—and I could (I hoped) provide that.
CAC:Can you describe what your journey has looked like as a plus-size person who is passionate about clothing and personal style?
Maggie: The availability of trends in extended sizing has played a huge role in how my style has developed through the years. I can still remember shopping at Urban Outfitters as a teen, where I’d always seek out the oversized looks. Typically, the “one-size-fits-all” pieces were some of the few items in the store that ever fit me—and I still look for clothes that “run large” in reviews or are meant to be oversized. It was the only way I could shop at most retailers growing up, so I guess the habit just kind of stuck.
With more and more brands launching plus-size collections, it’s been great—though it’s taken far too long—and we see so many new trends available in sizes larger than a 12 or 14. Obviously, the numbers pale in comparison to what’s available in sizes 0 through 12, but it’s a small win I’m willing to take (for now).
I knew there had to be other plus-size folks who wanted a place where they could find anything they wanted to wear in one place—so I made it.
Unfortunately, a lot of the damage has already been done to those of us who grew up with fewer options. I still shop for a size larger than I am—even if a piece is available in my size. I guess I’ve just been conditioned to believe that nothing will ever fit me. I’m hoping that my work with Unruly helps to keep others from ever feeling this way.
CAC:Have you ever felt excluded from mainstream brands or fashion trends due to the sizes and shapes they market towards?
Maggie: When brands don’t carry my size in a trend or an article of clothing I really, really love, I used to just… give up. That sounds kind of sad, but I didn’t want to spend hours searching for something everyone else could pick up in any store. That’s one of the reasons I started Unruly—to help people find actual trends in their size. And not just one piece, either. Curated shopping guides filled with as many pieces I could find in as many sizes I could find.
Huge brands saying they’re adding inclusive sizing and then releasing a collection of 10 pieces (out of, say, hundreds on their site) just doesn’t cut it. I knew there had to be other plus-size folks who wanted a place where they could find anything they wanted to wear in one place—so I made it.
CAC:Do you have any practical advice for plus-sized folks who are struggling to find their style or feel attractive within the limitations of mainstream fashion sizing?
Maggie: Until we erase fatphobia from society—or, since it’s nearly impossible to eradicate something so pervasive, at least create a kinder society that isn’t so focused on thinness equalling beauty—the best advice I can give is to find other fat friends. I love all my skinny friends to death, but the experiences are different. If someone knows how it feels to walk into a store and find nothing in their size, there’s a bond there. It’s a sad bond, but a bond nonetheless. So if you surround yourself with people who have the same battles, you can lift each other up in a way others can’t.
CAC:How would you describe your personal style and aesthetic, and has it evolved at all as you’ve been working on Unruly?
Maggie: I wish I had a tried-and-true aesthetic. I really do. I like too many different styles of clothing to stick with one. I will say that I’m fond of the oversized look (as I mentioned before), but also find myself leaning into trends in a different way than I have before. Maybe it’s because of the widening availability of sizes, or maybe it’s because I work as a fashion writer. Either way, I really enjoy keeping up with street style and the latest trends more than I used to.
Since working with Unruly, I pay so much more attention to which brands actually carry plus-sizes and which pretend to be inclusive. A lot of places will carry up to an XXL or XL and call it “extended sizing,” which is, quite frankly, insulting. It’s changed the way I shop, too— now I tend to only give my money to brands that carry an abundance of sizes.
Too many digital media outlets are so focused on making money that they forget what readers—especially online readers—actually want and need.
CAC:What is the biggest thing you hope that Unruly accomplishes?
Maggie: One of the biggest things I hope Unruly accomplishes is something we’ve already started to see a little—and that’s being a go-to resource to plus-size folks. Whether they’re people who love fashion and want ideas on how to shop and style the latest trends or people who just want a pair of jeans that will fit them properly, we want to be able to give everyone a place to find it all. And not only that, but provide a sense of community as well. People who get it, and can commiserate (or laugh) with you.
Too many digital media outlets are so focused on making money that they forget what readers—especially online readers—actually want and need. There are so many places to find information and so many ways to find clothes, but our goal is to make Unruly a stand-out addition to the Internet that’s actually helpful and adds value.
CAC:Are there any influencers or brands you would point plus-size readers to if they’re looking for tips for styling and curating their wardrobes?
Maggie: There are so many amazing plus-size influencers out there. There are some, though, who really got me into plus-size fashion, and inspired me long before I even started Unruly: Jessica Torres (@thisisjessicatorres), Nicolette Mason (@nicolettemason), Kellie Brown (@itsmekellieb), and Alex Michael May (@alexmichaelmay). I kind of consider those to be the OG plus-size influencers, and I’m so grateful to have had them on my Instagram feed for the past several years.
When it comes to brands, there are far more than there used to be. We all love fast fashion, and brands like ASOS and Fashion Nova have a lot of trendier pieces that aren’t expensive. Sustainable brands like Reformation and Christy Dawn (which just released their extended sizing) are great options, too, if you want something a little better for the planet. Honestly, though, you can find some really great pieces from brands like Anthropologie and Madewell, along with Target and Walmart. There are more collections added each day, and it’s truly a heartening thing to see.
Wearing a face mask has become a part of our daily lives, an action we take to protect ourselves and each other while COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities. While wearing masks when we go outside is something that’s new to many of us, it doesn’t have to reduce our comfort or our identities. A whole new market for masks that are both comfortable and personal is blooming, meaning it’s never been easier to get a mask to suit your own unique personality and style.
Here are 9 interesting masks available for purchase now!
This bright mask is not just bold and fun; it’s also equipped with a changeable filter for extra protection.
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