Karina dress Archives - Suzanne Carillo

To me the phrase “Figure Friendly” means that the dress does most of the work. It flatters my figure, it’s comfortable to wear and I don’t need to fuss with it.

Basically it’s a no brainer.

Figure friendly Karina dresses do all of that.

Honestly they are just about the easiest, fail proof, most comfortable dresses I own thanks to some clever designs and the stretchy toss-in-the-wash-without-a-care fabric.

They are one of my favourites for travelling because they can be crammed into your carry on bag and still come out fresh.

This Penelope Emerald Diamonds Karina dress was gifted to me. Yes…this is a sponsored post but all of my opinions are my own. I’m not a good liar.

Ask my Mom.

Or don’t. Ha ha!

I love to support companies that continue to manufacture within North America.

The weather has cooled down substantially in the last few days so I decided to layer this up a bit for fall.

I’m wearing a cami under the dress as I did find it to be a bit low cut. I added a recent thrift find, an Anthropologie sweater. Check out the lining on this cardigan!

It’s so pretty I wish it were reversible. I love pieces which have hidden details like that. It’s like you’re carrying around a wonderful secret.

I’m always excited when I find Anthropologie pieces while thrifting. I thrifted this Anthro coat two days ago.

SCORE!

I drooled over it in their catalogue last year.

It looks like it has never been worn. The thrifting Gods were good that day my friends.

These vintage lace up boots were found the first time I went to the Toronto Vintage Clothing show and are still one of my favourites. I bought them at Wild Thing Vintage from the lovely Erica.

The dress is a bit shorter than I’m used to now.

It’s difficult to imagine since only two years ago I was wearing skirts that hit me around mid thigh and I didn’t think twice about it. Now I’m accustomed to having my skirts hit at or just below my knee. Funny how our perception of ourselves changes.

I don’t mind wearing shorter dresses with tights and now with the weather cool down that is what I’ll be wearing with this outfit.

The latest Karina dress I’m loving is the Margaret Harvest Floral…kind of my ideal dress for fall.

I think they have this in a 3/4 sleeve version too!

Get in my closet!

This paired with some vintage brown lace up boots, my floppy hat and my long denim trench…yep that is something I could go for.

I don’t own the dress but I have already styled it in my mind. Am I the only crazy person that does that?

Here are some other Karina dresses I’ve styled up Carolyn Midnight Garden, Ruby in Black & Peach Vintage Floral, Penelope Grey Lace styled four ways , Blue Polkadot Karina Dress, Chevron Striped Karina Dress

I’m a big fan of items that define my waist because I have an hourglass figure.

Lately though I’ve found myself drawn to outfits with less waist definition and a higher level of comfort.

This may have something to do with the stubborn extra weight that I cannot for the life of me seem to budge.

Last week I stopped eating every day at 6 pm and I reduced my food intake. Yesterday I was all pumped to jump on the scale. That is until I realized my scale is on a mission to destroy my soul.

The flippin’ numbers moved UP by a pound!!!

WTF???

No fair!

This is BS!!!

Nevermind.

I’m learning to cope with my new reality with outfits that are comfortable yet remain true to my sense of style.

This dress is the perfect example. A bias cut floral midi dress by Wilfred.

Melanie joked with me when I was bragging about the dress label being “Wilfred” she said hers are by James. Ha!

Wilfred is a higher end label found while thrift shopping with Melanie and Sue at Talize. There was a massive rip down one side seam which Sue graciously sewed up for me with her serger. Hooray for friends that know how to sew!

The dress is 100% silk and truly feels like wearing a nightgown.

It avoids the whole “wearing a bag” issue as it manages to skim my curves. You can still see I have a waist which is important when you have boobs otherwise you look like you weigh an extra 47 lbs instead of an extra 7.

6 Tips Dress For Comfort Without Surrendering Style

1. Stretchy Dresses & Body Skimming Shift Dresses

Stretchy dresses are your friend. No pinching or sucking in required.

Shift dresses that skim the body like the Wilfred one I started this post with are even easier to wear.

The two shift dresses below are for sale in my Etsy store.

dress for comfort without giving up style over 40 suzanne carillo — Floral Shift Dress Size M/L Colour Blocked Shift Dress Size 10

2. Patterns

Pattern confuses the eyes so we can no longer distinguish concave from convex. You can get away with more.

3. Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are a personal favourite of mine for comfort.

Choose ones with empire waists or elastic waists if you still want some kind of waist definition.

Again you can see that the bold patterns are pretty darn good at disguising food babies.

4. Stretch Jeans

Stretch jeans are the only kind of jeans I will wear when I’ve gained some weight. Everything else is uncomfortable.

My favourite stretch jeans have an elastic waist. Yes…that is precariously close to being yoga pants, me no care.

5. Tunic Style Tops

Of course tunic style tops cover a multitude of sins (banana chocolate espresso scones I’m lookin’ at you!)

And if you’re wearing an elastic waist it’ll cover that too.

6. High Waists, Elastic Waists And Wrap Waists

I have a few fit and flare dresses that have elastic waists that are still comfortable despite carrying extra weight.

High waists are brilliant. The faux waist hits well above the belly and emphasizes the thinnest part on most people, just below the chest.

All the dresses below happen to be Karina Dresses, one of my all time favourites for style with comfort.

Both of these skirts below have elastic waists. I wore the pink one in this awesome thrifting video Melanie and Sue and I made…I’ll have more on that in another post.

What do you usually wear when you want to be comfortable without looking like you just came back from yoga?

Linking up with Visible Monday Hat Attack

Figure Friendly Karina Dresses Comfortable No Brainer Style

Figure friendly Karina dresses do all of that.

The dress is a bit shorter than I’m used to now.

The latest Karina dress I’m loving is the Margaret Harvest Floral…kind of my ideal dress for fall.

I don’t own the dress but I have already styled it in my mind. Am I the only crazy person that does that?

6 Tips Dress For Comfort Without Surrendering Style

Lately though I’ve found myself drawn to outfits with less waist definition and a higher level of comfort.

This may have something to do with the stubborn extra weight that I cannot for the life of me seem to budge.

The flippin’ numbers moved UP by a pound!!!

I’m learning to cope with my new reality with outfits that are comfortable yet remain true to my sense of style.

6 Tips Dress For Comfort Without Surrendering Style