Pink, lace, rhinestones, and hearts - all part of a recipe for girly fun! While I love all those things any time of year, some people only bring them out for Valentine's Day. Whether you spend the holiday hanging with your pals or your honey, this top from Kiyonna is a gorgeous sartorial choice!
I've always admired the way this top looks on other women, so when Kiyonna introduced the pink version I knew I had to have it. Actually, when I first saw the picture I gasped really loud and swooned. Kiyonna sent it to me for review and it does not disappoint. It is so pretty! I was only able to get photos in the happiness of my dressing room because the weather did not want to cooperate. (Read: Rain, heavy wind, lightening and thunder....)
The color is a vibrant deep fuchsia, made of stretchy, comfortable lace with a beautiful sheen. The body of the top is lined in a matching fabric, leaving the sleeves unlined. While the V-neckline is a deep one, there is some overlapping fabric at the bottom of the plunge for a more modest look. I adore the look of the scalloped lace because I feel like it adds a touch more romance and flirtation.
The lining comes down to the top of the scalloped lace. I just didn't have it pulled down all the way. My photographer doesn't always notice the details.
Let's talk about the fit: Overall, I am ecstatic about the way this top fits my body! I am wearing the 3X with no shapewear and my regular bra. The peplum skirted portion accentuates my waist and skims my curves perfectly. The sleeves fit my large upper arms without being binding or restrictive. As I said above, the lace is stretchy and comfortable. Also, the length of this top is so great, where it hits right above the tops of the thighs. It is perfect for so many looks and occasions. The variety of colors is pretty fantastic too: a gorgeous blue lace with blue lining, black lace with nude lining, black lace with black lining, and red lace with nude lining.
The only frustration I had with the top is a common frustration of mine with plus size fashion in general. I'm a big girl with a small bust (I'm sort of a B), so oftentimes things that fit my hips are massive in the bust. While I don't usually have this issue with items from Kiyonna, this top was a bit baggy at the bottom of the bust. I took in the top myself and am pleased with how it looks. If you have a larger bust, this really shouldn't be an issue for you. If, like me, you are naturally smaller in that area, you may need to go to a tailor or take in the bust yourself. It is an easy fix, so don't let that deter you from the amazingness of this top.
I kept the styling simple because I really wanted the pink lace to do all the talking. It is cold and rainy here, so I opted for jeans over a skirt. These black skinny jeans from Lane Bryant have a great fit and add a dressier vibe. I pulled out my new tear-drop earrings and heart-shaped necklace for a touch of sparkle. A fun lip-printed bag I have had for at least a decade adds some fun and more Valentine's theme for going out to dinner. I was also so excited to add these studded, pink, strappy heels to the look for some sexiness and an extra pop of color!
Pink Strappy Studded Heels - Torrid (Similar)
Genius Fit Black Skinny Jean - Lane Bryant
Necklace - Avenue; Earrings - Burlington
Lipstick - Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Cherry Picking
Me in my natural habitat:
What is your perfect Valentine's look or romantic/sexy outfit? Do you own the Linden Top in any of the other colors? Are you as crazy about pink as I am??
Disclosure: I am a member of the Kiyonna Blogger Brigade and they provided me with the top in this post. All opinions on the item are my own.
The pink is really pretty on you, and I love the shoes! I've tried the Linden in the nude lining in green through GB, and while the green is awesome, the nude isn't quite right for me...so it kind of made me look sickly. I do like the bright blue, but I am pretty sure this top has to be dry cleaned and that's a buzzkill, lol. Also, I'm clumsy and I would end up pulling a hole in it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as "date" outfits, I tend to wear jeans and a black shirt. I have lots of black shirts (Kiyonna Sadie, Lily, and the one with the good bust definition that I can't remember the name of; several from ASOS curve, probably a couple from Lane Bryant, at least one from Old Navy, and I think a Target one). Sometimes I wear a scarf, sometimes a necklace. But basically, I try on everything in the closet and end up wearing the same outfit every time...
This is so fab! I gasped when you posted it to Instagram. The pink here looks much more hot pink than the product photo. I think I prefer this hot pink to the more raspberry hue in the online catalog. You wear pink really well, and I think you styled this top perfectly. The shoes are such a slamming, surprising choice! And the glittering silver jewelry adds just the right touch of diva glam. This outfit would definitely catch my eye out on the street!
ReplyDeleteI've bought so many dresses the past couple of years that I'm trying to build more tops and skirts into my wardrobe this year. I prefer longer tops with pants, and I like ones that skim over my tummy, so maybe this is one to consider for the future. You are definitely selling it!
<3 Liz
www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
I just adore this look! It's such a quirky ensemble that I can tell you really put a lot of thought into. The different elements play off of one another so well! I've never seen red, black, and white done in such a cutesy, playful way. I really like it!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't bought anything from Torrid, mostly because their aesthetic is a bit more goth and punk than my tastes. This dress is definitely more my style, though. I think your outfit is a great representation of your personality, and I'm sure that you presented yourself well in it.
I'm also obsessed with Charming Charlie, having only just discovered them since moving to Nashville. Their bags are gorgeous and so affordable. I did a lot of my Christmas shopping for girlfriends there and definitely picked up a few goodies for myself as well!
<3 Liz
www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Yeah, it is dry clean only. I try to be really really careful when wearing things like that so I don't spill. The lace can snag, but since it has stretch to it, I find it doesn't necessarily rip easy, at least for me. The blue one is quite gorgeous too. I bet the green looked fantastic on you, though that is a bummer about the nude lining.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have enough black shirts. Sometimes I just want a black shirt to go with something and none of the ones I have tend to work. lol Jeans and some kind of tank and cardigan or bright top and flats tend to be my go-to, unless I shaved my legs and the weather is nice. :-)
Thank you, lady! I was really happy with the finished outfit. I was looking at my usual shoe options but thought they were all so tame. These shoes hurt after a bit, but when I remembered I had them, I had to make them go with this top! I just needed some more vibrant pink in the outfit.
ReplyDeleteThe color of the top varies with different lighting. It was raining like crazy the day I wore it, so I didn't have much in the way of natural light or a place to take pictures, which would have been ideal. In some photos it looked neon and in others more toned down. It is a vibrant pink color, but a little deeper than these photos convey. It is close to this but somewhere in between my photos and the Kiyonna page. Of course, I am so crazy about pink I would love it any which way. :-)
I have definitely found it hard to find the right length tops lately. So many seem too short these days. It has become kind of frustrating. I think the length of this one is pretty perfect though.
Despite the number of black shirts I own, I just ordered two more in the SWAK sale...I have problems, lol. (The flutter top and the black pretty cami, and come to think of it, maybe one of the perfect camis in black too...) I also ordered another skater-type dress, because a whole closet full of them is not adequate. (The Rhiannon dress is super cute in person, but size up....the 5x fits me just about right, and I wear a 4x in all their maxis.)
ReplyDeleteIf it's a possibility to spill, snag, rip, or otherwise ruin something, I will find a way. And when I wear low-cut stuff, I tend to end up with crumbs in my bra. Sigh.
PS - the Kiyonna black shirt that's my favorite is the Gracefully Gathered Top. It also comes in a pink that would look awesome on you. It seriously makes boobs appear, like magic!
I'm so happy you love this outfit! I kind of felt like a punky Little Red Riding Hood. I felt really bubbly in it and got lots of compliments. Obviously, I didn't win the model contest nor did I meet Jessica Kane, but it was a fun experience nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI am so ready to go visit a local Charming Charlie. They are far enough away it has to be a planned activity, so I guess that is good for my wallet. lol I was just so in awe and so happy to visit one. There are so many fun things!
I'm surprised you haven't bought anything from Torrid yet. They have branched away from the goth/punk thing so much, although they definitely still carry elements of that style. They have such cute dresses, including similar ones to the one I am wearing. I love the tank dresses in the coral and black and pink floral print, but they are rayon and I hate ironing. Some of their new spring collection has corals and pastel peaches and blush pinks that seem very much you. I do find that the sizing can be inconsistent based on the fabrics used and the style so if you can try things on that is probably best.
hahaha I have a tendency to get crumbs in my bra from time to time too. I will remember the Gracefully Gathered. Maybe they will have some more colors soon.
ReplyDeleteI almost bought another Amber Shrug the other day. But I also want the turquoise and magenta flutter tops and all the pretty camis. I'm crazy about that emerald and royal blue!!
I spent half of my budget for the month on more makeup, some sneakers, and a pair of Fit Flop sandals that were on crazy clearance. lol