Before we get started, I am 5'9", typically wear a 22/24, wear a 40B bra, a size 11 wide shoe, and my measurements are 52/49/58.

Look #1: 

Embroidered Peasant Top + Lace Cami + Dotted Capris + Slides

In putting together Americana-inspired looks for this post, I didn't want ensembles that necessarily screamed Fourth of July.  Instead, I wanted nods of the classic color combo in pieces that could be mixed and matched with each other and with other items in my wardrobe.

The Embroidered Gauze Peasant Top was one of the first pieces that caught my eye.  I love embroidery and fluttery sleeves, so I immediately knew I wanted a look based around this top.  I am wearing a 2X and find it fits true to size, with a more generous cut for ample room in tummy and hips.  The cotton fabric has some stretch to it, but is still light and airy.  And though it is a gauzy, lightweight material, it isn't incredibly thin either.  The hem of the top hit me right around the tops of the thighs, which I find particularly pleasing.  I chose to French tuck the top, which also allowed me to show off a little more of the polka dot print of the pants.  A smocked neckline and tassel detail add an extra flair.  This same style is available in aqua, purple, and navy also.


I assumed the gauzy fabric of the peasant top might be a bit see-through (really only when it is held up to the light, otherwise it wasn't really noticeable), so I chose to layer the Suprema Cami with Lace underneath for a little extra coverage.  The Catherines Red color I chose perfectly matches the peasant top.  I am also wearing this tank in a 2X.  I already own a couple of these lace-trimmed camis in other colors and really love them.  They are fitted, but have a nice stretch to them.  I also love the soft, thicker fabric of these camis.  They are great layering pieces and provide a little more coverage when you need it.  The straps are adjustable and they come in a variety of colors.

When I went to the Curvy Chic Closet fashion show, Catherines had a runway presence and presented seven or eight looks on the runway.  One of the pieces that stood out to me were the Printed Flat Front Capri.  In the show, the model wore the black and white gingham print, but in going with an Americana theme I chose to wear the navy dotted print.  These stretchy pull-on pants are very comfortable and easy to wear.  The back half of the waist band is elastic, so they stay in place on your waist.  I did not have to fidget with them at all.  I am wearing a 2X and found them to fit well, though they did stretch out just a bit with wear.  If you like a tighter fit or are between sizes, I would definitely size down.  Otherwise, these are lightweight and comfortable, perfect for ease of movement and those summertime activities, but can easily be dressed up or down.

To complete the look, I added the Good Soles Double-Strap Flip Flop Sandal in navy.  I am wearing an extra large and found them to fit my 11wide feet perfectly.  Sometimes I worry about slides flying off my feet, but these fit very well and did not cause me grief.  (Real talk:  I have a huge and weird and irrational fear of shoes flying off my feet while I'm walking.  Trying slides again was a big deal for me, but I knew how cute they would look with this outfit.)

Look #2:

Tiered Maxi Dress + Floral Cardigan + Wedge Sandal

The Tiered Maxi Dress with Embroidery was another stand-out I couldn't wait to try.  I used to have a tiered knit summer dress from another brand that eventually had to be retired.  Ever since, I have been looking for an easy tiered dress like this.  The embroidered neckline is the same navy blue as the dress, so it adds texture more than anything.  The fabric is a soft, stretchy knit that is comfortable and moves so beautifully.  The hem hits just above the ankle on my 5'9" frame.  I'm wearing this dress in a 2X and find the fit spot on.  I love the wider straps and overall movement of this dress.


When I saw the Cherry Blossom Duet Top, I knew I wanted to wear the floral cardigan with the maxi dress and knot it at the waist.  I totally overlooked the fact that this is a two-fer top.  The tank is a great basic with wide straps, but it is actually sewn onto the cardigan at the shoulders.  This was an easy fix in getting them apart, but then the tank does have prominent sewn seams at the shoulder. Both are made of a poly/spandex blend that is lightweight and incredibly stretchy.  I am wearing this top in a 2X as well and find the fit spot on.  In tying the cardigan, I also found that the soft fabric did not wrinkle or show any signs of having been knotted, which is really awesome if you hate ironing things.

My accessories for this look include the Good Soles Perforated-Strap Wedge Sandal and the Clearwater Slider Bracelet.  The bracelet is a pretty light blue beaded bracelet with silver findings.  I love that the light blue complemented the same color in the cardigan.  The silver sliding bead stays in place very well and makes the bracelet size more customizable.  I'm wearing the tan sandals in an 11W.  Typically, this has been just fine in Catherines shoes, but the straps on these are noticeably bigger, as is the heel area.  If your feet are wider and you find it hard to find shoes that fit, give these a go.  They weren't uncomfortable or hard to walk in, but were too roomy for my feet.

Bonus Look:

Tank & Cardigan + Dotted Capris + Slides

For a bonus look, I popped on the duet tank and cardigan top with the dotted capris and slides from the previous look.  This combo also worked incredibly well. The blues are complementary and the addition of the print mixing makes me very happy!





Dobby was a lovely little model during our shoot!  He loved keeping an eye on the ducks at the pond, and made sure we knew when other dogs were coming around. hahaha  We chose to take him out because he loves adventure, but Finn is scared of everything and is somewhat of a hassle when we are juggling multiple things.