
Hello Lush Life friends-
I’ve been in the lab, creating. In that process, I began to have a since of nostalgia for my pre-teen years (why, I have no idea)- but I was reflecting on how important my sense of personal style was for me, even back then.
If you remember me from my junior high school days at St. Andrew’s Nativity, always in detention and completing JUG (jesuit school detention activities, like scrubbing the cathedral floors with a tooth brush or deep cleaning the mess hall after school- all because of my “cross dressing” and uniform violations), then you’ll know once upon a time, a very young Aria loved black lipstick and silver chains dangling from my messenger bag with graphic pins and bag charms on my weathered school bag.

I was a “Goth Kid” up until my sophomore year of high school (shocking)- but all my friends were the emo punks and goth kids who embraced me when no one else did, so naturally, I adapted to my friend group.
It feels so different from my sense of style now, as a woman in her mid 30’s- but in a strangely, in my obsession with color, prints, and patterns- it almost feels synonymous with my “goth” era. Any rebellion against what society deems as “respectable”, I think is the through line.
Prints and colors are a rebellion (if worn year round), because they are seen as “vulgar” or “too loud”, especially when worn on women of color- add to that my blonde tresses. High society goes wild when they see me.
The Modern Goth, in my view, has that same rebellion. A pushback against the standards and rules set by the society that is constantly asking us to edit ourselves for palatability. “Wear More Color” or “Why are you wearing Black in the summer”, and all the microcosms that happen when we know or see someone who doesn’t share our own worldview when it comes to clothes.

Of course, I am all in for color.
But I know some of you lovelies (who probably follow me more so for the rebellion streak than my fashion ephemera), are diehard dark romantics. This edit, is for you :)
Today’s post is sponsored by BAACAL.
In addition to my other projects, I work with Cynthia Vincent and her team as a Style Advisor and feel fortunate to work with such a beautiful community of women and femmes in finding their voice, their sense of style in the offerings from the brand.
It’s made my heart pitter patter, and frankly, I’m just glad that Cynthia and her team (Grace + Mica + Adriana) all put up with my neurotic obsessions and unsolicited ideas. Thank you BAACAL Babes!
Notes on My Content Offerings:
Today’s musings feature a curated edit of designer fashion offerings from BAACAL exclusively for plus sizes.
Most of my audience on the internet (surprisingly) are straight sized women (women who are sizes 00-12 and about 74% of you all fall into that category according to Google Analytics)- but a few plus size babes here and there ask me to style them.
I also have a growing audience of men (surprising!) with one of my Lush Life subscribers enlisting me to style them and overhaul their existing wardrobe (I’m so excited- I love styling men, and rarely get the opportunity to!). All this to say, I try to balance my content offerings and musings to appease as many as I can.
If you are not plus size, you may not be aware of the landscape in fashion and retail, and just how difficult it is to find clothing and accessories that fit plus size bodies.
Even more scarce- are designers who maintain a commitment to expert craftsmanship and a sustainability ethos.
Ordinarily I try to curate edits to satiate as many of you who faithfully read as best I can (and will continue to!).
Today’s post- in terms of apparel, is exclusively plus sizes. I promise to create more varied offerings in the future.
Thank you so much for reading anyway :)
*Affiliate Links: I want to be transparent about how I earn a living. My curated edits feature affiliate links, which allow me to retain a commission for creating and promoting my content, and items I love, sort of like a referral fee. Should you decide to purchase, the brand is responsible with sending me a small commission for plug and promotion. This of course, is at no additional cost to the consumer.
*Sponsored Content: Today’s newsletter is lovingly sponsored by BAACAL, a beautiful brand helmed by noted fashion designer, Cynthia Vincent. BAACAL is an ethically focused and sustainability contemporary designer providing you with luxury apparel in mid size and plus sizes. Independent, woman of color led and operated, and all pieces are hand stitched, sewn and cut in their studio in Los Angeles.










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