Cheryl Shops

We have now come to that time of year I like to call "elastic waistband time." I got a head start with my vacation a few weeks ago (a week of sitting around on the beach, drinking mai-tais, and eating everything within reach), then stepped up the gluttony last week with a work Thanksgiving celebration, a work off-site, and a dear friend's birthday dinner. This week, I have a road trip to L.A., two Thanskgivings, and part 2 of my boyfriend's birthday celebration. The struggle is real. Now, I'm all for body positivity and acceptance and all of that. You should love yourself, just as you are. But sometimes it's hard to feel good when you feel like a beached whale.  So this week's post is dedicated to an outfit that discretely camouflages holiday weight gain—think of it as FaceTune for your body.



First, you need a full-length duster cardigan. Not only is it a great layering piece for cooler weather, but it's basically like wearing a bathrobe. Most importantly, the length creates a longer line for your body—an optical illusion of sorts. It also skims the hips, bum, and thighs, which is a plus if your poundage tends to gather there. You'll want to look for a lighter-weight knit—a chunky one will just exacerbate the problem.

Next, you'll need a top with a strong vertical line. I think button-down shirts are always a good choice—they're classic and adjustable, and pretty much flattering any way you wear them. This is the shirt I bought on my last Madewell shopping trip (see, I promised I'd feature it in an outfit post!), and a lighter color is key here, because it helps draw the eye up (i.e. look at my face, not at my gut).



Also from Madewell: these high-rise skinny jeans, which sound like something you don't want to wear when you're carrying a little extra poundage, but trust me, these jeans are amazing. The higher rise helps hold you in, and they have magic pockets with extra hidden stretchiness. I know a bunch of women with totally different body types and they look amazing on all of them.


When it comes to shoes, now is not the time to go crazy. Pairing black ankle boots with black ankle-length jeans keeps the elongating effect going. I've had these Acne Pistol boots for ages—and it shows, I know—but they are pretty much perfect in every way. The toe is not too round, the heel is not too high, and you can wear them with so much. They are well worth the investment (I've had these resoled twice), and you can expect to see them a lot more around here.


Have you ever noticed when the stars of your favorite TV shows are pregnant, they tend to hide behind big handbags? Same thing here...except I'm just pregnant with a food baby. And thus this tote (last seen here) is practical on many levels.



Of course, the most important accessory during elastic waistband time is a glass of good wine. I know, that seems contradictory, but a glass of red wine has antioxidants, calms the nerves, and is a mere 80 calories. You've earned it, so enjoy it. And if I may make a recommendation, I suggest ordering the merlot, zinfandel, or sauvignon blanc from Frog's Leap in Napa—it's where these photos were taken, and it's one of my absolute favorite places, especially for Sunday Wine Church. Amen.



OUTFIT DETAILS: Zara duster cardigan (similar here or here) || Madewell chambray Ex-Boyfriend shirt || Madewell high-rise skinny jeans || Acne Pistol boots || Vanessa Bruno tote || Stella & Dot leopard scarf (similar here) || YHF Los Angeles Cashton sunglasses