Off the Shoulder Say What?!

Shirt - Charming Charlie / Shorts and Earrings (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Bag (similar) - Gap / Sandals (similar) - Sole Society 

Off the shoulder is one of the last trends I thought I'd ever try. I like to try a good trend now and then, but this one felt a little costume-y and way wrong for my body type so I stayed far, far away. Also, you know, I haven't worn a strapless bra since my wedding when one literally fused to my body. I had to peel it off, and it left marks that only recently disappeared. If you can't tell, it was a little traumatizing.

After a few months, like most trends do, the whole off the shoulder thing started to grow on me. The right off the shoulder top can be fun and flirty as opposed to looking like something my mom wore in Mexico in the '70s. Oh and this isn't a hypothetical, she did have some off the shoulder items that she wore in Mexico that eventually made their way into my costume box back in the day.

Anyway, after I decided I was okay with off the shoulder tops I actually started trying them on. It turns out I was right, this is not really the trend for me. An extra ruffle plus no defined waist over my chest is not really ideal. Almost every top or dress I tried on made me look about 60 pounds heavier. I had given up, but then Charming Charlie came to the rescue!

I work out in a little suburb where the only shopping options are a bunch of overpriced boutiques and one Charming Charlie. Because of the limited options I find myself wandering through Charming Charlie a lot, but this is surprisingly the first thing I've ever actually purchased. Unlike most off the shoulder items, this has a little strip of elastic around the waist, which makes all of the difference. Instead of tons of fabric that flows out from my widest point (ahem, the boobs), this one follows the curves of my body. That combined with the sheer fabric actually makes this one work on me. Win win win. Styled with white shorts and a red bag, it's perfect for the Fourth of July!

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