I’ve been a Gwynnie Bee member since September of 2012, and I’ve never been more excited about their offerings than I am now (and I’ve been excited!). This season, they launched a game changer: COATS.  NYC is a sea of black wool in the winter, so the idea of being able to wear a variety of statement coats instead of the same old thing every day appeals to me to no end.

This coat in particular illustrates why my GB membership is the most valued component of my wardrobe.  Working at Gwynnie Bee has allowed me an inside look at how hard the buying team works to get the best selection of clothes for an underserved population of women, not only by scouring the market for the best of what’s available, but also by pushing for collaborations with straight size designers with vision.  Corey, the namesake contemporary label of designer Corey Lynn Calter, is offering fashion forward plus size pieces true to the brand’s aesthetic, exclusively for Gwynnie Bee.

The gorgeous oversized plaid is totally on trend, and the cocoon shape and envelope sleeves are both structural and soft at the same time.  I’ve been swooning over this coat forever, and in person it does not disappoint.  Because there are no deadlines with Gwynnie Bee (you can keep an item as long as you like while you are a member, just like with Netflix), I will be holding onto it for a long time.  I mean, look at how perfectly it pairs with my favorite Miista booties!

Gwynnie Bee is also great for trying statement pieces from some of my favorite established plus sized labels, like the always-cool Mynt 1792.  I wasn’t sure if this bold colorblock dress would work for me, but I ended up loving it.  It was the perfect piece for a blogger event at Marina Rinaldi – I always have to bring my A game when surrounded with such stylish women. It’s also not something I’ll wear all the time, so shipping it back for something new was awesome (I got an Anna Scholz dress in my next shipment – post to come!).

Now that it is freezing, I can’t imagine wearing this coat without sleeves, but it was just the right temperature for it last week (*sigh*).  Next time I take it for a spin, I’ll be layering a sweater or a Uniqlo heattech top underneath.  The thick wool of the bodice is incredibly snuggly, so as long as my arms are covered this will take me all through winter.  Sidenote: My desire for a pair of long leather gloves increases exponentially every time I put this coat on.  Wouldn’t they look so good with it?

Outfit details:

Plaid wool cocoon coat: Corey (capsule plus size collection exclusive to Gwynnie Bee)

Colorblock sheath dress: Mynt 1792 (sold out, available at Gwynnie Bee)

Opaque leggings: Flexees by Maidenform (These are a key winterwear staple for me – super warm, and the shapewear panel smooths without squeezing you to death like Spanx.  Some sizes on sale here)

Colorblock booties: Miista Aile

All photos by Courtney Stack

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