Polka dot print is one of Spring 2016’s biggest trends – and cute plus size options abound – but if you want an interesting twist on the pattern, look to 2016’s sleeper print: Stars.  Celestial, whimsical, and graphic all at once, I’ve been intrigued by this trend since I saw it on the Max Mara SS16 runway.  I’ve pined over the structured blazer from the Italian luxury label, but it is unfortunately not in my size or price range.  So when Gwynnie Bee asked me to try up some upcoming New Arrivals, this sheer star print top from Corey (Corey Lynn Calter’s exclusive plus line for Gwynnie Bee) was my first pick.

With a subtle tie neck detail and black and tan palette, this top is incredibly versatile.  I wore it for the weekend with coated jeans and my trusty Chelsea boots, and added my OTT faux fur coat for a rocker inspired aesthetic. It would also look great with a blazer and pencil skirt for a chic professional vibe; or tucked in to a full skirted midi for a look that is sweet but not saccharine.  I sized up one size on this top, as there is no stretch to the semi sheer crepe fabric.

These City Chic pants, on the other hand, have ALL the stretch.  When I pulled them out of the box, I was sure there was some sort of mistake.  They looked like a size 2 or 4, at the most; but the size tag said 16.  With a shrug and an internal “here goes nothing,” I pulled them on – and they fit perfectly, barely any shimmying required!  I’m not sure what type of magic stretch is used here, but they have more substance than leggings and felt like the most form fitting pants ever once they were on.  They stayed that way throughout the day, too – no sagging or shape loss, despite lots of walking and moving.