{CURVY STYLE SPOTLIGHT}: Lizzy Oke of TheDIYLady

Have you ever been struck by the beauty, style, brain and so much of fun attitude of anyone? I have. You know life is limitless same as the stuffs it dishes out to us. But instead of having those odds affect us, it is best to use it to our advantage. But how do one go about it? By taking a look at this beautiful curvy diva who refused to be diffident instead prefers to express her style even on a wheelchair. 

Lizzy is such an inspiration. I stumbled on her on instagram and headed straight to her blog. I was inspired most especially by her sense of style, how she combines colors, patterns and cuts for outstanding and stylish looks. She takes to her blog to share DIY (Do-It-Yourself) tips, fashion and outfit ideas with young people out there, creating a space for fashion lovers to get style inspiration, what to wear and how to wear it.

On this feature, Lizzy takes us into her world of fashion, style inspiration and blogosphere. 

Meet Lizzy Oke of  www.TheDIYLady.com

Name: Lizzy Oke. 

Blog: The Do It Yourself Lady (www.TheDIYLady.com)

Size: U.S Size 14.

Age: 26.

Location: Texas, U.S.A

What or who inspired you to be a blogger?

Ohhh, *sighs*… Honestly this happened by chance, but also not really. I love fashion, I enjoy putting clothes together, and I also wanted to showcase my style for the world to see and hopefully be inspired. The blogging world is saturated, but I noticed it was somewhat lacking women who are fashion savvy and choose to showcase their style despite being wheelchair users. However, to go back to your question, blogging for me actually started with my love for nail polish. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, Wait what? LOL. But what can I say, I love my nail polishes and I own quite a few plenty of them in different colors and finishes.

Do you blog full-time, for fun, as a hobby? Share your evolution!

Right now, I’m doing it part-time,  for fun and a hobby. There was a time where it was somewhat full-time, but my life right now only allows me to do it part-time. It’s a bit more serious than a hobby because it has certainly grown over the years, and with my partnerships with different companies, it’s now somewhat of a part time job.

What challenges do you face, if any, in not being a size 0-8? 

My challenges are beyond my size. Hahaha… Hello, do you see a wheelchair? Size is the least of my worries. Lmbo. Ok, Ok… to be honest, there are not that many size challenges in 2015. I know where to shop and what fits my body type so that helps tremendously in not having challenges in the size department. Oh wait, I just read your question again, and I could have just said I don’t face any challenges. :P

Describe your personal style?

Matchy-matchy! I notice I tend to stay in color families that are similar or complement each other. Once in a while, I do the whole color-block, prints on solids e.t.c, but my every day personal style is matchy-matchy. Oh, and very feminine.

What's your favorite thing about fashion, styling and dressing up?

It allows you to be who you are, and also leaves room to be who you want to be at any given moment. It’s a way to express one’s self and it’s ever evolving!

What’s your favorite thing about being plus-size?

 I’ve always been a plus size, and as such, I can’t really compare with not being plus-size. I love my curves a lot though, and I’ve always said I’d love to maintain my curves even if I lose weight and I’m no longer considered plus-size.

What do you think or hear from readers, is one of the biggest myths about plus size fashion?

“OMG, How do you find such cute things in your size!!!!”

I too used to think that finding cute things in plus size was next to impossible, but that all stopped when I turned 14 and began to go shopping for myself. I also discovered what worked for my body type, and over the years, I have discovered the stores to find things that fits my body type and my personal style. The choices weren’t much while growing up, but there were choices, and it was up to me to put them together and match them up in a way that made them look “cute”.

Who/what are your favorite designer/ brand?

Designers? Scratch that. That is the first thing I find that hinders most plus sized ladies from buying things that suit their body type.  For my personal style, I have no favorite designers or brands. Everything that looks good and fits right, regardless of who designed it is a winner in my book.  

What's your message to plus-size women out there?

Confidence: this is the first line of action. OWN IT. Whatever it is!

Second line of action which will really help you with #1 is to know your body and what works for you.

Aside from those two, shop around; don’t squeeze yourself into a designer dress just for brand name purposes. If it fits, fine, but don’t force it.

Accessorize; I still think every plus sized girl needs a lovely belt that can clinch that waist up real good.  

These are the same messages I give to girls who ask me about dressing up on a wheelchair. Everything goes back to just knowing what works for your body type.

END NOTE

Thank you so much for featuring me. I am so honored, and answering these questions was plenty of fun for me. I hope it helps anyone out there that’ll read this.