The Mimi: Is it a sweater, a blanket a poncho or a scarf?

For me, the answer is that it is whatever you want it to be. My best friend thinks I look like I am wearing a macrame potted plant hanger. And she's probably laughing RIGHT NOW reading this article.

I actually did a lot of research on this since it is just so darn different than anything that Lularoe makes, but if you are on the fence, haven't seen one in person, or just want some good reading material, get a fresh cup of coffee and sit back! I did a little blogging reconnaissance when these beautiful items first came out last summer and made a run out to check out the newest addition to the Lularoe lineup at a local consultant's house. I wanted to do some research, see these fabulous pieces up close and personal, and take pictures to share with you all, since there is a lot of buzz going around the Lulaworld about these fabulous pieces. (And yeah, I admit, I bought one. And since then? Three more.)

Here is the nitty gritty...the Mimi is essentially a large shawl that is sold as one long piece, but with buttons on one side that allow you to fasten it in front or to the side of you as a poncho. You can also wear it as a wrap, a scarf, or a blanket-style wrap on cold nights. The way that I have modeled it in these pictures is to wear it poncho-style with the blue one buttoned to the side (over a Julia) and the black and gray one buttoned in front (over a Carly and leggings). I can't see myself wearing it unbuttoned personally because I could totally see it slipping off of me and falling on the ground and getting stained or something. I'm just that clumsy, which is why I have to take extra-special care of my Lularoe!

The Mimis are designed, plotted, cut and knitted to their own specifications. Each one is made individually and knitted by a machine, and then finished off and tasseled by hand. This is the reason why this is the most expensive piece hands-down right now in the Lularoe collection. A piece like this is called "Full Fashion Knitting". Yeah, right, I don't know what that means either. So I looked it up!

According to Wikipedia,  "Fully fashioned knitting machines are those flat and circular knitting machines that produce custom pre-shaped pieces of a knitted garment. Instead of knitting a whole rectangular sheet of fabric, instructions from a knit pattern on a punch card or computer file guide a fully fashioned knitting machine's needles to add or drop stitches to create custom two-dimensional shapes appropriate to the desired finished garment structure. The pieces emerge from the machine ready to be sewn together." Now in the case of the Mimi, there are no pieces that are being sewn together, but the point is that the machine makes each Mimi individually, which is why they are so expensive! As we all know, Lularoe's bedrock principle is that they make a print or a color in a fabric, they cut it into the various styles, sew them together and then distribute them for sale, but in the case of the Mimi, these are a little more special because there is no fabric anywhere in the piece. They are 100% yarn in the piece and the tassels and finishing are made with some sort of thread from what I could tell. 

From what I can tell, there are three main "styles" of the Mimi:

1) The first style, featured in purple and blue, is a combination of a shaker-style stitch with bands of honeycomb mesh stitches in a staggered eyelet design. 

2) The second style, featured individually in black and cream, is a honeycomb mesh stitch in a staggered eyelet design for a more traditional crocheted look.

3) The third style is a tight zig-zag rib knitted stitch pattern, featured in slate blue.

Don't be impressed that I knew those stitch names. I had to look them up on Pinterest while quietly cursing myself for not letting my late grandma teach me how to knit or crochet. She, by the way, was also nicknamed MIMI. 

It also appears from what I have seen online so far with Mimi, there are four main "color variations" as well:

1) The first style is a blend of two colors of yarn that combine together to appear as one color when actually when examined up close are two. For example, the plum one that is modeled is actually a combination of purple and blue. That's the only one I have seen in that way.

2) The second style is a solid yarn in one color. I have seen this style so far in black, gray and white. 

3) The third style is almost a combination of striped and heathered, which is what I am wearing in the blue. I have seen this in also in olive, green, gray and black.

4) The fourth style is a solid color but with partial stripes of a contrasting color coming in from the sides, which is what I am wearing in black and gray. I've also seen this in blue and gold, green and white, white and black, pumpkin and cream, olive and brown, and white and gray.

So now, on to what I thought of the Mimi itself:

The first reaction I had after laying a hand on one was how incredibly soft and light it felt compared to what I had expected. I don't know why, but I had honestly expected it to feel like wool. You know, scratchy? Itchy? Hot? Not something you want to wear? But it wasn't like that at all. It was incredibly soft and luxurious. The knitted fabric stretches gently so that it truly is one size fits all, and because there are no sleeves or a waist, you just wrap it around your shoulders and button it up and go. Or, leave it buttoned and then slide it over your head like a pull over. Then you can adjust it to have the buttons to the side (as I did with the blue) or leave them in front to create a more cardigan-feel (as I did with the black). Another way to wear it is to stylishly arrange it around you so it drapes at an angle. 

Another concern I had with the Mimi was that I won't be able to wear it very often since I live in Texas. That was a concern that I had back in August when it was triple digits. Now, in January, I am very glad that I bought them as they are wonderful to wear, very stylish, and very cozy. The knitted fabric is very flexible and thin but not so thin that you are cold. However, I did hear from another consultant in New York who was not impressed with the Mimi at all because she feels that it will be too thin to provide any warmth for the chilly Northeastern winters. I have a feeling that the consultants in Florida probably will like theirs but won't keep them since Florida hardly ever gets cold. I have worn my Mimi when it is fifty degrees (perfect), thirty degrees (perfect but I could have used a little more warmth) and nine degrees with wind chill (completely insufficient).  

The tassels, as intended, are purely decorative to add some flair to the shawl and not just make it look like a rectangular piece of knitted fabric. The buttons are in complimentary colors to the yard and fasten the Mimi on securely but not so much that they are hard to unbutton. 

So the question is, are you buying one because you truly intend to wear it, or are you buying one because it's the hottest flashiest thing right now? Ask yourself that before you buy one, because not everyone likes them. My husband was not too crazy about them. Mr. Fashionista, upon seeing the pictures of the Mimi when it was first released last summer, asked where my sombrero and burro was. Ha. Do you live in a climate where it would be worth it? Do you live in a climate where it won't provide you with any warmth? Does it go with your clothes that you wear? Is it really you? It's $75 retail, ladies...ask yourselves if you really want it or you just want it because everyone wants it? It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind...kind of like Tickle Me Elmo. 

For myself, I decided when I first saw them that I really wanted one because I have shirts that are this style that I really enjoy wearing. Texas does get cold when the storms blow down from Oklahoma, and as it stands right now, my warmest dressiest "jacket" is the Sarah since I donated my old out-of-date leather jacket. I also think that these look really nice and stylish with skirts and dresses and jeans. I think they have the capability to be styled in a lot of different ways and to be genuinely enjoyed....if you truly want to spend the money to do that. If you do, they are definitely worth it. There are items like this on the market right now that on the cheap retail for about $29 from Target and on the pricey retail for about $208 at Nordstrom's. And I really wanted the ones from Lularoe because of the colors. I decided on two in the color combinations that I would wear the most: black and blue.  The ones featured are the ones I will own and wear for years to come. Since the first release I bought another one that is solid black with white threads and a gray one, and I am thinking about a green. 

So for me, I guess I did get sucked into the Tickle Me Elmo whirlwind. I don't even know whether or not I should hang these things up or just fold them. Right now, they are all sitting folded in my office until I figure out a storage method. I throw them on my desk at work because my coat hook stretches them out. 

But I really like them. Do you? Have you tried one on? I am tall and these hit right at the right place on my hips and my arms. Do they hit right on you, or are they too heavy? Only you can say! I personally love mine and I wish that I could have one in purple and one in blue-green. But I don't like the fabric in the purple and the blue-green doesn't exist. 

Okay, fine. I admit it. I love them. They are so darn cozy and I can wear whatever I want and it will layer over everything. Look at this. What can layer over leggings, a Nicole dress, a Joy and a Sarah and still look normal? 

The minimum advertised price (MAP) set by Lularoe for the Mimi scarf is $75.00. 

If there are any questions about the Mimi scarf, please post them below. Make it a great Lularoe day!

The Lindsay cardigan...the perfect layer like icing on the cake

The Lindsay kimono was actually my second piece of Lularoe that I acquired. I was gifted a plain black knit one as a thank you for helping a consultant photograph and stage her initial on-boarding inventory. I remember at the time thinking that it was kind of a strange piece and that I wasn't sure if it would look right on me, but out of all of the Lindsays that I have acquired since that initial piece, the solid black one is the one that I have worn the most. 

Out of the entire Lularoe lineup, the Lindsay cardigan baffles me the most. Not the piece itself...but why it is not more popular. Why this piece does not sell out as soon as it comes in, I don't get. I admit that I have eclectic tastes, but this piece is the easiest way to dress up a pair of leggings and a t-shirt or to throw over a dress when you are cold or just to accessorize with a put-together outfit to bring out a color to the forefront. Below I have demonstrated how you can take a t-shirt and leggings to the next dressy level just by adding a complimentary Lindsay to pull it all together. 

The construction of this piece is simple. It is like a cardigan in that it is put on like a very light, thin sweater, but there are no zippers or buttons. The sleeves are elbow-length and have a large droop at the bottom, similar to a kimono on a geisha. See the similarity? There is just enough exposure to let the lower part of your forearm show, but enough coverage to cover your upper arms and keep the chill off. They are well-made with seams at the top of the shoulders

The Lindsay cardigan, which is kimono-style, really should be in everyone's Lula wardrobe even if JUST in black or gray. For me, it is my go-to piece to grab when there is a chill in the air and I just want something to cover my arms, or if I just want to dress up something casual, or if I want to accessorize a dress and bring a color out of it to the forefront. It is a wonderful accessory piece to wear over Classics, Perfects, Irmas, and all of the Lularoe dresses. 

If you have any dresses that are strapless or sleeveless that you want to wear to work but have a no-bare-shoulders rule like my office does, the Lindsay is the perfect solution. They are light and thin enough to wear all day long in the office and come in a variety of fabric styles such as knit, lace, chiffon and brocade. For the colder climates, they are thin and cool enough to layer under heavier winter coats and for the warmer climates, they are warm enough just to take the chill off as the arms are about three-quarter length. As an example, look at how I am wearing my Maxi dress. I am wearing it as a skirt with a Classic tee and a turquoise topped with a turquoise jacquard Lindsay. Lose the shirt, pull up the Maxi, and now it's a strapless dress with a midcalf length but still work-appropriate because of the Lindsay. 

For sizing, you can see that the Lindsay runs large. No question. I am a full 2X full-figured woman. I have long arms, so long that I need an XL in the Sarah cardigan just for that reason. I am 5'7. I have a 38D bust. Yet, I can wear the Lindsay in the small, medium OR large. I prefer the large because the arms are a little longer and more generous, but if I find a Lindsay cardigan in a color that I like and it is only available in medium, I don't have an issue wearing it as there is a very negligible difference. I have plenty of room in my Lindsay in the back, shoulders, arms and midsection, and the back is almost Irma-length which is perfect for me. The main difference in the sizes is the length; the smaller the size, the shorter in the back. Featured below is a small in gray, medium in green and large in peach.

What I find interesting about the Lindsay from critics is that lace is not a preferred fabric and that girls with narrow shoulders find that they dwarf them. I find it interesting, but I understand why. Lace as a general rule is not thought of as a jacket-type material, which is why I consider my lace Lindsays to be more of accessories than actual jackets for warmth. I think if your thinking adjusts to that frame of mind, that these are layering accessories more than actual jackets or sweaters, you will find that these are more versatile than you think. 

As for the dwarfing, well....you can't change your body's frame, but you can change the way you wear the Lindsay. I have seen Lindsays knotted in the front to bring the bottom up. I have seen Lindsays gathered in the back to pull the the sides back and almost convert it into a shrug. I'm sure that there are other things that can be done with this kimono-style wrap that I haven't even thought of yet. 

One thing for sure is that if you think you might want to have one, even just to keep at the office for those chilly days, give it a try. It's a very warm and soft piece of clothing, there are lots of styling possibilities, and you can buy one as basic and non-frilly as you want or as dressy and lace and feminine as you want. There are lots of jacquard-style Lindsays that are incredibly dressy and can make the most casual of outfits look fancy and dressed up. 

The minimum advertised price (MAP) set by Lularoe for the Lindsay cardigan is $48.00.

If there are any questions about the Lindsay, please post them below. Make it a great Lularoe day!

The Julia dress...the perfect little black t-shirt dress and more!

Black Julia dress

The Julia dress is a very popular one, but is not an easy one to wear due to its close tight fit. It has a clingy fit to it which makes it a very sexy and attractive dress, but it is imperative that the right size be chosen in order for this dress to look absolutely amazing as it does. It can easily be worn alone by itself with sandals for a casual look or dressed up with heels and a wrap for an elegant night on the town. There are even baseball styles that, paired with chucks, can look extremely sporty and fun for the summer. 

I admit that being a plus-sized woman, it took me a very long time to get up the nerve to wear this dress in person, and I still am not completely comfortable in it without a cardigan or another layering piece over it. However, it is an absolutely comfortable and cool dress for the spring, summer or early fall, and with the way that it hugs curves in all the right places, it is very flattering if you are on the curvy side as I am. If you are slender, it is a wonderful draping dress that hangs perfectly straight to the knees for an elegant but not overly dressy look. 

Julia and I have had a love-hate relationship from the first moment I saw her and tried it on. The first time I saw it was on a teenager who was a size 2, so of course, yeah, she looked freaking AMAZING in it. So slim, so cute, just perfect. That's the love part of the relationship.

The first Julia that I bought was this black one, and one of my local consultants convinced me to try and buy it by showing me how you can ruche up the bottom around your waist for a gorgeously elegant elbow-length sleeved top. The Julia is a knee-length t-shirt dress with a flare at the hips, a nip at the waist, elbow-length sleeves, and a hemmed jewel neckline.

Since the Julia dress has a very long fitted bottom, you can wear it with a skirt and ruche the bottom up to the length that you want and the dress will stay as a shirt since it is so clingy and fitted. The ruching technique will hide your tummy if that is a problem spot and it's great to rock with jeans or a shorter skirt and just get your Friday night on. I threw a pair of jeans on to show how it looks with pants. Basically the Julia is a transition piece....you can wear it to work during the day for a professional yet sassy look and then scrunch it up for a sexy top, throw on some jeans, and hit the happy hour! And...look what I can do so I can pretend I'm wearing a Randy! A reader gave me the idea of ruching up the baseball-style Julias so that it looks like a Randy which is really cute over jeans.

Blue/Gray Julia
worn as shirt

Black Julia dress
worn as shirt

 

I was determined to give this another fair shake, and try it on as Lularoe intended it. AS A DRESS. I will share with you that I was SO afraid of wearing this dress out of the house that not only did I not cut off the tags before putting it on, but I made my husband wait to leave for work until I had his stamp of approval on it. And THEN I cut the tags off. 

Black Julia with crepe Monroe

My first thought when I finally put this dress on before work the day that I wore it for the first time was, "OMG, I FINALLY HAVE A LBD!" I felt HOT and sexy ALL DAY LONG! I layered it with a red, fuschsia and orange crepe Monroe, and it was just a fun, sassy day.

Urban Dictionary definition of LBD: "A term used to define a little black dress which most woman possess.The dress is most likely overworn but always seems appealing especially when added with acessories such as bangles and clutch purse."

Chances are, pretty much every woman under the age of 40 has some sort of LBD in their closet. I remember the term becoming much more commonplace when Sex and the City was the hottest show on cable. Sarah Jessica Parker even has a line of little black dresses which you can read about here. 

It's great that I can finally wear this dress and feel confident, thin and sexy in it. Spanx (my new best friend) is a must for me with this dress as it really pulls everything in for a slim, smooth fit. I wear the Power Shaper in nude which can be purchased here from Amazon. I am 5'7 and the skirt of this Julia falls right at my knee line. If I ever had a night to go hit the bars and have some lemon drop martinis with the girls, this would be the outfit! 

However, this dress also exudes class and elegance. When it came time to select a beautiful and flattering dress yet not too dressy for our family portraits, I immediately selected a dark blue Julia dress, which I am wearing with a gray Lindsay cardigan.

For sizing, the Julia runs small. My true size is a 2XL and this is a 3XL. The arms are fitted just like a Nicole dress and an Ana dress if you have ever tried those on. As you can see in the photographs, I have swimmer arms from high school, a large bust from having a child, and I'm clearly plus-size with my problem area being my tummy area. If you are the same, you might want to size up. Trying the dress on in person at a multi-consultant sale or at an in-home pop-up is the best way to determine if this dress is for you (which it is likely is) and what size looks the most flattering.

2XL over 3XL sleeve

If you are buying this untried (and I commend you for being that brave if you are!), I might suggest that you pull out a sweater or a long-sleeved shirt that you are comfortable with between the elbow and the shoulder and measure the height of it. Then, ask the consultant you are buying from do the same thing with the size that you are considering. The booty area and width of the skirt doesn't seem to be an issue for me at all, so I would say that this is true to size. There is a difference between the sleeve width on the 2XL and the 3XL, so if you are a 2XL but would like a little more room in the arms, size up. 

So channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw or Samantha Baker and go out in search of YOUR LBD! Black Julias are not easy to find, but they are out there, and if not, maybe you'll find a pattern or another sexy color or print that really speaks to you! I own Julias in a number of solid colors, but I also love them in prints, with my favorite one being a jeweled-toned print with black scrollwork running through it. Striped ones are also very flattering and cute, and baseball Julias, worn as a shirt or as a dress, are sporty and fun. Julias are available in so many colors, so many prints, florals, geometrics, stripes, baseball styles....there is truly something out there for everyone.  And Julia dresses are great for layering with a lace Joy vest, a Lindsay kimono, a Monroe kimono, whatever you like!

Peacock Print Julia

Jewel-tone print Julia

Brown and red geometric Julia
with red lace Joy vest

The majority of the fabrics that I have seen the Julia made in is the standard Lularoe poly-blend of 96% polyester and 4% spandex, but there are some very soft silky dresses made of 76% rayon, 19% polyester and 5% spandex which drape beautifully. I own two baseball Julias and they are a blend of polyester, rayon, cotton and spandex. The Elegance line released by Lularoe in 2016 did make the Julia dress in a variety of sparkle and glitter dresses that are absolutely gorgeous and still available for purchase if you are lucky enough to find one that didn't sell during the holiday season. Once you find one that seems to be "your fabric", you might just make a note of that and search for other Julias that are the same blend. 

The minimum advertised price (MAP) set by Lularoe for the Julia dress is $45.00. 

If there are any questions about the Julia dress, please post them below. Make it a great Lularoe day!