Heart of Haute Elsa Blouse and Diva Suit

I bought an Elsa blouse (size XL) from Heart of Haute in this nice red plaid as I thought it would look great for the holiday season.   In these photos I am wearing it with a Diva suit in blue also from Heart of Haute (size XL) and also with a Collectif Clothing 50s Fiona pencil skirt in forest green (size XL, UK 16) and Collectif clothing 50s Jean Knitted Bolero in dark green (size M/L).   I bought the Collectif items from Top Vintage.  I was able to get all these items on sale during the Thanksgiving sale period.  To go with the green outfit, I am wearing Pin Up Couture Women’s Dark Green Faux Leather Mary Jane heels (not on sale, could not resist them).  With the blue suit I am wearing some ankle boots I bought from Amazon for 19.99.  Beston E189 Women’s Side Zipper Platform Stacked Chunky Heel Ankle Booties. I am very pleased with all of these items.  The Elsa blouse is fitted around the waist so although I could wear a size L for the bust I was afraid I might have trouble buttoning it around the waist if I didn’t get the XL.   The Diva Suit not only looks elegant it is also the  most comfortable suit I have ever worn.  The material is quite stretchy and the waist band of the skirt does not dig in anywhere.  I wore it all day on a trip to New York City and was very comfortable in it.  The green skirt likely looks shorter on me than it would on a standing person as tighter skirts tend to ride up when you are seated all the time.  It has only a very slight stretch but is still comfortable.  It zips up the back.  I know that some wheelchair users don’t like to wear skirts for various reasons but I love them.  Shoes can be a difficult item for wheelchair users.  They tend to come off when you are getting into a car or just anytime.  Slip on flats do not stay on my feet at all so I usually get shoes with straps or ties, or ankle boots.  The blue boots here stayed on my feet all day, even getting into a car.  The green ones came off getting into a car but the ties on them helped them stay on the rest of the time.   I buy shoes slightly large in case my feet get a little swelling.   I am about 8-1/2 US size so I usually get a 9.  I got the green shoes in a 10 as the reviews stated they ran small. medivasuit12172017

Finding a coat that looks good in a wheelchair can be difficult

Here are a couple that I think look pretty good on me.

If you use a wheelchair, finding a warm winter coat that looks nice can be tricky as I have learned over the years.  Especially a puffy jacket.  Those tend to balloon around you making you look bigger than you are and creating a look that is anything but flattering, like you are sitting in a pile of material.  If the sleeves don’t fig snugly it’s even worse. Long coats have a lot of material to tuck under you and are a pain if you get in and out of them all day.   Last year I bought a down filled black jacket from Express on sale for $100.  See it pictured above with and without a scarf.  I bought a size large and it fits even with a heavy sweater underneath.  It does not ride up too much and the sleeves fit snugly (but not too tight).  It has a detachable hood with fake fur trim.  It’s very warm without being bulky.  The pockets, like a lot of pockets when you use a wheelchair, puff out a little because I’m sitting.  It’s better when I zip them.  I don’t see the same jacket online at Express this year; I do see a longer version.  The red coat is one I bought last month on sale from Macy’s for $100, a London Fog pea coat.  I bought according to my measurements, a medium, and it fits over a sweater, a little looser without one.  It hits at high hip.  The sleeves are not too wide and it gives a nice, somewhat form fitting shape when buttoned.  It’s quite warm, maybe not warm enough for the coldest days.  I had it on yesterday when it was in the 40s to 50s and I was comfortable.  It’s still available at Macy’s online and comes in other colors, including black and navy blue.  It comes with a matching plaid scarf, which I’m wearing in one of the photos.  I’m thinking of getting the blue one.