B&Lu Review: Alma Top & Belva Leggings

Along with the amazing B&Lu giveaway, Chris also offered to send me some delicious pieces from their current collection to review– the Alma top, the Althea skirt, and the Belva leggings.  While I wait on the Althea skirt to arrive in a different size, I’ll share my thoughts with you on the Alma top and the Belva leggings.

I promise I don’t always smile like a chipmunk.
Alma top; Lane Bryant slim cut jeans; Tolani Scarf (from Manhattanite)

Alma Top:

• I was a bit put-off by the Alma top (and the Colette tops), as the materials were a much more slinky knit than was used in previous collections.  I was expecting a nice t-shirt knit, and instead, got something… nicer.
• It took me some adjusting to get the neckline right.  As a girl who likes to show her cleavage, I felt really exposed in this, simply because I often had the neckline pulled down too far.
• The princess sleeves are amazing. I love how large they are– it makes me feel like a ballerina, and overall, makes me feel very dainty and graceful.
• So, I kind of have this washing machine problem.  You may remember it when I put my Keely shirt in the washing machine in the name of research.  But now I have a fancy washing machine! A fancy washing machine with fancy settings! No simple “Delicates” setting for this girl– I have a HAND WASH SETTING!   So I put the shirt in there.  And while my Colette shirt shrank (and instilled in me a fear NOT to put the other Colette shirt in the washer), the Alma top has remained its lovely hip grazing length.
• My love of this shirt is ridiculous; I seriously wear it 2x a week, and I’ve since ordered it in purple and in the lace version. When other versions come out? I’ll probably order them, too.  They really are, in my mind, a perfect, basic top.  Great for every event & weekend.

Alma top; Miss X Crest Necklace; Alloy skirt; Belva leggings; Corso Como shoes; Tarina Tarantino bracelets

Belva Leggings:

• Leggings are a necessity in my life. I can’t stand, for both comfort, modesty, and body image issues, wear a skirt or dress without SOMETHING underneath, be them boxer shorts, leggings, or tights.  However, finding funky and playful tights in plus-sizes can be hard.
• I’ve worn the Belva leggings out twice now, and gotten compliments on how cool they were both times.
• Two wishes for/complaints about the leggings: I wish they were longer (they come mid-calf to right below the knee on me), and I wish there were more stretch in them.  The seams around the leg openings get “loose” depending on where they leggings sit.
• For girls who may have leg sweat or chaffing issues– in wearing these all day for two whole days, they were great at prevention of those, all while being a bit cooler and more cozy than tights or full cotton leggings.  My only worries were panty exposure when combined with my Spun wrap dress– the dress kept flying apart in the wind!