Stop Looking Rich —

In my maybe not so humble opinion — Looking rich is so boring.

Also, this could have been a Substack post, but alas — I am committed to the bit. 

Have you ever met generationally wealthy people? Like, actually wealthy people?

They tend to have terrible style. Not all of them.

Princess Margaret and Princess Ann tended, and tend to have great style (and are generationally wealthy), as is Paris Hilton, but her mother’s side is from a normal background, and so — there you have it. 

I would say, aside from someone like Princess Diana, who was generationally wealthy but partied with the people and was where the people were, it reflected in her style.

Why?

She always dressed for the occasion, but always remained true to herself. I think her sons and their families also have adopted this as well. 

If wealthy people do come down to our level at any level, at the lower heights of normality, they can usually come off as too pretentious to be taken seriously, just as we look diabolical trying to pretend to look rich.

What is Rich Behavior? Stop Looking Rich

Real rich is buying a $1,500 basic Hanes looking white t-shirt and not thinking much, if anything, about it —

While calling your housekeeper to grab your favorite gluten-free crackers, and having a sit-down lunch at two p.m. to go over a new business plan in a restaurant that people usually save for life’s many milestones.

Being rich, actually rich (like in your bank account), is like living your everyday life, and planning your every day life, as if it is your birthday, your graduation, your wedding.

Every day, meaning that, even if you have a bad day, you can usually go to book something to take the edge off.

Buy your favorite meal, schedule in a massage, stockpile your favorite things to go home and disappear for a few days while you feel better —

Or at least plan a last-minute vacation and pay for everyone you want there to have a chance to be there with you, or to go it alone. 

Wealth gives people options, while tackling the art of being a human, which is already very hard. 

Wealthy people are rarely shocked by opulence, because nine times out of ten, opulence looks tacky.

What people really want is class.

The normies (everyday folk) want class and think the goal is to look rich, while rich people don’t even look rich. 

You can’t buy class, and even very wealthy people rarely have it themselves. 

Regality and class is something you can be taught, but it’s often a sauce you are born with. 

Standards 

I have often thought about the life of a truly wealthy person, and I am not saying it is not for me; I am saying these are the things that would drive me nuts.

Housekeeping…..

In order for something to be clean, I have to clean it myself.

Wealthy people don’t often clean after themselves. That would drive me nuts. 

If I go to a hotel, I have to wipe every surface down with a Clorox wipe.

I always find something that grosses me out, and I cannot wait to get back to my own home. 

For one, I don’t mind a sweep through, but a deep clean —

I would probably trust you if I supplied all my own things, but again, I have standards that I would want to be met with some level or my standards going forward —

Which is why I need to do it myself.

For example, the bathroom needs different cleaning supplies, and the shower, the counters and the toilet all get different sponges and the toilet and shower sponge can only be used once.

I know.

In fact, I hate sponges, and so I love a Clorox wipe after a sponge. 

I sound nuts.

I think I would hire someone just to do it myself, or have them shadow me, and at that rate —

If I have to be picky – a housekeeper for a wealthy person deserves to make well over $100k a year.

That is the LEAST I can do if I have to be super picky, because if you pay people and you trust people, the work you get from them is more genuine and of a higher quality. 

Consider this — If you are Bezos rich, I would say that your house staff should be making MONEY!

If you’re Bezos rich, I think you should give your staff a month off every six months, paid.

Being rich like Jeff Bezos is a true testament to your heart posture.

I think if you are ever afforded wealth like that, that you should host the homeless shelters and work with shelters and job fairs every holiday season. 

In fact, I think you should be going to Congress regularly, not on how to get richer and pay less taxes, but to make America more affordable, with more public services. 

Rockefeller that wealth, and live a better life. My God!

Lack of Privacy

Wealthy people don’t have privacy because their house staff knows too much, and that is why people have to sign NDA’s.

Who would want to live like that?

True wealth is being excited about the mundane things in life and keeping your privacy intact, while still being able to pay your bills.

The one upside to being a normal person is this — you can wear whatever you want, and no one is going to care.

A win is a win!

Normal is a Style Flex

Dressing to look wealthy is as diabolical as it sounds…

Not to mention, it looks off most of the time, if I am going to be honest.

It feels like when someone gets a nose job, and lies about it and says that “actually, that is their real nose.”

It feels like you have to play up this lie by not questioning it further,

and you know it is not because you can see the facial molding that only a plastic surgeon can do. 

Let’s apply this to every facet of your life — if it looks like the lifestyle is wearing you instead of you wearing the lifestyle, it means it is out of alignment and out of your wheelhouse of understanding. 

The social structure of the wealthy is a class most of us would fail. Understandably. So be comfortable with that, while also striving to live out your highest potential. 

You can still do this while dressing to look like the best version of yourself, in clothes you can afford, in fabrics that suit you — that is the real flex.

Wealthy people hire stylists because style is formed by experiences that only real life can teach you, and a runway can’t, and stylists often have that special experience under lock and key.

Name one famous designer who came from opulence and has maintained their brand with other wealthy designers at the helm.

Usually, designers are normal people creating fantasy for the wealthy, while the everyday person is learning how to conduct their own style by creatively shopping and learning the ropes for themselves.

Influencer Culture – Stop Looking Rich

If you had to break down the last decade of fashion, and in particular the last ten, we seem to all want the same things.

Is that why envy is at an all-time high?

People are out here trying to achieve “things” while forgetting to go touch grass.

Before the internet happened, what did you want?

What did you like?

Learn from Your Grandparents – Stop Looking Rich

Clothes were made of a higher quality even thirty years ago, and people took pride in how they dressed.

Today, I would say, we as a society have gotten sloppy.

Lazy even.

Having a higher self-esteem is correlated with a few things.

A clean living space, movement, healthy eating, and dressing well, as it boosts your mood.

Keep these things a part of your rotation.

Never let anyone trick you out of your light, your authenticity, and your spot.

Trust me.

Moths like shiny things, and your light irritates demons, baby!

Let’s talk about the backlash that comes when you take care of yourself and when you operate in your authenticity. 

Life gets harder, actually. People get weirder and pettier, and you need to be prepared for that. 

Authenticity

If you have ever experienced what felt like an abusive dynamic, you may recognize how disorienting it can be, especially when it affects your confidence, resources, or reputation.

In my experience, abusive dynamics often involve attempts to undermine someone’s confidence, resources, or reputation.

I once worked for someone who knew I had a blog, and knew I had dabbled in music, and this person would regularly attack things I was interested in in a weird way. 

This person would make very passive aggressive statements that if you called it out, you would look like you were crazy.

On a few occasions, this person would have their staff send photos of me working to them, or they would take photos of me in weird instances, and once I realized what was going on, I quit. 

I actually quit on the day my grandfather died, one year later, and a few days before his mother’s birthday, in early May.

It seemed like I had his permission to end the cycle on that day alone. A big hug in my mind’s eye, and a stern Gramps stating, “They can’t treat you like that.” 

A family line of hard working individuals had given me an okay to pick myself over the bullshit. God himself had worked a miracle that day. 

I only know it was my grandpa, because one year prior, he had told me that he had died and I went to sleep knowing he had died, and the next morning when my mom went to tell me, I told her that he already had told me before he finally left. 

Looking back, I felt my credibility within the organization had been damaged. In my opinion, some decisions prioritized appearances over the quality of the work being produced.

It did not make sense. It was a waste of that persons money and other people’s time and energy and talent. 

This person would often change meeting times, which felt disorienting with all the mounting projects that also changed daily, from what I can remember.

Being berated for not being on a call or meeting, usually in front of other prominent people in the same field I was working in felt awful, and I felt like it made me look poorly to those individuals, while also feeling like it was discrediting my validity to even be there.

A week previous to my quitting, this individual at hand had a room full of people we worked with closely, and this person basically stated he wished he had filled a position before hiring me for my current role. 

I was scapegoated for the entire breakdown of this persons already incompetent operation and dealings. Every time.

The table fell silent. 

It was a disaster. 

Perception

On top of that, I was hired for my work ethic and ideas, and by the time I had quit, this person had completely shifted my perception of my work ethic to the point that I left the industry altogether.

Working in that career field had led me to meet the WORST types of people I have ever had the displeasure of working with in my entire life. 

That is saying a lot. 

When I was newer to that role, I had this woman who was a few years younger than my own mother, and another co-worker who was closer in age to myself had tell me that the older co-worker took issue with me because I spoke directly and confidently towards her.

I had no idea that was offensive to someone twice my age. 

But seeing as how this woman regularly played passive aggressive games in meetings and in emails —

It was no surprise that a direct communicator would throw her manipulation tactics into the fire.

Work ethic wise, everything I was in charge to take charge of is still not done to this day.

Proving once again —

The problem was never me and that a house of cards will fall on its own, even with the scapegoat gone.  

Looking back…

I felt I was the perfect candidate for being portrayed as someone who could take on the blame for things, during my time there.

This person regularly bad mouthed a colleague and let their staff question the other persons authority, all the time. 

Insecure people do insecure things. 

When I look back at photos of myself during that time period, I look unwell.

I was constantly getting sick, and was Arely able to have a moment to take care of myself. I was constantly on edge. It was awful. 

That was just a year ago, and my brain is still healing from that. 

So while “looking rich” is somehow valued, I beg you to look at what in your life makes you actually rich.

If it’s your bank account, good for you.

Maybe you are wealthy in generosity?

Maybe it’s kindness.

Perhaps it’s entertaining and hosting people.

Lean into your uniqueness, and that is where your wealth is. 

And my final thoughts.

You are NEVER a victim.

You are a human connecting evidence and dots to get you to your success.

Don’t let a group of assholes who hate themselves take your ship down with their own. 

xx.

Nikita 

The post The Real Flex is Personal Style – Stop Looking Rich appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

I tried frosé for the first time a few weeks ago and I needed to recreate it for home and entertaining.

When I asked how it was made at the winery, no one could really give me a straight answer.

The recipe was a mystery.

Thankfully, I think I have solved my own question by trial and error and watching tutorials on how it’s made.

Most frosé recipe’s call for a freezing of the wine itself, which takes time.

Also, I did not have a free container to pour the wine into like most tutorials were showing me.

I needed to get creative if I wanted this to work.

And….I think I have it figured out.

I mean, it tastes delicious.

What You’ll Need – five minute Frosé

• A bottle of rosé
• a blender
• ice
• two cut up medium to large strawberries
• simple syrup
• a lemon
• a glass
• a spoon to stir the mixture every so often as you blend
• a knife to cut the lemon
• one measuring cup for measuring one cup

Frosé Recipe

• two cups of wine
• three cups of ice
• two to four tsp of simple syrup
• half of a lemon ( you can grind the rind with it or just use the juice)

Directions

Use the blender and add all the ingredients. I started with ice, wine, and then loaded the rest in there.

Start by using the blend setting and move to crushed ice.

You may need to stir every once in a while.

Serve cold.

To store put into the freezer in a freezer friendly glass.

Let thaw for five minutes and top with more warm wine to help it melt.

Enjoy.

Items Needed

Select your favorite rosé. I personally think shopping local brands is great.

I also love Barefoot’s rosé and think it works and tastes great. Each of these options run under $10.

Let me know if you enjoy an occasional glass of frosé in the comments.

The post Five Minute Frosé | A Must Try for Summer appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

One way to always feel and look your best is to invest in some affordable matching sets for summer.

In the UK, they call them Co-ords (coordinated sets); in the USA , we are very colloquial about it. 

Anyways, I love a matching set.

It makes me feel like a chic vintage lady, which I equally love.

Matching set’s are so chic, and today we have made them a lot more casual, but you can still find ways to elevate or to break them down into a more everyday, worn-in look.

I will link a previous summer blog post that tackled the same topic.

I still have all of those pieces, I believe. 

But here is the fast link to all the sets I have been loving.

Affordable Matching Sets

My thoughts on all the sets are that they are true to size.

Tricky Sizing With These Sets

The tricky sets were as follows.

The Gap crochet set, size down from your true to size. 

The brown gingham set from Target runs true to size, and you could probably size down in the shorts. If you have a larger bust, size up in the top because the buttons can gap open.

The white Target crochet set is one you may want to size up in, but it could be worth mixing the top and bottom in different sizes that work best for your shape.

If you want a baggier fit in the green-striped vest and pants, size up. I was not disappointed with my choice. 

Everything else is true to size.

You can shop my maevly link, which gives a small commission to the blog.

xx,

Nikita

The post Affordable Matching Set’s for Summer appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

Old Navy for Summer feels like an American staple mixed with a shopping fever dream because their stuff is that good.

My very first pair of Jengo looking jeans were from Old Navy.

I will never forget it. My mom had just gotten back from a trip from Seattle and had gotten me a few things from Old Navy, one item being wide-leg medium-wash jeans with a neon green stripe of fabric that went all the way down the sides.

Very cool for a 7th grader in 1999.

Old Navy has always had amazing clothes, but I think they have really been nailing it out of the park, partly and in large part to designer Zac Posen, who is the creative director for Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. 

All stores I have come to know and love.

Posen and his design team are paying close attention to what works in the marketplace, what works in the luxury spaces, and they are bringing it all to you for a literal fraction of the price.

A win is a win.

The brand has come a long way since being the flag t-shirt store for American families everywhere, and has since embraced its stamp on something more.

Best of Old Navy for Summer

How to get the fit you love from Old Navy.

I would say for the most part, the brand runs true to size.

My go-to buying practices are that for certain things, I will size up, depending on what I think will work best for my proportions.

For example, the linen set is true to size, while I sized up in the scalloped jean shorts and the yellow vest tops because I wanted a looser fit.

You just have to gage how you want the fit to feel on you.

Just because you can order something in your size, does not mean the next size up or down won’t work better for you. 

That is what makes shopping so hard.

Here are the links.

Smocked bodice dress in green and blue gingham (true to size.

Green and white peplum top (true to size).

Green and white matching peplum midi skirt (true to size)

Scoop neck dress. I have this in denim and in the blue and white floral. I bought my true size, but actually I feel like you could get a size up, especially if you want a looser fit, as this design does skim the body more. 

Scalloped jean shorts (true to size).

Lace trim shorts (part of a matching set and true to size).

Front tie lace cami (part of a matching set and true to size).

Mid-risecoulete jean shorts (true to size).

Pointelle cropped polo (true to size).

Sleeveless button-down top. I picked one up in butter yellow and cornflower blue (I sized up).

Gingham button-down top (I prefer a size up).

Scalloped button-down mini skirt (true to size).

Jelly mini tote.

Jelly sandals (true to size). I bought mine in blue and brown.

Black trouser capri pants (true to size).

Drop-Waist Dress in the stripes version that is no longer available.

Apron dress.

Pointelle cover-up.

Best of Athleisure Wear

To be honest, Lulu Lemon, who?

Exactly.

I mean, I get it. They do have cute sets, but I am more inclined to buy from Alo Yoga over Lulu Lemon.

Lulu Lemon sounds like a cartoon character who frolics in the meadows and teaches kids about kindness (and Lulu Lemon is none of those things).

The next best thing is to find affordable options that are Lulu Lemon adjacent is a set from Old Navy, and Old Navy does not disappoint. 

Here are my favorites.

All items are true to size.

The large bra will work for up to a D-sized cup.

Fluid ribbed sports bra. I love this for light support on days when I want to be cozy, but don’t want a full-on bra on. This is great for walks, cleaning the house, and just low-level activities where you won’t be jumping around.

Medium support sports bra, which is great for biking, low-level aerobics, walking, and basically anything that won’t require burpees, because I would personally want a full support bra for that. 

Extra-high power soft leggings are a workout staple. They are thinner than your winter leggings, but they are not see-through, and they do pull cinch you in. 

This light support sports bra goes with the Power Soft leggings. If you do get the set, this is perfect for low-level workouts. Surprisingly, the bra offers decent support. 

Windbreaker. A very functional, lightweight coat option. I just wore mine on a rainy day when I had to go run some errands. I appreciate this jacket a lot as it has so many uses for all kinds of outfit combinations. 

Bounce fleece pull-over, quarter-zip sweatshirt. 

Bounce fleece wide-leg sweats.

Tennis dress.

Tennis skort.

Pajama and Swim

I love this pajama set. It feels much more expensive than it is, and it comes in so many prints. 

Lace trim sleep set.

Swim top and bottoms in pink gingham. 

Ruffle trim swim top in blue with contrast ruffle trim.

Matching bottoms.

Additional Accessories

Mesh tote.

Large carrier bag.

Faux leather wrap belt.

Active crossbody bag. I love mine for travel and the gym. 

Convertible carry cross bag. I love the black and suede option, even the zebra print, tbh. 

Metallic crochet bag.

I hope you found my selections and sizing recommendations helpful.

TTYL.

xx,

Nikita

The post The Best of Old Navy for Summer Fashion & More appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

I feel like 2026 is the year of diverse pant silhouettes.

There are so many, it seems. They are not new silhouettes, but seeing so many at once on the market is nuts. Maybe I have not been paying attention? Maybe this is normal?

I have been intrigued by many of the pant silhouettes that are now making a comeback on the market, and I wanted to share them here.

Wide-Leg High Rise Jean with Rolled Cuff

The first is the Wide-Leg High Rise Jean with a rolled cuff.

I purchased this pair from Banana Republic. 

My first thoughts? This is a high-maintenance jean. If you wash the jeans, the hem is unfinished, so it will fray, which I don’t love.

Also, you will need to iron these jeans to achieve the pants’ full functional purpose.

I think I was a bit disillusioned by the idea of the jean, but I appreciate that I can play around with this style of jean silhouette more. 

These jeans are an easier style to dress up, but if styled too casually, I think they lose their appeal for myself. I am not sure.

Still on the fence about this one.

You can find this style on the Walmart website. 

Wid-Leg Cropped Jean 

I opted for these wide-leg cropped jean in yellow.

Again, I love the idea, but not so much this exact jean.

This style of jeans is actually very stretchy and buttery soft, which feels nice, but doesn’t look as nice on myself, if I am going to be honest.

Both Banana Republic jeans I picked up are less denim vintage feeling and more stretchy, which I was not expecting. 

The yellow jeans are cute, but I think having a harder jean is often a nicer look, especially if you are going to be wearing denim in a colorful way.

I think jeans in yellow and pastels in general are perfect for spring and summer, but I am on the lookout for a harder jean for sure.

You could definitely go on a hike and play sports in these pants.

Balloon Pants

The hammer pants of spring and summer of 2026.

I have been hyped on this silhouette since 2003, when Abercrombie sold a utility cargo balloon pant with a satin tie and a large bow belt.

Obsessed.

If they re-release that, I will be participating in the purchasing of that pant.

In the meantime, Old Navy and Walmart have some great, affordable options. I would size down in the Walmart pants and remain true to size in the Old Navy version.

Coulettes

The long jean shorts meet peddle pushers.

I picked up the dark denim wash from Old Navy.

Very comfortable. I enjoy pairing with a block or kitten heel.

This pair is true to size, but if you’re young, a better fit that looks more like the model, you can size up and wear a belt. 

Capri’s

Revolve and Old Navy have very similar pants, but they have sold out. The trick is a slight flare kick to the bottom of the capri (peddle pusher). I also prefer the black trouser version over a jean version, as I think they look more polished and less rockabilly. 

That’s really it.

Those are the silhouettes I have been embracing for the spring and summer of 2026.

xx,

Nikita 

The post Conversational Pant Silhouettes for Summer 2026 – A Review appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

I have been, and am an avid Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez hater.

That being said, I have used Amazon a handful of times since Donald Trump entered into office for a diabolical second term.

Please be clear. I do not like the man, I do not like MAGA, I do not like green eggs and ham meandering heaux’s. I do not. 

I have, however, been looking at other bloggers of color (BLACK bloggers specifically) and have watched how they have been navigating the space.

The consensus seems to be that the show must go on.

The Show Must Go On for Bloggers as They Navigate & Pivot

My thoughts were solidified when Target was selling Kamala Harris’ book (I know it was done in the book deal, but I was like, if Kamala has a book at Target — I guess I can shop there). That is some weird reasoning, I know. I got weak. The world is skating on thin ice, and I said, I need FASHION that doesn’t break the bank. I caved. 

EW.

I am sorry.

So, while I do not like AMAZON in theory, I have shopped on their website, and I do so fully disliking Jeff, Lauren and anyone who associates with them (I am a McKenzie Scott Stan though), but also, let me get a good deal on some stuff if you are going to be up in the world of mass conglomerations, tacky weddings, bad business practices while running the fashion industry, materials and cities into the ground. 

Go back to books, Jeff. 

Did you know Amazon started out as a book reseller? Amazing. 

How the literate have fallen.

Anyways.

Check out these bags.

These are so fun. So affordable. Only one real dud. Which I will explain later.

I don’t have affiliate links, so I guess it’s a bad business practice on my end. 

But these bags are so fun. 

Affordable, Stylish Bags

These bags are super lightweight, easy to style, and I have to say, I feel pretty great wearing them.

Sometimes, cheaper items can feel cheaper, and you, in essence, can feel cheap wearing them.

These bags obviously don’t feel like real leather, like my Dooney Florentine, but they do a great job of bringing some elevation to a look.

Shop The Bags

Shop this bag here.

My one gripe with the bag was the bad stitching. I had to cut off some that was sticking out, and had to stuff the brown stitching back in when I ordered it, but other than that, it is a decent bag. This bag weirdly feels the cheapest, but when you wear it, it does look elevated. If you do buy it, let me know what you think. 

Currently, this bag is my obsession. She is cute, she’s roomy, and little. I can fit a lot of stuff in here, considering the size of the bag. 

The polly pocket of bags, if you will. 

You can buy this bag here.

This bag is really cute, but it is not lined, and it can feel cheaper, but it does have the shell styling down. It comes with a scarf, but I added my own. 

Shop the bag here.

Loved adding this blue faux leather clutch as well.

You can shop for it here.

On my wishlist sits a bag from Flattered. It’s about $400. I found this to satisfy that itch until I can decide on the color of the bag, and if I will actually use the bag.

This is a really great bag. It has a magnetic clutch, folds over, and you can wear it as a fully long bag, as it comes with chain straps.

You can buy the bag here.

Those are my five bags from Amazon that are affordable and fun.

I really hope you enjoyed this post.

xx,

Nikita

The post Affordable Amazon Handbags Under $50 That Feel & Look AMAZING appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

Back in early March, I started to think about summer, beaches, and vacations — even though it was a bit of a way out then.

Why Cupshe swimwear? I think I was fed a Cupshe ad, and I thought the look of the swimwear being shown to me was cute.

Never had I ordered from Cupshe, so I threw in an order to see what it was all about. 

Cupshe Review

Ordering from the website is quick and easy, with a confirmation email seconds away from when you place an order.

I found the shipping to be fast as well. 

As far as packaging goes, I don’t really remember. I think it was on par with most online orders.

The crochet sets offer decent quality and are not overly delicate. 

Swimwear feels higher quality than most. 

I would absolutely order from them again.

Here is what I ordered. 

What I Ordered

I sized up in all clothing items, but the swimwear is true to size, and a large top will fit a D cup.

X Kasey Anderson Cabana Crush Cover-Up Shorts: While I do love the look, these will cling to any areas you may not love, but they feel very comfortable to wear. I sized up because I hate shorts that ride up. 

X Kelsey Anderson Cabana Crush Cover-Up Top: I love this top. The ties do come undone very easily, but the tassel gold hardware is heavy, so I think it just stands up as a durable set, over a cheaper feeling and lighter set.

Scalloped Neck Cut-Out Crotchet Cover-Up : I like the feel of the fabric, but I will want to see how this holds up against a wet bathing suit, and wear over time. If anything, it’s a decent cover-up for a season.

Cotton High-Rise Cover-Up Shorts : Great fit, comfortable, and lightweight.

Cabana VIP White Shorts : Very comfortable. No notes.

Twinkle Factor Bikini Set : The gold hardware on this bikini is what makes this very classic black, with silver accent stripes, feel and look 100 times better. I think the accented side hardware is super flattering for most body types, and this bikini feels like I paid over $100 for. I am impressed with the quality of this bikini.

Target

These are all true to size.

Woman’s Eyelet Trim Stripe Print Bikini top and matching bottoms : The cut of this top and bottom is super flattering for most body types, and I don’t think you need to have a totally flat stomach to wear this. They also have this in pink. I bought this in blue and black with white trim top and matching bottoms. I would say the quality is on par with anything you would pay over $60 for (that goes for all the swimwear from Target).

Red Gingham Seersucker Tie Top and gingham ruffle bottoms. I just loved the nostalgia of this set.

Daisy Eyelet Ruffle Bandeau Bikini top and matching bottoms. This set feels very early 2000s meets the 80s, and it is super comfortable.

This black one-piece looks amazing.

Crotchet Rosette Mini Skirt Cover-Up. True to size, but if you want a looser fit, try on one size up. It’s either going to work or not work, because the waist is as is — there is no drawstring.

Walmart

No Boundaries Gingham one-piece. I love.

No Boundaries Femme Floral Print Swimsuit. Equally,I love.

I think these two are the winners for me.

That’s really it.

I hope you found this blog post informative and helpful as you start to shop for your summer swimwear.

xx,

Nikita

You can shop the Post on my Mavely page as well.

The post Affordable Swimwear – Cupshe Review with Target & Walmart Finds appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

Affordable Spring and Summer Dresses —

This was a patience fest for me.

I scoured the internet to bring you some detailed research that is both digestible and affordable.

I’ve talked briefly on Target and Walmart, and I will have a few options from Target in this post ..

But I wanted to bring in a site I have never shopped before, and a site that I feel gets overlooked, and have only shopped once, almost ten years ago.

From there, I want to share my style tips for when you find a dress you love, but you don’t love it on you.

As a society, we need to remember that how pieces are sold and created are just suggestions.

Consider how you can adjust it to your desired pace — that is up to you.

You probably have a closet full of clothes you love —

Sometimes we just need to rework some creative edge into those pieces — Also known as styling,

Red Dress

The first site I want to go over is Red Dress. 

It’s an affordable, millennial fever dream, meets Tuckernuck website.

You can brunch, weddings, and look polished in the designs they offer.

Review of First Order & Dress Quality/Sizing

My final review — pay attention to the details in the photo on their website, because they do advertise the pieces as they are. 

My gripe is with the chest size and the unfinished lace on the waistline, so it will be a very delicate piece to keep. 

Another issue I have is something I can fix. Actually, two things.

First, this dress is not in my color season, so I want to get new satin straps put on that are white, emerald, and a pink color in my season. Three options in total…. I want to be able to switch them in and out, so I want to get snap attachments placed in the front and back of the dress (on the interior).

My next issue is that this dress, and perhaps the website in general, does not cater to bigger chest sizes, so while I can get the dress on (it’s a tight squeeze), and I could absolutley use a zipper expander to make more room for my chest area. 

You can see my chest and arm area fighting for its life in this dress — it is a cute dress, but not a total winner for me.

If you have a D cup like me, this dress likely needs an expander.

You can get the dress here. 

Fashion Nova

Holly Madison did a try-on for a video she did a few weeks ago, and it got me thinking — how quality are the dresses? 

They have two dress fashion lines on their website, it seems.

Fashion Nova and Luxe. I ordered from both lines.

If you buy their tweed dresses, I would size up.

Another thing that I experienced, again, is that chest boning in the bodice of their dresses does not cater to larger chests, so again, the sizing is really hit and miss for the chest in their brand of dresses. 

I will say, the lining on most of the dresses is done very well, with minimal support added to the chest area’s.

You can buy the Yara Dress here.

It is size up recommended for bigger chests, and is a comfortable fit. 

Chest Size Inclusion – Affordable Spring and Summer Dresses

Next is a dress I really loved on the website, but it’s probably my least favorite IRL. 

IRL, it did not fit my chest at all, and the chest detailing is flimsy, so it really needs to fit you well in order to work.

If you size up, you will need to get the waist taken in.

You can buy the dress here.

Finally, the Fashion Nova Luxe dress.

This shift dress is a really fun fuchsia pink color, with really structured fabric and lining that does feel more quality than their normal line of dresses.

You can buy the dress here.

I sized up and will need to get it taken in at the shoulders at the very least.

Final thoughts on Fashion Nova dresses — I think they offer great quality, and if you are proportionate in your bust to regular sizing, I think most items should work for you. 

However, if the rest of you fits in a different size and your chest is bigger than that size — it can get tricky.

Quality-wise, I think it is as expected, with sprinkled in moments above expectations, here and there. 

Target Dresses & Styling Tips

I loved these dresses online, but once I got them on myself, I was no longer as enthusiastic.

That is, until I added things to make them more styled to my Kibbe body typed frame, which is a soft classic.

The first dress from Target is this floral, empire waist dress.

Empire Waists & Kibbe Body Type Soft Classics

Empire waistlines do not work well on a soft classic frame, but are better for soft naturals.

I added my grandma’s brooch to one side, and it totally felt more customized to my frame, and brought emphasis to my waist, breaking up my bottom and top half, which is crucial for a soft classic.

Adding Personalized Touches to Mass-Produced Clothing 

I would absolutely wear this dress to a wedding, as it looks and feels more elevated and has both texture at the waist and the bottom half of the skirt of the dress, whereas before, it was textured just at the bottom half of the dress.

Note: Be warned, this August Sky dress took about a month to arrive after it had been ordered, as it seems to be outside the Target distribution brands.

Brooch Styling

Now, how I really want to style it is with two matching brooches, so I will do a blog post about fun accessories soon.

This is my favorite way I think. It looks like it could be very chic. Idk. I will have to play around with it.

Balancing Your Frame with Accessories

The next dress works well for a soft classic, but the sharpness of the collar clashed with the roundness soft classic frames look best in.

The top half also did not fit as loosely with my bust size, so I opted to try it fully buttoned, and then I unbuttoned a few. In a real life situation, I would consider a lace cami or bra that covered any cleavage. 

Cutting Out What Isn’t Working

Next, I ditched the belt it came with, as it looks cheap, and throws off the balance of my proportions —

To make sure I felt my best in the dress, I incorporated a wider belt and added a scarf to the belt area to give more dimension, texture, and depth. 

I would love to try this with a few other belts.

Embracing Roundness, Curve, and Proportions as a Soft Classic

I prefer how the dress looks with the top half unbuttoned more. 

A surprising feature is how well-lined and of high quality the fabric feels.

You can buy the dress here.

The final dress from Target does not have styling. I had to at least try it.

I have to say it is not a great dress for a larger chest. It is cute though.

You can buy the dress here.

Target has some great tiered dresses and satin dresses that are perfect for wedding season, so you should absolutely check those out.

Currently, I have this in my cart.

I will do a best of Target round-up, where I just compile my findings that I have committed to.

Happy shopping your closet, happy affordable finds, and happy styling.

xx,

Nikita

The post Where to Shop for Affordable Spring And Summer Dresses for All Occasions + Styling Tips appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

Well, I bit the bullet.

Well, I bit the bullet. 

I started realizing after I ordered from Target, that because of the boycott, the only thing Target and Walmart can do to differentiate between other high street brands is by bringing the competition directly to them, by using higher quality fabrics.

You would be surprised at how most of the things I have ordered from Walmart brands like No Boundaries and Time & Tru have been over 50% cotton, and how much nicer they have felt from things I have ordered from high street brands like H&M and Zara. I hate to say it. 

But, I said it. 

This should not surprise anyone if you know how racial history works in America. Of course, they would use natural fabrics after a black-led boycott. I don’t know if they were previously, to be honest. 

But after watching black content creators keep on keeping on, I felt justified in my pursuit of finding great things at lower price points. 

I have to say, it is where I thrive, and I really have my childhood best friends late mom, and my late grandmother for teaching me how to shop the best for less, while also not forgetting the bougie grandma who only shopped in department stores.

I hope I can marry the two into a good mix of all things traditions that they showed me, and I think I did a pretty great job.

It does take work when looking at their stuff. A lot of things can look badly done, but you can find that quality anywhere. 

Neon Green Cardigan with Ruffle Details – Similar to Anthropology

You can find the Free Assembly neon cardigan here. I sized up for a looser fit. I tend to always size up for cardigans and jackets.

Similar cardigan in a dark blue and a pink ruffle collar detail from Anthropology.

Chanel Inspired Boucle Jacket & Sling Back’s with Doen Inspired Top – All from Walmart

Boucle Jacket. True to size and fits a bit oversized.

Scoop Doen inspired tank. I bought it in white and neon yellow. True to size.

Chanel inspired Free Assembly blue sling-back block heels. The shoes they offer are really cushioned and very cozy. True to size.

Crew Neck Lace Detail Blouse – AKA a Millenial “Going Out Top Meets Office Attire”

You can find the blouse here. True to size and fits a bit oversized.

Holister Inspired Camo Pants & Anthropology Eyelit Detail Jacket

No Boundaries Camo Pants. Super soft, comfortable and amazing. I sized up.

Free Assembly Eyelet Jacket. I sized up.

No Boundaries crotchet, tie front cami. I sized up.

Honorable Mentions.

Crocs. Super cozy and perfect for spring and summer.

Undecided on these rattan block heels. Harder to style on brown skin. I wish it came in a white shade, but I may paint the shoe? Idk.

Beach mesh tote in purple. A great dupe for the Parker Thatch tote I had been eying.

Cotton Henley tops I pair with pajama bottoms.

TTFN.

xx,

Nikita

The post Spring Walmart Finds that Are Competing with High Street & Exclusive Brands like Chanel appeared first on Bella Kate 22.

I consider maxi skirts to be one of my late 30s closet staples. I really got into it.

Almost by accident. I just gravitated towards what I liked and still like, but how I style my maxi skirts has always been complimented by women of all ages, so —

That must mean I know a thing or two about a thing or two, right?

The Right Type of Maxi Skirt

Skirt lengths can vary, so tailoring a maxi skirt to you and your style needs is the very first step. 

To style any skirt is to always walk a thin line between being too long or too short.

These will be questions you can answer yourself or grab someone else’s opinion (a person that you trust).

Know Your Lines

It helps to know if you want to accentuate certain lines or walk a fine line with balancing lines.

Know Your Proportions

Knowing the types of lines your body always works in is a great way to know how to maximize certain aspects of volume and balance, and knowing when to pull back a little.

Belting

Belting a maxi skirt can be done with over the sweater looks, which looks great in winter, or even belting a vest, which is more on trend for 2026.

I would stay away from exposed scrunched maxi waistlines, as the look can feel unfinished and messy, even. 

If you want to tuck in a shirt with a scrunched waistline, I would belt it to break up the lines a bit. 

A good rule of thumb is that if your shirt is tucked into a maxi skirt, it looks best with a belt, a scarf, or something around the waistline. If the waistline is not scrunched or rouched, you don’t always need a belt.

Styling a Maxi Skirt as a Pants Replacement

How you style your jeans and slacks is how you can typically style a maxi skirt for everyday, and even office wear. 

I really embraced button downs that were more cropped at the waistline. 

Embrace Your Accessories

A peep of a fun shoe, a cute bangle, a small detail, even a brooch to the waistline area, can add so much personalized detail to your maxi skirt look.

Color Combinations

Working with varied color washes within the same color family can make really fun tonal looks, or embracing contrast and tension in colors and proportions can also add a quick way to pull a look together quickly.

How I Style Maxi Skirts

What you will find is that I rarely iron or steam my skirts because I think it reflects my personality a bit more, but when I do want to look more polished, I do iron out items if the mood hits. 

Style should reflect who you are as a person. 

Will you be wearing maxi and midi skirts this year?

Let me know in the comments.

Maxi Skirts To Check Out

Love this maxi skirt with the floral print from Alter’d State.

This stripe maxi skirt is really great for a neutral lover.

Love this tartan maxi skirt as well.

Very updated maxi from Topshop with a burnt orange red and lace detailing at the hem.

As always, I think it is important for you to find what you like, so I will not be finding exact skirt options, but check out my Mavely page, where I link outfit details as I find appropriate.

TTFN.

xx,

Nikita

The post Breaking Down How Styling Maxi Skirts Is As Simple as 1,2,3 appeared first on Bella Kate 22.