More than 132,000 followers know Kelly Augustine as an arbiter of size-inclusive fashion. She’s spent the last year transitioning her bold style from our Instagram feeds to the red carpet, styling curve clients including Danielle Brooks and Gabourey Sidibe. “One of the things I’ve found talking to clients is that there is no one that’s really focused on us,” she tells BAZAAR.com about her new venture. “I feel very connected to the work that I’m doing, because I am also a fat woman and a Black woman.”
The past year wasn’t just about making new career moves. It was also a time of style exploration. Augustine, like many of us, found herself wearing fewer heels and more sneakers for a world of hybrid work. But her approach to comfort dressing is more elevated than plain loungewear sets: “If I’m going to wear something that’s comfortable, I still want to make a statement,” she says.
Part of that statement comes from bright colors and exaggerated silhouettes; the other is the story behind the clothes. Augustine exclusively shops from small, Black-owned businesses whenever she can. Clothing that checks both boxes can be limited in plus sizes, but Augustine still seeks them out. “We have come a long way as an industry, but I think there’s still so much more to go as far as inclusion is concerned, specifically around size diversity,” she says. Ahead, Augustine shares the Lucky 13 pieces she would buy more than once—all imbued with her eye for inclusive and emerging brands.
1 Disco Dreams Halter Dress
Zelie for She
“The designer is based out of Los Angeles, and she’s one of my best friends. I love her, but I spend so much money on her stuff! I love that this dress can be dressed up or dressed down. I have it in another fabric, and I’ve worn it with a jean jacket in the summertime. This one you could wear with a fur coat and heels—or whatever you want to wear.”
2 Large Ana Tote
“I actually just learned about this brand a few weeks ago. I noticed that a bunch of my friends in the industry all had this bag. We have our Brandon Blackwood, we have our Telfar, and this is the new It bag, and it’s another Black-owned company.
“It comes in a smaller handheld and in a big tote. If you look at the bigger bag and the way it circles your arm, it’s very visually striking. I love big, exaggerated statement bags.”
3 Cake Batter Lipstick
Pound Cake Cosmetics
“This brand is specifically made for brown tones. Every shade of red addresses every melanin undertone. And it’s matte, but not drying.”
4 Reversible Bucket Hat
“This is one of those brands that’s like, if you know, you know. And if you have it on, we are one. I love this hat so much. It’s another piece that I usually throw on if I’m on set or I’m shopping.”
5 Foxxy Sandal
Kendall Miles
“Again, I’m all about the statement piece. These shoes are great with just a pair of jeans or a black dress. You don’t have to wear much with them, but it looks like you care and got dressed.”
6 Jessie 1.0 Jacket
Samaria Leah
“This brand uses all vintage-sourced materials. I was a judge on a show called Thick House and the stylist for the show introduced me to this brand. Every time I wear this jacket, someone asks me where it’s from.”
7 Pomango [BUTTR]
“My skin gets very dry, very quickly, so I don’t use regular lotion. Vaseline was starting to get a little heavy, so I found skinBUTTR a couple years ago, and it’s really the only thing I use on my skin now. It sells out quickly, but the scents are nice and the consistency stays the same no matter the temperature.”
8 Iconic & Bougie Nail Set
The Editorial Nail
“I’m very much a salon girl, and the first couple months of quarantine, I was struggling. My hands were scary. So there was some experimenting to find a good press-on company. Gracie J is the owner of The Editorial Nail, and she was actually one of my nail techs before quarantine. She really cares about the nail health, so this nail kit has cuticle oils and nice sticks to get everything on and off. This kit feels a little more special because of that, and her designs are fire.”
9 Jane Glasses
Elisa Johnson
“I literally wear these glasses every day. I’m a prescription-glasses wearer, and I want to get a prescription put into these frames. I like them because they’re not as opaque—I can wear them inside, and no one thinks I’m crazy! They’re such high quality. For a long time, I was buying glasses knowing I was going to lose them. Now that I’m spending more money on glasses, I’m really focused on glasses that won’t bend and I won’t want to lose—and this is that pair.”
10 Loryn Print Maxi Dress
“I have a thing for turtleneck dresses, and I wear them throughout the year. With this one, I love the bold, striking graphic pattern. This is also something you could wear with heels or a pair of sneakers.”
11 Drift Sensual Candle
Sensual Candle Co.
“I bring these candles everywhere. This candle travels through the entire house, and you don’t need to burn it for super long. If you do burn it for a while, the scent stays there.”
12 SunGod Earrings
L’Enchanteur
“I’m from uptown. I’m from the Bronx. So for me, all you need is a good pair of statement earrings. I’ll usually wear a bodysuit, sweatpants, and a big pair of hoop earrings, and I feel like this earring is an iteration of that. They’re beautiful, they’re big, and they’re a conversation starter.”
13 DRKSHDW TURBODRK High-Top Sneakers
Rick Owens x Converse
“I’m a Converse girl. I have a cream platform pair that I always wear on set and when I’m running around and shopping. When I saw this Rick Owens pair—this uphill battle that they’re fighting in the front? I love it. It’s this basic shoe that’s just elevated a bit. It’s interesting enough that people will ask you about it.”
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