Bright, Blue And A Little Different!

In the past year and a half I have been on such a fashion adventure! Journeying through different cultures, colours and fabrics and still finding new things to excite me with each passing day! I will be honest having so many options is strange to me and it's most definitely a new and liberating experience. Being a plus size woman and not having many options with what clothing was available to me is what I have been used to for so many years. Now to be spoilt for choice is a very welcome and refreshing experience! 

Even though I am enjoying my time playing dress up there are still so many items that catch my eye and that can be down to small details, colours and cuts. This gorgeous cobalt blue top (size 4) is from Pure Energy; a US brand available at Target and various online outlets. Unfortunately this top is no longer in circulation but it may be worth checking out ebay or some other sites to see what there is in the plus range. Many of the items are really nice options for office wear or if you want to find an interesting separate. I really like the lace front detail on the chest and thought it gave an otherwise simple garment that little extra something...

Paired with this black kilt from Asos Curve size 26 (also unavailable). I think this was a casual yet fun look for me. Admittedly the skirt could be a size smaller to sit firmer on my frame but I quite like the looseness in the fit. Sometimes it feels good to have something skim your frame rather than hug it. As my arms are quite big, the sleeves of the top are a little snug so the contrast in fit was nice for me. 

I really enjoy wearing skirts that are knee length or just that bit longer. My reason for this is that they work really well with my body type. Fitted skirts sometimes have to be up-sized because of my behind. They tend to ride up a little and in order to maintain a good look and fit I often look better a size a bit big. Having said that this isn't an issue that I face when I wear A-line skirts, skater skirts and kilts as you can see in these pictures. 

I decided to keep it really simple with accessories and just wore my twisted silver hoop earrings. Earrings are an accessory that I wear every single day and without them I feel as if something is slightly off. I can go without necklaces, bracelets and other additions but the tools that decorate my ears are a must have! 

A simple pair of low ankle boots from Evans were my shoe of choice and my look was complete. A little extra height and I was on my way. These boots are no longer available but check out the site to see what new lines are available as there are some really nice ones. 

I like those outfits that can be worn at work or on the go. In the fast pace life that we live these days it's near impossible to have the time to go home and change for a chance meeting with friends or whatever. 

Play around with your wardrobe. It can be fun to have a selection of funky separates that can form several different outfits. In my case I look out for many blue items what with it being my favourite colour and all. If any of you have found a fun way to play around with a kilt and put your stamp on the traditional Scottish item I would love to see what you've done. Feel free to send me an email or drop me a message on my Facebook page.

Play around, take risks and remember, whatever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile! 

Breaking All The Rules!

I hate that society feels that people can be told how they should dress. Fashion isn't just about fabrics you throw across your body; we are able to express ourselves and experiment through the way that we dress. Those of you who are familiar with my style will know that I tend to wear whatever takes my fancy. I own glamorous and traditional pieces, modern and edgy items and I have a deep affection for vintage clothing. Having said all of that I hate reading comments like "big girls shouldn't wear stripes", "those fabrics aren't flattering on a bigger girl" etc. etc. In truth I have seen people of all shapes and sizes wear clothes that perhaps the wider majority would disapprove of and whilst some things may not be to my taste I love that people feel free and experimental with fashion. 

Sometimes it's fun to play around with how you mix and match clothes and I like to do this a lot. Through experimentation I have started to find out what really works for me and what I feel great in. When I pulled this outfit together it was with the help of my good friend Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge. I love her sense of dress and the way that she puts separates together. I said to her that I really want something unpredictable to go with my pleather waistcoat from Yours Clothing size 22/24. 

She let me try out her pleated midi skirt from F&F clothing by Tesco size 22, and I absolutely loved the look and fit of the garment. Unfortunately this print is no longer available so I was lucky enough to be able to borrow Hanna's. What I like about this skirt the most is the length. Very reminiscent of a 1940s-1950s tea skirt I was instantly drawn to this one. What made it different to skirts from that era was the chiffon fabric used. Usually we're told that horizontal stripes for big girls is a definite no no but I have to say to whoever made up that rule, I think they're crazy! Some people think that wearing stripes in that direction can make a person look a lot wider than they are. In my opinion I think that as long as the fit is OK this isn't going to be an issue. I know one thing it hasn't stopped me from picking out items with the classic pattern. 

Paired with an oversized tee shirt from Zizzi I found the winning outfit. Sometimes I like going for minimalist colours and sticking to black and white and that's actually one of the things I enjoy most about this look. I think what's cool about this look is that even though it lacks in colour, it has a lot going on. With a mixture of fabrics from cotton, chiffon and pleather there are many different elements which come together to form the final look. From vintage pinup to rock chick I think the combination is fun and fresh and definitely a look I will try to replicate in the future. 

I decided I would keep accessories very simple and wear a simple drop necklace with lilac colour disk and my signature hoop earrings. Any style of classic black or white shoe would have worked for this look but I opted for a simple ballerina pump. 

The more I build on my style repitoire and the more I discover about what's available on the market; my desicion to just do whatever I want is made. I see some of the most gorgeous garments out there and I won't cut my nose off to spite my face by leaving items on the racks just because I have been told by society that I shouldn't wear a certain fabric or print. As I have mentioned in previous posts you may see an item and not know what to do with it but you never know a look may present itself to you or you may decide to play around and come up with the perfect outfit.

Play around, take risks and remember, whatever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile! 

Black Magic And Gold Dust

So, we're now at that strange time in the year when the days are getting shorter, the sun doesn't seem to want to make that much of an appearance and we are forced to start covering up again.

I personally prefer summer to autumn and winter and I always will. It's nice to be able able to wear bright and garish colours, bold prints and show a little skin. Having said all of that my aim this year is to have a little fun with my warmer wardrobe. Cute hats, scarves and funky adornments might be the way for me to go when it comes to adding that extra style and flair to my sense of dress this winter. 

I hate to say it but I have now had to start wearing my jackets and jumpers and other winter warmers. I think it's fair to say that summer is pretty much over and any day of sunshine and heat we get we'll need to make the most of! 

I was going through my clothes when I started to feel that sudden chill in the air and I dug out this gold studded jumper from Primark that I purchased last year. I initially bought this when I was looking to add a little sparkle into my wardrobe. This size 20 jumper is really spacious and is just the right length to cover my behind. The thing I like about items with bold prints or with adornments is the fact that they become the focal point to the outfit. Often they can take away any need to accessorize or they can help you in the selection process. I really enjoy the dusting of gold studs I think it brings an element of fun to an otherwise simple piece. 

I like keeping it simple sometimes and I thought it would be cool to pair this jumper with my wet-look leggings from Scarlett & Jo size 24. They are so comfortable and stretchy and they are high waisted which is always a bonus because then you don't get the dreaded "double belly" that can happen when the waist band rests too low. 

This simple outfit is a nice one for this time of year when you may not want a coat or jacket but might feel the need to have that additional coverage for comfort and warmth in this weather. For a evening walk in the park I found this to be a really comfortable wear and it got me thinking that I need to pick up some more jumpers. 

I thought that I would pair the outfit with my Joe Browns boots from Fashion World. I wanted shoes with a touch of gold and as these boots have studs that compliment the jumper they were an easy choice.

My signature hoop earrings and my lovely necklace were also a no brainer as I wanted a simple look with no added colours.

What I really like about this look which I never paid attention to until I looked at these pictures is the fact that from the back it looks as though I'm wearing a plain black jumper and simple leggings. When you see the ensemble from the front there's loads going on with gold sparkles and the wet look shimmer on the front panel of the leggings. I think when it comes to fashion sometimes the element of surprise can be fun when someone is wearing something different to what you expect lol. 

Have a look in your closet and see what might work for you during the change in the seasons.

Remember whatever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile! 

A Little Extra "Legroom" A Fashion World Review

When it comes to style we ladies all have those essentials that get us through the seasons. During the colder months of the year we have to adjust to the harsh chill in the air and the wet and dreary days. We are forced to take on a different approach when it comes to putting together our outfits and we can often find ourselves caught short and left with fewer options, especially when it comes to footwear!

When Fashion World approached me and asked me if I would like to try out a new range of boots that's coming to their AW14 collection I jumped at the chance! Many women struggle with boots; some have problems finding the right foot width others struggle to get a pair that will zip all the way up on the calf. These are the issues that many plus size women face and often we can be faced with both issues at the same time... 

The new Legroom range is a sleek and stylish collection of boots that not only has us set to tackle the cold and wet weather but allows us to do it with that style and finesse that we all enjoy. Finding a spacious pair of knee high boots is a tough challenge for a plus size woman and for me the hardest thing is finding something that's not too plain in the style and has the comfort and fit that allows me to enjoy my day. No one wants to have to carry a pair of flats with them to avoid the burning sensation in the feet when there is just too much of a squeeze. With a selection of different width and calf fittings there is something for everyone and a fairly big range of boots to choose from. 

I was really excited to receive such a sleek and interesting pair of boots. In most cases I tend to find a lot of the boots available for plus size women practical with not much else going on and often lacking in the style department.  The Chain Detail Boot has a style that is right up my street. The sheen on the leather and the gold chain and buckle were a really nice touch and I already knew which items in my wardrobe I could pair with them.

I'm really pleased to say that when I first tried these on they fit like a glove and the spacious room in the boot itself and around the calf made for a very enjoyable wear. I have worn these out and about and at work and never have I found myself in any discomfort at all. What pleased me even more so was the fact that I had enough extra room in the calf of the boot to wear these with jeans. Having the option to wear these with pretty much anything is a big draw for me and makes these an item I look forward to wearing during the upcoming months. 

The gold adornments with the buckle and chain add that extra something that I like, giving me another element I can pull from in putting an outfit together and I will most likely wear these boots with some gold jewellery as an accompaniment. 

If you are looking for something this coming autumn and winter that will suit your style requirements and feel amazing on then you really should give a pair of boots from the Legroom range a try. I can honestly say that they feel amazing on and the quality of the boot is really good. I have gone on several long walks in these and they still look just as new as when I first took them out of the box! 

You don't have to sacrifice on comfort or style to look good and feel amazing in the process!

* These boots were a gifted item.

Maximise With A Maxi

Do you ever find yourself searching for a specific kind of garment? Maybe you want something for a particular event or season? In my case I was on a quest for the perfect maxi dress. It seems that having a good maxi dress is just as important as having the perfect LBD in your wardrobe and with the holiday season here and the temperatures soaring, my eyes have been well and truly open as I scoured websites and stores looking for a dress that was just right!

I wanted something that would suit my style, needs and my taste in colour and fabric. The lovely Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge showed me a dress by Lovedrobe that she had recently gotten which I instantly feel in love with! The length was just right; adequate to wear with flats, wedges and heels. The silky soft fabric was light, airy and flattering on her and I knew this was one I wanted to pick up for myself. 

One of my concerns was trying to find a dress that I felt supported my breasts. So many maxi dresses have halter-neck ties or elasticated stretch material in that area, which is fine and looks good with the style. In my case I like to feel a dress mould around my bust and provide a little extra support. The thin straps are adjustable, giving you the option to wear the dress in a more fitted fashion (as I have in these pictures) or looser for comfort. The built in cups sit nicely against my shape giving me a full and elegant look.

I really wanted a dress with splashes of colour and this black maxi with splattered print in coral, pink, yellow and peachy tones is something I would wear out and about for drinks or enjoying myself in the sunshine. The waist detail and side ties pull you in at the middle giving a nice lift to the bust and comfortable sweep of the skirt. I picked this dress up in a size 26 as the area around the cups is rather fitted and it would have been too tight had I selected something smaller. Depending on the size and shape of your bust you may be able to downsize in this one as the skirt of the dress is very roomy.

I last wore this dress on a seriously hot day and despite the base colour being in black I felt really comfortable. The light fabric made this a perfect selection for such a sunny day in London. The interesting feel about the material of the dress is that I know I could have worn this dress on a cooler evening and still felt comfortable in it. To me the fabric of the dress feels rather adaptable and would be a comfortable wear for most temperatures during the summer and early autumn. 

I wanted to wear a simple shrug with this one. This was in an effort to avoid gaining thick tan lines from the straps of the dress and my bra. If I were to wear this out one evening, I would most likely wear a light jacket in black to compliment the fabric and offer a little additional coverage. 

For a dress with such a bold print I wanted very light and simple accessories. I played around with the colour pallet of the dress and so I opted for the Raffia Clutch from Simplybe and netted ballerina shoes from Primark. Feathered jewellery added those finishing touches I like and I feel that they worked well with the print in the dress.

The great news about this dress, it's on sale! You can pick this one up at Evans where I got mine at an amazing £30 reduced from £50. If you like this one I would definitely recommend it. It feels amazing on and the style is simple and elegant. With just the right amount of colour this is one that works perfectly for the current season. I look forward to taking this one with me on holiday where it shall make an appearance at the beach! 

Remember what ever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!