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! 

Bright And Bold!

I really think it’s important to find a style that suits you and makes you feel fabulous. When it comes to fashion and trying to find your own look I think it’s important to play around with different looks. A friend of mine once spoke about how she felt when she was shopping for her wedding dress and she told me that she was advised to try on absolutely everything in the store. She had previously walked into the boutique expecting to wear a long and slender gown, in the end she opted for a poofy dress that  looked absolutely amazing on her! So it goes to show you; when it comes to fashion we need to adopt the mindset that we used to have as kids when we were playing dress up, try everything! The thing to remember is that you won’t know how it will turn out or if you will like what you see unless you experiment.

A little over a year ago I had just started to discover my favourite fashion styles. I knew what colours I liked to wear and what I felt comfortable in. Since starting my blog I have made it my mission to push my style vocabulary more so and be as edgy as possible. I really enjoy having a wardrobe that is full of classy and chic items, comfortable and safe looks and more edgy options. I think it’s good to have clothes that can fit any possible event or occasion. I used to hate buying clothes with a searing passion! The only shopping trips I enjoyed were for music related items or pretty much anything other than clothes.

As some of you may know from previously viewing my blog I am keen on sheer materials and pleather at the moment. I thought that to pair this tartan print shirt and pleather skirt from Simplybe would be a fun look. For me I like items that are versatile. I wanted to have an outfit that was fun, popped and could be worn both at work or in a more fun setting. Since coming into the plus size community I constantly see pictures and articles about how “fat” women are supposed to dress and I’ll be honest with you, I don’t see why everyone is so concerned about how other people dress. We are told to follow a series of rules when it comes to our attire and I seem to keep breaking them, and I'm having fun doing it...

I thought I would be a little more girly with this look so I pulled out my black heels and thought that tights would fare better with the style. The loose fit shirt is actually a pretty decent length and is one that I have worn with jeans and leggings also. For me though I quite like to tuck tops into my skater skirts. I find that the outfit is the bit more together and structured and when I put certain items together they sit better on my frame that way.

I thought to finish off the look I would keep it simple. As the shirt is so bright I wanted simple silver accessories this time around. Of course my signature hoop earrings made an appearance, as well as simple silver bracelets. I really enjoyed wearing these items together despite the fact that they are rather loud and made me stand out a fair bit. I was a little out of my comfort zone but in a good way and I definitely felt good for having pushed my personal limits once again.

Remember whatever you wear, do it with a smile! 

Introducing...Plus Size Mannequins

There has been a lot of talk about fashion; where we are with it, where it’s heading and what the possibilities are for the future. When it comes to the way we buy our clothes various different stages come in to play.When I buy my clothes I don’t just buy something because I like the look of it. There have been many times where I have had such a bad experience with a company that I have vowed to NEVER put my money into their tills again, despite wanting something that only they are selling. For me I like to know that I am getting a good service as well as a good product and it’s not only the big details that come into play when I am parting with my money but those little added extras that makes me as a customer feel valued.

Model Denise Bidot poses with an average size mannequin. The beautiful Latina models for various companies such as Forever 21 and Macy's. For years she was working in the industry behind the scenes doing hair and make up and was later given the opportunity to work on the other side of the lens.  It makes you wonder though if the size of this mannequin is how the average women as represented, then no wonder it's taken them so long to even consider working on a plus size one!

For years I have struggled with buying my clothes because I simply can’t envision how something might look on me when I see it in the stores. There has been a lot of talk about plus size mannequins lately and for some reason many people are totally against them. I personally think it’s a great idea that we are finally bringing in mannequins to wear the clothes that are designed for a person with a fuller figure. There are so many companies who have now expanded their range and introduced plus size clothes and even more are popping up all over the place who specialise in dressing larger women. 

For many plus size women the simple task of buying clothes can be rather traumatic. Bright florescent lights, minimal size options and often sales people who can’t sympathise with some of our shopping problems can make the experience of shopping one that we really dislike. I am so pleased to say that things are starting to make positive changes. I am used to walking into stores and seeing the larger clothes thrown onto mannequins that are a size 8-10, sometimes 12. I have to say they don’t help me in the buying process. I like to see the clothes hang correctly and when the garments are made from a size 14-32 and higher I think to give us larger mannequins can help enhance the look of the clothes.  Some people think that the idea of larger mannequins is strange and puts out the wrong message. In my opinion I think that we should feel comfortable to use them in the plus size section of the store and stick to our standard size figures elsewhere. This way everyone can enjoy the shopping experience and the clothes can look their best.

Plus size model Laura Wells is pictured next to a mannequin that was created against her very own proportions. This doll is seen in lingerie departments for Australian stores Myer and David Jones.

Well known department store Debenhams were one of the first companies in the UK to try out the Plus Size mannequin and on the whole it was well received. Of course some people were sceptical but that's to be expected in all honesty. I think that if anything it will help companies better display the clothes they carry in larger sizes. Many people will have negative views on it but I think that's to be expected as with anything new or different that a company may be trying out. 

I really believe that everyone has the right to look and feel good in what they wear and that should also be the case for purchasing the clothes in the first place. I would like to think that someday in the future we see plus size mannequins for men, and even disabled mannequins. We all come in different shapes and sizes and there really is no standard look for anyone so we should be aiming to work with as many different looks as we can. We have mannequins of different racial groups, with a variety of hair types and from wide selection of ethnic backgrounds. I think this is another positive step into showing our diversity and I look forward to seeing more of them in department stores everywhere.

Barbie, A Doll Or Much More?

Over the past few weeks I have seen a selection of images floating around on social media about a plus size Barbie doll. I personally I have refrained from putting out my opinion on the plastic figure but the more I see the image the more it gets me thinking.

Mock Up Image Of A Plus Size Barbie Beside The Standard Sized Doll

Image Taken From Google

Barbie is one of those images that we all recognise and many of us women have had a Barbie doll given to us at some point in our lives. I had a collection of them when I was younger all dressed in different styles ranging from the classic princess, secretary, mermaid and several others. The one common factor with these toys is that they seem to showcase a certain kind of beauty and sex appeal that we drum into our kids from a seriously young age. The blonde bombshell with sizeable boobs, curves and a face covered in make up are what we are used to seeing. I personally have never had an issue with the Barbie image…………...until recently.

There was an article that popped up on my Facebook news feed I have to say I was totally shocked! There is actually a woman who idolises Barbie and is planning to live on nothing other than air and sunlight! When I read the article I was startled and shocked. Valeria Lukyanova has taken her obsession with Barbie to dangerous heights.

She not only wanted to look like Barbie and does her hair and make-up in a way that makes her look artificial but she pretty much wants to be the embodiment of the character. She was recently quoted to say ‘In recent weeks I have not been hungry at all; I am hoping it’s the final stage before I can subsist on air and light alone’. For me this is seriously dangerous, this goes beyond trying to dress or do your hair like the doll but trying to have a doll like figure which I would imagine is seriously damaging to her physical and mental health.

Here are just a couple of pictures of Valeria Lukyanova.

The Ukranian Model who has been dubbed "The Real Life Barbie Doll"

Images Taken From Google

Barbie has for a long time been a figure of inspiration for women who are aiming to achieve a certain image. I don’t have any issue with that but I do have an issue when it starts to become dangerous. I would hate to think of girls curled over the toilet bowl in their bathroom doing harm to themselves to reach an ideal that was set by a plastic doll. Image is so much more than the way we look. We can be affected emotionally and mentally by trying to reach certain standards set by our society and as I have previously stated on other posts, I think the most important thing is to focus on our health and fitness.

Earlier on in this post I previously touched on the current conversation circulating social media about the idea of a possible plus size Barbie doll. When the mock up image of the plus size doll featured next to the standard doll first surfaced online, it got some seriously strong reactions! Many people have been wondering if toy companies should join in the debate about image and size by creating larger sized toys, or if they should remain as they are and continue to conduct business in the way that they have been for many years.

The doll had people up in arms as many felt that it was promoting an unhealthy lifestyle to our kids. Some felt that the look and image of the doll was a bad representation of what some bigger women look like. A common view was that the double chin on the figure was taking things a bit far and that perhaps a happy medium could be reached. Why not create a doll of slightly larger proportions to the current doll that we have without the image that the plus size toy presented?

For me the whole thing has got me thinking about what images we push forward to the children of today and how it impacts their thoughts when it comes to their own self worth and body image. 

As you know I am all for being happy and confident no matter how you look and I think  that perhaps if we did have more toys of different colors and sizes there may not be such a rigid ideal set forward as to what constitutes as beautiful. After all don’t we all have different tastes when it comes to beauty?

I would imagine that trying to promote a healthy body image for a toy company might be a tough thing for them to achieve. The Barbie doll is distributed worldwide and each country has different statistics for their average dress size. I think that either way the focus should always be on health and fitness. I guess what alarms me is that something I always considered a simple toy comes with a lot of extra baggage related to image and beauty. 

I would be interested to hear what you think about the subject so please drop me a message or comment below.

What Is It Really Like To Be A Fat Girl?! Cosmopolitan Magazine Asked, I Answered...

Recently there has been a lot of talk about what fat people go through, what we look like and how life might be like as a fat person. Cosmopolitan magazine decided to go and find out for themselves and spoke to 2 plus size women. They had a frank and honest discussion about what fat people go through and asked a series of questions to get the bottom of all the myths and mysteries surrounding us.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/_mobile/sex-love/advice/fat-woman-real-talk

Claire (Chattermonkey) www.amonkeyfatshionista.co.uk thought it would be interesting if the plus size bloggers out there answered them too.

So here goes.......

How do you feel when other women around you complain about feeling/being fat? 

I have mixed feelings about this to be honest. I understand how it can feel to not like the way you look and when people constantly put comments your way, it can make you feel pretty bad about yourself. The thing is I am of the mindset that if it really is that much of an issue then you should try your best to change it if it would make you feel better about yourself. It's a double edged sword as losing weight isn't easy. 

How has your body image changed since high school? College? 

For me quite a lot. I was the only fat one in my class, and one of the only fat people in my everyday life. When you're the different one in the group sometimes things are amplified. As I have gotten older and my priorities have changed so has my outlook on things. 

Have you tried dieting? What happened? 

Who hasn't? In all seriousness yes I have. I have tried soup diets, weight watchers, cutting out everything I enjoy, keeping food diaries you name it I've pretty much tried it. I hated dieting, for me I found it so difficult to stay motivated and to keep on track as usually everyone else around me was eating normally and I was the one having to write down everything that went into my mouth in a journal. I did lose weight but I always hit a point where I would fluctuate between a pound or 2 despite having a large amount of weight still to lose. In all honesty the experience left me with the understanding that a total change of the mindset is required in order to make such a change to my appearance and lifestyle. 

Do you think in your case your weight is partly or entirely genetic? 

I couldn't accurately answer that question. I only grew up having known one side of my family and this side is full of slim and trim people, but I am of the understanding that some of the women on the other side of my family are larger in size. My mother did tell me when I was old enough to grasp the concept of things that I had had a difficult birth as my umbilical chord had been broken for a length of time before I got here. She said that the doctors had told her I may or may not have a weight issue, apparently I could have gone the other way and been under weight. I don't think this is the reason in all honesty as I have had issues with food over the years but I found the theory an interesting one. 

Do you consider yourself healthy? Have there been instances where people assumed you were unhealthy? 

To a degree but my health could be better! I won't lie if I have to run for a decent amount of time I do get short of breath but having said that my weight has never slowed me down I can and do walk for hours and not get tired. I have always been pretty active but I do think I could take some steps to improve my fitness. 

People often assume that you are extremely unhealthy and often get shocked when they see you stretch or do something flexible lol 

Are your parents both supportive of you at the weight you're at? Have they always been? 

I think it can be hard for a parent if they see their child being bullied or ridiculed because of their size. In my case I am the only large person in my family so no one could relate and provide the support that maybe someone like myself could provide. If you have been through it, been called the names, had the sterotypes pushed at you etc. then you are able to really guide someone who's been through the downside to being fat. 

My family always tried to be there for me when I needed them to be and always tried to encourage me to do what makes me happy which for many years was trying to lose weight. 

Now that I am at the point where I know one day I will go down a size or 2 but I am happy and confident, they are pleased to see me really making the most of how I look now. I will have to lose some weight for health reasons one day but at the moment all is well from my family.

How do you think retailers can improve clothes for plus-size people? 

Plus size brands really have come on in leaps and bounds! I remember having to wear clothes that people 20+ years older than me would wear when I was a teenager. All my friends could look trendy and sexy and wear what the in styles were and I had to pick up whatever I could squeeze myself into and try and make it work for me! 

There are so many companies now that cater to us bigger women and they are taking the risks that society would tell them not to take. If you were to leaf through my wardrobe you would find bold and brashy prints, stripes in all directions, a collection of colours, figure hugging dresses, 50s vintage styles and everything else in between. I used to HATE buying clothes and shopping, the experience was always a miserable and traumatic one that had me searching for things in a catalogue rather than hit the high street just so I could avoid the discomfort of being in those awful changing rooms with the lights that make you look like a bumpy cauliflower lol. OK I'm being dramatic there but seriously those lights flatter no one! 

Do you think plus-size women are judged differently than plus-sized men are? How? 

I hate to say it but yes I do sometimes. I think that plus size men have an awful time of it to be honest, I mean they have a much smaller selection of clothes stores to cater to them for one thing which I assume can't be much fun. 

I think they assume that plus size men are all couch potatoes who don't do much else but eat! People really need to get a clue and look beyond the stereotypes sometimes. I would like to hear a larger man answer this question actually, it's got me curious to hear what he might say...

Do you think there’s an assumption made/stereotype that exists about plus-size people? How would you respond to it? 

One thing that I think comes across a lot is that people think that we bigger people are all dateless, sex starved individuals who are so desperate that we'll take the first thing to come along lol. This is so not the case! I can only speak as a plus size woman and I find that people think that we all read those god awful tabloid magazines and follow every fad diet out there to try and look like our smaller counterparts and what ever celebrity is flavour of the month.

I would welcome someone of that mind set to spend one afternoon with myself and some of my friends and get a serious education on what "really" is the case there.

Do you think there’s ever a right way or time to express concern about someone’s weight? 

That is the million dollar question. It's a tough one because how can you say it without either offending someone or pissing them off? Being fat for very few people is a choice and many have struggled for a very long time to lose the weight. I believe that no matter what you tell someone until they decide "enough is enough I want to lose the weight" you just need to support them in whatever their situation may be. I think if they are seriously ill and it is causing an immense problem then of course you may be tempted to say something. The thing is when I was a smoker that was seriously bad for my health, I developed a smokers cough, was spending too much money etc etc. the only thing is it wasn't until I had decided that I wanted to quit that I was able to kick the habit for good! I believe the same can be said for weight loss, leave it up to the individual and be there to support them either way. 

What are the worst things people have said to you about your body? 

In all honesty nothing that I wasn't able to brush off. Usually I would get a you're so fat joke of some kind or be compared to something spherical. The funny thing is people think they're being original and you've always heard the comment from someone else before hand.

How did you respond? 

I often laugh along with the joke which usually throws people off as they expect you to cower off in the corner and cry or something lol.

At the end of the day I am fat, I know what shape I am and what dress size I wear. Do people really think they're telling me something I don't know?

What have people said (or do you wish they’d say) that would compliment your body or appearance?

A lot of people have said to me that even though I'm fat I have shape, which I kind of take as a back handed compliment, of course I have a shape no one is shapeless.... 

I often get told I dress well and know what suits my frame. 

The worse thing is when people say something like you look good for a fat girl or you'd be so much prettier if you lost weight lol. 

Are they trying to say that fat people don't and can't look good? Perhaps I should introduce them to some of the ladies I know if that is the case! 

Do you find yourself hanging out with women who are closer to your size?

Only recently. I am used to being the only fat women in the group. It's only since I became a blogger and entered the plus size community that I have made friends with women who look like me. I had 2 fat friends when I was growing up but they both lost weight in their teens. 

How has your weight affected your sex life, if at all? 

I have never had a problem getting a boyfriend. In fact I was the first out of the girls in my group to start dating lol. Every guy I have ever dated has been different to the last one. 

When you've been single, has your weight affected your dating life?

Not at all. I have always had offers and have always been picky when it comes to men. I'm lucky enough to be in a fantastic relationship with an amazing man and my weight has never been an issue at any point or a topic of discussion for that matter. 

Do you feel weird if the guy you’re with only dates larger women? 

Not at all. I know some men that like bigger women just because it's their preference. I have stumbled across a few men (on social media) who have this weird fetish about big women and have some strange preconceived ideas about how it might be to either date or sleep with a big women but I have never met one. 

Do you feel weird if he's only dated slimmer women before you?

No not really. Any confidence issues that may have come up in the past have been because of things in my head and previous experiences resurfacing. Never has it been an issue. 

Check out what claire had to say and some of the other bloggers out there!

Claire	http://amonkeyfatshionista.co.uk/
Naomi	http://www.diamondsnpearls.co.uk
Sian	http://www.pickedfoundpassionate.com
Lucia	http://www.ucantwearthat.com
Rebecca	http://theplussideofme.com
Michaela	http://cardifforniagurl.blogspot.com
Lolly	http://lollylikesfatshion.blogspot.co.uk/
Gina	http://www.fatfitfine.blogspot.co.uk/
Debz	http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk/
Becky	http://www.mrsbebeblog.co.uk/
Nat	http://www.awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk
Emma	http://emmaatouchofsparkle.weebly.com/
Vicky	http://therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk/
Michelle	http://stageyourpresence.blogspot.ie.
Becky	http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Amanda	http://cruellamcg.wordpress.com/
Elena	http://www.frivolousmrsd.com/
Anne-Lise	http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk
Steph Cass	http://seeingspots.co.uk http://plumpparsnip.blogspot.co.uk/

Sharon         http://www.bigfatbetty.com/