Festive Dressing with Phase Eight*

Nothing days Christmas more than a red dress.  I think it's safe to say that I am obsessed with red all year round, but add Christmas to the equation and they really are perfection! 

This Phase Eight dress, with it's cinched waist and full fifties skirt, really is as festive as it gets - I mean, just look at that sumptuous red!  It has an old school sophistication that, when worn today, really just asks for that luxury bitch look - I mean, why would you want to dress down a dress this gorgeous? 

I really love the off shoulder detail, I think the collar bones are the sexiest part of a woman and this really shows them off whilst remaining relatively demure.    The skirt sits nicely on my knees and would probably sit just below the knee on someone who isn't 5ft10. 

The dress is made from quite a heavy weight material which means the skirt keeps its full shape even without a petticoat underneath.  You could definitely add one if you really wanted that exaggerated 50s new look. 

I'm wearing a size 16 in this dress and, as you can see, it is fairly snug and doesn't leave any room for the bloating that follows a 3 course meal and an excessive amount of champagne! I would probably suggest sizing up if you're between sizes.  

As this is part of the Phase Eight mainline, the dress comes in sizes 6 - 18 but I really hope to see similar dresses appear in the plus size sister line, Studio 8 as I think this is such a classic cut that will work on women of all shapes and sizes. 

As this dress just wreaks of luxury, it had to be paired with an oversized, faux fur shrug - this one from ASOS is particularly foxy and so soft!  I often find faux fur scratchy and irritating but there are no such worry with this. 

I'm also wearing my favourite gold sparkly court shoes from New Look.  I was given these to wear for the plus size awards last month and they are making regular appearances for all of my christmas outfits. 

I am completely potty about this dress with is currently marked down to £99 in the Phase Eight sale - it originally retailed at £150 and I would have happily paid that much for the dress.  I'm really tempted to get the purple version, but need somewhere swish to wear it.  Would anyone like to invite me to a fancy party in January? 

Also, excuse the tan lines!  It's been over 6 months since I last saw the faintest glimmer of sun yet my shoulders still seem to be rather more freckled than usual!

Outfit Details:

Dress - Red Odette Grosgrain Dress by Phase Eight*

Shoes: Gold Glitter Pointed Heels by New Look*

Stole: Oversized Faux Fur Scarf in Ginger by ASOS

Earrings: Geo Enamel Drop Earrings by ASOS

What do you think of this dress?  Would you go all luxury bitch with it?