The Curvy Girl Christmas Wardrobe

I have posted many styled posts lately - where I have worn the dress as if I were going our despite it being a Sunday morning in my garden (this is very much the life of a blogger).  When I do dress up to go out, I'm normally on such a tight schedule that I don't have time to document what I'm wearing.  
I thought I would rectify this, slightly, and have taken the time to take pictures of some of my Christmas outfits over the past few weeks.  Unfortunately, I didn't manage to snap them all!  Some of these are selfies or poor mirror shots so I apologise in advance for the lack of quality.

All That Glitters - a plus sized party dress from Pink Clove

Sometimes, a girl just needs to sparkle! 

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! 

British Plus Size Awards*

Being nominated for Best New Blog at the British Plus Size Awards was a complete honour for me!  I never thought people would ever read my blog - let alone nominate me for an award.  

Plus Size Party Wear with Curvissa*

I'm really liking simple, elegant, timeless dressing at the moment.  Nearly everything I have purchased lately has been classic lines: pencil skirts, tailored blazers, shift dresses and a-line skirts.   Nearly all have also been black, meaning many recent selfies have had a floating head syndrome going on - just check out my Instagram if you don't believe me.   When Curvissa asked me to review one of their dresses from the party wear range, I naturally went for a classic shift that would last forever. 

Plus Size LBD from Dorothy Perkins Curve

DP Curve have got more than few things right in their collection and this astoundingly beautiful, demure, & sophisticated party dress is just one of them!

Black Tie & Event Wear with Bon Prix*

I love an excuse to get dolled up to the nines!  
Every year I have at least one or two black tie events to attend that really allow me to go all out in the fashion stakes so when Bon Prix offered me a dress from their party range, I just had to chose the most extravagant dress on offer. 

A Plus Size Christmas with Studio 8*

For those who don't know I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!! This year, I have a lot of parties to go to so I'm going to need some decent party dresses to see me through to New Year and at least on of these HAS to be red. 

Wedding Guest Edit

My brother-in-law is getting married in June.    They plan to wed in a truly English church before a whimsical reception at the beach front restaurant.  
This poses one problem - which one do I wear?

Clockwise from left:

Rose Vine Vintage Dress - BBW Couture 

Fairy Summer Bouquet Print Doll Dress - Collectif Clothing

Violet & Green Rose Print Hepburn - Lady Vintage

Floral Skater Dress - Simply Be

Bonmarche Blogger Swap Challenge*

I was recently contacted by the lovely Marie from Bonmarche about taking part in an exciting and unique challenge to compile an outfit for fellow blogger Sarah from Always a BlueSkyGirl. In return, Sarah would chose an outfit for me.  I have to say, I had some concerns.  I'm a funny onion and terribly fussy over what I like and few people get it right when making suggestions on my style.   I also had concerns that there would be little on Bonmarche that I like - I was steeped in the preconceptions of my Grandma shopping there and worried that the styles on offer would be a little too mature for a girl in her 20s.   I needn't have worried!

Date Night ... a Dark Vixen!

Whether its a night out with your favourite girlfriend, a night to reconnect with your hubby, or dinner with the guy that you've been head over heels in lust with for the past three months, everyone needs a date night dress!   

This is mine from last weekend's dinner and cocktails with two of my greatest friends. 

Masquerade! The Grand Reveal ...

A few weeks ago I shared my magical experience of dress shopping for my works do - a spectacular masquerade!

I spent hours searching for a dress worthy of the occasion and ordered what I thought would be a wonderful dress, made-to-measure from Etsy.  It was a full-length, black extravaganza with a low back, a v-neck and a golden chain as straps - I was in love the moment I saw the picture.  Then it came and I could have cried.  Despite being made-to-measure it was too short in the body, some seams weren't hemmed and when they were they were done badly with thread sprouting everywhere and holes in many of them.  I was devastated - especially as the Etsy shop are now saying I caused the damage myself and they will not refund it (because I would really ruin a dress for jollies!).

Luckily, I stumbled across the perfect replacement when shopping last week.  It isn't what I originally had in mind; it is short -not long and full-skirted - not figure hugging.  But I loved it the moment I put it on - especially as it shows off my tanned legs!

Masquerade!

Every year my work holds a Christmas party.  It normally involves lukewarm turkey, watery gravy, and abundance of cheap wine, a vaguely fancy party dress, and a whole lot of boogie!

Last year I wore an old favourite dress for such occasions - steel grey with heavily embellished shoulders and a sweeping neckline.  I thought I looked great until the pictures came out to reveal lank hair (it was terribly hot), dimply arms, and flushed skin - steely grey evidently isn't my colour!

The dress has since been sold on eBay and I'm sure has gone to a home that will love it far more than I do!

This year will be different - my new short hair doesn't allow for lank, I'll be tanned after a fortnight in the Indian Ocean, and my dress will be stellar (naturally)!

It helps that this year the theme will be MASQUERADE! Excuse the capitals but I'm terrible excited.

I set the style stakes high at work with my power dressing, body hugging dresses, sharp blazers and sky-high heels so upping the stakes for a work party is always hard work.  But this year I'll be able to go all out - a Masquerade screams out for lace, sequins, leather, red lipstick and unapologetic extravagance!

The moment I got the email I set about compiling my pinterest board of amazing looks - don't forget to check it out as its lustworthy (not to blow my own trumpet or anything).   And it wasn't long till I headed to Reading with a trusty pal and began trying on a plethora of full length gowns!

Clockwise from left:  Biba Embellished waist deep v maxis dress from House of Fraser; Myleen Klass Origami Maxi Dress from Very; Nigella Lawson; ASOS Peplum Plunge Maxi dress.

Black is an obvious choice for a Masquerade - it's chic, elegant, regal, and bewitching!  In the picture above I'm wearing a wonderful dress from Biba at House of Fraser.   The material is silky feeling and falls in soft folds around you.  It feels elegant and sophisticated - its easy to wear and hides a multitude of sins.  In this photo I'm wearing the size 16 and it fits like a glove!   If you have the budget to blow then astoundingly beautiful Forever Unique Lorna Maxi Dress from Simply Be is perfect for any girl with ample curves ...

Forever Unique Lorna Maxi Dress from Simply Be

I've always been just  little bit infatuated with emerald ... maybe it's something to with my love of The Wizard of Oz?

Left to Right: Cath Maxi Dress from Monsoon;  Biba Wrap over maxi dress in Bottle Green from House of Fraser; Christina Hendricks.

The Cath Maxi dress from Monsoon is to die for ... the ruching at the waist would make my waist oh-so-small and the deep v-neck will elongate the figure!  Unfortunately, I couldn't find it to try on in my latest shopping excursion but another Biba dress, the wrap over maxi dress is a close second.  It requires some shaping wear (which I am definitely not wearing this picture) or perhaps I need to raise it to a size 18 to avoid the unsightly bulging at the hips but the waist and neckline are fantastic on this.  You can't see it in the picture but there are tiny little buttons sitting just left of my hand that are simply adorable!

Easily my favourite dress of the day (and I tried on every full length gown I could find) was the Twilight Sequin Full Length dress by Collection 8 by Phase Eight.   It didn't immediately grab my eye, was drawn instead a the Gatsby-esque dress in deep green with subtle sequin detailing.  

My friend tried the Twilight on first but quickly ruled it out for herself.  I made a comment that it was more me than her and seconds later I found myself zipping myself up and strutting out on the red carpet (the changing room red carpet that is).

Twilight Full Length Dress from Collection 8 by Phase Eight

I was in love - I am in love!  The lace, the subtle sheen of the overlay, the nude slip, the plunging neck and cap sleeves.  It was even long enough for me to wear with killer heels (a rarity in a maxi dress).  Do I need to sell this dress more?

Unfortunately, I can't afford this dress.  As much as I would love to blow my money on this dress, I simply don't have that much so instead I shall dream and lust over the photos.

In the meantime, which mask shall I wear?  

And yes, I have dress but you'll just have to wait until after the night to see it!

C x x

The Monsoon Party

I loved Monsoon as a teenager - it was a brand to aspire to.  Then I started earning money, could afford the clothes and promptly dismissed them as not very me!

Then, last weekend, I walked into the Monsoon store in Reading.  It was small with not the greatest selection but I walked out having fallen in love with 2 of their cocktail dresses and having a mild infatuation with a further 4.

The Lexi Lace Dress is to die for - I mean it.  With a dark, inky blue slip overlaid with luxurious lace and subtle beading, this dress makes me want to strut (and I don't strut for just any dress) into a smokey jazz bar and sip martinis for an evening of the moodiest blues imaginable.  Yes - this dress makes me want to become a bright young thing - hell, I have the hair (almost).

The allusion neckline and lacy sleeves are to die for and the cinched waist did 1001 things for my figure (including making me squeal with joy before prancing around the changing rooms for all to see).  

The other lust worthy dress (and I kid you not - I had dreams about this flirty number) is the Lorenna Lace Dress with heavy brocade that casts me in mind of the ceiling at the Ritz ballroom.  It is flirty, fun decadent, romantic, sheer, and prim all rolled into one. 

The Lorenna is one of the most versatile dresses in the store.  The size 16 fitted both me, a 5ft10 Amazonian, and my petite and curvy friend, Julia, perfectly!  I allowed her to buy the dress (purely cause I'm broke) but I plan on borrowing it at the first opportunity!

Another wonder that is amazing for a petite and curvy girl (unfortunately, it wasn't long enough in the body for my frame) is the Odabella Jacquard Dress that just screams Jackie O.  It cinched Julia's waist perfectly and made her dainty 5ft4 frame tall and elegant.  What's not to love about a dress like this?

Finally, I love the luxurious feel of the Vivienne Velvet Dress with the most adorable cut-out panel to the back.   Unfortunately, it didn't fit my frame very well.  I swim so have shoulders like a rugby player (or a line-backer for the American's that read this blog).  It was a little tight across my back and then not tight enough around my waist.  However, if you're pear-shaped, this dress is a must!

I was very impressed with Monsoon's collection and I can't wait to check out a larger store that stocks even more of these beauties ... and if anyone wants to buy me a cocktail dress for Christmas, the Lexi (first pictured) would be gratefully received. 

C x x 

The LBD Edit

I hate to say it - but it's almost Christmas!

I got my first winter cold this week - which is always a sign that the season's festivities are quickly approaching.

Yes, it will soon be time for endless parties requiring a plethora of LBDs and make up thick enough to hide the bags bought on from too much champagne, the spots from bad food, and the sallow skin from trawling the internet late at night to find the perfect (and last-minute) present for the mother-in-law.

With Christmas comes the ugly, (Granny snoring after too much sherry), the bad (the itchy looking jumper that your secret santa sniggers when buying), and the good - the Little Black Dress!

Yet not every one feels this way about the LBD - which surprised me as in a recent wardrobe clear out I realised that over half my space is taken up by variations on an LBD.    I was even more shocked when a friend uttered the words 'black is boring' only to a round of agreeing nods and another friend claiming that 'once you've seen one you've seen them all - I mean, don't get me wrong, they're great for funerals!'

I was astounded!  And never one to let things lie, I set about finding the most amazing LBDs on the market fit for a Curvy Girl.

From Office to Cocktails

Clockwise from left: Lipstick Boutique Plus Fitted Dress with Mesh Details from ASOS; Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Colour in Heart; Finesse Rose Gold Swarovski Crystal Pom Pom Stud Earrings from John Lewis; ASOS PANDA Wide Fit High Heels.
   

This LBD is amazingly demure and sexy all at once.  With a black blazer is can be worn through the office with flat pumps through the day before throwing on a pair of red stilettos and matching lipstick to transform this dress into an evening wonder.  Who doesn't love an illusion neckline?

Keep jewellery to a minimum with sparkly studs and dare to go bare and reveal those pins (or at least wear nude tights to pretend at daring).

Dare to Bare?

Clockwise from top left: Chain in Mesh Bar Necklace from New Look; What Me? Strapless Peplum Dress from The Curve; Juliet Nude Patent from Office; Deco Shape Moulded Strapless Longline Bra from Figleaves.

If, like me, you have more than bouncing bosoms, then strapless is more than a bit problematic.  Think back to trying to dance in your strapless prom dress with cheap boning digging into you and the constant need to hitch the top up to prevent any unfortunate incidents.

Luckily, strapless bras are improving all time and Freya's latest Deco bra in longline is, quite frankly, a wonder!  Wearing this little bra means the amazing strapless dress from The Curve is more than feasible - after all, who doesn't love to bare a bit of shoulder?

Keep your look simple and let your skin do the talking (remember to polish the day before to ensure a dewy radiance and use a perfumed moisturiser to give a subtle sheen).  The flirty peplum means your curves will already be highlighted an a slim gold necklace will draw everyone's attention to those beautiful exposed collarbones - dream!

The Classic Cocktail Hour

Clockwise from left: Tiziana Tapestry Knee Length Dress from Monsoon;  Gold tone circle necklace from River Island;  Mixed Gold Glitter Clutch Bag from Dorothy Perkins; Carvela Kimberly Platform Peep Toe Court Shoes from House of Fraser.

You can't beat a classic black pencil dress - the gold leaf pattern makes this dress Monsoon dress all the more wow.  Pair with high black courts like these beautiful Carvela pumps - I love the gold heel and platform and Carvela shoes come with padded soles so you won't need to kick them off for dancing later in the evening! 

A long line necklace finishing in a small pendant if perfect for lengthening the neck and making you look oh-so-staturesque in this beautiful ensemble.

A Flirty Affair

Clockwise from left: Chi Chi Mia Dress; Pewter High Strappy Sandals from Dorothy Perkins;  Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Supreme Style from MAC.

This Chi Chi Mia dress says it all - cute, flirtatious, sexy, and whimsical!  Keep a ballerina skirt as the centrepiece and pair with simple sandals and a soft lipstick.  

Doesn't the keyhole back just cream 'Look at me'? Wow!

...

Now tell me, are LBDs still boring?

C x