Sparkles & Pleather - Plus Size Attire from House of Fraser*

For me, the Christmas season is time for pretty dress, faux fur, and plenty of sparkles.  My wardrobe, if you haven't already gathered, is packed full of pretty party dresses and my usual go-to little black dresses.

 

But, occasionally, there are parties that don't require a formal gown but something a little more laid back.  I'm talking sat drinking mulled wine in front of the fire in gastro pub.  You want some sparkle and some luxury without the full on  ball gown.   This top from House of Frasers plus size line, Label Lab, is just perfect for these occasions.

 

 

 

Wide Leg Pants

I'm in love with high-waisted, wide-leg pants: there is something very elegant about them.  They make me think of the incredibly modern women of the early twentieth century who were the first to stroll about in mens trousers and, quite frankly, looked better in them than the men they were made for.  
Last year I invested in a black pair for work - this year, I'm going for a deep red!

A Country Tweed

A few weeks ago I posted my Autumn Wishlist.  Top of the wish list was a heritage inspired blazer, a neutral toned tweed with sharp tailoring as suitable for wondering about the Cotswolds as it is for the office.   One of my featured jackets got added to the sale just a few days later, so it would have been rude not buy it, right? 

Autumnal Dressing with New Look Inspire*

As the weather cools, the first thing I do is reach for a tailored jacket - those of you who follow me on social media will know that recent weeks have been swamped with an assortment of the things!
So, when New Look asked me to pick out a few items from their autumn/winter Inspire range, a tailored jacket was always going to be high on the list. 

A Curvy Girl's 5 Key Pieces for A/W

I'm no longer walking around the house in silk short shorts and scrappy camisoles - I've retreated to golf socks and a wooly dressing gown.  This means Autumn is here! 
This also means I retreat into dark inky clothing with the odd jewel tone thrown in to prove I'm not a complete convert of the gothic!  I've already dug out my pleather leggings and polished the dust off last winters black leather knee-highs but what items should I invest in this year? 

Outfit August

I think I've been in a wee bit of a rut, wearing the same outfit to work over and over again cause I know it works.  Essentially, I've lost my workwear mojo. 
To challenge this, I'm trying to use my wardrobe(s) more effectively, to wear items that are rarely worn and get rid of those that I simply don't want to see on my body.  Then I saw Leah's Outfit August challenge and thought 'that will get my lazy butt kicked into gear'.  
The idea is to enjoy getting dressed, to get creative with your outfits, and re-explore your wardrobe.  Throughout August I'm going to try and revive old items from my wardrobe and document these to share with you all.  I will post once a week with what I have worn and any little stories behind it! 

Saturday/Sunday

"Fat Girls Can't Wear Culottes" ?????

I've spoken before about my anxiety around culottes -  I love the look when on a model but the fear of over hearing someone saying "fat girls can't wear culottes" still resounds in my head. 
Yet after falling in love with the look, if not the quality, of a New Look Culotte Jumpsuit I set about trying to find myself a smart, work-appropriate pair of culottes. 

Plus Size Workwear in Summer

Working in an office can be challenging for so many reasons - office politics, the dick behind who doesn't refill the coffee after stealing the last cupful, the awkward smiles of recognition to the person that sits on other side of your floor (and attends the same gym class) but you still don't know their name!  Add being plus size and trying to find work appropriate attire that is both fashionable and practical to the equation and it makes for a bit of a conundrum! 

Winter Sales: The Clothing Edit

A very good (and very impatient) friend pointed out that I had promised to continue my sale picks and, 48hours later, had not posted them.  This is because I was waiting for the orders to arrive which was troublesome with ASOS being delayed and Yodel being yodel.  But here they are, my sale picks modelled inexpertly by yours truly!

The Covet List

Today was the first day of Autumn, and my lord was it chilly this morning ... my big toe felt like it was going to drop off in my patent peep toes!

So, with the weather on the turn and the nights drawing in, I thought it was the perfect time to share my A/W wish list with y'all.

I love black - not because its slimming (although it is) but because its chic.  But my wardrobe is already filled with black shift dresses, pencil skirts, and cigarette pants so this season I decided to mix it up a bit by playing with textures and hues - think leather, velvet, and oxblood with gold embellishments.

Top on my list is a leather skirt (or a leather-look skirt if my budget won't allow).

Clockwise from Left: Love Label Midi PU Length Skater Skirt from Very; Jeffrey & Paula Midi Skirt from SimplyBe; ASOS Tall Pencil Skirt in Leather Look from ASOS; Definitions Leather Full Skirt from Very.

I've actually already ordered the Love Label midi skirt today (it's in the Very sale for a whole £14.50 so how's a girl to say no?).  I love the high waist and soft folds which will really enhance any girls waist and give a nod to an hourglass figure.   I plan to wear this with chunky heels and a slim fitting t-shirt tucked into the waist band.

SimplyBe's Pu Midi Skirt is amazing.  The soft shine on the material makes it a perfect piece for the evening and it goes from size 14 - 32.  The red leather-look skirt by ASOS is a must! It's part of ASOS's tall range, so if you're over 5ft10 (like me) then the portions will be perfect for you -no more hips sticking out where your thighs should start).



A must for any wardrobe come October is a pair of killer knee-high boots - and with these, I struggle year on year, especially if I want to be able to fit warm, wooly socks underneath let alone a pair of skinny jeans.  Lucky for us, this season brings a wealth of boots that are both on trend and come in a curvy calf.

Clockwise from left: Van Dal High Leg Boots from Curvissa; Bassey Platform knee-high boots from Duo Boots; Legroom Quilted High Leg Boot from Simply Be; Legroom Leather Boot with Gold Details from The Shoe Tailor.

The gold details on the Legroom Leather boots is to die for.  These boots will look great over skinny jeans and they have a block heel that means you can walk all day.  My favourites are the Oxblood Bassey boots from Duo - they tick every box on my A/W wishlist and I've already earmarked them as a Christmas present from my husband.  I'll be spending January in Canada for conferences and business meeting so these knee-high boots will keep me warm whilst looking stylish.  They'll go with everything from sharply tailored suits to my staple wear-to-work dress of a stylish wrap dress.


I love tailored trousers and my wardrobe is full of a variety of styles but all are in black, charcoal, or grey.  This year, I'm determined to go wild and buy a splash of colour (well, almost).

Clockwise from Left:  Tapered turn up trousers from La Redoute; Bright Blue Trousers from Next; ASOS Cigarette Trousers in Crepe from ASOS; Fearne Cotton Slim Leg Cropped Trousers from Very.

I plan on keeping the cut simple and slim as billows of brightly coloured material isn't really me.  The oxblood cigarette pants from ASOS will look great worn with a black camisole and a tailored blazer and I would love to wear the orange, cropped trousers with sky-high heels and a sheer blouse for a night out drinking cocktails with the girls.

The perfect top to accompany either my leather skirt or bright coloured trousers has to be a bardot body.  I love the scoop neckline and fitted form of these tops -  I think there's nothing sexy than a woman's collar bone and I love showing mine off.

Clockwise from top left: New Look Bardot Top from ASOS; South Three-Quarter Sleeve Bardot Top from Very; Short Sleeve Bardot Top from Matalan;  New Look Inspire Half Sleeve Bardot Top from ASOS.

I'll be topping off this season's wardrobe must have with a few essential accessories - an oversized hat, the furriest scarf imaginable, and a whole pile of golden jewellery.

Clockwise from top left: Mixed Mesh Bracelet Pack from Evans; Dark red oversized fedora hat from River Island; Vixen Tippet from Accessorize;  ASOS Curve enamel arrow ring multipack from ASOS.

Check back later in the week if you want to see the leather skirt in action.