A/W Trends – The Curvy Sixties

On Sunday I shared my love of the 60s and the thrill I felt when the likes of Louis Vuitton and Emilio Pucci bedecked their models in 60s inspired trends.

Since then I have used every excuse possible to channel my inner Twiggy … and this is what I’ve been wearing.

One of my favourite skirts plays perfect homage to this trend.  The bold geometric pattern and simple cut make the skirt perfect with knee highs and opaque tights.  I found this skirt in the sale at Monsoon a few months back and it has quickly become a staple of my wardrobe.  Seen above,  I’ve paired the skirt with a sheer shirt with a pussy bow and chandelier earrings.  Camisole tops and simple t-shirts also look great tucked into this great little skirt. 

The boots seen above are from New Look several years ago.  The ruffled leather is great for hiding my huge calves and, being from New Look, there is an extra few inches in the width that means I can wear thick tights beneath without losing circulation. 

I bardot necklines and I have the ASOS body pictured above in several different colours.  It’s such a versatile top and looks great with skirts and trousers.  

Opaque tights are must when it comes to the sixties look.  The dark red tights worn in the top right pictures are great when teamed with a black dress and the black thigh-high boots from Next.   These tights are from Tesco and come in grey and black as well.  The L-XL size is perfect for my long legs and wide hips so are really a must for any curvy girls out there – they also last and rarely snag! 

So, who say’s a girl with curves can’t pull of the 60s look?  Keep lines simple, patterns bold, and boots high.  Big earrings, sleek hair, extravagant eyes, and nude lips are all that’s needed to complete the look. 

C x 

A/W Trends – The Swinging Sixties

Back in spring the fashion world dictated what we should be wearing as the nights draw in and Autumn descends.  As hesitant as I am that anyone should dictate what I should or shouldn’t wear, I have to say that this year I am delighted!

The Sixties are back – and my God have the fashion houses bought back mini skirts and knee high boots in style!

Left to Right: Betsey Johnson, Louis Vuitton, Emilio Pucci, Miu Miu, Tory Burch

I have always loved the Sixties. Twiggy’s iconic image lined the walls of my university digs and I have spent many an hour swaying to The Velvet Underground and 13th Floor Elevators.  Even now, I spend my work hours trying to contain the seat-giggling as The Beatle’s blast through my headphones.

Yes – I love the Sixties – short skirts, high boots, bouffant hair, and extravagant eyes … what isn’t to love?  

Unfortunately, Sixties fashion doesn’t always love me.  Boxy shift dresses hide my curves and finding knee-high boots that fit over chunky calves can be troublesome to say the least.  High necklines make my boobs looker bigger – a department I really don’t need any help with – and polo necks make my head look like its floating above a sea of knitwear.  

But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge and I’m determined to make this season’s 60s revival work for me and my curves – and it seems the high street has the same idea! 

Clockwise from top left: Check collarless coat, Next; Kelly Brook Texture Dress, Simply Be; Odette Flocked Fabric Boxy Shell Top, Boohoo.com; Asta Knee-high stiletto boot, Duo; Navy and Black Check Skirt, Dorothy Perkins; T-Shirt in Mono Photographic Floral, ASOS Curve.

Kelly Brook’s new range for Simply Be ticks all the right buttons.  Her Texture dress in monochrome gives a perfect nod to the 60s with its mini skirt and rounded neckline and the cinched in waist means your figure won’t be swamped.  Pair sleek hair, stacked heels, and a smokey eye for real 60s sophistication.  Even better – this dress goes to a size 24.

High on my A/W wish list is the navy and black check mini skirt by Dorothy Perkins.  I can’t wait to prance about the office in this flirty little skirt paired with opaque tights, knee-high boots and a sheer white shirt.  The skirt is a steal at only £18 and ranges from size 6 – 22. 

Port zip front crepe dress, Wallis

Another piece that is soon to be hitting my wardrobe is this port shift with zip detailing from Wallis.   the simple shape is the perfect nod to the sixties but the v-neck means my chest won’t dominate the day.  It’s a truly versatile piece and will look great in the office with dark tights and boots or with bare legs and court shoes for evenings.  I’ll keep my hair simple and sleeked back in a high-pony tail and wear slim, chandelier earrings to lengthen my neck and give myself a long, sleek silhouette.  

I’ll post pictures of myself in this dress as soon as it arrives so be sure to check back! 

As for 60’s styling in pieces I already own … well, this week I’ll be channelling my inner Twiggy (with curves) and showcasing outfits that hit this trend in every possible way. 

Don’t forget to check back.

C x

A not-so-Bridal Trousseaux

I’m going to Mauritius!  This new mantra drives my friends insane … but it’s my honeymoon so I’ll gloat away!

My husband and I didn’t have a steamy wedding night – we stayed at my Mum’s house and pretty much passed out with exhaustion after dancing for hours on end – so I can’t wait to surprise him with a suitcase full of the most wonderfully sexy lingerie a girl can find.  

My excitement at the prospective of barely-there lace and fine silk only grew when I discovered Dita Von Teese has a lingerie range being sold at ye old faithfuls, Figleaves and ASOS.    

Clockwise from left: Savoir fitted chemise; Madame X longline bra; Man Catcher Bra, Suspender and Briefs; Madame X underwired bra.

Miss Von Teese, famous for having ‘axed’ skinny models, has always been a strong spokesperson for us ‘curvaceous women and fuller-figured girls,’ so I’d be right in thinking that her latest collections would make a welcome addition to my less-than-virginal trousseaux.  I was sorely disappointed!

The lingerie is beautiful but the sizing is as pint-sized as the burlesque star herself.  The cup size maxes out a measly DD and you’ll be lucky to find matching bottoms in size 16 (they do go to a size 16 but they sold out within minutes and there are no plans to restock).   There is simply no chance my 36GGs would fit – let alone my size 18 hips. 

Slightly disheartened, I nevertheless persevered – what girl wouldn’t go to a bit of effort to dress like a burlesque star for a fortnight? 

With Dita’s own range of lingerie thrown cleanly out the window, I got searching for equally beautiful pieces that come more realistic sizes.  

Clockwise from top left: Ritzy Babydoll by Curvy Kate; Addicted half-cup bra by Pour Moi?; Lola Luxe basque by Bravissimo; Retrolution by Gossard; Sienna full support balconette by Beautiful by Boux; Tiffany bra, suspender, and brief by Maquerade.

Curvy Kate, the buxom-gal’s favourite, is always top of the game when it comes to sexy lingerie built to support and flatter the larger chest.  They start at D cup and go to a K so you’d be hard not to find  something here.   Top of my wish list is their Ritzy Babydoll in a sultry red –  I can certainly see myself floating about our hotel room in this!

Rertolution by Gossard is also a must when it comes to channelling you’re inner siren – I’ve always been drawn to red!  It will also double up as amazing control for under slinky pencil dresses.  Unfortunately, the ranges maxes out at an E cup but their other designs go to a 38G and their pants go to a roomy 18.  

Pour Moi? Say’s it all.  A staple in my lingerie wardrobe – yes, I have a whole wardrobe devoted to my lingerie fetish – the oh-so affordable brand is a must when it comes to appropriately sized basques and lacy bras. The Addicted range evokes images of smokey jazz clubs with scantily clad ladies, scarlet lips, and pin curled hair.  Roll on pay-day …. 

Thanks to the lingerie designers who embrace curves my wardrobe is now brimming with beautiful pieces in my favourite colours of scarlet, black, and deep purple.  I may have even added an set of electric blue to the mix!   All I need now is November to come … and maybe these wonderful designers to ditch the skinny models and fill their creations with us buxom beauties! 

C x

Welcome!

I have an ass. 

I don’t mean to be crude, but it’s true. 

I also have boobs, rather large cumbersome things that frequently get in the way.  I have thighs, a tummy, and shoulders like a rugby player. 

I’m a size 16 – 18 with a size 12-14 waist and I’m 5ft10.  Finding clothes is a nightmare!  Trousers and mini skirts are too short, blazers barely fit my shoulders, and pencil dresses are tight everywhere except my waist where they gape like a kangeroo’s pouch.  

But I love fashion!  And fashion loves me – mostly!  I don’t see why my size and shape means I can’t keep up with the trends.  Nor do I see why I should shop in frumpy catalogue stores who believe a girl over a size 16 should ignore style and class in favour of badly fitting trousers and billowing blouses that hide any assets a girl has.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a blouse  – as long as it’s sheer, or tailored, or more sexy librarian fantasy than big tent.  And that’s why I’m writing this blog – so that girls out there can feel good about their curves, their love handles, their dimpled thighs, and their bingo wings – come-on, we all have them whether we’re a size 8 or a size 24, but that doesn’t mean you should only wear clothes that cover them!

So lets defy the rules that state you should only ever be seen in empire line if you have a large chest with a defined waist and lets embrace the trends that people say we shouldn’t wear – why can’t I wear patterned cigarette pants if I have large thighs?

Check in regularly for my fashion loves and hates and also add my pinterest account to see those items I covet and my daily outfit inspiration.  I’ll be scouring the shops and letting you know where you can find clothes that look and make you feel awesome no matter what you’re shape or size!

C x