Cosying up with Elvi - The Autumn Gilet

Avid readers will know that I've always been a big Elvi fan; Their designs are chic, classic and so different from much of what we've come to expect from Plus fashion. So I'm delighted to announce that their AW16 range is no different. I have two pieces to show you, starting with the faux pony skin gilet*.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk
Faux Pony Skin Gilet* - Elvi
Jersey Roll Neck - Primark (Similar)
Denim mini skirt - ASOS Curve (Similar)
Ankle Boots - Primark (Similar) 
 I've always seen maroon as a bit of a neutral, in that it goes with everything, I'm just so into the maroon, indigo denim and camel colour palette that sneaks into so many ranges this time of year - I could never not be a redhead in Autumn. The top half is a glossy faux pony skin, which is so realistic you would have no idea at all if it wasn't for the fact that it very clearly says FAUX on it, and the lower section is a thick warm tweed style material which pulls a slightly darker tone into the look.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The side splits prevent the gilet from looking boxy which is an issue I've had in the past. Elvi do longline extremely well, their catwalk show at Curve Fashion Festival showcased an extremely simple, tailored silhouette which I would never have imagined working on a voluptuous figure (The compromise between oversized and tailored is so rarely well executed) but BOY did it work. I'm wearing a 16 here and the fit is perfectly true to size.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

 I've styled it here with one of my favourite easy-to-wear Autumn looks of mini skirt and roll neck jumper. I'd usually wear a pair of tights with a skirt this length but my legs are spectacularly bronzed from a week in Seville (if it doesn't look that way it's totally your screen resolution...) However, I've also worn the gilet with a black jersey midi dress as well as blue jeans and a black bodysuit. Extremely versatile, I think you'll agree.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

Guys, if you haven't seen the Hayley Hasselhoff x Elvi range I suggest you take a look as it is just GORGEOUS! 
Em x
* Denotes Items gifted for review - As always, all views are entirely my own (I never fib!) 
Labels: , , , ,

Floral Fashion with Matalan

Happy Bank Holiday Everyone!
Instead of going out and having a fabulous time with my mega cool friends, I've decided to stay in bed today with a stomach bug. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE. 
Luckily, I was well enough yesterday to pop out for a cheeky bank holiday glass of wine and decided that even though the sky was grey, it didn't mean I had to be (I'm green today).

www.terribletumbles.co.uk
Longline Embroidered Blouse - Matalan
Ripped Black Joni Jeans - Topshop
Ghillie Sandals - New Look (Similar)
 I brought the brightness into my life via this Longline Embroidered Blouse* from Matalan. Guys, firstly let's have a little chat about the embroidery. It is REAL embroidery - Not just a drawing of some sewing. The detail is so very beautiful and the colours are incredibly eye-catching - In fact, because of bedazzlement, a really cool young person in H&M asked where it was from and I basically tried to marry them because THEY HAD NOTICED ME and made them wish they'd never said anything. It is just THAT good a blouse.

Normally longline isn't longline on me, it's just a normal length (Particularly when my bubble butt gets involved) but this blouse goes all the way down to my knees HURRAY. It buttons from top to bottom but I quite liked to have it open to the waist so that it flapped a bit in the breeze - I'm a modern superhero.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

I'm genuinely surprised this shirt isn't 100% cotton because it is so light and soft against the skin; I actually spent a lot of time stroking myself for just this reason. I didn't get a good picture of the back of the shirt but it's gathered at the middle of the shoulders  (You can see this better on their website) which, coupled with the waist-height side splits, gives it a lot of movement and makes it ideal for over skinny jeans or leggings - it's such an easy look to wear.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

Some advice on fit: I'm wearing an 18 here and although there looks to be a bit of gaping on the bust, it's actually really roomy. I think the gaping was more to do with it needing a quick iron and I could have definitely sized down with this if it wasn't for the sleeves; they're not tight exactly however, with the fit of the shirt, I think they would sit a bit better if they were maybe two inches more generous. The same with the collar, a 16 would have fit better on the torso but I would have struggled with the top button. If anyone else has this shirt, let me know what you think in the comments below.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk
You'll have to excuse the white dust on the picture above - I'd had a chip butty, the breadcake flaked onto me and my "photographer" didn't make me aware...
Matalan have some fab seasonal stock coming in at the moment (I'm WELL into this Ditsy Print Blouse) and with such low price points as £20 for the blouse I'm wearing, it's worth a look for your early Autumn wardrobe.
Em x
*Denotes Items Gifted for review - All views are entirely my own.
Labels: , , ,

A Plus Size Bridesmaid - Part One: David's Bridal


Last month I was asked to be a bridesmaid. Well I say "asked" - My sister got engaged and I just assumed. Even if she says not, I'm still going to wear a bridesmaid dress and walk down the aisle in front of her so she might as well give me the job to be honest. This is all of the following: Wonderful, magical and HARD WORK. 

There are going to be five of us bridesmaids. What we have in common is that we're cool as f*ck, drop dead gorgeous and generally just a pleasure to be around. What we don't have in common is our sizes, heights or body shapes - Hence this being the first in a series of "A Plus Size Bridesmaid" posts. 

What I want to do in this series is to source as many potential dress stockists as possible, not only to help you guys but also to try and help Our Kid in ensuring that we are all appropriately dressed on her special day and don't look like a mismatched bunch of bridesmaid wannabes. For this reason, I'm going to be looking out for size 6 - 20 floor length coral-toned dresses, in keeping with (this week's...) theme of her wedding. 

I'm sincerely hoping that I'll get the opportunity to try some of these brands in real life but guys, it is difficult. So many stockists are available purely online and in most cases you're forking out over £100 for a dress that may or may not fit. When you factor in the fact that most brides have at least three bridesmaids, it's no small change. If I do manage this, I'll be sure to post updates on the blog and my Social Media feeds. Likewise, if you have any brands/styles you've worn yourselves which I can feature I'd be over the moon - Nothing's better than the recommendation of a wonderful woman!

The Dresses:

  

The dresses above are all "White by Vera Wang" and I think they're utterly stunning. I'm pleased that there is a range of styles within the maxi dress category, also some sensible yet attractive straps for us bustier bridesmaids who don't want to give the congregation a coronary. 

The Sizing:
All of the dresses above are available in sizes 4 - 30. David's Bridal also have petite and extra length options in other styles which you can see on their website.

The Prices:
All dresses above range from £160 - £186. These aren't budget prices at all BUT when you think about what you'd pay for an occasion dress, it seems reasonable for what I'm assuming would be a well made dress. 

Availability:
David's Bridal is available online as well as instore:
London - The Street, Westfield Stratford City,
Watford - Waterfields Retail Park, 
Glasgow - Braehead Shopping Centre,
Not good news for most of us - I'd really like to try before I buy. However, delivery appears to be 5 - 11 days in the UK and as long as your item is not bespoke, there is a 14 days return policy. It seems a pretty safe and clear policy to me, unlike many other online vendors I've looked into.

Summary:
I like David's Bridal - The pricing is reasonable for an occasion dress, the items look incredibly classic, well made and I love that they have a "Real Bridesmaids" gallery which allows you to see how the dresses look on a range of gorgeous shapes and sizes. It seems likely that I'll be making an order from here, so expect pictures!

Have you tried David's Bridal? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below...
Em x
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)