Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

A Plus Size Holiday Wardrobe - The Warehouse Stripe Midi Dress

It's time for Part Three of my Plus Size Holiday Wardrobe, which brings us to the fabulous, dream to wear; Warehouse Stripe Midi Pencil Dress

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Stripe Midi Pencil Dress - Warehouse
Sandals - Primark (Similar here
What really sold this dress to me was the fit. This is an 18 and other than a little bit of bagging around the bottom (Goodness knows why, my ass is one of my more voluptuous regions!) it fits like an absolute dream. It's like it was made for my proportions - At 6ft it hits just the right place in the calf for a midi, the zip up back means that the bust and waist can fit snugly without pulling at the seams and the straps sit in exactly the same place as my bra straps - HURRAH!!!

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This really is such a lovely dress to wear - It is a soft cotton which looks and feels more like a light linen. It's one of those "throw it on and you'll be fine" frocks. Plus: Pockets. 

The only issue I did have with the dress is that the straps are attached at the back with buttons, not the strongest buttons may I add. Luckily my Mum is a dab hand with a needle because I very much needed stitching back into the dress on its second wear... beyond this, the quality is utterly excellent and I can see this being a dress that lasts me a really long time. Unless I spill more crap on it. Which I inevitably will. 

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

Sadly, these old reliable Primark lace up sandals died on the last day of the holiday (Whilst I was out. It was great) so I have had to replace them with some very similar ones from New Look which are actually a tad more comfortable. Has anyone else found that they need a small heel as they get older? I do hope so because I have and I'm not even that old (am I?!?!) 

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

I'll definitely be considering Warehouse more in the future if this dress is anything to go by, in fact, I already have my eye on this floral print midi for Autumn; Hurray for surprise shop successes!

Em x

A Plus Size Holiday Wardrobe - The Pleated H&M Dress

It's time for part two of my Plus Size Holiday Wardrobe, and today's item is one which ridiculously very nearly didn't make it into the suitcase...
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Pleated Dress - H&M (Available up to a 20)
Sandals - Primark (Similar here)
Earrings - H&M (Similar here)
I first saw this Mustard yellow Pleated Dress in the Birmingham Bull Ring H&M and got a little twinkle in my eye...until doubt kicked in... Thin straps?!? It's been a loooong time since I wore thin straps. Even as a gangly teenager, my shoulders felt too broad for such a dainty style. So I left it. Until the day that I returned an epically misjudged bikini purchase the store in Meadowhall and the dress reared its pretty little mustard face once more, begging me to reconsider. Now I'm not one to let a pretty dress down so I bought it without even trying the thing on. 

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I AM SO GLAD I AM STUPIDLY IMPULSIVE; This dress is a dream - Calf-length, double layered with an elasticated seam under the bust, cut-out at the back and slits in the sides, it just screams HOLIDAAAAAYYYYY! I am over the moon with it.

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This is a size 16 and INCREDIBLY it is true to size (H&M and I do not see eye to eye on our sizing in that their sizing is wrong) Available up to a size 20, I feel that this is the Summer dress many of us have been waiting for. Sadly, I spilled garlic oil right down the middle of it but my Mum assures me she can fix it which is bloody lucky because I don't have a flaming clue when it comes to this shizzle.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

A word of advice: This skirt is VERY transparent. I just put a pair of my shapewear shorts on underneath and it was all OK but I would hate for someone to buy this for a wedding on my recommendation and be subsequently excommunicated from the family for showing up the bride... Other than this, the pleated dress is yet another incredibly easy to wear holiday item which, even just paired with a simple pair of sandals and gold earrings, made me feel utterly gorgeous.

There you go, further evidence that it's worth shopping outside of your comfort zone!

Em x

A Plus Size Holiday Wardrobe - The New Look Bardot Dress

I HAVE BEEN ON MY HOLIDAYS!

Therefore, over the next fortnight I'm going to post my favourite looks from the week. It made such a lovely change to have the time, lighting AND a willing photographer, in fact, I may book another holiday for these reasons alone. Definitely not because I want another week of unadulterated eating, drinking and general slobiness...

www.terribletumbles.co.uk
Floral Print Button Front Bardot Dress - New Look
Sandals - Primark (Similar here)
Bag - ASOS (Similar here)
This is my first look for you - The Floral Print Button Front Bardot Dress from New Look. You may have seen this on some other babes and it truly is the dress that keeps on giving - I've genuinely not seen it look anything but gorgeous on everyone, at all shapes, heights, skin tones and ages. 

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The dress is 100% viscose but it feels more like a cheesecloth cotton to me - Light to the touch and in terms of general sweatiness but heavy in how it hangs and moves. And the oversized floral print? SO romantic and utterly perfect for a day in the sun. 

www.terribletumbles.co.uk


With regards to size, this is an 18 and is extremely roomy - I could have done with a 14/16 but there wasn't one in store and I am extremely impatient... I wore the dress out for a meal along with my simple heeled sandals from Primark last year and my tan ASOS clutch - Also an old favourite. I really enjoy how easy this dress is to wear, the length sits perfectly on my calf and the neckline sits in exactly the right place to avoid movement and rolling up as can often be an issue with bardot necked clothing.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

Please excuse the quality of the pictures over the next week - Unfortunately I filled my case with giant shoes; leaving no room for my camera meaning that these are very iPhone based!
Em x

Floral Obsession with Navabi

Plus Size fashion is rarely this luxurious so when it is you need to scream about it. Therefore, I am here today to scream about LITERALLY the most luxurious item of clothing I now own care of the wonderful team at Navabi.

Embroidered Tunic* - Johnny Was at Navabi
WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS TUNIC* PLEZ?!? I mean, the embroidery alone makes it so special - It is just IMMACULATE. In an Art Deco style, it features flowers and peacocks galore. It reminds me very much of a 1920s gown of the style that I've only ever seen on House of Elliott or in a museum. Every element has the most flawless detail: embroidered edging, detailed sleeves, buttons, ribbons. Seriously, I audibly sighed when I opened the box. 

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Embroidered Tunic - Johnny Was at Navabi
High Waisted Jeans - Primark
Sandals - Primark  
The tunic is a viscose material. Now I don't confess to know a lot about materials other than "Makes me sweat/Doesn't make me sweat" but this feels very similar to silk in that it is light, soft and drapes beautifully. Also - Doesn't make me sweat.
I'm wearing a 14-16 and it fits like a dream, the very nature of a tunic is that it should be loose and flowing and the relief of wearing something which I can barely even feel on my skin in this thundery hot heat is just fabulous. I love how it looks with jeans and that I can dress it down equally as successfully as I can dress it up. You really, really cannot underestimate the power of a luxe item.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

These jeans are a cheapy cheap cheap pair (£12) from Primark which I've cut the hems off because I decided I wanted some raw edged jeans like the ones that all the cool kids are wearing without having to pay a billion pounds - I think they've ended up looking pretty good but am 99% sure they're going to get tangled in the washing machine and costing me £500 so are a bit of a false economy really. The sandals are also Primark from last year but are lasting extremely well to say that I've worn them more than twice...

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

I hope you're all ready for the imminent heat wave. By ready I mean; Have a freezer full of Ice cream.
Em x
* Denotes gifted items - As always, all views are my own.

Sun, Sea and Seaspray Swimwear

I hear that there's a heatwave in the UK. I'm not witnessing that first hand because I am actually in Spain which is prrrrretty frustrating because I didn't spend all my dosh on a holiday for you lot to be swanning about in basically the same temperature. I'll let it go this time (mostly because I'm eating crisps for breakfast and you're probably not so I'm winning).

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

HELLO black halter-tie tummy control bikini. I was sent this gorgeous little number by Seaspray Swimwear who aim to provide fashion forward swimwear for every body shape and requirement.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The bikini features a halter-neck braand  draped briefs which are a work of genius! They can be adjusted every which way to suit your needs - I'm wearing them half rolled down to give a 50s shape but they can be worn higher, as a skirt or even pulled all the way up to give the appearance of a full swimsuit. 

There's a definite vintage glamour feel to this bikini which really floats my boat. As for how I feel wearing it: This year, I have slightly more chub than I'm used to. I have no beef with this as I am still able to do all the same things that I could last year (Other than do knee slides on the marble floor but that's a lifestyle choice rather than chub related...) and I'm not one for wasting quality holiday time on what other people may or may not think of MY body. 

Despite all this, I have felt that I would like a little more control around the midriff, which these briefs offer without squishing the paella right out of me. There's no shame in wanting to feel glorious in what you're wearing and Seaspray seem to really get that. I'm wearing a 16 in the bikini which I have found to be true to size.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The only minor criticism I have with the bikini is that the top doesn't offer quite as much support as I would like - I have a broad chest and benefit from a bit of a boost. Saying that, the padded cups do give a lovely smooth shape and if you have boobs which go out rather than across this shouldn't be an issue at all.


Leaving you with a cheeky back view here - YES, I have folds, they're lovely aren't they? Sometimes I find things in them.

Seaspray design swimsuits, bikinis, pareos and kaftans inspired by luxury destinations around the world. Most items are available in sizes 10-20.

Em x

Baby We Were Born to Run - The Yours Clothing Acid Wash Playsuit

An extremely quick post for you here courtesy of some of my parents' garden and a very begrudging paternal photographer...

Jumpsuits and playsuits: You KNOW I love me an outfit that I can flail about in and this Acid wash denim playsuit* from Yours clothing is absolutely no exception.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk
Acid Wash Denim Playsuit - Yours
Turquoise Necklace - Yours
 Sleeveless Waterfall Waistcoat - Yours
Gladiator Sandals - Yours

I first saw it at the SS15 launch and knew that people would totally and utterly lose their shit over it because it's just so COOL. I described it as being like the right kind of an 80s throwback. Think Springsteen not Hawkes (who I have beef with but that's a story for another day...). This meant that when Yours sent me the playsuit to try I had it on my body within about 2.5 seconds.

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The denim is light and and OH so soft. This is a playsuit made for comfort, frolicking and warmer climes.

The playsuit fastens with presstuds and a drawstring waistband which add to the light and non constrictive feel of it. I'm wearing a 16 here and despite my Grace Jones thighs of power, there are plenty of room in the legs and waist without being too big. 

I'm wearing the playsuit here with the sleeveless waterfall waistcoat*, black gladiator sandals* and turquoise necklace* (all from Yours because they are just THAT good).

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

The sandals are a size 9 ***REAL SIZE NINE ALERT*** and I finally know how it feels to wear sandals where 40% of my foot is not on the floor as they usually are. These are stupidly comfortable and to say that my feet are in esence just big hands on the ends of my legs, they make them look moderately inoffensive!

 Not gonna lie, I've already worn the waistcoat almost every day; With a vest and jeans, over a sleeveless midi dress and with a plain white tee which made me feel a bit like a crap waiter but STILL LOOKED ACE. It's an absolute wardrobe staple for me now and had reopened the options of a number of strappy dresses which I've avoided in the past because the proportions haven't felt right. 

www.terribletumbles.co.uk

I'm a big fan of a statement necklace but am REALLY bad at wearing them. I just look all self conscious like when you first put a collar on a kitten. Thankfully, this one is different and I'm on to a winner!

Prepare yourself for more holiday looks because I really need to start getting all my shizzle together and packed (by packed I mean in a pile on the floor...obviously...)
Em x
*denotes items gifted for review