Showing posts with label workwear. Show all posts

Plus Size Work Wear - The Elvi Checked Tulip Skirt

A quick post here because I couldn't wait to share this incredible checked tulip skirt* from Elvi with you all [Insert heart eye emoji times a million]

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Black Roll Neck - Jette at Navabi
Checked Tulip Skirt - Elvi
Tights - Primark
Ankle Boots - ASOS (Similar) 
Now I've always been a fan of defined waists, asymmetry, ruching and check prints (think Vivienne Westwood) and this skirt ticks every single box. The elasticated waistband ensures a perfect fit and the visible zip at the back gives it a more modern feel, plus it's incredibly strong, which is essential to a good fitted skirt. 

I'm wearing a 16 and it fits perfectly in that it's fitted but I have no issues eating/moving/breathing/being alive. Plus the length is absolutely spot on for me, sitting at just below the knee at its shortest point. Finally, what a glorious shape!

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Being extremely high waisted, when it comes to separates I'm often reluctant to tuck the top into the bottoms. This isn't an issue at all with the tulip skirt as the waistband is lovely and thick and the tulip shape lends itself perfectly to my shape. What I will say is that I prefer this look with a fitted top - I can't stand the feeling of excess material around my middle. Because I'm a weirdo. I wore it this week with the Navabi Black Roll Neck featured in my last post, tights and my buckle up ankle boots and felt so incredibly put together it is ridiculous. 

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I also love the silhouette the skirt gives me from the back. The very definition of "I hate to see you go but love to watch you leave" Totally going to wear this with heels and a fitted short and take over the world...

I've been trying to dress smarter for work, even on the days where I can be a touch more casual, so it could not have come at a better time for me. 

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I should be travelling less for a little while, which means more time to put on nice clothes and leave the house HURRAH! 
Em x
Note: The image for this skirt on the Elvi website shows the skirt as having a lighter coloured contrast waistband - Elvi have assured me that the project is as shown in this blogpost, with black detailing.

* Denotes gifted items - All views are absolutely 100% my own as always.

Plus Size Workwear with Navabi

I've had a few weeks away from the blog, partly for a break after all the excitement of the #AllYours campaign but partly because I HAVE A NEW JOB. You know what new job means...? 

A New work wardrobe.

So I'm kicking off with this gorgeous Manon Baptiste gathered shift dress from Navabi. (Excuse the pictures, it was raining...)

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GatheredShift Dress*: Manon Baptiste from Navabi
Shoes: Old (Similar 
HERE)
Chain: Old (Similar 
HERE)
In the past I've generally gone for Next and Primark for my work wardrobe because it's cheap and cheerful, of late it's lacked individuality and I've started to tire of that black sweaty generic workwear material. I'm trying to bring a bit of my own personality into my workwear. This dress does just that; The draping, cap sleeves and cowl neck make it elegant yet wearable and the forest green colour further takes it away from your standard drab office get up.

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Something I will say, I wish that this dress was a bit longer. The Navabi Collection dress that I have is just that bit longer and it makes a real difference when it comes to feeling put together - I feel like if this sat below the knee with a pencil shape, we'd be in the realms of dress perfection. Saying that, when I wear this with my full length wool coat, it looks like I'm wearing nothing else under it which is pretty cool and gets me a lot of attention...

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There's a strong chance that my wardrobe will consist of workwear and pyjamas for at least the next 12 years so this will be the beginning of a Plus size workwear feature, if you can recommend anywhere, in particular for taller bizness women, please drop me a comment!
Em x

*The dress in this post was bought in part with a voucher gifted to me from the lovely guys at Navabi. I chose the dress and opinions are all my own.

The Complexities of Plus Size Office Wear

I work in an office which until recently had an extremely relaxed dress code, I still dressed professionally but occasionally jeans and casual dresses would sneak in. A recent change in this code gave me an excuse to think a bit more about what I put on mah bodeh of a morning.

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Roll neck sleeveless top - H&M (Similar Here
Floral Trousers - River Island (Similar Here)
Tote Bag - Accesorize (Similar Here)
Shoes - New Look (Similar Here) 
This outfit is one which I felt absolutely excellent in. Sadly none of the items are currently available as they were last year's purchases but I've linked to similar above so you can peruse if you like what you see. I like how the snazzy pants allow a bit of personality to shine through with a touch of Summer. I probably wouldn't wear this for a merger meeting (Ya know, all those merger meetings I attend..) I like shoulder pads when I'm being an all powerful bizzness bitch, but this is perfect for day to day.

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As I've said before, I don't love my arms -  So I've forced myself to have a think about why this is - My arms aren't defined, they aren't tanned, I assume there are some muscles in there but they're not really that visible... But why do I want my arms to look like that...? Fat is not bad. Undefined is not bad. It's just different from what I'm used to seeing on the TV, most of the internet and shop windows (I don't read magazines any more - They're bullshit). It's like a false reality. I've been trained to think that the way I look is in some way bad. Which it is not. Not at all. I hate doing what I'm told. HATE IT. So why on Earth am I letting people (mostly men) I don't even know and certainly don't value tell me how I should be presenting myself to the world? WHY GUYS WHY?!?!?



This is a really long way of saying - Look, this top is sleeveless. I bought it a long time ago and every time I've put it on I've though nah. NO MORE MY FRIENDS. NO MORE. I've basically realised that life is too short to be uncomfortable and for worrying about what other people think. Especially when there's a strong chance that they're not even thinking it anyway. I also truly believe that all bodies are good bodies. I look professional, I look comfortable, I look like someone who can do their job without sweating my boobs off (Although I probably still will...)

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I will never ever ever ever EVER tell anyone what to do and what not to do - It's your life for crying out loud, if you want to wrap yourself in a giant cape and stick a balaclava on top you have my full support. I can however, recommend that if you're avoiding wearing or doing something or are struggling to like something about yourself, think about why you feel that way. I've found that in these circumstances it's very rarely my own values and opinions which are influencing me...

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From L- R
Black Floral Print Joggers - River Island (Sizes 6 - 18)
Paisley Print Straight leg Trousers - M&S (Sizes 8 - 24)
Cropped Floral Print Trousers - Simply Be (Sizes 12 - 32)
Monochrome Floral Print Trousers - F&F (Sizes 8 - 20)
White and Blue Floral Print Trousers - Yours Clothing (Sizes 14 - 26) 

In the absence of the snazzy pants I'm wearing, some of my current favourite florals are above. They're just so versatile - Mondays need never be dull again!

Em x