Big Girl's Blazer

Spring has sprung?

2010-07-15T18:49:00.013+10:00

Just when I'm rugged up in my winter coats and boots, I get a surprise in the post... the Spring 2010 Ezibuy catalogue! It really feels like winter at the moment so the idea of buying floral dresses doesn't really appeal! But there's some really nice ideas and prints in the catalogue, so I'll keep it until I get around to doing another inspiration board for summer.

Speaking of summer outfits, for ages I've wanted a pair of loose white linen pants. I bought a pair a couple of years ago marked size 20, but they were more like a 16! I think it's a style best worn loose, and you can wear it with any kind of floaty top or tunic. With some big beads and nice flat sandals it's a great spring/summer outfit. For bigger gals, you still want to cover your arms, and the lightweight linen pants are perfect!

So I was lucky to find a brilliant pair online at My Size, and they were on sale! They arrived today and I am really happy with them. I know I'll be wearing these a lot this summer.

Getaway linen pant at My Size online

And just for good measure, I picked up the caribbean queen pleat top too. It's nice and long, and it's a gorgeous colour. They also had it in purple.

So if you can nab a good summer bargain now, why not? Before you know it we'll be baking in the summer heat and winter will be a distant memory.

N x

Boots and Skirts

2010-07-02T21:50:00.015+10:00

Here's some ideas I put together working with my skirts and boots. With a pair of tights or thick opaque stockings, for bigger gals I think it makes a comfortable outfit that can be girly and edgy. When it comes to putting together a look, try some new things like digging out a dress and layering it with tights and drapey cardigans.

Denim skirt

There are endless options with a trusty denim skirt, particularly in winter. You can wear thick tights and a nice warm knit to stay warm. This denim skirt I'm wearing I've had for years, it's knee-length in a light wash. I only just got a second one, a dark denim one from Best and Less that's a bit shorter.

I like this look for a night out. Wear a jacket to stay warm and take it off in the pub. It's fun when there's so much black and grey in winter. A skirt with boots is a good alternative to jeans when it's cold.

Peasant skirts

A great way to bring a boho feel to your winter wardrobe. I find these skirts work well with the tops that are too short to wear with pants, jeans and more fitted styles of skirts. Worn slightly higher and looser around the waist, it's a clever cover up for tummies. Here I'm wearing dark brown leather boots. You can't see the detail but I've just accessorised with a chain necklace that has a bone pendant and brassy gold shield.

Cargo-style skirt

Although it doesn't have cargo pockets on the side, that's the best way I can describe this skirt. It's a thick material and I usually wear it in summer with thongs. But I've also started wearing it in with my boots, and I liked the preppy look of this. The Burberry print scarf with a rich chocolate leather bag feels very appropriate for winter.

Black Dress

Now this black stretchy dress I bought from Supre in an XL... in other words WAAAAAAYYYY too small! It's meant to fit like a loose maxi dress. It fit well around the bust and flared out slightly at the bottom, but it was tight around my middle. So I hike it up until it's loose around my middle like a top, and just wear it shorter. With a belt and a drape cardi, I think it works!

Signing off for now, please feel free to leave a comment about what you think or any ideas you have!

N

Hot Buy!

2010-07-02T21:36:00.002+10:00

I just found a great skirt and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! It was the bargain of the century, just $25 from K-Mart!

It's a black tube skirt in a soft stretch material. It's a great fit and best of all I went down a couple of sizes in it! I wanted it a bit more fitted as I'll wear it with longer tops, and I think even on bigger frames it looks better that way. More edgy and flattering too. It will look great with opaque tights and boots, or even ballet flats.

Anyway, I just love it when you hit the jackpot like that. When you find something that is comfortable, looks good and fits in with the rest of your wardrobe. I'd been looking for a plain black skirt for ages, as I wear my denim skirt to death. All I found in plus sizes were suit-type skirts you'd wear to the office.

Very happy! Will get some pics sorted, but in the meantime, we'll stick with the theme of skirts.... Look out for my next post about how much I'm loving skirts with winter boots!

It's all about BOOTS!

2010-06-02T19:28:00.019+10:00

My favourite fashion item for winter is definitely boots. I love them! They are just so warm and sturdy for the weather and in terms of outfits, there are so many options. I usually find myself building the outfit from the boots up! Hmm, what can I wear with my boots today? There's tucked into skinny jeans, worn with skirts and dresses, and now there's the option of tights too. Comfortable and fashionable - bonus!

But it can be so hard for plus size gals to find a pair of boots that fit. I thought I was alone, but a quick poll around my friends and girls from the that's life office showed me that it's not only bigger girls who find it hard to get boots to fit. It's crazy! But once you find a good pair, you'll want to live in them.

Here's a couple of great websites for wide calf boots and my fave picks...

www.ezibuy.com.au
The Sara clothing range on the Ezibuy website now has a fabulous range of wide calf boots. They are very on-trend and and a really good price. There's only one size calf width in each size, but it seems pretty spot on. I got a pair of the riding boots in black and they fit great. There's a discreet elastic panel so they can accommodate different sizes.

These are the riding boots I got in black...

I wanted these ones too, simple with the buckle detail and I'm quite tall so the extra length would have been perfect. But they'd sold out in a size 11. Boo!

And I love these buckle boots! They're edgy and you can rock boho or that pretty punk look.

www.widecalfboots.com.au
A great selection of boots from flat riding-style boots, to glam heeled styles. There's some gorgeous leather riding style boots and even a good selection of colours, including red and white. There are also a number of calf widths in each size, so you'll get a great fit. This is Bennetts Boots, an Aussie business and there are even a few stores around Australia that stock them.

Here are my favourite picks from their website...

I love these lovely caramel brown colour leather riding boots, they would great with some dark jeans, a white top and a cosy knits layered over.

What a practical pair of boots, without losing out on style. Great for more casual outfits and very comfortable - perfect if you're wearing them all day.

And for the heeled boots...

Gorgeous leather boots with a stylish chunkier heel. Love the subtle cowboy style. Dress up with jeans and big earrings for a night out, or wear with a t-shirt, cardi and scarf for lunch or shopping.

This is a sexy slouchy boot! These will go brilliantly with both skirts and jeans. I love the rich brown colour too.

www.widewidths.com
The exact measurements on this site mean you're sure to get a pair of boots that fit unbelievably well. In most styles there's three categories of width - wide, extra wide and super wide. Within those, you basically measure your calf and find the exact size right for you. It's a US company so you have to factor in the cost of shipping, and the prices are in $US so you need to convert to Australian dollars. Measure well, you don't want to have to pay to ship them back to the US for another size!

I got THIS pair last year and I love them...

2010-05-24T19:13:00.006+10:00

Some great news I'm happy to share... I work for that's life! magazine and they launched a cool new look this week. I was really excited to be a part of it with a column in the fashion pages! I'll still be sharing all kinds of different things in the mag and here on the blog. I spent a fun afternoon in the studio to take photos for the magazine, and I'm looking forward to it each week. I really enjoy writing so it's just another great part of my job!

Fab coats from Evans UK

2010-03-29T22:14:00.011+11:00

I promised I'd share my new online purchases, and I just couldn't wait to show you these two gorgeous coats I got from Evans UK. They just arrived today, how exciting!

Evans is a brilliant store that carries fresh, fashionable and affordable plus size clothes, as well as accessories, lingerie, jewellery and swimwear. You can find anything from edgy styles to lovely tailored items for work. They also have a great range of shoes in different widths for the perfect fit.

The sizes range from 14 to 32 and they are roughly the same as your Australian size - but remember you must always consult each store's individual size guide! Postage from Evans is just 7.50 pounds, which is roughly $12.50 Aussie dollars and shipping is from 5-7 working days.

As the United Kingdom is coming to the end of their winter, check out the sale items because coats like these are heavily reduced. Plus, the Australian dollar is quite strong at the moment, so you're getting more bang for your buck.

I am absolutely thrilled with these coats. They are fully lined, thick and soft. The sizing was spot on and they feel sturdy and well made. Together, including postage, they cost me just over $110. Considering you'd have to fork out about $200 for one coat similar to these, it's a good buy. Now, I'm all sorted for winter! Bring on the chilly weather!

This is the Pink Peter Pan Swing Coat. It was reduced to 25 pounds, about $41 Australian Dollars...

This is the Beige Funnel Coat, reduced to 35 pounds, about $58 Australian dollars...

Please let me know if you've scored some fab online finds so we can share them with the world!

Online Shopping - take the plunge!

2010-03-29T21:20:00.020+11:00

I've become quite addicted to online shopping! Once you know where to look, there are so many great finds on the internet. With limited options for plus size clothes here in Australia, the web is the big girl's saviour.

Not only are there terrific online stores based here, but there are outstanding ones in the US and in particular in the UK. Postage has become quite reasonable and paying careful attention to the size guide means your new clothes will fit just right.

Take note, now is the BEST TIME to shop from the UK and US, as they are heading out of winter, so jackets, jumpers and boots will be on sale! Plus, being colder climates they often have a wider range of clothes for the chilly months.

I've listed some of my favourite online stores on the left so check them out. Keep a lookout for a full review of my top sites in an upcoming post, and I'll be sure to share with you my latest online finds!

In the meantime, here's some tips for shopping online...

Measure yourself - carefully!

Take your bust, waist and hip measurements in both centimetres and inches. For pants and jeans, also take your inseam measurement - I find it's easier to measure a pair of pants you already own that are the perfect length. Stand naturally and don't be tempted to breathe in! Check your measurements against the store's size guide, and if you are between sizes, it's a good idea to opt for the size up. Depending on the item, pay more attention to the measurement that is more relevant. For example, if it's an empire line dress that falls from under the bust, you're bust measurement will need to be more spot on than hips or waist, as the dress isn't as fitted there.

Check the returns policy

Stores are usually happy to accept returns for full refunds in the event an item is the wrong size or you change your mind. But shipping costs are usually non-refundable and you may have to cover the cost of sending the item back. In some cases, if you're just after the same product in a different size, they may even send the re-ordered item free of charge. But the important thing is to check the returns policy first, so you know what to expect.

Buy in bulk, or with a friend

Shipping costs vary and it's generally more expensive to have items sent from overseas. But if it's a flat shipping fee no matter how many items you order, decide what you want and get one bulk lot. Or even better, consider going in with a friend. You can both get what you want and pay half the postage! Always check that overseas sites offer international postage to Australia before you start shopping and check the shipping costs before you buy. You don't want to find out your US$15 is going to cost US$30 to ship here.

Inspiration Boards

2010-03-28T19:27:00.001+11:00

It's not always easy putting together a stylish outfit - that's why there are professional 'stylists' who do it for a living! I say let's use their knowledge to our advantage.

I've put together an 'Inspiration Board', which is a montage of outfits, accessories, hairstyles and make-up looks. It can be anything you like, whether it's a pair of dangly earrings, boots, a jacket or a whole outfit.

The idea is to use what you have in your wardrobe to make a similar look. Of course you may not own those $1200 boots you saw in Marie Claire, but you may have a similar pair from Payless Shoes! See how they team them with certain outfits and it can be easy to replicate the look yourself.

I also like to pop things on there to remind me of what I actually own. Did you know that women wear just 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? I know I'm guilty of wearing my favourites over and over again. So I like to put things on there like patterned tights, bracelets and handbags to remind me of similar items I have in my wardrobe.

Keep an eye out in magazines and catalogues for a couple of weeks to build your own inspiration board. Don't discount mags like New Idea, That's Life (a gratuitous plug for the mag I work for!) and even the Ezibuy catalogue. Look at fashion spreads as well as advertisements too. Stick it up in your room and get styling!

My current inspiration board is focused on winter styles. I wanted ideas on how to layer drapey cardigans, wear my knee high boots in different ways and work ankle boots into my look. I'm still not sure whether I can pull off ankle boots - but that's a post for another day. I think I'll need your opinion!

Thanks for reading, check out some snippets from my inspiration board...

Scarves - your secret weapon!

2010-03-27T18:28:00.003+11:00

I adore scarves and my wardrobe reflects my obsession - I have dozens! They can transform a simple outfit. They instantly brighten a plain white shirt and jeans, injecting some colour. And scarves just aren't for winter either. I've got a lot of lightweight, sheer ones for summer too. I wear them all year round.

Scarves are the secret weapon for big girls because they do wonders for your shape. The lines elongate your torso, making you look taller and slimmer. They break up the colour of your top half, so you're not just one big 'block'. But one of the biggest advantages is their ability to hide all sorts of bumps and bulges - especially when you sit down!

I'm always finding scarves in heaps of different stores. I've spent anywhere from $5 to $70. I just picked up a long, soft one from Target for $20. It's light pink with a grey animal print and looks great with a grey cardi and jeans. One of my favourites is a black, white and grey patterned one, in a square hankerchief shape from Sportscraft (pictured below). It was a bit more expensive, but I've worn it loads. Keep an eye out at shops like Sportsgirl, Equip and Rubi shoes. When you look, you'll find so many stores have at least one or two styles. I just got one from Sussan that is a 'loop' style. It's in a super soft wool blend in a gorgeous bright watermelon colour (pictured below). A boho-style one from Witchery with a swirly black,white and turquoise is also a favourite (pictured below). Oh, and don't be scared to check out Vinnies either - I picked up a purple one from there for $3!

Starting with a white top and jeans, see how a simple scarf can be your secret weapon...

Saturday shopping - casual but cool!

2010-03-22T23:44:00.000+11:00

Welcome to my first post! I thought I'd begin with a common dilemma I often face when it comes to what to wear.... a Saturday afternoon shopping trip.

I want to be comfortable when I'm traipsing around the shops. If it's hot, I don't want to feel claustrophobic in heavy jeans. I also want something easy to slip off when I'm trying clothes on. But most importantly, I want to feel good when I walk into shops because I hate that feeling like you're really daggy!

I've always loved the tights look and a long top. But with chunky legs I was never confident of pulling it off unless the top was more like a dress and came down to my knees. But I finally found a combination I felt worked well together.

The black and white animal print top is from K-Mart, and it was an absolute steal at $25. You can score some great stuff from stores like K-Mart, Big W and even Best and Less - but more about my obsession with these stores in another post! The tights are from Big W, as I'm quite tall (nudging six foot) and I've found these are the longest ones out there and are just $15.

I teamed it with plain black flats, a black fringed bag and big black earrings. For make-up I went with clean eyes, a hint of rosy cheeks and orange lips. I wanted my hair up and out of the way, so I went for a messy bun high on my head.

The verdict? I love love love this outfit and I've already warned my friends they should get used to seeing it, because it was so comfortable and I felt really confident in it.

What do you think? If anyone is out there, feel free to send me a pic of your tights and top combination and I'd love to publish it!