Ok, I said I was going to do a five minutes post but the words just aren't coming out of my fingers from inside of my head SO LOVELY PRETTY MAXI DRESS IT IS!
Please play the Little House On The Prairie theme tune in your head whilst you view these pictures, I'm SO gutted I couldn't find a hill of tall grasses to run down but, with the number of bones I've broken since I've started this blog, I think it's very much for the best. This Yours Clothing dress is one of those lovely floaty light floral dresses that always looks good on other people but not me EXCEPT THIS ONE DOES.
I can only put the success down to the fact that the shape is loose yet the elasticated ruching, which starts at the top and extends to the waist, offers just a enough structure for my liking - plus it keeps the dress from falling off which is nice.
SO. Maxi Dresses. They generally aren't are they? Especially not on me. I probably wouldn't class this one as maxi either, rather a long midi BUT I recently learnt that maxi dresses are tricky, especially light coloured ones on freshly cut grass - You get a weird green ombre effect and then when you wash them they just end up looking sad and grey and a bit like something Miss Havisham might wear. So long midi is just A-okay with me. Also, I quite like not wearing shoes. Mainly because I have broken toes but partly because I'm a raging hippie at heart.
I'm wearing a 16 here which is absolutely perfect so my advice would be to buy true to size, unless you're between sizes, in which case size down because life's generally easier when your dress doesn't fall down in my opinion.
If you're in the market for an "all occasion" Summer dress, Yours have some fabulous maxi dresses right now - I'm a big fan of this long sleeved number on gorgeous Jess and Poppy looks INCREDIBLE in this bardot.
Em x
*Denotes item gifted for review - All the word shiz and opinion things come from my own head.
You all know I love a good year round retro look and this Autumnal outfit of bell sleeved mini dress and over the knee boots is currently rocking my world.
The ladder detailing at the front of this Yours Clothing Swing Dress give it the feel of a dress much more expensive than its £26.It may be mini but as long as I don't stand in any wind tunnels my dignity will remain in tact. I'm wearing an 18 here but could have probably sized down to a 16, I just wasn't sure about that waistline -Turns out it's less skater cut and more swing which makes it nice and loose. The sleeves are also very true to size SO I'd recommend that if you're into this frock, go for your own size or the lower if you're between. Coupled with an extremely versatile (and delightfully big!) monochrome Dogtooth scarf I'm feeling very mod chick.
So I did it, I bought some over the knee boots. You may have noticed from this here blog that you read, I have long legs, looooooooong legs.I also have a pair of legs which are smack bang in the middle of regular and wide. This means that OTKs have always been well off my radar despite loving them deep down in my heart. Enter Primark with this utterly bloody perfect pair of size 8, block heel, pull up pair of dream boots. They fit me perfectly both in length and width, are comfortable and were only £20: WINNER!
I love, love, LOVE this look.The 60s aesthetic is everything to me and Autumn is the perfect time to showcase it. It's likely that I'll put a pair of tights on with this from this day forward because BOY IS IT COLD but with a long woolen coat and my bobble hat I can see this being a key outfit for 2016.
I'd just like to thank my wonderful sister Tomato for taking these pictures - She's got MAD skillz.
Em x
*Denotes items gifted for review - All views are my own FACT.
I appreciate it hugely but beyond The Aristocats and Robin Hood (which I LOVE) I'm not big on the old Princess meets Prince narrative. This said, the dress* I'm wearing in this post DID make me feel very much like a Disney princess and I did enjoy this, so maybe now's the time to re analyse my whole life...
Becky and I were recently invited to Sunderland for the launch of the fabulous new Yours Store and BOY DID WE HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
The store is in The Bridges Shopping Centre, opposite Topshop (which I'm told is an ideal location) and the staff are absolute diamonds, each and every one of them. You can see pictures from the day on my Instagram and if you're up that way you should definitely call in.
Until then, let's talk about what I wore.
This is another "not a maxi" maxi dress - A style which I am coming to love this year. It's a soft, thick jersey and is made up of a short underlayer with a draped dip-hem top layer. The ruching and knot detail are what float my boat with this dress - It sits equally as well over leggings like those I'm wearing here as it does with bare legs. I kind of want to say more but it's one of those items that sells itself in my humble opinion. Plus it's only £29 which I think is incredible value for money indeed.
The dress is also available in marl and green so I'm seriously considering ordering it in all of the colours, it's just such a wardrobe staple for Summer. A word to the wise though; SIZE DOWN, this is a 16 and is ever so roomy because of the draping, I'm going to try a 14 in the khaki but keep this one in a 16 for general knocking about and manouvers.
I recently ordered some similar sandals to these from elsewhere and they were epically uncomfortable, so I wasn't sure how these would be but they're FABULOUS; I was on my feet all day and I can honestly say that my feet only hurt as much as any lazy office worker who is generally sat on their arse's would. I didn't realise when I ordered these that the block heel is gold but it is and these really adds to the luxe look of them. Size-wise, these are a 9 and are spot on for me. This said, they are smaller than your average Yours Sizing so maybe size up if you're a larger 9.
The earrings I'm wearing were hugely coveted by me after being influenced by Lovely Danielle Vanier - They're by Suzy Wan Deluxe and are currently the prettiest things I have in my jewellery box by a Country mile.
To counteract my extremely Northern journey, I have three days very much down South next week - Somebody put the kettle on...
Em x
* Denotes items gifted for review - All opinions are all very much my own.
These jeans were chosen on an impulse, mainly because I don't have any trousers that aren't so tight you can see my dinner through them and I wanted a trouser option as the weather picked up. What a great impulse it was!
These are a 16 and they are spot on size wise, I know they state online that they're skinny but I would say they're more of a slim fit straight leg and worn rolled up they give a fabulous fitted boyfriend look. The high waist means that I'm not always tugging at myself (That sounds rude. Don't know why) and as I've said in the past, I always feel more put together with a high-waisted trouser, everything just looks so much better with them.
Weird fact: I get annoyed by how often plus size distressed denim is so obviously false; the thighs are a giant big bleached white patch and the rips don't have that "oops I just did this whilst being an international rock star" look to them. I've realised that Yours Clothing denim doesn't have this weird creepy look to it and have been pleasantly surprised on many an occasion - These jeans are no exception.
I've mentioned these sandals before but they've pretty much not been off my feet so TA DAAAA.
The top was yet another vintage find c/o Dove House No 87 in Hull - Whoever it is that keeps taking in Size 16 and 18 items in to the shop is basically me but from the 60s because this fits like a glove and brings me much pleasure. I bought it thinking it would go in the drawer until Autumn but there Summer was and there it went and I'm back in the old velour rollnecks...
I've got an LBD and a little blue two piece coming up on here so the sun wants to get its act together or we're going to have a pneaumonia incident on our hands...
The sun has arrived!!!! IT IS HERE. I celebrated by nearly breaking my neck cleaning out the shed which is beyond structurally unsound and trying to revive a very unloved lawn with some pound shop grass feed purely so that it would look nicer under my new sun lounger which I don't intend to move from for the next month. So that's what I've been doing, hope your life has been moderately more exciting.
I have to tell you about this jacket - This is so outside of my usual style but just fabulous. I chose it because I needed a light coloured jacket for when I don't want to be too goth of an evening. Also I wanted to look like Dolly Parton BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T?!? I'm not going to lie, the tassels are moderately flamboyant for me but I love the look on my husband's face whenever I wear it - Part horror and part extreme jealousy. A must for all relationships.
This dress is going to be the saviour of my Summer. The ribbed material hangs beautifully - I've worn it today with my flipflops and sunglasses and it's incredible in the heat; Really light and genuinely easy to wear. This is a 16 and it is extremely roomy which works well for me with regards to my hips that do not lie and butt that will not quit. I know the website says maxi but maxi rarely IS maxi for me - This said, I love the length on me and the side splits make it that extra bit slinky, perfect for day into evening.
You may recall seeing some very similar shoes on my feet last year but these ones are in fact brand new, size 9 and at £23.20 an absolute steal. Friends, these sandals are SO comfortable, I just can't get over how active I can be in them whilst still looking all 70s and chic. I know I say this often but Yours really are so on the money right now - I'm going to get so much wear out of this outfit it's RIDICULOUS, plus I have another Yours look coming up very soon, involving GOLD SHOES (I shit you not) so stay tuned
Em x
* Denotes item gifted for review - Opinions are always my own.
I was recommended the dress by the lovely Jacqs at Yours and all I can say is: Yours have utterly nailed it. I've mentioned in the past that I generally avoid the skater shape but for some reason, this really works for me. The length is spot on and there are pockets. Ten out of ten. This dress is just so easy to wear - Whether it be with a Tee, vintage shirt or roll neck; It's effortless.
I wore the pinafore with one of my vintage shirts. This one was from the same place as the blue dress I bought last week. It's really unique in that it's longline with split sides - The only issue I have with it is that it's roughly two sizes too small for me, meaning I can only wear it under things. Otherwise you can see my tummy button.
I'm a fan of fringed bags but have never been able to use one without feeling extremely conspicuous. Like I'm going to get it caught in a lift door or dip it in my dinner. This Suede look fringed number from Yours Clothing is ideal, practical (yeah I said that) yet still very "On trend" as people in the know say.
After saying how few clothes I've bought of late, I substantially extended my vintage wardrobe this weekend thanks to a kilo sale, so there will be some extremely gaudy prints and hues gracing the pages of this blog very soon...
Em x
* Denotes iterms gifted for review. As always, opinions are my own.
You may know what I am about to tell you, in which case you will be bored STIFF of seeing pictures of his BUT I AM GOING TO TELL YOU ANYWAY AS THIS IS MY WAVE AND I AM RIDING IT UNTIL I EITHER FALL OFF OR SOMEONE KICKS ME OFF.
Let me start by showing you the following:
Yes, that is me going "pow", it is also me sitting on a chair in my birthday suit like the floozie that I am. But WHY I hear you say! Well I've been bloody lucky, that's why. I decided early this year to enter the Yours Clothing #YoursNeedsMe competition as part of my "Just say yes" vibe. The competition was to become the face of the Yours Clothing A/W campaign and feature on their TV advert. I am going to level with you here - I DID NOT THINK I STOOD A CHANCE. Genuinely. To cut a long story short; following photos, videos, a hilarious casting which I hope nobody will ever see, wracked nerves, a lot of disbelief and extreme smacking of my gob, I became one of the chosen four. And that is when life as I knew it changed. The phonecall I received the day after the casting went as follows: Producer: "Emma?" Me: *squeak* Producer: "The director really liked you" Me: *squeak* Producer: "Can you come to Palma in two weeks?" Me: *Is dead on the floor has died from shock but is also saying "yes please are you sure I think you have the wrong number I touched my nose with my foot in the casting how can you want me I'm old and I fall over all the time and oh my gosh yes please please don't change your mind how much did my Husband pay you...."*
The advert shoot was utterly mind blowing For a start, along with the four professional models, we were flown out to Palma (The one in Spain) (Is there another one?) Put in a beautiful hotel, taken for delicious meals and then put to work...The shoot day was awesome, the work that Yours, Chief Productions and TBWA put in was enough to make me shattered just thinking about it. We were collected at 6am and taken to the set, from the moment we arrived it was a flurry of hair, makeup, styling, muffins (you can put a girl in nice clothes but you cant make her a model...) and then I was up. I did some dancing, some wiggling about and a sh*t tonne of sweating (in my defence, I was wearing a parka and a woolly hat in 40 degree heat)
The director was a star, he knew exactly how to get the best out of me...and how to get me to take my clothes off (I'm a sucker for a pretty face). Which takes us to that shot. A lot of people have asked if I'm actually naked. I'm not telling you. All I'm saying is that the chair had to be burnt after filming...
A couple of months later the girls were back together in a moderately less sticky climate to put together an A/W lookbook and shoot the photos which you may have seen in every window of every Yours Clothing store in the country...(HUMBLE AREN'T I?!)
The Yours clothing team are amazing. Genuinely. Being around them is like being with friends, they looked after us, supported us and spoilt us rotten (SO better than friends really...I might see if I can keep them...) We got to try on the A/W15 Heritage range, which is SO far up my street - There is not an item I didn't want (Except the parka which I've fallen out with for trying to kill me in the 40 degree Palma heat)
My favourite shot from the day with Tia, love this girl <3 All clothes are available at www.Yoursclothing.co.uk
I honestly have not tired of friends messaging me pictures of shop windows in all reaches of the UK - This is a once in a lifetime experience, I am not a model, this will not happen for me again so I am going to enjoy every single second of it (Including opening the Meadowhall store which I will tell you more about very soon!)
For me, in order to invest in a brand, I need to know that it has integrity and that it truly cares for its customers. So many brands are happy to make money from plus size women, they'll use plus size bloggers in their campaigns and pay lip service to diversity but when it comes to the crunch, the models they fall back on are a size 14-16 (at the most...). Now don't get me wrong, I'm a size 16, and I love seeing women of my size online - Simply, It makes it easier to see how clothes are going to look on me.
BUT, I am in the majority, I am represented everywhere.
Comments on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are testament to the fact that women want representing, and not just in terms of size diversity. Plus size women of colour have gone all this time with minimal representation in the world of fashion at any size (Steph from A Nerd About Town speaks about this HERE). It is something that many of us take for granted. And it ain't right.
The models used for the ad and the women who won the competition range from a size 14 - 26. They are Yours clothing customers, they come from different backgrounds, have different lives, look different; women of colour, tall women, short women, glamorous women, talented women and well...me...
I honestly could not be prouder to be a part of this. By no means am I saying "Look, Yours have fixed it all we can forget about under representation now" but they are becoming known for using a diverse range of models, (for example Tess Holliday and the utterly breathtakingly stunning Olivia Campbell). They are making a change and I sincerely hope that other brands will stand up and take notice.
The experience was incredible but I can honestly say that these three women made it everything it was; Linzi, Tia and Poppy are three of the most beautiful, dynamic and unique women I have had the pleasure to meet. Every minute with them has been like spending time with old friends, I guarantee to you here and now that this will not be the last you see of them so keep your eyes peeled (and just remember I called it!)
I hope that you love the campaign and advert as much as we loved being part of it. Your feedback and support so far has made me weepy on many an occasion and further proves me what a kick ass awesome group of readers this blog has.
Finally, I urge you: When an opportunity arises - Take it.
Fashion week is almost upon us, as such I have taken the unprecedented seasonal step of FLASHING MY LEGS. These legs are very brown. Very brown indeed. They've had a full week in the sun so even if they look whiter than a polar bear, I can assure you that they are not (They are. They really are)
I can't lie, when I hear the words "High Fashion", I think "not terribly wearable" but these last three words are not synonymous with Yours Clothing so in putting together this outfit I've gone for a wearable yet fashionable silhouette which is one you won't usually see on me. Saying this, I love the shape that you can get from scuba - the effect of a full skirt without the masses of fabric, and over a fitted shirt I think it looks very chic indeed. The detailing on the collar of this shirt is utterly beautiful - to be honest, there was no need for the earrings but I just like them so very much that I bling-ed it up to the max. Finally, the boots are a size 9 and are ridiculously comfortable (Again, not very high fashion of me...)
My absolute dream high fashion look is basically anything Vivienne Westwood - I know so many women love a bit of Viv - For me it's the structure, the bold prints and STUPIDLY high platforms. In fact, Yours are giving a strong nod to this look in their A/W range: Tartans shawls, chunky ankle boots and tailored shirts - I can't wait to get my grubby little mits on some of it.
Just a few words of advice with these items:
The skirt comes up big - Like REALLY big. This is a 16 and I think I could have gone at least two sizes smaller to wear it on my waist - So size down!
The shirt is a bit on the tighter size. This is an 18 and it is a bit gapey around the busoms - So size up!
(Yours' sizing is generally spot on for me so this is a one off)
UKPSFW is this weekend and it looks to be fabulous - I'll be keeping my eyes open for some catwalk inspo!
I've found a wall that I really like, it could do with a bit of a clean but I am definitely not heading out into the streets of Sheffield with a soapy brush when I barely even wash my own windows so I'm afraid you'll have to deal with it. If it helps at all, it's around the back of a Subways so it smells of sandwiches and sadness which may also explain why I was so drawn to it...
I know that denim is ALWAYS in fashion but it genuinely seems to be going bonkers at the moment. These gorgeous Black Stretch High Waisted Jeans With Ripped Knees are how I'm wearing my denim this year. They're high waisted which is always a win for me and the rips are SO close to being on my knees (You know my thoughts on rips - I'm always a bit scared the bottom of the jeans is going to fall off and I'll end up looking like Huckleberry Finn...) You can also get these jeans in indigo and they go up to a size 28 - I'd say that these fit on the true to big side, I'm wearing a 16 but a 14 would have also been ace due to the stretch.
I wore the jeans with this lush sleeveless tunic which gives a nod to the 70s trend which Autumn is all about and which I am already stocking up on BECAUSE I CANNOT WAIT YO. Again, I'm wearing the 16 and it fits fabulously, if not a little snug around the ladies if ya catch my drift. I've worn it since without the belt and it looks ace with leggings and knee boots. If you're not the BFG then you could probably even wear it with tights. Without flashing your region. Unlike me.
The Nelly Sandals that i have worn to absolute death this Summer are currently in the sale in a size 8 for a bargain £30 and I really cant recommend them enough - Bigfeet of the world rejoice.
I wore this outfit for a jaunt around Sheffield which you will all get to know more about soon. Keep your peepers peeled and I can't wait to share - IT'S VERY EXCITING!!!
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.
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.
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).
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.
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...)
You'll have seen me in Yours clothing on a number of occasions - Fast, Fun and affordable, Yours clothing cater for sizes 14 - 36 and have become the brand to watch for me of late. (It helps that they now have a store in almost every big city so I can TRY STUFF ON. What a delightful novelty!)
Last week, I was a very, very VERY lucky little girl and was invited to join Yours for dinner at the exceptionally glamorous South Place hotel with...(wait for it) ...the incomparable Tess Holliday.
You can't not selfie with Tess - She's stunning.
If you watched Plus Size Wars on Channel 4 recently, you will have seen the managing director of Yours, Andrew Killingsworth, talking about (amongst many other fabulous things) the positive influence that Tess has had on the plus sized industry as a whole, so it's no surprise that in 2014, Tess became the face of Yours.
Tess is a plus sized model and inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people around the globe who have found support in her #effyourbeautystandards movement. At a size 22, she is the only woman of her size to have a major modelling contract and after meeting her I can testify to the fact that anyone who thinks that using a size 22 model won't sell clothes is very, very, VERY wrong. Tess is utterly stunning (I coveted her hair to a stupid extent), unique, saucy and a real presence. I'm thrilled to have spent an evening with her.
Now on to the clothes and I can honestly say that Yours are doing themselves proud with their Spring/Summer 15 looks. I have to share my favourite pieces with you because as much as I want to, I can't keep them all to myself:
Playful Pastels does exactly what it says on the tin, a beautiful Summer wardrobe of pastel florals, denim staples and metallic highlights. This floral skater skirt ticks so many boxes for me, I can see it with a bardot top and sandals (maybe the holographic ones above...?) on a warm evening. And UGH this necklace - IT IS PERFECT, (Plus I've just noticed that it's 3 for 2 at the moment...)
Urban Jungle takes inspiration from the 70s (Yesss), mixing tropical brights and monochrome in a range which I couldn't keep my grubby little mits off. I've never been fully behind fluro colours but just can't stop thinking about this lime green top, so I may be a Nu raver yet! I also really like the printed trousers, it's been so long since I wore acceptable Summer trousers (e.g not ones that I want to rip off within minutes)
I can't thank Yours enough for the past week. The passion and sheer hard work they put in to reaching their target audience and ensuring that their customers feel valued is incredible, the praise and recognition that they are currently receiving is SO well deserved. Hurray for Yours!
