Vintage Style and Victory Rolls.

Dress: Collectif Clothing. Bag:Vintage, thrifted. Hair flowers: H&M.

All images by Antony Cartwright.

A few weeks ago when all the glorious weather started (I'm getting sick of it now but come August when I'm away I'll miss the sunshine!) I went to one of my favourite vintage fairs. Vintage Village at Stockport, I believe it's usually the second Sunday of each month. Anyway if you're into vintage/retro finds its a must particularly if you don't live to far away. Because I'm so cool I always go with my folks. this time I didn't actually find anything myself to buy but my dad quite often does! 

Whenever we go I always try to pull out the more retro side of my personal style and because it's summer I finally broke out this dress I picked up in the Huge 50% off everything sale Collectif do a few times a year. (here's hoping it's about time for another one as I have a few things on my wishlist!)  I've had to alter it to fit me better but I expect that because I'm an awkward shape. It was warm that day so I thought it would be best to have my hair off my face but it had been so long since I did victory rolls on my own head I have to admit they aren't my best work! I'm also still surprised that I had any curl left in my hair when these photos were taken! Antony saw me with my folks and asked my dad if he could take my photograph because I was dressed up! My dad couldn't stop laughing seeing as I'm 25 now and you know what I'm glad Antony got some snaps for me because otherwise I wouldn't have any photos to show of the last time I looked half decent! However it has been so long since anyone took my photo I have to say I was more than a little rusty which is why my expression is bit resting bitch face! 

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Currently Coveting - Simply Be.

Wrap Dress with Shorts - Simply Be.

I've been lusting over this since I first saw it at the beginning of May and naturally when I decide throw caution to the wind (and my poor bank account) to treat myself for my Birthday it's sold out in the 2 sizes I fluctuate between. For most people that would be the end of that but for me I'm hoping to set aside a little bit of 'me' sewing time to knock up a fabulous 2 piece inspired by this! 

It won't be in the same colour way or probably even the same shape, perks of patterning and drafting your own designs is having blocks in a true plus size at your disposal! I do have a lovely fabric in mind for this that is waiting on my unit shelf to be made into something perfect and summery! 

If you could make the one garment of clothing you'd love what would it be?

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Lady in Red - RI Plus.

Dress: c/o River Island. Belt (worn as hairband) c/o Boohoo. Clutch Bag (old) Next. Shoes: Bought on Holiday.

Seeing as Party Season is slowly creeping upon us I thought now would be a good time to share this beautiful red dress with you all. Even though I took these photos when it wasn't quite so chilly! This is the kind of dress that I'd lust over in a shop and on other people but never dare to think I could carry off myself so when River Island gave me the opportunity on the Curve Fashion Festival bloggers day to choose something I KNEW I had to go with this little number! 

I sized up to a UK22 so it wouldn't cling as much as I'm still yet to find the perfect shape wear for me but this does look absolutely killer clinging to a girls curves just at the time I was having bit of a confidence wobble (still am tbh) so I wasn't feeling brave enough to size down! I'm really hoping I get invited to some fabulous festive party or something so I can show this off as it is the perfect party dress! I decided to style it up with sparkly accessories and some seriously glam make up! The belt worn in my hair I picked up at the bloggers day as well from Boohoo, it also looks really cute on the waist as it's intended use but I couldn't resist popping it in my hair to jazz up my tighter curled vintage inspired hair!

I know my posts have been extremely sporadic over the last several months but I'm trying to keep posting as I love it so much! I'm currently in the middle of costumes for a show and I just finished on another as wig dresser so lets just say my life is rather up in the air at the moment! 

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Viva `Voluptuous.

Tankini: C/O Viva Voluptuous. Kimono: Yours (old). Sunglasses: Specspost. Hair flower: Pin Up Curl. Sandals: Simply Be (old).

I'm back with my first swimwear post of the year! Usually I've had quite a number by now but due to my hiatus unfortunately this could be the only one but what beautiful pieces to show you! I was lucky enough to be sent this Tankini from Viva Voluptuous, I normally prefer a bikini or full suit but I actually really love this.  I am wearing the bottoms in a UK20 and they fit well without digging in or riding up, something I particularly like about Viva is that the Tankini and Bikini cups come in cup sizes and for plus size women that is often need a little support up top! I'm wearing the 38DD here and they are quite generous and I fit in well without spillage and as they are not padded cups I was concerned about the cups wrinkling as my chest isn't full at the top but that wasn't an issue at all. Another concern I had that I shouldn't have worried about was whether the Tankini part over my stomach would be tight as my tummy is larger than my back but it fitted well without clinging to any areas I'd rather it didn't. Viva Voluptuous currently have a sale on the swimwear so I'd grab a fabulous bargain while you can! 

I decided to style this up in my go to retro style and my hair flower from Pin Up Curl couldn't have matched any better. I decided to change from my usual red lip for a fun candy pink which I think I'll have to pull out more as it's nice for a change! Overall I'm so impressed with Viva Voluptuous and I definitely have my eye on a few pieces of there lingerie for myself. 

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Lindy Bop Love.

Delta Swan Border Swing Dress: c/o Lindy Bop. Belt: Vintage. Bolero: Asda. Hair Flower: Pin Up Curl. Shoes: Shop in Southwold (unfortunately now closed down!) Glasses: Red or Dead from Specsavers. Bag: Accessorize.

I'm back! I know it is quite a shock I've been planning on getting my blog back to how it used to be for awhile but unfortunately 2016 has been shit for me and my Mental Health hasn't let me feel like I could in all honesty. 

But what is better for a comeback than this BEAUTIFUL Delta dress Lindy Bop were kind enough to send me for review. I've always had a soft spot for Lindy Bop and lately they've upped there game even more! This print is killing it for me, when I first started dressing more to my vintage side border prints were just not available in my size and the colours in this one are just to die for! This dress is also not lined which I actually prefer in a swing dress so I don't end up with static when I wear a petticoat under the skirt. Here I'm wearing a size 22 which is what I always order with reproduction or vintage style brands as I often find that they run a little small. My only issues with this dress were that I need to pop a few tacks in the underarm as it gapes a little (something that happens in basically all dresses I wear that are sleeveless) and I find the dress quite long in the body but popping my favourite belt on solved that issue easily! I am honestly so impressed with this dress and feel really lovely in it. I also love that it has pockets! We ALL love a dress with pockets that is for sure! 

I decided to style it up with my vintage favourites and my hair was so amazing thanks to Jess at I love Lucie Hair Parlour in Stockport. I got my hair cut there just before I took these photos and it's honestly one of my favourite cuts particularly as my curls hold much better now thanks to the horseshoe vintage cut which was done. If you're a vintage gal I cannot recommend them enough! 

Lindy Bop currently have an End of Summer Sale on so I'd definitely recommend grabbing a bargain while you can! 

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Velvet Dream.

Dress: Evans (c/o House of Fraser) Shoes: Next. Clutch: Evans.

This is a long awaited party outfit post I meant to get up over Christmas but due to lots of last minute drastic changes in the pantomime I do costumes for and unfortunately a neighbour I was very close to (Patches owner) passing away. This is the first time I've been able to sit down to write. The lovely team over at House of Fraser gave me the option to choose an item from there Evans selection on the site and I just couldn't stop going back to this beautiful velvet number! The camera doesn't pick up how beautiful it is, you can wear it on or off the shoulder and has an utterly lovely almost peplum like frill on the chest which is also part of the sleeves and back. This means it gives you a little coverage on your arms if you feel a little insecure about them, which I do with my own sometimes! 

I'm wearing a UK size 20 which is my usual go to, I always find Evans clothing is pretty true to size meaning I don't have to worry so much about what size I would need. Another thing I love about Evans is the wide fit options in footwear and you can also buy these from House of Fraser as well. The perfect one stop shop! If I'm looking for occasion wear in plus sizes HOF is my go to as they also stock the fabulous Studio 8 which have the MOST beautiful dresses! I decided to keep this pretty simple but perfect for the part season with a sequin clutch and my sparkly flatforms. I did something a little different with my hair and curled it away off my face, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it but I love my hair like this! 

House of Fraser currently have some fab pieces from Evans Clothing in their sale at the moment! As well as a whole host of other plus size pieces! The dress above is now sold out on HOF but is still available at Evans in limited sizes.

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Books and Boots.

Boots: c/o   . Skirt: Joanie Clothing. Scarf: Dorothy Perkins. Top: Primark.

This post is all about boots! Now as a plus size women I've always struggled finding any wide calf boots to fit my chunky little legs and it's so often that the selection in stores that offer wide fit shoes often don't think about the increase in calf size. This is where The Wide Calf Boot Store comes into play. They have a wonderful range of boots in different Calf sizes, all you have to do is measure your calf at home and type in your shoe size and calf measurement into the site and that's it! I believe my calf measurement was roughly an XL in their size chart and I have to admit they fit like an absolute dream on my legs. I've always wanted some boots like this to wear with my vintage dresses and skirts come winter but I'd never found something classic and timeless in style but I'm happy to say now I have. These boots also have a slight heel it's probably less than half an inch but it's enough so you don't feel too flat footed (if that makes sense at all!) 

Now these boots don't come cheap but for quality and something that will last more than a year or so I'd say it's an investment, My only downfall with these boots is that as well as my wide calves I also have wide feet and these were a touch narrow when they fit arrived but now I've worn them in they are much more comfortable! I decided to style these up with this adorable skirt from Joanie Clothing who are fast becoming my favourite brand at the moment. They have the perfect mix of vintage inspired pieces but everyday wearability, I am so in love with them and there will be a huge post about them very soon! Then another recent favourite being roll neck/polo neck jumpers something I used to hate wearing but this year they've just been a life saver to keep the chill at bay! 

Ps. I now kind of have a dog... if you follow me on Instagram you'll have met Patch before! She is my neighbours pooch who I walk everyday anyway but due to him being unwell long term, Patch is now living with me and my family, she's a 15 year old Rescue Jack Russell and can be a pain but she also has very cute moments like here she was curious as to what I was doing outside so decided to join in on the photoshoot! 

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Natural Curves Classic Girdle.

Girdle: c/o Natural Curves. Dress: Forever 21 (bought from Nancy) Beret: Primark. 

Hello I'm back with another post for you all! This one has also been waiting awhile to be written and I can only apologise but at least I'm here now and going to tell you about my first ever Girdle! As you may notice from my style over the last year I've been showing my vintage style more and more. It's something I've always loved but I just didn't feel like I could wear it all the time but now it makes me happy to dress up more so I do. I've been thinking about trying a girdle with some hold ups for awhile so when Natural Curves emailed me to ask if I'd like to try something from them I just new as soon as I saw the Classic Open Bottom Girdle by Ulla Dessous that it was just my cup of tea. 

Here I'm wearing the 3X which is labelled on the site as a UK20 and it fits well much better than I thought it would. As a novice I thought I'd really struggle using the belts and attaching them to the hold ups (I couldn't find mine when I wanted to take photos so I cut up some old tights for them!) There is 3 buckles on each side which hold them up enough but if you were more heavily into the vintage scene and jive danced you'd potentially need something more hardcore but for me 3 straps are perfect. Another thing I liked about this girdle is it held me in a little without cutting into my stomach and becoming uncomfortable. I've had suspender belts in the past that were honestly useless for anyone plus size but this one by Natural Curves is fab! As it was pretty chilly outside I layer with this adorable printed dress and roll neck top. This look is my more everyday vintage style but I can't wait to wear this girdle when I really go full vintage glam over Christmas! 

As we all know plus size lingerie can be a nightmare to find and Natural Curve offer many styles up to a UK Dress Size 34! It's also pretty rare to find classic high quality lingerie and shape wear that's larger sizes fit so well and these do! You can check out there full collections on the site here. 

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