Friday 17 December 2010

Real Models, Real Looks December 2010

Well, after much blood, sweat and tears I have finally managed to put together the first 'Real Models. Real Looks' segment for Curvalicious Fashion. Unfortunately things did not run as smoothly as I would have liked due to the never ending illnesses I have had for the past month or so, but I got there in the end. For this first edition the lovely people at New Look gave us some of their Inspire range to use in the shoot. Seeing as though I have been struck down with every bug / virus known to man, my friend Aimi went and picked the items for me (which was awfully kind of her).
The whole idea of this segment is to see what items of clothing look like on 'real' plus size women. Therefore I gathered a few volunteers (including) myself to model the wares for you. 


This first item is a fabulously cosy jumper currently £25 and is modelled by the gorgeous Laura

Next we have an animal print kimono style tunic currently on sale for £24.99 and is modelled by the lovely Aimi (who also picked out the clothing for the shoot)


This wonderful wintery style tunic is a must have item for this time of year, its fun, funky and definitely in keeping with the time of year. It is modelled here by the sassy Miss Josie Young, and is currently on sale for £26.99


This fantastic square neck red tunic is currently on sale for £25.99 and can be dressed up or down, and fabulous buy this season.


This grey frill tunic top is currently in the sale for £14 (original price £22.99), 
modelled again by the lovely Laura


Another sale item modelled by Laura is this pink satin evening / party dress
 currently £10 (original price £22.99)


This stunning black jewelled maxi dress paired with this stylish shrug is a fabulous look this winters. 
Maxi dress £35.99, Black shrug £16.99 
worn by the lovely Josie


Here's another animal print tunic, ideal to wear with leggings or jeans. Currently priced at £22.99, 
modelled by the beautiful Aimi.


Finally we have this animal print maxi dress currently in the sale for £16 (original price £29.99), black bag £17.99. Unfortunately with being quite poorly before hand, there was no time for fake tan... so please don't be put off by my casper like tones ;-)



The next 'Real Models, Real Looks' will be on location.. with a 'girls night out' feel!! I really can't wait

Lots of love

 
Donna
xxx




All photography is done by Scott Sharman Photography and all of the photographs are licensed for exclusive use on Curvalicious Fashion UK . These photographs must not be used or shared on any other website, printing or personal use.

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Snow is falling... all around me....

Well I've woken up this morning and a white blanket adorns my street. It looks like its here for the duration too... the snow is fabulous, if you haven't got to go anywhere.  Spending your time making snowmen, having snowballs fights and making snow angels. If like me you can't even stand in the snow much less walk, your footwear is an essential thought before leaving the house. 


Last year I lived in my UGG style boots (it didn't help that I was pregnant at the time too). Although these boots are absolutely useless in the snow, your feet end up soggy and cold and wet. The best option I find is to wear some fab, funky wellies and wellie socks to warm your tootsies.



Wedge Welly have an absolutely lush range of wider fitting wellies for us plus size ladies. They are fashion savvy  and practical all at the same time.... what more could a girl ask for!! They also have a little bit of a wedge to make you feel less frumpy plodding around in the snow!

 Hunter Lace Originals

These lace up Hunter wellies are another brilliantly stylish way of getting wellies for plus size winter fashion. You don't have to try and pull them up your legs and the laces give you a little more room. They are also bang on trend with this seasons military style.

Hunter also do a range of welly socks which, while they are a little pricier than any other socks look stunning teamed with a pair of funky wellies. I found this gorgeous pair on ASOS, they also hold numerous other varietys of these.


I have also found this wonderful site for socks... MySocks.co.uk who have a tremendous range of over the knee socks which also look great with wellies. (I myself can't wear a pair of wellies without them). They are as cheap as chips too... from only £4.95 per pair!


I
As you can see from this very cold and blustery picture of me paddling in the sea last Autumn, I like to wear the over the knee socks, rolled down over the wellies. Its a good way of keeping the warmth in ;-)

Along with these socks and wellies, you'll also need a some other winter warmer accessories.
 Dorothy Perkins and Evans both have wonderful range of winter accessories, including hats, scarves and gloves. So what are you waiting for?? Get warmed up!!!! 




Lots of love

Donna
xxx

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Xmas time?? Stress time??

Well its official, Christmas is here..... I've seen the coca cola advert on TV!! So its time for fun and frolics, lots of parties / nights out and filling your face with lots and lots of things so very wrong but so very right all at the same time.
Although, with these fabulous reasons to have a smile on your face, getting outfits for all of these parties can be a stressful time, especially for us curvalicious beauties.


We all want to look fabulous, especially at Xmas. If you are anything like me you also have to have a 'Xmas day outfit', I really don't know why, as I only veg out in front of the TV after eating possibly the biggest dinner ever, but I need one all the same. Every year I plan shopping trips with my friends to find these 'oh so special' outfits. Every year I come back with nothing and every year I stress myself out over it.


I need fabulous outfits for those numerous works nights out (mine and other peoples), I need something for those nights where I'm out with my friends, Xmas day........... and don't even get me started on New Year! God forbid I would wear the same outfit for any of these occasions, unless of course I'm in a different town or city than previously worn ;-)


There are lots of fantastic online offers around at this time of year for Plus Size fashion, and some gorgeous clothes too, but just once I would love to be able to go shopping for an outfit and be able to try it on to see what it looks like before I spend my hard earned cash. I can't speak for the major cities in the UK, but here in Stoke we have hardly any high street retailers who cater for the plus sizes. There is the token Evans Clothing shop, New Look have their Inspire range and that is about it really. To be fair I never really go into Evans as I don't feel there is anything in there to suit me and my style. I feel its is all a bit too 'old' for me. As for the Inspire range, unless you like living in jeans and tshirts there's nothing really in there for you. Like I said it could be different in stores in the larger cities, but not everyone lives in the big smoke.


There has been the odd occasion that I have found something in Dorothy Perkins or Primark, but these are not regular occurrences. There needs to be more 'affordable' plus size fashion out on the high street for us ladies who like to shop. In the meantime I'll have to look for my fabulous Xmas outfits online. If you have any suggestions of high street shops selling affordable, fashionable clothing please let me know.


lots of love












Donna
xxx

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Curvalicious Fashions Midweek Recommendations

Evans have a fab new online Xmas Catalogue... check it out!!!


Take a peek at Plus Model Magazine the premiere virtual magazine celebrating the plus size fashion, beauty and plus size modeling industries, inspires YOU to thrive in your curves, crave contemporary fashion and design your life on your own terms, no apologies. PLUS Model Magazine brings aspiring and professional plus size models the information and resources needed to have a successful plus size modeling career. And for fashion conscious women with curves, they also report on the best beauty tips as well as plus size clothing companies and designers styling for today's modern plus size women.



Curvalicious Fashion got a fab funky new logo designed and produced by Caldesigns.

Evans tell us how to stay cosy yet stylish with their winter knits 

The fabulous Madison Plus tell us of the FTF model search Click here for details

Curvalicious Fashion gets a brand new Twitter Page

Andrew Coimbra writes about dressing for your shape for Womens Post



For all the fabulous Curvalicious men out there. Check out Fantastic Man the gentlemens online style journal

Take look at ASOS’ party attire….. Only six weeks till Xmas!! How scary! 


Anna Scholz offers 20% off her Favourite Dress Of The Season - Double Silk Maxi Lapel Dress!! Type AF1 into discount codes...

So Boho Vintage offer this Vintage Ladies Kangol Trilby Style Soft Touch Hat with Band. Its only £15 and there are loads of different styles available. 

Madison Plus report on the Glamour Women of the year awards

Don’t miss out!! Warehouse clearance…. Items starting from 80p!!! Size Up the webs first ‘size up’ only site by Yours Clothing 





Wednesday 3 November 2010

Plus Size in the UK - I've seen more curves on a square!

Since starting this blog I have been looking into numerous aspects of fashion for the 'plus sizes', one of which is the plus size model. The information I have found I feel to be quite disturbing.


Firstly the UK is sadly lagging way behind in the curvy fashion stakes. In the UK we struggle to find any decent stores (high street or online) in which we can get current 'on trend' fashions. There are the few obvious well advertised ones like Simply Be or Evans for example, but we end up paying well over and above the 'normal' sized person. In the states they have a ridiculous amount of places you can get really fabulous, great value clothing from and numerous sites giving advice to curvier women who love fashion and want to look great, Madison Plus being one of them.


Almost a quarter of women in the UK or around 6.2million now wear a size 18 or above, with the average dress size being a size 16. Therefore I think you will agree that it is preposterous that so called plus size model agencies etc class a size 12 as 'plus sized'. Now, I think that no one can argue the fact that this is both disgusting and irresponsible on behalf of both the model agencies and the fashion industry in general.


How can they justify telling young girls / women that they are plus sized if they are a size 12?? They wouldn't even have curves..... well not real ones anyway. It is ever likely that these young girls are running around with eating disorders trying to 'make it' in the fashion industry. Apparently, according to Models Connect as a plus size model you will advertise clothes, accessories and products for the larger woman. Therefore, it is necessary that you represent this look, so must be at least a UK size 12 to qualify. Ideally you will be a UK dress size 12, 14 or 16. Although, sizes 10 and 18/20 are also used, it is far less common..... also you must be 'toned' and your figure should be well balanced and you should not appear top or bottom heavy....... Come on guys!!! Seriously! Do your research, check you market!


There is also a 'plus size' beauty pageant run in the UK called Miss Curvy UK in which applicants have to be a size 12 or above to enter, I find this truly amazing. I understand that retailers / designers want their clothing to look appealing, however there are a hell of a lot of stunningly beautiful very curvy women out there, who could quite easily model their clothes and do a damned good job of selling them. I know that personally I would rather see what a garment looks like on a woman who is the same shape as me, than what it looks like on a size 12 model, even the thought of it is ridiculous.


The retailers and fashion industry on the whole in the UK needs to first of all accommodate to the majority market, which in this case is the 'plus size'. They also need to class the plus sizes appropriately, and lastly they need to use more curvier models without the perfect hourglass figures. We want to see REAL models, wearing REAL plus size 'on trend' clothes. Hopefully with enough blogging and pressure by us  normal 'plus size' women, things will change............... and lets hope its soon.


Lots of Love























Donna
xxx

Thursday 28 October 2010

So Sorry!!

Hi guys I'm so sorry I've not blogged for a while, but I'm having issues with my ISP..... hopefully should be sorted in the next week or so they reckon. So should be up and running properly then

Donna
xxx

Monday 11 October 2010

Winter Warmers

I don’t know about you but I dread Winter and everything about it (apart from receiving lots of Xmas pressies that is). I hate the weather and I especially hate trying to find decent clothes to wear. I really struggle trying to find clothes in I feel good in, and not feel really frumpy. I see all my slimmer friends looking fabulous in their thick knit products and feel so very jealous that I couldn’t get away with wearing the same stuff.


Winter coats are also a huge issue for me, well coats from any season pose a problem really, but Winter coats especially. They are very thick and chunky, I suppose they have to be they’re Winter coats. This is no good for us curvier ladies as they tend to show and accentuate every lump and bump visible to the human eye…. Or even worse.. A camera!!


There are ways around the Winter fashion look though so do not despair it is not all doom and gloom. Military style is still pretty much on trend at the moment. Although try and steer clear of double breasted coats / jackets as this will probably emphasise everything you are trying to conceal. It doesn’t always work this way for everyone, but for most curvy women it does.


As an alternative to a coat, you could try a long line, flowing cardigan of some sort. Preferably with a waterfall style front, this design tends to make you look a lot slimmer than you are and is very flattering. This style is what I tend to choose a lot of the time as I don’t particularly feel comfortable in a coat. You can get these types of cardigans in all sorts or thicknesses so can be worn in the height of winter.

There are lots of thinner, more stylish knits on the market too so you don’t have to feel frumpy and ‘old’. Nice, thin soft knit patterned dresses or tunics are a fabulous investment for the Winter. Team them with leggings or jeggings, some fabulous boots, a long line cardigan, accessorise to the hills, and you’ll be on to a Winner!!


When picking accessories this season its all about the luxury materials, so no woollen gloves and scarves. Think leather, velvet, suede or lace gloves. Anything which makes a statement and makes you look and feel fabulous!!!


So check regularly for my choice picks this season on the featured items page :-)










Lots of love
Donna
xxx

Wednesday 6 October 2010

 The Brand New Style Blog to make you look Fabulush!

Have you ever tried looking for fashionable clothing but the only things you can find are for skinny minnies?? (By skinny minnies I mean anyone up to a size 14 lol) Are you sick of being referred to as ‘plus size’ or a ‘larger lady’?? Do you wish there was somewhere to look for fashion inspiration?? If so then this is the blog for you.

Curvaceous Fashion will aim to search the best of the high street and find fashion which will not break the bank and will most definitely NOT make you look 10 sizes bigger than you actually are. With ‘real’ people modelling these clothes for you, to show you what they really look like when worn. The problems us curvaceous women find is that most affordable fashion is only for the smaller sizes, and the so called fashion for us voluptuous girls is either big and baggy or old fashioned. It is also well overpriced. I don’t know about you but I’m 30, and a young 30 at that. I love going out with my girlfriends, I still love clubbing and going to music festivals and all the fun stuff.

I know when I’ve been looking for attire to wear to these events its been a struggle. All the things I would love to wear I can’t because ‘I know my limits‘. I know that I would look ridiculous is most of the items advertised as the latest ‘on trend’ fashion. I refuse to wear baggy clothes which just hang, as they either make me look pregnant or 10 sizes bigger than I actually am. Even the places which say they sell ‘plus sizes’ aren’t actually modelled by real plus size people. Curvalicious Fashion will aim to show you how the clothes really look when they’re on real women
I also get confused by all this ‘pear shape’, ‘apple shape’ malarkey. I think sometimes I can look both, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. There are just a few simple rules which I abide by, people may not agree with them, but I find they work for me.


Rule 1: Don’t wear anything that just hangs. Especially if you have a large bust, it will just make you look pregnant or larger than you actually are. If you want to wear something which hangs, wear a belt to pull you in at your smallest part.

Rule 2: If you have a larger bust, do not wear anything with a high neck I.e. a polo neck, this again will make you look a lot bigger than you are in reality.

Rule 3: Don’t wear anything which is clingy I.e bodycon style dresses / tunics. I know some of you may feel ok wearing these, which is fine if you’re happy. Me on the other hand, I hate anything which will enhance my flabby tubby, I’d rather draw attention to something else ;-)

Rule 4: Don’t wear trousers / skirts / jeans which are too tight around the midriff, if you need to go up a size, then go up a size. You may feel crappy for doing it but you will probably also look slimmer for doing it.

Rule 5: Stay away from big bold stripes, no matter what direction they are going in. I have always felt HUGE when wearing stripes, it doesn’t matter whether they are horizontal or vertical. Pinstripes are not too bad, but big bold ones.. HELL NO!!

These are my simple rules in which I stick by, and most of the time I’m told I carry it off quite well (without wanting to sounding arrogant). The most important thing is to ’KNOW YOUR LIMITS’, you can’t very well walk around in a tight little mini skirt if you have chunky thighs….. Well you could, but you wouldn’t look good ;-)

So in future blogs look out for photos, features and where to buy the latest fab fashions for us curvier ladies!!




Lots of Love
Donna
xxx