Walk into the room purse first!

Hello darlings!

It is no great secret that I am a gal that loves accessories. Bold statement jewellery, hats, fascinators, belts, trinkets, scarves... I love them all! One accessory always grabs my attention and completes an outfit better than any other though- and that is the faithful handbag.

For as long as I can remember I've been obsessed with bags. Not your usual hold-all, two strap basic satchel mind you- I'm talking statement bags! Think quirky, odd, outside of the box and now you're on my level. 

"Less about functionality, more about fun"

That has always been my attitude when it comes to handbags. I realise that not everyone will love the unusual aspects of a statement bag; it is difficult to juggle your purse, makeup, cards and other necessities when you're working with less space, but in the same breath I'd argue that they can bring new life into any ensemble and update an outfit instantly. Overall, they're definitely a big plus in my book.

Over the years I've managed to accumulate a fairly impressive collection of novelty bags - from milk cartons to eyeballs, hearts and giant fluffy monsters - my wardrobe has it all and more!

Just some of my handbag collection

For this post I decided to look out one of my all time favourite statement bags - the "Liquid Sarcasm" cross-body bag from accessory giants SkinnyDip. Not wanting to be outdone, these fashion gurus make bags in all sorts of weird, wacky and wonderful shapes: seashells, UFOs and even Mexican wrestler bags are just some of the creations they sell from outlets such as ASOS and Topshop. Signature phone cases, luggage tags and pencil cases are also on offer, so if bags aren't your thing chances are you'll still fall in love with some of their amazing designs. 

Taking inspiration from the "liquid sarcasm" bag I opted to create a fun and flirty summer look using pastel shades. I love the way the blue and pink of the bag compliment one another and replicated that colour match in my look. This post also afforded me the chance to really show off this amazing new faux-leather skirt I recently acquired from ASOS- the metallic shine and unusual colour had me transfixed! I'm wearing a size 18 here and it fits beautifully on my 36" waist.

Paired with the skirt are some bright lilac colour-block tights from American company "we love colors" who carry the most extensive range of plus-size coloured tights I've ever happened across (to view their entire range check out the links at the bottom of this post!) These are incredibly generous in sizing. For reference, I'm wearing a 2X and they go all the way up to underneath my bra with room to spare! 

 I also wanted a fun clashing print to finish off this ensemble and thought the zebra vamp top from Pinupgirlclothing would make the perfect addition when paired with this sweet pink Kimono from Primark's 2015 summer range. This is without a doubt one of the most fun outfits I've ever worn and I feel as though it's a very true representation of myself and my style- loud, proud and unapologetically colourful!

I hope you'll agree that the bag really does finish off this look nicely, proving that a statement handbag really can breathe new life into any look.

 

 

Outfit Details
Top: PinupGirl Clothing
Kimono: Primark (old)
Skirt: ASOS
Tights; We love colours
Shoes: eBay (old, similar here)

Bag: Skinny Dip 

All in all, wearing this outfit I definitely feel as though I'm ready to walk into the room purse first, a la my Rupaul's drag race favourite, Bob the Drag Queen! Do you love a statement bag or purse? Let me know in the comments. 

Until next time sweethearts, 

Lovelustloves x0

Dungaree Delights

Hello beautiful people!

I hope this blog post finds you all peachy keen on this bright Tuesday. Today on the blog I'll be chatting about something that is once again completely out of my realms of fashion comfort- dungarees! 

Overalls, Salopettes, Bib and Braces... whatever you want to call them, they're quickly becoming a staple on many a fashion blog and taking over the pages of "must have" fashion trend magazines. 

Dungarees are yet another fashion item that until recently I did not think would be suitable for my plus-size body. Wandering through high street shops such as Topshop, Primark, H&M etc. I hadn't found any dungarees that really wowed me, and those that I did discover usually stopped at a 14, far too small for my curvy body. "Woe is me" I thought, seemingly relegated to the dungaree dreams of my childhood; that is, until I stumbled across New Look's Inspire range last week. 

Enter the most wonderful dungarees I could hope to come across: lightweight, comfortable and featuring a cute print - what more could I want?! I instantly made them mine and haven't looked back since.

I decided to pair my dungarees with a bit of 90's inspiration- styling my hair in curly pigtails a la one of my favourite comedians - Ilana Glazer from Broad City. Couple that with a print clashing white leopard print top, some super-cute  heart shaped sunglasses and some contrasting silver brogues and I think overall this makes a fun, comfortable and most importantly stylish outfit- perfect for Spring/Summer. 

Since this is such a fun and comfortable outfit, I decided to try it out on a wee nature walk. It ended up being perfect for climbing up log piles, exploring the countryside and playing in the river - as you can see from the photographs below! 

Outfit Details 

Top: George @ ASDA

Dungarees: New Look 
Sunglasses: Primark 

Shoes: Florence and Fred @ TESCO 

Whilst writing up this blog post I was struck by a common theme I've found developing in more and more of my writings- challenging myself to step outside of my fashion boundaries. What once started last year as a blog almost entirely dedicated to large floaty pinup dresses and accessories has evolved to encompass a smorgasbord of style and fashion choices. 

Thinking critically about this reflection has taught me several things: 

1) Fat women should never be confined to what they wear. Don't let anyone or anything tell you differently. You want to wear a crop top, bikini or dungarees? Fucking DO IT  

2) Style is an ever evolving mechanism and will more than likely adapt throughout your life. It's all well and good to have a go-to signature look (heck, I still adore my big floaty dresses!) but don't let your own fears and apprehensions hold you back from trying out new things. 

3) Lastly, we as fat women are not afforded the same options as our smaller sisters. Many women cannot simply walk into a high street shop and buy something cute off the rack. I myself am afforded a certain level of privilege that I am very aware of insofar as being a  UK size 16/18 can still wear many things from "straight size" shops however plus-size women are often forced to think more creatively and ultimately spend more money to express themselves through the medium of clothing and personal style - something that, by the way, is COMPLETELY UNFAIR.  

And so with that little rant over I come to the conclusion of my latest post. What do you think about Dungarees - or any "non fat-friendly" clothing for that matter? Do you agree with my thoughts on the clothing industry? Let me know! 

Until next time darlings, 

Lovelustloves x0

Fat girls shouldn't wear stripes...

Hello darlings!

Firstly, let me alleviate any fears or misconceptions you may have had when reading the title of this blog- I am a firm believer that ANYONE can wear absolutely ANYTHING they so desire. Fat, thin, curvy, tall, disabled, apple-shaped.... it doesn't matter! (So no, you haven't stepped into the twilight zone; I'm still the same loud and unapologetic body positive activist I've always been!)

It's no great secret that I find clothes and the act of clothing oneself to be a pivotal experience both in terms of existing in a heavily politicised body and in terms of expressing yourself through a creative medium. I simply adore the idea that through dressing up you can be seen as walking art - the perfect outlet to proudly display who you are for the world. It isn't always an easy task mind you- especially when you consider the limitations enforced upon us to conform to that elusive little beast, the societal "norm".

As someone who self-identifies as a fat woman, I'm used to being bombarded with messages through mainstream media on what is and is not socially acceptable for me to look like and what I can and cannot wear. Encouraged relentlessly to be a "good fatty" who is openly self-loathing, always dieting, always apologising for my presence and taking up space - this kind of thing really takes its toll! 

Don’t wear sleeveless tops. Don’t wear fitted clothes. Pencil skirts? Forget about it! Top ten tricks to make yourself look slimmer! Don’t wear white. Only ever wear black. Oh, and most importantly- never wear stripes!

Ugh- give me a break! 

The thing is, if you are plus size, bigger, chubby, fat -however you want to label it- then you'll look that size regardless of what you're wearing. Sure enough, you can dress to flatter your figure and take heed of all those presupposed "fashion rules" outlined above but ultimately you will still look the size you actually are (and by the way, that's perfectly OKAY).

I personally am completely fed up of being told how to exist within my own body. Being told what and what not to wear, it's exhausting! Not to mention demoralising and at times even embarrassing.

My own brand of personal style is something I see as an ever evolving entity - it changes and adapts depending on many factors. My mood, my inspiration, my passions... I dress for myself and myself alone. And guess what? If I want to wear stripes, bodycon, loud prints etc. I'll god-damn well wear them! (And I'll look good doing it too!)  

 

This little outfit is something I threw together from pieces already existing in my own wardrobe. Whilst styling this outfit I was conscious to ignore that little voice in the back of my head saying "You shouldn't wear that!" and "This won't look good on you!" (sidenote: after years and years of being subjected to media critique of larger bodies it is HARD to shake that nagging little voice!) but overall, I'm really happy with how I look and how I felt on this day. I was overwhelmed with feeling incredibly powerful and liberated when taking these photos, which I think is reflected in the overall result - I think these are some of my favourite photos ever taken!

 

 

Outfit Details 

Sunglasses: Primark
Dress: River Island
Hair flowers: Pinupgirlclothing (sold out, similar here)
Rings: Accessorize

Tights: Primark

Shoes: Bordello

Being a fat girl breaking so many fashion rules - no stripes, no bodycon and definitely no VBO (visible belly outline) was a euphoric experience and something I'll definitely be repeating in future.  

What do you think of fat girls wearing stripes? How about breaking fashion rules? Please let me know! 

Until next time darlings, 

Lovelustloves x0

One dress, two ways

Hello my darlings,

I hope you're all enjoying the start of Autumn- it's well and truly here in Scotland now! Today's post is a quick review of a shirt-dress that's incredibly versatile and Autumn-friendly; and I'll be showing you two different ways to wear it. 

This dress comes from a clothing brand who until recently were completely off my radar- Monki. Monki are a Scandinavian-born fashion brand that promote a fun street-style aesthetic that is big on eclectic prints, beautiful basics and incredibly trendy pieces. Whilst they aren't an exclusively plus-size brand, many of Monki's clothes are loose-fitting and oversized, meaning they fit a wide variety of body shapes, types and sizes. To my knowledge Monki don't currently have any Scottish stores, but if you're a London gal they do have a reportedly fantastic store on Carnaby Street- well worth checking out!

This shirt-dress was first brought to my attention via the beautiful Bethany, of ArchedEyebrow.com fame. (For her review and styling of this Monki ensemble, please click here. I must admit that this piece didn't really capture my imagination when I first saw it online at ASOS.com, but after seeing it styled up and on a plus-size babe, I thought I'd take the leap and make this purchase. (huge kudos to my homegal Sarah for convincing me to buy this- I love my fashion enabling friends!)

 

#Monkistyle

If you're a regular purveyor of my blog or Instagram, you'll know that this look is a real far cry from my everyday style! As a girl who usually wears full-skirted, nipped-in-waist dresses that showcase my bust, this shirt-dress is almost diametrically opposed to my style norm, but after seeing the many different ways in which it could be styled it really struck my imagination.  If I'm being completely honest, first seeing this dress in its loose and free-flowing form it did strike me as being a little "Grandparents in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" although I am incredibly pleased to report this comparison existed only in my head, and doesn't translate when it's on my body and styled up with pretty accessories! 

As you can see from the photograph above, when nipped in with a waist belt this dress takes on a whole new shape and style- it really transforms it into a cute semi-structured and loosely-tailored outfit that is perfect for work and play. It's no secret that I'm an avid fan of a waist belt (they feature in nearly all of my outfits!) and I believe that this ensemble is tantamount to the power of the belt insofar as it's ability to transform an outfit. This is the first way to wear this shirt-dress, and I've included a few more photographs of this look below for your perusal: 

 

I'm in love with this bold print! 

 

To make this look cohesive, I decided to add some printed tights (another personal style signature) and some exceptionally high-heeled boots alongside some fun illuminati-inspired earrings I picked up from H&M. I think this really brings the style together and could be worn to a variety of places; this week already I've worn this outfit to work, to go for drinks and on a date - talk about versatile!

To focus quickly on sizing for a moment- as I mentioned earlier Monki clothes tend to be  deliberately loose-fitting and are generally available in XS, S, M or L (measured on their website as being a UK size 8, 10, 12 and 14 respectively.) I decided to purchase this shirt-dress in a size L, and the fit is incredibly accommodating. Fellow blogger babe Danielle Vanier recently wrote an article for The Debrief about Monki as a brand for plus-size people, so I'd recommend having a read of this here.

Arguably my favourite thing about this shirt-dress is the eclectic print, to me it's incredibly reminiscent of 60's wallpaper which oddly enough is of huge appeal! The ability to wear this dress more than one way is also hugely appealing, below I've posted photos of this look without the added belt to highlight how good it looks with or without - look number 2. I'm also absolutely infatuated with the finer details of the shirt, it even has concealed pockets which are fantastically practical - another great selling point.

 

Pockets! 

 

Another reason for this purchase (not that I need one, I've already sold this dress to myself four times over!) is that I'm slowly getting more involved in my local Northern Soul scene, and whilst I've never been able to fully embrace the 60's mini-dress silhouette I do believe that this is a step in the right direction. In actuality I cannot wait to tear up the dancefloor with this pretty little dress, grooving to the likes of Frankie Valli, The Supremes & Eddie Spencer.

I've really enjoyed taking this little step outside my comfort zone and this dress has fast become a wardrobe staple of mine - I hope you'll agree that it looks good both ways, either with or without a belt! 

Outfit Details

Shirt Dress: Monki (purchased via ASOS)

Belt:  New Look

Earrings: H&M

Shoes: Amazon

Tights: Primark

And so, that concludes another wee look at a fun, flirty outfit that I'm absolutely in love with. I hope you've enjoyed seeing how I've styled this lovely shirt-dress, and will keep it in mind for a cute autumnal style. What do you think of the brand Monki? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time angels,
Lovelustloves x0

Style Inspirations

Hello darlings!

I've had an absolutely crazy few weeks so once again I apologize for my silence in the blog front. I recently celebrated my 24th birthday and have spent the past week in London working with the UK's leading LGBT rights charity Stonewall on their "Young Leaders" programme -if you're interested in knowing more about this I discuss it at length on my twitter @lovelustloves and you can follow our hashtag #stonewallyoungleaders there also.

I'm not going to go into all the ins and outs of the Young Leaders programme here as there is far too much to discuss in only one blog post; all you need to know is that it's been an absolutely inspiring week and I feel completely humbled to have been asked along to facilitate and support such a wonderful group of activists. One of the group exercises that we worked on over the course of the programme particularly resonated with me however, and sparked the initial idea for this blog post. This was a "Role Model Composite" exercise whereby we asked young people to share with their group some of the people who have influenced their lives in a positive way, focusing on what made them a role model and why they were inspired by these people. 

This led to me thinking about who I consider to be my role models, particularly in reference to my personal style. My aesthetic makes up a huge part of who I am and I'm not shy in sharing my personality with the world through my clothing choices, something that I consider to be a very deliberate action. I do however think it's also important to consider where I find my inspiration for this, where it comes from and how my style has evolved over the years based on who and what I am inspired by at particular stages in my life. Since I'm in a particularly self-reflective mood I thought now would be as good a time as any to share with you lovely people some of my style inspirations and role models - so I hope you enjoy! 

1) Penelope Garcia 

  

That's right. For anyone unfamiliar with the loudmouth sassy queen of a character, Penelope Garcia is the fictional IT analyst from one of my favourite TV shows, Criminal Minds. Penelope is most known for her fun and playful approach to fashion, which is definitely something that I like to channel when I make my clothing decisions in the morning.

 

 

One of the things I most admire about Penelope is her uniqueness and how absolutely unapologetic she is in her style. She's completely herself and doesn't compromise her aesthetic even when working in the corporate world of the FBI. As someone who's often come up against the challenge of needing to "dress professionally" whilst still wanting to maintain my sense of individuality and self, this particular point really resonates with me.

 

Another thing I adore about Penelope is her ability to co-ordinate colours and accessories like a pro. It's no secret that I LOVE matching colours and co-ordinating cute outfits so this is another key place where I draw style inspiration from. Moreover, she isn't afraid to wear bold prints or clashing colours and it is these bold choices that assist me to really show off my style and fully embrace my own aesthetic.

 



Lastly, I thought I'd mention something that Penelope and I have in common- our love of hair flowers! It's very rare that you will ever see me without a literal bouquet on my head; I actually own close to 45 hair flowers of all different sizes, shapes, colours etc. and I will happily co-ordinate them to every outfit that I put together.

 

The comparison doesn't end there however- the lovely Off With Her Head Millinery who I have had the pleasure of working and modelling with before actually sent hair flowers to Kristin Vargas who plays Penelope Garcia that were actually worn on several episodes of Criminal Minds- amazing right?! All in all I think the wonder that is Penelope Garcia is not only a total fox, but a fierce and inspiring lady to boot! Whether she's rocking her cyber-goth style or her Miss Frizzle-esque colour explosions she is a firm fashion favourite of mine.

 

Myself modelling a lovely fascinator by Off With Her Head Millinery; could definitely see Penelope Garcia rocking this look!

2) Sara is in Love With

  

I was fortunate enough to stumble across the inimitable Saraisinlovewith when she started following me on Instagram last year. I was instantly pulled into her bright and bold aesthetic and her affinity with the colour pink. After aggressively liking EVERYTHING this beautiful creature posted on her Instagram account, I was then drawn to her blog which you can find here. Awash with reviews, spotlight posts on unusual and outside-of-the-box designers and some of the most well constructed put-together outfits you can imagine, I knew instantly that I had found my new style girl crush.

 

 

Sara not only constructs the most beautiful outfits I've ever seen, she's also incredibly detail-oriented. Everything about her looks are on point, right down to the Barbie shoe earrings and the colour splash ombre tights that she wears- true dedication. Sara is also a huge advocate for small independent designers and has turned me on to many retailers that otherwise may have been left completely unknown to me. Brands like Joanna Pybus, Tillyme and Tatty Devine are all now firmly on my radar and it is all thanks to this bright and beautiful lady.

 

Another thing that I find inspiring about Sara is that she is using the blogging world to her advantage and putting out truly unique content. She doesn't conform to traditional fashion rules and isn't afraid to clash prints, mix colours (or even shoes!) and her posts are unlike any others that I've seen in the oversaturated sphere of fashion blogging. If ever I'm feeling deflated or void of clothing inspiration Sara's blog is always the first place I turn to and I always find that she gives me great ideas to try out - she is a true fashion superhero.

3) Teer Wayde 

 

 

Teer is a timeless Australian pinup beauty who has been on my radar for a number of years, primarily through the wonderful world of Pinupgirlclothing. Teer's look is one that is striking - traditional pinup with the most impressive curves- truly an apt reflection of her blog title "Curves to Kill".

 

What I admire most about Teer's style is how composed she always seems to look- even in a simple sundress and flats Teer makes each and every garment look incredibly expensive and luxurious- in short she's great for my style and aesthetic but terrible for my bank balance!

 

 

Teer is also a proud body positive advocate and one of the hardest working plus size models in the industry as it stands. According to her website she is self- professed: "A model with curves, changing the face and shape of beauty." Beauty, style and a positive message to share with the world? How could I not be instantly inspired by this powerhouse!

 

From her stunning red tresses and enviably small waist to her impeccable kitten flicks, ruby red lips and ability to make virtually anything look good, Teer has not only inspired my style but has also encouraged me to work harder at my modelling endeavours and to fully appreciate the beauty of women all around me, something I am truly thankful for.

 

 

4) Tracey Turnblad

Now, on to my final and arguably biggest style icon (pardon the pun!). It's no secret whatever that I am absolutely infatuated with the work of my ultimate hero John Waters, and I have to praise him endlessly for the magic that is his 1988 masterpiece "Hairspray". This film for me was my first exposure to a revolutionary concept- the happy fat girl. Tracey Turnblad, the spunky hair hoppin' political activist represents for me everything that I aspire to be. Loud. Confident. Unashamed. And with a highly enviable wardrobe to boot!

 

 

Tracy Turnblad not only represents many of the personality features that I find so admirable in a person, but her style flair speaks to me on a completely visceral level. Take for example the above outfit- who would be so bold as to wear a dress with actual plastic flowers attached to the bust? Why this queen- that's who! Tracy also represents for me a massive middle finger to the preconceived notion that style should always be "figure flattering" - fat girls today are so often told what and what not to wear. "Cover your arms" "Don't wear bodycon- disguise your belly!" "Stay away from bright colours!" Tracy Turnblad has never given a single fuck about any of these so-called "rules" and neither should you- if it feels good, wear it! 

 

If you require any further evidence of my affinity to the singin' and dancing supremo then look no further than my "That Girl's got Roaches in her Hair" blog post where I imitate my icon during her infamous "Miss Auto-Show" scene as shown below- a truly pioneering moment in my initial foray into fashion.

The queen herself

 
And so my darlings that concludes my little run-through of my biggest style inspirations. I may very well follow up this post with a style inspirations 2.0 at some point as I do tend to garner fashion enlightenment at every given opportunity from a number of different sources.

Who are your biggest style inspirations? Anyone mentioned on my list?

Until next time my lovelies-

Yours faithfully,
Lovelustloves x0