Wardrobe Weekly

It's been another busy one, which is why wardrobe weekly is late again! In my fella's continual attempts to give me a thorough Jazz education, I've been watching Ken Burns 'Jazz' (series of documentaries) and it was that which spurred me on to finally finish my last post 'The wrong scale', which I started writing about 3 months ago. The second episode introduces us to Duke Ellington and I was inspired by his story. I loved the following passages....

"Your manners, your sense of what you are capable of, will carry you past the slights and insults. Always carry yourself as if you're above them, because in fact you are"

"(Ellington's mother) Daisy told her son he must allow nothing to stop him, unpleasant facts and potential barriers were simply to be ignored. He could do anything anyone else could do, and because she believed that, Ellington would always believe it too"

I am in no way comparing fat-phobia or hatred towards racism (which is why I didn't include this in the actual post), but those words just resonated with me, so I sat down and re-wrote that post. Once it was actually posted I could get on with everything else (lots of laundry for instance!). So three cheers for Jazz!

It's actually a fantastically fascinating series, and as you can imagine, most of the musicians stories are hugely inspiring. If you are interested in the history of jazz (well, or just music in general!) then you should check it out - My jazz-mad boyfriend has the DVD's but you can watch it on Daily motion for free here! My Jazz Education continues.....

I'm so in love with this tune that I felt the need to put it up here. Now, on to my week in clothes!

Monday

 Oh the joy! This has been in my 'winter' suitcase, and it was the first thing I wanted to wear after I swapped my summer wardrobe over!

 I adore this dress. I wore it loads last year and I always feel foxy in it!

 Rubber shoes to resist the rain!

Excelent mosaic print!

 Dress 26-28 - AX Paris / ebay

Cardi 20 - Primark

Leggings 20 - South / Very

Shoes - Melissa + J Maskrey & Swarovski

Tuesday

 I bought this from Becky's blog sale ages ago, but the weather was too mild to wear it so this is it's first outing!

Cosmic!

Dress 2xl - Domino Dollhouse

Leggings 20 - Primark

Boots - Old via ebay! 

 Wednesday

 It's autumn, and that means it's time for lightweight jumpers!

 When I was little I always thought women looked chic in turtlenecks, and that feeling has never gone away. 

I've had this jumper for years - it's an old cheap classic that is ideal for chilly, windy weather.

Jumper 18 - Primark

Jeans 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Asos

Earrings - Forever 21 

 Thursday

 I really liked this outfit. I am a real fan of a simple jeans + jumper combo. It's so simple but it just looks cute!

 It's the first time I've worn this jumper (which I got a month or so ago) and I really like it. I wish I could get it in other colours too, it's comfy and lush!

 Anyone who likes Doc Martins and has legs like mine (massive - too big for most wellies) should get down to Primark and buy some of these. I LOVE these £10 wellies. They have them in black glitter and floral prints as well as these leopard ones. Genius idea.

Jumper 24 - Barbara Hulaniki for George

jeans 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Primark 

Friday

Please excuse the terrible pictures! I look insane in these, but anyway.... these trousers look much better in real life, trust me!

 Cute print!

Shirt 24 - George

Trousers 22 - Dorothy Perkins 

 Saturday

 My summer weekend uniform was jumpsuits and flip flops. My winter weekend uniform is jersey joggers, jumpers and slippers!

 Whole outfit - Primark!

 Sunday

Oh the joy of a sunny day after all the rainy doom and gloom!

 It's a good jub I didn't pack away my denim jacket along with my other summer coats, because Sunday was oddly hot and very sunny!

 A nice simple dress that I got for £6 from the lovedrobe website last year.

I'm wearing REAL hi-tops, not those foul things with the concealed wedge heel. Why anyone would want to ruin a comfy pair of trainers with a big heel is beyond me!

 Jacket 22 - New Look Inspire

Dress 24 - Lovedrobe

Leggings 20 - Primark

Hi-tops - Nike

Wardrobe weekly

Monday

Day off to take delivery of new bed. Didn't arrive (fuck you Worldstores!). Forgot to photograph my outfit due to rage - it wasn't much of an outfit if I'm honest, you didn't miss much!

Tuesday

 Love a good granny dress!

Dress size ? - Vintage

Leggings 20 - Primark

Shoes - Charity shop

 Tuesday night we went to the Lambeth Fireworks.... I insisted!

 I love a good woolly hat!

 Whhhiiiizzzzz....

 ...... BANG!

Wednesday

Dress 26 - ebay (available from ax paris)

leggings XL - H&M

Hi-tops - Nike

Thursday

 Dress 20 - Asos Curve

Leggings 20 - Primark

Boots - Matalan (mens)

 Bed finally arrived. Massive ball-ache to sort old and new beds out on Thursday night but it's done now. Loving having a kingsize, even is I only got one night in it before having to go away!

Friday

 Thought I'd take my caged dress out for a spin today.

 Dress 24 - Asos Curve

Leggings 20 - Primark

Boots - can't remember where I got these but they're very old!

Couldn't resist getting some cute decorations for my tree which will be going up on the 1st of December... I'm not religious or particularly traditional so the twelve days of Christmas can kiss my butt, it's Christmas in my house from December 1st until I get time to take the decorations down in January!

 Friday night, off the to west country!

Saturday

 Hat & gloves - Primark

Coat 24 - Bon Marche

Jeans 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Sunday

 Dinner with the family to celebrate my mums birthday.

Dress 24 - Queen of Holloway

Cardi 18 - Dorothy perkins

Leggins 20 - Primark

Shoes - Charity shop

 My Nephew is such a cutie-pie!

 All eyes on the boy! My big sis in here Anna Scholz for Simply Be dress!

Guess which pudding I went for?! Tehe!

Rockin' Festive Frockin'

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Okay, well, not quite, but if your anything like me you like to have your Christmas party frocks sorted well in advance of advent, and the shops are already stocking a delicious variety of christmassy dresses. Here are the ones I'm loving....

Classic Little black Dress

Everybody needs at least one LBD in their collection. Me being me, I have at least 3 go-to black dresses... one funky, one smart and one sexy. I can always turn to them for work events and cocktail parties!

This is a cute dress by little mistress via Asos curve, I like that it has long sleeves and the detailing in the shoulders is so christmassy! Get it here

I really LOVE this Koko dress from Lovedrobe... I want this one for myself, it's extremely cool and sexy! Get it here

I know that not everyone is comfortable in bodycon dresses, but you can get a LBD that doesn't cling. This Project D dress from Simply be is so sophisticated, and the panels on the side give it an edge. Get it here

Maximum Impact!

I think when it comes to a grown up and sophisticated look you can't go wrong with a maxi. If you want a dramatic look, I think a maxi can work wonders... the key is to make sure that your hair goes with the style of the dress!

Ahhhh such a ladylike maxi by definitions from Very.... It's really a special occasion dress, and what's more special that Christmas?! Get it here

 This Asos Curve maxi just screams cool at me. I would be very impressed to see someone rocking this at a Christmas party... it's so chic! Get it here

This maxi (also via Very by Definitions) is just so cool that surely I don't need to comment on it? WANT! Get it here

 I love this Lovedrobe maxi dress, it's the sort of thing I could wear on boxing day when I see my extended family. It's charming and ladylike! Get it here

SPARKLE!

At Christmas when your surrounded by glitter, tinsel and fairy lights you need to sparkle or you will be outshone.... NOT ON MY WATCH!

Colour, pattern, sequins and sleeves. This Junarose dress via Asos Curve is a winner! Get it here

Okay, so I have to concede that some of you may not want to look like a mirrorball, so maybe something like this Art Deco inspired Lovedrobe dress would be a good bet. Subtle but still has a bit of sparkle! Get it here

A sequin dress that is also a LBD?! Ax Paris are smashing it! This black version is available via Very and you can get it here

Looking for a mega snow queen white Christmas dress?! This is a sparkly party dress from heaven (well, actually it's from Simply Be!), get it here

As lovely as the AX Paris dress is, it's nice to have a version available with a longer sleeve and a slash neck, so this Claire Richards sequin dress from Simply be is a great alternative. Get it here

 Here is one for the girls who don't like the bodycon or shift dress shape... how about a delicious sequin skater dress?! Ax Paris via simply be for the win! Get it here

Doesn't this Project D dress just SCREAM Christmas at you?! I think the sequins look like fairy lights! Get it here

 This AX Paris dress from Simply be is the Queen of the sparkly dresses. It is frankly one of the most exciting dresses I've seen in a long time, and I am finding it increasingly difficult to resist its charms! It's blue, it's green, is shiny.... it's magic! GET IT HERE!

Velvet

I am proper obsessed with velvet. This year I have been bitten by the velvet bug, and to be honest I think it is the most Christmassy of all fabrics. Velour dresses are really flattering in my experience, and when they're stretchy they are just the best thing ever!

Heaven.... I'm in heaven.... Oh lordy lord would you look at this red velour beauty?! this bargain red dress from Bonmarché was basically my dream come true, so I ordered it!

I'm wearing the size 22 and it's perfect. I love it!

It fits like a dream and is soooo comfy!

This is how the dress looks without any support undies... just a regular bra and pants and my big fat body, and I hope you can see that it actually skims very well and doesn't cling too much or draw too much attention to my lumps & bumps. I would easily fit into a size 20, so I think you could get away with wearing the size 24 as a 26. Get this dress here

Bonmarché also have this lovely patterned velour dress that would be perfect if you don't feel confident in full on shiny velvet. The ruching is so flattering! Get it here

If you want something a bit less classic and a bit more edgy then this little skater dress from Simply Be is super cute! Get it here

She wore bluuuuuuuuue Velvet (whoa whoa whoa!) and it is SEXY! I love this colour, and I imagine that this simply be sculpting design would help to create a delicious silhouette! Get it here

Something a bit special

But what if you don't want a typical Christmas dress? What if you just want a nice dress to wear at Christmas? How about these beauties!

I always think that green is a great colour for Christmas, elf-like I guess! This Definitions dress from very is just lovely. Get it here

What a pretty dress, again from Simply be. Super fashionable tapestry print and lovely long sleeves! Get it here

 Some of us are ruched red velour girls, and some of us are rock chicks! Just because it's Christmas it  doesn't mean you have to change your style and this PU ASOS Curve dress is too cool for school (and is much cheaper than it's leather sister!) get it here

My AX Paris scuba dress is definitely going to be broken out over the festive season, I love it! Get it here

 I have wanted this dress from the first moment I saw it. It's not one for the faint hearted because it's such a 'LOOK AT ME' dress, but my goodness it is special isn't it?! This would look amazing in a room full of black cocktail dresses don't you think?! Get it here

Miss Moneybags

Some of my readers might have more disposable income than me, or maybe they just want an investment piece? Either way, us fatties do have a few designer options and that is NEVER a bad thing!

This Tia dress is bloody lovely... I know this for a fact because I saw it at the slink boutique pop-up shop recently. I'm here to tell you that if you get it from curvety it is a considerably cheaper, and I'm sure it would be a dress you could wear over and over! Get it  here

Do you have more money than sense? Then I might have the dress for you. This (ridiculously expensive!) dress from Slink Boutique is stunning in real life, much better than this picture suggests... trust me, I saw it! Get it here

Anna Scholz, figure hugging, double Silk, snake print, bright colours, jewel embellishments. 'Nuff said. Get it here 

A bandage dress with a turtleneck sheer polka dot cropped bodice?! Genius innit?! Another Tia beaut from Curvety, get it here

I do so love Igigi for when it comes to classy frocks. I adore the golden sheen on the blue jersey fabric, and I know this dress looks amazing on because I've seen it on Rez here. Buy this dress here

I want your sex. So will everyone else if you go out in this! Get it on here

A casual do

Not everyone has a posh Christmas do, so if you're just going down the pub for a laugh then you might want something more casual....

Fair Isle = Christmas in my book. This little Asos curve number is super cute and casual but still festive through and through! Get it here

Off the shoulder is always sexy, and this dress manages to be super sexy, girly (thanks to the lace) and still casual because of the sweater dress style. Winner! get it here

This Lovedrobe dress from Simply be is very similar to my lovedrobe shirt dress, and it's a great dress that feels casual because of the shirt style, but dressy because of the sparkle. Get it here

Bargain basement!

Every year I say I'm not going to by new dresses for Christmas, and every year I do! If like me you are trying to resist spending in a big way then here are my favourite cheap party dresses, all under £30!

You can't go wrong with a lacy red dress in the festive season, and this Pink Clove number is a bargain at £26! Get it here

I really like this pink clove dress.... I hope it's not as short in real life as it looks on the model, because I really want to try it, and the idea of a lace swing dress (in scarlet no less!) is too exciting to pass up! This dress is only £24, get it here

I always loved this asos curve bodycon dress. I love it even more now it's £15 in the sale! A dress to get noticed in.... get it here here

Who'd have thought that you could find a sophisticated LBD with modern sequin detailing for £22.... thanks to George you can! Get it here

I love this casual baroque maxi dress from Excite clothing... I love the £14.99 price tag even more! Get it here

I'm not sure if this is particularly christmassy (yeah okay, it's not at all!) but for £17.99 this kick ass hummingbird print dress is perfect for parties. WANT WANT WANT! If you want it too, get it here

PHEW! Mammoth blog post done! I hope I've inspired you and your festive dress plans. When December finally arrives I will be wearing Christmassy outfits pretty much everyday, so make sure you check in here to see how I dress during the festive-season!