A bit weird

Inside my home things don't feel too strange, other than the fact that I'm not going out very much. It's uncomfortable to think about how very strange.... and let's face it, awful every day life must be for some people during this pandemic.

I'm sitting in my bed typing away as a form of therapy I think. I'm even listening to classical music, which I do approximately one day of each year(!).

I'm doing lots of cooking, listening to lots of music, watching lots of films. Bit of drawing, playing a bit of guitar, typing. Hiding away from what is the most serious situation I've ever lived through.

Then I look at the news. I see stories on twitter from people who have lost loved ones and can't be with their families. Can't have funerals. I simply cannot imagine how devastating that is.

I see the NHS staff working so hard to helps people and I can't image how they can bear to get up and go into a hospital and risk their own lives to save others.

It's such an odd feeling to be living quite a normal life when nothing is normal. I'm even planning to take some photos of some newish clothes for this blog.... but I'm not going to be ordering clothes any time soon because I suddenly have to think about money in a way I haven't really had to before. And I'm one of the lucky ones who is still getting a wage and working from home!

I don't really know what this post is about or who it is for, but hey. Typing sometimes soothes me and maybe there are some folk out there who just want to read random musings written by a random woman?!

One thing I do know is that I'm lucky to not be alone in my home. Not everyone is in that position and it must be lonely to be isolated. I'll reply to comments if anyone reads this and wants to chat. Same with emails. It's never felt more important to be there for each other and we can't do it physically, but we sure as shit can do it online!

ASOS Curve review 2020 #7. Meh

Hummmm.....  not much to shout about here. 

ASOS DESIGN Curve high waist chino with jogger hem in black

Chinos? More like moleskin, and therefore don't sit or fall well in this cut. I had to size down to a 22 (I'm sometimes a 24 or 26 in asos trousers..... never a 22 unless thery're jersey!). They just don't look like they do on the model. They're big on the belly, calves and ankles, but a bit straight up and down on the hips. Meh.

ASOS DESIGN Curve chain detail slim trousers

Okay these are better. I didn't keep them because the colour doesn't look great on me. These are made from a thin-ish soft and slightly shiny fabric. Not at all stretchy so I needed a 26 to fit my bum and hips. I like cuffed trousers so I wish asos made these in black! Sort of meh.

ASOS DESIGN Curve wrap maxi dress in zebra print

Non stretch. Even the size 26 had arms that were too tight for me. MEH!

ASOS DESIGN Curve trapeze drawstring maxi dress

I've had this is in wish-list forever so I finally bought it. I'm keeping it because I know how handy it will be in super hot weather. In the high 30s I need to wear floaty, lightweight, sleeveless dresses with pockets. This has excellent big pockets! It's adjustable thankfully so I can cover my bra. I also tied up the ribbon at the front so it's gathered under the bust and it looks much neater like that. Also, I was worried that it would be too sheer, but actually it's fine and I don't think my chub-rub shorts* will show through it! I got a size 22 and it's still very tent-like. Less meh!

ASOS DESIGN Curve animal puffer jacket with tie waist

I got this in a 24 and it was massive! It felt at least one size too big for me in terms of fit, but it is also huge in terms of how big the puffer is. It would be amazing in extremely cold weather, but too big and hot for me. Also, the belt doesn't stay done up unless you tie it in a knot. Puffer fabric has no grip so they needed a much more robust fabric on the belt!. Meh.

ASOS DESIGN Curve prairie plisse maxi dress with tiered hem in ditsy print

I need to stop buying plisse. It's far to static for me to cope with! This dress would be so cute if it weren't for the seam under the belly across the hips. As you can imagine, it's not the most flattering on someone with a big wobbly belly! Size 24 was bang on size-wise, but overall? Meh!

*Big Bloomers Aztec slip shorts are my anti-chub rub product of choice (I find that they stay up better than their regular anti chafing shorts, particularly if your knickers are even slightly silky, but I have those in long leg too and they're great over cotton!)

Off-Piste - Simply Be Denim #2

She's at it again....

But if clothes make me smile then I'm happy to share why!

4 Way Stretch Embellished Bodycon Denim Zip Front Dress

Size 26. A bit like wearing a giant condom as it's super stretchy but very firm.

But hey, condoms are sexy, lol! I feel like a siren in this so it stays!

Jersey Denim Button Front Midi Dress

I wasn't sure if I should keep this when I'm keeping the other denim pencil dress, but this one is a bit more casual and I really like it! Also a size 26.

Because this is jersey stretch denim it is much more comfy and less restrictive than the black dress. You can open the buttons on the bodice, but the rest of the dress is sewn up, so no gaping, hurrah! The go faster stripes are elastic, so very flexible for busty or not so busty ladies, as it adjusts to fit!

Washed Black Deep V Culotte Denim Jumpsuit

I already mentioned this one, but I thought I'd show it on!

It's cute! 

Washed Black Deep V Pinafore Dress

So then, here is the jumpsuits sister.... the dress version! Size 26 but a good flexible and stretchy size.

Do I need both? Not really. Do I want to keep this dress? Yep! I need to have a think about whether or not I'll actually wear it. I love the shape of the top section, but I wish it was more a pencil cut on the skirt. I'm mulling this one over!

ASOS Curve review 2020 #6. All sorts

Let's start with the bits I sent back!

Fashion Union Plus button up midi dress in ditsy floral

This is size 28. 26 would have been too big. It's thin shell-like fabric and it's nice and soft, but terribly static! I wasn't into this colour on me at all.

Fashion Union Plus wrap midi dress with tie side in vintage floral

Also shell-ish fabric but a bit less static. this size 26 would be a good fit, but the front section is oddly loose (seemingly deliberately?!) so it doesn't close very well on the bust. It fastens in a bit of an odd way. Again, not into it!

Outrageous Fortune Plus ruched tie front mini skater dress with fluted hem in pink polka print

Size 26, kinda cute, but not the best fit on my shape! The fabric is thin and soft with a bit of give. I like it but it's not a keeper.

ASOS DESIGN Curve patent trench coat in lilac

Nice fabric with a bit of give to it. would be warm and shield you from the rain. Smells like fish, but only a tiny bit and only at first. I hung it up overnight to see if the smell went away and it did. The snakeskin one I tried a while back smelt WAY worse than this one. The sleeves are long but I'm not mad at it..... if it's pissing it down long sleeves is a good thing. They have deep hems though (is it called a hem is it's not on the bottom of the garment?!) so you can fold them up easily!

Now then, I've been wanting a vinyl coat for ages. Typically the one I really wanted (the pink check one with balloon sleeves!) hasn't gone into the sale, so I thought I'd try the others in my wishlist.

I went for a size 26 but to be honest I think a 24 would have been better. My thinking was that if I wore my backpack with it, it might gape because it has poppers, and that's what happens with my rose gold rain coat.

This is a cool coat. love the colour, love the big pockets, love that it would be waterproof. BUT it didn't capture my heart the way the next one did......

ASOS DESIGN Curve high shine faux fur collar trench coat in mint

Be still my beating heart! This isn't fishy. And the colour is delicious. And the faux fur is sooooo soft. And it's belted so has shape. And I just love it.

70s pimp much?! This is a 26 and it fits me nicely. It looked pretty fitted on the model so I went for the larger size. 

Quite a few of the other coats I've tried from Asos have been better in a 24, but the hips and bum would be a bit too small on this coat for me if I sized down.

It has poppers but the belt will make sure those hold well I think. It's thickish vinyl with a bit of give. Good pockets. It's bloody ace!

Now I just need to wait for a rainy day that isn't also blowing a gale-force wind that prevents me using an umbrella! 

ASOS DESIGN Curve kimono sleeve twist front mini dress in texture

I just think this dress is cute. It's a date dress really! Would wear tights or leggings with this normally.

This is a 24 and it's got a decent amount of give.  A 22 would have fit fine too I think so this is a flexible size thanks to the large arms and general adjustable style.

It's sorta stretchy in a concertina way, a bit like a crinkle plisse but less synthetic and a bit more stiff and structured! The bust can be tied up as tight as needed, so this is a good dress for busty ladies!

ASOS DESIGN Curve metallic batwing mini dress

I kept looking at this dress over Christmas. I thought it looked very cool but assumed it would be non-stretch and a bit uncomfortable. WRONG! its actually made from super comfy thick stretch fabric. It's far more comfy than I expected it to be!

I got the 26 and I don't think I'd want to go smaller.  I could because it's stretch, but I like how this one fits me. And as any of my friends would tell you, I only like dresses I can pull over my head. If I have to unzip a dress to get into it I'm not interested! This is perfect in that respect!

Stretchy, rough on the outside but soft on the inside!

I like the silhouette this cut creates. It looks quite structured but it doesn't feel like I'm wearing a structured or fancy dress at all. I'm really enamoured with this, particularly as it only cost £12.50 in the sale, which is bonkers!

Off-Piste - Simply Be Denim

My Asos only idea has gone out of the window pretty quickly..... the reason being that Simply Be has really taken the crown in terms of a few plus size items for me in the last year or so. Plus size suits? Simply Be are winning. Plus size lingerie? Simply be are certainly winning. And now Jeans..... I'm surprised to say that Simply Be are winning with denim too. I've been wearing Asos jeans for a while as I like their skinny jeans. However, since I buggered my knee last year I've found wearing skinny jeans to be so restrictive. They're hard to walk in! That realisation led me to want to try some jeans that are looser on my legs. Not too loose on my waist, just my legs. Asos curve have failed me in that respect. The sizing and proportions have been all over the place and have felt rather uncomfortable. I won't lie, I'm not a fan of non-stretch denim.  My large bottom and thick-as-fuck thighs cause problems with jeans unless there is some elastane involved! 

Simply Be have really upped their game denim-wise though, so I wanted to share my thoughts. In their super stretchy jeans (skinny / bootleg / flares) I need a 24. In firmer and more structured jeans I need a 26. 

24/7 Black Wide Leg Jeans Long Length

First up.... high waist (or just regular on my long torso!) Wide leg jeans. Black and the long fit. God these are so comfortable. They're not as wide as I'd like and I wish they had a more curvy fit on the hips and waist, but generally speaking I'm thrilled with these jeans. Stretchy but stay up. Didn't dye my skin much on first wear (which is often a problem with black and indigo denim!).

Blue Acid Wash Vintage Style Mom Jeans

I lost my mind when I saw these jeans pop up online. I'm never sure about acid wash (I like it but often find it quite unflattering!) But the vintage look of these jeans made me add them to my basket without a second thought! 

These are the size 26 and they're great! Comfy and stretchy thick denim. Just bloody perfect to be honest, to the point where I might have to buy spare pairs to keep for when the inner thighs disintegrate (which is how all of my jeans die!). I can't praise these jeans enough. They're friggin' perfect!

Now then, what I originally wanted was a proper vintage look with these. Full 80s vibes! I wanted fitted waist but loose (balloon leg style) on the legs and rolled up. So I also got a size 28. I LOVE how these look! 

Happily because the waistband is so thick and structured it keeps them up and keeps their shape. I'm sure I will wear these to death! I suspect that I'll wear the closer fit in the winter and the looser pair in warmer weather (more airy!). Love them with a passion! Ps, they might feel tight-ish at first but loosen up after a bit of wear.

Collectif Rebel Kate Wide Leg Jeans

Okay so I got excited about these..... collectif seem to sell a couple of extended sizes exclusively for simply be! Of course, it ends at a 26 which is rubbish (sorry to my super plus babes) particularly as their cuts are on the small size anyway! 

However, I had to have these! I assumed that I wouldn't get into them but I bloody did! Oh lord the waist is so high and the legs are so wide and so long! Over-fucking-joyed to have found these. Fair enough, not the most flattering pair of jeans in terms of tummy, but if (like me) you just accept your big old belly and don't mind it being noticable, then these are exciting!

I can't believe I spent £50 on a pair of jeans, but I have been bemoaning the lack of vintage look wide legs available in plus sizes, so to hell with it. I'm having a clearout and selling stuff on ebay, so that I can have pretty new jeans!

Washed Black Deep V Culotte Denim Jumpsuit

This jumpsuit is cute. I don't know what more to say about it?! It's only just long enough on the body for me in the 26, but I love it. I like how high waisted it is because I think It creates a nice silhouette. Also stretchy. Just very cute indeed, plus it's only £18 in the sale ;)

I should add that I also tried a lovely denim pinafore dress (which is now sadly sold out) and ALMOST kept it. I only returned it because I felt it looked at bit too young for me, but I recommend them from Simply Be just in general, They have loads and most have pockets. Very comfy and a lovely fit!

24/7 Blue Straight Leg Jeans Regular Length

I'm not keeping these as they're not my favourite, but they're great jeans. Size 26, thick-ish and all over stretchy denim. If you like the super smooth stretch denim loads of asos jeans are made of then you'll like these!

For me personally, this sort of denim is the stuff that I find restricts my walking a bit. Same with the super skinnies from new look.... made to be mega stretchy but keep their shape so it makes me feel like I'm wearing spanx! If I didn't have to walk a lot I'd love them!

Blue Wash Demi High Waist Mom Jeans

These are more my thing. They're a thinner and rougher stretch denim. The sort that feels like when it stretches it will stay stretched rather than restrict my legs. 

Size 26, they're a nice fit, but not a tight fit. I might have been able to get into the 24 but I wanted comfort so I'm into these! Ps, I also ordered these jeans in bleach wash and they were almost identical to this colour. I was sad about that because they looked great in the pictures!

Demi Vintage Blue Acid Wash High Waist Mom Jeans

What was I saying about acid wash?!

These are the same jeans as the blue wash above and they're pretty much identical in feel and cut.

I just like these. They're comfy and the acid wash is quite extreme, so a bit unique in my collection of jeans!

Mid Blue Curve Control Skinny High Waist Shaper Jeggings Regular Length

In terms of jeggings, these high waisted ones are the only mega tight denim I wear nowadays. They have deep pockets and are night and high on my belly and bum, plus they're super stretchy. 

Like I said, my aim in life right now is to not be overly restricted in my jeans, but occasionally I need jeggings for the sake of a good outfit. These are the best. I wear a size 24 in these.