It's the beginning of December, which can only mean one thing, its sparkle season!

If you are a curvy, plus size or larger lady now is the time to embrace your curves and really show off with sequins, chiffon and shimmer. If you are happy to embrace your curves and know how to dress to really show off your shape that is fantastic. However many women worry about what you are going to wear to the work's Christmas party, or a family meal out or other dressy events at this time of year and don't like to show off their shape.

I've put together a few tips which might encourage you to try new styles and really embrace your body, making you look and feel fabulous.

if you are conscious of your tummy area one of the best ways to flatter it is with a wrap around style, especially if it is rusched to one side. Patterns, sequins and soft pleats also hide a tummy well, if that is what you feel you need to do. Also if you are an "apple" shape, try wearing a pencil shape skirt to show off your great legs and bottom. The dress below has rusching all the way down the side to really show off your curves and the one shoulder looks stunning.

This is probably the most important part of your dress, what's underneath it! Make sure you are wearing the right sized bra, no matter if you have a A cup or a J cup. If your boobs are in the right place it can make your waist appear slimmer, your posture will be better and will help to stop you having any back problems. Shapewear will give you the perfect silhouette too, smoothing your figure and making you feel more confident in your fitted dresses.  I personally always wear my pants one size bigger than my dress size and always have done, this avoids giving you the dreaded VPL!

If you are an apple shape you will have great legs and a pert bottom. Show them off with a pair of faux leather trousers or skinny jeans and a sparkly top. If you are an hourglass, show off that amazing waistline and womanly figure with a daring dress like the sparkly one pictured above. 

It doesn't matter if you are a size 10 or 20, embrace your curves, and dress to emphasise the bits you love and disguise the bits you don't, after all we all have parts of our body we would rather not show!

Try on something you wouldn't normally wear and step out of your comfort zone.  If you always opt for black, why not try a bright colour, whether that be just a scarf or a sequin jumper if you can't pluck up the courage to wear too much colour just yet.

Use clothing to really show off your personality and if you've always wanted to wear a fitted sequin dress then go for it!! 

These are just a few quick tips that I thought would help you dress your curves in the forthcoming party season.  If you need any help deciding what to wear, shopping or clothing advice, please get in touch x 

Let’s talk layering

Like flicking a switch, the 1^st September arrived and the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse!

The evenings are already getting shorter and there is definitely an autumnal nip in the air!

Sometimes this ‘in-between weather’ can be hard to dress for.  It starts off cold in the morning and by the afternoon it’s a tropical heatwave!

So, what do you wear?

Layering what you already have

Layering is the key to autumnal dressing. Easy layers that you can take on and off as the weather changes throughout the day so you don’t end up feeling cold or stifled.

Wearing your summer vest tops underneath your clothes is a great idea, especially if you tuck them in.  The extra layer will be so much warmer and you won’t have to wear a big coat, just a lightweight jacket.

Most day dresses can be worn with a jumper over the top which not only keeps you warmer, it gives the dress a different look and utilises more of your existing wardrobe.

Some summer dresses, especially if they are darker coloured, look great with a thin polo neck underneath, thick tights and boots! You could always take the tights off throughout the day if it gets really warm and maybe pop a pair of sandals in your bag!

Layering up a casual outfit of jeans, a tee, blazer and trench coat or mac is a great way of looking great whilst having layers you can take off and still look good.

Tonal Dressing

Tonal dressing works very well at this time of year, wearing all of the same colour but in different tones.  It looks classy and stylish yet its practical because you can remove layers as the weather warms throughout the day.

What you may need to buy

Make sure you have at least one pair of ankle boots to wear with jeans, dresses, skirts with thick boots.  Something with a small heel, either kitten, block, wedge (you decide what is most comfortable) will add height and length to your legs making you appear taller and slimmer.

You also need to invest in a neutral lightweight jacket, not a blazer or coat but a jacket or duster coat that will see you through the autumnal changeable weather without making you feel stifled.

Here’s a checklist of essentials for the autumn wardrobe:

• At least one pair of neutral ankles boots or a statement boot (animal print for example)
• A blazer or lightweight jacket
• Ankle length slim or skinny jeans to be worn with ankle boots, trainers or sandals
• Lightweight knitwear that can be layered with a tee or shirt underneath, or thin enough to wear under a blazer or jacket.
• Midi length dresses (from your summer collection) that can be worn with trainers or ankle boots and as the weather cools you can wear thick tights and biker or knee length boots.
• Accessories, accessories, accessories! – layer up those necklaces for an on-trend look, lightweight scarves to add interest and bring your outfit together (video to follow on how to tie scarves)
• A statement handbag to add a splash of colour.

Autumn colours can sometimes be quite dull, there’s no need to stick to brown, burgundy and burnt orange! If you like to stick to black as your safe colour then why not use a brightly coloured handbag or jacket or even some animal print ankle boots to push you out of your comfort zone. Wearing colour can bring so much to your life so experiment and be brave!

Click on the links below for some examples:

Snakeskin heel ankle boots - 

https://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/quiz-black-faux-leather-snake-print-heel-ankle-boots-9179372

Yellow circle cross body bag -

https://www.marksandspencer.com/circle-cross-body-bag/p/p60214641?color=SUNSHINE

Turqouise jacket -

https://www.oasis-stores.com/gb/clothing/jackets-coats/libby-coat/068476.html?dwvar_068476_color=21&position=77&cgid=coats-and-jackets#page=6&productsMoved=1&hideFeatured=false&start=77&categoryID=coats-and-jackets

Knitted cape jacket -

https://www.riverisland.com/p/black-houndstooth-cape-jacket-736467

If you need any advice on layering or dressing for Autumn just give me a call on 0776 3341849.

Happy layering lovelies

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