A Review Of The BiuBiu ‘Marsala’ Dress

Many of you will know that I am a huge fan of BiuBiu. They make bust friendly clothing at very reasonable prices, and I have always found the fit to be excellent and consistent.

I was recently sent two dresses in sizes 44BB/BBB – which translates as ‘size 16 with huge boobies’ – check the BiuBiu size chart for more info on how their sizes work.

The Marsala dress in red.

The Marsala dress in blue.

I found the dresses to fit exactly the same, despite them being different colours.

They have a wonderful high neckline – not so high that create a ‘shelf boob’ look, but high enough to be modest in situations that call for it.

The length is perfect on my 5’7 frame, hitting me at that magical point just below the knee.  The capped sleeves didn’t cut in or make my arms look any bigger than they already are.

The stretchy cotton helps accommodate my figure, and is a nice cool material to wear in this amazing hot weather. I can see me adding a long sleeve tops underneath them, and some leggings and boots in the winter – versatile dresses, perfect all year round.

I wore the red dress to work yesterday, and it really is a perfect office dress. If I were going out after work I could have changed my flat shoes for some heels, instantly the look of the dress.

I did of course add a belt when I wore this dress to work.  As you can see the dress fits amazingly well, but I just wanted that extra bit of definition and something to break the outfit up and match the  dark shoes I had on.

I found that the tulip shaped skirt added a bit of puff to my stomach.  I don’t mind this too much as it also helped conceal it somewhat, but at certain angles it did add some bulk. However, the adding of a simple waist belt did help draw attention away from the puffiness.

In conclusion, I love these dresses.  They really do accommodate my bust whilst still being flattering on my body.  In these photos I paired them with my trusty Maidenform shapewear, a plunge bra from Ewa Michalak and my old Marks and Spencers high heels.

Special thanks goes to the beautiful patient CurvyWordy for taking these photos for me.

If you want to check out another view of the Marsala dress then visit A Sophisticated Pair for her review of the dress.

A Little Lovedrobe In My Wardrobe

SUMMER IS ACTUALLY HERE!!!! I can’t quite believe it! And that means Pimms, beer gardens, and a spot of sun bathing! I’m lucky enough to have a communal private garden that no one else in my block of flats cares to visit, and so last weekend I threw on a bikini and set off to my little spot of sunshine to settle down with a good book and some iced water. And what better dress to throw on over my bikini than this one:

The Lovedrobe beige antique inspired lace and floral dress.


I went for a size 20 in this dress, and it didn’t look overly generous in the bust. I was spot on with this prediction, and even in a 20 it proved touch and go size wise.

I think a 22 may have been better in this dress, but with my non padded bikini and loose fitting belt, the 20 sufficed nicely.

The dress is a gorgeous floral print with pretty lace detailing. The lace around the neckline did feel a little scratchy and rough, and I feel like it may have irritated me had I wore it for much longer than I did.

The length was ideal for a casual day of sunbathing in my garden with very few people around, however, I would probably start to feel paranoid about my legs if I were out and about somewhere busier.

The sleeves are nice and spacious and not at all restrictive.

The dress has three buttons on the bust, making it perfect for showing a bit of cleavage and ideal for breast feeding mummies.

The skirt hung nicely, and didn’t blow up and overall the dress was nice and light. It really was a perfect dress for a hot summer’s day!

If you also fancy trying out this dress or anything else on the Livedrobe site then you have until the end of the month to get 15% off. Use the code ‘FFFB’ at the checkout.

Bella!

I was recently sent a gorgeous dress from Pieces Of The Past – the beautiful Bella dress. Paula from Pieces Of The Past had asked me my stats prior to sending it to me, and as luck would have it we are very similar in figure. She selected a blue size 18 Bella, and she was spot on with her predictions!

It is suggested that the 18 is best for a 42 inch bust, but my 48 inch bust fit perfectly! The seams didn’t quite sit in and under my boobs, but the shape of the waist detail diverted attention from it.

The dress is made of a slightly stretchy polyester bengaline, and because of this it arrived with barely any creases. It flowed down to my mid calves – the perfect pairing with the rather daring neckline!

The cut out back section is adorable, and gives the dress an almost gothic twist If you would rather wear the dress off the shoulders you could just tuck the ties in and ta da! One dress, two styles! I did find that the sleeves came up rather small on my meaty arms, but it didn’t restrict the movement or feel uncomfortable.

I wore this dress out and about in the blazing sun the other day and it was an inspired choice!

I paired it with my gorgeous wide fit sandals from New Look, my Ewa Michalak Malachit bra and…shockingly…NO BELT! Whilst the dress is not perfect on my waist, the nipping in and military button embellishment means that I can be without the sweaty sensation of elastic wrapped about my torso on a hot summer’s day!

There was a slight breeze blowing that day, but the heavyish skirt stayed put whilst not making me feel too hot! I do however now have a rather interesting tanned back…

If you fancy a Bella dress of you own then head to the Pieces Of The Past website and snap one up! The code ‘FULLER’ will get you 10% off any order for the next six weeks. Bargain!

And whilst your there why not pick up some quirky statement necklaces to go with it – your whole outfit sorted for a great day in the sun!

A Review Of The Scarlett & Jo Floral Prom Dress

Since I first laid eyes on the Scarlett & Jo collection at Evans I have been in love. They make well priced fun funky garments that have suited ladies of so many sizes, shapes and ages. They run from sizes 14-26 at present, and so fingers crossed they go up to a 32 in the very near future.

I recently spied this gorgeous sheer yoke print dress in an Evans store, and I shockingly adored it! Shocking because I’m not a fan of pinks and purples, but you can see why…

And so imagine my joy when Lucy from Scarlett and Jo was kind enough to send me the dress in a size 16.

This dress has no stretch too it, and so the 16 was a snug fit across the chest.

The mesh panel at the top of the dress does of course show my bra straps off, but not in an obvious way.

The dress comes with a tie up sash to help cinch it in at the waist. I will no doubt add my own belt, but I did like the dress as it was.

The cute V neck back made it easy to zip up on my own AND was rather flattering.

The dress comes with a silky underskirt that helps give it a bit of flounce and body. Not so much that the dress is comical, just enough!

The dress is a perfect length for me. It hits me right on the knee, showing off my slimmer lower legs.

Sleeveless dresses are something I do usually have to modify with a bolero or cardi, and this will look great with a variety of colours – pink, purple, black, silver. I can see it working well for a wedding with some shoes to match the bolero. It will also make a great party dress, or something to wear on a casual summer’s day.

You can see what Hanna from ‘The Wardrobe Challenge’ thought of the dress here – you will have to agree, it looks sublime on her!

What do you think of Scarlett & Jo’s range for Evans? Have you tried any pieces or would you like to?

Aztec Prints

When I visited Vietnam back in February and roped Robbie into haggling for gorgeous bag, I had no idea that I was unwittingly buying a ‘fashionable’ piece of clothing…

It was only upon returning to the UK that I saw Aztec prints everywhere. I got my first taste of the print when I tried out some New Look Inspire pieces – and I really loved the print! And so when I spied Beth from Butterfly rocking a gorgeous Aztec midi dress, I just had to have it…

The dress is currently available in size 16/18, 20/22 and 24/26. I went for a size 16/18 and it arrived in no time at all…

The dress is made of a stretchy polyester, and is finished with a gold foil. It stretched to accommodate my shape, and finished just on the knee. The horizontal pattern felt very flattering, busting that myth that it adds pounds to the figure! I loved how many colours were in the dress and how well it would lend itself to a number of accessories.

The scoop neckline finishes high enough to conceal cleavage, but low enough to still be flattering. The capped sleeves felt comfortable over my arms and didn’t restrict them.

The dress didn’t quite nip me in at the waist like I would have liked, and so I naturally added a thrifted belt. I also paired this dress with my Freya Deco, my Maidenform shapewear and my shoes from M&S that are now several seasons old.

What do you think of the Aztec print trend? Do you own any Aztec print pieces or would you like too?

Excite Clothing’s Ruched Bodycon Printed Dresses

When it comes to fun, varied well priced plus size items Excite Clothing ticks all of the boxes. I first discovered them when I was on the hunt for some plus size boleros, and they haven’t let me down yet!

They recently gave their website a wee make over and added loads of scrummy items. Claire from Excite was generous enough to send me two size 18 ruched bodycon dresses.

I think that it’s very clear that I love a good bodycon dress, and so I was excited to see how these would fit!

The dresses are made out of a silky stretch material that clings to my figure without showing off my lesser loved lumps.

The little capped sleeves fit perfectly over my arms and don’t dig in or feel uncomfortable.

I loved the patterns on the dresses. Plus size women can sometimes be stuck with butterflies and small floral prints, but these dresses were something very different and an exciting choice to have!

I loved how the dresses fit me, and although I did add a belt when I wore the blue one to work, I *almost* don’t need one.

The length is a tiny bit shorter than I am happy with, and I will no doubt only ever pair the dresses with tights and leggings. Pairing silky materials with leggings can mean a slight riding up issue, especially when you run for as many trains and buses as I do…

The neckline was rather flattering, despite being quite high. I think that the capped sleeves help balance out the look, and overall it is quite versatile.

My favourite dress is the blue as it is so dainty and pretty. My boyfriend favoured the other, as he loves red and black. He also commented at how well these dresses fitted without a belt, but definitely preferred it when I added one.

These dresses are stocked in UK size 16 – 32 and I feel sure they will be flying off the virtual shelves this summer!

Have you been inspired to try these yourself? or anything else on the website? If so use the code ‘FULLERFIGURE10’ and get a 10% discount off anything on the Excite Clothing site. Code expires on August the 1st 2013.

I paired these dresses with my Freya Deco, my Maidenform shapewear and my shoes from M&S that are now several seasons old.

Collectif Are Taking Over My Wardrobe…

Some of you may have spotted a familiar face on my ‘Collectif’ advert and my blog banner. A face that looks rather like mine, when it is beautifully made up and ever so slightly photoshopped. And as those of you who follow my social streams will know, that is because recently I was given an absolutely amazing opportunity – I was asked to model for Collectif!

Having had three wonderful opportunities to be their flyer girl at the twice yearly ‘London Edge’ trade shows I could not have been more chuffed or honoured to have been asked, and I had an amazing day! The Collectif girls are such fun to be around and they made the day fly by.

The shoot was held in Joanna Krause’s home studio, and I absolutely loved working with her. She put me at ease and really made it a fun effortless shoot. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without hair and make up genius Monika Swiatek and my fellow bombshell and model, who was an inspiration to work with, and spurred me on throughout – Eliza Dotlittle.

As you may have seen in previous posts, I tend to favour just one style of dress from Collectif – the Dolores Doll. But the shoot gave my the opportunity to try several other styles that I had written off, and so of course, I had to fill my wardrobe up just a little bit fuller with some more fabulous Collectif clothes.

Naturally, two new Dolores Doll dresses were in order. My perfect Dolores Doll size is a 14. The dresses seem to be cut for a larger bust, and that is of course just what I need! The length is spot on, the neckline is fabulous and I even rather like the sleeves!
I fell in love with the Dolores Doll summer bouquet print dress – which says a lot, as yellow as never really been my thing!

However, there was another Doll that caught my eye – and she may be my favourite yet! The white and black Dolores Doll. Once again, the dress is not in a colour I would usually go for, but holy moley I adore it! I teamed it with my Hot Corsets petticoat and I never wanted to take it off!

One dress that I was really shocked by was the Gretel gingham swing dress.

I actually wore this dress at the most recent London Edge, and due to me winning a modelling contract that day, it has always held a special place in my heart.

And so, despite the halterneck straps, I decided to order this dress. I chose a size 18 and I absolutely adore it! I will need to alter to straps to make them more bra friendly, but other than that it is perfect. It’s a little shorter than the Doll dresses, but still hits the knee. the neckline is beautiful and extremely flattering. Small gingham print has always felt like ‘school uniform’ to me, but this dress could not be further from that!

Another new style for me, and indeed Collectif was the Phyllis Doll dress.

I went for this dress in a 20 as it has no stretch, and it is a great fit. The skirt is not a full circle, which is great on windy days! It fall nicely and gracefully, and I love the floral detail on the shoulder.

As you may have seen, I am a sucked for leopard print! And so I fell in love with the Paloma tiki leopard print dress.

Paloma is made of linen with no stretch, and the best fit for me was a size 20. The tulip skirt meant that it was perfect for daywear, and I adored the flowers. The neckline is rather low, but it is a fabulous dress.

One dress that I really did NOT expect to like is the Matilda doll flamingo print dress.

Pink is not a colour I am a huge fan of, and I have to say that the blue panel didn’t do many favours for me. However, after buying the dress in a size 18 and loosening a few buttons, I have become a huge fan of it. The buttons across the bust are rather tight for me, and so I sewed up the inside with a few simple stitches, and I feel a lot more secure and happy in the dress.

But of course, a girl cannot live on dresses alone! And so, I took the liberty of adding a little Collectif to my outerwear.

The Mariella cardigan in a size 18 seemed like the perfect buy to go with my Matilda. Regretfully, it is ever so slightly tight over the bust, but it’s nothing too severe. The black panelling at the waist helps give the illusion of an hourglass figure, and it’s lovely and soft.

And last, but by no means least I tried the Dietrich swing trench coat in baby blue, size 16. I’ve wanted this coat ever since I saw it at London Edge. A double breasted soft mac with an almost full circle skirt and flowers on the inside?! Count me in! I initially wanted the coat in black, but after seeing the delicious Kat from Collectif look hotDAMN in her blue version, I had to follow suit, and I am glad I did! It fits slightly snugly over the bust, but other than that I cannot fault it. I feel like a real style icon in it, and I’m half planning on getting the beige version…

As you can see, I have become quite the Collectif girl! I’m glad I took the chance to try some other pieces, as 12 Dolores Dolls is getting rather silly!

Are you also a fan of Collectif? Or has my post spurred you on to try some pieces? Let me know in the comments!
And if you do go to browse the site, you may spot me in a few other pieces, and hopefully you will be inspired to try some for yourself. Happy shopping!

Please note: Bar the shoes, all of the accessories and other items of clothing worn on the shoot can be found on the Collectif website. I had my What Katie Did Morticia corset on in all of the professional photos.
The belts and shoes seen in my own photos are various older items that I have picked up from eBay and other stores along the years.

A Review Of the Dollydagger Gypsy Dress

Dollydagger are a gorgeous UK brand that have been around for 8 years now. As well as selling their beautiful clothes and accessories online, they also have a lovely little boutique in Brighton. The helpful welcoming staff are happy to assist you in trying on everything the shop has to offer and take you outside your comfort zone and into styles you may have never thought to try, but you are instantly glad you have. They specialise in retro-style clothing brought bang up to date – 1950s style dresses, 1940s pencil skirts and vintage designer jewellery, featuring both well-known labels as well as their own.

I first had a taste of Dollydagger at the end of last year when I tried their famed Dita dress. Since then I have wanted to try another dress of their – and recently I was given the chance in the shape of their black gingham Gypsy dress.

“This pretty dress is made in the UK from 100% cotton gingham and is trimmed with white ric rac. Dress features an elasticated neckline and sleeves, and fastens at the side with a hidden zip.”

When I brought the size 18 dress home and tried it on my boyfriend’s eyes lit up! He loves black and white ska prints, and this pretty fitted dress made him reconsider his ‘Do you REALLY need any more dresses!?’ line.

The dress fit me absolutely brilliantly, as you can see. The elasticated neckline and generous bust section accommodated my juggernauts perfectly, and the waist section nipped in nicely, helping show off my figure.

It felt nice and comfortable across my hips, which is quite a rarity for an item that has no stretch too it.

The length was great – the a line skirt hit me just below the knees. I think a dress with a slightly lower neckline like this one do look lovely with a longer hem, as it helps balance the look out.

The elasticated sleeves were very comfortable, and fitted my arms nicely. I may still be inclined to add a bolero too it, as I’m not completely happy with my arms, but I was rather surprised by how good it looked without one.

I really like the Dollydagger Gypsy dress. I think it is flattering, versatile and perfect for a warm summer’s day – fingers crossed we see some of those soon! I adore the black gingham colourway of my dress, and I now have my eye on the cherry styles as well as I am a sucker for cutesie prints! I can see this dress working in so many other patterns and colourways, and it will suit a range of ages, sizes and shapes.

Check out the Dollydagger website for more beautiful clothes, shoes and accessories.

My First Taste Of Curvissa

Curvissa is one of those brands that I have always been curious about.

“Plus size fashion shouldn’t be about compromise, it should be about choice. Curvissa.co.uk offers a selection of over 3,000 quality fashion items in sizes 14 – 32, giving you a comprehensive collection of plus size clothing that includes everything from trousers and tops, to jackets and jeans.”

I was recently given the chance to try out a Curvissa item, and I naturally headed straight for the dresses! As I scrolled through the pretties, one dress in particular caught my eye – the 50’s Inspired Dress. Hello retro style + polka dots!

When deciding what size to order in this dress, I consulted the customer reviews and size chart. I have to say that I was rather amazed to see my measurements indicating that a size 26 would be most appropriate! I’m used to needing to size up to accommodate for them, but I’ve never needed to go beyond a 20, 22 at a push. And so I went against the recommendations and decided on a size 20, although the reviews did make me apprehensive, especially for the fit on the arms.

The dress arrived, and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the material felt, and how it was barely creased. The dress is designed to be slipped on like a t shirt, although it has no stretch.

I didn’t even have to unbutton the buttons at the bust to get the dress on, and after years of twisting my arms and awkwardly zipping up various zips, it was a refreshing change!

I quite liked how the dress looked on me. The fit on the arms was spot on, and although the tier felt a little snug, it fit rather nicely across my mega hips. However, to make it perfect I knew I had to add one thing…

Ta da!

My belt, which came with one of my Pinup girl Clothing dresses made the dress a lot more wearable and a lot more ‘me’.

As you can see, the sleeves have a slit at the back of them, which makes them very comfy on my large upper arms. The length is pretty much perfect, and the ruffled button up neckline means I can vary my modesty!

The only thing thing that I would change about this dress is the tiered bottom. I don’t feel that it fits with the style, and it would be a little more flattering if the dress were a simply a line – or of course a circle skirt! However, this dress is something that I will be wearing to work as it is very comfortable and versatile – and so perfect for those cheeky post work cocktails!

If you haven’t already tried Curvissa then I would recommend them. I’ve only tried the one dress, but I can’t wait to work my way through some more items. Just take that size chart with a pinch of salt!

My First Taste Of Clements Ribeiro For Evans

Some of you may have spotted something quite exciting taking place last month. Myself and four of my fellow bloggers modelled for Evans. I can’t tell you how awesome and what an honour it was to do so, and I had to pinch myself when the photos came out!

I really enjoyed modelling the retro swimwuit, however, there was one little lady who made her clothing choices look SO awesome, I just had to grab my own. That lady was Marie of The Curvy Fashionista.

The beautiful flower power prints just popped, and they suited Marie’s shape perfectly. And as her figure is not far off my own, I took the plunge and ordered myself one of each dress.

The green daisy dot print flower dress looked like it might have a bit of stretch to it, and so I ordered a size 14/16. I must admit that when it arrived I was less than thrilled with it, and thought about returning it. The fit was spot on, but it just didn’t do anything for me. And so I, tarted myself up, added my Planet Pinup hair flower, my Maidenform leggings, an old belt and heels and I actually fell in love!

The dress is a little short, meaning that I will only ever wear it with leggings or tights, but the belt made it look more form fitted and flattering.

I loved the sleeves – perfect on my larger arms and not too tight. The neckline was a little more modest that I am used too, but that makes it perfect for work and other cleavage obscuring events.

And that print – woah! Psychedelic daisies! I loved the shades of green and the way the colours popped. I’ve seen this dress in a whole new light and I fully intend to wear it to death!

Next up is the orange animal and daisy print dress in a size 18.

This dress just blows me away! The colour, neckline and non stretchy material pretty much make this dress a write off for me. But there’s something about it that makes me adore it! It may be the cheeky leopard print, or the sleeve length… I’m not sure!

When I added the belt, it just worked for me! It compliments the blacks within the dress and made it hug my figure. It is a great fit in an 18, but a snug fit across my hips.

This dress would be perfect for a wedding or a classy night out. I can see me teaming it with reds as well as classic black. I am just so in love with the dress!

The rest of the Swan collection can be found here – but hurry, they are selling out fast!

Loud prints, shift styles and high necklines are items that are totally out of my comfort zone. But having seen the Clements items on my fellow bloggers, and witnessed the passion of Suzanne Clements and Ignacio Ribiero I decided to take the plunge with these pieces – and I’m glad I did. They are such exciting vibrant items of clothing, and I wish more women would try them and make them their own rather than get scared off at the sight of lobsters and lips. It’s something so different on the plus size market, and I can’t wait to see what they come out with in seasons to come.