Affordable Plus Size Fashion – Empress Eleven

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One of the best things about taking part in Styling You’s #everydaystyle is being able to look back on outfits that have served me well, and the outfits that didn’t.

One of the most difficult parts of #everydaystyle is coming up with a new outfit from the existing clothes in my wardrobe. Sometimes I can get creative, but other times I will fall back on the faithful garments that look awesome time and time again.

So you can imagine my excitement when plus size brand Empress Eleven reached out to me via Instagram, asking if I’d like to try their clothes. I’d seen Jenni from Styling Curvy model some of the Empress Eleven pieces and I couldn’t wait to model what was sent to me.

Before I talk about the label, let’s talk about the label ‘plus size’. I’ve never taken offence to the label simply because I understand the sizing is meant to cater for the curvaceous girls amongst us. Regular size clothes don’t always fit a curvy figure like myself. This is why we also see petite ranges offered to women that are tinier in frame. I will never be petite because of my height and my body structure. We need plus size clothing, regular sized clothing and petite size clothing. I don’t make a big fuss about the titles because it’s a way of telling women who the brand is catering for.

With that said, I fit into the pieces that were a size small, catering for a size 12-16 figure. I’m a 14 and 16 in some sizes so this was the perfect size for me.

I was sent some Denim Jeggings which I loved. They were comfortable, flattering and held my jelly belly in place. I teamed the denim jeggings with the Dolly Rock Leopard print shirt which I rolled the sleeves up to be a 3/4 shirt. The shirt is long in the back and short at the front. I felt awesome in this outfit, although a little overdressed for a day at home.

The Bermuda Baby gold sequin tee (reminds me of Superman) is a muscle shaped sleeve which I tend to avoid because I have big shoulders, but I don’t mind the style and cut in this tee. I teamed the tee with a pair of white capris, which are starting to get loose now that I’ve changed my lifestyle to get a bit healthier for 2016.

The clothing ranges from size 12 to 24 and the prices are very affordable and the label is Australian owned.

I know that I’m going to get a lot of wear out of the jeggings this Autumn and Winter.

Here a few of the key basic pieces Empress Eleven have to offer.

Empress Eleven Plus Size fashion

From left running clockwise: Dolly Rock Shirt $29.95, White Blanch Shirt $29.95, Twilight Slouchy Jogger $54.95, African Queen Duster $49.95, Saskia Denim Jegging $39.95, Bermuda Baby Tee $49.95

Do you get offended by the fashion term plus size?

Disclaimer: I was gifted some Empress Eleven pieces with no expectation to review, but I loved the clothes, so I couldn’t not share with you.

Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Brand I Love – Ruby Yaya

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Happy New Year!

Was it me, or did those holidays go fast? I guess I can’t be surprised when Christmas and New Year’s came a little quicker than I anticipated last year.

As I’ve shared on the blog before, I usually get a new dress for Christmas Day and if I can afford it, one for Christmas Eve.

This year I knew I wanted my dresses to be bold, bright and flowy. I’m a huge fan of Ruby Yaya fashion. I loved one of their kaftans I bought from Instyle Boutique last summer. Funnily enough, I wore the kaftan to Garden City Shopping Centre and while I was lining up to get a milkshake from Muffin Break, the manager at the Instyle Boutique at Garden City recognized the dress as one of their previous stock and told me how good it looked on me. That purchase was when I first became aware of Ruby Yaya.

That dress that I missed out on buying last year for Christmas was also by Ruby Yaya.

It came as no surprise that this bright (and stunning) Ruby Yaya Gucci dress pretty much nearly sold out before Christmas. I ummed and ahhed about whether to buy this dress, but then I bit the bullet and purchased it. I would have bought the large, but only mediums were left and I’m glad I got the medium because it was the perfect fit. The dress does need a slip underneath as the material is quite sheer.

I find all my Ruby Yaya dresses are quite roomy and I size down when purchasing a dress or kaftan.

My Christmas Day dress was also from Ruby Yaya bought from St. Frock. I just love the patterns and colours in this kaftan and it was lovely to wear on Christmas Day. I could have sized down, but I liked the way the large fit, so I didn’t bother exchanging it.

The best thing I love about Ruby Yaya dresses is they are roomy enough to be worn during pregnancy and the kaftan styles often allow breastfeeding access.

The dresses are usually over $100 which for some, may be way out of their price range, but I compensated my purchases this year, by avoiding the Boxing Day and New Years sales. I much prefer to buy a dress full price that I love, than settle for a  few dresses on sale that don’t excite me like the full priced ones. I know I will get a lot of wear from these dresses both this summer and in the future. I also know that if I lose weight this year, the dresses will still fit me – they will just be a bit more flowy and roomier.

Ruby Yaya is a popular brand and many of the summer styles have sold out online. Birdsnest and St. Frock have a good selection of Ruby Yaya. Some boutiques may carry just a few styles. If you are looking for a bright and bold outfit, Ruby Yaya will definitely have something for you.

Ruby Yaya fashion online

1. Ruby Yaya Aari Gucci dress in Navy $149.95

2. Ruby Yaya Morocco Short Kaftan $139.90

3. Ruby Yaya Aari Gucci dress in White $149.95

4. Ruby Yaya Palermo Maxi Dress $169.95

5. Ruby Yaya White Namaste Flouncer Dress $109.95

6. Ruby Yaya Carnival Flounce Dress $109.95

Did you purchase anything new to wear at Christmas? Get any bargains at the Boxing Day Sales?

I’m linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

 

The Best of the Pre-Boxing Day Sales

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This week my inbox has been FLOODED with emails of early access to Boxing Day sales. If you had bought your Christmas and New Years outfit last week, you would have possibly cried. Except, I did a little research and some of the items that I bought for Christmas Day are sold out or still not on sale yet. Phew!

Whenever I find out I’ve missed out on a sale and have paid full price, I counteract the negativity by reasoning with myself that that’s the cost of wanting an item NOW. I remember this time last year, waiting for  dress to go on sale, only to have it completely sell out and I missed out. I still think about that dress. I need to get over it!

Anyway, if you still have some spare cash that you want to burn, I’ve found the best of the best in the pre-boxing day sales. I’ve only included online shops that I shop from all the time online. My four favourite go-to shops for online purchases are ASOS, Birdsnest, Bohemian Traders and Erin Louise. I’ve only featured these brands in my collection. Some stores will wait until Boxing Day to release their sales so don’t fret and think you need to get your purchases done now when you have so much to organize for Christmas Day.

best pre-boxing day sales

1. Adrift Aquila Dress in Navy $69.95

2. Metalicus Wattle Trench Coat $149.95

3. Wish Tales Blouse $50

4. ASOS Black Embroidered Top $30

5. Adrift Aquila Shirtmaker Dress in Ocean $59.95

6. ASOS Shift Dress in Mono-stripe $30

7. Bohemian Traders Festival Top in Red White Stripe $79

8. Erin Louise Down to Shine Rose Gold Top $60 – but down to $36 when you enter CHRISTMAS at the checkout.

9. Bohemian Traders Boxy Sunlace Boxy Top $59

10. Cordelia St Seafoam Polka Dot Tee $39.95

When I go to Boxing Day Sales I tend to use these sales to purchase items I need currently, items I will need for Autumn/Winter next year and items that I love and can’t walk away from. I love Styling You’s post on how to attack the sales at this time of year. I nodded my head in agreement with all her tips.

If you are pregnant, (as I was three times over Christmas) I would use the Boxing Day sales as a time to invest in buying breastfeeding friendly tops. Bohemian Traders have deep v tops  are perfect for breastfeeding and they are cool enough to wear through summer, when feeding can be a bit hot and sticky. Currently the Deep V tops are down to $39 on Bohemian Traders. I would usually get a black and white top as basics.

Bohemian Traders Deep V Top

If you’re all sorted fashion wise, I want to thank you for reading my blog this year. I enjoy sharing my fashion style and tips with you. The best thing you can spend this Boxing Day is time with your loved ones.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I won’t be blogging here until the New Year, but you can still follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see my #everydaystyle outfits.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Everyday Summer Dresses Under $100

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One of my favourite outfits in summer is the everyday dress. I love that I can chuck the dress on and be ready in minutes. I have a big selection of everyday dresses that I rotate in my wardrobe, but it’s only been recently that I have realized I don’t wear them often enough. I often revert to some sort of tee and short combo because I know I will be on the floor playing with my girls, but on the days we head out to the shops or meet up with other mummy friends, the dress will always be my first choice in outfit.

When I purchase an everyday dress, I don’t spend more than $100 simply because it’s going to be worn everyday, and I prefer to spend more on evening or special occasion dresses.

While I was researching some dresses for a different blog post, I compiled a collage of everyday summer dresses under $100.

Everday Dresses for under $100

1. French Connection Stripe SS Dress $99.95

2. Sunny Girl Office to Bar Dress $59

3. Sunny Girl Tie Dress $59

4. Dotti Love the Boat Maxi Dress $79.95

5. Adrift Oracle Lucy Dress in Orange $99.95

6. One Honey Boutique Lucy Shirt Dress $49

7. ASOS Shift Dress in Mono Stripe $36

8. Alessi Floral Dress $79.95

9. Sunny Girl Border Dress $55

There is nothing much more to add except to buy your everyday dresses well. For a versatile piece, buy a button or zip down dress that can be worn open with pants as a trench or vest. Number 6 would be perfect for this type of outfit.

Also, sometimes it’s hard to tell on the model, but check the hem of your chosen dress to ensure you will be comfortable with the length. Nothing worse than buying an everyday dress that stays in your wardrobe because it’s too short.

If you liked this post, you might like to check out my post on Christmas Day dresses to camouflage a full tummy.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Casual Christmas Day Dresses to Camouflage a Full Tummy

/ Fashion / 19 Comments

Over the years I have learned the importance of wearing something comfortable for Christmas Day.

I generally buy a new dress to wear for Christmas Day, and this year has been no different as I’ve invested in a kaftan that’s bright and breezy.

In years past I have worn a strapless dress, jumpsuit and short jumpsuit/romper. All of which I had to keep adjusting while celebrating Christmas. The year I wore a romper, I changed out of it by 10am because the shorts were too short and I couldn’t handle the amount of leg I was showing as I bent down to help my girls open their presents.

My tips on choosing a casual dress for Christmas day is buying a dress that will skim and flow over your tummy and hips. Kaftans work especially well for Christmas Day.

As much as I love a jumpsuit, I can’t stand having to completely undress while going to the toilet. But it is a great alternative to the dress if you don’t mind the bathroom situation.

I suggest you choose a dress that is comfortable and doesn’t require straps to be adjusted.

Knee length dresses (or maxis) are perfect for being able to get on the floor with the kids to help them unwrap gifts.

I’ve collated some gorgeous casual Christmas dresses to camouflage a full tummy. A dress that gathers under at the empire line and has a print will hide any extra bulges created from the day.

 If you are still needing to buy a new dress to wear for Christmas Day, ensure you do it soon as it was hard to curate a selection of dresses with all the sizes still available. It seems most women are already on the hunt for that perfect dress for this season.

Casual Christmas Day Dresses 2015

1. Freez Flirty Dress $59

2. Globetrotter by Ruby Yaya Mocha Sayonara Dress $149.95

3. Ruby Yaya Holi Shibori Dress in Navy $109.95

4. ASOS Vila All Over Crochet White Dress $81.00

5. Globetrotter by Ruby Yaya Konya Gucci Dress $149.95

6. Nest Picks White Embroidered Dress $69.95

7. The Iconic Olivia Kaftan in Black $99.95

8. Katies Border Print Kaftan Dress $69.95

9. The Iconic Ici Et La Kaftan $89.95 (on sale)

10. Seafolly City Limits Dress $139.95

What are you wearing on Christmas Day? Have you thought about it yet or are you all sorted?

I’m linking with Essentially Jess for IBOT.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

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