New Autumn/Winter Jacket Trends

With the hot and humid weather of summer now well and truly gone, it’s time to put away our summer dresses and start restocking our wardrobes for the cold autumn and winter months ahead. With the recent plus size catwalk show at New York fashion week, plus size has never been more in the fashion spotlight; so we thought we’d update you on the key trends that emerged for this season.

One of the latest trends being picked up by all the celebs is the cropped faux fur jacket. Celebs such as Kate Moss and Geri Halliwell have been snapped wearing plush fur trims and jackets to add a bit of glamour to an evening look. Of course we can’t all afford the hefty price tags of designer labels. That’s why we’ve added two new faux fur jackets to the new Yours Clothing autumn collection available in Black and cream at the great value price of only £45. This item is great for dressing up a simple dress for a sophisticated and glamorous look.

Another key trend for this season is the leather aviator jacket. Our new black aviator jacket from the Limited Collection at only £39 is the perfect alternative to the expensive designer items that were seen on the catwalks and comes in sizes ranging from 16-32. A great way to wear this trend is with a pair of leggings or jeggings and a heeled leather boot for an urban chic casual day look.

These items are ideal for keeping you affordably fashionable and warm this winter. They’re already proving to be very popular; however, so make sure you order yours from Yours Clothing while it’s still in stock!

Your Essential Guide to Christmas Style!

With only four weeks until Christmas we’re all beginning to make our festive celebratory plans and think about what we can revive from our tired wardrobe in order to ensure we look our best no matter where we may end up. If like me you haven’t updated your wardrobe since the mince pies first emerged last December then follow these simple tips to look at your best without blowing your present-buying budget.

Top Festive Style Tips:

1. Add some sparkle!

As we all know, Christmas is full of colour, light and shimmer. Why not embrace the occasion and mirror this season of glamour and fun in your outfit?! By no means am I suggesting that we all wrap tinsel around our necks or don some novelty jewellery, but by choosing styles which incorporate a hint of sparkle, spirits are automatically lifted and the party season suddenly becomes alive! For curvy ladies in particular, a little bit of glitter in the right places goes a long way to show off enviable curves and reflect a vivacious personality. If glitter just isn’t your thing, then try some foil detailing. Take a look at this gorgeous foil detail top for example. The tunic style is flattering and versatile. The wearer can choose to team it up with leggings, jeans or a skirt while the subtle sequins and foil swirls add just enough Christmas glamour.

2. Be comfortable

It’s all very well embracing Christmas glamour but if you’re rushing to and from parties and running last minute errands then it’s important to be comfortable! There are many ways to look chic while being relaxed. Dark boot-cut jeans are always a good option for plus-sized figures. They create a balanced silhouette and can be jazzed up with endless styles of Christmas tops. If you’re event calls for a smarter look however, there’s still no need to compromise on comfort. This black figure 8 dress for example has all the ingredients for flattering, eye-catching outfit while the stretchy jersey material offers flexibility and endless comfort.

3. Layer Up!

With the weather getting increasingly wintery but party venues and relatives’ homes feeling warm and festive, keeping a constant body temperature is always going to be a struggle. The answer? Layer up. This season, Christmas dresses and party tops are spoilt for choice with the amount of cute cardigans and shrugs that are hitting the high street. A perfect way to keep the chill off yet easy to shed when the disco starts! Besides shrugs and extra layers, scarves, hats and gloves are a must when enjoying the festive season.

So now all you have to do is take these hints and convert them into your very own style. Take a look at the ‘Yours’ website for great plus size party wear that will keep you festive and fabulous and all at incredible value!

Plus Size Sense for Present Buying!

How many times have you received a Christmas or birthday gift which was obviously bought for you with thought and care but just wasn’t your taste? How many times have you wandered the shopping centre on a cold winter’s day desperately trying to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones? I suspect that the answer to both these questions is ‘more than once!’ It’s becoming increasingly difficult as the choice of gifts becomes greater and people’s tastes change from season to season. Forgive me for speculating but I am speaking from experience! As a girl, I love to receive a piece of fashionable clothing or accessory from my friends but more often than not, the item isn’t something I would have chosen. Not wanting to cause offence, we are all likely to accept the gift graciously and wear the item once or twice then condemn it to a lifetime of gathering dust at the back of a wardrobe.

In the present climate of watching our finances and trying to buy sensibly, would it not be wiser to purchase our friends and family gift vouchers for their favourite stores for them to choose the perfect item themselves? Well now you can! If your friends love Yours or if you think they might like an introduction to our latest plus size clothing and accessory collection, then why not spend your money wisely, save your legs and head aching during tedious shopping trips and buy your loved ones gift vouchers. For the first time ever, you can now purchase both in-store and on-line vouchers from www.yoursclothing.co.uk so however you and your friends like to shop, there’s an option for you!

Clothing Created to Celebrate Curves!

During the past decade or so, while us women have been keen to assert ourselves as independent and strong, fashion has predictably followed suit. Sharp tailoring and power dressing has dominated much of our work wear while casual outfits have been largely based on slouchy trousers and motif T-shirts. Though these styles continue to be popular, I’m pleased to say that this season they are joined by trends which shun masculine influences in favour of all things feminine. At last us curvy girls can embrace our womanly shape with pride and style and help lead this revolution of femininity. Shape, colour and detail are all experiencing somewhat of a womanly comeback for autumn/winter and into spring.

Low cut, ‘skinny’ jeans are less prominent in today’s fashion climate. High waisted, boot-cut trousers which comfortably hug the hips and create an hourglass silhouette are the trousers of choice. The same with skirts; the black skirt pictured left for example offers comfort and style rather than the recent trend of wearing skirts low on the hips, emphasising our widest part! Tops too are beginning to make a return to their feminine roots. Blouses in soft sheer fabrics are everywhere this season while ‘batwing’ sleeves and halter-necks add extra softness and a flattering shape.

Besides shape, colour has also fallen under this feminine spell. Purple is the big colour story this season. From lilacs to violets to mauves to lavenders, these pretty shades automatically offer a way to embrace our womanly shape and enhance any skin tone. Teamed with black or grey, purple is a must for every wardrobe and it looks as if it’s around to stay into next season too! If you’re not a fan of purple, try a splash of red or pink. Again, these tones compliment most skin tones and brighten up any look.

For even more ways to make the most of your womanly curves, look out for some gorgeous detailing this season including lace panels, bead and sequin embellishments and the ultimate feminine feature; frills! The texture and detail of our outfits is what will really make the difference leading up to Christmas. Check out all the products shown here and hundreds of more at http://www.yoursclothing.co.uk . I don’t know about you, but with so many wonderful ways to enjoy our femininity through fashion in the coming months, I’m feeling eternally grateful to be a woman!

Making the Look Yours…On Location!

A few weeks ago I offered readers a chance to learn a little more about the internet operation at Yours Clothing HQ. This week, I thought it would give you all another sneaky peek at what goes on behind the scenes. This time, not in the offices of Yours, but on location!

Every now and then we take our two fantastic models Michelle and Amy out and about to capture some shots of our hot new plus size fashion being worn in the ‘real world’. While these shoots are crucial in our marketing process to offer our customers some outfit inspiration and a sense of how the clothes will look in a natural setting, we also have tremendous fun and a few escapades along the way. Here are a few examples from this week’s shoot.

As some of you may have seen, the new photograph on our homepage shows the two girls on railway platform, just one of the settings we chose to promote this season’s plus size clothing collections. What you do not see through this great shot however, is the way in which we managed to capture it. We couldn’t seem to find the correct way into the station so the four of us (Michelle, Amy, our photographer Marzena and I) rather inelegantly clambered over a four foot metal fence in order to pose in the perfect spot. Having managed to reach the platform, we then rather frustratingly saw that the actual entrance to the station was a mere fifty yards further along the fence! Nevertheless, the pictures were well worth our acrobatics and show off our gorgeous purple check ladies shirts which will be hitting the internet soon!

One major uncontrollable issue which we often face on these shoots is the weather. On this occasion, it was the old British classic, a rather hasty bout of heavy rain. While this isn’t so much of a problem when you have nearby cover or are on an indoor shoot, when you’re in the middle of a park with valuable camera equipment and perfectly quaffed models who understandably fear the dreaded frizzy hair syndrome, its far from ideal. As this picture shows, the only option was to cover up as much as possible and make a frantic dash to the car!

Having dried off and freshened up, it was back to work with the next set of photos being taken in front of the beautiful lake in our local park. Luckily the rain had subsided but the wind had picked up and not only did we have climate issues to face, but it seemed that we had caused quite a stir amongst the feathered creatures of the lake! Geese, ducks, swans and Canadian geese became increasingly interested in what we were up to and decided to come and investigate. While Amy and I were less than welcoming and took the decision to flee at top speed, Michelle and Marzena held their nerve and successfully scared the fowl off. Crisis averted, we successfully captured some more great shots of our favourite plus size clothing from the Yours Autumn/Winter collection.

So, next time you see some promotional shots on our website or in-store, bare in mind that at times the picture may not paint a thousand words but believe me, the stories are plentiful!

Dream Denim…No Matter Your Shape!

Whether it’s a night out with the girls, a hot date at a restaurant or even a cosy night on the sofa, a well-fitting pair of jeans is the answer to so many of our wardrobe dilemmas. Therefore, when purchasing the most versatile piece of all our clothing, it is vital that you know what to look for and choose the right pair for your shape. This can sometimes be an overwhelming task with so many styles and brands to choose from. Well, you need not worry any longer, if it’s plus-size jeans you’re looking for, just follow our simple guide and you’ll be slipping into the perfect pair in no time!

The principle rule for buying jeans is the same for every woman: Whatever size you may be, think SHAPE not size. Most of us fall into one of four body shape categories; pear, apple, hour-glass and straight. Once you’ve decided on which of these you are, simply apply our top tips for pain-free denim shopping.

Pear

It is estimated that 70% of us fall under this body-shape banner. If you carry most of your weight on your lower body (hips, bottom, thighs) and have a smaller top half then you do too!

-To balance out your curves, always opt for boot cut jeans.

-Dark colours are the most flattering so steer clear of stonewashed or ‘distressed’ denim and add colour with your tops and accessories.

-By wearing your jeans slightly lower on the waist or even on your hips you will make your bottom appear smaller.

-Look for large, flat pockets on the back of the jeans rather than bulky pockets or too many buttons.

Pear Shape’s ideal jeans….

Apple

Do you carry most of your weight on your tummy and have fewer issues with your lower half? Then you’re an Apple shape. Apples can find it hard to find to find jeans that fit on the waist and show off their slim legs. So remember….

-Make sure that your jeans fit around your tummy rather than below or above it.

-If you’re lucky enough to have slim legs then make the most of them with lighter shades of denim.

-Embroidery or embellishments on the leg of the jeans will draw the eye to your slimmest parts.

-Look for some stretch in your denim for comfort on the waist band and a proper fit on your legs.

Apple Shape’s ideal jeans….

Hour-Glass

Hour-glass shapes have a well balanced silhouette with a similar width of hips and bust and defined waist. If you’re lucky enough to be this traditional womanly shape, then you will want to show it off.

-Wear your jeans on your waist with a dynamic belt to accentuate your narrowest part.

-As with the pear shape, boot cut or flare jeans keep your shape balanced and flatter your hips and thighs.

-Darker colours are a good option as they slim the thigh and hip area. Wear a vibrant top and draw attention to your curves.

Hour Glass’ ideal jeans….

Ruler

A Ruler body shape means that you have a similar body width up and down your body and may lack feminine curves. You probably don’t have much definition on the waist so this is the area to concentrate on to create a sexy shape.

-To add some curves to your legs and hips, try a ‘slouch’ fitting pair which will give the illusion of some definition.

-To create a waist, keep the waist band of the jeans fairly loose so you are able to wear a well fitting top.

-Avoid any jeans with stretch in them, looser fabrics will disguise any parts of your body that you are not confident with.

-Wear a lighter denim shade if you are confident with your legs and keep vibrant colours to your top half.

-Add some bright accessories for a touch of femininity.

Rulers’ ideal jeans….