My style, Yours style!

Hi everyone, hope you've had a fabulous weekend? And have you seen our latest development? Rather than pay extra for postage to return unwanted items, you can now pre-pay £1.49 to return your items via Collect+!

As well as that piece of good news, there have been some wonderful new clothing additions on site and in store. It doesn't happen to me often, but every now and again I see something new on site and have to buy it immediately. Last week, I snapped up this 60's inspired red and black dress and this week I thought I'd model it for you, even if I do look slightly grumpy!

Red and black belted dress, £25

This is a fab little dress or tunic! It's a comfortable, fluid jersey material. It also runs quite large and because of the stretch, it would work a size down from your usual. The dress has large armholes, which is great for those of you with large bosoms! I noticed the skinny leather belt was too big, so I used my own waist belt instead which works just as well. As I'm short (5'1"), I wear this as a dress with opaque black tights, however this would look just as good with leggings and boots on you taller ladies. This is a great blank canvas for your accessories and though it sounds like a cliché, it's an item that really can work for any occasion.

If you fancy something a little less traffic stopping, we have a black version with a red trim, which is also incredibly sweet. And who knows? There may be other colour options appearing... watch this space!

Lauren xx

Guest Post: Shape Up by Stacey!

Hey, I’m Stacey and I’m a customer service advisor for Yours Clothing. I’ve been with the company for a little over 7 months and I’m certainly enjoying it.

Fashion and shopping is always something I’ve enjoyed, after all don’t all girls? Within my role getting to speak with all of the customers is great; I enjoy being the link between you and the company. Finding out what you really think and how we can then make the online shopping experience as easy and as appealing for you as possible is important to the Yours Clothing family. It’s a friendly place to work and we’re often smiling; and we endeavour to pass on the positivity to you all and keep you happy, after all that is the key.

In the short time that I have been a member I’ve picked up how versatile the clothes need to be for us all to wear and feel comfortable in, after all we’re not all models. So I’ve written a short introduction on how I think you can get the the clothes that best suit you and get you looking as glam as you should always feel.

Live fashion Love Yours x

SHAPE UP!

Don’t you just hate the phrase ‘plus size’, makes us sound abnormal, and just remains as a reminder that we’re that bit bigger. But then again, great things come with that bit more – like those choccy bars with the free 20% extra; clearly much better than the standard; actually who would choose the standard over that? That’s how I’m gonna see myself – all the fun and tastiness of a ‘normal’ size with that irresistible bit more. In fact I’m feeling better already!

Ok so we all admit to having those lumps, bumps and wobbly bits, but not all of these ‘spare tyres’ sit in the same places. Yes, the vehicles that carry them are as luxurious and as appealing as ever (if not more so); but some of us carry the weight up top, around the middle or even in the boot. So let’s have a look at what great styles we have that can have you looking and feeling like a brand new model, fresh out of the showroom.

I guess the most logical place to start is to determine which body shape we each fall in to. Don’t worry if you’re not sure, a rough idea can be a good starting point. You can then pick and choose the most flattering items and avoid the ‘oh no…what was I thinking’ scenario which has happened to all of us…even those celebrities; why else would they include the worse dressed bit in all those important magazines. What we’re aiming for are the Facebook ‘likes’ and comments at the bottom of the photos; A far cry from the raised eyebrows and long pauses when you ask the inevitable question to someone ‘how do I look?’

So I have divided the shapes in to 4 rough categories: heavenly hourglass, succulent strawberry, appealing apple and perfect pear. I’m sure if you ask those celebrity ‘style guru’s’ they’ll chime in with lots more shapes. But I really can’t be bothered to get a tape measure and work out whether my chest is 1 inch bigger than my waist, and whether that makes me a ‘cello’ or a ‘goblet’- neither of which sound particularly flattering.



The classic heavenly hourglass basically means that you have curves girl- embrace them, flaunt them and make the most of them, as this shape is the one that all girls dream of having. So clothes which synch in at the waist, which is your smallest part are gonna look great. Choose tops with lots of shape, nothing that ‘hangs’. Pencil skirts and fitted jackets for tailored smart look, and bootleg jeans and trousers will define your lovely shape.



The succulent strawberry figure means that you may have broader shoulders and more ‘up top’. Remember many girls wish for what you have naturally and so make the most of it. You could even see it as saving money; money saved from a potential enhancement if you were smaller; your ‘savings’ can then be spent on shoes, bags and chocolate. The key is balance with your frame. Keep the patterns and fabrics simple and not fussy up top, as you make end up looking like your trapped in an upside cone. The on trend bold prints and shaped skirts are ideal for you, as are wider trousers and hareems.



Perhaps you’re a perfect pear shape, which means you’re the opposite of those strawberry’s and carry your weight in your hips, thighs and bottom. Darker colours on your bottom half are great when teamed with bolder prints and patterns on your top half. Also dresses and clothes which are fitted at the waist will really show off your shape, and wrap style tops will only compliment your build.



Alternatively you could be an appealing apple. This is where your weight is mostly around your middle. Your thinnest area is just under bust, and so a top that is fitted there or can be teamed with a belt there will be perfect. Aim for lighter less fussy materials which can float over those bumps and give you a real flattering shape. Also wider trousers and skirts will balance out your shape, but don’t wear baggy on top and bottom at the same time; otherwise we’ll lose you in swarms of fabric.

You may have noticed that I have been a bit vague, this isn’t laziness, and it’s intentional. At the end of the day I could recommend clothes and styles with strict ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, but you may still think the items are horrible or just ‘not you’, and that’s ok. I simply advise that you try and compliment your body, in your own way, and with your own style. Wear what you feel comfortable and happy in. After all if you look ‘good’ but don’t like it and so are walking around like you’ve been slapped with some soggy lettuce leaves, your hardly gonna be leading with your head held high; So like what you wear, and wear what you like.

If you'd like to contact me, then you can email me here - I can't wait to hear from you!

Lots of love,

Stacey

80's Fashion Back with a Plus-Size Bang!

The 1980s was a decade full of change. From politics to music there were dramatic shifts in the trends and lifestyles of people worldwide. As the world entered a new era, fashion inevitably followed. While there seems to be a tendency for some to look back on this decade with a ‘what-was-I-thinking’ attitude, the basis for many 80’s fashion trends were dramatic, edgy and super-stylish! At last this decade is getting the recognition it deserves in the fashion stakes. At Yours, we have embraced this hot spring trend to create a flattering, striking and wearable collection so that us curvy girls can enjoy a touch of 80’s nostalgia!

Perhaps the most influential aspect of this particular trend is the use of colour. Bright, bold tones are used for colour blocking, stripes and geometric prints. Key colours for this look are cobalt blue, hot pink and acid brights with grey or black hues for the base. For fuller-figured women, these over-sized shapes and large blocks of colour create clean, flattering lines and can draw attention away from troublesome areas. This eye-catching 80's top (right) offers a great combination of colour-blocking, simple liens and comfort, all key features of the trend. If you are cautious with colour and prefer to stick to muted shades, it is still possible to add a touch of 80’s glamour with a hot pink streak or coloured leggings!

As well as colour, shape is a crucial element of the 80’s look. Oversized tops teamed with leggings or straight leg jeans are a perfect way to embrace the trend while still skimming your curves and keeping you comfortable. Shapes and detailing around the shoulders and arms play a major part in the 80’s styling. Batwing tops have made a massive comeback with sleeves becoming fuller and more of a feature. Similarly, slits on sleeves are regularly used to keep the shape authentic to the 80s and to flatter the arm at its most shapely part. This gorgeous top (left) with a batwing and slit in the sleeve is the perfect example – and it incorporates the hot pink and black elements of 80’s chic!

There are of course features of the 80s that none of us want to repeat – hair crimping and shoulder pads are thankfully constrained to fashion show catwalks. This season’s look is about incorporating 80’s fashion concepts with a modern, fresh feel. For those of you who would rather remember idols of the 80s rather than the fashions; try an iconic T-shirt such as these Blondie, Rolling Stones and Betty Boop tees for an instant nod towards the hottest decade to make a come-back in years!

With all the above pieces and indeed a full collection of 80s inspired outfits at Yours Clothing this season, plus-size fashion has never been so exciting and accessible, no matter the limits to wish you dare to push it!