It started in the lead up to Christmas. We were heading north, and I knew that meant long days in the heat or pool, coming out for meals or to sleep. So, I wanted something that looked festive but was easy to wear. Enter this accidentally oversized swing dress in white brocade. No, that’s not the word for it.
*pops a new tab and googles eyelet fabric, usually white, starts with b?* Broderie Anglaise, that’s it.
It had been a slow evening at home, and I was scrolling through the ASOS range of dress offerings on a hunt for a ‘Christmas Dress’. As I’ve mentioned, I tend to lean towards relaxed, comfortable and usually in a maxi style for maximum easy-breezy. Then I spotted this dress and well, it ticked every box for me. So I quickly ordered, somehow ordering probably two sizes larger than I needed, and it was on its way to me.
A Christmas miracle. Right? In plus, how often does it happen that when you’re looking for something, you can never find it? It’s why so many of us buy items just in case or keep them forever because we might just need them again—all fair in my books. Buy the best quality available to you and wear them until they break down to compost; that’s my strategy. This dress, this beautifully made dress, fit into that plan flawlessly.
Soon I found myself wearing it to travel, out for dinner, with crisp white sneakers, chunky slides, or heels (I have no match fitness for THAT anymore). I can even see it with boots when that time comes. I especially love it worn casually over swimwear with a messy bun, no shoes and the warmth of the summer sun across my face. Sigh, I miss holidays, don’t you?
This is why I decided to write this post despite not knowing the current stock levels of this exact dress. I want to remind you that trends come and go, but your style can be whatever you want it to be. Find pieces that call to you that you love, and wear them. If one thing has changed since I first started blogging, there is no go-to look we all have to adhere to. No way. The kids wouldn’t have that. Express yourself through your clothes, do it as quietly or loudly as you see fit. Just be yourself.
It’s that time, team, shorts season! I mean, as a Queenslander, pretty much every season is shorts season, but you know what I mean. I’ve talked about how to find and wear shorts as a plus-size woman on this blog before. Of course, I have; this blog is a million years old. There have been many, many posts about shorts. Check them out next if you want some tips.
And, I see you out there. But, those of you who can feel your body physically tighten and the little voice in your head start to work itself up, stop! Seriously, stop that. No matter your shape, size or the current situation with your legs, you can and should wear shorts if you want to. No one cares as much about what you’re wearing as you do, so do what you want. And if someone has a problem, tell them to come and talk to me.
So, I thought I’d take a look around and find some shorts and put together a few outfits for you all. There are a couple of casual options, some that you can dress up for summer evenings, and all that in-between shorts goodness. Sound like a plan? Let’s get on with that.
Outfits for Plus-Size Shorts you’ll be wearing this Summer
Sweet Sweet Pastels
Even for someone like me who wears a lot of black, something about the warmer months has me craving colour. It’s pretty hard to resist. So get your colour fix in soft, pastel tones in sweet candy colours. I love to add colour to my shoes, but tops and other accessories are perfect.
And then, when you pair the ice wash, pale blue, denim with these colours, you’re sweet as (that’s for my NZ friends, lol). Lightwash denim is the perfect addition to your wardrobe; it’s just so versatile no matter the time of year. Don’t you think?
Ladies and gentlemen, nostalgia has entered the chat. When it comes to all things seasonal and on-trend, nostalgic items are top of the shopping list for those who identify as Millenials—especially geriatric types (otherwise known as Zennials).
Grab some shorts that all your favourite teen movies queens would’ve been proud of, and wear your childhood with pride. And no, in case you were about to ask, I don’t think you’re ever too old to wear Powerpuff girl socks.
There’s nothing I enjoy more than having people over for some beverages and a BBQ. Seriously, it could be the only socialising I enjoy doing anymore. I know post lockdown it’s all about the picnics, but I’m firmly team backyard BBQ. That said, this outfit would work for either. And for these kinds of events, you want comfortable, easy to wear clothes that look like you made an effort. Enter my dress as a top (discussed at length in this post) over shorts.
And you know me, I would typically default to a sneaker or a slide with this kind of outfit, but I came across these chunky sandals. They not only are in a great neutral tone (elongating for those with similar skin tones), but the chunky heel looks comfortable, stable and adds points for effort. Of course, nothing says I tried more than a heel.
Am I going to work out, or am I just getting coffee? That is the question? My love of activewear as daily clothing started, officially, when I started working for myself full-time. Working from home meant that comfort won across the board—more than style, more than looking the part, all the things. The good news is that these days, there are plenty of others that feel the same way.
I’ve linked to the range at Active Truth which you folks rave about, but I own bike shorts from so many retailers ranging from Best & Less to Hine Collective. Trust me; once you put bike shorts on, they’ll convert you. My favourite part is taking a simple bike short and crop and turning it into an outfit. If you want or need to. Take an oversized tee, some eye-catching sneakers, and you’re good to go. Pull up those socks, lady, and you’ve got style.
Now we’re back in my comfort zone; welcome to monochrome. I love mixing black and white together in an outfit, and adding printed shorts to the look makes it get up and get out the door approved. There will be no tough decisions to make when you go with this look, not to mention how versatile the shoes and tank are when worn separately.
What’s a flippy short, I hear you ask? Well, it’s a soft short, lots of room in the legs for a wide, easy-wearing fit. Perfect for those with larger bums and thighs that need more room. Soft shorts, the summer update to our favourite soft pants, are comfort dressing at its finest, and yet, you still look like you made an effort. Would recommend.
Links:
New Look Floral Flippy Shorts (other prints available)
You know what I mean, right? I can picture it now, the European cities, wine on the terrace, your days spent adventuring nut never breaking a sweat. I may not be able to promise you international travel or decedent adventures, but this look will transport you there all on its own. Effortless style, impossibly chic, perfect for those who are looking to holiday at home.
The higher waist and flat fronted waistband of these shorts make them easy to dress up or down. Add the matching jacket (yes, you heard that correctly) and a heeled sandal and you’re all set for your evening. But during the day, paired with stripes and denim, you’ll be exploring in comfort. Now, excuse me, I’m going to grab a wine and pretend I’m on vacation.
There you go, team, my plus-size summer shorts round up. I hope you were able to take away some inspiration for your summer shorts style! At the very least, you are now feeling more confident to put together items in your wardrobe. So, get those legs out into the world; summer is coming up fast. I can’t wait to see what you come up with, so tag me on Insta, I want to see.
You know the weather is getting chilly around here when I start wearing my knit dresses. As someone who hates feeling trapped in overly warm places, clothes or situations, I’ll only wear a knit dress when I KNOW it will be cold. And that I will definitely, without a doubt, need the warmth. It’s a whole thing. But I love this brief moment that my hometown turns on the winter. When we all get to pretend all those winter clothes are actually useful to own.
We’ve only seen a peek of winter, but I was keen, what can I say?
I took this knit dress out of my draw and out it onto my body at the very first twinkle of the possibility of it being cold. This year, I’m going for it. I’m usually such a summer kid. But I find myself craving the colder months more and more as I get older. Blame it on a love of red wine and fires. Or maybe it’s Desiree’s fault? She’s always been such a winter kid. But whatever it is, here for it. The sheer amount of winter content we’ve already had on the blog this year demonstrates that.
And so, I pull on the Docs, which are still a little firm across the bridge of my foot, and we went to eat all the sushi that the local place could offer. Another bonus of the knit dress, plenty of room for activities. With all that cosy warmth and stretch, you can do whatever you’re doing and still have all the comfort of being at home in your PJs.
I used to wear this dress with knee-high boots a lot, which I loved, that’s the post tagged above, but it was a little rough on the knit. Going with an ankle boot meant fewer snags and pilling on the knit. That’s a hot tip; you have to treat your knit well if you want it to last. And fold it, don’t hang it. I’ve lost plenty of knits to hanging them up, especially since I have to cut out all the dangly things because I hate the feel of them on my skin.
The best part about a knit dress is that you can pull them out year after year; it’s always a look.
I can’t link this dress, but some amazing Australian brands are offering knit dresses, whether it’s neutral like this or one of this season’s stunning tonal colours that would make the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Places like Hope & Harvest and their stunning green oversized maxi or Harlow Australia and their chic styles you can wear together or separately. Most overseas websites have reduced or cleared their winter stock now, so that’s also worth looking for a final-run, end of the line piece.
Have you been wondering what’s new in Australian Plus-Size Fashion for Autumn/Winter? Phew – that’s a mouthful! I’ve been taking a look around (mostly looking for boots; where did you find boots this year?), and these are the trends I see everywhere. Some have been popping up for a little while, and some are fresh for the AW/2021 season. Now, you know me, and when you see this list, you’ll see there is one, maybe two, that I’ll be getting on board with. But there’s plenty of other goodness for the rest of you, too.
And no, no one here expects you to rush out and purchase anything. We’re much too old for that. But I also know that it’s handy to have a little help from a friend when staying on-trend. Someone to do the legwork, find some great items and make the whole process easier. Since I was doing my research about some of Australia’s best plus-size retailers and brands on what was out there, I thought I’d be that person for you. Let’s dive into what I found, shall we?
Trends, Styles + Tips – Australian Plus-Size Fashion Trends for 2021
Knits as far as your eye can see
Please don’t roll your eyes at me, Meryl! Knits for winter, groundbreaking, right? Well, before you click away, hear me out. This season, I see many statement knits, knit sets, knit dresses, and skirts for a fun take on the normal cozy favourites. It was hard to narrow this section down, so you will find that most retailers will have more than one offering in this category, so make sure you take a look around.
Who doesn’t want to be a picnic, right? This trend is hanging on from Spring/Summer and is seeing a lot of brands bring out options in deeper and darker tones as we move into the cooler seasons. When you’re after a fun gingham or a moody plaid, there is a lot out there at the moment. And I don’t know about you, but I’m still not over The Queens Gambit and all the stunning checks (or the breathtaking cinematography), so why not wear them too? This is such a go-to dress for me, and I think you’ll find something similar that works the same in your wardrobe.
If you’ve been here for longer than a minute, you should have guessed this is the bracket I’ll be dipping the most into for my AW2021. I’m living for the matching tracksuits, basics in stripes and warm tones, as well as those small details that make an item more than your average loungewear piece. Shop these styles if you’ve committed to the “stay at home” aesthetic and won’t give it up. Or, if, like me, you believe sneakers are never going out of style.
If you came past the gingham etc., section, you’d know that sleeves are 100% a thing, so much so that I had to give them their own section. Big sleeves or small, this season, they’re saying something. Another carryover trend, I think this one is just waiting for the chance to get out in the world in a big way. Heck, even I’ve worn some outfits with a sleeve; this checked monochrome dress or this one that shows up in some of my profile images. As someone with broad shoulders, I used to worry about going big with a statement sleeve or shoulder pad. But do you know what? It’s too much fun not to!
We’ve already spoken about matching tracksuits, but what about the one-piece jumpsuit? As simple as a dress with the convenience of pants, that’s always been my favourite part. Plus, they make dressing up so easy. You’ll see that I’m a massive fan of a jumpsuit (I own the Hope & Harvest one in the first row, #2) from posts on the blog, but I can’t seem to make overalls work for me. If you have this secret magic, please let me know your secrets! That’s the major upside of this coming season; there is a cut and fit to suit everyone and their comfort zone.
Heck, I hope you’re feeling well informed about Australian Plus-Size Fashion for Autumn/Winter 2021 team. Because THAT was a mission. You’re lucky you’re cute because I wouldn’t spend this amount of time rounding up images and links for just anyone. Haha. So, tell me, what’s your wardrobe look like this year? Are you adding much to it or going with what you have? Due to an expanding waistline, I’ve had to get some new jeans. But other than that, it was a knit or two for me, maybe a tracksuit or two (that I don’t need), and the search continues for a pair of decent ankle boots.
I know what I’m talking about when it comes to plus size clothes for teenagers. How? Well, I’ve been over 5’10” since I was 12. To say that I was a plus-size teen is an understatement. I was tall, large and in varying stages of puppy fat and angst-driven disordered eating between an Australian size 12 to 18 the entire time. I was thinking about that the other weekend when my nieces visited. Tall, slim girls have the issue of length when it comes to buying clothes. They had other issues with fit, but that got me thinking about teenage girls shopping for clothing right now.
The girls, just like me, the plus girls.
When I was a teenager there wasn’t a lot of options shopping wise. I remember losing a bit of weight in my senior years and finding that I could fit back into the mainstream stores who by this stage were regularly stocking a 14/16. What a relief! Bye-bye peasant skirts and men’s board shorts. I do remember once though, in a change-room, when my Mum handed me clothing in a size 14/16 that she mentioned it was as far it as it went, sizing wise. That stuck with me and not because I was upset she pointed this out to me. But because I was not that big of a person. HOW could this be the largest sizes available to women. Why was that even a thing?
Luckily teens have way more options today.
LOTS AND LOTS of options. And while I think you should get your staple items from the excellent Australian online retailers that were in this post or from the brands I listed in my post about minimalist plus size clothing, a teenage girl wants to be fashionable, to wear what her friends are wearing, to be cool. In this post, we’re going to give you some options for where to buy plus size clothes for teenagers; some local and overseas options for the young adult market. Clothes that are more on-trend than wardrobe staples. The sort of clothing that helps a teenage girl fit in with her friends instead of having to wear styles older than she is. Let’s get started, shall we?
Where to buy plus size clothes for teenagers
Torrid
With stores throughout the USA, this brand is established and can be counted on to deliver on-trend basics for reasonable prices. The shopping to Australia can be a killer so subscribe to the newsletter for discounted shipping days or split an order with a friend. A shopping tip: I wear my standard Australian size in their denim and the majority of the range. Check out online reviews for more information. There are plenty!
I love Forever 21+ for modern, on-trend pieces. The pricing of the range puts it on par with the likes of Supre and such in Australia. Postage is reasonably fast and affordable. As a size 22/24, I find I’m at the very top of the size chart and would recommend this store for sizes 20 and below. Recently Australian stores have opened but the pricing isn’t on par with the online store and the range is better online. Shop by the look is another great online feature for those developing their own style. Grab your teenager, sit them down with the page open and let them shop.
A great Australian brand featuring great lifestyle pieces for everyday wear. A personal favourite of mine, but don’t tell the kids. When you want to mix quality denim and easy to wear lifestyle pieces, this is the place I recommend you start. Especially denim, the team specialises in great on-trend fits as well as classic shapes. I’ve found any number of styles make their way into my everyday wardrobe. And the best part? Because they’re made of quality fabrics, they’re going to last better than anything you get at cheap competitors stores.
A new addition to the Cotton On (Typo, rubi, Supre) family is the range of Cotton On clothing in Curve. Stocking sizes 16 – 24 in a range of on-trend items that are both seasonal and affordable, but wearable long after the season is done. You’ll get everything here from Jeans to Swimwear, graphic tees to basic loungewear. If your teen is sick of not being able to wear the same cool, causal clothes as their friends, this is a range you want to check out. Not so bad for us oldies either, I featured a number of these items in my casual capsule wardrobe post.
Don’t be afraid fo the slinky fits or sexy shapes on their Instagram account; I assure you this is a teen-friendly brand. Haha. Find anything from casual dresses, t-shirt, light denim and more at this cheap and cheerful online store. It’s a USA based store, but just switch the currency over to AUD when you arrive and you’ll know where you stand price-wise. I love this shop for casual tees and fun items you just can’t find anywhere else.
My fashion-forward friends in blog world turned me on to Misguided Plus and they were so right. By all accounts, the sizing is generous, especially in the styles designed to be oversized. Check out the charts and online reviews because you may find that you need to size down here on some items and upon others. I like to compare this range to the festival chic styling of Sportsgirl with the added punk you just can’t buy here. Loads of cool items that will raise your fashion game no matter your size.
A larger store with a range of clothing, underwear, sports and activewear, City Chic offers a few ‘in-house’ brands that cater to different styles and they’re always incorporating on-trend pieces that are made of higher-quality materials compared to a lot of the big brands. They have a great range of denim and boots too. All the good stuff.
Shop the new-season City Chic range here.
ASOS Curve
A great one-stop-shop for a range of styles, brands and sizes. Plus, if your teen identifies as a boy, there’s an entire section for plus-size men too! Easily one of my favourite places to shop. When I found ASOS Curve at the beginning of my style journey, it was like the world had changed. I’d never been able to find the clothing that suited my style; in fact, I had no idea what my style really was until I could start to explore it with clothing that fits me. Your teen might just find themselves there too.
A little note about your plus size teen if you’re a parent, guardian or concerned adult-type person. Leave them alone. That’s my hot tip. Live well, be an example and leave them alone. I don’t know if you’ve ever been the fat kid, but when you remind them they’re different, you aren’t telling them anything they didn’t know. I speak from experience. We KNOW we don’t fit in and sometimes that hurts. So be cool, love us and let your ideas about what we ‘should be’ go. And finally, if they’re not that into clothes, that’s okay too. It’s hard to care when you feel like you are constantly being excluded from a conversation.
Where to buy plus size pyjamas and sleepwear for the curvy folks amongst us. We’re bringing this where to buy post to you today by request! In the past year or two, we have certainly learned to love our loungewear, and a big part of that is sleepwear. When I first received the request, I was like, errr, this will be a short ass list. But, the more I looked into it, the more I found some great options from big and small plus-size retailers.
Yes, I know I’ve said multiple times that I wasn’t that into the Where to Buy style posts. But, to be honest, they’re growing on me. Especially when we start looking for things like sleepwear which I’ve never even considered doing. Or was surprised to find a bunch of options I’d never considered before. While that happens, I’m in. Don’t come for me. Haha.
Sleepwear, what does that mean, right?
In the past year or two, we have seen a huge amount of loungewear hit the market. This isn’t necessarily that, even though there is some crossover. What we are talking about is good, old fashioned plus size pyjamas. PJs and nighties (nightgowns for the non-Australians). It’s not just loungewear that crosses over into this category either. There are plus size lingerie based pieces like teddies and camisole nighties, but again, there is some crossover. What you’ll find will depend on the retailer, but there is a good range of options here (if I do say so myself). Let’s get started, shall we?
I was part of the first drop for this brand and their marketing, full disclosure. I was excited. As someone who had squeezed themself into PA pyjamas for most of my early 20’s, it was exciting to see the brand launched into plus. That said, it needs more. More sizes, more styles and more coverage across the limited edition or special drops. Give us more, Peter! But if you’re looking for that Peter Alexander whimsy and fun, they do have a decent range (when writing this, there were over 50 styles listed), so head over and check them out.
It’s in almost every single one of these posts, but I always feel like I’m letting people in on a secret when it comes to ASOS. This category covers a lot of lingerie and lounge, but there is a strong selection of items like the pyjamas in the feature image with a pick and mix range. For example, there were eight pieces in this range set that you could mix and match from. I love that level of freedom with sleepwear; I want the people at my house set, summer, and I’m hot set and the winter cozy set. At least! You’ll find lots of options at ASOS, I always do.
Fun, fun, fun! This range is heaps of fun, has a wide selection of fits and styles with options to a size 24 and a decent range. That said, I do think, given the massive selection here, this would be a great range to expand their sizes and offer some decent choices in larger sizes. I mean, shouldn’t everyone be able to access cute PJs? That aside, there were many pieces in the range that I could see myself wearing, especially the black nighty in the gallery below. I have something similar now and adore it. This range is well worth a look.
Australian shoppers will know Best and Less, and if you’ve been in-store in the last decade, you’ll know their plus-size range of cheap and cheerful fashion is pretty great. Their range of plus-size sleepwear and pyjamas is no different. Everything from cute nighties, PJ sets for summer or winter, lots of robes and accessories too. A one-stop shop for modern or classic styles, whether you pop in-store or shop online, if your budget is a major factor, start here!
A recent addition to the Ada + Lou offering (they also added kids clothes, so cute) is their sleepwear range. Light and airy looking, these pieces give off a holiday vibe. I don’t know about you, but I can see myself and my girlfriends wearing these styles, flouncing around a holiday house and drinking cocktails by the pool. I’m sure the photos they’ve used on the website help with that vibe. Bring on my holidays later in the month.
City Chic (12-24)
Another larger Australian retailer, City Chic, has a decent size range of sleepwear and a major offering of chemises perfect for ramping up the hot-ness factor around your house. I mentioned in an earlier section having a nighty that I wear all the time, and it’s from City Chic. It’s a jersey sort of fabric with lace at the neckline (also stretch), and I’ve worn it to death over the past five years or so. Sort of like this one, but with wider straps. Worth a look for something a little sexier than the average.
This is a small retailer I found during my travels, thanks to some Google Ads. While I haven’t purchased from them directly, they did have a good range of robes and more traditional style nighties. With cottage-core being everything it is these days, they could be a great option for that floaty, classic look. Not to mention some cute printed pyjama sets and other styles available to a size 24.
The Avella range at BigW is another plus-size staple when it comes to essentials like sleepwear. I swear they used to stock more sizes? Or maybe they still do, but I missed them on the styles I looked at? Let me know. I love this navy set, the white piping is the cutest, and the other navy set that is more loungewear-based is perfect for winter. These classic styles are more up my alley, but there are plenty of merchandise (i.e. Disney) and fun styles too. Lots of great options here for every occasion of sleepwear wearing; take a look in-store or online.
Janine is on a mission to find the perfect maxi dress for Christmas Day. I mean, aren’t we all. While watching a movie last night, I started having a look around and bookmarking some of my favourites as I came across the. This post is about sharing what I found from some of my favourite online plus-size retailers.
I love a maxi dress for Christmas Day. Simply because they’re easy to wear, can take you from a casual gathering to something more dressed up if it needs to. And, the most important, you can eat and drink freely without feeling like your clothing is cutting you off. I did the same thing for my brother’s wedding last month when I needed something to work in (I was doing their photos) and something that looked dressy enough for a wedding.
And can I just say? Boho ladies, this is the year for you. Oversized shapes and prints, layers of lightweight fabrics and ruffles EVERYWHERE. But if it’s not your style, don’t stress, I found some options that I love that are a little less flouncy. I mean, we all know that my style could hardly be described as Boho. Let’s check them out, shall we?
Buying clothes when your plus-size can suck. On this blog, its something we talk about a lot. But, what about where to buy clothes for plus size men? Are there a lot of options for on-trend fashionable pieces for the big guys? The short answer to that question is that it has come a long way from the Big and Tall shops of the past.
The idea for this post actually came from the search terms on my blog post Where to Buy Clothes for Plus-Size Teens. I realised, while there were lots of options for plus-size women in that post, by not including a few of the big guys, I had excluded those who are looking to dress in a more masculine fashion. I should have known better (I’ve since updated that post).
This is my attempt to offer some options for the plus-size guys who may find themselves here looking for fashionable clothing options. Let’s dive in.
Kel and my brother have both been roped into featuring in photos for this brand (see below). Since then, it’s where I go if Kel needs new clothes especially anything for special occasions or the sort of wardrobe staple I expect to last (jeans or dress pants, jackets etc). The price point is pretty middle fo the range and they often have great sales or special offers.
I’m happy to recommend this brand and we continue to shop there. However, I have to let you know our horrible experience with customer service over a pair of shoes that my brother purchased. They wore through (worn Monday to Friday for work) really quickly and they wouldn’t take them back/listen to our concerns as they reference the extensive wear which was the point of the concern in the first place.
To be honest I don’t remember how it was resolved as I left it with my brother. But suffice to say that it left a bad taste in our mouth. Maybe as far as the accessories go, shop the sales. 😉
I think you’re going to love the range and selection offered by ASOS. If I’m stuck and can’t find anything for Kel (and sometimes for me too) then I head to the ASOS Plus-Size Men’s range to see if I can find it there. Especially jackets, lounge or sportswear or basic tees.
With the mid to low price point, it makes for a good option for the on-trend pieces it can be impossible to find. Especially since they are added new styles and brands to their line up all the time. One of those big sellers that will become a resource for you, I’m sure.
One word on this one, Trendy! BooHoo has always boasted a low price point and up to the minute fashion pieces. Their BooHoo Men range is no different. I refer to this style of retailer as cheap and cheerful because if you’re looking for something fun or that you’ve seen your favourite wearing, this is the place to go. They’re always turning over new styles with fresh takes on current trends.
The bad news is that Boohoo is often listed as a thumbs down due to their manufacturing process and labour conditions. I won’t even make my usual joke about it being ‘not ideal’ because it’s worse than that. I do believe that with continued pressure a brand like this can be made to do better. But, always, I thought you should have all the information before making your choices. In this case, which happens too often in plus-size clothing options, for a lower price-point, this is what we have to live with.
I came across this brand when I was shopping for Kelvin recently for a wedding. This is more of a classic style, with button-ups and business casual attire then a lot of the other options. Things like sleepwear and swimwear as well. There are a lot of styles and fits, usually available in multiple colourways, but unfortunately, none of the clothing is shown on models for fit.
This is also a great spot for things like belts, suits and sports coat; the sort of staples you need to build a solid wardrobe. On my rounds, I noticed a lot of the retailers don’t merchandise a lot of accessories specialised for plus-size bodies (especially belts) which is such a missing. You can find a lot of that here.
When you head to The Iconic there is a more limited selection of men’s plus-size clothing with only a few brands featured. That said, there are some great wardrobe staple items here such a basic tees, classic polos and style jacket fits. For me, the range is a modern take on the casual classics I personally gravitate to.
The other thing that they’re great at is accessories. You’ll find an extensive range of modern, even designer, sunglasses, shoes and bags. Especially sneakers if you’re into such things.
There we go! Some great options for clothes for plus size men. Was your favourite spot covered here? I especially want to know if we missed any small retailers based in Australia or New Zealand. We love a local small business. Let me know if you have any questions as you go through, I’ll answer whatever I can and outsource the rest.
Before we go, here are a few more photos of Kel and my brother Dean looking great in Johnny Bigg items featured on the blog in the past. No brand association currently exists, but when we took these photos it was for either sponsored posts or content creation for the brand. Full disclosure, you know how it goes.
What do you think about when I mention a casual style capsule wardrobe? For some, it will be jeans and tees, and for others, less interested in waistbands it may be t-shirt dresses or a go-to maxi. Which is it for you? Or perhaps, like me, you are a combination of both?
Since I started working at home full-time, my need for clothes to leave the house in has gone from light/moderate to non-existent! That’s before any of the stay at home orders or lockdown. Most days I work in either cut off denim shorts (which I couldn’t find any decent ones online this time, I’ve added jeans and other shorts instead) and a tee. Or my favourite go-to when I can’t be bothered to a maxi dress. During winter, I add a jumper of some description. Simple and effective.
But lately, I’ve been thinking about taking it up a level. I am selecting a group of items that work together to create a capsule wardrobe; causal style, of course. The sort of clothes I can wear all day, then add something to go out for dinner or visit the family. I don’t need much, but I want to feel like I’m making an effort again. While I was on my adventure to grab some new items (like jacket and lounge set below) I found some links to old favourites too.
Here’s what I’ve come up with; my ideal plus-size casual capsule wardrobe!
Ponte Pants + Sass Dress or Ribbed Tank or Grey Tank + Smock Dress (women open) + Superstars or Birkenstocks
Mum Jeans + Sweet Top or Cocoon Top or Ribbed Tank or Bodysuit + Superstars
Marty Coat + Maxi Dress + Dr Martens
Phew, what a mission THAT all was. Not to mention expensive as I added a few to cart as I went. But, what say you, would these pieces make the cut for you? There’s not a lot of colours here, I know for some people that would be a no-deal, but I’ve noted the selects that come in different colour-ways in the links. I was torn between the grey lounge set from Cotton On and the plum one, worth a look if grey (or black) isn’t your thing.
And I’m using the term date night, pretty casually here, folks. But what we did have was a chance to take a drive, pick up some takeaway and hang out somewhere that wasn’t our living room. I’ll take it. And I’m sure for any number of you continuing to self-isolate would feel the same way. AIR. Fresh air. Haha.
So, what does one wear to sit in a car, grab food and eat it outside?
Casual stuff. Comfortable stuff. And ultimately, whatever makes you feel good because that’s the main aim here. My choice was a midi dress I picked up from ASOS at the start of summer. I sent it back twice to get a size that works for me, and it’s still not ‘perfect. But it works, and the slightly oversized at the top nature of it means I have room for tops worn underneath (a favourite look of mine) or room to move in general. I’ve worn under my 17 Sundays BASIC tee, knotted at the front with sneakers I keep forgetting I own. I bought these back when I picked up my New Balance ones (which was January’ish) and have worn them maybe three times. Don’t worry; I have plans to rectify that by leaving them near the door for the good old slip on and go situation I do so well.
That’s what I wore for our date night.
And in true, flashback fashion, I parked us at a nearby grey wall and asked Kel to snap some photos. It’s not something we do a lot anymore, but we’re getting back into it. I miss having a reference of outfits I like to refer to when I have no idea what to wear. I miss getting dressed dressed too. Working from home for almost two years meant I really pared back the way I dress and the clothes I wear often. But I’m feeling like having a little more fun again. I’m hoping you won’t mind me sharing them here (again). It’ll be like old times. But new times, haha. Sounds like a plan, yes?
I’ve been in love with jumpsuits since I picked up a black, wide-leg one from Birdsnest (was it Birdsnest? Yup. I checked, see it here in its first blog post) years ago. No more structured, pain in the ass, impossible to get in and out of bodysuits for me. I was all about the stretch and the drape of that style of jumpsuit. And when confronted with one, would almost always add it to cart.
Like this one, it’s the best. Not only is the colour perfection (hello new hair colour) but it ticks all the other boxes. Stretchy, tick! Wide-leg pant, tick. Pull-on and off design, YUP! It’s got all the things, so it’s been on high rotation since the summer weather kicked in around here. Most useful over swimwear, it’s comfortable to wear, soft as hell, and washes like a champion. One of those pieces that I love to wear because it makes me feel good.
But what about the fact that when I sit my stomach looks rather large?
Well, firstly, it is rather large. There’s no hiding that. It’s been a festive last year or so. I think we all need to start seeing ourselves as we are. As real, rather than a distorted, perfectly angled world, we tend to see through our selfie lens. This is what I look like when I sit down; no more, no less.
And secondly, you saw the bit where I said I feel good, right?
No amount of visible stomach is going to take that away from me. Lately, I’ve been pretty hard on this body of mine. I feel like there are so many ways that it could be doing better; looking better and just BEING better. And it’s hard to live with that as the conversation in your head.
So, I’m making changes. Taking more photos from different angles and worrying less about them always being flattering. Because we all know, flattering is just code for thinner, and when you’re a size 24 every day of the week, thinner isn’t a descriptive word that applies.
Let me clarify.
This post isn’t to complain that I gained weight. Gaining weight at the drop of a hat is something my body does in response to a whole range of health factors for me. It is about challenging the idea what we all have, to varying degrees, that our bodies should be a certain way and remain that way for all time.
I’m old now then I was five years ago, thank goodness, and so is this body I call home. It’s changing and adapting to what it’s been through but so am I. This is about recognising that, accepting that, and viewing yourself as you are.
You don’t need to be anything but what you are. From now on, I’m going to remember that when I berate and degrade myself in the mirror. I owe myself that much. Now, let’s get to more pics, shall we? The shopping links, where available, are below as always.
It’s been a while since we talked about clothes, team. Even longer since I last covered off on plus size maxi dresses. When was the last time? Can anyone remember? But this felt necessary because I am wearing a bunch of maxis on rotation at the moment. For almost every occasion, it seemed important to the whole documenting things thing. It’s not a where to buy, but I’ve included as many links as I could. Most are pretty recent additions, so they’re in stock. Some, not so much. But either way, I tried.
So, why maxi dresses, right?
What’s the appeal of that?
For me, it’s a really easy way to be dressed all at once. No mess and no fuss. Whatever the occasion; backyard BBQ to kind of formal occasion, you’re all set. Add some great shoes and whatever accessories float your boat and you’ve got a whole outfit. Maxis work for those who want to wear little shorts under their dresses in summer and are even cute with ankle boots in colder months. But surely, I don’t have to tell YOU that? You’re a woman of the world, let’s get things started, shall we? (This post contains gifted items, as marked, and affiliate links)
Plus size maxi dresses I’m wearing now!
The casual maxi dresses
This is the section where you are going to be annoyed because you can’t buy the majority of them. Sorry about that. But I live in my 17 Sundays maxis* from last year, both the black and white stripe versions as well as the black and leopard print. Phew. They’re my go-to item for casual and work and if you didn’t buy one you’re insane. Sorry, that happened to you.
In rotation with that are a couple of City Chic maxi dresses. You’ve seen the blue maxi dress in my beach photos, which is sold out. BUT, don’t panic, they’ve just released it in a couple of new colours and prints and there are plenty of them in the RESORT section on their website These are such easy to wear dresses they could really be added to the nice maxis section below. But, well, they’re here.
The nice maxi dresses
These are the maxis that are more wear them out for the evening. Add sandals with a little heel or chunky wedges and you’re good for an evening out. This is such a great option for plus size women especially because they’re easy to wear, you have options on what you put under them (anti-chafe shorts or similar for example). Something like this PQ Collection dress is perfect for dinner and drinks. Trust me, I’ve done both. SO much room for dinner and drinks. Haha.
The ASOS Curve Black Maxi Tea Dress is one that I wear ALL the time but apparently have never taken a photo in it. It’s the same as the image I’ve shared below, but longer. Sorry, team. It’s still a basic black jersey fabric but the tea dress neckline and little slits at the ankle just make it a little more special than the casual maxis. It absolutely dresses up for dinner or I wear it to client jobs sometimes when I want good coverage, to be comfortable and also look like I tried a little.
My shorter version of the ASOS Curve Black Maxi Tea Dress (sorry, team)
My friend, Pip owns the website Sisu and Finn and when I started taking a few outfit photos again, she offered to send me some items to try out and keep a couple. These two Kiyonna Maxi Dresses were part of that parcel. It was my first time trying this brand and I have to say that the quality was beyond what I expected even after being told to expect them to be good.
They are beautiful to wear and look spectacular on. Special occasion coming up? These are worth a closer look. I ended up keeping the navy Meadow Dream maxi dress you’ll see below. Navy is more my colour all year round, and I felt like the neck (boob) line suited me more. Having both in my wardrobe would have been indulgent, so I was happy to send the green Vienna maxi dress (above) back to her to enjoy after taking a few photos.
Another great maxi dress for special occasions is the Embody Women (formally Embody Denim), Birkin Maxi Dress. My friend Desiree has this dress in the spot print and it is STUNNING. Such a showstopper no matter the occasion and available in a range of colours and prints to make finding something that works for you easy. My personal favourite is the current navy colour, it’s so beautiful. I think it’s pretty easy to see that come to special occasions navy is sort of my thing. Haha.
And there you go, team! A bit of a whip around my wardrobe of plus size maxi dresses. You have to agree that this is such a versatile length; especially when you go swishy and full with the skirt. Do you maxi? I hope you do, let me know about it, I’ve enabled the image upload int he comments, show me ALL the things. Otherwise, find me on Instagram, tag @sugercoatit – I can’t wait to see!
*indicates gifted items where it was weird to insert the word gifted
