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.
The most clicks in the AW2021 trends report were to some beautiful jewel-coloured plus-size jumpers. Heading into the cooler months here, chunky, soft, cosy jumpers are in high demand; I get it. Defined as (yeah, I looked it up, eldest daughter mode engaged) a knitted garment typically with long sleeves, worn over the upper body; jumper. With that in mind, I went looking a little further afield and found some GOLD.
The best part about a jumper is that you can wear them with anything. Literally, anything you like. You can dress them up or down, wear them around the house or out on the town. Even the images (grabbed from the retailers) below show the range of ways you can style them. My personal favourite is jeans and boots or over a dress. I love that a statement colour or a chunky knit pattern can do all the hard work for you.
Years ago, my sister bought the wrong size of a mustard knit jumper and gave it to me. To say that I wore that jumper to death is an understatement. Even now, it’s still in my wardrobe because I won’t part with it. Buy well, and you’ll have your jumper for seasons to come. This sort of look never goes out of style.
When it comes to wearing black, I keep it interesting by incorporating textured fabrics. It’s hardly revolutionary, Melbournites have been doing it for as long as black has been in. It keeps the outfit interesting but simple. It simple works every single time. Using textures for interest is pretty simple too.
In this outfit, I’ve used a leather-look midi skirt (my current loooove) and layered this top over it. It’s a simple outfit. Really simple and easy to wear, but it’s got a certain impact about it too. The top brings that. The skirt brings that. The nude boots in their easy perfection add to it as well. They sort of bookend with my hair actually, now I think about it.
And that’s the key. Keeping it simple and letting those blended textures and looks together. Effectively this is a skirt and top, but it’s so much more than that. So much more because it looks like something you want to touch, it’s interesting. So I one hundred percent encourage you to give it a try.
Try a monochrome textured outfit, I’d love to see the results!
In other exciting news, beme have launched their new Facebook page and want you to be involved! Fun. So to entice you to check out and like the page, I have $100 gift voucher to giveaway on my facebook page.
Wearing bemeLong Sleeve Lace Front Top (size M), ASOS Curve Leather Look Midi Skirt (UK24) and Barefoot Tess boots (old stock).
Head on over to my Facebook page for your chance to win a $100 beme Voucher!
This was going to be an outfit post. But it sort of turned into something else. Because this weekend we are at home, there is nowhere to go, and no one to see. Nothing to do but recharge the old batteries and prepare ourselves for another busy month ahead. I need weekends like this one. I highly recommend weekends like this one. Pull on your snuggly gear and settle in to read, and sleep in and bask in the sun.
That’s my plan.
It’s actually going rather well.
This afternoon we saw a movie, cooked ourselves dinner and now we’re settled on the couch watching tv. I tap-tap away on websites, finishing the launch show notes for the SUGER+INK podcast and this post. Perfection.
When I’m quiet, after a packed week like I’ve just had, I can’t help but smile at how life turns out. I’m doing more of the things that I love with workshops and social media clients, time to blog and time with my Mr. I think when I decided to start to carve out more time for the things I love by scaling back my work hours, I absolutely made the right choice. And yes, money has been tighter, but who cares right? Money schmoney.
Get comfy team, slip on some jeans and a knit and hang out.
Wearing long-sleeve top from Kmart, bemeBuckle Trim Tunic, Harlow Black Jeans (24) and New Look Wide Fit boots.
Um yeah, they ARE flares. Killer, right? We might as well kick plus size jeans week off with a killer pair of flares and a fucker tee. I’m going to get to the flares, I promise I am, but I also need to talk about why it was SO important for me to wear this Be Polite You Fucker tee today. And I know you want to hear THAT story. Haha.
Well, well, well. It’s been an interesting few days for me. I launched myself into a conversation for body shaming and found my Facebook page front and centre in a discussion for women, against women and with so many shades of grey opinions that I wore myself out. Deleting and banning troll fuckers took up a good part of my Friday night.
And I’m ok with that.
Often, I wish I were in a position to speak up for those in our community who are suffering. Not just women or those who find themselves on the outskirts of what society calls beautiful, but for the real issues. The big ones. I see the things happening in the world, and I get so annoyed. So frustrated. So pissed off.
I want to shake people who form their opinion of things on Facebook and fail to do any research into what it is they are backing. I want to cry at the injustice and horrors committed in the name of right.
I just can’t even.
And that from my position of privilege, I have to acknowledge that. No one has ever looked at me and assumed things that I believe make me unwelcome here, that I’m going to make them unsafe or destroy their (apparently) perilously perched life by just being myself. I know the struggle of women, but only from the safest of positions.
I stand behind those who need me more now than ever. I want to be the change we NEED to see in this world. Be polite you fucker indeed. Sometimes I just want to scream be polite you fucker. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that. I know you guys, you’re hurt and frustrated too. Let’s all find the courage to speak out more, ok? Be brave and share more. Fuck them, those fuckers.
Now about these flares. There’s actually not too much to say really. Apparently, I had more to say about the other issue. These flares are an exaggerated boot cut with a high waist and double button feature, lots of stretch and a fit like no one’s business and they’re from beme. On their website they call them a bootcut but for me, the ankle is wide enough to be a flare, for sure. I love the curve and fit that they give after so long in skinny jeans or slouchy joggers.
And you know what they say? A change is as good as a holiday.
Wearing Be Polite You Fucker Tee by Rebel Soul Collective (XL), beme bootcut jeans (or try these flare flares) and Target heels.
So, jeans week is off and running with a rant and an up yours to those online jerks with fake facts who scream panic from the hilltops… What a start! Tomorrow, we talk boyfriend jeans. Are you ready for that?
beme has sent out the word. It’s move over Summer, step aside Autumn, we are heading towards Winter and even the Queenslanders have gotten wind of such things. Literally, it was WINDY AS HECK around here last weekend. It brought with it the cooler weather and we were rejoicing! Brrrr. So what that means is that the layers start coming out in force. No more flimsy, sheer layers… Nope.
The day of the knit is here. I planned an outfit and everything.
beme asked me to share the newly released May range, I told them no problem, I’ve had my boots ready for months. Literally, months. Alas Queensland decided to amp up the humidity and go a little nuts on the whole NOPE, it’s totally not autumn, so I had to (again) switch them out for heels. But I’m confident this sassy outfit with the emphasis on new season knit still works.
For work or play.
And for those of you who are actually lucky enough to get something resembling cool weather, then you can add a jacket, a wrap or something that people who live in cold places own. I have no idea. I’ll be lucky to need sleeves if this current weather is anything to go by. Haha. But, the show must go on!
Wearing beme Sleeveless Buckle Tunic, check out the new arrivals for more great knitwear or the SALES for some excellent bargains. My girlfriend told me she scored some jeans at a MASSIVE mark down the other day, so there’s shopping to be done. Enjoy.
It was hot, our house had been locked up all day against a storm that they promised would be coming (it didn’t) and so we decided to go out. This top from beme had just arrived in the mail as a thank you from the team for my help launching their summer lookbook.
You saw those posts right? This one about shorts and this one about that bright shift dress of awesome. I dragged off my work clothes and pulled it over my head immediately, having Mr Suger cut the tags in the kitchen on our way out the door. The skirt came out of the washing basket.
I can feel my sister eyeballing me from here. She’s one of those weirdos that loves to iron. She is not going to be impressed with this. But thems the breaks. Sorry ironing gods. Dinner called. You guys do that too sometimes, yes? Iron sch-miron. Haha.
Anyway, light and comfortable and perfect for this time of year, you just can’t beat a lightweight top and classic denim. I may be wrong about the ironing thing, but I’m right about this. And nude shoes, well that’s always a win too.
Wearing (slightly crumpled, sorry about that) scalloped edge top from beme, old flame denim skirt from 17 Sundays and Target Australia shoes.
A loose and casual summer beach dress is a wardrobe essential for me. The more the merrier in my wardrobe and I like to get as much wear out of them as possible. What I mean is that I don’t want them to be relegated to the beach and miss all the fun of dinner or a movie. I want the summer beach dress to go out on the TOOOOWN!
Let’s go out. We should go out. Want to go to dinner sometime? Let’s do it.
But how do you make a dress that covers your togs during the day out to dinner? That my friends is the easiest part. It’s about the shoes. Isn’t it always? It’s about choosing something with a bit of height and sophistication about them. Those shoes, they will take you anywhere. Let’s check mine out for a second and come back to it ok?
Mine are a nude, stacked heel from Target. They are comfortable and easy to wear (which is also great for that summer vibe) but they are, as your Mum would say, dressy. The addition of the heel or wedge gives your outfit a put together look. That is the key. Pulling it together so it goes next level beach attire.
Another way I dress up just about any outfit at the moment is with my 17 Sundays capes. I have the navy, denim and khaki in my possession thanks to the team (for how much longer I don’t know, that Olivia has her eye on them). They are a great item for throwing over a dress or simple outfit to give it a little wow. You can use all kinds of throws, especially kimono or boho styled throws, for this.
The last thing I did was belt the dress with a tie from another dress I had at home. This enable me to draw this very loose styled dress in a little and shorten the length. The blousey feel is still there, the ease of the dress, but it’s a little more ready for dinner. Don’t you think?
Wearing 17 Sundays Harajuku Batwing Cape (Navy – M), Beme Print Dress (coming soon – 22), Target Australia Stacked Heel Nude Shoes (11 – similar’ish) and accessories from ASOS.
Now is a perfect time to tell you that this isn’t the only time I’ve worn this look successfully. Well, I think successfully but each to their own. Check out this post featuring a bird print dress from Target in the US from last summer.
But before you go, do you wear your summer beach dress to dinner? How do you make it ‘worthy’ of such an adventure? Give us your hot tip.
I’m about shorts all year round: short shorts, long-ish shorts, denim shorts, and culottes. But my favourites are summer shorts because it’s summer! WOO. Shorts and I are a bit of a match made in heaven. I mean, let’s face it, I never remember to keep my knees together! Shorts are a blessing. Even the ones that drive me nuts I love. Sort of like my husband when he ditches photos to play on his digger… But that’s another story.
This story is about summer shorts.
I know some of you are going to be having a little conniption about wearing shorts. I know, I KNOW. Maybe you don’t feel you’ve got the legs for them. Maybe they ride up, gather at the bum or crotch, and you HATE them. I get all that and more. Really I do. But most of those are it or length problems. I’ll talk about that later. But, trust me, you’re going to learn something.
But first, let me say one thing about ‘not having the legs for shorts’ before we get into some more photos. There is no such thing as not made for shorts legs—no ifs or buts. Like the bikini body movement, if you have legs and wear shorts, you have shorts-loving legs! So quit that garbage now and get some sunshine on those pins.
So hey presto. THAT was me in shorts. Whoopie-do. Right? And that’s the point. If your shorts fit well and if you have the right length, it’s as simple as adding a t-shirt and a stacked heel, and you’re good to go. Trust me, sneakers are fun but if you want to get used to yourself in shorts, try a wedge or a stacked heel. Hello, long legs.
What about fit?
So I have some tips about the fit. First, find the pair that fits your legs and bum well. Too baggy in the bum, and it’s all saggy baggy elephant action back there. Too tight in the leg, and you’re a sausage in a casing. And yes, I’m sorry I have now compared your fine selves to a slice of deli meat and a rather sizeable animal. But it’s true. How your shorts fit you makes a difference. So don’t give up on shorts altogether; give up on crap fabric and unforgiving waistbands.
What length is perfect for you?
Now about length, there is a magic point on all of us that just works. It’s essential in plus sizes because we are all built so differently. Thicker here, narrow there. But your perfect length will elongate the leg and balances your height and your width.
For some of you, heck, I’d even go as far as to tell most of you, you’re wearing shorts that are TOO LONG. Yup. I promise you that. Plus, size women have been told for decades (that I’m aware of) that you should cover more skin for it to be flattering. I find this to be bullshit. Total bullshit. And that comes from the lover of all things slouchy. Try it next time you’re shopping, go shorter than you normally would, you might be surprised.
The length I’m wearing here is great for the tall folks out there. However, my shortie friends, these could be a little tricky and swamp your bottom half. You would always want at least an inch or two above your knee. The good news is that these could be easily cuffed another roll or three higher to do just that. And long legs always look amazing in the shortest shorts that you feel comfortable in.
Get the idea?
Try and try again!
Trust me, when you find your perfect length, you will know it. Try lots of styles on in your local beme {of course!} changeroom and don’t be afraid to roll them up or down and get a feel for it. Do one leg and not the other for comparison. Don’t be afraid to try everything on and dump the entire lot if they don’t work for you. It’s about time that we, as plus-size consumers, demanded more of our retailers. We want shorts that fit and look great, dammit!
CASE IN POINT.
Shop the brand new beme lookbook or shop the entire range of beme shorts (I’m wearing a 22, this style is coming soon!)
Ladies and, well, ladies welcome to spring! Eeekk, I know right? Thank goodness. Because after spring comes summer and I cannot wait. So when the team at beme approached me to share the beme spring lookbookwith you all I heard spring/summer and was like YES! I’m in.
After taking a look through the lookbook, I chose a few items that I wanted to put together into an outfit (there’s another post coming, get excited) to share. Because we all know that me in the dress with sneakers is always going to look different to the model with her blow-dry. Not that that’s a bad thing…
So for the first post I chose this cute, comfortable and brightly coloured dress (it is a lot of colour for me right? Tis the season to bust out the colour). It was perfect for my first outing with Mr Suger on his return as we hit the supermarket deli section for a cheese platter type assortment to end all assortments. Thank goodness he’s home team, thank goodness.
And the dress? Well true to size I’m wearing the 22 and it fits perfectly. It was plenty of room to move without being too slouchy that it loses my shape. I think this will join the lineup of summer dresses I drag around from the house to the beach and back again. Non-crush fabric too, that’s a win in my books.
What else can you expect from the new season at beme? Lots and bright and breezy pieces, some kaftans loving and a few pairs of shorts I’ve got my eye on. There are swimmers with power mesh and more than one great dress to add some colour and va va voom to your nights. In fact there a multi-coloured maxi in there that I know you guys are going to love. So if you want to check out the new arrivals, head over here.
