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.
The Daily Life asked where to buy minimalist clothes for curvy women, I couldn’t have agreed more with the post. This is my style. This simple, pared-back, cool pieces that aren’t kitschy or overtly sexy or girly. Where are these retailers? Who is catering to the women in plus who don’t want to dress up, who want fashionable clothes that are classic and chic?
Where are they?
I loved the article. It summed up how I felt entirely about the problem with being this consumer in the market flooded with girly-girl offerings. And yes, I followed a couple of new Instagram accounts for brands I hadn’t heard of. The thing is that I HAVE found the places I like to shop for these items.
And the good news for us locals is that a large chunk of them are Aussie owned labels. My first response was to tweet that they forgot my favourites 17 Sundays. The 17 Sundays team responded with a tweet that suggested that SOME Aussie selections might have been a good idea for the post. They were SO right.
Here are my suggestions for where to buy minimalist clothing for curvy women.
17 Sundays
It’s no secret that when it comes to this brand I rely heavily on their items to fill my wardrobe. Between the brand relationship and the money I personally spend, my wardrobe is 17 heavy, let’s face it. And it’s because their style overlaps so nicely with my own. You want cool pieces that are fashion in a way that fashion is so under-represented in plus, start here. And their BASIC range, well I live in it for its simplicity and functionality. And because it makes me feel cool. Shop 17 Sundays here.
Embody Denim
It doesn’t get more minimalist than classic denim with the side order of the little black dress. And these are two things that Embody Denim do with their hands tied behind their back. Great cut, excellent quality and effortless, chic cuts are what they are about. Every minimalist needs a GREAT pair of jeans. Plus women, start here. Shop Embody Denim.
Eder + Berk
Formally Meri by Design, Eder + Berk delivers the style of Northern Beaches corporate we all aspire too. Classic pieces and strong cuts. Their recent showing at Curvy Couture blew us all away and I’m sure there’s much more to come from this relaunched brand. Shop Eder + Berk.
Hope & Harvest
A long time favourite brand on the blog, Hope & Harvest deliver everyday pieces you can wear from hanging out in the park to a corporate work environment. Sure every season there’s a go-to selection that you’d hardly call minimalist, but the core of their brand speaks to the girl who just wants great stuff, with a decent cut that she can wear all day long. Shop Hope & Harvest.
Harlow Australia
When Harlow launched I was excited to finally have found a provided that made a simple moto-pant for plus women, pencil skirts and wrap dresses for work. Simple, classic styles that I wore time and time again. They have developed their range and now cover a lot of bases, but the core of simplicity is still there. Now incorporating denim, what more could you want!? Shop Harlow Australia.
You’re welcome, team. As always, I’ve got your back. But I’m not sure this is the last on the topic that you’ll hear from me… This topic is a bit of a bee in my bonnet. All I want is simple, cool, beautifully made clothes that are stylish and classic. Is that so much to ask? I don’t think so.
How to wear a denim vest might be a little extreme, but like most things around here, it was inspired by the interwebs. Arlene mentioned she was wondering today how and when to wear a denim vest, and I said, short version, with everything! It has to be the most versatile piece in a wardrobe. And for a while now I’ve been getting by using my chambray gillet from 17 Sundays as a substitute. That, as you can see, is no longer the case.
Embody Denim sent me their new season vest for editorial consideration after spotting my ponderings about cutting the sleeves off the 17 Sundays jacket (I know, blasphemy) and making it a vest. Things got too far indeed when it was suggested I insert zips to zip the sleeve on and off as the season dictated. Too far folks, too far, you pushed the fashion people over the edge. Checking that I would use and wear the vest, umm heck yes, the team had one in the post shortly after. Jacket saved. Denim vest of my dreams acquired. Excited!
I hate to deviate from our topic further, but I have to stop and say that this vest is an impressive piece of fashion people. The attention to detail, the quality and the cut is a thing of beauty. It’s pricey; some of you are probably going to have a conniption about the price, but I stand here hand on my heart and say it has to be worth every cent. You will hand this baby down to your grandkids, grandkids. It’s that well made. Easy to say when I was given mine, I know, but if you’ve been searching, wanting, needing one for ages. This is the one. Really.
So how do you wear a denim vest?
It is as simple as I said. These babies go with everything. Some of my favourite combinations include over maxi dresses and skirts. Over a cute summer dress and any other time, you want an extra layer of awesome added to your outfit without the weight of a jacket. A denim vest is fresh, a little bit wild and young, think Liv Tyler in Stealing Beauty, and it adds an element of that to an outfit. Start by throwing it on over everything and work out what fits your style. And maybe the good folks who read this blog will hook you up with some of their best ideas for wearing them too. If you ask nicely.
Wearing Embody Sloan Denim Vest {gifted – size 22}, Hope & Harvest Tee {gifted – size L}, Maxi Skirt & shoes from Kmart
Pretty please tell us how you wear YOUR denim vest?
Today I’m sharing my favourite places to shop for plus size jeans! From classic, structured denim to fashion-forward, classic and beautifully cut to on-trend fits and styles. There is something here for everyone {sizes 00-30}. For years it was impossible to find well-fitting jeans in plus and curve ranges. I don’t know about you, but my past with jeans has been extensive and at times rocky.
Are you ready to shop? Where to Buy plus size jeans
This Australian label delivers you sexy, white-hot denim in some of the best colours this season. Heck, any season. Slim-fit pants, ankle crops and zip details. These are young and fun and something I wish was around when I was a size 16 teen looking for clothes that fit the body I had, not the one I was trying to diet and exercise in to. Know someone fun? Tell them about these jeans. The best.
An affordable and easy wear option, the ASOS Curve {and now featuring New Look denim too} jeans make up the majority of my wardrobe. ASOS provides lots of great options in lots of sizes that really fit the fashion denim category. These are the jeans you pick up when you want acid wash, high waist coloured jeans. These are where you pick up the trendsetter jeans. They won’t last you a million years, but they will get you through a season or two and for their price, they’re more than worth it.
Having not purchased these jeans myself, only working off online reviews these are the jeans you invest in. Classic styles, colours and cuts, these are your investment jeans. Cut beautifully in quality denim all the reviews talk about their quality and weight. The weight of the denim wears in beautifully and holds you tight without strangling you. Check them out if you are looking for THE pair.
Another in the fashion jeans category is the Torrid Denim range. You’ve heard me rave about these beauties and I only have the two pairs. A great fit, lots of options in terms of style and fit and colour, these are worth paying the postage to Australia to get your hands on. The skinny fit ankle zip jeans are my personal favourite, I love the showing of the ankle, there’s just something so HOT about that. And since it’s never really THAT cold here, I can wear them all year round. Try the Torrid jeans if you want range, a great fit and fashion colours/styles.
Founded by Khloe Kardashian, Good American kicked off their range with jeans and denim and since expanding into loungewear, sweats and even shoes. They’ve recently bought out a basic denim range for $99 a pair giving more entry-level options from this premium brand. Fans rave about the fit and style of these jeans and how well they fit and wear. With new fits coming out regularly, they’re well worth a look for your next piece of denim.
Cotton On is a simple, cheerful range of denim that is also available on ASOS and other platforms. I’ve picked up a few items from this range when I wanted more trend pieces or seasonal styles. This doesn’t mean the quality is terrible, it is pretty good. The denim is basic though and doesn’t hold up to some of the premium brands we’ve also featured. But for simple, accessible pieces, they are well worth a look.
That’ the wrap-up, where do you buy your jeans from? What do you look for in a good pair of jeans? Fit, form, function? Let me know below. Coming up next fortnight I’m planning to share some great spots to grab plus size tights. With winter coming up, some great pairs of tights are essential. Either that or I’m going trend spotting with leather. I haven’t decided yet. Do you have a preference?
As far as plus size jeans go, I’ve already had a couple of tips regarding other denim one-stop shops. Let me know where you get your jeans in the comments below because like the wide fitting boots post, this one may need a follow-up.
