Over the last month, on my social media break (as much as work allows), I’ve noticed a few things. Things about my life that I completely missed in the non-stop app switch that is social media. Firstly, I’m not very satisfied with my life. I keep looking for meaning and coming up short. And yes, to be honest, it’s hard to tell if it’s general dissatisfaction or if I’m going through something. But the feeling remains.
And secondly, feeling good (making myself proud and doing what I want) has motivated me. And then, I started chasing the algorithm. Which algorithm might you be asking and concerning what? The short version is all of them and everything. From Google to Instagram, Twitter to Pinterest, I was creating and somewhat existing to tick a box. Except, the box was unclear at best or invisible at worst.
IRL and online, I was looking outside myself for that pat on the back that seemingly never came.
But I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to spend the next 20+ years of my working life unfulfilled and ticking boxes. And that’s precisely why I work for myself to have the freedom to create and do what feels good to me, especially when it comes to this blog. But also when it comes to living my life. It has to be my number one priority; I’m no good to anyone if I don’t find a way to put my happiness first.
And so, with all this figured out, this thought keeps popping in my head. It taunts me that I should have got a handle on this stuff already. That I should know better and that I can’t seem to learn my lesson on this one. I’ve been here before when I’ve felt disconnected from my life and threw in the towel.
At various stages throughout my life, I’ve been here before. Sitting on the steps of my first real home here, wondering if the choices I’ve made are going to create a life for us or sink us. Wondering if I’m capable, worthy or deserving. Wanting so desperately to make it all work. Exhausted by the very prospect.
But I won’t beat myself up for stumbling at this point again.
And just so that we are all on the same page, I know now that it’s time to seek some help. So that I can maintain the life I want to live and see it through using tools I’m yet to learn. At this stage, I’m not sure how much of that process I’m going to document here, but I’m permitting myself to share what I want. To stop being afraid of upsetting someone or putting a foot out of place. And to say nothing when it feels like something that is mine.
It turned out, in the end, I’m still a blogger. After reading Austin Kleon’s book Show Your Work, I realised that instead of racking my brain week in and week out for what I hope people or algorithms want, I could share what I’m loving/doing/enjoying instead. I could document the process.
Which, if I had paid attention, some of you have been saying all along. Yet everyone says a blog can’t be successful unless you focus solely on giving the reader what they want. Make it entirely about them and what they need. But I won’t survive if I do it that way. I’ve always found an overlap between you and me; we often go through the same things.
Let’s hope this is one of those times you are happy to come along for the ride.
Some of you aren’t going to believe this. Maybe I’ve claimed a comeback one too many times. But I’ve been throwing around some ‘show’ ideas for the YouTube channel too. I’m 100% not sure if I can pull them off yet, but I thought, that’s also the sort of thing you guys may want to join me in figuring out. And speaking of comebacks. I decided that while I’ve enjoyed experimenting with my hair colour again, I miss the blue. It felt like me, and I miss it. So, with some effort from the team, it’s making a comeback.
I’ve been here before, questioning myself and my ideas. Back in May 2020, I would give the blog a bunch of my effort and see what results I could get. Make a decision then if blogging was still for me after all this time. It’s hard to confront that the only real skill I’ve spent any time developing in the past decade might be obsolete.
But in facing that head-on, I learned that there is still a living to be made in blogging. Yes, it means a few more ads or affiliate links when the occasions arise, but it also means the blog is a business. Worthy of time in my work week and not just being relegated to those exhausted moments at the side.
The funny part is that maybe you won’t notice a change.
Funny haha, I mean, not funny, strange. If you follow the blog or the socials, maybe it won’t feel that different. I don’t plan on changing the topics I blog about, nor do I plan to conform to some new schedule or content plan. My haphazard style of posting will probably continue to bump from where to buy guides to rants and back again. That may all look very familiar, and I’m okay with that.
Taking a social media break has allowed me to check in with myself in a way I haven’t done for a while. Not looking at those ‘doing more than me to figure out what it is for me to share, but asking myself what I want. Everything feels different for me now. That’s what matters, or should matter, for any of us.
How amazing is it that we live in a time when women can decide to start a business, blog or personal brand and do it for themselves? For the things that matter to them like time, freedom and space to dig deeper into what makes them tick? To side hustle or create and ensure that their finances are their own. I’ll never forget how empowering it was to find, inspect and buy my own car. I imagine that feels a world away from women unable to open bank accounts without husbands or enter public bars.
The quiet of being without other people’s opinions or their fears allowed me the space to hear my own voice. To stand on my own two feet and ask the questions of myself that I hadn’t taken the time to ask in too long. What do I want? Am I happy? Why do I do what I do, and is there anything else I’d rather be doing?
The answer is I’m right where I want to be, with room to grow and options to explore. I’m a writer, a photographer, a blogger and a creative. And, since I saw my first magazine with pages of glossy advertisements, I’m a marketer. So it’s time to stop questioning all of that and start doing.
I’m back from my social media break and ready to roll.
Oh hey team, it’s ankle boots daaaaay! I was a wee bit excited to write this post because I love ankle boots and I want to make the plus size women of the world love them too. Because they’re awesome. Short versions. But because nothing is easier to wear, can keep you stomping around all day being a boss or cooler than an ankle boot.
You want that right?
Of course, you do. Following on from the how I wear knee-high boots post from earlier in the week, this post has two main examples of wearing ankle boots, with jeans or leggings and with skirts and dresses. It’s a little more abbreviated in the skirts and dresses section because I’ve written a WHOLE post about this before. Yay.
How I wear ankle boots as a plus-size woman!
Ankle Boots with Skirts and Dresses
I wrote this post especially with my tips for wearing ankle boots with skirts and dresses. Let’s face it; it’s my go-to style, and if you’re going to let someone tell you what to do in this area, it should be me. If you want to click over and read that post, it will open in a new window so you can finish up here. Easy.
Here are some of my favourite outfits.
Oh dear, I could have added outfits to this gallery for days. Haha. When I say boots are my thing, they absolutely are. Though have you noticed my sneakers sort of took over there for a while? Swings and roundabouts I suppose. But looking at all these posts, with a side order of a winter chill in the air, makes me miss ankle boots with everything.
Ankle boots with leggings or jeans
So, you want to wear ankle boots with jeans and leggings. Awesome! This is a great way to ease yourself into the ankle boot without feeling like you’re wearing a sign that says hey look at me in my ankle boots with a dress. Choosing a similar colour legging or pant to your boots is the baby steps level, going from there with some colour combinations that stretch you a little.
My hot tip here, for keeping things interesting is to show a peek of the ankle by cuffing your pants. A simple roll or two will do or wear a cropped style. Not too cropped though, you want a peek, not half a calf. Well, most of the time. The QUEEN of the cuff and the boot has to be the one and only, Nat Tucker from Make it Look Easy, which is what she does, she makes it look easy. Check out her Instagram for more jeans/boots combos. Seriously worth a look. You’ll love Nat.
With jeans and pants, I love a slim fit style with ankle boots, but if you’re cuffing them then a boyfriend or slouchier style is perfection as well. I love the post below with the slouchy pleather joggers with the low cut ankle boot. So fun and so good. So experiment with the fit of your pants and if it’s not working, try the cuff or try some socks above the boot line.
Here are some of my favourite outfits, click the image to view.
Buying your ankle boots for plus size legs
This is a tricky one, a question that comes up a lot on my blog and Instagram when I post an image wearing ankle boots is WHERE do I get them, and HOW do I get them to look right (most people mean, not chop my legs off by this). Good question! Let’s talk about that.
First, you want to be looking for a boot with a nice open ankle to give your legs some room. This isn’t always possible, but a few of the wide fit brands are starting to make sure this happens. I even find SOME Target boots can be generous in this department too.
Then, I like a little dip in the front of the boot if I can get it. My nude boots (worn to death, you’ll know the ones) are a perfect example of this. They dip a little at the front, and that makes your legs look longer. Or that’s my opinion anyway. And well, long legs are always fun regarding balancing out an outfit and its proportions.
some shops I recommend starting your search at are;
Right, questions or otherwise? Got a blog post or a photo you want to share of YOU rocking your ankle boots? We’d love to see it, add them in the comments (I’ve double-checked the guest feature is enabled for those without Disqus) let’s make this the place to go for such things.
If an item of clothing is going to live in my wardrobe, it had better be versatile. I don’t want any one-trick ponies. After wearing a dress as a top the other day, I thought I’d share more about how. So, this post is about how to take that summer dress you love, and turn it into a top you can wear all year round. No sewing and still keeping it as a dress. I’m about to double your summer dress’s potential. If only I could do so as easily with creepers on the internet. Ah well. Because we all need a bit of assistance in our lives when it comes to maximising your wardrobe. Turning a dress into a top is a great way to get started. So grab that dress, let’s do this thing.
Tuck, it’s all about the tuck.
So when it comes to tucking a dress into your bottoms, its’ easier with a lightweight material that doesn’t add too much bulk. That said, this idea works beautifully with a knit or anything with a cocoon shape.
All I did with the example below was fold it over and tuck the bottom allowing the rest to blouse over. Done and dusted. As you can see from Nat and Jo (also below) they have tucked the front to give a different look. My post from earlier, I simply tucked the entire dress into my denim skirt. Done deal.
This is one that most ladies have in their arsenal. Wearing a dress over some form of pants is the easiest way to maximise your dress collection. Take a summer dress through winter and beyond. I have a slim-fit knit dress that works better over jeans than it does as a dress.
It doesn’t always have to be a shirt dress either. Midi and Maxi dresses totally work as well. I’ve worn maxi dresses over pants, predominately shirt dresses that I leave partially open. Check out the shirt dresses option (last in this post) for more details on how I make that work.
As a have-er of a long torso, bodysuits can be almost impossible for me. So often, I’ll wear my bodycon dresses as a bodysuit. Especially under skirts. Once, I actually wore a bodycon under a tulle skirt to a wedding, when the dancing started later I ditched the tulle and danced the night away.
As if a shirt dress wasn’t already a super versatile item to have in your wardrobe, this is another great way to wear it. Using it as a top or a layering piece is easy and a layering win. Open the buttons and have a skirt or jeans (or anything really) underneath or wear it entirely open has an unstructured trench.
And that, my friends, is how you tackle wearing your dress as a top. Have an experiment with what you have in your wardrobe and let me know how you go. Already a dress as a top expert? Share your best tip with me.
Buying a plus size coat isn’t something I do every year. But, when it comes to my wardrobe, an investment plus size coat is my go-to. I want something I can wear year after year, and I recommend that to you too. So, when you’re looking for a winter coat, take your time, purchase one, and it will last you for years to come. It’s an investment.
And investing in your wardrobe is something that I find women shopping for plus-size clothing avoid. Why? Because they assume/hope/plan to be smaller next year. Sometimes it’s not even that obvious that you’re doing it. But, it’s true; I hear it all the time. But believe me, you can invest in your wardrobe now, at the size you are, just as you are, because you’re worth it. And let’s be honest, does much ever really change?
Years ago I was lucky enough to be gifted, by a friend, not the brand, a grey trench coat that is now in its seventh or eighth year for me. It did go missing for a year or so in the middle (it was at my sister’s house). That coat goes with everything, is warm enough for the coldest days but light enough when worn open, to manage the winter evenings here that aren’t super cold. That’s my hot tip for you when you’re looking for your own plus size coat, look for something you love. Be picky. Buy once. Let’s get started.
I started the hunt for a plus-size jacket because Vanessa, who reads this blog, asked if I’d spotted anything on my travels. And I had, but none that suited her needs or that she hadn’t already seen and put aside. So, on Facebook, I reached out to you guys, and you came through with the links! Just as you always do. I found a few new retailers and brands that are offering some awesome stuff. My favourite part about crowdsourcing this kind of information; we don’t get stuck shopping in the same spots.
Where to Buy a Plus Size Jacket Under $150
This post is about where to buy an affordable plus-size jacket for under $150. In even better news, the majority are under $100. Some of them are available in a variety of colours in the same style. So, if that’s something you’re interested in, hang around. If you’re more interested in purchasing an investment coat or jacket, I’ve got a post featuring those coming in the next day or two. Let’s get started, shall we?
fifteen. Birdsnest Belle Bird Belle Wide Collar Jacket | sixteen. Yarratrail Longline Showerproof Jacket
There you go, team, what did you think? When I look around for these posts, I do my best to select a wide range of styles. That said, I know my own personal style does creep into these lists a little. So, let me know. Have you spotted a plus size jacket in the wild that we should take a look at? Where do you buy your jackets from? Are you more likely to invest in one jacket kind of person, or a buy lots of cheap and cheerful ones?
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*content warning, some conversations in this article about weight and fatphobia may be triggering to some readers
As I scrolled through the street style pictures from Australian Fashion Week and it got me thinking. And no, it wasn’t the lack of plus-size representation. I’ve talked about that before. Every damn year, I’m tired of waiting for this type of inclusion to catch up. What got me thinking was the actual street style fashion and how casual and laidback it was. Planned and executed, obviously, but think ill-fitting/oversized suits, denim and sneakers, flats and basic tees.
I’m team casual style, and loungewear is definitely having a continuing moment. I’ve pinned many outfits to inspire me to get more creative with my own style. But what if I showed up at Fashion Week in a similar style. You know, if they invited fat people ever. Would a similar outfit on my size 24 body be considered stylish and cutting edge, or would it be deemed too casual, not put together enough or sloppy?
Because that’s how people view fat people, right?
God forbid your style, like mine, leans towards minimal, basic items. That’s not good enough. To be considered stylish, a plus-size person in our society, you must appear to be making an effort above and beyond that made by a straight-sized counterpart. Look at the strawberry dress situation with Tess Holliday and the strawberry dress. The linked article sums it up perfectly with this quote.
“I definitely empathize with what Tess has said about her dress experience; fashion is often centered around how affluent, white, cis-gender bodies look in clothing,” says Dallas-based influencer Rosey Blair. “Oversized T-shirts paired with bike shorts are edgy and carefree when depicted on a thin person — but on a fat person would be considered lazy, sloppy, and unintentional.”
HA! Imagine if the person calling for this diversity wasn’t acceptably fat?
Even if you look outside the inner circle of Australian ‘plus-size’ Instagrammers, things can get a little repetitive. There is a certain hyper-feminine look, plenty of body-positive skin on show, sourced from select stores who stop sizing at an AU20/22. Where is the variety? Why is there still one specific look to strive for if you’re a fat woman? Why is it that we have to look a certain way, even when selecting our own personal style?
Even the media coverage of this whole situation deals with more mid-sized women and brands with extended sizing, at best. With my limited research, women who haven’t experienced living in a fat body. A body that is large enough that the media deems it unacceptable to speak. Imagine that? It seems to me these articles and perhaps the sources within them are looking for just the next size or two to be included. To welcome them into the fold and forget the rest.
I think it is because we are still trying to fit into an idea of what we should be. The line in the sand was moved a little, but we’re still not considered, counted or deemed worthy of being part of the conversation. I remember as a teen that clothing stores would size out at a 16, now it’s a size 18/20. It’s not enough, and while the debate continues to be about health and worthiness to be included, you’re missing the point.
But fear not, I’m here to tell you that you can do what you want.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t shop in stores that actually cater to you and what you enjoy wearing. Look to these Fashion Week images for inspiration if that works for you. But put it aside if not. You are allowed to wearing whatever makes you feel stylish, confident and happy. The world will have to catch up. That’s my plan anyway; feel free to hang out here with me. Around here, we do what we want and will always be trying harder to do better for those who feel forgotten, left behind or unworthy.
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.
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.
Heading out into the world this week was interesting. It was cool enough for a coat, locally, but still warm enough that you could wear slides. Or, at least, I could. I know, don’t come for me, I’m warm-blooded, what can I say? I ran around doing a few errands, picking up groceries and reminding myself why I hate spending too much time at the shops. We spotted these doors, and despite a large amount of flora growing around it, I decided it was a perfect spot to grab some photos.
Perfect may be a stretch, but we got them anyway – Victory!
Why? Because as far as I’m concerned, you need a long cardigan in your wardrobe no matter the season (see the flashbacks below for proof). It’s an easy throw on with whatever you’re wearing, they come back into style year after year, and a good quality one will last you for a number of those returns, especially if you find a fit that works for you. I love the style like this knit coat, which can be wrapped around the body. But I also love the chunkier knit, throw on cardigan style too, like this one.
And can we talk for a moment about how much my hair just keeps dropping colour!? Haha. Yes, this time it was helped by the ocean, but those blonde ends (from when my hair was blue) are determined to live out their blonde life. BUT. Watch this space, I think I might dig out the leftover pink shampoo I have here and colour my hair. Before my next scheduled appointment to top up the copper, that is. I’m not trying to get myself in trouble with my sister/hairdresser here, it’s the same brand they use in the salon, so I’ve been given the all-clear. Pink hair for a while? Don’t mind if I do. And that, my friends, is that. Have a great week.
I mentioned on Instagram that I was breaking in some new Docs and didn’t know if I could take it. This old girl is so far past wearing anything that makes her uncomfortable; heck, most days I refuse to wear a bra. And those who know know breaking in a new pair of Dr Martens is some next level feet (ankle, heel) pain you can endure. Read the comments on the Instagram post; it’s not a “me thing”. But the other thing we know is that once you wear them in, once the leather gives and you’re through the worst, Docs are soft and wonderful, and you can live your life in them. So, you suffer. And you do it happily for the love of the Docs.
A little while ago, I put this outfit, with a maxi rather than a midi length dress, in one of my casual capsule wardrobe boards. Before the post had even launched, I’d picked up the coat from Cotton On. The fact it was basically summer already, and I wouldn’t be wearing it for a while didn’t bother me. I knew the time would come.
And so, a few months passed. Into my inbox came an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I ordered my newest pair of boots; the Pascal. The reviews said the softer leather would be easier to break (boy, I hope they’re right). And I just loved the extra texture on them. They arrived, and I love them. I mean, I set up an entire scene in my office to snap some photos – obsessed. But after an initial fit test, I put them on the shelf to wait.
My outfit was complete and ready for the very first sight of winter on the horizon. Which came and went while I hid out at home, not really feeling it. When I put together the post about winter trends I’m looking forward to here in AUS, I remembered the coat was in my wardrobe somewhere, and it was time to drag it out. So, after committing to showing up and sharing what I’m wearing more, I put it together on a hanger and waited for my chance.
On an ordinary day, as the sun slid toward the horizon, that husband of mine asked if I wanted to get dressed (casual is kind around here) and grab dinner. Dressed! Actually dressed. Well, yes, sir, I did want to get dressed. So, with a flick of a hanger and some grunts of excursion, I was dressed and ready to go. Boots, check. Jacket, yup. The moment had arrived. And I hobbled into it boldly.
By the time we returned home, my feet were done, my belly was full, and we’d snapped some photos near an industrial shed as the sun dipped. Perfect. Would recommend trying for yourself. Speaking of which, would anyone like to volunteer to wear in my Docs? It pays terribly, but I’m sure the job satisfaction will be all you need, right? HA.
Recently I spoke about how my mojo feels like it packed up and left. Which, when you directly relate it to this blog, means taking photos of myself mostly. It’s what connects me to you and ultimately does well in the general search/Pinterest/SEO world. But I’ve been struggling to get in front of a camera. That’s the long and the short of it.
My body has changed in the last year or two. It looks different, and I look different, and that can be hard to reconcile in photos. I look at them and don’t like what I see—discarding most of them, not feeling like I could post others. I know I’m not the only one in this boat. When I think about what the world has been through in the past two years, it boggles my mind. But we did it. We made it here.
Today I’m going to say what is troubling me out loud in the hopes that by confronting it, it will diminish. By pushing myself to get out and taking the photos anyway, it reminds me of who I am. I am more than my body or face or how I look in photos. I’m a person with plenty to offer, and the way I do that is by showing up for people on the internet. Come what may.
Once, I credited taking outfit photos for the blog every week with my strong positive body image. When you stare at pictures of yourself week after week, set after set, you get a little numb to your features, your faults and flaws. It just blurs into what is; nothing good or bad about it. I’m reminding myself of that right now when the little voice in my head does its worst.
And, if, like me, you miss out, opt out or make excuses to avoid being in front of the camera. Consider this post your reminder to stop doing that! You’re perfect just the way you are, and I don’t ever want your body or how you look to define that for you. We will do the work and show up, just as we are, and I know things will change for us.
How can I be so sure about that? I know because I’ve done it before. This blog has changed my life in many ways than I give it credit for. Have I mentioned that? When I started blogging didn’t have a single photo of myself to use as a profile photo (so I decided to blog anonymously, lol). Entire pieces of my history and life are gone, left to the vagueness of memory—an untrustworthy source at the best of times.
As I participated more, took the photos (and kept them!), the documentation of my life streamed along behind me; the people and places, the highs and lows. I want that for myself again. For there to be a record that I was here and I lived a big, exciting, joyful life. I want to be in the middle, undeniably living; I want to show up. Let that be my promise to you; that’s what I’ll do. Even when I don’t want to or don’t feel like it, imperfectly perfect, I’ll be here.
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.
