Plus-size maxi dresses I’m wearing now

by Melissa Walker Horn | Sep 20, 2019 | Gifted, She Wore What, Where to Buy

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)

Maxi Miracle Dress in WATERFRONT – White Haven Emporium – Use code SUGER10 for 10% off full-price items. (gifted)

The fancy maxi dresses

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.

Sisu & Finn – Kiyonna Meadow Dream Maxi Dress – Navy (gifted)

Sisu & Finn – Kiyonna Vienna Maxi Dress – Green (gifted for image and returned)

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

Comfy and cosy in knit joggers

by Melissa Walker Horn | May 11, 2017 | Style + Beauty

It finally happened! We finally got some cool weather. As I type this my toes are cold AND I put a cardigan on. I mean, it’s pretty much peak winter over here. Haha. This was great news because I’d been sent (for free, to be clear) a bunch of new season clothing from a few brands and they’d been mocking me in the corner as I sweated my way through some unseasonable warmth.

But my time has come.

Their time, I guess.

On the weekend the knit joggers paired with their slouchy split side top and the white haven emporium patchwork cape. Let’s face it, the cape was a little optimistic, it wasn’t that cold, but it dressed up the outfit enough for us to grab an early dinner in the clothes we’d been lounging about the house in (hence the joggers are a little saggy at the knees).

How’s THAT for a cold weather outfit win?

I’m just going to blatantly rave about these joggers for a moment. You need them. Short version. Change your life, get these babies. The like jeans. Cool jeans with awesome knees stitching and such. BUT they feel like you’re wearing tracksuit pants. I ordered the size 24, which would be my true size at this point. After a day sitting and working in them, they had given a bit in the seat and at the knees, so if you’re borderline size-wise, don’t go up! That’s my hot tip.

I ordered the size 24, which would be my true size at this point. After a day sitting and working in them, they had given a bit in the seat and at the knees, so if you’re borderline size-wise, don’t go up! That’s my hot tip. If you love your anti-fit jeans, you’re going to adore these. Trust Aunty Suger. Haha.

Wearing White Haven Emporium Patchwork Cape in Grey, 17 Sundays Split Sleeve Top and Blaster Knit Joggers.

Team Slouch continues for AW17

by Melissa Walker Horn | May 7, 2017 | Gifted, Style + Beauty

I’m Team Slouch, maybe more so these days than I am Team Stripes, shock horror. I love to wear draped, easy, oversized pieces. It’s become my thing in the last few years. The combination of a deep neckline and slouchy dress or an oversized maxi knotted up to show some serious leg is just really sexy cool to me.

There’s a conversation that says that plus size women shouldn’t wear ‘oversized’ shapes to avoid looking bigger. God forbid, right? Why would ANYONE want to look fatter than they are? Forget that. Forget all that they told you. First of all, why is every fashion aim to look smaller, leaner, thinner? Why is that the only outcome we are told to achieve? Flattering, ugh, that word is so overused and annoying.

Forget the rules! Have I mentioned before ‘they’ lied?

And yet, if flattering is what you’re after, there is plenty of it here. Plenty of flattering, plenty of comfort, and plenty of easy to wear goodness. As someone who was 100% team pencil skirt, skin-tight dresses and t-shirt (and sometimes, still am) there is a lot to be said for the casual cool ease that comes with an oversized, slouchy silhouette. Try it, if you haven’t already, you’ll thank me later.

This White Haven Emporium dress (called the Curve Miracle Dress) is the latest addition to my Team Slouch, crease free closet of wash and wear favourites. I’m going to do a blog post of how I’m putting together my favourites in this category. I mean, when it comes to my life wash and wear is the way it goes. Especially since I gave my sister my flash steamer iron. So watch out for that.

Wearing White Haven Emporium Curve Miracle Dress (free size – gifted) in black and ancient ankle boots from BareFoot Tess.

The dress, gifted to me, is free-sized and true to the guide on the website saying up to a size 26. I’d say this would comfortably work to a size 26 and depending on your height, beyond. I’m a size 24 at the moment and I have plenty of room and length. If I was at the smaller end of the range, I would consider the ‘straight-sized’ option or get in touch with the team to discuss that. I’ll leave that up to you, team.