A Sassy Winter Coat

For the colder months, a coat and a couple of good jackets are winter essentials. Nothing is worse than arriving somewhere frozen to the bone with your teeth chattering.

Finding coats to fit when you are plus size used to be almost impossible. Many a winter I have have had to wear a scarf to cover up the fact that my buttons wouldn't do up but thankfully things are improving.

As you can see, by clicking this link, Simply Be are absolutely owning it this this season. 

What I'm loving is that Its clear from the styling that these pieces that are genuinely designed for the curvier figure. Small accommodations like belts that look long enough to tie and sleeves that will allow you to wear a chunky jumper underneath make such a difference and looking through Simply Be's collection there are lots that seem to seem to tick these very important boxes.

Bright and bold

I like strong colours and patterns, so am really pleased to see that a lot of retailers are offering exactly that this year. As well as the old favourites like leopard skin prints there are some funky floral prints and tartans available. 

Importantly, you can buy them in a range of styles. Everything from work a day parkas and duffle coats to more formally cut Crombies. It really is easy to find something that works for you.

A rich colour palette

If prints are not your thing, do not worry because there are still some lovely richly coloured coats out there for you to buy. A plain coat in claret, purple or teal can look just as interesting and striking as one made from a patterned fabric. Wearing warm colours in the colder months is a great way to brighten up your outfits and add a pop of colour if like me you tend to favour greys and blacks in winter.

The colour of the clothes that you choose can make a huge difference to how good you feel. I know if Im feeling a bit meh, adding a bright pink scarf or red beret instantly lifts my mood.

 Its really easy to dimiss certain shades because you have been told they don't work with your hair colour, or to avoid buying an item because you are worried it will clash with your usual choices. This season there are so many great looks which use clashing colours. 

This said I do know that certain colours work better for my skin tone and over the years Ive learnt which palettes make me look good and which to avoid. You can read more about the connection and how to choose the right colour clothes for you, by reading this article.

Faux fur

As you know I am a little partial to a bit of faux fur, so am delighted to see it being widely used in a lot of  brands autumn/winter collections. It is great to see the beauty of nature being picked up and reflected by fashion designers, without any animals being harmed, in the process. 

There is something really glamorous about good quality faux fur. Not to mention the fact that a fake fur lined hood really is a good way to keep the wind off your face on a bitingly cold day.

Add the right accessory

As most of you know, I really like to accessorise my coats. It helps to individualise what I wear as well as brighten them up. A nice buttonhole or brooch can help to turn a frumpy looking coat into something a bit special. If this idea does not appeal, treat yourself to a fluffy scarf or faux fur stole, instead. I also adore faux fur gillets. A great way to stay warm indoors and they just make every outfit seem slightly more glamorous.

Whatever your style there are some amazing coats and jackets out this season and of course check out vintage finds too. 

*collaboration post

   

New"Bite Me" Leggings and Hoodies-available up to a size 30 
 only  at  Nicky Rockets

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Perelandra Beedles unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog

Curvy Love

On Saturday it will be The Curve fashion Festival at the ACC and having been lucky enough to have worked with the amazing team behind the event, its fair to say I'm very excited indeed. It promises to be an amazing day.
I really like the ACC as a venue. The last time I was there was for The Clothes Show (or the British Style Collective as its now rebranded) 
The Clothes show has never been particularly great for plus size attendees so imagine my surprise to find the lovely Jo Frost from Plus size brand Topsy Curvy there. Jo was debuting her latest business venture a collaboration with the Lovedrobe label (she will also be at The Curve fashion Festival)

With the lovely Jo Frost

Topsy Curvy have always been a really cute affordable down to earth brand who stock a great size range. I can absolutely see why Lovedrobe decided to get Jo on board to sprinkle her magic. Listening to her, so excited about all the plans they have, was really great. I love how she wants to offer loads of choice for fashion obsessed plus size ladies who are working to smaller budgets.

Mother, daughter matchy, matchy

As usual Jo was incredibly generous and invited myself and baba to try loads of stuff on. We both fell in love with the  adorable Koko striped dresses Yes I know its a bit cringe for us to have the same dress but sometimes you have to not be cool and have fun with your kid. 
Now I know from seeing comments about this dress that its a bit Marmite and people either love it or hate it. I have to say at first I wasn't sure if it was too silly and frilly, but with my denim jacket and baseball boots, it tones down the sweetness and makes it a lot more wearable. I've also been loving the pale blue and pink ginghams and stripes this summer too.

Serving Chubby Little Bo Peep realness

Ive been meaning to share these pictures for ages but those of you who follow my blog will have noticed I have been taking something of a hiatus recently. 
Life has been really busy and I'm not sure how much appetite there is for my content anymore. There are a lot of really great bloggers out there who are so popular and it can feel a bit like everyone is shouting (especially on Twitter which I'm not enjoying so much nowadays) I might pick it back up again now that the nights are drawing in, and sitting in front of a laptop seems cosy rather than a drag (which I tend to find in the summer) we shall see. 
I am looking forward to seeing loads of my favourite bloggers at Curve so maybe my appetite for it will return.

Also on my phone was a shot I took of me in a great denim jumpsuit by Simply be. I didn't buy it and they won't be at Curve, but why pass up an opportunity  to share a photo of a fat girl in a jumpsuit on the internet.
If any of you are attending Curve (and you really should) please do come and say hello to me. I will not only be helping out they gorgeous Curve team but also offering half time oranges to Nicky Rockets who will be plying his wares in the marketplace. We are bringing a new Stephen Universe Rose Quartz inspired  design as well so well worth a visit!

Available at The Curve fashion festival

Here is to a weekend of great plus size fashion I can't wait!

   

New"Bite Me" Leggings and Hoodies-available up to a size 30 
 only  at  Nicky Rockets

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Perelandra Beedles unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog

Staying fashionable in a uniform

Some uniforms will never be the height of fashion, health and safety concerns, specific needs and set colours for a brand can limit your options to follow fashion while you’re at work. Add to that being plus size and you can really struggle to look good whilst following a companies clothing guidelines.

Me back in my make up artist days-sans beauty tunic because none of them fitted

When I was training as a make up artist you had to wear a beauty tunic and I simply couldn't find one in my size. The end result was me squeezing myself into a size too small which made lifting my arms (kind of essential when applying make up to a client) almost impossible-worse still I felt awful. As soon as I went freelance I ditched the tunic and wore a branded apron but there were certain jobs that would have suited a tunic and the lack of plus size availability was an issue.

Just one of the beauty tunics available at Simon jersey up to a size 26-sleevless tunics are a great option if you struggle with tight sleeves in uniforms.

In some roles you’ll potentially get a bit more room to add some of your own style to your workwear but what are the ways you can stay fashionable in a uniform?

The team at Simon Jersey offer many of their uniforms and workwear options up to a  size 26. They reached out to see what choices I would recommend from their collections and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice some of the ranges were. Here are some tips on how to navigate wanting to add your own take to a company uniform when you are plus size.

Where do you work?

Bar and restaurant uniforms for example might give you some space to pick and choose what you wear and then couple that with a branded apron.

While the apron is the main focus of your uniform everything around it is a better reflection of you as a person, letting you be more comfortable and relaxed at work.

 

This bright red apron from Simon Jersey  adds a great bit of colour and I love how the model has matched her lipstick to her apron-bravo!

If you can wear black basics under an apron this can actually look quite cool-if you are allowed to choose a colour of aprons you can add a pop of colour (pink for me always) and match your lipstick or a hair clip as well. This is a great option if you are plus size and struggle with the uniforms offered. You can simply wear your own clothes and the aprons offered by Simon Jersey are very generous in width and tie length-they also offer lots of cute colours. 

Uniform rules

You need to look into what the rules around uniform at your place of work might be. Sometimes you might be free to wear whatever you like. Sometimes you might have certain styles of clothing, such as trousers and a dress shirt in a shop, or you might have to wear specific items provided to you by your employer.

 In the event your uniform is given to you and is a set style you might be able to use accessories or your hairstyle to add a fashionable touch.

Check what the specifics of your workwear look are and if you can do so, add the additional fashionable elements like accessories.

Even quite conservative looks can be made more current with the addition of chunky tights or a white shirt which has a high collar or beautiful buttons.

This work tunic might be quite plain but with the right shirt and tight its suddenly cute and preppy.

 

Comfort over fashion

You might have a lot of freedom with your uniform, but you need to keep the practicalities of your job in mind.

 For example, you might work on a busy shop floor. Choose footwear that is comfortable and will help you get through a shift effectively over something more fashionable. If you’re going to be on your feet for long periods of time you need something that will help you to do that more comfortably.

 

Not all workwear has to be nylon, this chefs tunic by Simon Jersey is a cotton denim mix

Keep in mind the conditions you work in, every job has it’s own specific demands. Being comfortable at work can help with productivity whereas being uncomfortable can cause problems in customer service, concentration and really hinder your ability to work (my over tight tunic was not much of a help)

Uniforms have a specific purpose, they get across the personality of a business, or help customers to identify people who could help them, but if you are allowed to add a measure of your fashion personality then why not?

Finding a balance between meeting the needs of the business you work for and being fashionable can be tricky, but getting it right can make you feel more comfortable and confident at work helping you to be more productive and effective in your role. Im delighted to see that Simon Jersey offer up to a size 26 in a lot of their ranges (and hopefully we will see even more sizes offered soon)

*This post was a collaboration with Simon Jersey