Diane's plus size fashion blog - July 2015

July 20th - Large Sizes in Ladies Leather Chelsea Boots available up to size UK13

Long Tall Sally sell to tall girls 5' 8" and over.  They are the go to Retailer for all things associated with being tall (longer back length, Longer arms, Long Legs and larger feet).  They stock a very complete and trendy range of clothing, accessories and footwear.

Clothing sizes are stocked up to size UK24.  Footwear sizes are stocked from sizes UK7 - UK13 and trousers leg lengths are available from 34" to 38".

The S/S 15 season stock at LTS is now on SALE whilst New Arrivals at LTS are starting to filter through for the AW15 season.

Today I am blogging about these marvellous leather chelsea ankle boots.  They are available in tan (as shown in the photo) and also in black.  They have a 1 1/2" block heel (3.5cm) and side elasticated panels for ease of putting on and slipping off.

The chelsea boot was a firm favourite in the AW14 season and will continue to be as popular going forward into AW15 (especially if worn as part of the BoHo trend of suede/skeepskin clothing and accompanying Hobo bags).  I think the main reason for it's popularity is to do with it's versatility. Not only is this the perfect little flat boot to wear with jeans and trousers but it can easily be worn with a skirt or casual dress too.

I have a couple of pairs of these style of boots and find them comfortable to wear, dressy and very easy to slip on and off (which for me is a big plus especially at airports).  I travel quite a bit with my job and I have made the chelsea boot my travelling favourites as they are so easy and versatile.  I love them for all day comfort and I wear them with jeans and skirts (saving on hand luggage space by not having to carry other footwear) and they are so much smarter looking than trainers.

To get a close-up look at the boots and to hear what I have to say about them, play the short YouTube video below.

To buy these leather chelsea boots from Long Tall Sally click HERE

To view other Newly Arrived Boots at LTS click HERE

To view the full range of New Arrivals (Clothing, Footwear and Accessories) at LTS click HERE

To view the Sale of Current SS15 Season at LTS click HERE

Until next time.

Diane XXX

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July 13th - Mother of the Bride Dress / Wedding Guest House of Fraser Dress - to plus size 26

Today I'm bringing you something a bit special that's available in bigger plus sizes from House of Fraser.This absolutely wonderful dress is by Xandres xline (from their plus size range). It is a structured panel shift dress with a gold bar detail on the neckline at the front.  Available from size UK16 to UK26 it's currently on Sale for only £79.50.

I am 5' 9" tall and I am wearing the dress in size UK18.  The fit is very comfortable.  (you can see just how comfortable, and the ease with which I walk in the dress in my video below).

The dress has a number of very attractive features and therefore I highly recommend it for a formal daywear occasion such as a Wedding;-

Firstly the colour:- the dress is pale blue which is perfect for the Mother of the Bride as it is traditional wedding blue;

Secondly the cut and style is straight forward and uncomplicated yet so very flattering for a larger lady (particularly if like me you have a bit of a tummy) due to the dress's structured panel detail;

Thirdly the gold bar feature at the neckline means there's no need to wear any neck jewellery;

Fourthly the longer length making the dress suitable for more formal daywear occasion such as a wedding where a certain degree of modesty is required;

Lastly the shoulder structure falling to a half length sleeve making the dress ideal to wear with wedding accessories like a wide brim hat. It is also very suitable to wear along with a pashmina/shawl or open front jacket to dress it up, or if it's cooler weather.

If wearing this dress as a Wedding Guest then a simple fascinator treatment is all that is required for your head. But if you are the Mother of the Bride then the occasion demands a fuller hat or Hatinator.  If you are petite a hatinator is better than a very full and wide rimmed hat as you do not want the hat to completely take over your look.

To buy the dress click HERE

To see how the dress moves and sits, watch the short video below.

To buy this Xandres xline Structured Shift Dress  NOW £79.50  click HERE

To view more dresses in the Xandres xline range at House of Fraser click HERE

To view the full range of plus size clothing by Xandres xline at House of Fraser click HERE

To view all Plus Size Dresses at House of Fraser click HERE

To view the sale at House of Fraser click HERE

NEXT have the perfect pair of shoes to go with this dress - click HERE

Until later.  Diane xxx

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July 6th - Layered Jersey Top in Crushed Berry

NOW £48 IN THE UP TO 50% OFF SALE AT CELTIC & CO

This is my final blog in this short series for Celtic & Co. Today I am reviewing a long sleeved layered top from their Spring Summer 2015 Collection.  This whole Collection says Lazy Sunday, Relaxed, Quality and Down Time, in my opinion.

Today's jersey is yet another quality piece for easy-wear relaxation. I chose this for several reasons

1) It's perfect to pull on with jeans, linen trousers or a skirt, with a nice long 66cm back - shoulder to hemline;

2) It has the layered inset (which is a great match for linen) and lifts the otherwise simpleness of a jersey long sleeved top, and I like the long sleeves for extra warmth later on in the year, and for insect/midge protection if walking in rural lanes or forest;

c.  The crushed berry colour goes with practically everything.  The colour has a browny/bluey tinge which blends well with browns, denim blues, beige/natural coloured linens, and even with black;

d.  It has 30% wool content making it a heavier feel and also warmer than, say, a standard long sleeved cotton tee.

e.  It goes well under my Celtic and Co. cable boyfriend cardigan (see photo below and earlier review);

g.  It is also ideal layering under waistcoats or with a simple linen mix scarf;

To buy this layered jersey top from Celtic & Co click the link

To see and hear about the top's features - click on the short video below.

To buy this top and similar high quality click HERE

To view the current Collection at Celtic & Co click HERE

Until later, probably early Friday.  Diane xxx

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July 3rd SS15 Cable Boyfriend Cardigan from Celtic & Co

In case you are new to reading this blog, I'm repeating what I said last week about Celtic & Co to start with. They are a British Company based in Cornwall, England and are most famous for their handmade sheepskin footwear which they make at their factory.  They also supply clothing items and accessories sourced (in the main) from manufacturers based within the British Isles (with some items coming from continental Europe).  Where possible they aim to provide a selection of products made from natural materials.  You will find that their accessories will compliment clothing items and a purchase this season will carry you through to subsequent years.

I am making a series of blog posts with my favourite picks from their new SS15 Collection.  Today's post is this wonderful 100% merino wool cable boyfriend cardigan which has been made in Ireland.

 

I love dressing casual so it's great when retailers ask me to review items that fit the bill!

This is a beautiful long cardigan (87 cm from shoulder to hemline) knit in 100% merino wool with a natural fleck.  The style influence is typically Irish with the Aran cables.  This is an easy pull on to take you out and about in both the cooler evenings of Summer and the colder days of Autumn and Winter.  It is therefore a very practical multi-seasonal cardigan.

I love the longer body length and the deep V Neck.   I am wearing size L (UK16 - 18) and the fit is very comfortable.  In the photo I am wearing the cardigan buttoned to show off the very traditional aran style buttons and the front pockets but I know that I will wear this cardigan open with big scarf treatments - Linen scarves for Summer and wool and tweed heavy weight scarves for the Autumn and Winter.

To buy this Cable Boyfriend Cardigan and similar high quality click HERE

To see the details of the cardigan have a look at the video above.

To view the whole Collection at Celtic & Co click HERE

Until later.  Diane xxx

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July. 2015 blogs, click here - April 21st - Versatile Shift Floral Dress suitable for Day and Occasion Wear

June. 2015 blogs, click here - June 27th. A size 18 Hooded Waxed Jacket from the SS15 Celtic & Co. Collection.

May. 2015 blogs, click here -May 27th - Curvety Fluted Hem Dress with Notch Neck for Plus Size Evening Wear, May 21st Curvety Stunning Lace Dress for formal daywear, May 18th - Designer Dress by Yuliya Rachel for IGIGI, May 15th - Curvety Special Occasion Dress, May 8th - Beach Smart, linen tunic dress to plus size 22

April. 2015 blogs, click here - April 21st - Versatile Shift Floral Dress suitable for Day and Occasion Wear

March. 2015 blogs, click here - March 8th. - Floral Jacquard Design Mock Shirt Sweat Top from Marks and Spencer

Feb. 2015 blogs, click here - Feb. 26th - Gardenia Jersey Dress from Monsoon - Feb 8th. Julien Macdonald at Debenhams

Jan. 2015 blogs, click here - Jan 23rd. Getting Fit - Affordable Fitness Clothing from the M&S Collection - Jan.14th - What to wear Skiing - Recommendations

Dec. 2014 blogs, click here - Dec 12th Half Length Black Leather Sheepskin Coat in Contemporary Design - Celtic & Co. - Dec 6th Wonderful Toscana Sheepskin Full Length Hooded Coat in Chocolate Brown - Celtic & Co.

Nov. 2014 blogs, click here - Nov 30th Down and Feather Coat. Long Tall Sally. - Nov 15th How to wear Tweed part 2.

Oct. 2014 blogs, click here - Oct 30th How to wear Tweed, part 1. - Oct 24th M&S Waist Cincher Knickers for tummy control. - Oct 16th Lipstick Boutique at House of Fraser - Oct 2nd Ann Harvey at Bonmarche

Sept. 2014 blogs, click here - Sept. 25th Curvety Special Occasion dress - 19th Dickins and Jones Day Wear - 14th Yours Blouse - 4th Debenhams Tea Dress.

Aug 2014 blogs, click here - Aug 29 Jump suit from Pink Clove, - Aug 21 Flared Skirt, Wardrobe staple. - Aug 15 Fine Knit Cardigan, Wardrobe staple. - Aug 7 David Emanuel at Bonmarche. - Aug 2 Road test of Leanne Shoes from Hotter.

July 2014 blogs, click here - July 29 Berlin Break, July 26 YOURS - Floral Maxi Dress, July 15 Woolovers Jumper around shoulders look, July 14 Woolovers City Look, July 13 Woolovers Casual Layered Look, July 12 Woolovers V-Necked Jumper - look #2, July 11 Woolovers Twin Set look, July 10 Woolovers Sleeveless Top, July 9 Woolovers V-Necked Jumper look #1

June 2014 blogs, click here - June 27 Suede Moccasin Shoes. June 20 Garden Party - Overlay Dress from Long Tall Sally. June 12 Aran Boyfriend Cardigan- Celtic & Co. June 5th Little Black Dress.

May 2014 blogs, click here - May 30th Ivory Bridal Dress (vintage 1950s style) from Monsoon. - 22nd - The Return of the Trouser Suit. - 14th Agricultural Show or County Fair - Practical Styling Advice. - 7th M&S boot cut jeans - 1st Plus Size Revolution - money counts.

April 2014 blogs, click here -Apr.27th The Plus Size Revolution - Curves take Centre Stage. - 20th Travel Clothes - 4th British Plus Size Fashion Week 2014 - Dynasty.

March 2014 blogs, click here - Mar 20th British Plus Size Fashion Week 2014 - Curvety. - 14th British Plus Size Fashion Week 2014 - Jane Watson.

Feb 2014 blogs, click here - Feb 27th British Plus Size Fashion Week 2014 - Dea. - 14th Diane Marshall Plus Size Model London Fashion Week. - 7th All weather fitness clothing

Jan. 2014 blogs, click here - Jan 30th London Fashion Week, plus size modelling opportunity. - 23rd Plus Size Acceptance vs Weight Loss. - 16th Plus Size Weight Loss - an expert approach. - 9th Plus Size, what size of fit are we describing?

All 2013 blogs, click here

June 15th 2013 - Welcome to my blog !