This is the most exciting post I’ve done in a while, maybe ever. I’m sure if you are a regular reader you have noticed that Dani of DIY Fatshion and me are totally great friends. We met on Tumblr even before we started our blogs, and she is definitely one of my BFF’s, even though she is in Texas and I’m in London. So I’m sure you can imagine how much we want to meet and hang out for real, right? We have been thinking and dreaming and planning for ages, and now it will finally come true! We have been saving money, rented an apartment and finally bought our flights this week.. and both of us are flying to New York for Full Figured Fashion Week 2013! I’m seriously crazy excited, I can’t wait to meet Dani, go to my favourite city again, and of course meet other bloggers and go to FFFW events. Whooooo!

So, that brings me to this special Double Vision! In this challenge Dani and I are choosing a theme, item, movie character.. whatever we come up with basically, and style those our own way and post at the same time, more about the challenge here. This week we are wearing Lane Bryant, and there is an exciting reason why. Both of us were chosen to take part in Lane Bryant Blogger Conference at FFFW, and as a part of the invitation we were given $200 gift card to purchase an outfit that will be featured in a style challenge at Lane Bryant Facebook page. Lane Bryant has had an amazing ‘Buy one, get one free’-event this week, and I’m slightly jealous to the US bloggers who could go to the store to get their outfits.. haha (if you live in the US, you still have time until the end of today to use this discount). Since I live in the UK, I could choose items worth $200 from the site, and the lovely Lindsey from Lane Bryant kindly sent them to me. I chose a grey t-shirt with amazing neon yellow lace shoulder details, black jeggings, GORGEOUS nude peep toe heels with neon yellow accents and cool wayfarer sunnies. And from my own closet I added a bright coral lippy, nude/coral clutch and spike necklace with neon yellow accents. I think this is a really nice way to mix neutrals and neons, and I think this t-shirt and the heels will become my wardrobe favourites this summer!

T-shirt*: 22/24 US, Lane Bryant | Jeggings*: 22 US, Lane Bryant | Heels*: 9W US, Lane Bryant | Sunnies*: Lane Bryant | Clutch: George at ASDA (amazing neon yellow clutch at New Look)| Necklace: Primark (neon yellow bead spike necklace at ASOS) | Lippy: Maybelline Colorsensational Vivids 910, Shocking Coral (UK link, US link)

Can’t wait to see all the bloggers’ looks at Lane Bryant Facebook page – remember to check it out mid-May :). But first let’s go see what Dani chose, I have a feeling that she’s got some neon accents going on too ;) – clickity to DIY Fatshion!

SHOP THE POST

* denotes a gifted item

I was happy to be invited to the Next SS13 pressday a couple of weeks ago, and I can tell you that they have amazing stuff coming for next season. The shoes, bags and jewellery were to die for!

Looking awesome, right? Sadly there was no plus size items on show, so I emailed Next and asked to see some product images to show you all. I received them last week and was positively surprised. (The model pictures unfortunately are main range sized, but no worries, I was assured that these same items will be available in plus range!)

I seriously want that sweater in every colour, and the last dress is DIVINE. What do you all think? Will you be shopping at Next next season?

Which ones do you want? The lace dress and sequin blazer are definitely calling my name!

Their plus range is named Rogers & Rogers, and it caters sizes 18-30 (which is definitely a good thing). The range currently has only a few pieces that I would take in my wardrobe, and it looks that it is aimed to more older and ‘reserved’ plus size women than me. So yeah, let’s get real: Matalan is currently not a first choice for fashionable plus size women.

BUT… I think this is going to change soon!

I spoke to a few nice ladies from Matalan at the event, and said that I see a huge difference in their plus range from S/S season. They agreed, and said that Matalan made a decision to take directional designs from the mainline range and bring that to plus range, making sure that the range is about FASHION. They still want the range to offer pieces for everyone (which means that it will include basics, which is very understandable), but they want to bring it forward, fashion-wise.

Matalan used a focus group of plus sized ladies to get feedback from the collection, and some of the feedback definitely sounds promising…
- praise for the extensive size of the collection (which means there will be something for everyone)
- compliments on the fabric quality and diversity (which might be the reason that the prices were a bit higher than what I have usually seen at Matalan, but no complaints)
- on-trend adaptations of the mainline pieces
and my fave..
- jeggings with jean fastening (so jeans-style with comfort of jeggings – I approve!)

This lace-dress was my absolute favourite from the pieces that were showcased. I NEED it in my life! I have to wait for a few months though, since the A/W collection will be available in all stores and online from September.

I also took pics of some of their mainline pieces and accessories. Some of their mainline range goes up to size 22, so let’s hope some of these trendy pieces are in that category!

I want one of these sheer shirts in every colour!

WANT. WANT. And WANT.

Oh and the shoes and bags were gorgeous too! I really loved their ‘trainer wedges’, the burgundy pair I have pictured below was amazing! And that blue pair with studs? HUUUUUUUGE WANT! They were even more cool in real life, the blue is a striking shade, absolutely beautiful.

And the bags then? Studs, horses, colours.. what’s not to love?

So, even though we finally seem to have summer here in the UK, after attending the event I definitely am waiting for autumn! The A/W season is going to be really amazing in the world of fashion, and I’m happy that Matalan have definitely made a big step forward with their plus collection. Brilliant!

Sorry for the quality of the photos, I only had my iPhone with me. When I get hold of the press photos I will share them with you all :)

I do have a few colourful bags, but since I blogged the most colourful one that I own just a few weeks ago (here), I decided to raid my flatmate’s closet again ;). She has an amazing pastel shopper from River Island and I definitely wanted to borrow that. This means that my outfit is a pastel overkill, but hey, if I don’t get summery weather, I have to create the summery feel with clothes!

Bag: River Island (same in pink, similar) | Shirt: 20, George at ASDA (similar) | Skirt: 2X, Forever 21+ (similar) | Tank top: 16, Primark (similar) | Belt: XL, Dorothy Perkins (similar) | Socks: We Love Colors, Pastel Mint | Shoes: Jones Bootmaker – thrifted (similar) | Hair band: George at ASDA (similar) | Glasses: LensWay | Lippy: Natural Collection Moisture Shine in Cranberry (available in Boots)

(Wow, that might be the longest ‘what I’m wearing-list’ in the history of my blog :D!)

I wore this outfit to work yesterday, and it might surprise you that I have bare thighs under that skirt! I was testing this product to prevent the dreaded ‘chub rub’ and IT WORKS!!! I heard about it on Tumblr, at Chubby Bunnies FAQ page (thanks Bec!) and I wanted to give it a go. I HATE wearing shorts/leggings all the time under my skirts and dresses, so this product really is an answer to my prayers! I applied it to my thighs in the morning, did my commute in rush hour trains, walked to work from the station (half an hour walk), walked during my lunch hour, AND walked back to the station! And no chub rub!!! To be honest at the end of that last walk I felt just a bit of friction, but that was 12h after I had applied the product. So if I had taken it with me an re-applied before walking I would have been 100% fine. So after this test I feel that I have the obligation to let my readers know about this product, it is amazing, bye bye leggings during summer :)!!!

Ok, sidetrack done.. haha. Back to Fatshion Faceoff! Please visit the other ladies and see how they built their outfits around colourful purses :)

Dani: DIY Fatshion
Mhairi: Lilybobombs Lovely Lumps
Mouna: Brussels Fatshion
Olivia: Wait Until The Sunset

The colours of the collection are divine, and the pieces are everything that a fashion loving fat girl can want.. bustiers, miniskirts, chiffon, sheer, cute prints.. designed for us to be proud of our bodies and show them off with the clothes! We need pretty and sexy pieces too, and Domino Dollhouse is giving us just that!

Here are my favourite pieces from this amazing collection:

Classic Jean Vest in Black Denim with Dome Studs
Full Skirt in Mint Green Chiffon

Button Bustier in Black + White Heart Denim
Skirt not available yet

Button Bustier in Pink Floral Denim
Skirt not available yet

Not available yet

This dress is not available yet, but it is my favourite piece from this collection.
I NEED it in my life. Absolute perfection!

Part 1 is available already, you can find the pieces here. The availability date for Part 2 hasn’t been released yet, but I will keep you posted.

Thank you Tracy for bringing us what we want! …Now I just need to find a way to get it alllllllllll!!! :)

The first thing I saw was of course the name of the line, ‘Curve’, which is also the name of ASOS plus size line.. but if I forget that and look at the clothes themselves: I’m loving what I’m seeing. To be honest some of the stuff is not for me (and some of them are ‘lovedrobeish’), and some I absolutely LOVE… but that basically means that there’s something for everyone. Most of all I’m happy that this is a collection that has sizes 16-26, and it is not stuff that has been designed for hiding fat bodies. There’s lace, bodycon dresses, animal prints, bright colours, patterns, you name it. And I’m definitely giving a chance to a brand who does all that instead of wanting to hide our bodies in shapeless, black sacks.

Here are a few my faves from the line, but you can take a look at it all in here.

Bird Print Zip Front Dress, £30

Lace Over Lay 3/4 Sleeve Dress, £38

Navy Polka Dot Chiffon Floaty Dress, £40

Split Sleeve Spot Two In One Dress, £38

TP Printed Smock, £32

I’m pretty excited here! What do you think of the line? Will you give AX Paris Curve a try? I most certainly will!

edit: Already ordered the first two dresses (zipped bird print and lace bodycon)! Can’t wait to get them!