Clements Ribeiro for Evans: Swan AW12 Reviewed

A couple of weeks ago, I went GAGA for the shots of Robyn Lawley ROCKING the latest from duo Clements Ribeiro for Evans. And, well - while I ain't no model - let's see how the clothes measure up on my heavy little frame!

Like the last Clements Ribeiro/Evans Collaboration, I LOVE the prints and heavy tailoring through the collection. Now certainly, the response to this latest offering for Evans hasn't been quite as anticipated as the last - but for me - this is a great second Collection, which offers a nice range of pieces for us Plus-Size girls. Length and necklines still play on my mind, but the dresses are bang on. Let's take a look... (all of these dresses I bought so I could try them at home - I kept TWO and returned TWO - GUESS WHICH ONES...).

Floral Print Wisteria 21 Dress: £75.00

This dress is LIGHT on the body, really lovely to touch and completely feminine. Honestly - when I got this through and saw it on the hangar - I had a little bit of a "Grandma Frock?" question mark go off in my head... Well I tell ya, that would be one BANGIN' Grandma.

This dress is amazing. My photos can't even start to capture the beauty of the textures and colours in this dress. On my form - it felt rich and decadent and just BEAUTIFUL really. The tailoring is nice and simple - giving me a great shape (this is a 22) - but also allowing for a lot of breathing space through my hip and bum. In fact - this fit me snug in the bust - but for any girls with a rounder belly than mine - this isn't JUST for a heavy hourglass figure - this is made - ready to accomodate a belly and booty. It is FAB.

The material is a satin-like texture but doesn't come off shiny and the lace neck and cuffs are just gorgeous touches. SUPER great. For girls who want to break this up - a belt would easily do the job - otherwise - the print and lace really does do it all. For me, this could be worn to work, or easily come for a night out with Darcy.

I want to emphasise this is a lovely, light fabric. Through Winter, this baby would need a pair of tights underneath and a lovely blazer or cropped jacket to boot - make sure people can see the lace collar though. Because that makes the dress POP.

Lace Grace Dress - £95.00

This is a pretty gorgeous little number and reminiscent of the Black Betty Dress in Broderie Anglaise from the last Collection. Unlike the Betty Dress from last time, this isn't quite as tightly tailored and if I'm honest about how I like my fit - I found this 22 looks good but feels big around my waist and hip. But the dress itself? Well!

The top is a sheer layer of spotted lurex which sits over a pretty, "nude" lining. I found the sheer fabric really gentle on my skin but the spots a little scratchy. The skirt, like the sheer top, is deliciously lined and the skirt is a nice "lace" style of fabric. I like the heavy, waist defining fabric panel and think this is a GREAT Autum/Winter dress. This dress, with it's 3/4 sleeves and long hemline is discreet and elegant... but also, because of the sheer fabric, a little sexy and risqué. Christmas parties, Ladies!

Geo Print Celia Dress - £75.00

Firstly, let me just say: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE:

I adore this dress! Truth be told - prior to buying in any of these items - I WANTED to love this dress. I LOVE the look of it on the Evans site and wanted it to fit and make me feel fantastic. BINGO! It does. I got this in a 20, because unlike the other items I've tried - it isn't quite as heavily tailored. The breast is snug - but good for fit, and my waist is defined and therby my shape feels LOVELY.

One of my favourite aspects of this dress is the lace panels on the shoulders. I don't actually feel these are well covered on the Evans site - but in real life, they add a goegous touch to the dress - as well as break up the look and pattern.

The burgundy is a beautiful rich colour, nicely broken up by the blue and white spots... The metallic silver threading is also pretty perfect. Style wise, I like the long hemline on this and think the pleating across the breast is an interesting touch - not my favourite touch - but something which AGAIN - adds a unique feel to the dress and makes it kind of special.

My one real critique of this dress is the side zip - it's one of those annoyingly weak ziplines that made me wish they'd gone for something a little stronger - but this is a small bone of contention. I mean the dress frigging rocks it.

One important point, ladies? There is no give in this. The material isn't stretchy. I thought it might be, before I got it home, which is why I'm mentioning it. Buy your size though - and the dress will fit like a DREAM.

BOOM!

Pansy Print Betty Dress - £75.00

Whoa Baby. Talk about a KILLER print on this one. I LOVE this. This is very much MY style of shape, print and colouring. Firstly - purple - my favourite colour, on black - with pink. Also? Floral. Before I even put this on, this was a WIN dress. 

In the last Swan Collection by Clements Ribeiro, I bought the Lace Betty Dress which was a gorgeous snug fit. This latest Betty, in Pansy print, is made in a gorgeous cloque satin (as in double weave - giving it texture) and is a little lighter and looser than the first round of Bettys. Despite the satin - the texturing in the fabric doesn't make this shiny - rather interesting, light catching and beautiful.

As you can see, this dress has quite a bit of structured tailoring going on - with the waist heavily defined by a fabric band right under the bust. Last time I tried the Bettys - I wasn't convinced by the high neckline and low hemline - but this time I think they work really nicely with the colouring and print. As I mentioned above, this dress is a little looser than the last round of Bettys and I think it will accomodate rounder bellies and bottoms really nicely.

This dress is feminine and pretty. I could wear this to work but also light up a room with colour and style on a night out. I like this - a lot - and I rekon MANY of you would too.

This is a good collection and another beautiful offering from Evans and Clements Ribeiro... I know that for some of you - this Collection comes up a little expensive - so make sure you POUNCE when sales arrive - because I rekon MANY women will! Like with the last collaboration, these pieces celebrate our figures but also indulge in gorgeous fabrics and beautiful prints. I hear (from a wee birdy), that a Christmas Collection is on the cards... If it's true - I hope Evans, Clements Ribeiro and Santa bring something really nice!

Oh yes!!

xxx.

Simplicity, Life and Fashion in an Asos Curve Nautical Dress.

I've totally been back crushing on Asos Curve lately. Even with all the flaws size-wise - there have been some LOVELY pieces marching through the online shopfront. Being lured back to Curve ALSO means I've been looking through the sale stock... Quite honestly? I bought a bunch of stuff and the majority of it had to go back - but as with the Asos Curve Floral Border Dress that I blogged recently, this Structured Dress in Anchor Print was a keeper.

By design, I'm not really into Nautical - but I wanted to try the dress anyway... One Red Belt, Black Shrug and Katie Benjamin handbag later? BOOM! This is actually a perfect Autumnal dress. The weight is heavy in the fabric, it's lined and the structure sees it a little body con. It feels warm and cosy on my skin. I teamed this with leggings also (I mean, let's face it, my legs are now in hibernation for Winter). For me, this is a perfect look which I've worn to work, as well as out with Mr. Darcy over the weekend. 

I am back on a film (AWESOME), so this month, for me, I'm all about keeping LIFE and FASHION simple. 

Let's face it ladies - the combination of simplicity, life and fashion can be FABULOUS. 

Simple? 

Sure... But still fabulous!  

Loves!

Em.

Simply Be Bridal Collection... Evelyn & Grace Reviewed!

Earlier this year, I was wowed by many of you beautiful readers. You opened up to me about your weddings and in one of my favourite posts EVER - you let me share YOUR wedding pictures.

Recently, when Simply Be released their Bridal Collection - I asked you to select your favourite dress for me to try - well the clear winners were Evelyn and Grace - so here they are for you! BUT - before we get started, I just want to say one thing... The dresses came and felt like SPECIAL packages. They were in a box, wrapped in tissue, on hangars and in a plastic (dry clean style) bag. It FELT luxurious to receive these dresses - and considering the range is a High Street style option for bridal wear - averaging about £100 each - these dresses FELT like a proper princess treat!

For my part, I have tried these dresses and sent them back to Simply Be. HOPEFULLY - this will help any would-be brides or fiances to make a choice. Let me just say, I tried BOTH in a 22 which felt right for me. As I was trying the dresses for the blog only and then sending them back, they have not been pressed, but instead, accurately represent my first wear…

The Peach "Evelyn" Wedding Dress. This is LOVELY and a beautiful choice for women who aren't too keen on white. I was sent a stole to try over this, but note there is a matching shawl/cardigan you could get - which would also be beautiful for arm coverage.

The material has a really nice, heavy drape and is shaped to ride the curve of your body. As you can see, the wide straps EASILY hide my bra strap and V-plunge breast is lovely. In fact - the V can run deeper, but as I didn't have an appropriate bra to try this with (I was in Sandhurst and my plunge styles were back in London), I have left the V sitting quite high - it can EASILY be worn lower (for a little wedding WOOT WOO!). This was a perfect length for my 5'5" frame (with and without heels).

I like the beading detail on this, as well as the line of the dress… This is a really pretty (and affordable!!) option for any future bride, also, because of the colour, this could easily double as a bridesmaid dress. Oh, I should add - the gorgeous structure of this dress means you feel taller in it and kind of wonderfully held. Really beautiful.

The Simply Be Stole  I was sent to accessorise with, would be AMAZING for cooler weddings and parties into the evening. I feel quite attached to the stole, to be honest and wish I could yell, IT'S MINE, IT'S MINE!

I love this. I felt really fancy in it too!!

The next dress I tried was the "Grace" Wedding Dress. Funny story. When you readers selected this dress, I was a little bit hesitant. MY wedding dress preference was the "Isabella" - so I hoped for that to come up - but you chose this.

WOW Ladies - GREAT choice. I put this on, and FELT like a bride. I literally had a moment standing by myself in front of a mirror and thought - wow, I could get MARRIED in this. 

MARRIED. 

THAT's pretty powerful!

This dress created a real "moment" for me as far as dresses are concerned... I LOVE this. The dress curves beautifully around the breast (which has some plastic boning to retain shape) and then floats from the high waist. There is a generous amount of fabric and a delicious centre drape that adds a sexy, subtle detail to the front. This dress is not heavily fitted - but gives a lovely and comfortable amount of room; it made me want to eat cake and do a Bridal Waltz, to be honest!!!

The feature sleeves are gorgeous and I also love the detailing across the breast… The whole look just SCREAMS bride to me. I've actually never tried a wedding dress before - but if I'd been trying an outfit for myself - THIS would be the one. It took Darcy's breath away too!

The fabric is a little delicate and I would make sure you try this one with rounded nails as I feel any jagged claws COULD get caught in this one. I also found it a little longer than the Peach Dress (I am 5'5" and needed to wear heels to make it work). Ultimately though - sublime and stunning.

Apart from these amazing dresses, Simply Be also sent me the Viva La Diva Peep Toe shoes to wear with the outfit, which they have let me keep. I didn't have light coloured shoes.

Now? Well, NOW that I have the shoes, I just need a dress to match… 

Don't I?

Oh, Mr, Darcy!!!

xxx

Asos Curve Floral Skater Dress.

Easily the prettiest dress I have bought in a while. 

The Asos Curve Floral Border Skater Dress.

This is light, roomy and pretty. Simple premises, really!

Now - quite frankly, I found that the dress ran a little big size-wise, so sized down from a 22 to a 20. It also pilled a bit after my first two wears - so please note it may not be overly durable despite costing £32.00...

Honestly though ladies? I don't care! I adore this. It has a looseness through the chest that I really like and I've defined the (already elasticised) waist with a simple red belt. This is a little different - and it feels unique to most of my other clothing. I am entranced!

To my mind, this dress is effortlessly beautiful! I adore prints and love the floral border and scattering of petals/birds over my chest. The shape is less structured than I usually go for - but it's beautiful and the extra little bits of fabric drape well. You can see I'm wearing leggings too... For me, this is a beautiful and colourful autumnal dress.

This Skater Dress also marks my first successful purchase from ASOS Curve in over 6 months! Thank goodness I keep looking! I LOVE IT!

xxx

Robyn Lawley - HOT for Clements Ribeiro at Evans

BOOM! 

The LATEST Clements Ribeiro Collection has launched at Evans and I am gobsmascked by two things.

Firstly. The AW 12 Collection, itself. WOW. I have ordered a bunch of stuff to try and will do some posts from home, so that I can share the clothes of my super curvy bod. I don't have time to get in-store for this release - so my trusty home based mirror shots will be key!

The second thing that's blown my mind? The Collection shots of Robyn Lawley.

Robyn has size 14 curves and while they may be the bottom cusp of the Evans sizing bracket - they still hit the sizing bracket. She is a beautiful choice for the latest campaign, after rocking the first release with Tara Lynn.

This has seriously taken my breath away. I can't wait to hear what you think of the latest Collection - as well as read other blogger reviews on how they find the collection.

I LOVE exciting, forward-moving strides in fashion and I rekon that with the quality, cut and prints for this latest Clements Ribeiro and Evans pairing - I won't be disappointed. I just have to wait for my parcel now!!!

xxx.

Images sourced via TruthAndFashion.com