PART ONE: Whimsical for nautical

The nautical trend may have boomed about a year ago in Australia, but I’m still seeing it, months later! On my recent trip to the USA, nautical was HUGE. I do not want to appear outdated, but frankly, I am in love with this style. It makes my tummy a little fuzzy, like I’ve just been on a first date. (I should probably have a doctor check this out – I suspect this is an unusual reaction to fashion...)

The nautical style is reminiscent of pinup, sailor, ocean and beach-time themes. It consists mainly of bold white, red, navy and yellow, complete with gold buttons, stripes and anchor patterns. The result is highly feminine with a quirky edge.

Stores carrying plus sizes, such as Torrid, Forever 21, Pinup Girl Clothing and City Chic, have all been through the style, producing some very interesting pieces that can be incorporated into your overall nautical look, or can be the statement piece of your entire outfit!

City Chic

Forever 21+ 

Pinup Girl Clothing

Look how gorgeous all of these girls are, regardless of whether they’re smaller or larger. Style and confidence, people! Two key ingredients for the irresistible you.

Pinup Girl Clothing is bursting with nautical styles that are just to die for. And they are in plus sizes! I’m in lust with their Sailor Swing Dress in navy, and, as a Size 18 I won’t even have to go up to their 2x when I inevitably purchase it! Winning! It’s even been modelled by plus size porn star April Flores in her photo shoot for Bizarre. Don’t let her occupation give you the heebie-jeebies – the girl is a knock out. Here’s a video of the shoot – though it is NSFW due to partial nudity.

With pretty much any variation of these colours and patterns, you can achieve the nautical look. You can by readymade outfits designed specifically to give you the look of a sailor girl, or you can create it using heaps of different elements that you already have in your closet.

I went through my wardrobe the other night, and found over ten different garments that I could use to bring this style together. Just lying there! So I had a little fun playing dress up, and I’ll post the photos later in Part 2 of this post.

The appeals of heels!

The prospect of heels may be terrifying to some people, no matter what they weigh, how tall they are, or whether they sit down or stand up to pee. I used to be vastly opposed to them, pretty much because I had enough trouble generally standing up and walking, without the added pressure of being four inches higher than was strictly necessary.

I guess heels are an acquired taste. And, well, skill. Because as soon as you've found the right pair to start you off, the sky's the limit!

...that's not to say that your heels should be monstrously high.

This is what is referred to, in most cultures, as "so stupid, the word 'stupid' is offended by assosciation."

It truly is worth getting into the habit of heels, because - although they can be painful as all heck if worn for too long - heels are the larger lady's friend! Not only do they elongate the legs and make the butt look fantastic, but they alter our posture to suck in the stomach area. There's some dresses I refuse to wear unless I couple them with a solid set of heels. :)

Now that I've espoused the benefits of heels, prepare to enter stiletto heaven.

I've never been a huge fan of shoes at all, but the moment I set eyes on Iron Fist shoes, it was lust at first sight. I wanted to do naughty, naughty things to these shoes that I would later have to go confess to my local priest. And when you see them, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Just LOOK at them! Have you ever seen someone so magical in your entire existence? No? I thought as much.

Shoe lust...overload... Prepare to self-destruct------

...Returning from my fantasy now... The great thing about bold shoe choices is that they can become the statement of an entire outfit, especially when paired with skinny jeans and a plain top! By drawing attention to your feet, you can draw attention away from other parts. Like if you're having a bad hair day.... voila! In heels this fantastic, no one is looking at your stringy strands.

These shoes are edgy and just a little bit gothic. I already own the Zebracorn Rainbow Heels, and already plan on acquiring moaaaarrrrr, for tis the season to be twenty-one... :)

So if you're prejudiced against heels - reconsider. They can do wonders for your height; can make you feel glamorous; can tuck in your tummy and round your butt; and can turn your ordinary ensemble into something extraordinary!

Remember: Don't wear heels if you're planning on standing for hours. That's just masochistic. But if you've got a dinner, or a dance where there will be some sitting down for relief... Dooooo ittttt. And if you're worried about the discomfort, there's always Party Feet!

Here's a picture of how heels completed my outfit last Halloween. And please... don't ask what I was. I'm going with Menstrual Angel... Basically, I adherred to the Mean Girls rule that Halloween is just an excuse to dress up as slutty as possible...

Love,
Lolly

For those who aren't quite ready to resort to muumuus...

When most people think of fashion for fatties, the first item of clothing that comes to mind is something like this:

Popularised by the glamorous Homer Simpson and grandmas alike, the muumuu is an article of clothing designed to hide all the bad bits of the big woman - and all the good bits. It's eye-bleedingly bright, long, and is pretty much the larger lady's way of giving up. Bring on nannadom!

Well, sorry. This girl is not ready to give up just yet.

My name is Lolly, and I am an Australian student. I'm a Size 18, and have been fat all my life. There's no getting around it. Or me. Haha. Little fat humour for you there...

But seriously. Being bigger than all the other girls since primary school was hard. I was studious, but never popular or outgoing like the thin girls in my class. It continued all through high school - I watched my weight constantly, and was disappointed with the poor results. 

Late in high school, I began to make fat jokes about my self. I think I did this because I wanted to make them before anyone else did. I even danced to Weird Al's "I'm Fat" in a fat suit at a school assembly. My brother later told me I did well, even though I'd obviously left the fat suit at home... Jerk. 

Look at that attitude!

Now, I'm nearly 21, and have finally grown comfortable with how I look. I'm no skinneh betch, but I think I'm a piece of all right. And the biggest confidence booster I have is fashion.

Wearing the right clothes changes my whole outlook. I know a day is going to be good if I'm dressed to impress. After years of overcompensating for the horrific visual that was my weight - at least, I used to think it was - I learned a thing or two about dressing for my shape, and drawing attention to my best assets. It's not just plus size girls who learn this skill. Every body shape has good and bad points, and we all need to learn how to emphasise the good!

After toying with the idea of starting a fashion blog, I'm finally going for it. I intend to review plus size fashion stores - hopefully, I'll be able to get some obscure ones, too! - showcase creative ensembles, and demonstrate how to wear one garment in lots of different ways!

I'm not as knowledgeable about the current or future trends of fashion, and I couldn't name many plus size designers, but if you're game, by all means, follow me along through the Wonderful World of Lolly, as I illuminate and excite you, amaze and amuse you, and tell you how to look like a goddess, regardless of those few extra kilos you may be toting around...

Beauty is confidence. Embrace that confidence, and the world will see you for the stunner you are.