Fashion Icons Throughout The Ages: 30's and 40's Marlene Dietrich.

I said this would be a weekly slot but I haven't been able to do that, but here is the next installment. I've decided to focus on the 30's and 40's as one because they are so similar.

My fashion icon for this era is Marlene Dietrich, a wonderful actress in this time. She was not only brilliant at what she did, but she was a strong and individual woman. I chose her because she was so different from the stereotypical style of the time, wearing men's suits quite a lot of the time. Even when she wasn't wearing men's suits, she was still often sporting an androgenous look. In a time when most women were wearing girdles, Dietrich was very different and that is why I admire her.

This beautiful photo of her sums up her style and overall sass and so I thought it was perfect to take my inspiration from.

I really enjoyed putting this look together and I've had these trousers for ages and have been trying to pair them with something without much luck. It just goes to show that taking inspiration from someone else can give ideas you would never have thought of. 

The other thing about this outfit I like is that it is more angrodenous than I usually go for, but I'm surprised by how much I like it and how comfortable I feel. I think because I am a lady of the larger variety, I always make the effort to be more girly, but actually I think this look is really flattering.

So the details. The shoes are just some white tennis pumps from Asda, and the trousers were just 2 pounds from a charity shop. They're those kind of granny trousers but with the bottoms rolled up they look a bit better. The top is from Primark for 2 pounds and the blazer is also from Primark. I got this blazer years ago and I've never found another one like it, it just fits so owell and it's a lovely material.

Overall, I love this look, and I will be wearing this a lot more often. Marlene Dietrich is a fabulous fashion icon to take influence from and it has made me step a little out of my comfort zone.

Next time I will be focusing on the 1950's so check back for more!

Sam x

Plus Size OOTD: Retro Lily Allen

Hello all, today's post is from an outfit I wore during the heatwave. Unfortunately we have not been so lucky with the weather as of late. It looks like I might even have to dig out some tights soon! I don't know which I prefer: sodding wet tights or sweaty thigh chafing. I think you'll agree it's a difficult choice.

But for this outfit I went for the sweaty thigh chafing (is that too much info?). I didn't deliberately try to channel a retro Lily Allen look but I did end up doing it a little. When I say retro Lily, I mean prom dresses and trainers, we all remember that don't we? It was the early noughties, a time where we thought we could mix uber formal with downright trashy. I've inadvertently updated that look for a more modern touch by having the extremes less far apart.

This dress is from New Look a couple of years ago and it is a little short, but I love it and wear it quite often. It's okay if I wear shorts underneath it, which I do with every skirt or dress because I'm always accidentally flashing my arse. When it's this big it's hard not to!

The dress is such a flattering shape (skater style) and a nice fabric that I don't think I'll ever bring myself to get rid of it, even when it's threadbare.

The trainers I have had for years, in fact, they might have been my mum's that I stole. I'm not sure, but I bet my mum conveniently remembers and will remind me next time I talk to her. They're Dunlop velcro trainers (I can do laces, I'm just lazy) and I like them because, while they are trainers, they look more like tennis shoes I think. Maybe I'm not thinking of tennis shoes, feel free to let me know.

So that was my look for a sweltering day. Goodbye Sun.

Until next time...

Sam x

Plus Size OOTD: Tartan Heatwave

We're having a heatwave! Yes in the UK! It's not even raining!

I am already over the extreme hot weather though as I had my graduation ceremony last week and I was a sweaty mess in my cap and gown, but there will be a post all about that very soon.

So my house mate and I decided to explore Bristol a bit today, though as with everything I do, it went a bit wrong. We planned to go some of the museums and I wanted to show her the library too, only we got to the first museum and saw a sign saying that all the things we wanted to see that day were closed due to a strike. We had picked the only day that was happening to go on our jaunt, so we just walked (and got lost) around Bristol.

But anyway, back to the outfit, and I did make a bit of an effort to be a little cooler. I don't know if I succeeded but I liked how it turned out anyway.

The dress I'm wearing is one of two little black dresses that I have had for yonks but go back to all the time. This one was on sale in H&M for about 3 quid around 2 years ago. You can't see but it's got a low back so you can dress it up or down.

The shirt I'm wearing is one of my favourite items of clothing and it was from George at Asda for around 8-10 pounds. My shoes are also just some plain white pumps from Asda and they're really comfy,  but also really slidey.

I decided to have my hair down today and sweep it to the side with a flower clip that I got for 99p on eBay.

We had an awesome day and found a big mirrored ball and so we had to take selfies obviously.

Well, until next time :)

Sam x

Plus Size OOTD: I'm Not Cool

Do you all remember the film School of Rock? And the little Asian kid that plays piano? Well that's me when he thinks he's not cool enough to be in the band.

I've just moved to Bristol and I've been here for about 4 weeks now and I have found out that I am not cool enough to be here. I live near to the coolest street in Bristol and I seriously need to up my game in the cool stakes.

I'm just joking though, my mum says I'm cool and she always tells the truth. And to be honest I'm not bothered about seeming 'cool' because I'm totally happy with my ever changing style.

Excuse the frequency of the word 'cool'.

Aaaaanyway. Just to prove how 'rad' I am, this was the day I signed up for the library in the centre of Bristol and it was HOT! In fact I think this was the day that the heatwave started.

So we've already established that the hoodie was a bad idea because by the time I had walked 50 minutes to the library I was a hot mess. But that was 8 pounds from Primark and it's just my go to jacket. Everyone needs a basic black hoodie in their wardrobe.

My skirt is also from Primark for 4 pounds and I love it because it reminds me of the film Clueless. This t-shirt is one that my mum gave me because when I moved I packed away all of my t-shirts, but luckily she said I could keep it as it was only 2 pounds from Idon'tknowwhere. So thanks mum, it goes perfectly with this skirt!

My pumps, you've all seen before, are just basic ones from Primark but are so comfy, I don't think I'll ever throw them away (much to the disdain of my parents).

Lastly, I want to apologise for my lack of posts lately. With moving and graduating it's been busy and I haven't been very well. But like Take That, I'm back for good. Even though I can't remember when they last had a single out so maybe that's not the best example.

Anyway, 'til next time...

Sam x