Vogue April 2012, Sienna Miller, Photos by Ryan McGinley, Dress by Rodarte
New years resolutions are pointless. Their only function is to make the inevitable breaking of the resolution mere moments later that much sweeter. For me it meant that as I lay on a pile of chocolate, smoking, swilling gin and cackling, I would know that not only was I sickeningly decadent, I was also 'not allowed' to do any of this. Oh delicious.
So this year I finally made a constructive resolution. A simple, not quite as sinful resolution as usual. That was simply, to buy Vogue every month. And low and behold, its the only resolution I haven't taken perverse pride in breaking within minutes.
It is armed with these many fashion encyclopedias that I decided to tackle a trend and drag it kicking and screaming into plus sizes. I've tried to take as many examples of different trends from as many plus size retailers as possible to show that there really is a selection out there. It's just a matter of looking... Really really hard. So I know that there is far too many pictures, and far too many sources, and I promise that won't happen every time I do this, but on this occasion I've gone out of my way to over stimulate. So bear with me.
It's Spring/Summer and everything floral is the tired expectation. Get a floaty thing, put on a flower thing, send it down a catwalk thing and voila! You're a fashion genius with your finger on the pulse of the season. But this year, there seemed to be so much MORE going on. Fashion designers seem to be coming from all over the place, using and layering so many different inspirations and styles that fashion magazines were flailing to box it into 'trends'. It seemed to be nearly April by the time any specific looks were actually being nailed down.
Vogue March 2012, Photos by Alasadair McLellan, Model Abbey Lee Kershaw, Outfit left Stella McCartney, Outfit right Chistopher Kane.
It was overwhelmingly clear that florals were not happening in a familiar way. They've gotten mixed in with the insane love of PRINT that is happening everywhere. Walking down the high street now is to be bombarded with violent, photo realistic prints from every conceivable influence and angle. It's like someone tie dyed my Gran's wardrobe and they're now selling it at BT2. It's like having paisley needles shot into my eyes as I glance into shop fronts. It's like, the best, most vibrant display I've ever had the privilege to be horribly intimidated by. And I love it.
And so floral is being done in the most aggressive way I've ever seen. It's as though roses developed the ability to give everyone the finger and then lunged onto a dress. It's fantastic and I want to have it on my body now, if not sooner please.
Vogue February 2012
Vogue May 2012
Vogue March 2012 Stella McCartney Advert
Just to shake things up a bit, here's some beauties from Elle.
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| Elle February 2012 Topshop Advert |
Elle February 2012 Christopher Kane
Elle February 2012 Mary Katrantzou
And this is, for me, the picture above represents the look perfectly.
It's garish, it's bonkers, the model looks confused and scared.
Spot on.
Photos by Áine Walker
Modeling/Styling/General Awkward Posing by Me
Blouse: Asos Curve
Cardigan: Evans
Skirt: Asos Curve (Still available here)
Stockings: Evans
Heels: New Look Wide Fit
And here is every conceivable example of where you can get this look and make it plus. I did end up leaving some out, because I was losing the will to live.
Here's the ones I love the most...
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| Garment Source here Tropical Print Faux Wrap Dress |
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| Garment Source Pinup Girl Clothing Pinup Couture Pencil Skirt in Red |
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Image Source Ashley Stewart
Web Exclusive: Strapless Knit Dress |
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| Picture Source Asos Curve Kimono With Floral Print And Fringing |
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| Picture Source Avenue Braided Print Maxi Dress |
Picture Source Avenue
Floral Boatneck Dress
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| Image Source Kiyonna Poppy Pencil Skirt |
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| Picture Source Style 369 Floral Print Prom Dress |
I've purposely put in about three million examples, to show that the options are out there for plus size ladies, it's just a matter of looking.
Picture source Anna Scholz
Jersey Gathered Shift Dress
Picture Source Asos Curve
Exclusive Summer Dress With Cut Out Waist
Picture Source Asos Curve
Exclusive Playsuit In Tropical Print
Picture Source Asos Curve
Strapless Dress In Floral Print
Picture Source here
Blazer In Floral Print
Picture Source here
Exclusive Dress In Blurred Floral
Picture Source Igigi
Plus Size Vintage Floral Dress
Picture Source Forever 21
Rose Bow Back Top
Picture Source Forever 21+
Watercolor Rose Cardigan
Picture Source Avenue
Pleat Waist Print Dress
Picture Source Avenue
Floral Ring Maxi Dress
Image Source Avenue
Floral Trim Sleeveless Dress
Picture Source Avenue
Picture Source Avenue
Floral Maxi Dress
Picture Source Pinup Girl Clothing
Evelyn Dress in Black and Floral Print
Picture Source Pinup Girl Clothing
Deadly Curves Skirt in Victorian Rose Print
Picture Source Ashley Stewart
Belted Maxi Dress
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Image Source Ms Fullfigured
Bubble hem Impressionist Dress
ah that christopher kane monstrosity just will not die! i saw a tutorial in company mag about how to make your own with some plastic flowers, a clear plastic rain coat and a staple gun. i wish i was making that up. i will be rushing out to get that pin up clothing pencil skirt though. i already know two tops that will go perfectly with it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I'm over the moon that you saw something you actually wanted in the heap above.
DeleteAnd I would also very much like to see this staple gun tutorial...
I adore your look! You've also made me look at florals differently. I, personally, loathe floral, especially the amount you see around this time of year in every single magazine/blog/catwalk. They're boring in my book, so I ignore them, but you've made me look again. Fashion should be open minded and I will have to remind myself that more often. I see now that florals can be done differently, not tea party, but hard and with a bit more attitude.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence about the asos skirt you've got on here, now I may have to take the plunge and put a "screw you" hard twist on florals myself.
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