Here’s what we found this month!

We feature helpful brands who we think do great stuff for women with ordinary bodies (cos you know that’s our passion). Quite often they are small bespoke or specialist services but sometimes they are big brands too! We just write about them because we want you to know about them.

If you are looking for a specialist retailer, you can also look under your body shape in our shopping mall…why not have a look?

February sees our focus shift to the fashion Spring/Summer season. When the new season comes around it’s always worth thinking about investment pieces that give a nod to the trends but have a classic appeal that will keep you stylish for many seasons to come. So for this month’s online recommendations we’re bringing you brands with investment quality pieces that understand dressing for realistically proportioned bodies…

Peter Hahn

 

The Peter Hahn Spring/Summer collection blends on-trend style with timeless classics, while displaying the seamless tailoring, beautifully detailed stichwork and delicate fabrics for which the brand is renowned for. With a focus on figure-flattery, the high quality garments can be found in natural fabrics such as fine Supima cotton, luxurious cashmere and shimmering silks.

This cardigan perfectly taps into this season’s Paisley trend and gives a classic shape an on-trend twist. The classic v-neck shape will compliment curves and a bigger bust. Team with a classic white shirt and jeans for a classic yet contemporary feel or mix with a printed or coloured skirt for a further on-trend spin.

Cardigan, £109.00, Sizes 14-30, www.peterhahn.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Anna Scholz

 

Anna Scholz is a woman who understands curves and we’re big fans of her work. You’ll see in our Spring/Summer trends report how her beautiful designs flatter curvy bodies while giving you a trend fix! Just like this gorgeous dress that sumptuously caresses curves while and the hot pink is straight out of this season’s bright colour palette.

Anna began designing because she found it difficult to find clothes she liked that fitted. Her beautiful designs embrace women from size 8-26 and imbue a strong sense of glamour featuring decorative details and strong colour palettes.

Crepe Double Layer Cowl Dress, £229.00, Sizes 8-26,

www.annascholz.com

 

 

 

 

Old Ladies’ Rebellion

 

Old Ladies’ Rebellion is a fashion label run by 25-year-old Fanny Karst, who launched her line after becoming anxious to convert her beloved grandmother, who doesn’t like clothes. She set out to revolutionize the stylish options available to women her grandmother’s age but we think her designs will give anyone an individual twist to their style no matter what their age or shape.

Dresses are made to order and designed specifically to give more mature fashion-forward shapes in a style that suits them. The hand-finished garments are of high quality and not cheap at £500-£600 a time but worth the investment for a beautifully crafted piece that is unique to you and your unique style. Contact Fanny at www.oldladiesrebellion.com

 

 

 

 

www.ilovejeans.com

In January there’s always a hankering for comfort clothes and what can give you more comfort and ease than your favourite pair or blues. But finding the right pair of jeans with a perfect fit is not actually the easiest of tasks! That’s where www.ilovejeans.com comes in…

If you’ve not visited before then this dedicated jeans site has a wealth of denim expertise and advice and provides consumers with independent advice on the brands and styles available and how to find those perfect fitting jeans.

They cover high-end as well as high-street denim but what we love most is that you can shop and get advice by your body shape. So whether you’re pear, hourglass, tall, apple, fuller or petite they’ll show you the right jeans for your shape. They do have, in particular, some great options for petites so no more having to get the length’s altered and losing the shape of the jean leg.

If you love jeans then www.ilovejeans.com is well worth a visit.

Toast

 

Speaking of comfort clothes, Toast is a brand we love for its effortless take on design, comfort and relaxed style with a hint of fashion flair. Perfect for channeling this season’s heritage trend, the autumn/winter collection is bursting with classic capes, coats and jackets as well as plenty of knitwear and tailored trousers. But this is classic with a twist – Toast does its own thing and you can find some great pieces for your own individual look.

www.toast.co.uk is well worth a visit, if only for their beautiful catalogue images which are shot in location in Lapland, Argentina and Sri Lanka. You’ll be inspired!

Marisota

 

We’ve recently re-stumbled across Marisota and were in for a pleasant surprise. As well as being able to shop by trend, their website contains a wealth of advice on how to flatter your shape, focussing on particular areas such as your bust, tummy and arms.

Marisota also has a number of ranges, specifically designed to enhance your shape. From their Magi-sculpt range to give you a smoother waistline and hips while pulling in your tummy and bum for a sleeker, more shapely figure; their WOW jeans range designed to flatten your tum and lift your bum and fit your waist with no gaping at the back to their Simply Voluptuous range that comes in 3 fitting sizes to flatter bigger busts. Visit www.marisota.co.uk to find out more…

Karen Gillam

As a petite woman herself, Karen Gillam started designing her own range of clothes four years ago after struggling to find the right styles and fit to suit her shape and size. Karen designs clothes to flatter ‘real women’, 5’3 and under and offers a range of clothes that all hit the right fashion, styling and fit factors to give you sophisticated and glamorous ageless style.

Karen understands that a woman doesn’t necessarily get taller, broader in the shoulders and longer in the arms as they increases in dress size. Having always strived to create the perfect pair of trousers Karen Gillam has recently launched her ‘Sarah Trouser’ which has a waistband on the waist to give the impression of a longer leg and a sleek leg fit.

Lanky Bird

 

On the other hand if you’re a taller lady then we’re recommending Lanky Bird to you this month. Founded by Ali Allinson in 2006, Lanky Bird offers long classic essentials with a focus on fit and yet all garments are designed with unique features to give your look an individual twist.

Lanky Bird understand that as a taller woman your legs and/or bodies are longer but also that your arm span is greater and  that shoulders are often broader.  Lanky Bird work with some of the best European Mills to ensure they source the best in both quality and design. Ali has a background in Mens tailoring which instilled in her the discipline of paying meticulous attention to detail and the garments are very well constructed and manufactured to show your shape off to its best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beige Plus

 

Beige Plus provides the ultimate retail therapy fix for women who are size sixteen and above. Leanda Walters started Beige with a small shop in 2002 after experiencing a limited offering and disappointing and uncomfortable shopping experiences as a size 20 woman herself.

There is a connection running through the pieces that Beige select to store – you’ll find easy, but functional tailoring (to give your curves definition), clothes for special occasions, weekend wear and cruise wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.6footfashion.com

6 Foot Fashion is an exciting new website that is a dedicated source of designer clothing and shoes for tall women (over 6 feet), with the aim of providing a one-stop-shop for your every fashion need. 6 Foot Fashion is dedicate to offering good fitting clothing and shoes by way of longer leg, arm and body lengths and larger shoe sizes.

From denim and daywear to hosiery and evening gowns, 6 Foot Fashion work with an array of renowned international designers and up and coming new talent. They work closely with suppliers creates to bring exclusive styles to the site which have been specifically altered in production in order to get a better fit.

From Somewhere

From somewhere is a creative sustainable fashion label whose collections are made with luxury designer pre-consumer waste such as proofs, swatches, production off-cuts and end of rolls. From Somewhere up-cycle this high-end fashion and textile surplus into beautiful clothes.

From somewhere have a shop on Portobello Road in London and you can also shop their garments online where you can really find something of high quality with a unique and individual twist. Something like this beautiful dress which would work well on pear shapes and also compliment curves or give you them if you’re slender.

 

Izzy Lane

Izzy lane is a cutting edge and unique ethical wool brand. Isobel Davies who is behind the brand is credited for her leading voice on animal welfare and the use of British Wool and the British Textile Industry. Not only does she create beautiful garments but she’s a sheep loving rescuer too!

Using the wool from Wensleydale and Shetland sheep her jumpers and cardigan cone in rich autumnal tones of purple, grape, emerald and ruby. She also has designed a range of checked nipped in jackets and matching maxi skirts which cleverly give the waist instant definition as well as looking elegant and sophisticated.

 

www.button-boutique.eu

We’re talking coats this month – see our new fashion trends page. The right coat makes everything look better and if you buy the best you can afford and the payback will be well worth it. Of course not everyone has the budget to do so think about replacing lesser quality trimmings, especially plastic buttons with more sophisticated ones such as decorative metal buttons which will give a more luxurious feel to coats and jacket.

And if it’s buttons that you’re after then look no further than Button Boutique. They’re based in Germany but ship all over the world and have the largest assortment of sewing buttons on the web with almost 7,000 different buttons to choose from! Whatever your style or preference you’ll find what you’re looking for in this button heaven!

www.mytights.com

If don’t know what to wear under your coat then start with a statement pair of tights and heels and you’ve got a great stand-out look all on its own! Voila!

For a great selection of tights, leggings and hold-ups then give www.mytights.com a click. They have hosiery suitable for every size, shape and occasion at a very good quality and great value. They have so many styles and colours to choose from you can have a new ‘coat look’ every day!

When it comes to tights, dark colours will slim and lengthen. If you want to go for colour then opt for berry tones, burgundy, mossy greens or charcoals. Heavily patterned or textured tights can also add bulk so opt for a pair like these Wolford Cheryl tights that are sheer and light and the pattern will actually cleverly draw a long lengthening line down your legs.

 Wolford Cheryl Tights, £33.00, Sizes S – L, www.mytights.com

www.daintyfeet.co.uk

You have the coat and now the tights and so just need some great shoes or boots to finish off a great coat-look! Take a look at September’s new fashion trends page for some shoes and boots inspiration. We gave some pointers if you have large or wide feet but if you’ve got small feet then take a look at Dainty Feet. They exclusively sell shoes in sizes 1-3 and have a whole range of fashionable styles to choose from.

These gorgeous brown leather and suede shoes will perfectly compliment a coat statement and add an individual twist to any look. Simply slip them on for a bit of ‘Cinderella Envy’ as others will be hoping they fit into them too!

Brown High Fronted Shoe
£50.00, Sizes 32-36, www.daintyfeet.co.uk