I remember reading in a magazine when I was younger that wearing stripes is not flattering and you should avoid them. Well that’s a myth. And to prove that, I’ve gone with stripes on stripes! Oh yes to those of you haters of stripes please close your eyes as I’ve dared and worn a striped top with a striped skirt. Oh no, call the fashion police I’ve broken a rule! Well rules are there to be broken right. Well some rules perhaps.

I actually don’t own anything that has vertical stripes so I can’t dispel the myth that vertical stripes make you look taller. Although I gladly welcome anything that makes me look taller without having to wear heels. But horizontal stripes, well they can be flattering so don’t avoid them.

With this outfit I’ve gone with the good old belt bringing the two pieces together. As i’ve said before belts really can make your outfit pop. So don those stripes, grab that belt and let’s go!

What do you do when you haven’t shaved your legs? You wear pants! Only kidding, well partially kidding. You can wear pants anytime you want and when better than a cold winter’s day.

These wet look jeans I picked up casually on a sale rack whilst I was doing some impulse buying when I had a few hours to kill waiting for a plane. But what a good purchase they were! I like the edgy rocker look they bring and I feel like I need to go to a rock concert or get on a motor bike with some hunky man wearing a leather jacket. Okay Stanzie get your head out of the clouds.

I know some of you are hesitant about wearing anything that could possibly resemble a leather look let alone a sleek wet look. Sure they may show some lumps and bumps but who cares. Nobody is perfect and there are no rules to fashion. Okay maybe some rules, or suggestions per say but ultimately, if you see something you like and you can find it in your size, then try it on and if you like it, buy it! Wear the jeans with a nice jacket or blouse or even one of those printed t-shirts and embrace your inner rock chick. Your age doesn’t matter, just enjoy!

Jeans from City Chic

Jacket from City Chic

Sweater from Torrid

Boots from DKNY

Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean we can’t wear dresses. I’m all for track pants. I embrace track pants and hoodies. If I could wear them to work I probably would. But I don’t. You see, I do love to dress up too. I love to put on make up, do my hair and spend a good ten minutes thinking about what I’m going to wear. Okay I don’t enjoy the thinking and wondering part that much because at times I’ve missed my train because of this. I have also nearly missed my train because it took me forever to put on a pair of pantyhose. (Damn you winter!) So if I can, I avoid panty hose. However on a side note I must say they do make your legs look good when wearing dresses and skirts.

Speaking of dresses, sweater dresses are a must for winter. They keep you warm whilst you look fabulous. I have a bunch of them and I love all of them.

This one in particular I found on sale and I don’t think they have anymore left. (sorry gals) But I just had to talk about how great it fits and what a great find I found. The zipper that goes all the way down the front, lovely isn’t it. It’s a trick zipper though, it doesn’t actually open the dress as there’s material underneath it. The dress is body hugging, soft and warm…as a sweater dress should be.

Now I call this a great find because I bought it online whilst summer was beginning overseas, which means I got it on sale. Oh yes, I do like a sale. So for us Aussies I do recommend scrolling through websites and finding sale items of winter clothing when the other side of the world is preparing for summer, and vice versa.

I’m planning on putting up more pictures of the sweater dresses I have on my Instagram account over the course of winter. So I do recommend you grab yourself a sweater dress and enjoy being trendy over winter.

Dress: Fashion to Figure

Shoes: Guess

Here is another dress that I adore. So much so, that I have one in orange and one in turquoise. My friend had to hold me back from buying one in every colour. The colours are vibrant and I must say there’s a colour choice for everybody’s taste.

This dress is super comfortable and made from stretch fabric to accommodate any curves. The three quarter sleeves are perfect for days when its not too hot and not too cold. The length is up to the knee, which of course is my favourite length.

It definitely is an everyday dress. You could put a nice blazer over it with some heels and head to work or you could dress it down with some sandals for a casual look. It’s a perfect dress for when you don’t know what to wear because it fits in with every occasion.

I decided to add a belt to accentuate my waist and a pair of cheetah print platforms for a fiery look! Ladies let me tell you, belts are your friend. Not the kind you wear on jeans through belt loops. No forget about those ones. I’m talking about waist belts. You can find some nice ones that have stretch in them and don’t feel tight. They add character to your dresses and if you change up your belts it will feel like you’re wearing a new outfit all the time. Who doesn’t want to be wearing a new outfit everyday? I get you ladies, most of us would love that, but we have bills to pay. So use what you have and don’t always wear the same belt or accessories with the same dresses. Mix it up, try out new colour combinations and you will feel like you just went shopping and bought yourself a new outfit!

Dress: Fashion to Figure

Belt: City Chic

This crop top is so cute. I love the pattern and the mesh fabric. It is also quite versatile and can be worn over any tank top or even just with your bra underneath. Yep go ahead, be daring, why not?! Show them what you’re made of! However, if you’re a little shy like moi, wear it over a white tank top or better, a bright coloured tank top for a nice bright effect.

This mesh top would also look great to throw over a swim suit whilst you stop at the bar to grab a drink before you head to your fancy pool party. Not into pool parties, wear this baby as you go get your fish and chips during lunch whilst you’re baking away at the beach. Because you know, fashion is important no matter where you are. Believe me, you’ll turn some heads.

In my photos I have paired this crop top with this royal blue skirt. At first glance you may think it’s the beautiful blue that makes this skirt. But no. Turn yourself around and see that zipper that goes all the way up from the hem to the waist. Yes that zipper is everything on this skirt. This skirt can go from work skirt to ‘let’s go for drinks’ skirt in a flash. And best of all, not expensive at all. That’s why I bought one in green too!

Mesh Crop Top: Fashion to Figure

Skirt: Rainbow Shops

I’m pretty sure a lot of you, me included, have hesitated to wear white. Especially an all white and a fitted style. I feel like I was always told to not wear white as a bigger girl as it is not flattering and it would only point out my lumps and bumps, unlike wearing black which is supposed to camouflage those areas. Well this isn’t so. I believe it’s more about the style of the outfit and how you wear it rather than the colour of the garment.

Whilst I was in the U.S I went to the All White Cruise for Full Figured Fashion Week in New York City. The women on this boat looked amazing, fierce and full of confidence. There were so many white dresses and so many different body shapes, and yet they all looked incredible wearing white.

This is the dress I initially intended to wear however last minute changed my mind as I had a feeling somebody else would be wearing it. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be super hot as it was summer in NYC and I sweat so very easily… story of my life!

I bought this dress online and had it waiting for me for when I arrived. I was scared that the fit might not work for me so luckily I had a back up outfit. But when I tried it on I was really happy that I chose the right size as it fit!

I’ve noticed a lot of tops at the moment have the tie front style and this dress has it all the way from the top to the bottom. This is what caught my eye. I love the tie up look. I like the long sleeves as it allows the dress to have a classy look yet sexy look.

Now the only concern I will have is keeping it white. I’m not saying that every time I eat I manage to splash food on my clothing, no, I’m not saying that I sit wherever and don’t look before I sit down, no. I’m saying that I may possibly need to be a little more careful than usual. Yeah I can manage that!

Oh and yes, there was a girl on the cruise that rocked this dress and she looked great!

Dress – Fashion to Figure

Clutch – Colette by Colette Hayman

Shoes – Novo Shoes

More like body con delight. Those of you that follow my Instagram page would know that I love body con dresses. What’s not to love about them? They show off your curves and don’t make you look frumpy. I believe one of the biggest mistakes that plus women do is to wear larger clothing with no shape that hide all of their curves. This is not flattering at all. Yes a nice flowy dress in the right style can look great, but I’m talking about the standard baggy t-shirts and baggy capri pants. No ladies, this does nothing for you!

I know some of you may be afraid to wear something tight due to the fear of negative feedback from people and probably for the simple fact that you are afraid to show your body. Don’t be. Trust me when I say, you will receive compliments. Not all body shapes are alike so dress up the one you have.

Speaking of dressing up, this dress is a fantastic dress to wear on a date or a night out. Add heels, boots or even flats and you’re ready to go! I decided to go with nude this time, but I can totally see myself wearing my black boots for that edgy winter look. Yes another online purchase and a great one. Come on ladies, pull out your shapewear and embrace body cons!

Dress – Rebdolls

Oh how I miss you summer. I don’t care that my makeup melted everyday and the only way I could put it on was to have the fan in my face. I don’t care that I tossed and turned all night because you were too afraid to blow some cool wind. I don’t care that you didn’t warn me that I was turning red instead of brown whilst enjoying the glorious sunlight. I want you back. You have more positive characteristics than negative ones, so I’m willing to wait. However long it takes, I know you’ll be back. You just can’t resist me.

In the mean time I am going to wear bright colours to remind me that you are not far.

Let’s talk about this bright magenta jungle skirt. Is it not fabulous? The colours remind me of a yummy sorbet frozen dessert. I am picturing myself eating sorbet and walking through the jungle. It’s a lovely sunny day and the animals are calm, there’s a breeze and not a person in sight.

Now I know you’re saying, why are you wearing such a fabulous skirt in the jungle where nobody can see? Because my fashion is for me, it makes me happy, and as long as I can be comfortable and wear something I love, I’m happy. Oh and of course I’ll take a pic 😉

The skirt is from this amazing store called Fashion to Figure. I spent up a storm in that store whilst I was there. Unfortunately they don’t deliver to Australia but I’m hoping soon enough they may change that policy. (fingers crossed!)

“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire ‘cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar”…. Whoops sorry I got a little carried away there channeling my inner Katy Perry.

I do say though, I’m loving this tiger print skirt. The fabric is a simple cotton/spandex and it’s so soft and comfortable. The elastic waist means it’s very easy to put on and also allows room for dessert after dinner. Because if you’re anything like me, you enjoy your dessert and we don’t need our clothing restricting us do we?!

I’ve chosen to match my skirt with a simple long sleeved top in black and black shoes, giving it a little bit of a dressy look, something you can wear to a nice dinner. But if you wanted to wear it in the day then a pair of flats or even wedges would look really great with a nice simple tank top. Be daring, why not, maybe even add sequence!

As it’s cold here in Sydney I think the tiger print looks fabulous in winter. I don’t know if it’s the warmth of the colour or the thought of a nice furry animal hugging you, but it does stand out. Feel free to pair it with some black tights and a nice black jacket. I myself tend to layer less as I really do not enjoy having to take off so many layers when going to the bathroom. You get me girls don’t you!

For those of you basking in the glorious sun, tiger print looks fabulous at any time of the year. So don’t be afraid to let your roaring side out and turn up the heat no mater where you are in the world!  Roar!

Skirt: Eye of the Tiger Plus Skirt – Forever 21+

Top: Jeanswest

Shoes: Guess

Clutch: Mimco