Friday 26 August 2011

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?


I don't think my dress sense is all that flamboyant - sure, I get some people saying 'Sorry, you don't even OWN jeans?' in disbelief - but I do like an outfit that people talk about. Every time I've worn this colourful little number (which, granted, is only twice) I've had people coming up to me saying 'OOOOH! PINEAPPLES!'

Yes, people. Pineapples. I love this print so much, it makes me pretty shocked that I've never owned an edibly patterned dress before. It's by Ruby Rocks - I only discovered them recently and love all their playful prints. I'm in love with this spotty number (which I've posted about before!).

But I was actually sent this by Simply Be - yep, the plus size retailer. Being completely honest, I don't consider myself plus sized (I'm a 12-14), but when they offered to send me a dress, I was curious to see how it fit. And I liked the pineapples. Also, their clothes start at 14 - many of them actually at 12, so you really don't have to consider yourself plus size to shop there.

There are very few shops that do ranges from tiny sizes to larger sizes - sure, some of them do a plus size range, but it's always a lot smaller than the rest of the range. I actually think it's quite divisive, in both sides of the scale. I've known slightly larger girls who were scared to go into Topshop and Miss Selfridge, but similarly, I always feel a bit unwelcome in Evans, even though I like their jewellery and want to try out their range of wide-calf boots (and they just stare at me in Long Tall Sally, because I am neither long nor tall. But Sally is short for Sarah! One out of three ain't bad! Actually, it's only 33%, but who's counting?). And I wouldn't say that Simply Be is totally breaking down the borders between plus size clothing and non plus-size, but they're certainly trying to cater to people of various sizes by starting their clothes at a 12, and approaching non plus size bloggers. And trying is good.

Necklace - Topshop
Shoes - Marks & Spencer (old)

So how did the dress fit? Well, it was cut slightly more generously than I'm used to, but that was good! My top half actually felt decent - normally unheard of in a v-neck. And because of the belt, I could pull it tighter anyway, so it being a bit big didn't matter. Plus, pineapples.

I wore this to my niece's birthday celebrations, of which I was, as ever, Official Cake Maker. I couldn't resist trying out a giant cupcake - epic, no? My niece's reaction was amazing when she saw it - she was speechless. Totally worth it.


Plus, red shoes that I love, and will continue to wear, even though they're ridiculously uncomfortable for flats, and - AND - a pineapple necklace that I picked up in the Topshop sale just after I got this dress. Pineapples, you guys. They're the next big thing.

PS - Don't forget to enter my giveaway!
SHARE:

23 comments

  1. Love the dress and the shoes are so cute! x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the outfit and the necklace :)

    Tara

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. The dress looks fab and it's nice that there is enough boob room. I hate always having to wear a vest top under a dress or pinning it down x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dress is so pretty and I really want to make some cupcakes right now


    www.converseandchords.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great outfit! I love the dress xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hate to be pervy - but your boobs look fantastic!
    Cx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your pineapple dress is bloody amazing! Such a great print (: I wish my giant cupcake baking endeavours worked as well as yours; I attempted one with my best friend at Easter and it didn't cook in the middle! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. As beautiful as your dress looks (and I have to agree with the comments above - it works WONDERS with your bust), I'm afraid it's the cupcakes that steal the show! They look AMAZING! Do you bake often? Your lucky, lucky niece! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. As beautiful as your dress looks (and I have to agree with the comments above - it works WONDERS with your bust), I'm afraid it's the cupcakes that steal the show! They look AMAZING! Do you bake often? Your lucky, lucky niece! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. As beautiful as your dress looks (and I have to agree with the comments above - it works WONDERS with your bust), I'm afraid it's the cupcakes that steal the show! They look AMAZING! Do you bake often? Your lucky, lucky niece! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lovely outfit and cupcakes too :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Haha... I LOVE that you're wearing a pineapple necklace to go with your dress lol!

    And I'm the same, feel a bit like I get death stares when I walk into Evans (I'm a 10/12) even tho I might just wanna buy a handbag - eep! But then I also feel uncomfortable in Topshop for not being "cool" enough haha. Can't win!

    Dayner x | mozzypop.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. love that you matched your necklace to your dress! :D
    your shoes are amazing too. and i really want a giant cupcake!
    Rosie xo

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aww, your necklace matches your dress :) Super stuffs.
    Your dress suits you down to a T x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a cute dress and that giant cupcake looks amazing! x

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the dress, it is actually a dress I've had my eye on but I was a little afraid to wear a pineapple print - now I can see how wrong I was. This dress is super pretty, super flattering, and looks awesome with your red hair (I'm also a red haired gal).

    I know exactly what you mean by feeling uncomfortable in a shop where you feel like your size is not.. um welcomed? Which is generally just a personal perception than anything based in reality because no one really cares and if they do - pfft at them.

    You look fabulous as always.

    <3Honeysuckelle

    ReplyDelete
  17. You look GORGEOUS, the dress fits you perfectly! Love it paired with the red sandals x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorguz dress hun! And it looks lovely on you :) I don't know what it is about fruit prints, but I LOVE them on dresses!! Cherries, Pineapples, Apples...the list goes on!

    Love Aysh xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Who knew pineapples could look so good? ;) I adore the print and the necklace sets it off!
    Sophie
    x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fantastic dress. I love an unusual print. The colour looks great against your hair too.
    I agree that sizing can be divisive. My cousin's wife is a 'bigger girl' to use a horrible phrase, and she tears herself to pieces going shopping, talking about how she can't go in so many places. Can't everybody just shop everywhere?

    ReplyDelete

Comments make my day. :) I love you.

© Essbeevee | Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, St Albans, Tring food, lifestyle, & parenting blog. All rights reserved.
Blogger templates by pipdig