One item of clothing I absolutely love but don’t wear that often is a peplum top. Why the disparity between my feelings and my actions? Because as a plus sized woman who carries a lot of weight on her tummy I generally feel self-conscious in clothing that displays it, and the average peplum top you find online or on the high street isn’t long enough to get the full tummy coverage that will leave me feeling my most confident. This peplum though? Oh, this bad Betty was deliberately made at the right length to soothe those of us with a little bit of belly bashfulness, and not only does it come in 6 colours, but it comes with a matching wiggle skirt too!

Top: Betty Peplum top gifted by Cerys’ Closet
Skirt: Bang Bang wiggle skirt gifted by Cerys’ Closet
(Discount code missamymay for 10% off all Cerys’ Closet line items)
Hat: Black Straw Headband Disc Hat previously gifted by Unique Vintage (A/L)
Brooch: Vintage
Belt: Collectif
Gloves: Wet Look Elbow Gloves by LoveHoney
Bag: Black vintage inspired boxbag previously gifted by Lola Von Rose
Shoes: Similar

Cerys’ Closet is a small family-run business based in Wales. I previously profiled the company in my review of their Vera Sweetheart dress, the debut piece in Cerys’ own-brand line which launched earlier this summer, and I highly encourage you to go check that post out, not only because the Vera dress is divine but also because the backstory I was able to share about Cerys and how she launched her business was so inspiring. Being able to support small businesses is my favourite thing that I get to do here on the blog, and I’m thrilled to be able to show you the next pieces from Cerys’ line.

These 2 pieces have been coined the Betty Bang Bang Combo, comprised rather literally of the Betty peplum top and the Bang Bang wiggle skirt. Both are made from a high quality thick stretch jersey, which is more forgiving and bump-skimming than the cheap thin jerseys generally found on the high street, and destined to last far longer through repeated wash and wear. An aim of Cerys’ line is to make people feel comfortable as well as beautiful, and it’s the seemingly small decisions like fabric choice that go a long way in achieving that goal. Cerys is also dedicated to supporting British businesses and is eco-conscious, so all the pieces in her line made in the UK.

The Betty peplum top, as I mentioned in my introduction, was designed specifically to give full tummy coverage, making it a reassuring way to rock figure-hugging bottoms for those of us who feel self-conscious showing our stomach outline. The half sleeves offer upper arm coverage and warmth, much welcomed at this time of year. The sweetheart neckline is flattering on all body types, and was designed to cover the bra straps of even the most supportive of full-busted bras. The top is double lined through the front for extra smoothing and support, and is a pull-on style, so there’ll be no twisting or writhing trying to get an awkward zipper done up when you’re all by yourself.

The Bang Bang skirt, apart from having an incredible name, is a perfect matching piece for Betty. It’s made from the same stretch fabric, so it’s supremely comfortable to wear all day long, with the stretch waistband ready to accommodate your every bend, flex and–let’s be real–bloat. That stretch also means it’s far easier to pick your size if, like me, your larger lower half means you generally give up on finding wiggle skirts that fit because stretch in that department is a necessity, not a luxury.

Both pieces come in 6 colours–black, red, navy, green, cobalt blue, and cadbury’s purple–so not only can you buy a matching set to create the illusion of a peplum wiggle dress, but you can also mix and match among the colours to create a dozen fun outfits. I bought the top in black the second I saw Cerys post a picture of it in her Instagram stories, and I know I’ll wear it all the time. The Betty top, for me personally, gives me the comfort of knowing I look reasonably put together even when I throw it on over jeans to dash out the door for an errand, and I think it will look great worn over some of my spaghetti strap summer dresses to add some extra warmth and a feel of seasonal appropriateness to them in these cooler months.

In regards to sizing, the generous fit in the fabric means you can likely size down by one or even two sizes. I typically wear a UK 18-20 depending on an item’s cut and fabric used but I’m wearing an 18 in both pieces. The top flat measures 38 inches in the waist with stretch to 46, while the bust flat measures 40 inches with stretch to 50. The peplum is 11 inches long. The waistband in the skirt flat measures 34 inches with stretch to 44 inches, while the hips flat measure 42 inches with stretch to 54 inches. The skirt is 27 inches long.

The Betty peplum top and the Bang Bang skirt come in UK sizes 8-22, and discount code missamymay will get you 10% off ANY Cerys’ Closet own brand pieces until October 31st.

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Disclaimer: The top and skirt featured in this review were gifted to me by Cerys’ Closet in exchange for an honest review. The hat and bag was previously gifted to me by Unique Vintage and Lola Von Rose respectively for past reviews. Items marked with (A/L) are Affiliate Links. All opinions expressed are truthful and my own, with no input from any of the companies listed or any other individuals. 

COVID-19 NOTE: These pictures were taken alone, safely in a secluded area with no other individuals present or passing by, thus abiding by the strict social distancing rules currently in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.