Lydia, You Minx [Wax Poetic Clothing]

I have wanted one of Wax Poetic’s Lydia gowns for aaaages. At this point, I can’t even remember which colourway came first, I simply know that I completely fell for the sheer leopard print version at some point during the chaotic full throes of the pandemic. By the time I told myself I could justify buying it as a little treat it was sadly sold out in my size. I’ve asked a couple times since then whether the leopard would be restocked and was told it would be, but so far I haven’t heard any rumblings on whether that still holds true. And y’all, I am not a patient person. So much so that despite the fact that I cannot sew, several months back I began to toy with the idea that maybe I could make myself a sheer leopard gown of some (much simpler) description instead of waiting for that which may never be mine.

My journey in sewing has not much progressed since I made that decision in the New
Year—as in, I have sewn myself only an apron so far—so, you know, my impatience does occasionally run up against the unstoppable force of my laziness, leading to outcomes such as this: me, snagging myself a pre-order of the flocked leopard mesh Lydia gown as a gift from me to me for my birthday.

Well, my birthday is here, and so is my darling Lydia!

Plus size pinup Miss Amy May models the Black Leopard Flocked Mesh Lydia dress gown by Wax Poetic Clothing for a fit and size review

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Abstract Wrapping [Chi Chi London]

There are many ways the pandemic has changed my outlook on life and refreshed my sense of gratitude. One of the smaller, more insignificant ways it’s had an impact is the way in which it’s allowed me to reconnect with my natural curls and given me room to appreciate more casual ways of dressing. My love for 1950s silhouettes has not diminished even remotely, but it’s nice to allow oneself room in one’s head to have quiet, easy dress days rather than self-applying pressure that every chance to slay must be seized. Nah–now, and in future, I will cherish more casual days when I crave them, and dresses like this abstract wrap dress from Chi Chi London prove that being a little more casual does not mean being any less stylish.

Plus size pinup Miss Amy May models the Abstract Print Midi Wrap Day Dress by Chi Chi London for a fit and sizing review Continue reading

Wrapped in Style [Marie Zelie]

I love it when brands have a focus and a vision, thus it was a delight to be introduced to Marie Zélie. Their motto is ‘femininity wrapped in quality,’ and that ethos is reflected in every aspect of their line; they produce classic, feminine designs that can be worn season after season, shunning the wear-and-ditch trends of fast fashion, and their items are made to a high quality from natural fibres so that their pieces will last years while being kind to your skin. In the vintage loving community those qualities are praised and appreciated, obviously, so I was excited to try their Aida wrap dress. It certainly lives up to their aims!

Fit and size review of the Aida Emerald Green wrap dress gifted by Marie Zélie by plus size pinup Miss Amy May Continue reading

Velvet Wine [Joanie Clothing]

Ah yes, finally; it’s velvet season. While it’s getting cooler outside and the notion of wearing bright colours starts to feel more and more ridiculous as you open your curtains each morning to increasing dimness, the opportunity to reach for something luxurious and plush starts to feel a bit like a very small happy reprieve. Velvet is here to save us, darlings, and it’s looking damn good doing it.

Joanie Clothing Harley Velvet Wrap dress Cabernet plus size pinup 1940s Miss Amy May fit review size

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A Whole Lotta Leopard [Joanie Clothing]

One of the easiest things for a woman to wear is a wrap dress. The great thing about them is that they’re so well-loved and respected that they’ve never gone out of style, so it’s typically possible to find them on the high street and at your nearest mall as well as online. For me, they weren’t something I appreciated until I began to dress in vintage styles. Ironically, though, one of the things I love most about them is that unlike many of the swing dresses hanging in my wardrobe, I don’t feel like I have to style them up in a vintage fashion to wear them.

On days when I don’t have the motivation to get pinned up, when I need to get out of the house quickly, or when it wouldn’t be fully appropriate where I’m going to turn up in a 50s swing dress and floofy petticoat a-swingin’, a wrap dress is easy to throw on, comfortable to wear, and always makes me feel put together even when the effort sunk into that ‘putting together’ was minimal. They’re chic, they’re timeless, and thanks to this Lotta wrap dress from Joanie Clothing, they’re also totally sassy.

Joanie Clothing Lotta leopard print wrap dress plus size pinup Miss Amy May review

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Wrap It Up [Unique Vintage]

Unique Vintage Kelsie Wrap Dress

It’s not often I reach for anything other than a full-skirted 50s dress. Even all the beautiful gathered border print skirts I own get massively overlooked, because wearing a dress is just so much easier than pairing together separates. Dresses always come across as effort intensive and fancy to people who don’t often wear them, but those of us with a closet full of dresses know the secret truth: they are the laziest, easiest way to look put together with almost no effort. With my 50s style swing dresses, that just means zipping one up and tugging on a fluffy petticoat underneath. Continue reading

Delicate Daffodil [Trashy Diva]

I am typically all about big skirts, cinched waists and a glamorous 50s brush out, but occasionally I think it’s good for us all to try something different. When it comes to your style, stepping out of your comfort zone every once in a while can help you find new things you didn’t realise you might like, add disparate elements into your ensembles and generally shake things up a bit. Sometimes it can even give you an entirely new appreciation for your body or a previously overlooked aspect of it. Trashy Diva offered to send me their Jolene wrap dress from their new Deco Daffodil line, a dress more 40s than my usual 50s fare, so I happily took it as an opportunity to embrace a style I usually overlook.

Jolene Wrap Dress Deco Daffodil Trashy Diva Continue reading