Aussie Curves Round Up!

I thought it would be time to do a bit of a round up of the looks I have loved most from each week on Aussie Curves.

Warning: This may be a picture heavy monster post, so maybe load the page, then make yourself a cuppa. Be ready to indulge in some of the most fabulous outfits that Australian Plus Size fashion has to offer!

Honestly, being a part of Aussie Curves has been a privilege and delight. To be part of a community of women in Australia who are embracing plus size fashion, inspiring each other, and sharing our wonderful fashion finds has been life-changing. A prolific Australian blogger Danimezza was the brainchild of the idea, deciding to create the blog link up in order to encourage a plus size community in Australia.

Over the years the Australian Fashion Industry had been woefully lacking in beautiful plus size clothing. Given that the national average size for women in Australia is size 16, it has puzzled me why retailers were unwilling to design clothing for the majority of Australian women. However, there seems to be a shift n the last few years. Retailers are introducing plus size ranges (Target - Moda, Best & Less - Lily & Lou, Big W - Avella to name a few) and there are some brilliant specialist shops that are making leaps and bounds in Australian plus size fashion (Autograph, City Chic, Virtu, TS 14+, Belle Curve, 17 Sundays).

Aussie Curves has also generated many articles in the media, that is catching onto the plus size revolution that is happening here. It is wonderful to see that some bloggers are finally getting the attention they deserve.

So, without much further ado - here are my favourite looks from each week for the first 12 weeks! ( The next 12 weeks will follow in a fortnight).

1. Boots

Olivia from Wait until Sunset - I LOVED the purple, Suede boots. Finding wide calf boots, that are coloured as well? Be still my beating heart!

2. Nails

These nails from Fashion Hayley are just awesome. While they may not be a style I would usually choose myself, I think they suit Hayley's kawaii Japanese culture style perfectly. It served as a reminder that nails can be an accessory too!

3. Leggings

There were many different looks that I really loved from this week. I am a firm believer that leggings are NOT pants. However, my fellow AC ladies certainly showed that there are many ways a plus sized lady can make a pair of leggings look flattering an fabulous. I was introduced to the world of printed leggings. I loved how this outfit was bold, bright and showed how awesome leggings can actually look!

4. Red

I think the colour red is much loved among women. It adds that awesome pop of colour to the most boring of outfits, and can be worn by all types of women. My favourite post from this week was from the witty Cherie. Cherie shows how women of all ages can look classy, fashionable and colourful!

5. Celebrity Copycat

I just loved this week. I actually learnt that copying looks from celebrities can be really versatile. You can actually really learn a lot about what works, what doesn't, and about being bold. For me I think Falala Mele really nailed it. She looked at a celebrity whose style inspired her, and used aspects of a look to fashion her own. The result was great.

6. Sparkle

Sparkles. What is it about things that sparkle that make a woman's heart flutter? I think sparkly things for most women are like blue is to a bower bird!

I loved this look from the brilliant Melissa of Suger coat it. There is so much to love about the look. Pencil skirt. Peplum top. Sequin Blazer. All on trend items, that really shows plus size women CAN look glamorous and fashionable.

7.  Tribal

Tribal was a week hat I personally struggled with a bit. I just couldn't put together an outfit I really liked. Luckily other ladies were able to offer better inspiration, such as the aptly named Jeanie of Inspired Wish. The skirt had wonderful colours and patterns, and the necklace was perfect. It was a reminder of how wonderful more earthy tones can look. 

8. Stripes

Caitlyn from Closet Confessions looked so edgy and cool in this outfit. The biker jacket is just to die for, and paired with the floaty midi skirt softened to look. I really loved this week because all of the women proved that stripes CAN be worn by plus size women. In fact, it is highly recommended! Nothing is off limits really, you just need to find the right cut/pattern!

9. Picnic

I must say, picnic week was the week that Nerida and I are most proud of to date. We loved our outfits, and our photos turned out wonderfully. However. I also loved the look above from Lisa of Life as we know it. It was fresh and colorful. I loved the colours, the floral print, and the great necklace. I actually really love Lisa's style, as many of her looks are ones that I feel I would wear myself.

10. Blue

The colour blue! I think it is a colour that can be a little bit overlooked, although there was a recent resurgence of the magnificent royal blue colour recently. As usual there was more than one favourite look from this week. For Nerida and I, I wore my favourite cocktail dress that is an amazing royal blue, while Nerida shared a tutorial. However this look from Ashley Rose was just wonderful. Ashley always looks classy and elegant. This skirt was so refreshing and the sequined clutch was so cool.

11.Knits

When I think of knits I often think of cardigans and shrugs. These are generally a staple wardrobe item for the curvy lady, as they are used to cover up the arms a bit. Although I am not so sure why we find our arms so offensive? I must say, since taking part in the challenges I have actually ditched the cardi on most occasions. I am embracing my own shape and not adding n extra layer just so I don't 'offend' someone with my flabby arms. To hell with it I say!

Anyway, I loved this look  from Claire of Owls. Teapots. Shoes Oh My! because it was something different. A clingy knitted dress that look amazing.

12. Breaking the rules

This week was a revelation! Curvy women are bombarded with a long list of fashion do's and don't on top of the usual list that all women are told. This week saw many of us challenging ourselves, and societal rules at the same time!

You may not get how Omega from Fashion Adjacent is 'breaking the rules' in this picture. You really must head over to her amazing blog and see how this outfit is so different from what we usually see from the wonderful Omega. I just love her blog because she dances to her own beat, proudly.

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If you are a curvy lady in Australia/ New Zealand who wants to experiment more with fashion, or just be  part of a brilliant community then head over to Aussie Curves. This is a wonderful community of women who are really breaking down barriers that society has built around plus sized women.

Best of all, revel in the wonderful variety of outfits that are presented each week and become inspired.

I know I have, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had :)