Aussie Curves - Stripes

Stripes have always been one of those patterns that were considered a 'No No' for a plus size woman. Especially horizontal ones!Yet, this year we are seeing them EVERYWHERE. What's more, they are proving to be a wonderful, flattering addition to a wardrobe.

Until a few weeks ago we owned only a few striped items between us. Currently we seem to be having a stripe love affair. All of a sudden we are seeing beautiful flattering pieces that feature the stripe. What we have also learnt is that they are so versatile. Black and white stripe can be teamed with a block colour. Navy blue or bright red add a nautical twist. Stripes can also be mixed with other prints; Stripes and polka dots, Stripes and floral print. You will be surprised how well they work, just experiment a little.

This is our take on stripes!

Sister Apple (Nerida)

Top - Avella Big W

Skirt - Moda Target

Necklace - Equip

This skirt was actually a bargain find, on sale for $20 at Target. The maxi skirt lengthens Nerida, making her look much taller. She kept the top plain but colourful. This is flattering for her 'apple' shape, as the stripes on the bottom half draw attention to where she is slimmer.



The necklace was part of a current promotion where you can get any 3 sale items for $10 from equip.

It just adds a bit more interest and sparkle to the look. The top is a new wardrobe staple for Nerida as she finds them so comfortable. She wore the same top in pink to the markets the other week. They are soft, have sleeves that cover the arms, and are long enough that the go past the tummy, but can also be gathered at bit.

I went for stripes on top. I have been on the hunt for a black and white stripe skirt. So far none of them have been very flattering on me. I DID find some fabric at Vinnies though, so I will share with you the end product when that gets made.

Sister Pear (Janna)



 Top - Estelle Big W

Pants - Avella Big W

Shoes - Payless

Bracelet - Millers

Necklace - Big W

Earrings - (Gifted by my MIL)

I received this top for my birthday 2 weeks ago and have already worn it about 5 times. I am finding it the PERFECT casual top. The stripes are surprisingly slimming and actually disguise my belly area.  I especially love the band of colour at the top that just breaks up the stripes a bit.

The pants are the same ones that I have in black and have worn a few times here and here. I honestly can not rave about these pants enough! They are just soooo comfy, they hold me in and don't fall down. I am very much considering buying one in every colour ( I think they are in khaki, denim and pink). Would that be a bit excessive?



Expect to see many more outfits on the blog featuring stripes this spring/summer.

Meanwhile, make sure you check out what the other fabulous Aussie Curves ladies are wearing this week:

Day at the markets

Our local shopping centre has started hosting lots of different markets on the weekends. We both love markets of any kind. It is always lovely to browse the wares and see what is on offer. We oohh and ahh over some of the many talented creations that people create. Not to mention the yummy market food that is often on offer.

One weekend we had an improptu family gathering at the market. Sister Apple and I met up with our Parents, Grandmother, my Husband and my little Girl to check  out a new Organic produce and farmers market. There wasn't as many stores as we expected, but it was still a nice stroll around. We happily enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich, and each others company.

Here's what we wore. Could it get any more 'Chalk and Cheese'? (A bit like our personalities I guess!)

Sister Apple            Sister Pear

Cardigan - SES           Top - Big W

Top- Big W        Jeans - Autograph

Skirt - Autograph       Shoes - Diana Ferrari

Shoes - Ruby      Jewellry - Diva

 Sister Apple went for the in season bright colours of royal blue and hot pink. This outfit looked really great in person with the colours really 'popping'. So great in fact, that a lady at the market complimented her. It is always flattering to be told that you look nice in something. Even better when it is a complete stranger, who has taken the time to tell you that they think you look lovely!

The pink top is currently at Big W in their Avella range. Were both loving that a lot of tops these season are not cut as straight up and down as usual. This top is a little wider in the waist and hips than the bust. This means it fits across the top, but allows for our wider hips and tummies.

We both agreed that it maybe needed a chunky necklace add a bit more wow factor. The hunt will be on for some colourful chunky necklaces this season.

I wore more muted colours of army green and light pink. I love these colours together, and i think adding the pink and gold to the army green make a potentially drab colour into something a bit more special.

The top had some sheer sleeves that fall just below the elbow. It is also long, flowing down to just past my hips. I find that being a pear shape longer tops have to fit just right. If is too baggy around the waist and hips it can tend to make them look larger. This top is a perfect fit as it fits in the bodice, and just skims over my hips.

My jeans are the elastic band type that more shops are bringing out now. I honestly don't know if I can ever go back to jeans with zippers again. This type are just so much more comfortable. Plus you don;t get the added bulge and buckling that zippers sometimes give. One downside to this pair is that I had them taken up so they wouldn't be too long with flats, but then they seemed to shrink in length. Now they are too short. No problem though, I just roll them up into cropped jeans!

So tell us, do you like to go to markets? Do you have a favourite one?

Aussie Curves - Tribal

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We are now onto the 7th Aussie Curves challenge. Sadly Sister Apple and I had to sit out last week. I was heading into my third week of the 'Cold from Hell', while Sister Apple was supporting a good friend through the loss of a parent. Needless to say, neither one of us were feeling very 'sparkly'. Which is a pity as I was planning on wearing a dress I wore to a recent wedding. I had planned the outfit on Polyvore and was delighted when I made inspiration come to life.

This week's theme is tribal. To me when I think tribal I think earthy tones. Brown, black, tan, with textures such as stone, feathers, wood. I also think animal print. We did a bit of research and discovered that while tribal certainly does use the above, it can also be a bit more colourful. Many tribal cultures embrace more colourful tines such as turquoise, amber and coral.

In our looks we offer up our take on both of those variations. Whenever we set out to choose an outfit we go through our wardrobes. For us, we don't have the budget to go out and buy additional items to make a look.  It is actually really exciting to see how many different looks you can create using items you already own. We have also both been inspired by the other entries to reconsider how we wear different pieces. More than a few times we have seen a piece of clothing similar (or even the same) to something we already own, but being used in a different manner.

Sister Apple

Cardigan - Tightrope

Top - Autograph

Leggings- Target

Shoes- Target

Bracelet - Necklace wrapped around wrist. Unknown

Sister Pear

Cardigan - Target

Tunic - BeMe

Pants - Big W (also seen here)

Shoes - Expression

 Jewellry - Neclace gifted from Hawaii, Bangles from Diva/ Lovisa

Sister Apple went for the animal print look. This top is really flattering, it is flowy and not too long. It also has gold buttons on it which just seems to lift it out of the 'ordinary' into something more special.

A lot of Sister Apple's jewellery seemed to be lost due to a recent move, so initially she didn't have any jewellry to add to the look. I found an old necklace that we wrapped around her wrist. Hey presto!

For my look I found a tunic that I was given secondhand. It has sat in my wardrobe as I haven't been sure how to wear it, and I never seem to like the way it fits. However, the pattern reminded me of tribal print, and the colours were bright.

I wore my tunic with black crop jeans and some heels. I added a shell necklace and some wooden and gold bangles to accessorise it.

Truthfully I still wasn't 'feeling' this outfit. I don't think the tunic was very flattering  for me in person. It just seemed to pull across the bust, and poke out across my belly. I think that's why I look less than enthused about the outfit. That and I was still battling my cold. The tunic is now destined to be sold via ebay. I do like the look of the gladiator heels with the crop pants so I will wear that again. Really, that is the beauty of doing this challenge. Even if you decide a 'look' doesn't work for you, through experimenting you might still find something you DO love!

Make sure you check out what the other Aussie Curves bloggers are doing with 'Tribal' this week!