Aussie Curves - Military

Military? What the heck?

That was my first thought when I saw military on the list. I was stumped. I tried to think of what I could wear. Cargo pants and I are not friends. They do nothing for my already wide thighs.

Military jacket? Years ago I owned the most DIVINE military style coat. It was a full length, latte colour, with a high neck and double breasted brass buttons. Sadly, I put on weight and can no longer squeeze my arms into it. My mother gleefully claimed it, and I must confess it looks better on her than it ever did on me. She loves it because during winter she can pop it on over anything she is wearing and pop into the shops and look chic and stylish.

I do however love the colour 'army green'. As a matter of fact, I refer to my eye colour as being 'army green'. It is the closest colour that matches the shade of green in my eyes.

Top - Avella by Big W

Skirt - Target

Boots - Williams

Hat - Sportsgirl

Necklace & Bracelet - Lovisa

After some thought I came up with this look. I think that is what is so exciting about Aussie curves challenges. They make you rethink fashion, and put together different looks. I always try to shop my wardrobe, and have never gone out and purchased anything other than accessories to fit in with a theme. It may help that I have a huge wardrobe, which no matter how often I downsize still seems to be bursting at the seams.

For this week's look I used my top as the starting point. I was going to pair it with skinny leg jeans, however it was a sunny day and I was going to wear the outfit while grocery shopping. I swapped the jeans for a denim skirt, popped on some boots, a military style cap and some some accessories. I actually really liked how the whole look came together and think it has a definite military feel to it.

Do you have a piece of clothing that you adored, but can no loner wear? What was it and why did you love it?

Be sure to check out what the other AC ladies are wearing this week!

Aussie Curves - Break the rules!

When I thought of this week's theme I was at first thinking of playing it safe. I was going to break fashion rules such as mixing dots and stripes, or florals  with florals etc. However I started to realise that I have many fashion rules of my own. Restrictions that I place on myself because I am a 'fat girl'.

Generally I follow 'rules' for my shape. After all  that is why my Sister and I chose to refer to ourselves as sister Apple and Sister Pear. There are 'rules' you can follow to flatter your shape. Play up the positives and disguise the negatives. I know within the plus size fashion world there is a movement to 'throw away' these rules. Wear what makes your heart sing. I love this idea. I think it is great to see plus size women who are embracing themselves and having some self love and confidence. However, I am still happy to also wear what makes me feel good, and much of what makes me feel good does tend to follow the fashion do's and don'ts for my pear shape.

This is the 12th week of Aussie Curves. It has been wonderful to be part of a community of plus sized women who are celebrating their curves and sharing their own fashion. So, this week I decided to be bold and break some of these rules I follow. I even challenged myself to go out while wearing my outfit.

Two rules I am quite stringent about are :

• Never wear a hemline above my knees 
• Never year a sleeveless top unless wearing a cardigan

Top: Cable & Gauge

Skirt: Autograph (last season)

Belt: ASOS Curve

Shoes: Rivers

Earrings & Bangles : Mix of Diva & Equip

I dug out a denim skirt that I do wear. I honestly don't remember it being as short when I bought it, however it seems to be shorter than what i usually wear. I wore it a lot through Winter with leggings. I often pull the 

skirt down so it sits just on my knees and keep it there with a belt tied firmly in place. This time I let it sit around my waist and let that hemline sit above my knees.

Finding a top was a greater challenge. I didn't want to wear a top with spaghetti straps, yet i really don;t seem to own tops that don;t at least have a capped sleeve or are spaghetti straps. I then saw my lovely floral top. When I put it on it felt right. It was still very flattering with all the gathering at the bust, the asymmetrical hem and the soft gathering. I actually decided the it had a bit of a peplum feel to it. I popped on a new pair of wedge heels ( I so love them, so watch out for a post this week just about my recent shoe obsession!!)

I actually felt really lovely in this outfit. My Husband agreed that I looked great, although he did warm me not to do too much bending over in the skirt! Ha! He is not used to me wearing anything above my knees either!

When I cast a critical eye over my photos I would say that I really don;t know why I cover my arms so much. Yes, they are wide, but they are also smooth and blemish free. You can't really see the silvery stretch marks on the underside. I suspect I may be more daring this summer and not always wear a cardigan over my tops! 

What are your fashion rules? Why don;t you try breaking them sometimes? You may be surprised and quite like it!

While your at it, check out these other rule breakers!

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?