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Monday, September 14, 2015

Feeling Fierce: Simply Be Leopard Print Twist Front Dress



Leopard print is a fierce, fifties staple and I always adore it, but usually wear it in smaller quantities - a top, a cardigan, some ballet pumps. But when I saw this dress on Simply Be I was feeling brave and decided to order it. This dress felt like a brave departure for me on a few levels. 


Firstly, this is not my usual silhouette. Those who read my blog regularly will know I tend to go for full skirted fifties swing dresses with nipped in waists, or empire line dresses. I spent a lot of years doing my very utmost to hide my shape. To drape it in empire lines and shift dresses so that there was no discernible outline of my body on show. I am still a fan of what I consider to be flattering, but I am learning more and more to celebrate my shape. I am a big girl and there is a lot of me - no dress will hide that fact, and that's okay. But some dresses will show off my shape. This dress is pretty fitted, with a straight skirt. The twist to the front means that the ruched fabric is flattering across my tummy (although there is still more tummy on show than I am used to), and also gives the dress more shape at the waist. 



Black Suede Wedges - Primark




The fitted nature of the dress means that it really accentuates curves. With the dramatic print and contoured silhouette the dress already make quite a statement, so I am quite glad for the 3/4 sleeves and higher than usual neckline.  It makes this piece classy and sexy at the same time - a combination I love! The dress hits me just above the knee on my 5'8 frame. Here I am wearing it with heels, which just makes my legs look more shapely overall, and I am happy to go bare legged but this would look great with black tights too for the cooler months and for those less happy to get their pins out. 

I wore this on the first day of UK Plus Size Fashion Weekend, which felt like a safe place to experiment with a new look. Leaving the house I felt pretty nervous and a little exposed, but I turned heads a few times (in what I am sure was a good way!) on my way to the event, and loads of ladies there asked me where it was from. It was just the boost I needed as I tried a new look, and I know this is now a dress I am going to wear quite regularly.  




To be honest I actually love the shape of my body in this dress - which is exciting as I'm not really hiding anything in it. For me it's another step on the journey to body confidence and self acceptance. It can be really hard to accept your shape, and even in the world of plus size some shapes are more desirable than others - who doesn't love a good hour glass figure?! But I have a tummy, I am pretty apple shaped, and I am learning to own it a little more, instead of carrying it around like a (rather heavy, poorly concealed) secret.

The great news is that Simply Be have several dresses in this style (in Paisley, Black, Geo Print and Green Lace gimme gimme!) and I am hoping to get more of them in my wardrobe soon - I want this contoured sexiness on a regular basis! 

Do you wear form fitting dresses? Is it something you are working towards? Let me know... 

15 comments

  1. I am not normally an animal print kind of girl, however I absolutely love this dress! You look amazing in it, and it does great things for your figure! The whole design flatters you and makes your legs look so long too! Very tempted by this dress indeed

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    1. Oh Tanya! You're making me blush!! Thanks lovely :)

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  2. Animal prints loves you! and you hair! Looks ace!

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    1. Thanks honey :) I love me some animal print too!

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  3. Swit swoo! You look amazing, like the perfect combination of scary and ginger spice (I mean this in the most complimentary of ways!) and your curves look phenominal in this frock! xx

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    1. Hahaha, don't worry I totally take that as a compliment. Whoop! Thanks lady

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  4. oh its a pretty dress, I'm not a big print fan but love the style. I have a few Simplybe dresses and love the shop!

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    1. Thanks Ellie. They have it in plain black, a blue with embellished neckline, and in green lace if you are looking for a non printy version. See links at the end of the post.

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  5. LOVE how this dress looks with your red hair, I bought it as soon as it cropped up on the Simply Be website and I've since had 2 friends buy it after seeing it on me! I think it's gonna become a cult favourite ;)

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    1. Definitely! I just want to wear it everyday! I think I may have to have the green lace dress too...

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  6. You look effing awesome! Red hair and leopard print are made for each other. It was lovely to meet you the other day! xx

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    1. Aw you too Leah, was lovely to meet you - hopefully we will have more time to talk next time!
      And thanks - this dress is a keeper!

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  7. Such a vamp! I love it. But I love that you're really feeling yourself in it even more. Pushing out of your comfort zoe is hard, but often rewarding, and this instance it absoutely paid off because you look amazing.

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    1. Thank you ruby! Sometimes stuff like that is totally terrifying but like you say, worth the pay off. Gotta keep pushing those boundaries :)

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  8. These are some great tools that i definitely use for SO work. This is a great list to use in the future..
    Wedding Dresses Canada

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