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. 

Leopard Print Twist Front Dress - Simply Be

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...