One of my favourite things about blogging is the messages I get from lovely readers. Sometimes they are messaging just to show their support, other times its with questions and queries, or just to tell me their story or how something I may have written has resonated them. I get quite a few messages from woman wanting to ask me about trying out the pin up style. And I never send a reply without including a glowing recommendation of Collectif's Dolores Doll dress. This is my perfect pin up girl starter dress, and I am about to tell you why...
Freddie Cardigan in Red - Collectif
Belt - Primark (old)
The red polka dot is my latest Dolores Doll acquisition. The eighth one in my collection, I still adore this style as much as I did when I bought my first one. This really is my ideal curvy girl pin up dress. Why, you ask? Well... For starters Dolores is made in stretch cotton, which means she beautifully hugs the boobies, and has that bit of extra room for the well endowed - and I must say the bust room on Dolores is very generous. The way the bust is constructed, with central gathers at the button detail and gently plunging V, also gives the appearance of a full bust. This in turn makes the waist look smaller. As someone who still isn't on the best terms with my tummy I like the way the skirt skims over it. I always wear my Dolores with a belt, usually a bit thicker that the one I am wearing with the red polka dot here.
Dolores has a full circle skirt, and is perfect for twirling and dancing. It also means there is more than enough room for a full petticoat underneath to give you that real fifties silhouette. This is a real fifties style, so has some length to the skirt. On me Dolores reaches well over my knee - and to be honest I wouldn't really want a dress any longer. I think this may be a bit lengthy on some women. Collectif have now begun to make a shorter variety, that sits above the knee (I have yet to try one out but I am really keen to), and if you are worried about the length you can always chop a bit off the bottom I guess. The sleeves are elasticated in a little shoulder puff which I think is a lovely feature (despite the fact that I usually wear my Dolores with a cardigan), but my only complaint with Dolores is that the elastic in these sleeves can be a little tight. I would like to see them made slightly bigger on the bigger sizes as plus size women, generally, tend to carry weight on their arms and so could do with the extra room. But this really is my only complaint.
My favourite thing about Dolores is just how versatile she is. A couple of my more conservative prints (navy polka dot, white with black polka dot and plain black) are regulars in my work wardrobe rotation. With a less booby boosting bra, tame jewelry and some work appropriate shoes it feels totally appropriate for the office. With a cluster of hair flowers and a petticoat underneath Dolores is pretty perfect pin up attire. I have worn my Dolores Dolls on holidays, on dates, on nights out and even on photoshoots. And it may sound silly, but actually I feel most myself when wearing one. Below are a load of pics of me wearing Dolores all over the place, just in case you didn't believe me!
My navy polka dot Dolores looks great with red. Wore this outfit to work a lot in the summer.
Me in my Gingham Dolores Doll, my outfit for Pinup Picnic in the Park
This was my very first Dolores Doll - a plain black version seemed like a sensible and easy to wear place to start. Now my fave LBD.
Black and white polka dots are classic and I love this picture for its Marilyn quality.
Not the best quality picture, but this Dolores is a lovely green and is actually linen, making her perfect for summer.
Me in my red Dolores for my wonderful shoot with Velvet D'amour earlier this year.
My white and black polka dot Dolores also made a cameo on my Velvet shoot.
So you have seen a whole lot of Dolores on me now, but I did say I thought this was the perfect pin up starter dress for all curvy plus size ladies... So without further ado, here are some other plus size babes rocking a Dolores.
Queen of plus size pinup, and the lady who introduced me to Dolores, George from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust is pin up perfection in this pineapple print beauty.
My gorgeous babe Caroline of Curvy Wordy in the yellow summer bouquet looking babesome!
One of my fave babes Sarah from Plus Size and Proud rocking a plain red Dolores at a photoshoot
My buxom babe Becky from Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat wearing her cherry print Dolores
Miss Mayah from Beautiful Youniverse is perfect in pale blue and cerise
Kellie from Big Fashionista absolutely killing in her cherry print Dolores Doll
Hannah of Fabulously Fat Fashion in this yellow floral delight of a Dolores (I may own this one too!)
Gorgeous Gabi, a regular Curves n Curls reader, in her cherry print Dolores at UK Plus Size Fashion Week
Sultry Sam of Fatty Boom Tatty is a Tikki dream in this tropical Dolores
Reader Cheri looking babely in her black and white polka dot Dolores.
Another of lovely Mayah from Beautiful Youniverse in this garden rose print Dolores (I really want this print in my collection too!)
So yes, if that hasn't convinced you of my deep and abiding love for Collectif's Dolores Doll dresses I don't know what will. As you can see she looks babely on all these lovely ladies and really is a wonderfully easy to wear and comfortable dress. She is easily my favourite style, and my go to piece for instant confidence.
So, do you have a Dolores? What's your favourite style of dress? Let me know below...
When you find a dress that looks THAT fab on you, you've got to buy it in every colour and pattern! You look STUNNING, girl! Love how you included other babes too! xx
ReplyDeleteAwww honey thanks so much!!
DeleteI absolutely love the Collectif Dolores dress and have been building up my collection - I now have four :) It's such a wonderful dress.
ReplyDeleteYay! Best dress ever!
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