Come the holidays we all need a few hard working party dresses in our arsenal. For instant chic vibes I love a little black dress, and the Lexia dress from Studio 8 is all kinds of fabulous. It's a proper showstopper of a dress, complete with flapper fringing and some sparkle.
For years I have longer for a proper fringed flapper dress. While most of the high street has relived the glorious twenties many times over, there is usually a real lack of plus size options. Especially when it comes to real show stopping pieces like this one. So I was overjoyed when I saw that Studio 8 had included some fantastic fringed options in their Christmas party collection.
Red Mock Croc Clutch - Charity Shop
This dress is definitely attention seeking. You only need a little shimmy to produce a wonderful effect. A few years ago this is definitely something I would have shied away from. I've always wanted to look well put together, but the idea of wearing loads of sequins, or dress covered in fringe would have just been daunting. Because I felt it made me take up more space. Ensure I was noticed. How crazy is that? I had totally swallowed that narrative that is sold to all women, and particularly women of size, that we need to take up as little room as possible. Well honey, that just ain't gonna happen!
I wore this dress for the first time to a press event, the evening before the Curve Fashion Festival this year. And I got SO many compliments. I guess because wearing something like this is still considered a bit daring. And, mainly, because it's the sort of thing that we still don't see enough of in plus size fashion. Real show stopping, wearable fabulousness. Here I opted to keep the styling simple (this dress, after all, is a statement in itself) just adding a red clutch (a wonderful charity shop find) and some delicious red velvet platforms from Evans.
And believe me this dress is joyfully wearable. I love it when dressy pieces are comfortable and easy to wear. With the Lexia I sized up to a size 24 (my usual size is a 22). This is because I do carry a lot of my weight around my middle, and I find that sometimes the Studio 8 cut isn't generous enough for my mid section. The 24 gave me a relaxed fit. I might have liked something slightly more figure hugging but as I am showing off some leg this still felt pretty sexy. I would love to see something similar with a more plunging v neck in the future!
The hemline sits above my knee (I'm 5'8) but the fringing finishes just over the knee - a little design detail I really like. The sleeves are mesh, so really breathable and cool - but give you that added coverage. The dress is jersey lined, and covered in fringe (duh!) accentuated by lines of black sequins that give a little bit of festive sparkle. All in all this dress is a dream to wear, but I feel like pictures just do not do this beauty justice! So here's a boomerang I posted on Instagram, of me doing a little shimmy...
The Lexia dress is my most wonderful little black dress. And I really feel like it's one of those statement pieces that I am going to get lots of wear out of in years to come - perfect for everything from the office Christmas party to New Year's Eve. What do you think? Have you got your festive frocks? Still looking? Let me know...
*This review is part of an ongoing collaboration with Studio 8*
When I was reading I was thinking 'That'd look amazing with a bit of a wiggle!' and there you are, giving it a shimmy. Lovely! And those shoes are banging too. xx
ReplyDeletex Love Leah x
Wiggle it, just a little bit! The shoes are fantastic. However I am so crap at heels that despite them being comfortable I walk like a less adorable bambi in them. Awks.
DeleteThat is just simply stunning! The dress fits and flatters so beautifully and those shoes are to die for xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks my lovely. Such a fun dress! (Read comment above re shoes lol)
DeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous! I love that GIF of you :D sheer joy! I think sizing up gives you a beautiful silhouette in this that really works with the style and gives the fringing that bit more movement <3
ReplyDeletewww.kittyramblesalot.com
Aw thanks lovely! You always leave the most lovely thoughtful comments xxx
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