Tuesday 13 May 2014

The Plus Size PVC Skirt

In my teens (late 90's) I had the most awesome wardrobe (kinda wish I had photographic evidence of every single outfit). By that point my Mum was almost letting me wear what I wanted (the Scary Spice hot pants/long coat combo thing was sheepishly returned to the shop however).  There wasn't much that was off-limits; bright prints, all black or fluffy and pastel, whatever I felt like that day really. It was a standing joke at one point that if it wasn't leopard print, furry or PVC, I wouldn't wear it! So it's no surprise I've been feeling nostalgic with all the lovely pastel colours this season and especially when it comes to patent skirts! ASOS Unicorn tshirt and pvc pencil skirt
Topshop started it last year with their soft pink PVC, pencil skirt and I can't tell you the amount of times it found it's way into my online basket. I was obsessed with it. It never reached my wardrobe though, because I'm a plus-size girl and a slim fitting Topshop 16 was unlikely to reach beyond my knees! Ever since then, I've searched high and low for a plus-size version and it's not been easy. It seemed the only places to do bigger sizes were those where the skirts had laced sides and probably came with a whip if you catch my drift! I wanted a soft pastel shade (not black) and was looking for something I could wear every day and 'dress down' with t-shirts and cardi's. The aim was not to look like an extra from Pretty Woman. Other high street shops were awash with suitable skirts by this point, in a plethora of pretty pastels, great prices, but usually stopping at a size 14 or so. Then a couple of months ago, I found a possibility on ASOS £38 (above and below). It was a little less pink and more nude than I'd have liked, but the shape was there and it was as close as I'd seen. ASOS pvc pencil skirt zip ASOS Unicorn tshirt and pvc pencil skirt close up ASOS Unicorn tshirt Unfortunately it wasn't available in the Curve section, but I hoped the regular size 18 would fit. I decided to go completely tonal and order this nude unicorn print t-shirt £14 too (fyi I find a 16 fits me best in this)! The skirt does fit, but I've only tried it on quickly and rolled it away until I start wearing clothes again! It's not too tight when standing, but as there's little 'give', I'm not sure how comfortable I'll feel sitting in it (not helped by the fact I've put on weight with being inactive these past 4 months). Typical then, that some time later I find exactly what I'm looking for on Simply Be, patent pencil skirt £45. It looks to be exactly the shade of pink I wanted and in sizes 12-32. I'm sure to find a better fit than the one I have. It's got an elasticated waist, which I'm a little sceptical about. PVC is a fabric that lends itself to solid structure and isn't really fluid enough for a design like this, but I can see why they thought it a good idea.  The slightly gathered waist might not look ideal, but I'm sure it will be more comfortable and actually probably fit better than a more structured waistband. I'm not thrilled with the tops they've styled it with on the site, but I'd probably want to conceal that waistband too.  I'm just so thrilled that eventually a plus size retailer has taken on the mighty PVC!Simply Be pink pvc skirt
It then got me looking at the rest of this style 'story', which is called Vanity Fair and it's really got some lovely items in it. Simply Be Vanity Fair
There's dresses in bold florals with lots of colour, which is always pleasant to see.  Below from top, floral dress with contrast waistband (pink, not orange like my promo pic below) £55, floral scuba prom dress £60 and pink jacquard prom dress £60.  All of these would fit well in my wardrobe.     Simply Be floral dress Simply Be floral scuba dress Simply Be jacquard prom dress
Another gorgeous skirt on the site is this lip print midi £25.  I'm a big fan of fun and funky prints on plus-size clothing.     Simply Be lip print midi skirt
It's been years since I wore a leather jacket, but this one caught my eye.  Although it's not real leather, it looks buttery soft and that lovely pastel shade is so pretty.  Pink biker jacket £70.     Simply Be pink biker jacket
Not in this collection, but worth a mention is this jumpsuit, which has just landed on the site.  When you see the print up close, it's got an almost Monet like feel, with the brushstrokes. Jersey jumpsuit £45.    
 Simply Be floral jumpsuit
Is there anything you like here?  Have you succumbed to the PVC obsession or is it best left in the nineties?  A little note, that Vanity Fair is no longer a featured look on Simply Be-I'm afraid my illness has meant this post has sat unfinished for months.  However everything I've written about here is still in stock (on ASOS too), so it's no biggy.

This post contains affiliate links that can earn this blog a small commission, however as usual all opinions are my own and I was not paid or gifted anything in this post.    

10 comments :

  1. Keep reminding me about using your link to AsOS as i frequently forget and it'd be great if someone were benefitting from my shopping!! Same with my orchestra and its amazon link and I just ordered something for school-Ahrgh!!! Im afraid I have never been a fan of pvc or leather, though I can appreciate the latter on other people! X

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    1. To be honest I'm not sure how reliable the tracking of the links is-I've known of some sales to not register at all and others be rejected for no reason, weird.

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  2. Oh PVC. I think the way they styled the skirt, they made it look cheap, which can be a concern with PVC. I'd still wear PVC and I'm 100% convinced you will make that skirt look great.

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    1. Yeah I agree, the tops were eugh with it. Thanks x

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  3. I love that shirt! Can't wait to see you wearing it with the asos skirt:) Are you going to get the pink pvc skirt from Simply Be? I can totally see you in it. (Though the elastic waist would probably be really annoying putting on. The Topshop one has a zipper and it's hard to put on so I can't begin to imagine what this one would be like). I love the lip print skirt you picked out and that biker jacket is amazing!

    I bought the PVC Topshop pencil skirt (but mine is in tan - it was on sale, I'd have preferred a different color version but beggars can't be choosers) but I do find that it can be really hard to wear. I'm wearing it in the second photo in the post I linked but I didn't end up wearing it outside. Due to the material it made me feel too warm and I didn't want to ruin it sitting on pub chairs.

    http://veryveronique.com/2014/05/05/2-for-1-melissa-three-strap/#more-743

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    1. Didn't think of that-wonder if it's easier or harder to get on! You look gorgeous in it, love those Melissa/VW bow shoes x

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  4. I've got the lip print skirt, but I've been hiding my latest purchases from my husband. My bad. I do like pvc. I have a black pvc skirt from New Look Inspire which rustles like bin bags in the wind but hey ho, it looks good. I want a holographic pvc skirt - if such a thing exists - in size fat. x x

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    1. Ha, I hide purchases too. Was so excited that my parents were on holidays for 2 weeks, so I could order to my hearts content! Didn't really work out because I never had money, but never mind! Oooooh holographic would be fabulous...don't think I've even seen a skinny sized one though...although there is a mermaid-ish green one on Topshop I saw the other day.

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  5. I saw those Topshop skirts last year and have also seen some baby blue PVC this year which I LOVE. I did make the step into leather pencil skirts, which take enough courage, but haven't yet got any PVC in my wardrobe. I think that you'd be able to style that pink one up really nicely. x

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    1. Oooh baby blue would be lovely. I used to have a brown leather pencil skirt and it was lovely, really easy to wear actually.

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