I’m Coming Out….
Posted: June 24, 2020 Filed under: Clothing, My Wardrobe | Tags: African Fabric, ankara, fashion, Plus size, Plus size blogger, shop small, shopping, Summer, Wax Print 1 Comment….. and I want the world to know.
When I wrote my last blog entry way back in December 2019, no one would ever have thought that within a few short months the whole world would be in lockdown, a new virus would kill over 474,000 people before the end of June, anti racism protests would sweep the globe, Kobe Bryant would die in an accident, President Trump would escape impeachment, bush fires would sweep through Australia and Brexit would be done. Yet, here we are. How are you coping? I am trying to stay positive, avoid TV news until I am mentally ready each day, and sewing my quarantined little heart out. I am also, like many people, reassessing my life. I am going to do more of what makes me happy, stop overthinking, live my life and stop beating myself up about things I can’t change. I am so thankful to be alive as there are many fit and healthy people who on January 1st as the ball dropped, fireworks lit up the skies and Auld Lang Syne ripped through the BBC studios courtesy of Jools Holland, thought they would make it to summer and didn’t. If I stop to think about it all it will overwhelm me so I am just going to “do”. This is day one of my resurgence.
Head wrap, face mask, skirt- Paree People
Tee- Fidem & Co
Shoes- Primark (last summer)
Belt- Ancient Evans
Specs- Cutler & Gross
Let Me Upstage Ya
Posted: December 10, 2019 Filed under: Buy Me!, Clothing, Item of the Week, SHOPPING | Tags: Christmas, Fatshion, party, party dress, Plus size, Plus size fashion, Sequins Leave a commentI don’t think that there is much by way of clothing that I shy away from anymore. My fondness of jumpsuits has reached legendary status, horizontal stripes have never fazed me (although they seem to alarm anyone looking at my stripe clad body), and bright colours and large prints are my happy place. Sequins however, have never featured on my clothing as anything more than a modest motif. Not because I have avoided them, but because I rarely go anywhere so glam that a full on sequin look wouldn’t be classed as overkill. Well having been inspired by many a fatshion blogger over the years who dares to go OTT in Tesco, baroque at the bus stop and slay in Sainsbury’s, I plan to follow suit and will be giving it loads in the living room on Christmas day. I know my family will wonder why I’m so extra but in a house with no Christmas tree or festive decorations of any sort, I’m planning to have all eyes on me and provide the sparkle that’s missing from the walls. My only concern is how close the pailettes can get to the oven before they buckle and warp, much like my inflated sense of importance.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Posted: December 4, 2019 Filed under: Beloved Endeavour Vintage, Clothing | Tags: fashion, Fatshion, fatshionista, Plus size, psbloggers, style, vintage Leave a commentI’ve been here for years. Eleven years in fact. Its been almost a full 365 since my last post and I have missed this old place. We have been interacting via Insta, but I have neglected my first home and its pining for attention so I’m dusting off the cobwebs with a splash of vintage style.
Fur has never been my thing. Fake or real, I was never really into it but this vintage coat made me stop, collaborate and listen. I bought it in March when it was quite mild and not cold enough to wear it, but now the temperature has fallen its having its moment. Teamed with my new Simply Be top, vintage bag and old faithful DM boots, I looked a lot dressier than I had planned and I liked it, esp the fact that it made me feel like King Jaffe Joffer from Coming to America. Now all I need is a gazillion pounds and my own kingdom.
I don’t know what I found quite so funny but obviously SOMETHING was amusing me.
A massive shout out to Feed My Creative who hosted a fantastic launch event for their new project, RE: PROJECT which helps young offenders by teaching them new skills, and also supports victims of domestic violence.
Doing great work in the community- love it!
In the Night Garden
Posted: December 10, 2018 Filed under: Buy Me!, clothes, Clothing, My Wardrobe, Uncategorized | Tags: African Fabric, African Print, ankara, Fatshion, fatshionista, hand made, Paree People, Plus size Leave a commentIts beginning to look a lot like……
I am usually quite an un-Christmassy person but I have noticed a change in me since last year and I don’t know what has brought it on. I bought a christmas ornament last December which sounds really minute but considering I usually don’t celebrate outside of the traditional family dinner on the 25th, and ignore anything Crimble related- my £1 secondhand decoration is big news.
So why was CHRRRIIIIIIISSSSSSTMMAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSS the first thing I screamed when I saw this fabric?
The deep navy tones, the gold overlay is just asking for a December party outing. So I made a party outfit.
The colour is DIVINE. It looks solid navy from a distance but in the second photo you can see the purply red tones. I plan to wear it on Christmas day and quite probably for NYE too if I go anywhere. I’m killing two birds with one African wax printed stone.
So where is the ensemble from? I made it 🙂
Those of you who follow me on Insta (@fatgirlclothes) will know that I am in love with African wax prints. Not a new discovery but I have a new appreciation for them and I simply cannot get enough. Ankara is the way forward- so much so that I have opened a new Etsy shop called “Paree” selling handmade ankara clothing for women and girls. Paree is a Mandinka word meaning “Well Dressed” so I thought it was quite apt. The two piece I’m wearing is available there and can be made in any size- plus or straight. Got a body? It can be made to fit you. Please check out the shop. I’m sewing oodles of great garms from this endless array of fabric I keep discovering. Ankara is a fabric lovers dream and I don’t believe I will ever wake up.
Kente Vibing
Posted: November 13, 2018 Filed under: Buy Me!, Clothing, Uncategorized | Tags: African Fabric, African Print, ankara, dress, Fatshion, kente, Plus size 4 CommentsThinking…….. you know, I don’t think I have ever owned a yellow dress before? I have a yellow shirt, yellow tees, yellow and purple floral trousers but I have never owned a yellow frock. This past scorcher of a summer I was looking for one but with no success, nothing gripped me. Now that winter is here I have found the perfect one and even though I will soon have to wear it with tights I will still be twirling on regardless because this one is tops. I may be a little biased because I made it but you can’t fail to be taken in by that kente print.
During this brief 8 seconds of sunshine I whipped off my jacket and struck a pose.
The dress is handmade by me under a new label called “Paree” which is a Mandinka word meaning “well dressed”. The label is another label of love for me as it focuses on the beautifully vibrant ankara wax prints worn throughout Africa. Prints that I just cannot get enough of. This print isn’t wax/ ankara, its based on Ghanaian kente cloth which is a brightly woven cloth often filled with meaningful symbols.
It has pockets! WHOOP WHOOP!
It has a vintage influenced full circle shape which almost had me doing a Marilyn Monroe in the street.
I LOVE this dress and because its made from a cotton/ polyester fabric it needs minimal ironing. Double win! They are available to order through Beloved Endeavour on Etsy though I am also working on a second Etsy store called Paree which will be exclusively African prints. What do you think? Likey or no likey? Are there any other variations you would like to see? Different sleeve lengths, necklines etc?
*Whisper* Happy 10th Birthday to us
Posted: September 11, 2018 Filed under: General Ramblings | Tags: birthday, blog, happy, seize the day 6 Comments
No fanfare, no flashing lights, no party, just a single cupcake to acknowledge the fact that Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too is ten today. Ten years ago today I decided to start a blog simply because the type of blog I wanted to read didn’t exist already so I thought I’d create it myself. Its been a fabulous ride and I have met some great people (I love meeting bloggers, its like the computer has come to life), bagged oodles of free clothes and attended some fab events. I even became a paid and published writer which is something I never envisaged. I’ve been on the telly, in magazines and newspapers and at times it has all been quite surreal. Over the past few years this blog has gathered a lot of dust but I don’t think I’m ready to pull the plug and shut up shop just yet. Its kind of like having a trusted old friend who you don’t see often but its great when you do get together and catch up. Others may not consider them to be the coolest, but their value is greater than gold.
This blog also serves as a reminder to me about the 9/11 attacks. At the time of starting the site I hesitated. I wondered if it would be wise to start something like this on the anniversary of of such a major tragedy. Maybe I should wait until the 12th- or next week I thought. After much contemplation I went ahead. 9/11 was, and still is a stark reminder to me of the fragility of life. How precious and fleeting we are and how easy it is to talk ourselves out of our dreams as we focus on the potential pitfalls and not the opportunities that may lie ahead. If you have something you want to do or achieve just go head and do it without delay. You may never get another chance.
Lastly I want to thank you all for visiting. Whether you have passed by once or 248 times- thank you. I see you and I appreciate you.
Striped Again
Posted: July 19, 2018 Filed under: Clothing, My Wardrobe | Tags: dress, fashion, Fatshion, M&S, Marks and Spencer, Nautical, stripes, Summer Leave a comment*Blowing the dust off the blog*
I’ve missed you guys. How have you been?
I’m back after an invigorating mini shopping spree in Marks & Spencer. I was shattered after work last week but was suddenly revitalised after seeing that the Marks and Spencer sale had started. M&S like many retailers is struggling on the high street and in addition to that they get a fair amount of stick about their ranges not being that great. I disagree. I actually like old Sparkys especially the Autograph range. Many of my summer tshirts over the past few years have come from there too. The only range I really don’t have much love for is Per Una though I can see the appeal for other people. Marks and Spencer will always have a special place in my heart. So will stripes. Stripes might have a slightly loftier position within my soul as I have rarely met a stripe I didn’t like. Breton stripes, candy stripes, chevron stripes- they all turn my head, even more so than polkadots but not as much as jumpsuits. Jumpsuits are my first fashion love but don’t even get me started again.
Please ignore the mess, this is my sewing room!
Dress and Cardi:Â Marks & Spencer
Necklace: Cos (old)
Bag: H by Henry Holland at Debenhams (old)
Shoes: Primark (old)
Item of the Week 15/06/2018
Posted: June 15, 2018 Filed under: Item of the Week, Uncategorized | Tags: Asos Curve, dress, Fatshion, fatshionista, Item of the Week, Plus size 1 Comment
ASOS Curve, £35
Valentine Ready
Posted: January 8, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentThe perfect red dress for valentine’s day.
And so it begins
Posted: January 1, 2018 Filed under: Information and Events, Uncategorized | Tags: happy new year 2 CommentsWishing all of you a prosperous 2018 with more ups than downs, more triumphs than failures and more laughter than tears. Love you all and thanks for sticking with me for ten years- YES, TEN YEARS! *FACEPALM*
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