Tag Archives: plus size fashion review

High Street Outlet review – Tallulah Jacket

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September is here, and the days are already seeming to have a slight chill. So it is the perfect time to add a lightweight jacket to your wardrobe.  There’s still a chance of sunny days, but night’s are cooler, so a jacket that can take you from work, and will also be great for the weekend is a shrewd investment buy that you will get lots of work with. Once again, High Street Outlet has come up trumps with the ex Monsoon Tallulah jacket that comes in both blue and pink.

The Tallulah jacket has a relaxed boxy style, almost like a man’s silk blazer from the 1980s (sooo Miami Vice.) The style is slightly oversized, but not too baggy, and it has an open front design with no buttons. Two front patch pockets finish the design making this a very wearable piece that could easily take you from day to night wear.

The jacket is true to size, I am wearing a size 18 and this is comfortable on me. As much as I love pink, I opted for the blue, which is a gorgeous China blue shade. I have teamed this with jeans and a camisole, along with a pair of Nine West wedges that I had long forgotten about, but have fallen in love with again.

Ex Monsoon Tallulah Jacket £14.50 click to visit High Street Outlet

Ex Monsoon Tallulah Jacket £14.50 click to visit High Street Outlet

This is just a gorgeous jacket, great quality, and an absolute bargain for less than £15. In all honesty, for that sort of price, you can afford to go for both colours. I know this would work with black peg trousers, or worn as a cover up for a tea dress, or just teamed with skinnies, a classic white t-shirt and ballerina flats.

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High Street Outlet has new lines available every week, and offers free standard UK delivery on all orders over £30, it also delivers internationally. You can check out the website here.

Review – Tassel Kimono from Pretaportobello

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I was recently introduced to the online fashion market Pretaportobello. The concept was inspired by the quirky fashion of London’s famous and iconice fashion markets such as the Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields, Camden and Brick Lane, where vintage bargains can be found along with pieces from news and upcoming designers.

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The website is a small family business run by three sisters, two of which  have children so there is a real sense of ‘mumpreneurship’ about the concept! What they have put together is just brilliant, an Aladdin’s Cave of a site, with unique products from independent designers and a host of original fashion and designers that you just cannot find on the high street. But the site is more than just your average shopping site where you fill your virtual basket and head to the checkout.The sisters also want to make the atmosphere and experience of shopping at these iconic markets accessible to everyone. So, with this in mind, they have created the ‘Haggle service’, which allows you to barter in real time to ensure you get the best price, as well as the Marketspace services which puts you in direct contact with independent designers and small businesses.

Georgina Cooper, one of the founders of Pretaportobello

Georgina Cooper, one of the founders of Pretaportobello

As a market magpie, I love the idea of Pretaportobello. In the days when High Street fashion can often be more of the same, it is a great idea to offer something new and different, and I have been really impressed with the brands that the site offers. Some of the names are gaining a cult following, like Alphabet Bags and Brat and Suzie, and you can get fashion from the likes of Jovanna London, Stott and Scott and Mod Dolly, jewellery from Mara, Selection Six and ECW, and accessories from the likes of BYMY and Ismad London. (This is just a snapshot – check out the full list of sellers on the Brands page.)

I was sent the gorgeous, vibrant Tassel kimono from the PPB brand (Pretaportobello’s own accessories and clothing label) to review and style. This is a lovely piece, a tasseled kimono in white, with an oriental birds and flowers print all over. The design is sleeveless and comes in two sizes, s-m which is UK 8-12, and m-l which is UK 14-18. I opted for m-l, but was a little worried the fit wouldn’t be great. I need not have worried – it was perfect!

PPB White Oriental Tassel Kimono £35.00 click to visit Pretaportabello

PPB White Oriental Tassel Kimono
£35.00 click to visit Pretaportabello

This is such a versatile piece. The website says it is perfect for festivals, which I totally agree with – you could wear it with jeans or cut-offs for a boho look. If you add a shift dress and heels, this could take you on a dinner date, skinny jeans and a camisole would work for Friday night at the pub, or over a bikini or swimsuit for a holiday look. All would work brilliantly.

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If you love your fashion to have an edge, Pretaportobello is definitely a place that should be on your radar. It is a treasure trove of wonderful fashion.

Find out more

Check out the about page (http://www.pretaportobello.com/about-us.aspx) to find out more about the brand.

Check out the Haggle page (http://www.pretaportobello.com/haggle/) to find out more about the Haggle service.

Check out the brands page (http://www.pretaportobello.com/brands/) to find out more about the designers Pretaportobello stock.

A theatre Outfit from High Street Outlet

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On Wednesday I was lucky enough to attend the press preview of The Bodyguard at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. I am one of those people who still believe that the going to the theatre is an occasion that calls for a little bit of dressing up, so I decided to wear my final review piece from High Street Outlet.

fashion-mommy selfie with Alexandra Burke (Lol!)

fashion-mommy selfie with Alexandra Burke (Lol!)

The High Street Outlet offers last season pieces and overstock at greatly reduced prices. The piece I chose was a beautiful black and grey lace peplum dress that was originally from Kaliko, which is, of course, one of my favourite labels for occasion dressing.

Ex Kaliko Ladies Black Grey Peplum Lace Party Occasion Evening Dress £22.50 Click to visit High Street Outlet

Ex Kaliko Ladies Black Grey Peplum Lace Party Occasion Evening Dress £22.50 Click to visit High Street Outlet

This is an absolutely gorgeous dress, the word sophisticated is the first one you think of when trying to describe it. The dress is extremely fitted, with a back zip fastening, and then a small button at the back of the mesh panel. I love that this dress gives you a shape due to the nature of the fabric, and that it is extremely flattering – I felt very slim in this frock.

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Teamed with bag from Scotsburn Croft and vintage Roberto Vianni shoes

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The fabric is a lovely lace print design that has a real baroque feel. The peplum is very slight, this is not an apron style peplum, or one that sticks it – it is really pretty and just adds a touch of interest rather than being what the whole dress is about.

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The one thing I would say about this dress is to check the bust sizing – if you have a larger bust you may need to size up. The fabric is structured and none stretch, so it will not allow for any extra inches.

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Once again High Street Outlet has shown you can make enormous savings on clothes for any occasion – from holiday, everyday casual and special occasion dressing. Check out the full range of current stock here.