Are you wearing...Tights?

Hello and welcome back to my blog and all my wonderful musings. My posts will hopefully get much more frequent now that exams are over and I will have time to focus. So today's post in this wonderful month of June is on skin coloured tights for women with darker complexions. Now lets start off with some background.

At school, skin coloured tights didn't even enter the domain of my thoughts. I had seen the range in Marks and Spencer of skin coloured tights for black women, which consisted of one pair of 15 or 20 denier tights aptly named "Cocoa" and simply thought... "Oh dear." So for the entirety of my school career the option was either no tights, trousers (when I got to sixth form), or the 60 denier black, black tights which are pretty much equivalent to leggings. I bore the weight of the 60 denier burden for at least 5 years and then I chanced upon 40 denier tights which stayed firmly out of leggings territory whilst giving me the opaqueness that I wanted. I'd suffer sometimes in the summer months though because tights can get incredibly hot and uncomfortable so an alternative would have been very welcome.

My interest in tights became heightened after I wholeheartedly jumped on the "House of Holland mock suspender tights" band wagon in all its Jessie J glory. I bought one pair and was careless with them so they laddered, and I resolved to buy another pair. So I went online and stumbled across this little gem of a website http://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/ . The words "GET TO THIS SITE NOW FOR ALL YOUR HOSIERY NEEDS!" adequately describe my position and opinion of this site, and the effects it has had on my life. I didn't re-buy the House of Holland tights specifically because I thought them too expensive, so I got the standard Pretty Polly one's which are also very lovely. They however were not the important purchase.

My selection of skin coloured tights however, absolutely took centre-stage.

I bought different pairs of tights in different colours and with a couple of different price points. I will start with my absolute favourite pair which are Pendezo tights, and retail on http://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/ at £5.49 a pop; expensive I know but so very worth it. Here is a piccyture of me wearing them...

Pendezo tights specifically cater to mixed race and black women and so the colour match, even though I was unsure and had never bought them before, was exquisite. They blended in beautifully and they wore like a dream. I got shade 30, which I thought would be too dark but they were perfect, so if you're my colour buy in 30 because they will look fab. I laddered these upon first wear which was a shame but that did not lessen my opinion of them in anyway; the dainty manner of putting on delicate tights is something I've yet to learn because I have spent most of days putting on tights akin to leggings. People could not tell I was wearing tights which is, in my opinion, a very good result indeed.

The next pair I tried were much more bank balance friendly and come in at £1.30. They are by a company called Gipsy who make tights for every skin colour you could possible imagine. I bought two pairs but the colour I enjoyed wearing the most was called "Mink"...I think. I also got the colour "Seigle" as well. Here's a picture of me wearing those...

These tights, were fine to wear although at £1.30 they lack the luxurious feel of the Pendezo tights. However, they are fabulous because you can try them without destroying your bank balance so I'm not fussy, especially as I have yet to perfect the delicate art of putting thin tights on without tearing them to shreds. All my tights get bought in either Large or X large or Tall or whatever, because I like having the extra room to manoeuvre :-p

All in all, this year for me has been about discovery and this is probably one of the coolest I have made. My Mum has always worn tights so she was really interested to hear this particular discovery as I hope you will be too. I have realised that if you know where to look, you can find beautiful skin coloured tights for everyone and that black tights all year round is in fact an option that can be chosen because of convenience or the look that they give to your outfit, rather than a mandatory fact of hosiery wearing life.

Until next time,
Hugs and Kisses,

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Size is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

I know others will disagree with this statement. I know the argument is that we should all be healthy and being overweight is not healthy, and that people should not advocate being overweight by saying it's beautiful because it isnt and blah blah blah. . .


But I have been thinking and observing the humanity in my immediate vicinity. This issue has been bouncing around in my mind for so long. All the thinking I've been doing has centred on whether I want to pursue the above notion as a genuine belief system, or to discard it and continue to base the strength of my self esteem on my dress size, and have none until I reach at least a size 12. As you all know I am a UK 16-18 without a shadow of a doubt. You will also know that if I lost a couple of stone it is unlikely that I would be in any way anorexic. It is also likely that if I become busy or if I take up a hobby that makes me more active I will lose weight. 


I will probably like that this is happening and I will not complain however, I will now be brutally honest. As a teenager, I am not at a place where I want to lose weight to be healthy. I want to eat chinese takeaway, pizza and Nando's till my heart's content. Couple that with me being a hopeless romantic, the only reason I would want lose weight is because I believe that is a genuine barrier to me having a lovelife. Pretty sad I think although it is the honest truth. Therefore, the active pursuit of weightloss is no longer highly ranked on my agenda which includes, sleeping eating, writing the occasional essay and making an abundance of fashion and beauty related purchases both physically and internetedly. 


Think whatever you like, but I have reached the conclusion that size is not synonymous with your ability to be gorgeous and stylish. I met a girl who picked up the same dress as I did from New Look, only hers was a size 8, a size 10 at most and mine was a size 16. See the difference:-

 Oh wait...there's hardly any.


 Now don't get me wrong, I don't advocate being so overweight that normal everyday life is difficult, but a little extra chub is unlikely to cause an extortionate amount of damage. I see people in all shapes and sizes enjoying life and love, and as part of my self discovery, I have decided to forget the idea that others can't love me because I am a size 16+.


So the journey of discovery continues. I'm just learning to be comfortable, and stay comfortable in my own skin. Seeing as I haven't got a size 10 figure to call on, I'd best whip my self-belief into shape and give myself instead, an aura of irresistibility. (I'll let you know how that goes ;-)) From what I've been told, it apparently lasts much longer than a youthful appearance. It's clearly worth the time investment then.


To wrap this up, I would advise all ladies to pursue what makes them happy and not what they think will make other people happy. The latter is a fool's game with limited results and high costs. If a little less weight will make you happy, lose it. If a little more weight will make you happy, gain it but continue to nurture your self-worth whilst you go on such a journey and know that style can be achieved in every season, regardless of size and shape.

Hugs and Kisses ladies,
XXXXXXX

Fancy Dress Party? Absolutely!! :-P

Hey hey hey ladies!!

I've been away for a long while, but I think I'm back now. So having been to several fancy dress parties recently, I thought I'd kick off with this happy post on fancy dress attire. I wrote it some time ago so enjoy.

xxx

Does the thought of fancy dress make you wanna hurl? Well never fear because EBAY is heeere! If you want to be a typical curvaceous girl and go as a doughnut, be my guest, but if you're ready to get your sexiness on, here's some tips to help you on your way.

Rule No.1:
DO make the most of your best assets. My sister has AHmazing bangers but she's not so happy with her legs. Bust out the breasticules, and opt for a slightly longer skirt, wack on some heels and get out there! I love my legs so I whip those out at every opportunity. Add heels and if a little bit of butt peeks out, meh, people can looky looky, as long as they no touchy touchy ;-). Oh and ladies, for goodness sake jump on the corset bandwagon. EVERYBODY can appreciate a bit of good corsetry.
(Costume suggestions include; Minnie Mouse, Snow White /Snow Black ;-), french maid etc etc.)

Rule No. 2:
DO be realistic. Accept that once you get above a size 12 at the most, it's not necessarily going to be flattering for you to go out in a bra and pants, stick on some bunny ears and a tail and say "I am a Playboy bunny." I know that quite frankly, all the will in the world, alongside all the confidence there is, will do nothing to change that I would feel, and LOOK like a complete blob. Don't do it. Instead. Dress smart. By all means bust out those bunny ears but buy, from H&M, some simple black leggings and a fitted black vest and team with heels. You look good, you feel good.

Rule No.3:
DON'T pay extortionate amounts for your costume attire. Get yourself, as previously mentioned, onto the Ebay website and fancy dress shop til you drop. Do not be fooled. Many costumes go up to at least a size 22-24 and some Ebay stores devote themselves to selling costumes for larger sizes still at reasonable prices. Also be AWARE that most sellers are selling the same thing and yet will be charging different prices so don't be tempted to buy the first costume that you see, in the style that you like. Alternatively, if it's not viable for whatever reason, to collect your own costumes, don't be a bum and go as yourself, HIRE a costume!! My Dad has had some HIDEOUS ones.

Rule No. 4:
DON'T rule out making your own! I happen to know an amazing girl, who can make costumes out of whatever you hand to her. If you're a dab hand at sewing, even better!

Rule No. 5:
JUST. BE. YOU. Don't under any circumstances feel inadequate because you were the only one in your circle of friends who couldn't let out the tummy. You can be just as confident and as sexy as they are; and hey, that belief in your own gorgeousness might have you being the centre of attention anyway... ;-)

Rule No. 6:
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!! go home with a stranger that night. All I'm thinkin' is WALK OF SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME! It's obvious enough when you're caught teetering along in a little black dress and heels, so in a french maid costume? Yeah. Enough said.

Rule No.7:
DO take LOADS of photos of the event. I didn't and regretted it.

So all that's left to say is, have loads and loads of fun. Laugh your head off and have a wicked time and forget about being self conscious, simply because You Are Gorgeous! ;-)

Hugs and Kisses
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Cape today, Cape tomorrow.

ASOS Hooded Military Cape

Okay so this bad boy has been my absolute Autumn/Winter staple. It's surprisingly warm, and in most cases quite practical. It pretty much suits anybody. I procured mine in a size 16 and I fretted until it arrived because I definitely believed it wouldn't fit around my breasticules, but they come up huge so even if, at the time of me purchasing this, they had the size 18 in stock, I wouldn't have been able to keep it; it definitely would have been too large. The hood is huge which is adorable; it does a little of the Scottish Widow drape and it's a weighty coat so it doesn't flap off when placed lightly over the shoulders unless there's a fair amount of breeze.

Okay so here are my self imposed rules for the wearing of my superwoman cape; I'll sling it over my shoulders after a night out because I normally wear some kind of legging or I wear a dress that finishes an inch or two above the knee (I know...saucy :-P). Then it looks awesome. I have to see enough leg for my cape to work for me otherwise I do tend to look like a walking marquis. So for me, leggings, jeans/jeggings, shorter dresses and trousers are really cute. Tailored trousers are better I find, otherwise there is fabric overload, but sometimes its the first coat I lay my hands on when I'm leaving for work in a hurry so bog standard New Look bootleg trousers are what the cape gets paired with. In fact I don't care as long as my legs are two separate entities to the naked eye.

The last thing I added, was heaps of attitude. I was aware that I was wearing a cape in an everyday setting; it took some getting used to as a cape is synonymous with fancy dress so a pinch of attitude is needed. My life became a catwalk from that point; I decided that I needed to constantly look like I had things to do and people to see and then people, I found, subconciously recognised me as a no-nonsense FASHIONISTA with a purpose and fashion-filled life. Of course, I had nowhere to go except Tesco and nobody to see except the McDonald's staff but nobody else needs to know that.

Just as a by-the-by do not for one second think you can fling a bag across your bosom in an easy fashion with this style of coat. It wont happen easily if at all. It tends to bunch up on you and look ridiculous so I stick to bags I can carry in the crook of my arm in a "diva-ish" manner. In addition always carry a bag big enough to carry a 99pence H&M lint roller because the black one picks up white fluff like a BEAST and it'll really get on your nerves. Lastly, keep an eye on the quality, the shoulder detailing on the left side fell off; its nothing a needle and thread won't fix but even so it is quite expensive especially if you're on a student budget. Which reminds me, get an NUS card and type in the number across the front of it to get 10% off all ASOS purchases. That can't be bad right? You can still get these on the ASOS store just here:-

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Hooded-Military-Cape/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1162523&cid=11897&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Camel

I also found this cape from Dorothy Perkins that I completely adore. As soon as there's some money in my bank account I do believe it will be mine. At a later date I'll add some pictures of me in my cape looking rather disheveled after several months of endless wear. Seems excessive to have several coats but ah...you only live once. 

Camel Military button cape

So size 16+ ladies and all the other ladies be bold, be daring, and be beautifully caped.

Hugs and Kisses
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