I'm not exactly a small woman and I don't like shopping for clothes. I have a large bust, almost no waist, a big tummy and small hips. I look best in straight skirts or pants and tops that come down to my hips. However, I'm not huge; I can usually buy what I need in the larger sizes of regular clothes shops. But today nearly did me in!
I went to a shop that sells clothes for formal occasions. I tried on everything that they had in their largest size - a size I don't normally have to buy. Nothing, and I mean zip, zilch, nada, nothing, fitted. Some of them I couldn't even zip up! I would have been completely disheartened if it hadn't been for the sales assistant - she was so helpful, so cheerful and totally non-plussed about me not finding anything after spending quite a lot of time in her store. It was not the most wonderful experience of my life - did I happen to say I dislike clothes shopping?
I crossed to another shop on the opposite side of the shopping mall - they were busy and there seemed to be only one assistant in the shop so I wasn't offered any help; I had to find my way around on my own. It's not a shop I normally go into - the clothes are outside the bracket I spend on everyday wear. But this is a special occasion and, though I was slightly dismayed at the price tags, I carried on. I took three garments into the fitting room. Two of them had satin camisoles - satin is not a good look on big women and the fact that the darts were way too short didn't help matters! The over-shirts were heavily beaded chiffon - beautiful and highly suitable to formal occasions. One was in a plum colour I really liked - but the satin cami screamed "big girl, big b**bs" so reluctantly I put the outfits back on their hangers.
The third outfit was a lovely shade of purple - my favourite colour. It was made of jersey, soft and clingly. DD is getting married in the middle of a western Sydney summer, people, and today is 40*C+ [104*F]. Jersey is not a good idea. But, I tried it on anyway; I was getting a bit tired of this 'dressy' thing. It was clingy but it had the most beautiful long skirt; not straight, but nowhere near circular. And the top: it was a crossover [always good for big bust lines according to Trinny and Susannah], it had a modesty piece [so as to show no cleavage] and was ruched across the front so that it hid my fat stomach. It has no beading as such; in fact, the design is quietly understated.
In short, it looks fabulous - it's a colour I love and it had to be mine, mine, mine! No matter that it cost more than I wanted to pay. I can wear the top again with black pants [if I ever have need of a semi-formal outfit]. Yes, folks, I bought an outfit [and some jewellery and undergarments to wear with it]. DD attended a wedding last weekend and her new black shoes are almost the right size for me [she wears a shoe half a size smaller]; so I may not have to buy shoes! Yay team!!
No photos of the complete outfit because some guests at the wedding [hi mum and dad!] sometimes read my blog but here's a sneak peak at the detail! The colour is wrong but it's as close as I can get. I love it [but I still don't like clothes shopping].
