V is for Vivika

VIVIKA-205 Black Vegan Leather - $165.95

Call off the search parties, stop scouring the internet and endlessly walking through shopping centers looking for the best boots for winter! They have been found, tried and tested by me and I can honestly say the Demonia Vivika Boots are hands down the best boot for daily winter wear.

 

I've been hunting high and low for a pair of stunning black boots that will fit like a dream, have a medium sized heel for daily work and play wear and a lace up front in order to fit both my and many different sized legs.

The Vivika Boots feature a 3 Inch (76mm) block heel with a rounded toe for extra comfort. There is nothing worse in winter than trying to squeeze into a pointed toe boot with warm socks on. These are a lace up style boot that hits mid calf so they can accommodate so many different leg shapes due to being adjustable by the laces.

The faux leather is soft and so comfortable and like all Demonia shoes they are very true to size. I wear a 10AU and I always order a 10US in Demonia styles to get my perfect fit.

Styling wise the possibilities are absolutely endless. For these images I styled the boots with my favourite winter stockings, a swing skirt and all the layers I'll be wearing and needing come this winter. But brighter colours, prints and patters look brilliant with these black boots.

Looking to pair your boots with pants or jeans? These look absolutely amazing with skinny jeans and leggings. So bring on winter, all those winter warmers and endless styling opportunities. Luckily in Melbourne this week the weather has been cool enough so I've worn these twice already!

Black Widow

What's this? Another Unique Vintage review/photoset?  Well when the absolutely dreamy  Lamar Swing Dress you have to make the time to create some amazing images of this perfect LBD.

 

 

Unique Vintage 1950s Style Black Bengaline Sweetheart Lamar Swing - $145.00

Unique Vintage Black Sinamay and Rhinestone Brooch Fascinator  - $55.00

Unique Vintage Black Mesh Embroidered Lace Wrist Gloves  - $33.00

There is something so effortlessly stylish and sexy about the Lamar Dress. The soft, super stretchy Bengaline fabric that drapes perfectly over your hips yet is fitted over the waist and bust. A pointed waistband paired with a knife pleated swing skirt helps to make your curves pop! With or without a waist belt this dress will make you feel super curvy.

 

What makes this dress shine is the bustline. For girls like myself that love to show off a bit of boobage this style really flatters and shapes your bust. It's very low cut but still workable with even my most full bras. I've opted to wear a plunge Curvy Kate style with this dress and as you can see it works perfectly. An adorable faux button in the shape of a black rose is the center feature of the sweetheart neckline and I love how it completes the look.

Size wise I went with my usual 1XL but this size is way too big due to the fabric. So I strongly suggest going down to a smaller size as there is so much stretchy and give. While this size is super comfortable I think the waist line and structured details will pop more so with a tighter fit, hence why I added an in theme waist belt.

 

Styling wise I've run with the Black Widow theme and paired this stunning dress with all UV accessories with the exception of the waist belt.  The Black Sinamay and Rhinestone Brooch Fascinator paired perfectly with my curls and looks absolutely amazing. I wore it slightly the wrong way but I still love how it looks and tis tis to my photographer for not telling me the bow was meant to be pointing towards the back of my head. But either way the netting, bold brooch and bow detailing really make this piece pop and pair perfectly with the dress.



 

To complete the look I've added these stunning floral mesh gloves. If your new to my blog you might not know of my glove obsession but until now I've not owned mesh or net gloves. So when I saw these floral/lace gloves I needed to try them asap.

 

They are soft and delicate yet really durable and fit my medium sizes hands with ease. The palm is outfitted allow easy grips and a touchscreen pointer finger so you can still use your smart phone while keeping warm. I adore this feature as it mixes vintage with modern needs - brilliant work Unique Vintage!

 

My waist belt and the inspo for the name of the look is the Kreepsville 666 spider waist belt which you can purchase directly from their website or many other resellers. 



 

Many thanks to my husband Jay for taking these images and for working with me to create a little bit of vintage magic. We focused on a few portraits towards the end of this shoot and I love how they turned out.

 

You can pick up all of these pieces right now on Unique Vintage and many more accessories. So be sure to go wild and style the perfect look for you.

 

Bauhaus

Bauhaus Top in Black - $129.95

One of my most beloved labels has created the most stunning, bold, curve hugging, super comfortable and perfectly tailored tops I've ever worn. La Femme En Noir has made magic with the Bauhaus Top.  Inspired by bats this stunning piece features a deep neckline, roomy sleeves, a fitted waist and hidden invisible side zip.

Each feature makes the Bauhaus Top so striking and empowering. I feel like a gothic queen when wearing it. I'm wearing my usual 2XL and the fit is perfect! The stretch crepe fabric is light and  it accommodates the girls with ease. The bodice is lined so it holds you in perfectly and length wise it hits me mid hip so it can be worn with high waisted styles or untucked.

The one feature that really makes me swoon on the Bauhaus top are the sleeves. These epic open and super roomy almost bat wing sleeves are so dramatic yet super comfortable.

The stunning deep neckline also gives to plenty of room to play with statement necklaces, chokers and many more accessories. I've paired this with my Kreepsville 666 skull belt and my favourite Heart of Haute swing skirt. My dream outfit is to pair this with the LFEN Palazzo Pants, creating a epic gothic jumpsuit look, completed with the gold Vampira Sunglasses.

Also available in a rich dark Oxblood shade which is a must have! You can snap up this amazing piece at Natasha Marie Clothing my go to Australian based stockiest of all La Femme En Noir items. They carry an amazing section of both LFEN and Vixen items plus if you hunt through the 'Coming Soon' section you can see the pre order items from both labels. I'm currently making grabby hands at my laptop screen for the Bishop Sleeve Blouse. After falling head over heels for the sleeve in the solid wrap dress I'll most definitely be adding one or two versions of it into my collection.

Many Thanks to Liz Flemming for shooting these and all of the current images on my blog with me.

Sporty Stripes

Over the last year I've been testing and reviewing my favourite styles from BlackMilk Clothing and I've found so many amazing fitting garments. But since the beginning I've had my heart set on their hosiery but I've never been sure if I could fit into any of them.

When I see OSFA (one size fits all) as the only size choice for a garment, I usually run scared but after asking Customer Service about the fit and searching these stunning stockings on Instagram I was informed that yes they will actually fit all sizes.

Blackmilk Sporty Stripes Stockings - $29.00

And guess what they fit!!! I wear an XL in all of my BM garments, so you can understand my hesitation at first about purchasing these. But as soon as they arrived I wiggled my way smoothly into these amazingly thick, comfortable and super stretchy stockings.

With my stats and figure, I can barely get XT standard stockings over my hips let alone over my belly button or higher but these fit my waist with ease and never roll down or sag at the crotch which I find many do these days if they don't fit correctly.


Now these babies have been tried and tested. Their first task was Download Festival and they absolutely rocked at an all day/evening music festival when paired with a romper. The bold stripes and large netting looked amazing when paired with my flowing shorts. Unlike this look I paired them with cowboy boots, and I felt so comfy all day long.

I also noticed a few other stylish girls wearing them with cute little skater dresses or shorts so they were a festival favourite it seems.

For these shots I've paired them with my old favourite super high heels but these work with absolute everything and you can wear the stripe/netting section as high or as low as you feel comfortable with.

 
 

I'm 100% in love with these stockings, and I'll be wearing them non-stop over the cooler months. I'm that smitten with them that I'll be ordering another 3 or 4 pairs and popping them on Afterpay so I can wear them constantly. They are that comfy and cute plus they don't pull or rip like normal stockings - bonus!!!

 





Retrolicious

Over the last few months, I've been lusting after some of the stunning dresses and separates from Retrolicious. With quirky prints, flattering shapes and an amazing price point they are one of the most cute and popular brands in the market.

The Starlet Dress in Black - $84.00

From the moment I saw Ashley from Southern Pinup in this amazing wiggle dress I knew I had to get my toosh into it!

The Starlet is a solid black body con style dress made from heavy weight and amazing quality stretch ponte knit. It's the kind of fabric that feels like your in your favourite loungewear as it's soft and super comfortable.

 I'm usually not one to go crazy over a wiggle dress but as soon as I zipped up the Starlet I was instantly in love with the fit. The heavy weight (thick) ponte fabric is what creates the amazing fit. It hugs you while having enough stretch to make you comfortable all day long. Any issues you have about your toosh, hips or tummy will disappear as you'll feel amazing in this dress.

I feel like an absolute starlet in this style as it's so form fitting and sexy without showing too much skin. The neckline shows a lot of skin and it really flatters my chest.

Size wise I was completely new to Retrolicious but given my stats and the size chart I opted for the 1XL and the fit is superb! The stretch in the fabric allows for a few more inches on the bust and hips if you need it so if you can wear this style in your usual size if not one size down - depending on how firm you like your wiggles.

The Starlet is also available in mauve and a stunning lana floral print and if you love the fabric and fit as much as I do you'll also need to snap up the skirt in the same fabric named the Boss Lady Pencil Skirt.

The dresses are available in sizes XS to 3XL and the skirt XS to 4XL so everyone can feel amazing in these brilliant styles.

Oh Millie

A few years back I discovered the stunning Manhattan dress from Heart of Haute and feel in love with the 40's tailoring and amazing fit. Sadly through weight gain I busted out of that style but this year I wanted to add something just as brilliant to my collection with a little twist.

Mille Dress in Yellow Roses Navy Print - $138.00

Luckily this season HOH has released the amazing Millie Dress in a variety of bright and beautiful prints. So with my now button popping on the Manhattan bustline I wanted to see what size I'd need now to fit my chest and without wanting to double up on styles I ordered the Millie in Lemon print.

Usually I worry about my bust line with button up blouses and dresses but these days I never fear because HOH create the perfect style to accommodate my assets.

I'm wearing the 2XL in the Millie and the fit is mind blowing. It buttons up with absolute ease while fitting my bust and mid section perfectly. The full skirt then skims over my hips and gives such a striking 40's style silhouette.

The voluminous cap sleeve is roomy and does not restrict my arm of give you that dreaded sausage feeling. I feel absolutely amazing when wearing this piece and it really does wonders for my curves.

Now I have to admit it was so hard choosing the print for my Millie. With bright shapes, strawberries and florals I had so many choices but what won me over was an unlikely navy blue shade with sweet yellow lemons printed all over.

I usually steer clear of navy but this print was too good to ignore. With my rather large vollection of knitwear and cardigans I have endless pairing choices. 



With such an amazing fit and a variety of patterns you can pickup the Millie in any of the fabrics shown above.

Cutie Cardigan in Black Argyle - $56.00

While we are on the subject of HOH knitwear lets dish about the newly released Cutie Cardigan.

I'm such a sucker for argyle prints and this piece not only features that print but tops it off with a peter can collar and matching cuffs. So retro and sweet and yes can button up fully in a size 2XL!



My usual knitwear size is XL or a 1XL as the stretchy fabric is super comfortable but this is a more relaxed fit and I really like it. I could easily size down one full size and still be able to button up the cardigan as there is so much room in the mid section. I've paired this with my favoruite HOH swing skirt.



This will be on high rotation all Autumn and Winter her in Melbourne! The different shades of grey will pair perfectly with pretty much all of my cooler weather wardrobe.

Work it Vintage

This week I wanted to show you my amazing readers two of my new go to pieces for the office from my loves at Unique Vintage. I have a wardrobe full of swings, skirts, blouse and more from this brilliant brand but I'm currently all about retro work wear and creating the most perfect winter wardrobe.

Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950s Style Hunter Green Stretch Sleeved Anna Wrap Dress  - $150.00

For once I'm not going overboard with bright prints! For this shoot I wanted to find classic cuts that flatter my figure in my all time favourite colours.



So when I found the stunning Anna Wrap Dress in hunter green I knew that it had to be on my bod! A true wrap dress style this piece is classic, flattering and sophisticated. I'm wearing a 1XL in this style and the fit is spot on. The bust fits my HH cups perfectly and I love the little bit of cleavage.

I find that some wrap styles can create unexpected underwear flashing but this style has a higher wrap point creating a more empire waist look. So no need to worry about flashing!



The dark green is absolutely stunning and I can't wait to pair this with rich shades or red, brown and grey through out the coolers months. This style demands layering and vintage style coats and I'll be happy to oblige.



Unique Vintage Plus Size Black Knit Tie Waist Bettie Fit and Flare Dress - $120.00

Next is the cutest little black fit and flare dress I've ever owned. This style might seem to be a basic little black dress but the tie waist feature is absolute magic. Created using a soft and super stretchy knit this piece is an absolutely joy to wear.



The high neckline is perfect for any office and the fit and flare skirt really does look adorable. I don't always wear a neckline like this but the waist tie helps define my shape and create some banging curves.

Like the wrap dress, I'm wearing this style in a 1XL and I cannot fault the fit in any way. This piece will also look brilliant with winter styling an all my berets!



Now I wear an underbust corset in almost every shoot as I love the base, feel, that extra support and how well clothing falls when you wear one. But these styles look brilliant with or without that extra help. I've worn the black dress once already to work paired with a statement necklace and some super cut heels and it's the perfect flattering cut.

The designs really flatter an curvy shape naturally or not and even give you an extra bit of help to define that waist line. I can't wait to pair this little black number with printed or bright coloured tights and lots of winter boots.

Tatyana!

For many moons I've been smitten with the stunning designs of Tatyanna clothing, but I've never had the chance to get my paws on a piece or two until now. In the last year this amazing US based Retro Repo brand have created some of the most divine pieces and I'm so excited to be able finally review them.

For this shoot/review I wanted to focus on some stunning separates and one amazing dress and bolero set with a St Patrick's day theme. So Lets get right into gas bagging about these brilliant pieces.

 

Millie Jacket - $82.00

Salem Retro Skirt In Black - $70.00

Curvy Kate Can Can Black/Blush Plunge Bra

 



My first look went for the stunning Salem Skirt with the Millie. Each piece has been expertly designed to really flatter the curvy female form and I'm absolutely crazy about this supersexy outfit.



This stunning plaid blazer has minimal stretch but hugs my curves perfectly. What I love most about this design is the contrasting black lapel and cuffed 3/4 sleeves. They even out my upper arms and the jacket really makes me feel great about my shape. Inspired by the product shots of Doris Mayday I opted to wear this with my most beloved bra from Curvy Kate to add a little more sex appeal.



Given the size of my bust I went with the 2XL and the fit is perfect is great as it really makes those curves pop. If you want to button up more or layer I highly suggest going up one full size.

I paired the blazer with the Salem skirt and together they are perfect. This simply tailored, amazing fitting wiggle skirt is made of a super stretchy fabric which is so comfortable to wear and molds to your shape without stretching or being too baggy in the hips or waist.

 



I'm usually really not a fan of wiggles but there is something so magical about the fit of this fabric that makes me swoon. Made from a 65% Polyester 30% Nylon 5% Spandex mix it almost looks like faux leather in the right light. The stretch in this skirt is surprising as you'd never guess how much it molds to your shape buy simply looking at it.

 





Keynote Blouse Black - $38.00

 



Sticking with the skirt, I paired it with the Keynote Blouse Oh my gosh this piece is adorable. The combination of peter pan collar and peep hole make this soft and stretchy top the perfect mix of sweet and sexy.

 



A shorter sleeve than I'm usually use to this piece, really does fit perfectly and seems to be made for pairing perfectly with high waisted wiggle skirts. The sleeve just hits your elbow and really slims your upper arms.

 

But don't limit yourself to only high waisted garments as this piece is also long enough to be paired with more casual capri pants, jeans or shorts. The 2XL fits like a dream and I'd love to get more in this design.

 



Katie Retro Dress with Jacket - $125.00 (sale price)

Lastly, what might be the most perfect outfit not only for me but for any pale redhead on planet earth the Katie Dress.

This was the original dress they drew me in via Tatyana's social media account and I've been in LUST with it for so long! A two piece set, swing dress and matching bolero is the most magical shade of emerald green. Made from the same fabric of the wiggle skirt this outfit really does hug you in all the right places and the fit gives me room for my bust while still making my waist line a main feature.

 



Complete with stunning little black scalloped edges on the bust and pockets this outfit will absolutely rock your socks off! At the start of this post, I mentioned a St Patrick's Day themed outfit and I think this combo will be the most divine look to wear on one of the most fun days of the year. Pair this with stunning black heels and some in theme accessories this will keep me cute and cool for the whole day. I could not find many sleek or retro St Patricks Day themed goodies so we opted to use some simple yet perfect green balloons from Lombards. I think I need to include lots more of these in future shoots as it's so cute.

 



 

 

 



The fabric is so lightweight and comfortable so you'll be able to wear this all day and night and be 100% comfortable. At first I was worried that the bolero might be too small as I have always had issues with my upper arms but the fit is perfect and the fabric has just the right amount of stretch. There is no restriction or issues with movement and I'm absolutely blown away with this look. I'll be pairing other cardigans and even moto jackets with this dress in the future and I hope that a ruby red or black version will be created in the future.

 

 



So with 100% success I think I'm completely in love with Tatyana clothing and I can't wait to add more and more pieces to my collection.