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Girls, we can all exhale 

October 19th, 2007

Yes, I must admit I'm loving the fashion this spring season, because we've finally moved from clingly to floaty. I was a doubter when it came to the trapeze and tunic top. But after much lurking in changerooms, trying all sorts of variations, I can safely announce there is a version to out there to suit the buxom babe. Go for something in soft, flowing fabric, so it still gives a hint of curve under the material, ensure there's a decent amount of decolletage to give you some length, and you're on your way to being in style and in comfort.

There's some great examples at Witchery, especially if you're looking for something in this season's classy shade - silver. Or if you're more like me, and love your colour, check out Country Road, who've got a great range in fabulous primary colours.

And the best bit - you no longer need to endure the marathon tummy hold in feat!

There’s a new bra in town 

July 13th, 2007

Whilst out shopping for smalls last week at O’Donnells lingerie in Sth Melb (I find it less daunting that Myer!) I was faced with a wall of product to make my heart sing – an entire range of bra’s C-J cup.

The brand is Fayreform and the bras are pretty AND reasonably priced.

From their marketing guff: “With over 70 years of corsety heritage Fayreform are leading the way in Australia and New Zealand with their desire to offer fuller busted women feminine bras in large cup sizes. With beautiful, stylish Fayreform bras available in cup sizes up to a J and the range expanding constantly Fayreform excites fuller busted women with truly unique fashion lingerie without sacrificing exceptional fit, comfort and support.”

So I pulled out my wallet and bought a “Candid” bra – very pretty and great fit. I’m not QUITE as in love as I am with Le Mystere for hold, but if you’re wanting to SHOW a bit of bra, the new purchase gets full marks.

Available online at Zodee and Bella Forma.

I’m feeling sheepish… 

July 11th, 2007

I’m feeling sheepish

Firstly, because I have been neglecting the blog! Bad Buxom Babe.

Secondly, because I want to talk today jumpers. Woollies. Knits.

It’s still cold out there - and getting colder - and as much as I tried to resist, I just HAD to stock up on a few new jumpers.

Well, okay, I didn't try that hard, but I dont like to spend money on jumpers. We buxom babes can be faced with a jumper challenge, as I’ve mentioned before. Too bulky and we look all Michelin man.

I also have other jumper dramas.

  • I don’t like scratchy wool – I’m a sensitive petal.
  • I don’t like too much hand washing – I’m too lazy.
  • I often feel a bit frumpy in a jumper – yes, I’m a princess.

So this winter I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time shopping for the perfect knits. Like to know what I’ve road tested and can recommend?

Lush – I love the clothes in this shop. Some are a bit wee for me, but there’s lots of knits that are a little quirky and lots of fun. (no website I could find, they've got a store in Greville St, Prahran, Melb and I know they're in other places too)
DeCjuba – Haven’t shopped in here for years but got a gorgeous little cardigan  They had some fab little plunge front vests too.
Jaquie E – I know, hardly high fashion. But they had some COLOUR (I’m so not a black and grey gal) and they had the all important cotton knits. Easy to wash and nice to sensitive skin.

Love to hear any other jumper tips? 

Layers are for more than cakes! 

May 25th, 2007

I’ve got one word for you this winter. Layers. They can be tricky to pull off as a buxom babe – too busy, too bulky and you can resemble the Michelin Man – but done well, they are practical, pretty and handy for hiding the odd bulgy bit!

A good stop off in the layer hunt is Metalicus. It took me a long time to buy the concept of a “one size fits all” that actually fit me and my size 8 sister. Then I met the stylish owner, Melma Hamersfeld at at party and she convinced me to at least visit one of her shops and check it out. And I have to say,  quite a number of the items in the range really do work well on a buxom babe, especially if you take the layer concept to heart. A bit of singlet, then a plunging neckline frock then and over dress/coat. Bought well together, they can also be worn apart, and they pass my essential new clothes purchase test – they don’t need to be dry cleaned or ironed.

So next time you are worried a top looks a little tight around the back, or your tush is feeling a little wide, don’t necessarily through the baby out with the bathwater. Hunt for a second layer, allowing your shopping choices to be expanded and your style to be improved! I'm just off to enjoy my black Charlotte Lace tank dress and fab grape wrap dress…

It’s not about what you spend…well, maybe it is! 

May 25th, 2007

You know what's ruined me for shopping? I used to sew. Design and make my own clothes. And why is this a bad thing? Well, because I know what it costs to make something. It takes all the mystery out of it. So that when you see a gorgeous winter coat, then see the price tag of $1000, you drop it and run. Because you know you could make it. Ok, maybe not QUITE as well, but give me half a day and I could make a very good effort. Of course, I don't have half a day, but it's knowing I COULD.

So what's the point of this post. Well, it's that I think you can love clothes, but not get too swept up in the label phenomena. A outfit that costs you an entire week's earnings is not necessarily better than the one that costs you a day's worth. So I'm going to stay bargain conscious and save my mini-blow outs for shoes (way more wear and they always fit, no matter what your dress size).

The right knit goes a long way this winter 

May 14th, 2007

Doing a spot of Monday night shopping (what? A girl’s got to relax somehow!) I was tying on a few jumpers. And it struck me that chunky knits are called chunky knits because they make you look….well, chunky!

Which is fine if you’re waif-like and in need of some bulking up. But for a buxom babe, they can spell fashion disaster. Too wide a rib, too heavy a collar and you look like a big box on a pair of legs! Plus, how practical are they really? Outside in winter you’ll still need a jacket as the wind whips through them – that is, of course, if you can actually find one to fit over the thing. And wearing it inside you’ll can end up as sweaty as a polar bear in the Caribbean! (Yes, I was struggling for a decent metaphor there!) About the only thing they’re practical for is going with your flanny jammies for a Saturday of mid-winter couch loafing.

So this winter, go for the finer knits, sans bulky cable, in a range of lovely colours and then pair with some of the fab little, waisted crop jackets around -or a long, sweeping, shaped coast for outside - that have the bonus of hiding all manner of bulgy bits.

Why I love “the frock” 

April 29th, 2007

I bought two dresses this week – one wrap (Jag) and one v-neck (Howard Showers), both in a knit fabric, both in prints. Wearing them, I’ve been reminded how much I love the simplicity of a dress.

No stress about finding a matching top or the perfect pants.

Long lines that make you look sleek and sexy.

Washing machine friendly – and only one thing to wash!

Fabric that ‘gives’; delivering comfort, a good fit and importantly for me - no creases!

They work well with summer heels or winter boots, making them wearable year round.

You always look like you made an effort – even though you’ve essentially just thrown something on.

I'd go so far as to say the right frock is a buxom babe's best friend…

Forget the black if you want to dress with style 

April 29th, 2007

When it comes to dressing as a buxom babe, it’s pretty much all about style. Let’s face it – if you’re a size 8 and can almost buy any thing at any store, it’s hardly a big challenge to buy clothing and dress well. But dressing well doesn’t equate to dressing stylishly.

As a buxom babe, it’s about taking the time to put together a stylish outfit that draws attention to your assets and minimizes any liabilities. Forget the tres boring all black. Just because you sport some dangerous curves, doesn’t mean you should dress in mourning!

1. When you shop, avoid buying individual pieces that don’t go with anything else you own or that need a certain cut of pant or skirt to carry it off. I’ve learned this lesson the hard and expensive way, being an impulse shopper. If you find something you must have, but fear it may need a partner piece, ask the sales assistant to hold it and go look for it’s mate before you slap down the plastic.

2. Don’t be afraid to go bold. A bright colour, a big piece of jewelry, an outstanding bag or shoes, a dramatic print (in a top, not a bottom). It draws the eye – and the compliments.

3. Get dressed with a theme in mind. Are you feeling sporty spice, urban groovy, super sexy or ultra girly? Carry this through an entire outfit when you head out, wearing your look with confidence and flair.

4. Remember to accessorise. There’s nothing worse than a great frock with clunky shoes or a fabulous suit with a scruffy handbag. When you walk out of the house with the aim to impress, you should check all points – shoes, bag, jewellery, scarf, coat. Do they all work together? Should you take something off?

5. Don’t leave it to the last minute to get ready. It's not much fun dressing for a special night and finding nothing you want to wear, with the clock ticking. Take some time earlier in the day to think about your outfit, try on a few combinations, take the time to experiment. Then when it comes time to get ready, you’ll be relaxed and radiant, not flushed and flumoxed.

Back to basics - jeans & t-shirts online - but these sites have a seriously good twist! 

March 23rd, 2007

I love a great business idea. I love a great shopping idea. Imagine how excited I was to find these intersect, not once,but twice!

First off: Jeans. We love em, but buying em is right on up there with swimsuit shopping in the pain stakes, especially if you’re aren’t stick thin. Plus you seem to sweat more. So I was extremely impressed with the online site www.zafu.com. Basically, you answer about 8 questions on your shape and how you want your jeans to fit – and they then search a dbase of tones of jeans retailers in the US and give you a list and pics of all the ones that should suit you! They're even launching a plus size version soon, so if you're a 16+, fear not! All the site testimonials rave – and many of the retailers do ship internationally. So in the interests of being a responsible blogger, I’ll suppose I’ll have to order one (or three) and let you know if they’re on the ball!

My second site, which I actually think I’m a little addicted to, is all about t-shirts (and sometimes hoodies). Its www.threadless.com – and I bought ELEVEN t-shirts from them over xmas so I can vouch for this site already. Only 2 were for me – and for the buxom babe the XL is fitted but not ridiculous.

So what’s so special about a t-shirt site, I hear you ask? Can you say “limited edition” anyone…for about $15! Basically, it’s a “community” where budding designers submit designs for votes by others in the community. There are about 6 “winners” each week and these are the designs they print, in limited quantities. The winners get about $2000- just in case you’re a budding designer – and the buyers get some HOT t-shirt designs for $10-$15 (they have LOTS of sales). But be warned, the designs are so good, you’ll find yourself compulsively adding to your shopping basket…

Why I’m wrapt with the wrap top 

March 13th, 2007

You know what’s really annoying? Shops filled with winter clothes when it’s still 30 degrees! I was faced with this fashion challenge over the long weekend, when I wanted to buy a new top for a night out, only to be faced with winter knits and far too much plaid.

As I’m not prepared to let go of summer, so I thought I’d dedicate this post to the must have summer item for any buxom babe: the wrap top.

Why the wrap, I hear you ask? So many reasons really!:

- It’s often made of a stretch fabric, meaning it fits all shapes of buxom babes…
- It has a plunging neckline, which can show the décolletage and cleavage that are your trademark. Or there’s always the “under singlet” for the office.
- They are usually long enough to cover your tummy, meaning it’s perfect for creating a slim-line silhouette, or for when you’re planning a big lunch
- More dressy than a t-shirt, but still not something than often needs an iron!

So, basically, stock up as they’re a buxom gals best friend…they’ll even look great under a winter coat when I finally admit that winter is on it’s way…



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