Spring essentials, XL edition

I wish I could start this post with the cliché phrase “spring is here” and all that jazz. But folks, I’m afraid spring was here and it’s already almost past us. You know what that means, right? You’d better hurry up and stock on all you spring & summer essentials!

Xlcloset.gr, the plus-size e-shop I was telling you all about the other day, has managed to put together all the spring trends a girl with curves will ever need. Take a look:

Stripes

Stripes are in every season, but this time they’ve arrived with a blast! Moreover, you shouldn’t limit your choices to tops only. Try a striped cardigan, some stripy accessories, and why not, even a pair of striped pants.

Black & White

This is definitely the spring trend that will be going well into summer. The possibilities are endless: Wear a black top with white bottoms for a simple and chic look, try a cute b&w print like floral or polka dots, or combine two trends at once, by doing monochrome stripes.

Spring colourblock

My personal favourite, ever since it came into style a few seasons back. Just imagine… Red pants worn with a turquoise blouse, a coral top together with a bright blue skirt, a lime yellow pair of capris and a grey t-shirt. Plus, it’s perfect for accessorizing, since it’s simple at its base.

Which one is your favourite?

Oh, and don't forget. If you haven't "liked" XLcloset on Facebook yet, please do. They run the most amazing competitions all the time, like, this one right now where you can win €300 worth of clothes! And if that didn't convince you, I don't know what will!

Βunnies and stripes

It's been a while since my last outfit post. Consider this the epitome of my spring dressing this year: A blousy top, full skirt, ballet flats, a cardi of some sort and the always-there scarf, with a cutesy detail.

Black & white striped top, SUITBLANCO. Dark denim full skirt, H&M. Beige cardigan, ZARA. Pink scarf with white bunnies, ZARA. Black leather ballet flats, ZARA.

Who's afraid of the big bad Crocs?

Yeah, I'm going there.

A while ago, Crocs gave me this pair of Springy ballet flats.

I'm gonna spare you the blah-blah and cut to the chase:

Those little beady things you see in the insoles? They're like a million little masseuses giving you a foot rub. Constantly.

Plus, all my male friends, when asked, they replied something along the lines of "they're not *that* bad afterall" or "they don't look like Crocs at all". Some design-obsessed ones even sang praises for the quirky-yet-functional design.

So there you go. This summer you might bumb into me wearing Crocs. Be gentle.

Who doesn't dream of an XLCloset?

I'm a firm believer that style has no size. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying everyone looks good in everything. If that was the case, there would be no fashion magazines, blogs or personal stylists - no one would ever need them. But I do believe that everyone should be able to wear what expresses them, regardless of their size.

Over the years I've discovered a numerous amount of fashion blogs written by curvier or plus-size girls, or if you prefer, fatsion blogs, like Le Blog de Big Beauty, Curvy Girl Chic, Jay Miranda, Cupcake's Clothes, Garner Style, Fat Shopaholic, Girl With Curves, Nadia Aboulhosn, Coco Curvy, Fatsion Daily, Nicolette Mason and many many others.

via Le Blog de Big Beauty, Fat Shopaholic, Coco Curvy, Curvy Girl Chic

Right, fatsion, as in fat + fashion. And why not? Notice that I wrote "written by" and not "written for". Those girls are really stylish people and they offer true fashion inspiration. Personally, I have been inspired by their outfits numerous times.

However, the thing that always sprung in mind while enjoying their musings, was this: Where do all those girls (especially the significantly bigger ones) actually find all those cute clothes? I mean, if the majority of us complain that we can't find that exact cut of a cute dress we are looking for, what chance does a plus-sized girl have?

Here comes the internet. Yes, these past few years it really got that simple for people looking for something the high street won't cater for.. Since I'm writing from Greece and most of my readers (those who are left at least - hi mum) are Greek, let me introduce you to one of my latest discoveries:

XLCloset is an all-Greek online shop for plus-size women. The difference (at least the one I'm interested in) is that it is actually cute. Seriously. No mumsy aesthetics in this one, no sir. Having the 30-year experience of Greek plus-size brand Vertice behind it, xlcloset.gr really knows the plus-size fashion needs, but still manages to keep a young, refreshing and stylish look-and-feel that immediately lets you know these won't be your mama's clothes.



There you can find about almost everything a plus-size girl would look for: Clothes by DinaXL and Vertice sized up to 62 GR (28 UK), bags & accessories by DOCA and also a great selection of jewellery. And they're no noobies either, being on the e-commerce bandwagon since 2011.

Wait, let me just show you:


The first feel

I just love it when an e-shop's first page is all bright, colourful and inspirational style-wise, yet it totally works practically as well.


The clothes

It has everything. OK, being a hardcore dress-and-skirt girl, I would love to see more dresses, but still, it has jeggings, people!


The accessories

Don't you agree that it's the accessories that really make or break an outfit? I mean, most days I'm in a black top and khaki skirt, and then it's orange scarf, beaded necklace, colourful shoes, hello world.


Last but not least: Shipping is free for orders over €50 and you can still find most of the clothes at the real-life Vertice stores, if you need more help in deciding your size and asking for style advice. And yes, of course you can find XLCloset on Facebook too. You're welcome.

Purple and lilac reverse french

What do you do when you have some much-awaited time in your hands? You add colour to them as well!

Meet KORRES nail colour in Blueberry and Spring Lilac, both from the Lilac Cool pack available now at pharmacies.

Let me get something straight here - this ain't no nail tutorial. Still here? So, here's my two cents on doing a reverse french mani:

1. Chose two colours of the same hue, it sorta looks more put together this way.
2. Do two coats of the light one. Lights always need two.
3. Don't drink coffee before doing the dark line.

What? Did you expect round stickers and shit? Nope, those fuckers were done freehand baby.

That's why you'll only see my left hand in this post. Cause I'm right-handed and, well, you know...

And if Spyros doesn't mind, why should you?

KOOL birds fly

Yeah, many of you already know I work at KOOLFly. Well, if you know me that well to be aware of my professional whereabouts, you'll probably also know that I am a sucker for those things as well:

1) The danish brand Νümph
2) Cute prints
3) Flowy dresses belted at the waist
4) Online shopping

So really, there's no need for any further explanation, right?

Kaya bird-print dress by Nümph via KOOLFly.com

I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

Sales is my favourite time of the year. Thank goodness it comes twice, unlike Christmas.

Got these amazing ruby ballet flats by Jil Sander off The Outnet a couple of weeks ago.

Given the fact that I wear my red-coloured flats almost more than my black ones, these may not last long. But they will sure get a pretty neat cost-per-wear.