Finding stylish, and reasonably priced plus size clothing in New Zealand can be a real challenge. Thankfully, I have now been introduced to Isla Maree, a women’s plus size fashion store based in Auckland. They produce their own range of clothes as well as stocking other brands like PQ Collection, eb&ive, and Haven. I was kindly gifted two beautiful pieces from Isla Maree’s latest collection to review and show to you all.
Kitty Wrap Dress – Guava print
I love wearing wrap dresses, they suit my hourglass shape so well and I always get compliments when I wear them. As soon as I tried on this dress I knew it was the perfect item for me. The rayon fabric is lovely, it feels cool even in hot summer weather. There is a convenient ‘modesty button’ in the V neck so you can avoid exposing too much….unless you want to!
The Isla Maree Kitty Dress is available in four sizes – S (12-14), M (16-18), L (20-22). and XL (24). I wear size M, and that matches what I would usually fit at most other stores. Currently they have two other prints – one has leopards printed, and the other is a floral.
This dress is unlike anything else I own, with a dusky rose colour palette and boho vibe. I didn’t know if I’d suit it when I tried it on, then instantly realised it looked great! It’s light enough to wear in warm weather and will also be good for autumn/winter paired with tights and boots. I was a bit apprehensive that the empire waist could make me look pregnant but it thankfully does not.
The neckline has a ruffled detail with a tie
The Saffron dress is available in four sizes S (12-14), M (14-16), L (16-18) and XL (18-20). They warn that it runs smaller than their other garments, but I wear size M, the same as the Kitty dress.
Isla Maree’s physical store is located at 4/7 Westgate Drive, Westgate, Auckland but currently it is closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Fortunately their online store ships within New Zealand and also to Australia. Once the store re-opens I highly recommend popping in, the staff were lovely, helpfully finding the perfect dresses for me.
In store at Isla-Maree
Businesses are suffering because of the lockdown, so I’m going to make an effort to shop from small NZ-owned brands. I’d much rather my hard earned money go to people in my community than billion dollar corporations. So next time I need an outfit I’ll be heading to Isla Maree! The pricing is quite reasonable compared to the likes of City Chic, which has barely anything under $100.
Thanks Isla-Maree for giving me these dresses, I can’t wait to have the opportunity to wear them out!
Athleisure is a fashion trend that’s not going away any time soon, and I for one love it. Comfortable fabrics, fun colours, what could be better? Outside of work, I swear all I wear is leggings these days. Finding cool plus size active wear has previously been an issue for me, with the major sports wear stores in NZ not stocking above a 16. However, since discovering Rainbeau Curves, all my dreams have come true! Rainbeau Curves makes clothing ranging from workout gear to more of an athleisure hybrid for plus size women. I bought my first pair of their leggings a few months ago and have worn them non-stop this winter. Imagine my delight when Rainbeau Curves reached out and not only gave me a promo code that we all can use, but they also sent me a package of their clothing to post about? I practically screamed. I’ve been wearing them over the last wee while and have my thoughts on them, as well of lots of pictures of how they look on.
In recent weeks, an ASOS Curve jumpsuit has taken Twitter by storm. My friend Nat posted about it, saying how comfortable and stylish it was, and before the week was out at least 5 of us had bought them. Once we got ours and realised how incredible they are, even more people bought them! Now we’re a matching jumpsuit group, spread out across New Zealand. It’s kind of like the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, except we all have our own. Introducing the ASOS DESIGN Curve wrap jumpsuit with 3/4 sleeve. It comes in size 12-28 which is a good range, extending from the higher end of the straight sizing range, to the plus size section.
This jumpsuit was a nice gentle transition into wearing something I’d never tried before. In a lot of ways it reminds me of the Lady Voluptuous Lyra dress – short sleeves, cross over V-neck top, and a nice emphasis on the waist. The legs are straight cut with a tighter band at the bottom, but I wouldn’t describe it as clingy.
Finding stylish, affordable, plus size clothing can be tricky, but I’ve found a fantastic store to shop from. On a recent visit to Hamilton my friend Laura introduced me to SAMA + KIKI. SAMA + KIKI is a fashion label, designing plus size and plus size maternity clothing. The store also stocks other plus size fashion brands such as Rainbeau Curves, Hope & Harvest, Cotton Village, and more. I tried on half the store, and ended up purchasing three items, a SAMA + KIKI singlet, Rainbeau Curves leggings, and Blue Soul by Boho jumper.
Don’t you just love it when you buy a dress that makes you feel like a million bucks? I do, and last year I bought 3 of them. Meet the Lady Voluptuous Lyra dresses. Lady V London is a brand of vintage styled clothing, with Lady Voluptuous being the name of their plus size range. This range is produced in collaboration with Georgina from Fuller Figure, Fuller Bust blog. The Lyra has the look of a wrap dress with the cross over at the top, but does not actually tie to close. There is a waist tie that you can tie at the front to simulate that wrap look, and it has a full skirt that goes to my knees. Some styles are made with long sleeves, and other have shorter sleeves. The fabric flows nicely across my curves which is very flattering.
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