Just over a week ago I attended The Official British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend on behalf of F&F Clothing (the new name for Clothing at Tesco). You can read all about my day out here.
As part of the arrangement, the fab team at F&F Clothing kindly provided me with a voucher so that I could buy something from their fabulous clothing range to wear on the day. I went crazy and ordered a variety of dresses, way outspending the value of my voucher (oops).
Sadly for me, the items I chose weren’t the perfect fit and I didn’t have time to reorder so I ended up wearing an outfit of my own on the day. However, I will be reviewing the F&F items I tried over the coming weeks to show you some of the amazing clothing available from them.
I was also given a £50 F&F Clothing voucher to give away on my blog so after you’ve read this review please don’t forget to enter using the Rafflecopter system at the bottom of the page.
So, today I would like to tell you about the gorgeous Julia Animal Print Gold Ring Wrap Dress I tried.
Image courtesy of F&F Clothing
I wasn’t 100% sure about this dress when I saw it online but the wrap shape looked like it just might work for me so I decided to add a size 14 to my basket and give it a try.
And thank goodness I did!
It’s funny, when I tried this dress on I wasn’t at all sure about it. But now I look back at the photos I am wondering why I doubted it! The wrap shape is perfect for me – adequately covering my boobs and fitting my hips but also nipping me in at the waist.
The crossover bust is roomy – good news for ladies with larger boobs – and I would easily be able to wear this dress on a night out or to a party without a modesty camisole. That’s something of a rarity for me. If I did decide to wear this to work I think I would add a cami for safety’s sake – I never know when my girls might decide to make an appearance and I certainly wouldn’t want such an accident to happen at work!
The skirt is shaped perfectly, having plenty of room for generous hips without being distastefully tight. However when I tried it on I did wonder if it is perhaps slightly too clingy on my lower half…what do you think?
I love the feature gold ring at the waist, which is what pulls the middle area inwards and highlights my hourglass figure.
The fabric is lovely and stretchy and feels most unusual to the touch. It is almost furry but the fibres are not long enough for that. It’s very soft though and is perfect for a dress in leopard print.
Some leopard prints are much more garish than others. I think that this one is definitely on the more subtle side and is fun and playful without being too ‘in your face’. Adding a simple black blazer would play it down, whilst the addition of red or bright blue heels and accessories, for example, would really make it pop.
So why did I decide not to keep this dress? In all honesty, having written this post and looked at the pictures again, I am left wondering the same thing. In the end, I reluctantly returned it because I already own something along similar lines so it seemed rather frivolous to keep it. I also felt the dress was just a little too clingy overall so I intend to buy the size 16 in due course and see if it works any better. However I’m concerned that the fit on the waist won’t be as good as the size 14 seen here. Only time will tell!
****UPDATE****
I reordered the dress in 14 and 16. The 16 was too loose on the back at the waist so it went back. The 14 is now hanging in my wardrobe, waiting to be worn 🙂
Please can we have more dresses in this shape, F&F Clothing? I’d love to see it in plain colours and a range of prints!
And now, without further ado, let’s move on to my fab giveaway.
The lovely people at F&F Clothing have very generously donated a £50 voucher to be awarded to the winner of my prize draw. As with my blog birthday giveaway a few months ago, this is a simple entry system, where you can participate in as many or as few entry options as you wish using the Rafflecopter widget below. But remember, the more options you complete, the more chances you have of WINNING!
Thanks so much to F&F Clothing for providing my readers with this fantastic opportunity – good luck to you all!
loving that leopard skin dress actually
Thanks Jane – the more I think about it, the more I like it too!
Love the leopard dress!
Me too – I am now the proud owner of one 😉
The Julia Lace Print Support Ponte Dress is lovely! ~Kristi G.~
Thanks Kristi – I have a review of that to come 🙂
I think it looked amazing on you and fit you perfectly!Hugs, Susan @stylingwithsusieblog.com
Thanks Susan. I guess I am too critical of myself! After all the lovely feedback on here and on my Facebook page I have reordered the 14 and it's now waiting to be worn 🙂
I think the Rose Print Poplin dress is adorable!
That dress looks lovely. Totally addicted to leopard prints so this is a highlight. <3
Ups … forgot to add the "F&F True Dip Hem Animal Dress" … Love the dress for summer. <3
I am in love with the onsie – http://www.clothingattesco.com/nightwear/f+f-heart-print-fleece-onesie/invt/cc311087/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-nightwearLooks so warm and comfey, perfect for these winter nights!
In all honesty, I'd love to try the leopard dress – to see if I could wow like you do! WOWOtherwise, it would have to be this dress: http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-floral-print-jersey-dress/invt/bd311130/&bklist=icat,4,shop,new-in-categories,womens-new just for the print – WOWK xx
The dress does look lovely on you but if you weren't comfortable in it you probably wouldn't have reached for so it'd have ended up unused anyway! This is my favourite, it's so bright and cheerful – http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-floral-print-jersey-dress/invt/bd311130/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dressesxxx
I love this whole outfithttp://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-pu-trim-printed-ponte-skater-dress/invt/jf311190/&bklist=icat,2,wm-casual-dressesI would add a thick belt underneath the bust for definition but this would be perfect casual outfit
The dress is not too clingy on you. It looks lovely. My first thought: now, that's a keeper!
Ooh competition – fingers crossed!
I'm loving the 60's style daisy print shift dress it's so cute ! Xx
The dress looks beautiful on you! I wonder if they make a wrap top in that same pattern?
Wouw girlthe dress looks fab on you.I hope upsizing won't alter the fit to muchxxxx
you look amazing, hope you manage to get a good fit, my fave dress on tesco at the mo is http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-belted-dress/invt/bd311106/&bklist=icat,4,shop,new-in-categories,womens-newc just wish it came in a bright red or blue
You look utterly divine in this!!!!
Wow you look fabulous! This dress is definitely on my to-buy list now!
I like the black fit and flare dress, it looks really cute.And you look amazing in that dress!Becky x
the Stella Morgan Ponte bow dress in blue is lovely 🙂
I love the animal print dress on you. This dress is my fave though http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/ice-blossom-embellished-prom-dress/invt/by221147/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses
You look great in that dress, I also think the print looks much nicer/clearer in your photos than in the stock photo.Spotted some wrap dresses and a pair of red mid heel shoes on that website and since they ship to my country I'm definetly entering your giveaway=).
Ops forgot to add the link to the pretty red shoes:http://www.clothingattesco.com/shoes/f+f-patent-court-shoes/invt/bk311058/ These look the perfect height
I like the Julia Peplum ponte dress and the Disney Doper vest and shorts PJs. Is that weird? Lol.
I love this peplum top! :)http://www.clothingattesco.com/tops+t-shirts/f+f-ribbed-peplum-top/invt/bb311127/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-tops-and-t-shirtsLovely giveaway!x
The dress really suits you and is a good fit too. I have a couple of their dresses and they are a nice shape for me. I like this http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-feather-print-ponte-dress/invt/bd311123/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses looks very flattering.
The dress looks really great on you.I like the look of this top. It would really suit my figure.http://www.clothingattesco.com/tops+t-shirts/f+f-true-long-line-stud-detail-chiffon-blouse/invt/bv310053/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-tops-and-t-shirts
The dress looks lovely on you, that shape is perfect for you!I really like the monochrome limited edition jacket from F & F http://www.clothingattesco.com/coats+jackets/f+f-limited-edition-monochrome-printed-jacket/invt/jg311037/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-coats-and-jackets
F&F Heart Print Fleece Onesie
Oh, that's beautiful on. I hope the 16 works out for you, but I think the 14 might be a winner!
I love this item http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-true-animal-print-jersey-dress/invt/bv311152/&bklist=icat,5,shop,catgbrands,womens-brands,wm-true-18-28 it's F&F True Animal Print Jersey Dress
i like this http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/cherokee-floral-dress/invt/cw312009/&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses and also the one you showed in your post
Love that dress! And it looks wonderful on you!
I love the poplin dress in rose print
As always miss Caroline you look amazing! I love these flatshttp://m.clothingattesco.com/tesco/product/detail.do?categoryId=2167695&itemId=bk312233And this shirt dress!http://m.clothingattesco.com/tesco/product/detail.do?categoryId=2167695&itemId=bv312233
Wow you have a gorgeous silhouette
You look amazing! My favorite item is the F&F True Spray Studded Jumper.
My favourite is the Stella Morgan Lace Top Dress. It's gorgeous and lace never goes out of fashion 🙂