The Problem With High Street Fashion

Does high fashion have a plus size problem?

These days, the facts and figures that surround the plus size market are commonplace but to get our point across we’ll hit you with some anyway.

In 2016, the plus size fashion industry was worth around $21.4 billion – this represented a growth of around 6% in the number of women above a size 14. Despite this, 37% of plus size women continue to wear men’s clothing to workout, and a staggering 65% agree that their size is still ignored by the fashion industry.

Inclusivity doesn’t necessarily mean equality

It’s no secret that more and more brands are adding to their collections with plus size clothing but this type of inclusivity doesn’t necessarilymean that there’s total equality quite just yet.

Plus size models such as Ashley Graham and Iskra Lawrence may be spending more time in the public spotlight, but major fashion houses are still failing to diversify the models that they put down the runway. For years, designers have been criticised for their promotion of ‘unattainable figures’. At first, it was models so thin that they cast light on eating disorders, and then young, pubescent teens.

Luxury brands are the trendsetters so if industry change is on the horizon, even the world’s biggest designers will need to be on board. As soon as fashion houses start to introduce plus sizes into their ranges, there’s no doubt that it will begin to trickle down into the mass market.

Of course, there are some luxury brands that cater to plus sizes - Prabal Gurung and Christian Siriano have both proven to be pioneers. However, a lot of retailers either fail to stock extended sizes or fail to promote their plus sizes enough. 

Certain issues still need to be discussed

Plus size women may be moving ever closer toward complete social acceptance, but there continues to be a number of issues surrounding the industry that need to be addressed. Take the idea of swimsuits, for example. A quick Google search of ‘plus size swimwear’ may bring up plenty of retro high-waisted two pieces but how many low-rise bikinis are on offer?

It’s often a rarity of options for plus size ladies who are taller or shorter than the average. Heading to the ‘curve’ section of a brand will often mean you need to improvise when it comes to your height. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that fashion schools fail to teach budding designers how to cut and drape for any model that’s any bigger than the typical 4-6. 

Another issue is that high-street retailers that do stock plus size clothing will slip up on their visual merchandising, choosing to almost banish their extended sizes to a corner of the store away from their ‘regular’ range. When you arrive there, you’ll probably see no more than a few rails with a basic assortment of trends leaving you feeling left out and deflated. The same goes for shopping online, although sites such as Ashleigh Plus Size make it easier for the curvier ladies out there to find outfits that aren’t only the right size, but right on trend.

*Collaborative piece

Giving Your Bathroom A Spa Feel

Life is lived at such a fast pace today. When you get home from work, it is important to be able to relax and unwind. If we could afford it, we would treat ourselves to endless spa trips. But there is no need to do this. Instead, why not make your bathroom your own personal home spa? By creating a luxurious and relaxing bathroom space, you have the perfect place to unwind when you get home from a difficult and stressful day at work. It does not have to cost a lot of money to do this either. Read on to discover some of the best suggestions for turning your bathroom into the perfect spa.

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There is only one place to begin when it comes to your bathroom, and this is with your shower or bath. You need a shower that is spacious and comes with a massage shower head so that you can have ultimate relaxation. You can find a good selection of luxury showers at affordable prices by visiting Drench. Of course, taking a bath is way more luxurious than having a shower. If you can afford to have a new tub installed in your home, you should look for something that is deep so that you can soak after a hard day in the office. Consider using local bathroom fitters to give you a professional finish.  However, if you cannot afford a new bath, this does not mean that you cannot benefit from luxury. There are many ways to add small luxurious touches to your bathroom that will give you that desired spa feel and offer utter relaxation. A good example of this is by investing in a bathtub tray. This will only set you back a couple of pounds, yet it can completely transform your bath experience. You will have the perfect place for your book and perhaps a glass of wine. This means that you can relax in the bath for hours after a stressful day, ensuring you only need to come out when you are fully stress-free.

Another essential step when creating a spa-like bathroom is to get rid of all of the clutter. If you were to walk into a spa today, you would not see any clutter. This is because clutter makes it difficult to relax. Instead, it actually causes frustration and irritation. This is the last thing you want when you are trying to create a serene environment. Therefore, get rid of all of your bottles and any other products that are lying about. Make sure they are neatly put away in the cupboard. If you have any items that do not have a place, then you should get rid of them. Magazines and shampoo bottles thrown on the bathroom floor is never a good look.

When you visit a spa, it is all about engaging all of the senses. It is not only about how you feel, but it is about what you can smell and the sounds that you can hear. You can take inspiration from this within your own bathroom. Let's begin with scent. You can add relaxing smells to your bathroom, including the likes of vanilla, Mandarin, lavender, or anything else that appeals to you. This will help you to unwind, as the scent will have a relaxing and therapeutic effect on you. The same can be said for music. You can play relaxing sounds, such as sounds of the ocean, to give your bathroom a real spa feel.

Finally, when it comes to creating a luxurious environment in any room it is all about the little finishing touches. For your bathroom, there are lots of little finishing touches that you can add in order to create a more relaxing vibe and give you that added sense of luxury you are looking for. For example, you can invest in a heated towel rail so that you have lovely warm towels whenever you get out of the bath or the shower. Aside from this, you should ensure that you have a fluffy and luxurious rope hanging on the bathroom door as well as a pair of comfortable slippers so that you can wrap up warm whenever you get out of the shower. Other added touches include the likes of a good selection of magazines as well as some high-quality pampering products.

So there you have it; the ultimate guide to creating a spa feel in your bathroom! Follow the tips above and bring relaxation to your home.

Give Someone The Gift Of A Good Time

There is no denying that buying gifts can be difficult. With every year that passes by, birthdays and Christmases become more challenging. However, rather than simply buying people materialistic things, why not purchase them and experience gift instead? There are many reasons why experiences make better gifts, as you will discover in further detail below.

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One of the main reasons why you should choose to buy someone an experience rather than a gift is because experiences last a lifetime. A material object may provide delight for a week or two, but an experience offers memories that will be cherished forever. You can give someone something that they can look back at and smile about forever. Not only this, but the excitement that is created in the run-up to the experience is also priceless.

There are also so many amazing experience gifts that you can choose from. If your friend or family member is a sports fan, you could book tickets for them to see their favourite sports teams. A lot of sporting athletes today also host events whereby guests can ask them questions and get to know them, which is another suggestion. For music fans, a concert is an obvious choice. You can also book tickets to festivals, as well as tickets to other attractions throughout the country, including theme parks and such like. This merely scratches the surface. One of the most spectacular gifts you can give someone is a helicopter ride. Pennine Helicopters gives you further information on the different options that are available, and you may be surprised to learn that they are not as expensive as you would think. Other options include paragliding, scuba diving and other adrenaline based activities. Or, why not give someone the opportunity to drive around in a luxury sports car for an hour or two? As you can see, the options are endless, and so you will never run out of ideas.

Not only this, but an experience is something that you can enjoy with the person in question. This will give you more of a social connection. And, of course, you will get to benefit from the money you have spent as well. Moreover, there is no denying that there is greater value derived from experiences as a whole. We all get tired of gifts but we value memories. Items may come in and out of fashion, but the thrill and happiness you get from an experience is something that will never fade.

As you can see, there was nothing better than giving someone the gift of a good time. If one of your friends or family members has a birthday coming up soon and you are trying to figure out what to give to them, make sure you consider an experience gift. This is bound to impress and it is the sort of gift that will not invite any competition because no one else will have thought to do something similar.