There’s no real link between these ten products except the fact I love them and I will be investing in some of them ready for when the Sun finally shows its face! This Summer, I’ll be eschewing the more off-the-wall catwalk trends (jogging pants? Leather shorts? I think not…) for something a bit more flattering.

On the relaxed, bohemian side there’ll be an update on last Summer’s gladiator sandals, pretty maxi dresses, nude wedge sandals, 50s sundresses and vintage-inspired doctors bags. For something a bit more dramatic, I’m thinking chandelier earrings, waterfall frills, graphic print dresses and military inspiration. All these items are available now, so get shopping before they sell out!

Regular shoes usually fit me fine around the foot, but I often struggle to fasten ankle straps because of my chunky ankles and high arches. And boots? Forget it. They all seem to be cut for women with insanely tiny ankles and calves. So I’m always impressed to see more retailers branching out into wider fit shoes and boots.

Very.co.uk are the latest to take the plunge, and they carry a decent selection of wide fit shoes to compliment their size 16+ So Fabulous! range. I was lucky enough to be sent a pair to try recently…

The shoes are Very’s ‘Lisa’ style, a classic black satin peep-toe with some stitched detail around the front. According to the blurb, they’re designed with comfort in mind, which explains why the heel is a moderate 3.5 inches and fairly substantial. They come in an EEE fit which classifies as ‘extra wide’, but they’re actually not as wide as I was expecting.

One of my feet is a half size larger than the other (yep, I’m a freak, but I bet you are too!) and I often have to squeeze it into something that’s technically a bit small, but the wider fit of these shoes gave that bigger foot more room for manouvre, which was an unexpected bonus. However, it also meant my feet weren’t so well supported, and the other shoe felt a bit loose – with tights on the shoe kept slipping off my feet because they weren’t grabbing around the foot enough. Without tights on they were great. I imagine they’d be even better in Summer when my feet are a bit swollen with the heat, that’s when I often find regular shoes are a bit pinchy and uncomfortable. I would probably be better off with a slightly less generous fit, however.

If you struggle to find wide-fit shoes that aren’t too old-fashioned and designed purely with practicality in mind, the So Fabulous range offers up some good options. As far as ‘Lisa’ goes, the heel is a bit too low for my liking, given that the satin makes them quite a formal style, and I have a tendency to go for far more ostentatious designs. But as a basic, classic shoe to stash away for the right occasion, it’s a safe bet.

Trinity, a real fashion-led platform Mary-Jane may be a better option if you want something more adventurous, while I think the red patent ruffled ‘Heather’ is a retro winner.

All the shoes and boots in the range come in sizes 4 – 9 in EEE fit.

disclaimer: these shoes were a gift from Very. However, the review is honest and I was not paid to publish it.

Shoes are the Big Girl’s secret weapon! No matter how much your weight fluctuates they’ll always fit, and an amazing pair of heels can add inches, make legs look slimmer and – most importantly – make you feel like you rule the world. High Street retailers know this all too well, which is why they’re continually upping the ante each season with more ostentatious offerings. Dorothy Perkins have just announced ‘Luxe’, a collection of premium styles named after some of the world’s top jet-set destination. I’m in love, and I bet you will be too!

The five styles – Cannes, New York, Hollywood, Marbella, Paris – all come in a palette of magenta, cobalt, black and metallic and will hit stores and DorothyPerkins.com this month priced between £55 and £65 in sizes 3 – 8. Click the thumbnails below to see bigger versions of some of the shoes. I’ve got my eye on Cannes (the tie front shoe) and Hollywood (the zip-back ankle grabbers)!

[View with PicLens]

Being comfortable with your curves is the key to looking great, and I have so much admiration for voluptuous women who wear what they want regardless of the fashion ‘rules’ (who wrote them anyway?). They are the women we should be looking up to. But the truth is many of us still have confidence issues and would kill to look a few pounds slimmer, hide the lumps and bumps or conceal the bits we don’t like very much. Whether it’s your tum, bum, boobs or thighs that you struggle to dress, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting you have bits you’re not so happy with. Until you have the confidence to say “to hell with it, I’m gorgeous!” dressing to flatter is key to feeling good about yourself.

However, hiding it not an option! So throw away those shapeless sacks and work with what you’ve got instead…

1. Belt it!
If you’ve got a big bum and big boobs, chances are you’ve got a killer waist to go with them. So don’t hide it. Bigger women – especially those of a certain age – seem to be inexplicably obsessed with low-slung hip belts. This has to stop! Accentuate the narrowest part, your natural waist, instead. If you’re a 12 – 18, you can go with a wider belt, perhaps an elasticated number or something with a big buckle. If you’re larger, try something narrower, and don’t fasten it too tight. Remember you need to be able to breathe!

2. Go opaque
My less-than-secret weapon for feeling great is a good pair of black or very dark coloured opaque tights with a semi-matte finish. We all know black is slimming, and nothing makes your legs look better than some great opaques with a pair of killer heels. They also smooth bumps and conceal thread veins, cellulite and ‘corned beef’ legs. Some of the heavier deniers can even have a shapewear-like effect.
The best in the business for lasting power are Wolford’s Velvet DeLuxe. If you can’t afford their £18 price tag, Accessorize do a 90 denier pair for £6 that are a dead ringer on a budget. Also look at brands like Falke, Tabio and Cette, as well as good old Spanx. And remember, tights are so super-cool now so you can wear them pretty much year-round. Look at tights fans like Zooey Deschanel, Gwyneth Paltrow and Leona Lewis for proof!

3. Go tailored
If I had £1 for every bigger woman I’ve seen drowning herself in shapeless layers of clothing, I’d be a very rich woman. As tempting as it is to throw on a baggy t-shirt under a man’s shirt and scarf and hide your lumps and bumps, you’ll look much better if that t-shirt is long, v-necked and semi-fitted, and the shirt is a blouse cut to fit a woman with a waist (you have a waist, remember?!) I’m not suggesting you suddenly shoehorn yourself into skintight bodycon (unless you want to!) but remember the more bulk you add in shapeless layers, the bigger you’ll look all over. Pick things that subtly nip you in, and you’re onto a winner.

4. Stop camping it up if you’ve got a chest!
Trapeze and A-line dresses (ones that flare out from the neck or above the bust) work brilliantly on women with small boobs, big thighs or round tummies because they skim those areas brilliantly, but they’re the worst possible choice for anyone over a C cup. There’s nothing worse than a tent-like dress with a spindly pair of legs poking out. You’ll get ’shelf boob’ and you’ll hide all those amazing curves, and what’s the point of that? You’d be far better off with a good heavy jersey wrap dress with a deep v-neck, or something that hugs the waist, perhaps with a darker panel or belt. Just stick a spanx slip or cami underneath to cover those annoying high-rise D+ bras.

5. Fake it!
I don’t advocate sun-worshiping, but a tan does give you confidence, and bronzed skin can make you look healthier and more radiant. So if you’re fair to medium skinned and conscious of how fair your skin is, why not get a fake tan if you’ve got a big event where you want to look your best? Professional spray tanners can even use the airbrush to ’sculpt’ your body, adding extra shading to the cleavage, the collarbone, the sides of the stomach etc. This is hard to copy at home but you could try tanning all over on day one, then topping up on the ’shaded’ bits with a mixture dilluted with moisturiser on day two. I also use a gradual tanning moisturiser throughout Spring, Summer and early Autumn when I’ve got my arms and legs out. It really makes a difference, but you’re less likely to go streaky in the heat.

6. Balance out big hips.
The key to hiding ‘childbearing’ hips is balance. Avoid wearing skinny jeans with short tops (go for longer tunic styles), throw out those hip belts and instead try bootcut trousers or flares teamed with long, fitted or body-skimming tops. Skirts with knee high boots (especially ruched or slouchy to add bulk to the calves to balance out the upper thighs) or dresses with detail on the shoulders also work to even out your proportions. Big shoulders are back in fashion at the moment and they’re a great way of balancing out your hips.

7. Buy the right size.
Ladies, many of us wish we fit into a size 8. But let’s face it, most of us don’t. Most of us don’t fit into a 10 or 12 either, and it’s about time we admitted it. Measure your hips, waist and chest (at the widest part) and compare it to the size charts of the shops you most frequently shop at. Try that size if you’re not wearing it already, you’ll probably find it’s a much nicer fit. One of the worst things a woman can do is try to squeeze into something that’s too small (or drown in something too big)…and I speak from experience here because I’ve done both. But it’s time we learned. Try things on, and only buy things that fit perfectly. Chuck them out when they don’t fit any more. Don’t hang onto stuff that you’ll never wear. Sell it on eBay and buy something else!

8. Get the right undies.
I will never stop rambling on about the importance of being fitted for a good bra. You’ve probably read countless times that 80% of us are wearing the wrong bra size. Stop just assuming you’re one of the other 20%! Get measured! Weight loss, weight gain, the fact you were last measured in M&S when you were 14…all of these contribute to the fact we’re all clueless when it comes to cup size. I promise you that a trip to Bravissimo will give you a new lease of life. In the right bra your clothes will fit better, your boobs will look twice as perky, and your straps will stop falling down all the time. On a side note, stop buying knickers that are too small, too. Go up a size, don’t be ashamed to be a 16 (or 18, or 20, or 32…) if that’s what feels most comfortable!

9. Get a new ‘do
I think part of feeling confident is about having a whole look that feels young, fresh and stylish. So many big girls (myself included) have a tendency to hang on to their hair for dear life, hiding behind waist-length locks that are desperately in need of a tidy up. So if you want a new lease of life, consider a new hairdo. A shorter, choppier cut will lighten up your hair and give it more body (long hair is full of weight that makes it look flat). I’m all about the big hair – it looks fun! so whip out the big velcro rollers, invest in some heavy duty hairspray, and have fun!

10. Get active
Big Girls Browse is all about looking good whatever your shape, so I’m not going to preach at anyone to lose weight (unless they want to). It’s taken me a long time to get to this point, but now I realise that life doesn’t end when your dress size goes up.

That said, so many voluptuous women have been knocked down so many times they eventually give up and hide away. And that’s a crying shame, because nothing beats the radiance a woman has from being active, going out, doing stuff and living her life to the full. So stick two fingers up to the haters, put on your favourite outfit and go and DO SOMETHING!

images above: Bravissimo shirt dress,Torrid checked shirt, Caryn Franklin belted dress, Simply Be Pom-Pom trim dress.

Forget the corsets and girdles of old. The new breed of hold-you-in foundation garments give you a sleeker silhouette without the pain of more old-fashioned alternatives. Since we’re bigger on average than we used to be, it’s no surprise that women are queueing up to buy products that’ll make them appear slimmer or more toned. But which do you go for? To help, I’ve tried everything from smoothing tights to powermesh slips in my search for the best shapewear…

Spanx Higher Power high waisted briefs £27 Figleaves.com

Many would consider Spanx the ‘original’ shapewear. Obviously they’re not (just look at undies from fifty years ago) but as far as the modern revival goes, this brand does really take things to the next level, and ‘higher power’ is the star product for those who want to flatten their tum, lift their bum and define their waist. It was the first product I tried, and since then I’ve been hoooked on the power of good shapewear.

With a waistband that sits directly under your bra, these beat old tummy-control knickers because you’re not left with a roll of flab over the waistband. They shape you from hips to waist. On the legs they’re more like low-denier tights, slowly graduating up to a powerful, thick fabric that’ll definitely give you a slimmer appearance.

Spanx work because they’re powerful without being painful more mildly uncomfy) they don’t roll down as easily as some other products, and they definitely make you look slimmer. However, they’re not sexy; the nude ones give you the appearance of a sausage in its casing, and there’s a hole at the crotch with two ‘crossover’ gusset sections that allow you to go to the loo without removing them – this isn’t exactly attractive but it does the job!

8/10 – marks lost for the ugly factor!

Flexees Waist Nipper $26 Maidenform

Like a simpler and less attractive alternative to the corset, this does a similar job; helping to hide ‘muffin top’ and smooth the stomach and waist to create a more hourglass shape. While it doesn’t make you drop inches in the way a good steel-boned corset can, it does help to create a smooth line and stop any wayward flab from spilling out (mmm, nice) without the pain of a corset. The hook and eye fastening is extremely secure; mine is quite a tight squeeze but I’ve never had the stitching come loose or a hook break or bend. It’s made from a stretchy, control fabric similar to what you’ll find on most bodysuits and girdles, and because it fits in the gap between bra and knickers, can be easily sneaked off if you suddenly need to impress. I have this in nude and find it works really well under trousers and slim-fitting tops to create a smoother line.

9/10 - Works well, does the job perfectly, except under very fitted items where the hooks show.

Gok Wan ‘Sex Kitten Corset’ £45 SimplyYours.co.uk

Many of my clothes are quite fitted at the waist because I like that 40s/50s bombshell look, and this corset is very good for creating that nipped-in silhouette, but also has the added bonus of looking attractive in its own right. You can team it with nice undies and you can go to the loo like a normal human being. It looks pretty, gives a flattering shape and definitely hold everything in. So far, so good.

Like the other pieces from the Gok Wan shapewear range, a good deal of though has gone into the construction of the garment. Though some of the branding is a bit in-your-face (I could have done without the bright pink ribbons with ‘Gok’ scrawled on them) I did appreciate the attention to detail; the ‘modesty panel’ under the ribbons, the fact the lacing fastens at the waist and not at the hips (gives more ‘pulling’ power!) and the double hook & eye fastening to secure it properly at the bust. It also has a really nice sweetheart shape at the neck, rather than being straight across and giving a shelf-like effect.

However, I would warn you to be careful. I actually managed to bruise the skin under my boobs by pulling this too tight the first time I wore it. Don’t be tempted to yank it too tight if you’ll be wearing it for more than a few hours. Corsets improve your posture and keep everything well and truly strapped in, and overall, this is probably one of the pieces I wear the most, but it is restrictive (I rarely sit down / eat when I have it on)!

8/10 – Marks dropped for the overt Gok branding and the bruising!

Firm control low leg knickers £16 Marks & Spencer

As ‘big knickers’ go, these are some of the best. The waistband is thick enough that I avoided the awful muffin top (just about) but others might not be so lucky. I found these were great to wear with jeans (and long tops, natch) to help avoid too many lumps and bumps, but they began to dig in a bit by the end of the day. For the elevated price, I don’t think they’re as good a buy as a the even higher waisted M&S pants, a waistnipper or a pair of Spanx.

They wash well, you can tell they’re good quality and the anti VPL cut around the hips and upper thigh is clever, but overall, I think the price is too steep.

6/10 – Work well, but too expensive considering the potential for rolling flab at the waist!

Gok Wan Sassy Slip £55 at Simply Yours

Wow. Once I’d shoehorned myself into this thing, I was impressed, but I do have one tip when you’re shopping. If you’re a graduate of the Bravissimo school of bra measuring (ie. you’re quite curvaceous, but they’ve measured you as a narrow back size with a big cup) go up at least one back size when ordering this. Trying to get myself into 34DD was tantamount to getting an egg through a sieve. However, when I finally did it, I looked like I was about to be painted by Alberto Vargas.

This is the closest to a proper old-fashioned girdle you’ll find without buying vintage / repro vintage. The top is cut like the bra from the same range – a padded deep plunge with a slightly irritating bell charm on it. It’s got adjustable straps to make it halter / crossover if need be, and the hook and eye fastening extends all the way down to the hips. Then the rest is cut from a seriously hard-working powermesh that holds in all your wobbly bits to create a smooth line. It’s topped off with removable suspenders (four of them). Inside is a gusset with hook and eye fastening that makes getting it on even trickier.

All in all, though the results are amazing, I found this one quite a struggle. I’m sure if I had a bigger size it would be fine, and it’s perfect if you want to look amazing for a big night, but don’t want to have to reveal ugly shapewear at the end! However, just beware the powermesh really is powerful, and you’ll feel quite constricted.

7/10 – In a bigger size, this would probably get higher, but still loses a mark for that god-awful bell charm!

Spanx Hide & Sleep Full Slip £57 Figleaves

If you wear a lot of jersey pieces, wrap dresses, sheer items or fabrics that cling, this stretchy, full slip is a lifesaver. Though it’s not as shaping as some of the other items from Spanx, what it does is create smooth lines under your clothes, giving medium control to keep things where they’re meant to be and also stop VPL. Though it’s expensive, I thoroughly recommend it as I’ve worn my black one frequently (in fact, I have it on as I’m writing this). Unlike other options, this doesn’t feel restrictive or tight, and as an added bonus for those with big boobs, it can replace a ‘modesty cami’ if you wear the black version under something with a low neckline.

For the very brave, I also reckon the black version would make an amazing body-con dress!

10/10 – Comfy, flattering, and works brilliantly under fitted dresses.

Cette Magic Knickers Support £16.99 TightsPlease.co.uk

Imagine a pair of stretchy tights knit so finely together that they’re the approximate size of a postage stamp when you’re not wearing them. You’re not far off these babies if you have that image in your head. Probably the least attractive of the bunch, these super-powerful pants really do suck in your tummy, bum and thighs just like Spanx, but there are a couple of downsides.

Firstly, the shape is cut fairly low on the waist, resulting in the famous muffin top. There is a higher-waisted alternative that I’m sure would be a better option. Secondly, there’s no gusset opening which means every time you need the loo you have to wrestle with 140 denier of sheer torture. They do hold you in and they’re slightly more comfy and breathable than Power Panties, but all in all I don’t think they quite compete.

7/10 – They do the job but they’re ugly and going to the loo is a nightmare.

Slimming bodysuit £14.99 JML

I wasn’t expecting great things of this bodysuit, sold through infomercials by crazy purveyors of mad gadgets JML. But actually, for £15 it’s not that bad. A sort of Spanx-lite, it doesn’t have the suck-you-in power of the more specialist products, but it does help to give a smooth line under a fitted dress or pair of tight trousers, and the added bonus of spaghetti straps means it stays up better than some of the cheaper underbust shorts. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by this, but it doesn’t sit up there with the ‘megabrands’ in shapewear terms. It’s also worth nothing the gusset has an unflattering hole (with no crossover section for modesty) and the fabric is very thin in places meaning you must buy the right size or it’s likely to rip.

6 / 10 – Ok, but nothing special.

note: parts of this feature were originally published on my old site, Catwalk Queen.

I am a sucker for a new gadget, gizmo or wonder product. But when I heard about Fitflops, my first thought was ‘what a load of rubbish’. A flip flop that tones your legs? Ha! But then, as usual, I got sucked in by the marketing, the good press, the celeb fans and the great reviews. What interested me most, besides the supposed toning / cellulite busting qualities of these new-wave flipflops, was the fact they were supposedly so comfortable…

I’ll admit it, the rumours were true. While I don’t agree with the many people who say they’re comfy from the moment you put them on (like all flip-flops they take a certain amount of wearing in around the big toe) wearing these babies does feel like walking on air. They’re super-light, soft and shock-absorbent, and are so much nicer than flat, hard soled rivals. I’m a big Havaianas fan and thought they were squishy and soft – these are a hundred times better. I’d go as far as to say they’re the comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn.

On the downside, that well-designed, comfortable sole does mean a clunkier shoe in general. The footbed is quite wide and chunky, which is great news for Big Girls with wide feet, but it can limit what you wear them with. I’m quite an overdressed person by nature and these don’t go very well with my floaty dresses. However, pick the right colour (I went for gold Walkstar III’s) and you widen your options. There’s even a sequinned option, but it does tend to sell out as quick as it’s restocked!

Now onto the bit you really care about. This alleged ‘workout while you walk‘. Well, let’s make one thing clear straight away – fitflops won’t make you thin. There are no magical fixes for that as well all know! However, you do feel the burn in your calves when you first begin to wear these for long periods of time. The sole is designed for a better push-off on the toe, more energy output through the middle and more shock absorbency on the heel, which basically makes you work just a tiny bit harder as you’re walking. I notice it most on stairs, but it’s not an uncomfortable exertion, just a slight difference that you get used to very quickly.

Overall, I think these are definitely worth the money if only for the comfort. The toning action is a plus that will make a small difference over a long period of time, especially to your calves, but don’t expect miracles.

Fitflops range from £35.24 to £68.86 at Rubber Sole (including winter versions – boots and clogs) or £36 to £55 at Shudoo.