Clothes shopping is never a walk in the park.  As much as I’m fanatical for a bit of retail therapy (read: marathon shopaholic) shopping for new clothes generally never ends well.

An amazing dress on the hanger doesn’t translate to anything other than an amazing dress on a hanger.  It doesn’t tell you how it’ll fit, who it’ll suit, instead it leads you on, whispering: “Buy me!  You love me!” and then mocks you in the fitting room when all you see is a lumpy sack of potatoes and nothing like the svelte goddess you were told imagined.

Dresses on hangers lie.

I’ve realised, now, that shopping blindly is the root of all evil.  Remember the phrase: “You dress the shape, not shape the dress” or something along those lines.  This means not everything will look great on your figure.  You want to compliment and accentuate your lines and curves, not stifle and suffocate your figure in shapeless garments.

Being the hour glass type of curvy – big boobs, big hips and slim(ish) waist, I do find it tricky to dress in the way I want to portray myself.  When I learned of online boob friendly Made in Preston (flying the flag for ethical British manufacturing I may fervently add!), I was really rather excited.  Finally clothes made for me!

Made in Preston is all about boobs.  Whatever your degree of curvy, fitting your curves perfectly is their prerogative.  Catering for the petite to the plus size, in dress sizes 6-16, bra bands 26-36 and cup sizes DD-J, the brand offers immense clothing and lingerie choice to their curvy clientelle.  Even the shape calculator helping you determine your voluptuous dimension in terms of Fit, Foxy and Fab ensures a more precise fitting.

When I was asked to choose a piece I loved I admit it did take me a while to finalise after gushing over the options. I decided to go for the garment we all have as our wardrobe staple: the little black dress.

Made in Preston’s Black Jersey Dress with Lace Sleeves is a classic piece tailored to the figure for that screen siren look.  In an easy handle jersey fabric the dress is cut in a pencil fit which finishes below the knee.  A block stretch lace top section that continues to the three quarter sleeves gives a modern twist, with solitary crystals to each arm and the clasp at the back.

I chose a size 12, which is my standard UK dress size, and I was sent the dress in the Fab fit.

The dress is soo comfy!  The substantial fabric lends to it’s natural drape, and it’s hugs me – not ferociously – in a fluid manner.  I wouldn’t normally go for a dress below the knee but this cut is very flattering.

The Fab fit provides a generous cut to the bust which I found to be just right.  The darts help with the shaping and the result is a smooth curve without creasing.  The waist was a little loose, so I’d wear a belt to nip it in and finish off my look, and it’s slightly tight on my hips (but then I know there’s flesh on these hips I’m wanting shifted  – I blame the marshmallows.)

I am ridiculously fussy, possibly sensitive to irritating fabrics, so the fact I find this dress so snug and gorgeous to wear a massive point scorer.  Pretty & functional?  My kind of style!

*PR Sample*