I first came across Pink Clove a couple of years ago. They had released a tartan skater dress that it seemed everyone fell in love with. Pictures would pop up, people would get excited that there was a skater dress perfect for plus size ladies. It wasn’t about covering up a good pair of pins, it was about getting them out and showing them off.
At this point I demurred from spending with them. I’ve got a bit of an odd body shape – long body, shorter legs, which means that actually a pencil skirt, or mid calf length dress works a little better. I simply looked on a little enviously as other plus size ladies indulged in their skater dresses.
Fast forward to this year and the range has grown in selection, and style. There’s something a little different about a lot of their fashion – it’s quirky, a little unusual – from the asymmetrical dresses to ‘cold shoulder’ dresses. They’re not afraid of bums, legs and boobs – something other plus size brands could learn a lot from.
Perhaps my one sole grumble is lack of colour. I know that currently there’s a lot of the 1990s influencing clothes and it means that colours tend to be low on the ground (though a few more seem to have made it onto the new arrivals selection this week!) with lots of khaki, grey, black and white.
This meant, when invited to choose three items to review, I found it quite hard. I love colour and am a firm member of the ABB club – Anything But Black. I surround myself with oranges, reds, blues and greens – even a little yellow. But because the selection was heavy on the darker tones, I still found myself choosing two dresses in black, and a top in a soft pink, that was my only nod to colour. 
The first dress was a mid calf number in black with a sheer panel over the bust (size 16). As I mention above, Pink Clove are not afraid of boobs, bums or legs, and this had a great cut to it – enough boob to draw attention but not make you feel like the girls were hugely on show and the length was pefect for me, enough to show off the seam of my stockings, and clingy all over my booty.
I work hard on it. I’m allowed to show it off a little bit.
Paired with a bright pink cropped cardigan from M&S I had my splash of colour. Perfect for a venue launch.
The second dress (again size 16) didn’t quite work so well. I’m average height at 5’4″ and had a problem as soon as I popped this one on.
I swear my toes are under there somewhere. This wasn’t just long, it was on the floor.
I dug out my highest heels, platform patent red stillettoes that don’t come out to play very often. And yet still it was a mite too long.
I’m going to be taking this baby up some, but other than the length, the dress itself is great. The slightly sheet panel and split at the legs means you get to show off your pins, and the top has a great v-neck for showcasing the boobs. I’ve always been of the ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it – and if you haven’t got it, flaunt it anyway’ school of thought.
And this let’s me flaunt it.
And them a little too. I’ll be digging out the sewing machine this weekend, so I can get this dress worn properly!
The top was a little step away form the norm for me. I don’t wear pastels well – it’s not surprising considering I cultivate bright red hair, but that and my skint tone mean that brights suit me better. So this soft pink top was definitely a step away from the norm.
But it was the back that drew me. I have a nice back. I like to show it, and my tattoos off a bit, and this top allowed me to do just that. I went a couple of sizes larger (size 20) to give me a bit of length and float to it – that whole long body, short leg thing again, but it means that it sits beautifully, just long enough to cover my tummy at the front, and show off my shoulders and back.
I paired it with a Primark mid length skirt (size 16) from a couple of seasons ago, that has a full length zip, meaning it drew all the attention to my back and the detailing.
It’s been great dressed up and down, worn for work and out for drinks. I’m still not convinced about the colour, but with this skirt and a pair of bright tights and matching shoes (unexpectedly spotted in Primark) meant I still had a pop of colour and more importantly, Anything But Black. 
Overall, the clothes are great. The quality of those I selected fabric and cut wise is good – with obvious exception to the length on the dress, and sizing up on the pink top to suit my preferred length. But they’re stitched well and the fabric has lots of stretch – always a positive in my book. And I love that they’re not afraid of the plus size figure. Not everything is about covering up. Even us plus ladies are sexy, right?
Now Pink Clove, if we can just have some brighter colours, I might be spending my money with you.
Please?
With thanks to Pink Clove for sending me the three items for review.