Curvy Kate Shockwave Padded Bikini Top 34K and Adjustable Short 20

Full-busted lingerie brand Curvy Kate has become my go-to brand for swimwear over the past few years, and I am gradually building up my collection of their bikinis. Back in December I went to Mexico for a week's holiday and I bought myself a few pieces from CK's past collections to take on the trip. Today I will be reviewing the Shockwave Bikini (Spring/Summer 2015).

Image courtesy of Curvy Kate

Panache Cleo Kali Purple Babydoll 34J and Thong 18

I do love a babydoll. Admittedly, as a single woman I don't get to wear them very often, but I love them all the same. They are cute and fun and sexy, and although they hide my waist - something I usually like to emphasise - I love how the skirt fabric hides what lies beneath.

When my friend Hayley at Curves 'n' Curls blog told me about a purple babydoll - the Panache Cleo Kali - she was being sent to review I was green (not purple) with envy. I got in touch with the lovely folks at Panache and they very kindly offered to send me one too so that we could do a joint review, so do be sure to check out Hayley's review here.

Image courtesy of Panache

Curvy Kate Starry Eyed Flamingo Padded Bikini Top 34K & Adjustable Short 22

I'm continuing to work through the backlog of items I've been sent to review - mostly swimwear - and today I will be reviewing the Curvy Kate Starry Eyed Bikini.

Image courtesy of Curvy Kate

Plus Size Bikini Bottoms from M&Co

Being the proud owner of a rather generous posterior, I often find that bikini bottoms which are comfortable and provide sufficient coverage can be quite tricky to find. For many years now, I have bought bikini tops and bottoms from separate places as although bra-size swimwear options are growing year on year the choices for briefs are usually not. Of course, there are always exceptions to this and brands such as Curvy Kate and Panache continue to strive to extend their swimwear ranges, but the point I want to get across here is that we shouldn't give up if the matching bottoms are not available in our size or if they are not in a style we like. 

A collage of beach snaps from my holiday in Zakynthos in September 2015

Curvy Kate Moonflower Black Floral Padded Bikini Top 34K and Ruched Back Brief 20

A brand I can always rely on for great-looking bra-sized swimwear is Curvy Kate. They make a wide range of styles, colours, and prints, and any time I need a new bikini they are one of the first brands I'll check out.

Just before my holiday to the Greek island of Zakynthos back in late August I was thrilled when the lovely ladies at CK sent me the Moonflower Black Floral Bikini.

Image courtesy of Curvy Kate

Panache Swim Elle Tropical Print Balconnet Bikini Top 34J and Classic Briefs 18

Goodness me, it's been a very long time since I last wrote a proper blog post. 2015 has been incredibly busy, both personally and professionally, and so I had to put a hold on blogging for a while. That's always awkward when brands have sent items to review, but fortunately I work with some really fantastic brands who are very understanding and patient. I have tried to keep a presence on social media so that I didn't completely disappear, so do make sure you are following me on all my channels to keep up to date with me (links to these are at the top of the right hand sidebar).

I have quite a few swimwear and lingerie pieces that I need to review so that's what I intend to focus on for these first few posts.

Lingerie brand Panache not only sell some gorgeous underwear, but they also make bra-sized swimwear in a range of colours, prints, and cuts. Before my Caribbean holiday earlier this year they very kindly sent me a few bikinis to try, and today I am reviewing the Panache Swim Elle Tropical Print Balconnet Bikini.

Image courtesy of Panache Swim

Win A Ticket To The Curve Fashion Festival 2015!

Dear readers, I must apologise as it has been some time since my last post. I have been busy with work and doing fun things, such as being a bridesmaid for Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust blog and attending Style XL. I am even busy as I write - busy being on holiday. I'm in Greece for a week with Georgina and we are making the most of soaking up the sun and recharging our batteries.

However, a fantastic opportunity has come my way and I simply could not wait to share it with you. 

Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous Pink Rose Floral on Cream Phoebe Dress 20 and Japanese Black Floral Phoebe Dress 22/24

Lady Voluptuous, Lady V London's plus size line, is doing great things for full-figured women. The range comprises gorgeous dresses and skirts that are exclusively offered in UK sizes 16-32. The garments flatter the figure and are comfortable and practical to wear. I love how the designs have been made with larger ladies in mind, with realistically sized sleeves and armholes, good boob room, and a range of necklines.

One of the newer dresses to be released is the Phoebe (£55; UK sizes 16-32): a fully lined 1950s inspired dress with a flared skirt and built-in petticoat. It comes in a number of pretty prints but for me I was particularly enamoured with these two:

Images courtesy of Lady V London

Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous Blue Butterfly Cosette Dress 16 and Japanese Blue Cosette Dress 18

As a fan of vintage style clothing I was super excited when Lady V London set up their plus size range, Lady Voluptuous. These clothes are made exclusively in UK sizes 16-32 and they are absolutely gorgeous. I am slowly but surely making my way through the collection and hope to review it in its entirety in the fullness of time, but as I am sure you can appreciate this all takes time and to mix things up I am reviewing other items in between.

Today I will be reviewing the Cosette Dress (£50, UK sizes 16-32).

Images courtesy of Lady V London

Panache Swim Eadie Balconnet Bikini Top 34J and Classic Pant 20

Just before I headed off on my holiday to the Dominican Republic in early April, I received a number of bikinis from large cup lingerie brand Panache. The one I am sharing with you today is the Panache Swim Eadie Balconnet Bikini Top (£34, 30-38 D-K) and Classic Pant (£20, UK sizes 8-20).

Image courtesy of Panache

Curvy Kate Luau Love Flamingo Pink Padded Bikini Top 34K and High Waist Brief 22

If you're looking for bra-sized swimwear, a great brand to try is Curvy Kate. Their swimwear collections get better every year and the 2015 collection is just fabulous. I was sent a couple of bikini sets for my recent Caribbean holiday to the Dominican Republic and today I will be sharing with you my thoughts on the Luau Love Padded Bikini (£35, 30-40 D-K) and High Waist Brief (£25, UK 8-22).

Images courtesy of Curvy Kate

Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous Pink Lips on Black Full Circle Skirt 16 and Japanese Floral on Black Full Circle Skirt 18

Lady V London's plus size range, Lady Voluptuous, continues to go from strength to strength. The label, which was created in collaboration with my wonderful friend Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust, boasts a range of dresses in UK sizes 16-32, all of which have been flying off the shelves every time they get restocked. It was fantastic to see them recently release a new item - the Full Circle Skirt - and of course I was quick to buy a couple to try out. At just £35 each, these skirts are superb value.

I wasn't completely sure which size would be best, so I decided to order two different prints, each in a different size. I went for the Pink Lips on Black Full Circle Skirt in size 16, and the Japanese Black Floral Full Circle Skirt in size 18.

Images courtesy of Lady V London

Panache Swim Tallulah Purple Animal Balconnet Bikini Top 34J and Fold Pant 20

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, so apologies for that. I have had quite a busy month and I just haven't been able to find time to sit down and blog. However, today I am back and as we are fast approaching summer here in the UK I wanted to bring you a swimwear review.

I have been sent a number of bikinis recently and I will be reviewing them all here on Curvy Wordy over the next few weeks. In this post I will be reviewing the Panache Tallulah Purple Animal Balconnet Bikini and Fold Pant.

Image courtesy of Panache

Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous Bellatrix Dress 16

I recently reviewed the Medusa dress from the 'Lady Voluptuous' plus size range from Lady V London. This collection was launched only a few weeks ago but it has already made a great impression on the plus size blogging community, and many ladies have already reviewed the dresses from the range.

Today I am reviewing a second dress from the Lady Voluptuous line: the Bellatrix (£45).

Images courtesy of Lady Voluptuous

Ewa Michalak S Kamea 36KK/80KK and Briefs 20/48

Every woman needs a basic black bra in her lingerie drawer. A bra that's just right for wearing under dark clothes for work and also perfect beneath a little black dress on a night out. However, a basic black bra doesn't need to be plain or dull, and today I am reviewing a set of lingerie that is anything but: the Ewa Michalak S Kamea.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Ewa Michalak Koszulka Babydoll Nostalgia 36KK 80KK and Thong 20/48

Back in January this year I was sent a number of items from Polish lingerie brand Ewa Michalak. It's taken me some time to pull together the photos and write up these reviews, but I hope you'll agree it was worth the wait as today I share with you my review of the Koszulka Babydoll Nostalgia.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Kix'ies Thigh Highs Hold Ups: Brooke LeAnne, Sam, and Lois

Being a keen wearer of hold-ups, Kix'ies is a brand I have been aware of for some time. They are based in the USA and are the brainchild of Samantha DeMartini, who came up with the idea after an embarrassing tights-related experience as a teenager. You can read Samantha's full story here. Particularly of note is the fact that a proportion of the profit from all Kix'ies sales goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - what a great initiative!

Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous Medusa Dress 16

Apologies for being absent from here for the past few weeks; I've been on a fortnight's holiday in the Caribbean, which was wonderful, and, although I took my laptop with me in the hope that I'd get some spare time to write blog posts, I shouldn't have bothered! I didn't get to turn my laptop on once as I was kept busy by my 8 year old niece and 5 year old nephew, so I can't complain as I had lots of fun and we made countless holiday memories. I also wore lots of gorgeous bikinis, which I will be reviewing in the coming weeks.

Since I've been home, I have been feeling rather under the weather, so my blogging ambitions have had to remain on hold for a while longer. Finally I am on the road to recovery and I am delighted to bring you my latest review.

A few weeks ago, my beautiful and incredibly talented pal, Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust, did something amazing. OK, she does amazing things ALL the time, but this thing was extra special. It's something I've known about for a while and I have found it very hard keeping quiet, so goodness knows how she's managed it! Of course I am talking about the clothing range she has launched in collaboration with Lady V London: Lady Voluptuous.

Image courtesy of Lady Voluptuous

Pink Clove Pleated Skater Skirt With Contrast Waistband 16

Plus size brand Pink Clove has continued to go from strength to strength since its launch in 2013. Offering a range of fast fashion items in sizes 16-32, their prices are just as attractive as their garments. I own a number of Pink Clove items and still wear items I bought when the brand first launched, including my beloved Red Tartan Skater Dress.

Late last year I was sent a number of items by the lovely Pink Clove PR team, and today I am going to share with you the Pleated Skater Skirt With Contrast Waistband (now sold out in pink but was £14.00, UK sizes 16-28).

Image courtesy of Pink Clove

Ewa Michalak BM Bibi Czarny Tulipan Bra 34K/75K and High Waist Briefs 20/48

I have been reviewing quite a number of Ewa Michalak lingerie items lately, and that's because I placed a fairly large order just before Christmas to make the most of a special discount EM were offering, and I am now working my way through that order with my reviews here on the blog. 

When I placed my order, I picked a selection of bras and briefs from those that were discounted, and the set I am reviewing today is the BM Bibi Czarny Tulipan.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak