The moment I have been waiting for since episode one of Sex in the City graced our screens in 1998 has arrived. My curves and I are going to be hitting the Big Apple for a long winter weekend of fashion, food and flirting.
If ever there was a time that I wanted to dress to impress it is now. Looking hot when it’s cold is never an easy task, especially if you are sporting a bottom 10 times the size of Carrie Bradshaw’s so as soon as the tickets were booked my attentions swiftly turned to more pressing matters like what on earth I was going to wear. I went on a mission to create the ultimate New York winter weekend capsule collection.
Forget Mr. Big this trip is going to be all about Miss Big. I plan on flirting outrageously with the whole of New York and being armed with the right wardrobe is a must.
I had a rummage through last year’s winter wardrobe. I pulled the pieces out of hibernation one by one and after a few try-ons I was quickly confronted with the horrific realisation that I had outgrown pretty much everything I had packed away 6 months ago. As I tried to zip myself into my favourite Little Black Dress, needing the help of my flat mate and pair of pliers, I looked less breakfast at Tiffany’s and more too many muffins at Central Perk.
This time last year I was training for the London Marathon and probably the fittest and slimmest I have ever been, a 14 on top and a 16 on the bottom. I had even bought a few pairs of size 14 stretch jeans thinking that it wouldn’t be long before I slimmed into them, suffice to say that didn’t happen. I am now a 16 on top and an 18 to 20 on the bottom. I must confess I haven’t felt the urge to exercise since completing the marathon and it shows, the fun I had this summer is written all over my hips, but I’m not one to let a few extra inches and an off the scale BMI stop me from looking and feeling fabulous as I strut down Madison Avenue.
As time is of the essence I called upon my secret weapon and my first port of call in moments of fashion panic, Anna Scholz (www.annascholz.com).
I discovered Anna Scholz when a stylist at Good Housekeeping forced me into one of her wrap dresses for a photo shoot. I was adamant it wasn’t going to suit me, I hadn’t worn a dress since I was 14 but much to my surprise it felt and looked great and in that moment I became a proud dress wearer again.
As expected her super stylish sexy Autumn Winter 2010 collection is full of jaw droppingly stunning NYC worthy pieces. As trips like this don’t come along very often and I’m not going to be able to lose 3 stone in 2 weeks I decided to splurge on her cotton cashmere brown black and grey wrap dress £220 which gives you a subtle cleavage, nipped in waist and just about enough length to cover knee squidge. The three-quarter length sleeves are the perfect length and the blocks of colour in the fabric create a sort of optical slimming illusion. The moment I put it on, I fell in love. I’m hoping it will have the same effect on all the Aidens, Joeys and Mr. Bigs that I am determined to meet whilst sipping a Cosmo in The King Cole Bar.
I also went for the Cotton Cashmere Grey Bow tunic £159 for its versatility and warmth, great length, flattering shape and pretty detailing. Like the dress, both can be worn by day and night, all it takes is a little clever accessorising, a statement necklace to glam up for the evening.
You always need one elegant and sleek party piece in your case and Anna’s Crepe Jersey Sequin Sleeve Tunic £165 is it. The sexy scoop neck, long twinkly sleeves and little belt to nip in the waist can be dressed up with tailored trousers but look equally as fabulous with my trusty Not Your Daughters Jeans £139 Which you can now buy at John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com) I wore my last pair of black bootleg NYDJ until they were threadbare between my thighs so it’s time to buy a replacement pair.
To keep me toasty warm and to stop me looking like the marshmallow man in my old cream feather puff coat I decided to also invest in Anna’s sophisticated Wool Military Plumb Coat £295. It falls just below the knee giving a crisp silhouette with lovely princess seam shaping and sharp piping details. It is the first military style coat that I have found that isn’t double breasted but gives the illusion it is. The last thing big boobs need is extra fabric flapping around the chest area if you don’t want to do your coat up. Anything double breasted can risk making you look twice as wide as you actually are.
When it comes to pounding the city streets there is only one thing I will leave the house in and that is my classic FitFlop Mukluk leather boots £135 www.fitflop.com they have a muscle toning microwobbleboard midsole with a warming fluffy sheepskin lining to keep your ankles warm and are instantly comfortable. They provide foot cushioning like no other boot I have ever found, it’s quite extraordinary. You feel like you are walking on air and not a pinched toe or blister in sight. My chic, French boss who lives in Louboutin heels looks at my feet with distain when she sees them on me at work but no matter how much she frowns at them I am officially addicted and can’t bring myself to change shoes unless it’s absolutely necessary. I doubt I will wear anything else this winter and anyway, I see nothing wrong with a little orthopaedic chic.
So, all that is left to pack is a black Fantasie smooth t-shirt balcony bra from Bravissimo (www.bravissimo.com) M&S thermal underwear, including long johns! Some black control tights and a pair of black UNISA heels (www.unisa-online.co.uk) a warm hat and gloves.
Finally for the plane ride home I shall be wearing my beloved, camel cashmere poncho from www.womenlikeusclothing.com £125. Thankfully it still fits me! It’s super cosy and luxurious, the perfect accessory to hide the inevitable New York deli belly that I am sure to be carrying back with me. Forget Sarah Jessica Parker those Peruvian pan pipe players had the right idea.
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