I recently enjoyed an evening in Cardiff with Taking Shape and Hotter Shoes. I met up with the lovely Laura from Cardboard Cities and off we went for our first visit to the Taking Shape store.
Taking Shape
I generally hate shopping and dread changing rooms. I buy most of my clothes online. Therefore it was quite an experience for me browsing the shop floor with my lovely Fashion Stylist (the staff are so friendly and helpful) picking out LOTS of different outfits to try on. It was so relaxed and we had a great chat and a laugh together.
I would have just picked up one dress and headed to the till. In fact I already had my eye on the Geo Dress pictured above and was sure that it was the one that I would walk out of the store with. It was a good job that I had others to try as that style didn’t suit my shape at all. It was tight on the bust and loose on the waist. However, it suited the lovely Jo from Ojo’s World perfectly- the dress looked fabulous on her!
In the Retail Retreat (the large comfortable changing rooms!), the lovely Taking Shape ladies taught me about layering my clothes, by buying a couple of base tops and skirts I will be able to get a lot more use out of the clothes currently in my wardrobe. They also showed me how different shaped clothes to what I’m used to could be more flattering to my figure. So, in the end I went for a very different dress to what I imagined, but I love it.
When I first tried on the Promise in the Dark Dress, I felt as if it was too big for me. There was a lot of extra material that I’m not used to. However, my expert fitter reassured me that it was a good fit and showed me how it was a close fit in the right places and it skimmed over the other parts- I was convinced!
To wear over my new very Autumnal feeling dress I chose the Give It To Me Straight Jacket. This is such a great addition to the wardrobe- I have worn it with so many outfits since. It has the look of a “leather look” jacket with the fit and comfort of a stretchy cardigan. Go in store and try it on- it’s very “wearable” with a stylish look.
Taking Shape caters for women from size 14 to Size 24. Every single piece of clothing has been designed to suit a curvier figure. It was my first time shopping at this store but it certainly won’t be my last (in fact I have already picked up some sale pieces from there since which I will share soon).
We also enjoyed drinks and food at Taking Shape and then we were whisked off to Hotter Shoes on mission to find matching shoes!
Hotter Shoes
I have heard great things about Hotter Shoes recently. Everyone that wears them raves about how comfortable they are and I’ve been dying to try a pair. What I hadn’t heard before was how Hotter Shoes is a family company based in Lancashire, where they still manufacture many of the Hotter Shoes today. Their main aim is to make stylish shoes with comfort built in, which is definitely important to me.
Firstly I had my feet measured. I loved this part and felt like I was a child again being measured for school shoes.
I found out that I’ve been wearing the wrong size shoes for years. I always used to be a size five. Then I started trying on fives and sixes in shops and they always felt too small, so I often went up to a size 7! Actually, my feet are still a size 5 in length, I just need to make sure I wear the wide fitting. I have wide feet and a high instep. Even after being told this I was shocked when my feet slipped easily into the size 5’s in the shop- after all these years it was quite a revelation.
Then there was the fun part of choosing new shoes. There were so many gorgeous styles to choose from. I knew I wanted some everyday boots that could be worn with dresses, leggings and trousers.
These would be lovely for next Spring!
I initially fell in love with these boots. They were as comfortable as slippers and I really didn’t want to take them off. However, I realised that the suede would get dirty on my muddy school runs so I begrudgingly took them off- I still may get them for more urban (less muddy!) days out!
Laura had decided on the very cool Ivy Boots, which I loved too. I then became a copy cat and tried on my own pair.
Yes, these were the ones. On trend, stylish, comfortable and easier to clean and take care of. Sorted! I didn’t look at any more shoes as I didn’t want to keep changing my mind. However, eventually I’d like a pair of Hotter Shoes Knee High Boots and Heels for special occasions. I don’t like having lots of different shoes, but I like to have enough to get me through each season and outfit, if that makes sense.
Laura and I are now boot and jacket twins (I’m wearing a different pair of boots in some of these pictures. They were lovely too but lower and tighter.)
The Ivy Boot Biker Boots that I went home with (we both wore them home as they were so comfortable!).
It was then Prosecco and Dessert time (such a shame I was driving!).
We were treated to a lovely selection of sweet treats.
And new shoes were boxed up to take (or wear) home.
It was a great evening. I loved seeing all the lovely Welsh bloggers and meeting some new ones for the first time. Again all the staff were very friendly, approachable and full of knowledge. Funnily enough when I arrived at Hotter, I discovered that I had randomly spoken to a member of staff from there earlier on in the St Davids lift (it’s a small world!). I will be putting up an outfit photo soon- first I came down with a cold after the event, then a chest infection so I’ve struggled to find the right time to get the photos done.
Have you dressed your curves with Taking shape or had a #hottermoment with Hotter Shoes before?
Thank you to Taking Shape and Hotter Shoes for providing the outfit and shoes and inviting me to the event.
