Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Skinny Privilege Is A Lie – I'm Plus Size & Get Told I'm Pretty All The Time
Friday, 15 May 2026 • Body Positivity, Opinion, Personal
If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that high-street sizing is a massive bugbear of mine. After all, at university I wrote a a 5,000 word dissertation on UK sizing and had an extract of it published in The Telegraph.
But while shopping recently, I've come to realise that sizing is even more whack than usual.
I'm a UK size 16-18. I'm usually smaller in tops and larger in trousers (thanks to my massive bum). So when I was buying some clothes in Tu Clothing and I could get a skirt in a size 14 and a top in a size 12, I was stunned to say the least.
The skirt, which is a grey plaid, is quite roomy, so sizing down one or two sizes was needed. And the lemon cardigan, which is ribbed and a skinny fit, is very stretchy so is the ideal garment to size down up to three sizes.
Clothing sizes are WEIRD, right?
Then, last week I went into Uniqlo.. a shop I really rate. I have a dress from them that I bought around three years ago. It's got a built-in bra, is perfect for summer, and I love wearing it. I have this in a size large. So when I tried on three pairs of trousers in the size XL, and they couldn't get past my thighs... I knew something was off. I then tried on a skirt in the same size, and nope, not possible to get it past my bum.
But the funny thing is, a size large jacket or dress from Uniqlo fits me well. So, how does any of this make any sense at all?
Primark is another shop I've tried clothes on in recently. Usually I'm a 16 or 18, so I tried on a size 16 of the new viral yellow dress. Although it fitted me, the straps were too big and gappy, and sizing down would have meant the bodice was too tight.
I then headed into Next and tried on a dress I really liked the other day. They only had a size 14, but I figured I'd give it a go and if I got stuck, so be it. But much to my surprise, the dress fit me like a glove. It was perfect. It was the ideal length, width, everything. At first I thought it was a tad too small around the bust, but then I adjusted the ribbon along the top and it was like a dream come true.
The moral of the story is sizing isn't the be all and end all, and the number in your clothes means NOTHING. Hell, I'm a size 12 and a size 20 according to some shops.
If I let the sizing discrepancies get to me, I'd be in such a bad way, mentally. But I'm lucky I can just shake it off when the thoughts creep in. I can see how sizing can really mess with people's body image, mental health and self worth, and stores need to band together to prevent this from happening.
A standardised clothing chart across all UK clothing stores and brands is needed more than ever, and I won't stop banging on about this.
So, I'm A Size 12, 14, 16, 18 And 20.... Apparently
Friday, 10 April 2026 • Body Positivity, Opinion, Personal
If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that high-street sizing is a massive bugbear of mine. After all, at university I wrote a a 5,000 word dissertation on UK sizing and had an extract of it published in The Telegraph.
But while shopping recently, I've come to realise that sizing is even more whack than usual.
I'm a UK size 16-18. I'm usually smaller in tops and larger in trousers (thanks to my massive bum). So when I was buying some clothes in Tu Clothing and I could get a skirt in a size 14 and a top in a size 12, I was stunned to say the least.
The skirt, which is a grey plaid, is quite roomy, so sizing down one or two sizes was needed. And the lemon cardigan, which is ribbed and a skinny fit, is very stretchy so is the ideal garment to size down up to three sizes.
Clothing sizes are WEIRD, right?
Then, last week I went into Uniqlo.. a shop I really rate. I have a dress from them that I bought around three years ago. It's got a built-in bra, is perfect for summer, and I love wearing it. I have this in a size large. So when I tried on three pairs of trousers in the size XL, and they couldn't get past my thighs... I knew something was off. I then tried on a skirt in the same size, and nope, not possible to get it past my bum.
But the funny thing is, a size large jacket or dress from Uniqlo fits me well. So, how does any of this make any sense at all?
Primark is another shop I've tried clothes on in recently. Usually I'm a 16 or 18, so I tried on a size 16 of the new viral yellow dress. Although it fitted me, the straps were too big and gappy, and sizing down would have meant the bodice was too tight.
I then headed into Next and tried on a dress I really liked the other day. They only had a size 14, but I figured I'd give it a go and if I got stuck, so be it. But much to my surprise, the dress fit me like a glove. It was perfect. It was the ideal length, width, everything. At first I thought it was a tad too small around the bust, but then I adjusted the ribbon along the top and it was like a dream come true.
The moral of the story is sizing isn't the be all and end all, and the number in your clothes means NOTHING. Hell, I'm a size 12 and a size 20 according to some shops.
If I let the sizing discrepancies get to me, I'd be in such a bad way, mentally. But I'm lucky I can just shake it off when the thoughts creep in. I can see how sizing can really mess with people's body image, mental health and self worth, and stores need to band together to prevent this from happening.
A standardised clothing chart across all UK clothing stores and brands is needed more than ever, and I won't stop banging on about this.
Spring Has Sprung — A Little Easter Catch Up & LUSH Review
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 • Easter, LUSH Reviews, Personal
Disneyland Paris: My First Trip Abroad With My Boyfriend
Thursday, 16 October 2025 • Disney, Personal, Travel
Earlier on in the year when my boyfriend asked me if I wanted to go to the races with him, I wasn't sure. I instantly worried about the dress code, what I would wear and how I would adhere to the rules put in place. He invited me to The Epsom Derby in the Queen Elizabeth II stand.
A Day At The Epsom Derby - What I Wore In The Queen Elizabeth II Stand
Tuesday, 10 June 2025 • Curvy Fashion, Horse Racing, Personal
Earlier on in the year when my boyfriend asked me if I wanted to go to the races with him, I wasn't sure. I instantly worried about the dress code, what I would wear and how I would adhere to the rules put in place. He invited me to The Epsom Derby in the Queen Elizabeth II stand.
Living Life In My 1989 Era Nine Years After I First Did
Thursday, 26 October 2023 • Opinion, Personal, Taylor Swift
Why Am I Still Hung Up On Someone That I Couldn't Even Break Up With
Monday, 16 October 2023 • Opinion, Personal
I had always wanted highlights though - but the cost of upkeep put me off. I fancied ombre hair when it was all the rage, and then balayage when that trend exploded on social media. It wasn't until I was 23 though that I took the plunge, paid the money, and got balayage hair done at a salon.
Pleased with the results, I loved my "honey bronde" locks and was excited to get it refreshed in a year or so. So I did, and back in the summer of this year I got my hair re-balayaged and was obsessed. But come the autumn, I wanted some warmer hues throughout.
Heading back to the hairdressers after recovering from a bout of covid, I decided to get my balayage refreshed with the addition of some copper tones. Told it would fade, I was talked into going "a little darker" as it would last longer - so of course I said yes. So when I came back from the sink with bright red hair? It's safe to say I was a little stunned.
Getting a hair colour I never asked for was a shock to the system, but I thought it would definitely grow on me, so was happy to walk out of the salon with my new look. But when a week and a half had passed, I wasn't so sure. Having a complete mare before going out one morning, I cried and declared that I hated my hair - and that's when I knew it wasn't for me.
Don't get me wrong, the red colour was gorgeous and so pretty! Full of fire and sass, I really wanted to love it. So many people have red hair and totally rock it, but for me it just didn't feel right.
I felt so far-removed from myself, like I wasn't the person I had spent building up and moulding for 25 years. A quarter of a decade being brunette to be transformed into a red head felt very odd and not right - and that's okay (although it wasn't at the time).
Crying each day because I saw no way out, I was very tempted to get a box dye and just do it - but was told it would "turn green" because it had been previously bleached, so decided against it. I then called a different salon and booked in for a full head of permanent brown colour... and haven't looked back since.
I had been considering going back to brunette for a few weeks, so this was definitely the Universe's way of of telling me brunette was the only way for me in this moment.
As soon as I walked out of the salon with my freshly dyed brunette locks - which are now exactly like my natural hair colour, but maybe a slightly darker hue - I felt like me again. It made me realise that I felt lost with red hair, like I had lost my identity, like I wasn't who I was destined to be.
My experience just proves that sometimes things might go wrong and leave you questioning everything, but in the end you'll arrive at where you should be... maybe where you should have always been. I don't know if I'll ever get bleach balayage again, but in this moment I know I'm a destined brunette - and I feel very happy about that.
It's official - the old Mollie can come to the phone, because she's come back from the dead.
Now you'll find me looking as sassy and classy as ever before, with my dark brown hair. I could be tempted by a full fringe, but I think I've had enough hair dramas for 2022.
Going Back To Being A Brunette Made Me Feel Like Myself Again
Wednesday, 30 November 2022 • Hair, Personal
I had always wanted highlights though - but the cost of upkeep put me off. I fancied ombre hair when it was all the rage, and then balayage when that trend exploded on social media. It wasn't until I was 23 though that I took the plunge, paid the money, and got balayage hair done at a salon.
Pleased with the results, I loved my "honey bronde" locks and was excited to get it refreshed in a year or so. So I did, and back in the summer of this year I got my hair re-balayaged and was obsessed. But come the autumn, I wanted some warmer hues throughout.
Heading back to the hairdressers after recovering from a bout of covid, I decided to get my balayage refreshed with the addition of some copper tones. Told it would fade, I was talked into going "a little darker" as it would last longer - so of course I said yes. So when I came back from the sink with bright red hair? It's safe to say I was a little stunned.
Getting a hair colour I never asked for was a shock to the system, but I thought it would definitely grow on me, so was happy to walk out of the salon with my new look. But when a week and a half had passed, I wasn't so sure. Having a complete mare before going out one morning, I cried and declared that I hated my hair - and that's when I knew it wasn't for me.
Don't get me wrong, the red colour was gorgeous and so pretty! Full of fire and sass, I really wanted to love it. So many people have red hair and totally rock it, but for me it just didn't feel right.
I felt so far-removed from myself, like I wasn't the person I had spent building up and moulding for 25 years. A quarter of a decade being brunette to be transformed into a red head felt very odd and not right - and that's okay (although it wasn't at the time).
Crying each day because I saw no way out, I was very tempted to get a box dye and just do it - but was told it would "turn green" because it had been previously bleached, so decided against it. I then called a different salon and booked in for a full head of permanent brown colour... and haven't looked back since.
I had been considering going back to brunette for a few weeks, so this was definitely the Universe's way of of telling me brunette was the only way for me in this moment.
As soon as I walked out of the salon with my freshly dyed brunette locks - which are now exactly like my natural hair colour, but maybe a slightly darker hue - I felt like me again. It made me realise that I felt lost with red hair, like I had lost my identity, like I wasn't who I was destined to be.
My experience just proves that sometimes things might go wrong and leave you questioning everything, but in the end you'll arrive at where you should be... maybe where you should have always been. I don't know if I'll ever get bleach balayage again, but in this moment I know I'm a destined brunette - and I feel very happy about that.
It's official - the old Mollie can come to the phone, because she's come back from the dead.
Now you'll find me looking as sassy and classy as ever before, with my dark brown hair. I could be tempted by a full fringe, but I think I've had enough hair dramas for 2022.
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