Plus Size Picks: The Fluted Hem Skirt

This week we return to our regularly scheduled plus size programming: how to style one piece to create three very different looks. I picked the fluted hem skirt from Carmakoma, a fairly innocuous piece currently in the sale for just under £40. You could wear this the obvious way - to work with a plain top and black shoes - but when has Domestic Sluttery ever been obvious (except when talking about the importance of cake and gin)? Instead these looks show you some much stronger ways to work the mid-length skirt into your wardrobe. There are polka dots, there are metallics and there is quite a lot of lime green. Just add tights. It is still January, after all.

1. Do The Polka

Polka dot jumper (sizes 14 - 30) £22 Yours Clothing | Guitar charm pendant £14.70 Tatty Devine | Casablanca polka dot slingbacks £45 Miss L Fire | Red daisy wired hair bow £3.99 New Look

I'm not afraid of a print clash, but doubling up on polka dots of different colours requires a certain addiction to all things twee. It works only if you keep the rest of your outfit simple, so the shapes should be classic. A fitted jumper (tucked in) works really well and, while I'm an advocate of Miss L Fire's surprisingly comfy sandals, a polka dot ballet flat or lace-up would work just as well. Red retro accessories finish this look, which was created to the sound of The Pipettes 'Pull Shapes' (which explains a lot).

2. Mixed Metallics

Metallic cowl top £18 Boohoo Plus (sizes 16 - 24) | Geo rings necklace £6.65 Forever 21 | Hola fox clutch bag £35 Aspire Style | T-bar platforms (wide fit) £45 Viva La Diva | Chunky night globe ring (up to XL) £8 ASOS Curve

The gold and silver in this cowl necked top from Boohoo's new plus size range mean you can mix your metallics throughout this outfit. 'Tis a brave woman who wears silver and gold, but it can look really cool when done right. The chunky peep toe platforms are a great find available up to an EEE fit, and the fox clutch adds a bit of a quirky touch - a metallic bag would be too much for this look.

3. Get in Lime

Green dip hem blouse (sizes 14 - 28) Very | Black belt £7 Evans | China Girl prospect heels £79.95 Nelly | Star collar perspex necklace £11 Punky Pins | Lime lace box clutch £30 River Island

If bright colour is your bag, you're going to love all this lime green. Three uses of the shade is more than enough, so it's easy enough to tone down the concept behind this look if you don't fancy all the accessories. Swap the bag for a black one, or try a less ostentatious shoe if snakeskin, ombre perspex and suede trims don't float your boat (but why?). The fluted hem of the shirt echoes the skirt, which creates a really strong look, but a belt cinching everything at the waist will ensure you're not lost under all that flare!