Introducing the Revival Retro Plus Size Expansion!

We love a size expansion, here!

We especially love when a size expansion is done correctly, too. I’ve mentioned that I love Revival Retro a few times before on the blog. It’s one of those shops that I love being in, and I adore everyone who works there. I was more in love when I was recently asked to be part of a consultation on expanding their own-brand sizes — and also model them! So it’s time to introduce the Revival Retro Plus Size expansion!

Revival Retro

Firstly, before we go too far into what is available in the new sizes, a little bit of background! Revival Retro are a small brand and brick-and-mortar store in central London. I was first invited to their store in 2016, and we played dress up and drank prosecco. I’ve been a lover of this store ever since. Run by Rowena, a champion of small business, true equality, sustainability and quality and general baddassery. If you’ve ever met Rowena, you’re in love with her within seconds, that’s just how it is. The store is an extension of her, and in short, there’s no other shop that makes you feel quite at home. Revival Retro launched their own brand with some beautifully tailored in 2017, and have been gradually adding to their collections each season. Their sizes grew up to a size 20/22 up to 2021, but they wanted to go further!

Revival Retro Plus Sizes

As a brand that mostly had straight-sized women, they knew that they would need to listen to plus size voices before they expanded. And that is the most important thing that I wanted to say about this. I was invited to the store alongside four other plus women in June to try on some first draft samples and talk about what plus women expect from clothing. Revival Retro’s plus sizing is made with plus size bodies and voices in mind. Insert the chef’s kiss emoji here — that shit is important. And it was a resounding success, much to most of our surprise! In conclusion to the meeting, the Revival Retro sample size (a 12) had had so much work done to it, that usual grading worked almost perfectly.

Rowena wrote a great summary on that consultation here, and you can also see her blog posts on Plus Sizing and her Sizing Insights too. A lot of work has gone into this, as you can tell. And they were super speedy with getting everything ready to launch alongside their main collection too — you can pre-order it NOW!

So let’s get onto what you can get up to size 28!

To clarify, I’m wearing the size 24 in all of these, and my measurements are as follows: Bust 52″, Waist 45″, Hips 60″.

Portobello Blouse in White

• Versatile relaxed fit blouse.
• Made from lightweight rayon fabric with slight stretch.
• Wear buttoned to the top or slightly open as an elegant revere collar. 
• Perfect for tucking into high waisted trousers and skirts.
• Looks perfect with our wool-mix separates. 
• Designed in-house and made in London.

Portobello Blouse in Exclusive Bramble Print

How beautiful is this blouse? It has a vintage style cut, and the print is in a beautifully soft Tencel fabric. For me personally, I’d rather have shorter sleeves — but I do know that other plus women will appreciate the length of these sleeves!

• Relaxed fit blouse in our unique, vintage inspired, floral print.
• Wear buttoned to the top or slightly open as an elegant revere collar. 
• Perfect for tucking into high waisted trousers and skirts.
• Made from sustainable Tencel fabric, which has a beautiful silky finish and is lightweight yet durable. 
• Eco-friendly corozo buttons. 
• Designed in-house and made in London.

Handy Pocket Skirt in Wool Blend

I love skirts, although I generally stay away from a-line ones. It’s honestly more to do with my hips than disliking the style, as a-line skirts are less likely to fit my ginormous hips. This one made me feel like a badass receptionist, and fit comfortably on my hips too! The pockets have been made specifically to throw phones and other day-to-day crap in without showing through the skirt.

• Classic A-line skirt with big, deep, practical pockets.
• Fastens in the centre back with hook and bar on waistband and long concealed zip that ensures it can be brought up over your hips with ease.
• Made from a soft Italian woven wool fabric that has depth and interest thanks to the lighter flecks and herringbone weave.
• Fully lined for comfort and machine washable for ease.
• Made in Britain. 

Fenchurch Dress in Bramble Print

Remember that burgundy dress I’m wearing up above? This is the finished product, with a few sizing changes and in the finished fabric. Oh. And in addition to being a beautiful dress, it has POCKETS! The sleeves have a lovely little ruching detail, which allows for a little extra room for the bingo wings.

• Graceful cowl neck dress in our unique, vintage inspired, floral print.
• Inspired by late 1950s, early 1960s styles.
• Pretty, gathered A-line skirt with concealed pockets.
• Delicate and comfortable ruched sleeve detail.
• Made from sustainable Tencel fabric, which has a beautiful silky finish and is lightweight yet durable.
• Long, concealed zip in the back for easy access.
• Designed in our London boutique and made in Britain.
• Machine washable.

Sloane Shirt Dress

Okay, I love this whole range, honestly. However, this dress. This dress is the one! On the hanger I wasn’t too excited about it, to be honest with you. But as soon as that soft Tencel fabric hits the body and you tie that belt, it just fits beautifully. I can’t wait for this to come!

• A classic shirt dress in our unique, vintage inspired, floral print. 
• Relaxed fit around the waist for comfort. 
• Can be cinched with matching belt (included) or accessorise with contrast belt.
• Elegant and easy to wear length and A-line skirt.
• Proper pockets!
• Fully functional button through with eco-friendly corozo nut buttons.
• Made from sustainable Tencel fabric, which has a beautiful silky finish and is lightweight yet durable. 
• Designed in our London boutique and made in Britain.

In addition to those styles, there’s also the Holborn Trousers!

Sadly, they didn’t fit me or look correct on my body. But they’re gorgeous, and if you’re likely to wear trousers, please do get a pair, or email the Revival Team for sizing help!

What do you think of the Revival Retro Plus Size Expansion?

Revival Retro are currently running a pre-order for these items in sizes UK6-28 until 30th July. This helps them know whether plus sizing is not only a viable option for them, but also if they are even wanted! So if you love what you see, please do place your pre-order before the 30th to guarantee your size, and to show them that their hard work has been noticed! If more women in the larger size groups buy, the more likely that even more size expansions will happen in the future!

This has been a long one, guys! Thank you for reading, and give Revival Retro some love over at Instagram and Facebook.

Remember to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily outfits in my stories, on Pinterest for my inspirations and on Twitter to read my thoughts on a semi-regular basis!