Mumsnet Talk

I know, I know- if you weren't far you wouldn't have the problem. But where do they?

Simply be, Evans, and sometimes h and m.

Or we just don't.

Depends what you mean by fat. I'm fat, but still get away with most shops because I'm currently an eighteen. However, popping over that magic threshold reduces the choice significantly.

Ok define f a t! I hate that word

Do you mean size 18 - 20 or lager?

Don't hate the word fat, it's a description, not a value judgement.

I'm vary between an 18 and a 20 and buy my clothes from Dorothy Perkins and new look mostly. If I need an occasion dress monsoon is always my default...I always find something in there and the sizes are generous.

The supermarkets are good for basic t-shirts and my underwear is usually marks and Spencer.

This may not be very helpful but personally I don't like ranges aimed specifically at plus sized people - don't find the quality of Evans, Simply Be etc good enough. Ditto supermarket stuff.

Much of my stuff is carefully chosen Boden, who go up to 22. I'm prepared to do a lot of planning, ordering, and sending back to find the right dresses and tops, etc from there each season.

All my jeans are NYDJ, which I recommend.

Monsoon of course also go up to 22, though I'm not a huge fan of their stuff - just not my style.

I used to buy quite a few basics from the M and S Autograph Weekend range but this sadly seems to have vanished and Autograph generally gone downhill, so seldom buy anything there. But you can still sometimes find the odd OK basic in one of the big M and S stores.

When I worked in an office most of my clothes came from Marina Rinaldi, Maxmara's plus size label (the only specialist one I really buy from). But it is £££ and does need careful choosing, like any other label.

New look inspire range is cheap and cheerful.

I'm on the larger side of things getting smaller though if my tape measure is to be believed and I find most of the 'plus size' ranges to be hideous. Honestly, some of the stuff aimed at the larger lady is downright awful. I prefer to shop at 'normal' stores and try on try on try on as sometimes I find I need a smaller size than I thought. New look jeans are well sized for the most part and fit well, that's where I buy all mine after many Primark denim disasters.

Plain tops - Uniqulo
Work dresses - Phase Eight, Betty Jackson Black, LadyVLondon
Jeans - The Evans pear shaped ones seem to be the ones that fit me best but I'm still looking for the holy grail
Skirts - varies but very hit and miss

I have in my wardrobe items that I love purchased from Ghost, Gudren Sjoden and Rundholz Black Label

Boden, M&S, h&m, Dorothy Perkins, Monsoon, NYDJ for denim (good prices on eBay). I don't bother with Primark as sizes smallish and fabric yucky.

What's your budget and style?

There were some (fairly expensive) but great designers showing at London Plus Sized Fashion Week. I like some of the things at I dare to be, although possibly not styled as they have them.

And for inspiration, I love Buttercups Frocks, and there are links to loads of other fatshion blogs there as well.

Oh, forgot, Mary Portas at House of Fraser is worth a look at. Some of her dresses have fantastic reviews from women who are size 20 and over.

I use good old fashion world and their linked brands.

at a size 18 and short too i find shopping a bit hit and miss. i dont like high street shopping so mainly internet shop. im always prepared to send things back if the fits a bit squiffy. i like simply be or very, joe browns stuff and the supermarkets for basics like vest tops etc. plus size maternity stuff is hit and miss. i spent a fortune on jeans but i still love them. i bought many of my maternity stuff from the dredded matalan or asda as was on a budget and was pleasently surprised with the quality!

I buy most of my clothes from Yours Clothing they do a lot of longer length tops which i prefer. Hate the thought of my belly hanging out the bottom of tops

I loathe Evans and most "plus sized" ranges with a passion (though do quite like Joe Brown's for casual stuff). I buy dresses and tops from Boden, Monsoon. Work tops from M & S or Land's End, also casual, T shirts. Jeans from M & S or the dreaded Evans, or Gloria Vanderbilt if in the US.

I try to go to New York every year or so, and stock up on decent clothes there, makes like Jones New York are great quality and not too expensive. Also have some Armani stuff from New York, tops from Nine West etc.

I tried NYDJ but they looked utterly hideous on me, no matter what size or style I tried. Heavier denim with less lycra works better for me.

Littlewoods stock So Fabulous clothing which is rather nice

I'm not, er, 'fat'! myself but I noticed that Asos have a collection called curve in size 20+, it looks pretty good, I've always been really pleased with stuff from Asos - good for fashion items rather than classics though. I assume that the regular ranges go up to 18. The sizing is true to the measurements they give online.

Asos Curve, curvety.com for dresses, lands end, next H&M and Boden are my staples

Your OP sounds as if you're asking how those fat people buy nice clothes. However I'm probably reading too much into it.

What a very bizarre interpretation........

Yours.co.uk is amazing. Trousers in lots of leg lengths. Tops are longer than usual and sizes very generous!!!!

Really? It read to me like seeker is looking for nice clothes for herself.

I'm fat, size 22-24 and I buy from New Look, Asda and eBay - I'm not a fashionista, I find everything I need in these places.

I'm a DP's/Primark/EBay chubster for the most part- but I think it's buying well for your shape rather than your size that makes clothes look nice IYSWIM.