AIBU to wonder where on earth you're supposed to shop if...

[SundayGirlB]

You're a size 14 and don't want to look 30 going on 50. Or like a teenager.

Plus size 14 is too big. 'Normal' highstreet 14 is too small or nonexistent because its out of stock or a 'large' which is actually a 12. I can't afford and don't really want to go Hobbs and the like.

There is no market for the in betweens. I've pounded the streets for hours in search of summery clothes this year. Online is a nightmare because the sizing is so inconsistent I have to order everything in 2 to 3 different sizes. When I do find a nice dress it's inevitably halfway up my arse and I'm not that tall at 5'8.

I'm really not that much of a misshapen monster and resent being made to feel so.

So, where can a woman of a certain size buy some damn clothes?!

You are me, and I would also like to know the answer to your questions.

I'm a lot older than you - have just bought a couple of skirts from JD Williams and very pleased with them. I don't see them as old lady clothes (one of then is: www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/together-cotton-skirt/ar312/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=7201#colour:Blue%20Multi-coloured,size: ) good quality cotton and sizing is right for me so may be worth checking out their dresses? This is their website: www.jdwilliams.co.uk/

Good luck.

Did you look in H&M? I am size 14 and recently bought two pairs of jeans in sale and saw some really nice tops and blouse style sleeveless tops there..I also shop in Tesco I bought myself the thin summer trousers and simple wrap black dress..also have a look in asda they have some lovely summer clothes now..I'm now looking for denim shorts but not those very short ones and saw some in matalan..they also have nice stuff..

I'm the exact same! Unfortunately I have the same issues so can't help I'm afraid.

I just can't understand why there is not standardised sizing so that if you buy a 14 online, or in two different shops, you know they will all fit.

If a high st 14 iz too small then you buy a 16. Simple. Don’t get hung up about size.

Just buy a size 16 if 14 doesn’t fit

Primark and the supermarkets all go up to at least 16 as do the high street shops

If a 14 is too small, a 16 usually looks like it would fit you and another person in, oddly. Because that's where I am. Considering how many of us there are on this thread with the same issues, it's a shame there are so few clothes for us.

I like Oasis, but a lot of their stuff seems expensive for what it is - £35 for a top that is literally a scrap of polyester, but I buy it because it's the only thing I've found in hours that looks nice on.

I wear leggings with dresses if they are too short. I've had some stuff from Apricot - online, there are a few standalone shops apparently, plus a very limited selection in New Look. Also Weird Fish.

I don't really understand your question - all shops have different sizing and often it depends on the style, so it's best to just try on lots of things and not worry about the "size"!

I am the same, you have to be selective. These shorts from M&S, buy a 16 rather than a 14 and check the width of the waistband to buy the actual pair that suits you best (huge variation across just the size 16), once you get the right fit they fit fine, I have the blue stripy ones and the Oyster : www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-shorts/p/p60138037?image=SD_01_T57_3301_F4_X_EC_90&color=NAVYMIX&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect
Next time take a tape measure and measure up.

However I find in Sainsburys, I'd always buy the 14.

I am size 12-14 and non-standard shape (very curvy). Usual high street shops never have anything that fits so I just go root around TK Maxx for clothes. Just choose what looks like it may fit you and ignore the size.

Try being a size 16-18 and under 5ft. That's a right laugh trying to shop for. Even if I decided I wanted to accept it and be happy with my current size having just grown a person, I can't dress for it so have no choice but to get on with losing weight asap. So depressing.

BarbaraofSevillle That's the issue I have. 16 is too big otherwise I'd just buy that.

Notcontent it's not that I am bothered by the size the label says, more that people in the middle aren't catered for. Sizing varies wildly and often 14s and 16s are just absent. My local Topshop will have tonnes of size 4-10s and the odd 12, 14 or 16. Either they don't make enough or they are popular and get sold out. Either way they are ignoring a market. I'm not being precious or imagining it, sore feet of hours of searching will testify to that.

I want to be able to wear a dress without leggings cos otherwise I'd just buy a top. Why aren't they meeting demand? Weird. I'd make my own clothes but when would I have the time to do that ffs.

Shop online, there's more variety of clothing that caters to every size and style, much more choice than you would find in the high street

COS is nice but pricey and often boxy unflattering shape for someone with curves.

NuttyNutty I am all hips and boobs with a small waist so get the non standard shape thing. Will check out TK Max.

Thanks for tips so far all!

MrsPicklesonSmythe I share your dimensions and your woe. I feel like I spend my life taking up hems. Got some good things in Primark recently but need to take them up. At least summer clothes generally have shorter sleeves, winter clothes have me looking like I’ve raided Mr Tickle’s wardrobe unless I shorten the arms too. So many petite ranges don’t make clothes over a 14.

I shop in a lot of supermarkets for clothing. Sainsbury’s is the best. They’ve had lots of options this summer.

I’m older than you though so maybe my choice of sun dresses with sandals or flip
Flops and midi dresses/skirts wouldn’t be what you would chooose.

Other than supermarkets i buy from next online or Boden? Joules, gap, and the odd item from M&S but not a lot from there as I do find the sizing inconsistent and difficult to judge.

SundayGirl I have exactly the same problem - my bodyshape doesn't fit the clothes for sale!!! I'm 5ft 9 and a size 14 and love simple tailored shift dresses for work - but they are only around in black or navy from M & S. I've given up on finding nice clothes for casual wear and stick to a pair of denim shorts or denim skirt with a t shirt.

NuttyNutty I am all hips and boobs with a small waist so get the non standard shape thing. Will check out TK Max

But women have hips and boobs so we aren't a non standard shape

IME TK Maxx is a total waste of time because they arrange stuff by size and if you don't know whether you are a 12/14/16 you have to look in all three areas and of course there's a different range of items in each section. TK Maxx is only useful for people who like looking at piles of random clothes in case they find something they like.

White Stuff and Sea Salt are my top picks for non-frumpy clothes for the over 25's.

I hardly ever buy dresses though as I am very top heavy. A dress big enough to accommodate my norkage could fit my arse twice over.

Uniquorn I've also had some nice things from Sainsbury's this year - forgot to mention that in my previous post.

I just can't understand why there is not standardised sizing so that if you buy a 14 online, or in two different shops, you know they will all fit.

Because standardised sizing would include the assumption that everyone has the same hip to waist ratio. Which we don't.

SundayBGirl I have similar issues. I bought size M viscose trousers from H+M recently and have been buying bits online from Gap, as I fit their Petite size M sundresses and linen Petite size M tops. I ignore most high street shops atm, as it's all polyester in odd sizing.

Sainsbury's have some nice sundresses (depending if you have a branch with clothes near you) and I got a nice cotton blouse/shirt in tesco of all places

I hardly ever buy dresses though as I am very top heavy. A dress big enough to accommodate my norkage could fit my arse twice over

Whereas I am the other way round, sort of. Dresses in M&S seem to be cut for men rather than women and I've come to the conclusion that for an M&S dress to fit me, it would need size 8 shoulders, size 12 norks, size 10 waist and size 14 hips.

Joe Browns do a lot of dresses , not sure if they are classed as ‘30 going on 50 ‘ though as I’m in the over 50 age range although I don’t think I necessarily dress like someone who is 50+ .

I was about to say that it’s ridiculous not to be able to find a perfectly normal size in the high street, but k now see that your problem is actually waist to hip ratio.

In that case, as a similar victim of actual bona fide curves, I find the answer is:
A) Find what garment shapes fit and suit you and stick to them like glue regardless of fashion. When they happen to actually be in fashion then stock up.
B) make friends with your local dry cleaner. Buy garments that fit you at your widest point and have them taken in.