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?!

I think I am probably a similar size and shape to you (12-14, but a couple of inches shorter - definite boobs and hips). I've done very well in Whistles - I know it's expensive, but I buy a couple of things and wear them to death. Also Boden for flattering basic t shirts/vest tops - something I have struggled for years to find. I recently bought a lovely dress in Pepperberry, but it shrank in the wash (despite following instructions to the letter), so I'm not sure I'd recommend them. I've also found flattering jeans in Monsoon and Mint Velvet, Hush harems/joggers are good too.

i'm another one that goes for the vintage labels for my summer dresses.
Lady V, Collectif, Lindy Bop and Hell Bunny all do some lovely things AND they are designed for hourglass shapes!

Also maxi skirts - another one where Boden is good - paired with a fitted vest, NOT maxi dresses, unflattering if you're curvy in my experience (possibly just on me).

I'm a 12-14 with biggish boobs and a waist, and normally head to toe in ASOS own brand size 12 or Uniqlo size large. I also have things from Hush, Sainsbury's, GAP, AllSaints, New Look... I never have an issue. Maybe because I'm 5ft 4 but ASOS do tall and I find them consistent.

I’m a size 12-14 all boobs (like 30H big boobs) and hips. I’m early 30s so I don’t want to feel old and often feel a bit in between.

But I don’t struggle at all...my busting at the seams wardrobe will tell you that DP despairs of my shopping addiction. I wear dresses, skirts, skinny jeans, tops...pretty much anything but bodycon (I even hate that term, it makes me cringe).

My top picks are:
Oasis (particularly in their sales, which tend to be good, where I am a Medium or 12 without fail)
H&M for good basic tops
Next
Primark (where I tend to be a 14-16 but that’s fine
Apricot (good for dresses especially and again am always a Medium or 12)
Debenhams have the odd good find, particularly Red Herring or Mantaray
Tu at Sainsburys a recent find but some really, really good stuff!!

Glad I am not the only one though feel for you all.

Peartree17 I often think tailoring is the answer but it would be difficult to find the time to do this around a full time commuter job. It would open up a lot of options so I should explore this.

ThomasNightingale I need let go of my quest to be on trend I think as that may be part of my problem. I love that simple contemporary look but the boxy shapes don't work for me. Then again a pleated boho skirt around these hips and I look like what I imagine Old Mother Hubbard would in the flesh.

Someone mentioned Colletif and I do have a 'going out' dress from there but their stuff often seems a bit, ahem, 'va va voom' for the everyday.

Have had previous success with Whistles when I have the budget, Cos, Warehouse and French Connection. Struggle to afford these regularly though and your H&Ms tend to be a bit shapeless.

o La Redoute and Sainsbury's I am hearing a lot and I don't tend to shop there but will try. Don't seem to have much success with online but you never know. I am sure much of it is my own insecurity also about bearing too much flesh etc, but it can't be right that I spend 5 hours looking around a shopping centre and came away with nothing last weekend despite visiting many stores and trying sizes 12 to 16.

H&Ms tend to be a bit shapeless.

Definitely, same for a Primark. They’re good for basic things like vests and stretchy tops but I made the mistake of buying a dress from H&M and it was awful, just completely shapeless.

Actually, another one to add to the list is george at Asda but i find this to be REALLY hit and miss. But they’ve got lots of nice summer dresses at the minute.

I tend to go for the skater type shape generally, seems to be quite flattering. Or cross over type dresses as you can nip them in at the waist

F&F Tesco
George @ ASDA
Tu @ Sainsbury
Go up a size at Primark
If you have a waist M&S or H&M
Online JD williams

My absolute favorite is online Kaleidoscope, I also buy from Amazon but only buy Uk brands eg Coast, Dorothy Perkins New Look (there are bargains to be had)
I never shop at outsize shops as their sizes come up far too big
There is plenty of variety out there , its just knowing where to look and having a bit of forethought as regards seasons.

Good tips Fluffington. My DH will say I have lots of clothes but what he doesn't understand is that I have a slim summer and winter wardrobe (12-14) and a bigger summer and winter wardrobe (14-16) which is about a stones difference. That's another thread...

Could someone please say more about Apricot - what is it that you like about them? I've never tried them before.

Quite excited about some more structured block colour dresses on Apricot.

There goes my evening.

Could someone please say more about Apricot - what is it that you like about them? I've never tried them before

For me, I like the range of dresses. One thing I do struggle with sometimes is a more fitted dress. I’ve never struggled in Apricot.

They also tend to have a small number of shapes/styles of dress in lots of different fabrics or patterns, if that makes sense. And this goes from one season to the next. So generally, you know you can trust that the stuff will fit and flatter in a consistent way.

The only thing I sometimes struggle with is their maxi dresses...but I struggle with that everywhere

I'm slightly shorter than you and probably slightly bigger at 14-16, I have found quite a few nice things this year in White Stuff, Seasalt and Monsoon. I also like Thunder Egg for quirky patterns and retro style.

I'm going back to making my own... when I have all the curtains and blinds for my new home finished... likely not this year.

I'm going to have to do a new fitting toile because severe spinal stenosis, and osteoporosis, have reduced my height from 5'4-1/2" to 5'1", with more curvature of my upper spine.

The thing that most bugs me about high street clothes is that they're standardised on a B-cup bra size, and this is something that can't be fixed at home because a bigger cup size needs a longer bodice to accommodate a deeper bust dart.

If a dress or top has a curved crease from near the bust point going in the hip direction, it's the wrong cup size for you.

The high street is planning on standardising btw!! Read the article 'Are you a size13 too?' From the Telegraph.
Retailers are hoping to get 30,000 people's body stats through an app to standardise as 50% of all purchases are returned due to sizing!!

I can sympathise. It is not unusual for me to take a 14, 16 and 18 in to try on.

I have previously had a 14 fit, and a 16 in the same shop be too small!. It can be inconsistent even within one store.

I tend to find that I need a 16 in mantary (Debenhams) tunics but a 14 in white stuff or Fat face.

I have a dress from next I bought in a 14 last year. I have put on weight since, but it still fits. I have ordered two from this seasons prints as they are so versatile. I have one for general out and about, one for work and one for things like going out for a meal. They can be casual or dressed up. May be worth a try.
www.next.co.uk/g22166s5#170128

There is a find my size website - you put your measurements in and it tells you w a t size you are in each shop

OP try brassimo they have a filter where you can describe your shape. No more pricey than the high street. I have only used it once for a dress to wear to a wedding.
But you might find casual stuff on there too.

Bravassimo I mean. Sorry.

I have exactly the same problem - my bodyshape doesn't fit the clothes for sale!

I'm what you call 'skinny fat' so a size 12 that looks thin until the mid riff where I look about seven months pregnant. This summer has been a revelation, clothes seem to be for bigger boobs or smaller waists/bellies. As for dresses, there's so many beautiful maxi dresses out there-why can't they vary them in length?