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Larger sizes-where to buy 18-22?

56 replies

Helium · 04/03/2011 21:04

Anyone know of any good places to buy larger sizes?

I know about simplybe but thats about it!!

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 11:55

You're certainly not the only larger woman whilst I'm around !

As I said, I get my staples from M and S Autograph and Boden. Also sometimes from Poetry and Wrap online (Poetry go up to 24, Wrap to 22) and occasionally Monsoon.

Was going to recommend Marina Rinaldi if budget not a problem. Have bought loads of things from them in my time. Unfortunately, not a very useful online presence, and in UK just one shop in London, Bond St. and one in Edinburgh. They are actually Italian - the plus size line of Max Mara, with the quality that goes with that. Some of their stuff is very staid/ conservative - though I have got great office wear, black trousers, etc from them. But I like to seek out their funkier stuff - mainly to be found in their Marina Sport collection. Have to say, do tend to get most when I'm in Italy as their stores in Milan (the flagship) and Rome are bigger and have a wider choice of items. And their clothes are cheaper there too. But realise that may not be very helpful if you're not going there soon.

Have also got a few things from Elena Miro - again Italian, worth a glance if in Italy, but it's not generally to my taste - a bit frumpy, like so much plus size stuff. Nor is Anna Scholz - too many lurid patterns and often a bit 'off' fashion-wise, and very £££. Do have an OK pair of their denim jeggings, though.

And (though this may shock some S and Bers)I do have and like some NYDJ jeans - not at all 'mum jeans' looking - what they call jeggings but I'd call skinnies. They're my everyday uniform, with tunics, lonline knits, etc.

Evans, Simply Be, New Look aren't for me - prefer better quality. Have never found anything I like at Ulla Popken. Land's End OK for genuine 'utility wear' but otherwise not really stylish enough. The Danish online company Bon'a Parte are worth a look, though.

Also,some Isabella Oliver things go up to 20, though not cheap.

I know what Buda means about loose layered look - sure it looks great on her and others who get it right, but personally I don't like loose things on me - think a ship in full sail - and think they make most - not all - large women look larger. I want definition for my waist (have an hourglass shape) and jeans/ trousers that fit pretty tight to my legs, as they're long and slim. Sometimes can just get the deinition for myself, eg by pairing an Autograph tunic with a Boden belt (they do good belts in an XXL which actually is XXL).

Generally (except for Marina Rinaldi) prefer to stick with 'ordinary' mid-market brands that go up to 22 rather than 'special' plus ones, as so few seem to get it right.

Sorry for rant/ stream of consciousness. Good hunting!

polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 12:06

Sorry, Buda, it was phatcat suggesting lagenlook, not you. Do totally agree with you on Elvi and Ann Harvey - frightful.

Another online range I haven't tried- perhaps others have? - but might be worth a look is asos curve.

phatcat · 05/03/2011 12:31

ha ha! yes I guess some of the styling on that website is ott - I don't really take it to the max like - I tend to stick to black / grey / aubergine colours and I don't do stripes or patterns. You'd be surprised how flattering it is though - it defintely doesn't make you look larger if the cut & sizing is right. I have a Masai black cowl neck drip side tunic which is fitted over my norks and arms then flows out from the waist down and I get so many compliments on my figure when I wear it. Masai Clothing & Oska are the less freaky end of the lagenlook spectrum! Summer no problem - just switch to linen & cotton garments in the same kind of style. Agree about the practicalities though - I'm forever catching my flowing robes on the kitchen cupboard door handles!!

Buda · 05/03/2011 12:49

polyhymnia - I am warning you now my DH is going to hate you! I have never heard of Poetry and just had a quick look and it is right up my street! I am almost 47 and like to look stylish and find it SO hard being bigger. I like Wrap and am loving Poetry! Thank you!

phatcat · 05/03/2011 13:40

I've just discovered Poetry too! I found a Poetry tunic top in a charity shop the other day and thought it a brand worth checking out. I'm going to check out Wrap & Bon'a Parte also. Agree with polyhymnia about the NYDJs - they work miracles on me. I buy them on eBay from the US for a fraction of the UK retail.

colditz · 05/03/2011 13:40

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/

Deaddei · 05/03/2011 13:43

All the high street shops eg Wallis, DPS etc go up to larger sizes, as well as the specialist shops.
My gripe is tall women have such a limited selection compared to petite and larger sizes.

polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 14:22

Yes, but some of us are large and tall. Good in one way - long legs, can carry off tunics, etc - but makes finding clothes even harder. Have often found nice pieces which fit me size wise but are too short in the body!

polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 14:26

Poetry fans - have bought the printed linen jersey top in two colours - ice and aqua -and really pleased with them. also got a linen jersey vest in Slate to layer with them and with other summer pieces.

Buda · 05/03/2011 16:01

What are NYDJs????

My stomach is a whole size bigger than the rest of me. I really struggle with jeans.

phatcat · 05/03/2011 17:16

Not Your Daughters Jeans - check them out - they hold your guts in!

polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 17:23

Not Your Daughters' jeans - not cheap, not a great name, but do do what it says on tin, ie hold tummy in, improve look of bottom, but feel incredibly comfortable. You buy a size smaller than usual.

They have a website if you google. John Lewis stock them, as do various online people. They're American and, I understand, cheaper there and offer many more styles. I tend to look for the slimmest legged styles possible - at present, favourite is what they call jeggings. Buy mine from Charles Vermont because they are good value and very helpful.

MrsMc82 · 05/03/2011 17:33

I'm a "larger lady" too Helium - God I hate that phrase!!! - a size 18 sometimes 20..... I'm a fan of quantity rather than quality when it comes to most clothes as am pretty fickle so like budget stuff (except handbags, boots and coats happy spend more on those things) so i buy loads of stuff in primark, who now go up a 20 . I also get lots of things from next and have also started to use Very too, their simply fabulous range is cut really nicely, got some v flattering wide leg jeans from there last week....... Also ASOS Curve is great for something a bit different too....

MrsMc82 · 05/03/2011 18:57

Oooo Phatcat - could you link to where u buy your NYDJ's from on ebay? - Ta! :o

phatcat · 05/03/2011 19:12

no problem MrsM - I have used sellers called sixntwelve and allsportgear. If you search on eBay for nydj you will find others. they are US sized so if you take UK16 remember to order US12

candleshoe · 05/03/2011 19:13

Elvi
Anne Harvey
Evans (cheap tat warning)
Chesca at House of Fraser

candleshoe · 05/03/2011 19:17

Also try 2 catalogues, 'Spirito de Artigiano' and 'Marisota'

Kewcumber · 05/03/2011 19:41

Spirito do some nice stuff though v expensive and their sizing is on the small side.

I have lost lot of weight this year (30 - 20/22) and an distinctly pear sahped for the first time ever. Strugglking with jeans becasue of such a big belly. Think wide leg jeans may be the way to go...

MrsMc82 · 05/03/2011 19:50

Thanks v much Phatcat [toddles off to ebay!]

amiheartless · 05/03/2011 19:50

Evans
New look do a section now

new2cm · 05/03/2011 19:52

My confession?

I am still wearing my size 16/18 maternity clothes from Jojo Maman Bebe, Blooming Marvelous and Mothercare! I had my last baby 18 months ago. Grin

I know, I need to do something. I didn't have any problems shifting the weight after the birth of my first two children. This time round it seems a lot hrader for some reason.

Anyway, to answer your question:

Evans, Next, M&S, Boden - many brands do up to size 22.

22+ would probably be best searching online.

fivegomadinthelambingshed · 05/03/2011 20:33

YOU can sometimes find stuff in Lands End catalogue, i brought my jeans from there.

polyhymnia · 05/03/2011 23:43

I'm really not a fan of Spirito - they are expensive and, IMO, too frumpy and have too many loose styles. Also the few basics I've bought there haven't been great quality - have 'bobbled', etc. But everyone has different tastes so have a look and see what you think.

Agree Evans are cheap tat.

Kewcumber · 05/03/2011 23:57

so we're all agreed Evans is cheap tat [cheap]

I agree that much of the spirito stuff is a bit frumpy but some of the unstructured jersey stuff was ideal for me for work and I have to say it washed and washed and came up like new every time.

pobodysnerfect · 06/03/2011 01:09

Not to hijack the thread but Ive a work night out on Fri, Im a size 18, large in the nork area and a tummy. Im looking for a top to wear?Any ideas? Id like to go to one function where I dont look like the moon....

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