Where do fat people buy nice clothes?

[seeker]

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

What do you all wear with the Emma tunic? I have it but was planning to send it back tbh. I can't seem to make it look right...

I think it was in MN that I read that someone asked an assistant at Evans why all their tops were sleeve-less and was told that it was "Cuz larger ladies sweat more innit".

Whilst that obvs wasn't the last word in the subject but I did wonder if Evans designers really do think that and that is the reason why?? Because it's so hideously, awfully, dreadfully and unbelievably unflattering I can't imagine they think it looks good

I wear the charcoal Emma as a dress or tunic with skinnies/leggings and the greeney/purple one as a dress with knee-high boots/ankle boots which most MNers would describe as mum boots. I find them really easy to wear and flattering (I hope!)

Wear my charcoal one with berry coloured tights and black ankle boots and interesting necklace .

kalidanger Nice... I like the way the top of your bra would show and the heart would disappear under a bosem or if you've a larger tummy, perhaps its point would disappear into your navel?

I always thought the Beth Ditto range was spectacularly bad - I mean that had effort put in to it to be so bad!

I almost don't know where to start on the Evans site - BEHOLD!

1. High neckline, pink, sleeveless AND without a waist? With this you are really spoiling us Evans.
2. A man's shirt? Checked? Buttoned pockets on the tits? Lumberjacktastic
3. I'm pretty sure this is actually a growbag
4. The 70s called - they want their top back. I will not look like Peaches Geldof in this.
5. This beautiful sofa cover comes in a size 32 and has wipe-down arm rests.
6. Why yes I am a fat lesbian - thank you for considering my footwear needs.

I am crying here!!! It made me snigger!

Evans stuff is worse than ever. H&M did a really great range once called BB or something and it was in quite a few stores but I never see it any more. I have never understood why M&S doesn't have a proper go at this, after all there are a bewildering number of ranges now - so many I don't know where to go in the shop. I found myself holding up a dress the other day then when I saw the label Classic I put it down like a shot

Yes, because what overweight people really want is a) all of their clothes made out of polyester b) made with lots of material and no shape, so that it falls like a large curtain from the shoulders c) large prints so that you look like a sofa d) no sleeves because everyone knows that fat women have lovely arms e) a high neck to hide, rather than a V or scoop neck to flatter, a magnificent chest. Evans, and to a slightly lesser extent, M & S Porkers collection (or whatever it is called, goes up to size 28) are most guilty of this.

If you are plus sized, you don't look at a rail of clothes, pick something out, and think, that's nice, I'll see if they've got it in my size. No. What you do is go through the rack, looking only at the size tag on the hanger, thinking "what have they got that will fit me?"

I wear my Emmas with opaque tights and boots (Duo: your friend for the fat of calf) or ballet flats or court shoes. And some nice jewellery or a scarf.

I have the charcoal Emma on today with wolford leggings, black chunky boots and a waist belt

MrsSchadenfreude agree with everything there.

There are quite literally tonnes of fatties in the UK. Why aren't the shops falling over themselves to bleed us dry?

I'm wearing my charcoal Emma today too With black leggings, long black cardigan (for warmth in church) and boots.

Like polyhymnia I get on well with Boden.

Victortango - part of dressing a bigger body is accepting the size you are. There's no dress on earth that will make a size 22 look like a size 10. If you seek for fashinn that will make you disappear, you'll only make yourself miserable.

What do you like to wear? Personally I like a good pattern. I like a swishy dress. So you can see the size of my arse and you can see I have legs owing more to a small plantation of trees than the Royal Ballet . Ok then because I feel great in that stuff. I like the patterns, I like the colour, I like that my personality is in some way illustrated.

Wherever you go for clothes, it's all just wasted money if you can't find a little bit of love for yourself too.

For special occassions IGIGI are amazing. The fabric and fit is really good and you can pick them up at some UK stockists or on ebay.

Agree with Northern - very well said .
I too like a bit of bright Boden pattern! Also have their plain stuff if the neckline is right - am a 16/18 38G.
As Poly said though, need to try and send back with Boden e.g. The Emma tunic did nothing for me but some of their other tunics are fine.
Shoes/boots from Amazon ( for brands like fly or irregular choice), Clarks, M&S (can wear standard sizes as legs and feet quite skinny).
For work wear Boden lyocell dresses or Boden wool trousers and tops.
M&S for Autograph tights and leggings.
HTH

Yes, igigi are amazing - I got my wedding dress from them and was 7 months pregnant. Beautiful, although it looked even better post-partum!

Kiyonna is another great US brand and if you're young and cool check out Torrid. Even Lane Bryant knocks Evans into a cocked hat.

The trouble with boden is that it can very easily become "podgy mum" rather than simply mummy. Dressing well when chubby takes more effort because we all put on weight in different areas.

I've got great shoulders and triceps (oh yes), but I've been ordered by the courts not to display my legs above the knee.

Aim for style not fashion and you'll be ok. Don't hide yourself in clothes 3 sizes too big, don't try and hide yourself in black. As Northern says, it doesn't matter what the cut, colour or fabric is - it's not going to give you 36" hips. So where what feels beautiful and what makes you feel powerful, sexy and beautiful.

Dolomites I got my wedding dress from them too Not one of their actual wedding dresses but a fab maxi dress that I just loved!

shopping is hard work when you are fat. I usually go for Dorothy Perkins (polyester) and fat face (bloody expensive). Peacocks sometimes have ok stuff. I have a huge stomach, so my special challenge is finding stuff that does not make me look pregnant. I usually wear pintuck shirts and jeans, or baggy jumpers and skirt with flat boots for work. Especially hate clingy jersey and sleeveless. This thread very helpful.

I agree with all the criticisms of Evans, their clothes really are badly designed tat and although I'm only 5'7" tall, so not a giant, they are always too short. I really struggle to find nice things as I am a size 24 so find most places don't go up to my size and, if they do, it's at the limits of their size range so the garments have just been made wider and not designed to lie right on a bigger person IYSWIM.

It's all very well though criticising plus size companies when you can comfortably fit into the top end of clothes made for the mainstream market. I hate clothes feeling tight on me and am not comfortable in clingy stuff so Boden, etc is no use.

I cannot understand why no company has seized this gap in the market.

All my weight is on my hips and bum. I have baggy arms but that's due to muscle wasting rather than actual fat, it's all skin there so I tend to cover my arms with nice cardis and the like. Everyone deserves to look nice, no matter whether if they're big or small.

I get a lot from Laura Ashley. They're good if you have an hourglass figure and they go up to 22 in most things. Also yy to Boden.

I wouldn't dream of buying something in Evans. It's tat.

Despite it being nearly a decade, I really, really miss Etam Plus. Their clothes were always a good fit and weren't big and baggy like Evans. I still am pissed off with Phillip Green for closing them down, the bastard.

Can you help with the sizes for Igigi - a UK 18 would buy and American what???

Timidviper - can I recommend Land's End plus range? It can be a bit frumpy, but you can find the occasional gem there, and it's good for basics, such as long sleeved T shirts, cardigans etc. They have some wrap dresses on there at the moment that look like they might be quite good, and a big plus (groan!) is that a lot of their plus stuff goes into the "outlet" bit of the site with really big reductions. I got a black cotton cardigan (OK, dull, but useful for work) for £7 in the sale. They usually have a good range of colours as well. It's worth a look. And at least most of it is natural fibres!

Usually US sizes are 2 down from UK ones, eg, a UK 22 would be a US 18.

Northern and others, you have inspired me to make more of an effort. I think I hate my body most of the time and hide in black - and your post made my cry a bit when I realised this . I have one more week of school, I am going to mass order online, try and send back until I find some things for me. I am going to try colours and all different styles! I am going back after the Easter holidays with a new wardrobe and confidence in being me....

I like the John Rocha stuff in Debenhams, I've managed to find some pretty tops in his range.