Anyone interested in a plus size summer style thread?

[peachesandpickles]

There's been a few of us 16+ looking for advice in recent weeks. I think it might be good to have a thread where we share our best finds and swap advice.

Anyone interested? I'm an 18 on top, 16 on bottom apple shape.

Currently I'm trying to find some non-tunic type tops to wear with short, a-line skirts so I'd love some recommendations.

Also looking for flattering shorts. I'd love just one pair this summer.

My one recommendation so far is to find a good quality jersey maxi dress. I bought one a few summers ago and love it. Despite what a lot of people say I think maxis can look well on plus sizes especially if it is straighter jersey one rather than full on billowy one.

I've been wearing these, but in navy blue Cheap, cheerful and comfortable. But to be fair, I don't have much in the way of demands when it comes to shorts other than that they fit.

Well the Boden Bistro shorts arrived and I can see what the fuss is about. They are a great length ; not lady golfer and not pants . I sized up after reading reviews but actually they are a bit big. The fabric is firm so they won't ride up like lighter fabrics .
Pricey but worth it IMO.

4X4 - Which colour did you get in the Bistro shorts? I like the look of the Navy broderie.

Hello - just the thread can I join? Size 18 with wobbly curves and arms!

I'd recommend any maxis the follow an aline from under bust for a straighter less billowy shape - I find any crossover/twist fronts that result in rucking or pintucks underneath flattering - I'd second fatface for these jersey type dresses.

I've also looked at pepper berry dressed but never ordered anything but they look good as you can order to shape and bust size.

I've been a fan of monsoon in the past but find there range has been less - not sure what but missing something. I think their everyday maxi's are overpriced compared to other places.

I love Mint Velvet online for size 18's is better, a lot of their dresses are cut fromt he Aline so suit me, I can only wera their lonline tops.

Sorry cant help with shorts - I'd only wear on beach - last year all I found was a mid thigh denim skirt and a throw on beach dress so I made them do.

Ive always struggled with summer - this summer Ive enjoyed wearing:

Wide parallel trousers with t shirts nice summer scarfs and sandals.
Denimn jacket for cooler days.
Maxi dresses

I was wondering about the tapered trousers with cuffs that look like PJ's - plain ones but I think they would add material and wobble IYWIM not sure havnt found any to try on.

I'm also wondering about these statement maxi skirts - am I going to regret owning a tye died, animal print jobby next year when Ive only worn it for a few months this summer.

So *i'm looking for a bright watercolour type top, longline, not boxy in shape or batwings - they size to me with all the extra material.

Im tempted just to buy more plain t shirts and scarfs - easy to wear and cheaper outfits to add to exisitng bottom half items.

sorry for v long post but hello all.

Top I have my eye on but Im a bit at price

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/ida-print-cowl-back-tunic/tops/mint-v/fcp-product/4184

Maxi skirts

www.fatface.com/search?q=*&parentCategoryRef=womensdressesskirtstunics&sort=manual&order=ascend

hi andsmile, I love Mint Velvet too. I bought two tops from there since I discovered them.

I wonder has the quality in Monsoon gone down in recent years. I have 2 jersey maxis from there. One is 5 years old and the other about 3 years and they were worth what I paid at the time as I have worn them a lot and they still look good.

Pepperberry have some lovely dresses but I always think the tops draw a lot of attention to your boobs and that's not something I always want.
If I was looking to buy another summer dress I think I would order this one pepperberry

I love that dress peaches but I have legg issues. I started a thread on here late spring asking about leggings with tunics! I have worn cropped white leggings once this summer with white sandals and this dress from M&S that has pintuck stitching and drapey fabric!

www.marksandspencer.com/elastic-front-shift-dress/p/p22316291

but in bright turquoise. I have it in navy which I wear with tights and knee highs in winter. - £30 hang up no ironing and so easy to wear. The have a bright blue one, but they are not for hot days, cooler ones. Denim over the top looks great (i think)

Im not sure it is a quality thing with monsoon I think their signature style of prints and ebleebishments has become more on trend so it is easer to find comparables elsewhere. I have lovely dresses from their for formal occasions. But I dont think their actual range has been as well picked out.

If you really want heavy jersey and skimming in the right places phase eight. Its been a godsend for me since I piled on this weight on after baby was born. I know elsewhere on S&B people say it is too 'old' but if you wear the right pieces with scarfs/shoes etc they look fine . Things that fit better than some dodgy poly ill fitting creation from DP's that I havent a hope n hell of feeling comfortable.

I love mint velvet too much - im waiting for their summer sale email to come through - anyone would think im going on a cruise as opposed to cornwall caravan but I have convince myself that i will need peices for boozy evenings buy the beach!

I like that M&S dress. Whats the sizing like with it?

I think White Stuff are great for things to wear with leggings and they go up to a size 18.

I've also seen some nice dresses on Lands End. lands end

Their Plus range goes to a 3x US which I think is a size 28. I love this dress

The boden bistro I got is the navy broideire and the cream/navy stripe.
I got long length in UK 14 but they came up big .I know with a 12/14 bum I am not exactly plus sized but am very tall have have wide shoulders and big boobs so on this thread because I have trouble getting anything to fit dress/top wise.
Often I can't fit my arms into sleeve holes . Often buy big and have tailored.

I have been trying out capri length leggings with a dress about 4" above the knee (just around the house). I am aged 60 and a size 14 that is creeping into a 16 and 5' 6". It is soooo comfy but not sure if it is a bit mutton dressed as lamb.

I am very insecure over how I look but am just fed up with jeans all the time. Got a bit of the Sally Hansen airbrush for legs to cover discolouration/bruises/veins but didnt look great, maybe I need to put it on thicker.

peaches love that flowery dress but Im just not confident enough to wear - hence much dress wearing with knee hgh boots as soon as!

Ive found the sizing jut right - I mean it jersey fabric so can cling a bit around the bottom but its all draped from those pintucks to the pockets at sides. It has 3/4 sleeves too - I wore it on Saturday when it was warm but not hot. Id ear that in late summer with clack leggings, cardi and sandals. The navy looks great with black opagues and heels. Id snap one up its in the sale £23 - hope they have your size

Ive previousyl liked white stuff items but never ordered. I wasnt taken to anything when I looked at their tops earlier but I always do look. I'll have a look at dresses.

slim i have that problem with some size 18 tops

ilovekitty go you with the leg make up stuff, I have a faint blue bulge on leg, [bush] and I havn't gone bare legged anywhere for a long time. I must make an effort.

peacocks have some great shorts, 100% cotton, chino style, knee lengt, bargain at 12!

Hello! I think I belong here

I am a size 16/18 (was a 14 pre DD) and I absolutely detest the warm weather because I have no idea what to wear. I refuse to show anything above my elbows and my legs are always covered. It's a nightmare and I avoid going out when it's warm as I always have to overdress and get hot and miserable.

I see loads of ladies who are bigger than me and look fabulous in the summertime and I don't know how they do it!

Will be keeping an eye on this thread for ideas.

Oh, marking place. I feel so envious of people who can wear shorts. I am very plump of leg, which ends up with lots of chub rub in this weather.

I'm like some of the posters upthread, size 22-24, used to be an hourglass but since I hit 50 my middle is filling out. I find tunics or long tops with leggings or narrow leg trousers work well on me but are not always what I want to wear in warmer weather.

I love Taking Shape and I've had some nice tunics from Bon Marche, mostly David Emanuel ones, but this years are quite similar to last years so have ground to a halt there. Other bits from Evans, Moda at Asda and M&S but not found anywhere exciting (mind you I live in a really shit area for shopping)

scouse wide leg cotton/linen mix trousers.

Smart - blouse n strappy fancyish sandals
Casual - footbed sandals and t's

I've been bold and not been too bothered with my arms on show but I do recommend cardigans experiment with colours.

Im loving summer scarfs in bright prints to lift outfits. (oo I said Im loving - bloodyhell)

pomp I'll have a ook for that price

felix I know re seeing others I always want to go up and ask them stuff. I wih someon would just tell me what to wear.

Slimsoon
Are you my long lost twin ?
I am 12/14 bum and 16-18 -20 top. I don't know anyone else who is upside down !
Often I get stuck in dresses My bust is 34E so not alarming but its my shoulders and length from shoulderto bust.
nothing in zara gets over my shoulders boobs or arms
unless it is v neck and sleeveless. If something has bust darts or a underbust band it is often closer to my neck than nips !
I used to travel to the Netherlands and Germany with work and found they had clothes for taller frames .
Long tall sally was good 10yrs ago but is rotton now.
I got the boden bistro shorts in navy (bit dull) and stripe (lovely ) .They are fab fit wise though and loose on the leg .
I get lots of tunic dresses from monsoon (often ebay
)and take in the side seams.
I feel there is a gap in the market for amazons !

Hi all, I'm a 22-24 (a 20 in some very stretchy things eg Primark £3 leggings ).

I have quite quirky style which is not really catered for in plus-size clothing stores! I like ASOS Curve the best, also Modcloth if I could afford the shipping! Pink Clove is OK though, New Look Inspire too (their skater dress twinpacks are great). Evans is OK depending on what it is but I love their pear fit jeans. No gaping at the waist!

Have just had a delivery from Phase 8!

I got Daisy crop jeans, size 18, which look fab!

Pink & Grey Pagoda dress - looks fab!!

Black ruched dress - guess what? It looks fab!!! I also like the scarf on that page.

I love it when I have a good shopping result. It is so depressing when you order stuff and it is all useless.

Hi to all who have joined in since my last post.

Love your 3 buys Beryl. The jeans look great. I wouldn't have thought of Phase Eight for more casual stuff. I'm going to have a trawl through the sale.

Good places for shopping:
New Look Inspire
Very - So Fabulous (online)
ASOS Curve - online
Pink Clove - online

I've just got some brilliant, simple summer maxis from Asda including one that feels a bit like swimming costume fabric but the stinginess makes it very flattering

My big hits this summer are patterned harem trousers with vest and hip length cardigans.

I also like wearing fairly clingy dresses (knee length or maxi) with crochet cardigans or denim jackets over the top. I think that loose fitting stuff can make you look bigger. If you're going clingy though be honest with sizes - nothing looks worse than knicker lines with bellies hanging over through a 2 size too small dress!

I'm anywhere between an 18 and 22 by the way.

I need your help!!!

Worse than summer clothing I need to find summer interview clothing!!!

I have a last minute interview for a job I really want on Friday and not a thing to wear. My current employer is very laid back so nice dress, cardi etc are fine and I have worked in my current post for a decade so no interview clothing.
My only chance is to go tomorrow and my local town has H&M, NEXT, River Island, Primark, Debenhams, M&S, Monsoon, Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams, Matalan.

I am a generous 18 atm (was a 22 last year!) and having a major panic . The job is rather formal.

Hi, can I join too.
Yours has recently opened a store near me. It's got some lovely dresses in there and tshirts and vests on 2 for £10/12.

wild
Next had some great shift dress/jacket combos up to size 26 in their outlet shops a few weeks back - I bet they'd have similar online/in store?

Wild this dress www.marksandspencer.com/metal-bar-trim-dress/p/p22274937 is lovely for interviews (I speak as someone who si currently doing the rounds ) - really flattering (I'm a 16-18) and good quality material- even my dh commented on it and his usual range of compliments is between nice and good. Only need to add some nude tights and courts in this weather.

Matalan also do a couple of good shift dresses (black, grey, subtle stipes) which are more than adequate for an interview and very cheap.