Plus size chat thread anyone?

[MurderOfGoths]

Been trying to get my confidence back, and trying to learn what clothes suit my figure, so would love to chat to others in the same boat.

Got a shopping trip planned for next week, to restock my wardrobe and give me a bit of a boost. Mostly going to be going for places like Primark and New Look (am a size 18/20 so just about stand a chance in there) and maybe Yours.

Can't afford too much unfortunately and so much plus size fashion is more expensive.

So how is everyone else? Get anything new lately? Looking at getting anything? What are your favourite items/looks right now?

You looks great Murder!

Hello, can I join in?

I am an 18/20, 38E ish bust, 5'7" and 50 but not ready for slacks and greige...

I find that my formerly small waist is disappearing which makes me very sad! My main problem is that I am all out of proportion which makes dresses difficult although I love them and really want to have more. My bust is probably a 20, waist can be an 18, and bum and stomach are anything up to a 22. It's infuriating!

I'm currently rather into fifties styling but don't have any clothes of that style or shape, apart from one praslin dress which is many kinds of wonderful but a bit too big on the bust so needs some adjustment. And I don't have the confidence to wear wiggle dresses or pencil skirts.

AND, have any of you ever successfully worn a wrap dress as a bigger person? Because they are all ways of cling on me and look so bad I feel it's fashion's joke on me.

And I love the blogger fuller figure fuller bust, she's gorgeous and very inspiring.

CtrlAlt It is unbelievable the difference a good bra makes, I know it was on one of the bra fitting threads on here that I discovered I was wearing totally the wrong size.

Thank you all for the compliments, I felt amazing in that skirt!

Flighty I think you can wear wrap dresses, and have seen some plus size women look incredible on them, I've never managed to carry them off. But to be fair, I could never carry them off when I was slim either.

Can I join in too! I'm having a fashion crisis at the moment and hating the news saying there is a reported heatwave on it's way.

As well as being 5'2" and a sive 16/18, I have horrible purpley/red mottled skin on my arms due to an auto-immune condition and am dreading the usual "ooooh, haven't you caught the sun" x 50 a day, when I am in fact slathered in factor 50 and my skin is refrigerator cold to the touch.

I love winter, and have a couple of dresses and shortish skirts that I wear with leggings/tights and knee high boots, but summer leaves me cold. I love wearing linen trouser, but don't think they flatter bigger ladies.

I have always shied away from jeggings and skinny jeans, but have no real reason for that.

My biggest bug bear with "plus" size clothing (and it's similar with maternity stuff) is that everything seems to have 3/4 length sleeves. why is that? Have my arms shrunk because I got fat/pregnant? Do the designers think a bit of flesh will take the eye away from the belly? Surely that's what the cleavage is for? ;)

I love the 50s/vintage look, and though I know a few peopl who weaar it well on their ample curves, I somehow don;t think I could carry it off, but I'm sure it's a confidence thing and that's something I don;t have a lot of at the minute.

Off to look at some blogs!

Do any of you ever wear shorts? I'd love some for lounging around but it's difficult to find the right pair.

I think shorter ones are more flattering on my height (5'2) but embarrassingly I notice they sometimes bunch up between the legs.

Any suggestions?

I quite like these next but no idea of the fit etc.

I've just bought those Next shorts. They are quite a thick jersey and elasticted waist. If your waist is small then go down a size as there is quite a lot of room in the legs. I have real trouble with shorts as chino type or the Boden bistro shorts just make me look like a scout leader. I've also decided that above the knee is more flattering on me, having avoided them for years.

Thanks Peach. Do you mind me asking what size you are? I am a 16 on bottom and my legs are probably the slimmest part of me (relatively speaking as they aint slim )

What's the length like?

Marking so I can read later

Has anyone bought from elsiesattic.co.uk/ ? Their page just popped up on my news feed but I'm rubbish at buying online as I worry stuff won't fit and I never get chance to go to the post office to return.

I'm a size 16, 34hh and 5'2" - my big belly is my worst area (proper tyre overhang) and thought the style might hide it a bit?

They look nice 2fedup. Have you bought other stuff from Violetta? I keep looking at the site but can't make up my mind to buy anything. What is the sizing like?

Will any of you be watching plus size wars next Tuesday on channel four all about plus size fashion and bloggers?

I liked these Fat Face shorts. I'm not a fan of knee length and any shorter are just not going to happen. Mid thigh would be perfect. IME Fat Face seem to generous in the waist as well, which is good when you lose weight everywhere expect there!

lardy - no idea it was on. I will now. Do we know what time?

ACtually I think they put the wrong pic on. This one is better.

Hi all, just a little PSA! Very few people seem to be aware that Mango have a plus size line. Quite a bit more expensive than standard Mango but I've had great luck with the stuff I ordered.
here

Any knickers recommendations? I'm currently wearing Debenhams lacy shorts but I'm forever hoiking them up as they roll down under my belly!

oh - and whilst I'm on - long tops to fit over big boobs and cover said belly

and jarmies... I always stay in my day clothes till bath / bed time then just sleep in my fally down pants - I'd like jarmies :)

Cap 8 pm

Flighty, I am exactly the same size, age and height as you.

I find it really difficult to get clothes that fit. I've given up trying to find clothes that make me look slimmer. That ain't going to happen.

Two years ago I was a size 14. Unfortunately life got in the way and the weight piled on. I'm very fed up about it, but interestingly, don't want to do anything about it other than learn to embrace it.

I absolutely hate the summer. I have all the usual larger lady problems such as chub rub etc, but also have an allergy to sun cream and photo sensitivity. Roll on September.

I am going to Italy in July and am absolutely dreading the swimsuit moment.

On a positive note, I have bought two lovely cotton sundresses from Sainsburys for 20 quid. Hopeless at links, sorry. I think that I suit the 50s style and am going to try that route.

I think this thread is very inspirational. Reading about others ideas and reading blogs etc makes it all feel more acceptable and less like I'm the only sweaty fat thing desperate to get back into her pyjamas.

For swimsuit haters, Taking Shape have a high waisted tankini bottom that is very flattering - sits under the bust so you can worry less about the top riding up and has some minor 'sucky-in' properties. I am not a beach holiday person but we are doing on this year and this is the only way you'll get me in anything interesting bathing suit wise. Their tankini tops are ok but will depend on your norkage. Tops are generally easier to find anyway I think but bottoms always the issue for me.

For Knickers I have gone back to M&S - they have a range of microfiber no VPL knicks that are cotton rich. They seem to strike the balance between comfy and stylish (I tend to wear plain tshirt bras so this works for me).

Echoing didge comment - this is a jolly helpful thread.

Postpartum With my first child I went up a couple of sizes and found it hard to recalibrate my thoughts and started feeling dreary.

Now few years on with my second baby postpartum, I found that revamping my wardrobe helped lift my mood and gave me a new found confidence as a work from home mum. Did any of you feel this way?

I also found investing in a few quality pieces took me through a few seasons.

This inspired me to look into this further - the psychology of clothing.

I was wondering, what's your biggest pain points when shopping for clothes? Is it price , is it fit, is it selection of nice trendy clothes?

Do you wish you had a stylist helping you pick your wardrobe?

I'm just curious.

My biggest pain when buying clothes centres round all things trouser based. I have yet to find a pair of smart trousers that don't make me look like thunder thighs. Nothing ever fits. I have completely given up on trousers.

Jeans shopping is one of my least favourite tasks. I have to be 100% perky and upbeat before I go. Even with such a positive start, I invariably warn to cut my own throat by the end.

Marking my space.

I'm 5ft 7 size 20/22 on top 22/24 bottom half. I have a belly and books but quite like my figure.
My issue is In the past 9months I've gone from working full time to being a complete stay at home mum to now being part time both. My wardrobe doesn't know what's hit it!
I wear dresses for work (have some lovely but carefully chosen ones from new look)
Home I wear skinny jeans and lose tops or leggings and tunics but I'm running thin on the ground on tunics!

Knickers I buy from m and s. They're individual shorts are fab.

I'm not too sure what my style is anymore! I'm quite glam for work but don't know what to do for home. I have four tops and a couple of vests so need to sort it!