Right, here are a few things I need for summer that I always struggle with as a plus size person.
Anyone fancy scavenger hunting on my behalf and for the sake of the commons?! Or sharing your best finds this year?
Even better if you're a plus size designer/buyer: HERE IS MY LIST OF WHAT I ACTUALLY WANT YOU TO SELL ME.
For ref, I'm a size 22 apple with broad shoulders and heavy arms. So anything strapless is HIDEOUS and I will only wear sleeveless with cardigans.
My best find to share is the Next linen dress that was in Swears By the other week. Looks like not much in the picture, would never have bought it, but I LOVE IT, very flattering on me, a sort of A Line and smart enough for general office wear (not super corporate but smart and can be accessorised up). Have bought 4 in different colours and expect them to be my summer work staple. It is, of course, sleeveless, so I need a cardigan etc to go with (hence, item 2)
But here's what I need to go with.
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NON-MUMSY SUMMER WORKS SHOES FOR WIDE FEET
I have the WORST feet. They are both wide and deep (high instep). Sort of like pigs trotters. I want shoes that are comfortable to wear without socks, ideally leather, that are cool in summer. In general anything strappy tends to be difficult to fit the trotters into so tend to steer clear but not totally averse if anyone has found good, comfy wide fit/deep ones?
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VERY LIGHT CARDIGANS
I want thin/light cardigan (cotton?) which is not a shrug, not a waterfall cardigan, and not seethrough. Why are plus sized retailers not all over this? Why are they full of sleeveless and bandeau stuff when I never, ever want to get my arms or shoulders out?
I want it to be hip length ideally. Essentially something that doesn't feel like I'm wearing knitwear as bare arms is not an option for my ol' bingo wings in summer but neither do I like to spend it steaming. Nice bright colours would be a bonus as I have a lot of black work basics I like to brighten up. (I have a bright daffodil yellow one I got from Next about 5 years ago that I have worn to death). Possibly short sleeved or 3/4 sleeved?
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WEEKEND TOPS THAT GIVE COVERAGE BUT ARE COOL
Generally speaking I like loose but not kaftanesque. Not too short - hip length for full tummy coverage but not those mid-thigh mumus that plus sized retailers seem to revel in. I like short or 3/4 sleeves. Nothing with cap sleeves, certainly nothing sleeveless. No round necks (why, plus sized retailers? Why?). Because I need an element of coverage that is not usual in summer clothes (!) I want the fabric to be correspondingly light.
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CROPPED TROUSERS THAT ARE NOT MUMSY BUT ARE COOLER THAN JEANS
I usually end up in a pair of supermarket cargo type trousers which are fine as a fallback but I always feel aren't very stylish. I like linen trousers but they never last long as thigh rub makes them bobble and thin. This doesn't happen with cropped jeans but I want lighter fabric in the height of summer. Anyone found good solutions?
Plus sized designers! Here's what I don't want:
sleeveless
strapless
slogans
maxi dresses
tops that end higher than the bottom of the zip of my jeans
waterfall cardigans
animal print
high round necks (give me shelf-bosom)
to look mumsy
Anyone else want to contribute to the wish list Or the shit list?? Anyone solved the above?