Plus size (18/20) clothes that aren’t minging

[EliseC1965]

Unless I want to spend a fortune at Navabi. Everywhere seems to have returned to the saggy styles of the 80’s or 90’s. All the ‘curve’ ranges at ASOS, river island and M&S just seem so unflattering.

I adore the lagenlook style, but everything is so pricey. I’ve had a few things from Simplybe, but the quality is variable. I can’t afford to spend much on workwear, as I’m losing weight. Down from a 22 at Xmas and into 18/20 now.

Please help.

Boden go up to 22 and I think have some good stuff, particularly if you avoid the 'fun' prints.

I don't personally like lagenlook - makes me look like a ship in full sail - but if it is going to work I think it needs to be good quality, not tacky polyester like Simply Be.

Have you tried Studio 8?

Bit pricey but worth it if there is 20% off or a sale

Lagenlook just makes you look three times larger than you are. Avoid plus size ranges, go for something more fitted from a normal range such as Hobbs, Boden, John Lewis.

Cos goes to a L in dresses and tops which in some styles come up to an 18 to 20, also Toast goes to 18 but you need to go down a size. Both can be a pit pricey though.

Hold off?

You dont know what size you will end up. I lost lots of weight last year and went down 2 sizes. I haven't replaced everything yet and yes I look like a bundle of rags in especially my coats and skirts.

But i bought some new jeans in the summer and are too big already

If you're 18/20 try Monsoon, Boden or White Stuff. I've found some nice things recently.

I gave an ebay cheap Chinese place a go for some lagenlook clothes. They took a while to arrive. The cotton ones were OK, but the polyester not so much.

I love lagenlook, I'm only slightly smaller than you but if you style properly it's flattering, I have a couple of dresses, one from Amazon and one by made in Italy, they're both very light fabric wise, I also have some heavier weight stuff which needs to be worn as part of an outfit , such as tunics with leggings or skirt with plain t-shirt.

Sahara when they have a sale

Scarlett and Jo go up beyond that, I think. They’re a little bit retro and stocked by Next.

I'm losing so just buying from Tesco & Asda for work basics just now. I like to have a lot of clothes but can't afford to have expensive pieces in a size I'm hoping to be out of on a few months

Gudrun Sjöden is definitely Lagenlook and has a good variety of sizes. Not so cheap but well made and flattering, and have fab seasonal sales.

Oh, and you can sometimes get good second hand on ebay.

I'm the same size and DH always tells me to wear fitted clothes as baggy or unfitted clothes make me look fatter. I find the JD Williams clothes to be lovely, well cut and pretty without making me feel like I'm wearing sacks.

Sea salt

I'm that size. Primark goes up to size 22 if you don't mind cheap and cheerfull. I more or less like in their £5 tube skirts and leggings.

Sainsburys! Especially when they have 25% off but that finished today, not sure when the next one is.

You have to sift through some rubbishy stuff too but their tshirts are great as are their jeans and plenty of other gems to be found.
Lots of nice simple basic things of the sort you would want to nip into m&s to pick up but these days they don't seem to have any more

Next go up to a 22 and have some really nice knit tunic dresses this season? Prices are ok too.

Thanks. Some good suggestions here to investigate. I know lagenlook can be a little floaty and oversizrd, but my shape (squidgy Apple) doesn’t lend itself to fitted. Plus I had a mastectomy a few years back, so I’m a bit sensitive about close fitting around the boobs. I have some lovely wide trousers that I wear with tunics, so I might have to get them taken in and just get some more tops. I live in dm’s as well so they don’t go well with skirts. Lol. Unless I wear leggings with a dress.

Also floaty and oversized usually means better airflow and as I seem to be in a permanent state of hot flush hell, then I definitely don’t want fitted.
Thanks all.

I really like very’s curve range
Also vote for secondhand on eBay or Facebook as you may not stay this size long

I got some skinny jeans from M&S new curve collection and I love them!

Boden is my favourite for work dresses, the Ottoman fabric especially flattering.

Joanie have nice jumpers, I’m size 18 and the Large fits me in most styles (it’s a bit too big in some!) they go up to XL too. Hush jumpers in size XL are good too, especially the v neck style.

Primark is great for basics like tshirts I find them really flattering.

Also check out @helenwearsasize18 on instagram, she takes requests from followers and will try certain brands & post pics to show how they fit. Someone recommended her on another thread and I’m so glad I checked her page, it’s refreshing to see someone my size who has “normal” high street style instead of loads of retro/vintage outfits. Nothing wrong with the retro look but it is just not for me, can’t imagine rocking up to work in a 1950s style halter dress!

Op, I passed through that size as well, on my way down from a 22 to my current 12. I think two sizes is the point where weight changes do start to show, and despite planning to wait, I did need to buy a basic size 18 wardrobe. At that size, I found uniqlo XXL fitted well. I lived in the things they call trouser leggings, with their merino wool v necks. Next essential long sleeve tees underneath. Hush was also very forgiving. I found a large in them did me from 18 down to 14 across most items. For smarter, I bought some Boden, but I did get least use out of these as they didn't cross sizes as well as Hush did.

Try online Mango Violeta (also an online Outlet for seasonal bargains especially as you are losing weigh you won't have to spend as much)

Pink Clove are good