Daddylonglegs I agree with you and it's a difficult one really. As a size 16 and 5'7 I am in the lucky position where I can choose between a lot of the high street shops and the plus size shops. On the other hand dress size is a bit of an arbitrary measurement. There are shops I avoid because I know the size 18 won't fit (and that's their biggest size). I haven't bought a pair of long boots since our local Evans closed.
I hate ordering online because I like to feel the fabric but that's something I can mostly avoid. The bigger the dress size, the more likely you are to need to go online, equally if you are tall. And FWIW, I don't see any difference between you and me in terms of size except your statuesque height.
What I will say is I've followed this thread since the beginning, as well as the "what are you wearing today" thread. I love both, but have got far more help from this one in terms of what will work for me and what won't, and where I can push the boundaries, which is why I chose to post here. Everybody likes to wear things that make them feel good but you can get away with a lot more when you are a size 6.
I touched on this before slightly, I had a bit of a low point during the summer. I'd given up if I'm honest and felt horrible. I was buying stuff without even trying it on with a that'll do attitude and wouldn't let DH take a picture of me on holiday because I couldn't face looking at it. If somebody'd told me then I'd be posting pictures on here I would've laughed.
Long and slightly embarrassing gush over, I will get back in my box.
BTW, the White Stuff pinafore is on 20% off