Plus Size/Bigger Bodies Chat Thread?

[MidSizeMillie]

Would anyone be interested in this?

I love the S&B page on here, but I find a lot of threads are about smaller sizes.

Dressing a size 10 is a million miles away from how I need to dress my tall size 18 frame!

I would love a thread to discuss dressing my enormous boobs and hips and disguising my mum tum etc. Also I'm tall / big all over and sometimes have to wear mens clothes as everything is too short! Also a size 8 in footwear and have giant hands . Lucky me!

Also a bit more support and body positivity or body neutrality for bigger sizes, as the S&B page can be quite lacking in that regard ime.

I might post pics of any successful outfits as well, but I didn't want to make this a WAYWT thread, as there is already a lovely one and there is absolutely no reason why plus size can't post on there too. I think I have in the past and may do again.

Anyway, would love people to join me!

Hello, hello! Welcome to anyone I havent welcomed yet

Also, @Wagsandclaws, was it your bday on Monday? Happy birthday to you!

Hmmmm ruffles are no friend of mine. I look very odd, like a giant toddler

I bought a dress from Long Tall Sally in a similar shape to the Joules one I got at the weekend. But it hasn't been a raging success. Tbh it's more about the dress than me, as I'm not keen on the fabric which feels cheap and also not keen on the sleeves. Think I'm going to return it.

My new job starts after half term, so I do have a lot of time to put things together.

Hello! @MidSizeMillie yes it was my 50th yesterday and I spent it in bed poorly. It's a long story 😬 sadly no alcohol was involved!

Sorry to hear your long tall sally dress wasn't a success. I love their tops even though I'm not tall but I am long in the body.

Wrt ruffles I didn't think I liked them at all but I bought a really pretty white cotton blouse from per una ( I know, I know 🤣) and it's actually really nice on.

I've attached a couple of photos of me from 3 weeks ago - I was wearing it with a wide leg jumpsuit in ponte from mint velvet and a tweedy style jacket from Karen Millen, it was for a meal out.

You can still see my stomach in the jumpsuit a bit AND and I had some super duper Spanx on but it is a very low hanging spare tyre that is the result of 5 children, two c sections and being 6 stone heavier for quite some time.

I know a couple of people have mentioned TU Sainsbury's on here and I was going to say I really rate their stuff. Some of it is horrible but there are usually quite a few gems and I can usually style them up to look a lot more expensive than they are.

I don't know if anyone does second hand on here? I love eBay for that sort of thing. I do buy the odd expensive piece of clothing new ( such as Karen Millen ) which I couldn't a few years ago but for the main part I like to buy second hand, hardly worn Ect.

I love the neutral look, I know it's a bit dull but I love it, I blame the white company catalogue but the trouble is if I wear light on top it's just not flattering at all on me due to the large norks, that said I do think oh fuck it, I'm sort of too old to care now.

It's weird to think that I probably had more confidence as a size 26/28 than I do at an 18, sometimes I have no idea how to dress at all and the older I get the more of a quandary I'm in 🤷‍♀️

You look great wagsandclaws!
I've not had much luck with Tu but live very close to a big Sainsburys so might go for a mooch.

That level of ruffles I can handle wags and you look great! I have a sort of similar top but it's a bit more summery and broderie anglaise-y.

I have a lovely skirt I got from Monki, which is a shop I always sort of forget exists. Not hugely expensive and some lovely things there.

I've also just been reminded about Kin at John Lewis, which has some lovely things too, so I'm going to hunt in both of those shops to see if anything jumps out at me

@Wagsandclaws happy birthday! That looks lovely

I've got a client meeting (big one) on Thursday and I have lost all sense of what to wear

I might need to panic order tonight. Sigh

Thanks all that's really kind 

Hmmm I'd just do a panic order @MeredithGreyishblue and stick it on klarna or clearpay if you aren't going to keep the majority of it?

I do that when I have to try multiple sizes ( m and s Surprise me sometimes with their sizing ) and it means you haven't got to wait ages to get a refund.

@MidSizeMillie I've never looked at Monki, I should! We have an outlet near us in Shepton Mallet ( I live in one of the surrounding villages ) and have kilver court just 8 mins away. They have an Anthropologie and Toast outlet there and I've lived here 2.5 years and never stopped in there! I'm terrible for trying out new places I really am. I seem to have a few shops and I know their fit and just buy from them.

I'm a 20 in Karen Millen curve range, their cut is specifically for pear shaped, really large exaggerated hips in their trousers and no room in the boob area - but I do know my sizing with them now so buy bits and bibs in the sale.

I don't work due to illness but if I did their work wear is really good I believe - might be worth a peruse of their sale?

@ruthypfdraper I drive to Emmersons Green near Bristol ( about 45 mins away ) Sainsbury's as it's massive and they have a huge range to choose from, it's well worth going to when the seasons change - I love their wide leg trousers atm ( have to get them taken up though ).

Ahh I do love this thread, so nice to exchange tips and see what other plus sizes are wearing. I will have a look at Monki!

Oh also meant to say has anyone checked out river island plus? Their regular range goes up to an 18 too and I can't recommend their wide leg trousers enough!

Elasticated at the back and so comfortable, they are very long but I have mine taken up ( sensing a theme here!? ) but I think they'd be amazing worn in a professional setting as well as casual ( depending on colour )

@Wagsandclaws. Loly shirt.Those are refined ruffles. I was imagining something on @ruthypfdraper and me a little more flamenco. I have never heard of KilverCourt, and have stayed within 15 miles of it twice in the past 6 months. Really annoying, oh well,just have to come again. I am thinking that it might be time to try a shirt again. They’ve never really worked with my bassooms ,but something less tailored might work better. I look like the big warden from Prisoner Cell Block H in normal shirts. Altho one this is pink which I usually avoid as too close to my skin tone, look naked from a distance.

Ooo I like that! I love pale pink and I think it does suit most complexions. Try it for sure.

Yes Kilver court has a few outlets ( including Mulberry if that's your thing - I'm a handbag fiend! ) and lovely top rated chippy just down the road from it as well - all the mendip tourists use it in the summer.

I'll tell you what I do with buttoned shirts, it's worth a try as I never used to wear them for the same reason as everyone else on this thread but the lady who takes up my trousers ( and shirts in the arm ) I also get her to sew my shirts up the front till the button that aligns with my boobs.

Honestly it works, it means no more gaping and it sits really well and sort of creates a v neck and no gaping whatsoever.

Obvs I have to put it in over my head but it's transformed my wardrobe in that I can wear button front shirts now.

Ive for a couple of gorgeous silk shirts that ive bought brand new from eBay in an 18 and had that done and they are fab.

Hi - can I join please? I'm 5'8" and a size 20. Not really sure what shape I am - a bit of a rectangle I think!
There are two sites I would recommend - laundry b and Kit & Kaboodal. They both go for quite relaxed styles with a lot of "one size fits all" tops. I initially thought that meant they'd all be shapeless tents but it's not the case. I've added some photos of my recent outfits.

Good tip @Wagsandclaws. I will give it a go, ifI can find a seamstress, worry that I couldn’t get my bosons thru the gap tho. I like your neutrals. I’ve been trying tonal dressing in beige or grey, and I can see that it looks more classy, but colour makes my heart sing. Still notsurabout pink though Baukjen have some tops that are fake shirts, which might work in the way yours do. I will order one and report back.
Welcome @AlwaysReadyForABlether. Your tops are lovely, and it’s interesting to see your picture because you are about the same size as me, and you look a very fine woman, so maybe I do too.I will check out those shops.
I’ll post a pic one day. What I really like thou are your jeans, where did you find those beauties?

Lovely photos!

I think it's being tall - I never feel feminine (feminist that I am!) - just want to look like everyone else! Even if I have a fab dress, heels make me too tall and ungainly and flats can be a bit meh... I will be following with interest. Am 58 next Monday so time I got my stuff together x

Thank you @Zebracat - that's very kind of you.
The jeans are from Evans - not a shop I really use much but I struggle with jeans as I have very thick calves. These are from the tall range as I wanted to have a good turn up on them. The vanity sizing is ridiculous though - I am a size 20 and had to keep re-ordering until I eventually ended up with a 14!

Can I join please! I'm size 20-22, 5'5, size 5 feet and smallish bust 40/42 D, apple shape.
I have loads of clothes but I feel a bit frumpy and I tend to wear the same things over again. I'm a stay at home wife and during the day I'm mostly in gym wear or lounge wear, if we go out I tend to wear jeans and a top, occasionally a dress.
I just feel a bit boring really!

it’s interesting to see your picture because you are about the same size as me, and you look a very fine woman, so maybe I do too

Yes, I agree! This is why I love seeing pics of women who are a similar size to me. I always think I look so awful and then I see similar sized women looking great and think maybe i don't look so bad after all!

Welcome blether and gerry

Just to advise that Kilver Court (discussed upthread) is partially closed at the moment - the Toast shop is still there (and well worth a visit) and the Mulberry Shop also, and one other, but nothing else. It has been sold to new owners who are promising a great future, but who knows?

I'd like to jump in. I'm a size 18 and 5 foot 7. I have spent most of my life trying to be thin. I'm 35 now.

My preference is for boho stuff and I wear a lot of dresses.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant. Plus size maternity isn't really a thing. Unless you are okay with wearing floral sacks.

I'm feeling really bummed out about it.

@Snailhaterz2 thanks for updating! As you can see I never go there 😬

Welcome pee! And congratulations on the pregnancy . Maternity wear is crap. Plus size even worse! I had a couple of nice bits from Seraphina, but it's £££ and tbh, not even that nice. New Look used to have a good maternity section too. There's also Asos.

@PeeAche

I'd like to jump in. I'm a size 18 and 5 foot 7. I have spent most of my life trying to be thin. I'm 35 now.

My preference is for boho stuff and I wear a lot of dresses.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant. Plus size maternity isn't really a thing. Unless you are okay with wearing floral sacks.

I'm feeling really bummed out about it.

@PeeAche Congratulations on your pregnancy 😊 is this your first child? 😊 I struggled with Plus size maternity too! Have you looked on ASOS? I got a few really nice longer tops in their maternity range a couple of years ago. And from Yours (somewhere I usually avoid!) I got I got a couple of tops and dresses. Don’t know what your feelings are about leggings but I lived in LoveLeggings maternity leggings from about 18weeks onwards. I bought them in my normal size and they fitted me until I had my DS and I still wear them now because they’re comfy 🤣

@Indecisive29 frustrating that mat wear is no better 12 years after I struggled with it too. I know it's a limited market but it's soooo soul destroying not to be able to feel like yourself for 20 + weeks.

My emergency work clothes panic ended up in a semi successful online order. However, shoes were awful so, whilst I was nipping to Next for emergency shoes this afternoon, I picked up better quality wide legged black trousers from M&S.

I can send back the Simplybe cheap ones along with the shoes. (I didn't realise I'd ordered plastic shoes)

Quite like the Next lace ups I've just bought. They'll also go with my cord pinafore.

Re plus sized maternity wear, I found next to be good for trousers, then tops from H&M. I found that a couple of pairs of trousers & jeans, some long tops and cardigans did the job.

Annoyingly my stomach is now at least as big as it was at 20w pregnant!

Today I have pulled out a navy floral tiered shirt dress I got in the M&S sale last year. I do also have my thermal top on underneath! I quite like it on and rather nice not to be wearing a thick jumper for once.

I'm in jeans today, plus DH's green linen shirt with a nice necklace.

Hi all!

I'm working today, but had to come home early as dcs are poorly . They seem OK now they're not at school tbf! Happily eating ice lollies on the sofa.

We have a couple of nice outings planned for the weekend, so am going to wear my new dress with black boots.

I'm in the market for some lovely activewear outfit ideas for springtime as well, so if anyone has any recommendations for the tall and chunky I'd be delighted.

Meridith, sounds like a good shopping trip! I love wide leg trousers.