depressed plus size - desperately need a new work wardrobe

[CrabbitBastard]

As the title says, I'm in desparate need of dresses, blouses, shirts. I've put on a lot of weight and I'm now a size 20/22. I need to lose weight but until I do, nothing fits! I'm fortunate in that I mostly work from home which means I can get away with joggers, but in person meetings are increasingly happening and I'm conscious that I don't look or feel as professional as I did pre lockdown. I'm a 5'5 apple shape. My body is longer than my legs. I can't wear petite but regular is sometimes too long too. I'm really depressed about my weight and I don't want anything that makes me look as fat as I am if that makes sense, anything black, or anything that makes me look like a granny (I'm 42). I used to buy lots of things from boden and joules when I was a size 14 but boden is all dark colours now and joules is closing. I don't like yours, evans, asos or shein. Quite like joanie clothing but not much there at the moment that I like. Please help

Phase 8 are really good for workwear and go up to a 22 I think?

Karen Millen does a plus size range, but you need to weed through a lot of it!

Taking Shape is also good and I've got lots of basics from there, it's good quality and washes well.

Adini London is good for tunic/long tops.

I am your size and stick to dresses with tights. I find separates emphasise my size whereas well designed dresses skim over the bigger areas (tummy & hips for me). Snag do plus size tights for shorties like me.

It sounds like you only need maybe 3 outfits, that should be achievable.

Dresses sound easiest. You need to find a tailor then buy whatever fits your largest area and get the rest altered. Maybe some stretchy knee length boots if you struggle with tights?

Ok - M&S is your friend for some smart basics simply because they do a good range of sizes. Online offers the size range but I'd go and browse in one of the bigger stores then maybe order online.

Stockists I know that cater for your size are:

Seasalt, Joules, Saint & Sofia, Mango (do a plus size range), Phase8, John Lewis, WhiteStuff, Monsoon, Roman, House of Fraser, M&S, Fatface or sometimes you can be lucky in small local boutiques.

Maybe book an appointment with a personal shopper in John Lewis as a starting point. They may not get it right on their first attempt but be honest if you love or hate certain colours or styles, about your budget and about what you want the close for etc. Then when you have some items you like that work and fit well then use that information to inform your shopping choices. I am a similar size but 6ft tall so its a nightmare as retailers seem to think shoppers are either petite, plus size or tall and slim, very few cater for customers who maybe tall and plus size.

Thanks. I am in same situation, put on weight and nothing fits.

I'm a size 16/18 and struggle massively with extra load around my stomach (thanks baby weight!). I'm 5'6 and live in jumpsuits. I love them as they don't cling and find they can be 'jazzed up' with pretty long sleeved blouses under them and scarves

I’ve recently been to a stylist. She charges for her time with you and for the time she spends looking for clothes for you. You go to her place and she has a machine than measures your whole body in 6 secs. I’m 3 stone heavier than I would like to be and going to her has changed my life. I’m loving going out again and the weight is finally starting to come off me now I’m happy in my clothes again. I would really recommend this approach. She’s in Berkshire if you want her details. I don’t even live nearby! I stop off on way to see family.

I've had some flattering dresses from Live Unlimited which I wear for work with bare legs and trainers in the summer, and tights/leggings and ankle boots with a cardigan or cropped jacket in winter - what works for me is fitted around the top, and loose from under the bust downwards.
I also like GudrunSjoden but you have to be careful, the look is not for everyone.
Pretty Kitty have some lovely dresses and go up to a 22 I think..
M & S are worth trying if you like midi/midaxi dresses.
Seasalt has larger sizes too, I think they can err on the mumsy side of things but you might find nice individual items, and their basics are good quality.

I just bought a bunch of new clothes - I am an apple and a size 24 (there is always someone worse off 😁)

These are things I find good, I wear tops that cover my stomach and skinny ish trousers

Seasalt
Larissa shirts - the bold not the twee patterns (go to eBay for cheaper)
Jumpers
Coats

M and S
Jeans
shirts - but they can be too oversized
joggers
coats
rain macs

Mango
Tops and Trousers

River Island
The odd top
very occasional trousers

Evans
The odd top, not usually own brand

Monsoon
Going out tops

Live unlimited, Vera moda
The odd top
cheap coats

phase eight
the few dresses I have are often from here

Ulla popken
The v neck long line t shirts for the gym (it is an insane German site and worth looking just for that)

@Arucanafeather

Oh! Would you mind sharing her details?

La redoute has some good work-y dresses. You can search by size. Generally cut in a chic French style (I tell myself).

Landsend has good quality basics in larger sizes.

Also khasbah has some good tunics and dresses.

H&M has always been good for plus size workwear IME

I'm a size 16 and want a jumpsuit, but no idea where to look. Can you recommend one/some?

Hi @Nowyouseemenowy0udont :) Through summer, I lived in New Look jumpsuits! You can get them usually for less than a tenner (including postage) on Vinted Even now, I still wear the black ones with a long sleeved top/jumper underneath

Thanks! I’ll have a look. Are they sleeveless then?

@Nowyouseemenowy0udont

www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/jumpsuits-and-playsuits/other-jumpsuits-and-playsuits/2444144131-size-18-new-look-dungarees

These are the ones I tend to wear. The one I have sent is a size 18 but search daily on Vinted for a size 16 and you'll get one cheap I carry most of my weight around my stomach and these jumpsuits are really flattering

Perfect, thank you!

I’ve bought some! They look amazingly comfortable, can’t wait to try them on 😊

@Nowyouseemenowy0udont I'm so pleased PLEASE let me know what you think of them when they arrive! If you're anything like me, you'll never wear anything else!

I will do! Also saw a cute berry colour dungaree dress that I'm tempted by!

I’m a size 20-22 and in the office quite a lot (tho in a creative job so don’t need to be super smart). I’m really fussy about fabrics and finishing. This autumn I’m wearing

• Boyfriend jeans from M&S, cuffed with bright socks and chunky trainers (this season)

• Balloon leg cords from Seasalt, cuffed with loafers or trainers. I have these in navy - think they also come in another colour (this season)

• Wide leg black trousers from Mango - I like their tailoring.

• Wide leg navy checked trousers from Monsoon (this season)

• Black blazer from Marina Rinaldi that was massively reduced in the sale

• Boyfriend poplin shirts from M&S - white, and navy and white stripe. Size down in these (this season)

• Patterned silk shirts from Anna Scholz (this and last season)

• Waisted midi dresses from Anna Scholz

• Floral midi dresses from Mango

• A couple of the plainer, less fussy frocks from Phase 8 - all the dresses with tights and loafers or flat ankle boots.

• Thin merino jumpers from M&S - navy, black, dark red, with vest tops under them for smoothness and sheerness. These are good value and look smart. Nice with layered necklaces etc. I have a short neck or I’d wear the polo neck version.

• Relaxed, low v neck cashmere jumpers. I used to get these from Boden but they have got meaner and meaner in terms of material quality and cut so I now tend to buy Pure or M&S Autograph. I buy one new jumper a year in a jewel or bright colour. A relaxed style is forgiving if you change shape.

• Navy cotton car coat from M&S (I think this is still available). A great buy.

• Black and white plaid shacket from H&M

@Tangelo this looks a fab list minus the socks. Do you mind me asking how tall you are please and what sort of footwear you opt for please as I find that difficult. I also don’t have to be smart/business like for work and am still doing a range of hybrid working. I am the same dress size but I am 6ft but can range from a 20-24 to get the fit. I carry most of my weight around my middle. I love colour and I am young at heart but I am mid-late 50’s so probably older than you I
imagine

I think the quality of Boden has dropped hugely. Apart from a pair of shoes, I’ve sent everything back from my last two orders and have now given up (although still wearing stuff from 10 + years ago that looks fine). I buy from:

M & S Autograph for cashmere jumpers, jackets, coats, tops.

Also M & S for jeans and shoes/boots. Other shoes and boots from Hotter and Clarks.

Dresses from Live Unlimited, Joanna Hope, Joe Browns (Joe Browns don’t wear particularly well though).

Evening wear from Studio 8/Phase 8.

I also have a number of work dresses from Marina Rinaldi, and a couple of skirts from Anna Scholz (have a look on eBay).

Fleeces and cold weather clothing from Lands End. Their wide leg and straight leg linen trousers are excellent quality as well, for summer.

T shirts from Ralph Lauren. A bit more expensive but excellent quality and look smart.

I also have hundreds of scarves, ranging from Hermes to Tesco!