Pls help! Plus size conference wear

[Ffsnotaconference]

Hi

i need help. After a shitty 5 years (fled dv, mental health crisis, divorce, pandemic, mum died) I have stacked on about 6 stone.

I just recently started to feel better and started eating better. Have more energy etc losing eight slowly. But feeling better.

Not happy in clothes. I hate getting dressed but I am feeling better about myself. However, just had it dropped on me that the very glam team from New York is flying in next month for a 2 day conference.

I need 2 outfits that don’t make me want to run and hide. Does anywhere that does size 20/22 clothes for a corporate conference, that look well made and will give me some confidence?

Thank you

If you can afford it, I'd look at Sahara, or slightly less expensive, Live Unlimited. Or if you can get to shops, get a John Lewis stylist to make suggestions. You might find something unusual in Anthropologie. Do you have a budget or particular style in mind?

I think a dress and jacket look smart.

I have never got on with actual suits. I'm bigger than you but have tricky proportions so if the jacket works the matching skirt or trousers never do, and vice versa.

My personal work uniform is four or five Monki grandpa collar dresses in bold prints, that are in constant rotation. For more casual days in the office I wear with a cardigan and flat shoes or trainers, then if I need to be smarter, I have a couple of plain cropped jackets that I throw on, with smarter shoes or boots. They always get compliments and are insanely comfortable.

I work in a senior role in the public sector so do a fair amount of conferences, public events and stakeholder meetings.

Hope you find something that makes you feel great.

I am going to pop in Cos. Their voluminous shirt dresses come up quite large so worth ordering a size 18/44. Their cut is very good and lovely fabric. I have 2 i wear for conferences and both fitted me when i was a size 20.

Other brands you could look at, depending on budget

Marina Rinaldi ( think they have closed in the UK so try Vinted or eBay)
Mango (online for best choice of sizes)
Cos / Arket (for scandi architect type styling)
Next go up to a size 22 sometimes 24 in their own brand - they have a specific workwear section on their website

Snap @mumonthehill

Have a look at Karen Millen - workwear, plus size. There's quite a bit there to choose from, and at fairly reasonable cost.

Although generally most of their stuff is fast fashion and the fabrics are not great, if you look very carefully you can get the odd gem from ASOS. I have a few work dresses which have held up OK for conferences (and I work in a very formal industry - think Law / Accounting.)

Thank you all so much!

Going through the suggestions now. I would be willing to spend upto £200 per outfit if I needed to. I will get wear out of them while I am waiting for more weight to come off.

I am panicking because I really thought I had until Christmas before I needed to worry about my outfits.

It’s a conference that could really dictate where my career goes after this. So I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate the help.

Get your hair done well, focus on make up, jewellery etc. good shoes you can wear comfortably. I like a dress/jacket combo so that my waist isn’t uncomfortable when sitting down. Not a suit.

Studio8(phase 8 plus size), takes a fair bit of trawling through to find work suitable dresses, but I've had some gems from them with well weighted fabrics that flatter.

Thank you. I have my hair booked in the weekend before, which was actually just coincidence. But worked out well.

So far I think this one is one of my favourites. Just not sure wether to go black or green black feels safer. I am a red head and think green might make me look like Christmas 😂

https://www.karenmillen.com/plus-size-structured-crepe-forever-pleat-dress/BKK06228-105-350.html

Maybe this one as well?

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-floral-kimono-style-belted-dress?variant=40648112734268

Hobbs go up to a 22 in some things.

Dress

Jacket

That dress was exactly my style when I was a 10/12. I am worried my huge stomach would look awful in it. I know I shouldn’t be but I am so embarrassed about how I look now.

But I think I will order it and give it a go.

I actually think that something fitted can really be quite slimming @Ffsnotaconference .

I went from a comfortable size 10 to looking like a sausage roll (as in everything was bloody tight but I refused to buy more clothes at the time) in an 18 during/after chemotherapy and I was really surprised how something that was fitted (with a good bra, big pants and tights that fit properly) was actually really slimming.

When I caught sight of myself in something less fitted I thought I looked much bigger than I did otherwise.

Hobbs dresses/suits have been my staples for years for work whatever my size has been.

Both of your choices are lovely OP, probably black for the Karen Millen with great accessories. Good luck!

@Kashmirisky i think the good underwear could be one of my issues. I know I am big, but I struggle get good pants. Didn’t think I was so big that would be an issue. But I think you are right. I have ordered the Karen Millen one and that one.

Turned out I didn’t have a hair appointment booked in. That was my daughters 😂 But I have booked one now

@TokyoSushi i went for the black one ❤️

I'd go for structured dresses. Dark colours flatter and ensure you have near manicured nails (doesn't matter on colour or length) and understated but confidently applied make up. Your hair is already booked you say. Keep accessories simple and classy, brands don't matter but bag should be leather (or fake) to complete a defined look