If you are size 20 or bigger...

[BigPretty]

Where are you shopping and what are you shopping for / planning to wear in spring/summer? Just looking for inspiration .

I am a size 18 on top, size 20/22 on the bottom. I love the S&B page but a lot of the MN favourite shops or beautiful things being suggested only go up to a 16 (Klements) or 18 (Sezane, Toast, Hush).

I have just ordered a Trench coat from River Island Plus, and a new backpack and some sunglasses in the Asos sale.

Will link the Trench coat below:

https://www.asos.com/river-island-plus/river-island-plus-trench-coat-in-beige/prd/205190509

Because it's mass produced cheap crap from china made by exploited workers and bad for the environment ?

I’m a 20/22 at the moment. I’ve always been a bigger girl but recently I’m also swollen and carrying a lot of water weight due to long term steroids. It’s making it even harder to dress and I’ve actually lost weight from my limbs but put it on round my waist- this commonly happens with steroids. I’m not more of an extreme apple shape than ever.
I have been wearing wider or barrel shapes on the bottom to kind of balance out my shape. I find leggings and loser tops just emphasises it.
I wear trousers from a brand called Beyond Nine- pricey but worth it. I also like Lucy and Yak (their Addison trousers are chefs kiss)
Monki
Next
Did love Asos curve and Simply Be but both have gone down hill lately in my opinion.
I love the Topshop curve range on asos but they don’t really seem to be updating it recently.
I like some monsoon pieces
Mango plus

in spring and summer I like loose or barrel leg trousers with tees or boxy cut airy shirts with sandals or trainers. I prefer quite simple cuts and dressing things up with accessories. However sometimes my style can be a bit children’s tv presenter because I love dungarees and casual jumpsuits. The juni jumpsuit by Lucy and Yak is a great buy, I have it in denim and black twill.

@Babyroobs Thank you - got it. Friend of DS orders from there because cheap - I get it now. Apologies for not getting the point .

<waves to fellow sewist> @Daffyyellow

I really do recommend having a go at sewing. There are lots of videos on YouTube to help you every stitch of the way.

You start with a tote bag then a simple pair of trousers or a skirt. You build skills as you go. You don't need to go to classes. A simple sewing machine from Hobbycraft will set you back £85. That will be plenty good enough.

Modern sewing is nothing like my school lessons where we took two terms to not quite finish a redundant underskirt.

My only warning is that it is addictive, before you know it you are eyeing up the cat and wondering what he would look like in a jumpsuit.

If you do decide to have a go at sewing the first thing to buy is a tape measure.

Measure yourself (get someone to help to get accurate measurements).

These measurements determine the pattern size you should be looking to make. Pattern sizes are different from clothes sizes. There is a good chance that your pattern size is quite different from your clothes size.

I wish I had known this when I first started sewing.

Some pattern companies such as Simplicity provide a lot of detailed instructions. These will still contain expressions you are unfamiliar with. This is the joy of the internet, all those terms can be explained. On YouTube you can watch lots of different people demonstrating what is meant.

I tend to wear a basic silhouette with a kimono over the top.
Today I'm in M and S wide leg trousers with a M and S v neck t-shirt, both black and a kimono from One Hundred Stars over the top.
Or a plain maxi dress.
I struggle with the high street, I hate polyester with a passion.
So it's a case of rooting through.
H and M throw up the odd piece but the quality is hit and miss.
I'm getting more apple shaped so find it hard to get long enough tops.

I've discovered Live Unlimited. Not cheap but the jogging are fabulous.

John Lewis have some things in that size range too.

And Other Stories... are also worth a look.

White Stuff online goes up to 24.

And eBay and Vinted for 2nd hand.

Asos Curve, Simply Be, M&S, Next, Amazon, TU, Tesco F&F. A few I cannot remember the names of! Salt something? Cotton something Ah! Traders, There is another one but really cannot get the name. Came in a brochure (not Damart).

Used to like Bon March but the tops are usually too thick a material for me.

I also have to check the material. No viscose or Lyocel, tencil etc for me!

Ooh! Forgot Yours and New Look and River Island Plus and got some stuff from Topshop too ?Plus range.

If anyone has any advice for holiday clothes, please let me know. I think shorter dresses & cycling shorts may be the way to go. Haven't been anywhere for 7 odd years!

I recommend the underpops by Popsy Clothing rather than cycling shorts. They are tights material and therefore less hot.

Snags chubby rub shorts if you can get over their ultra inclusivity promotional approach

18 - 20 and it depends on your shape I think, as well as size. I buy from Uniqlo, M&S, H&M, Mango, Apricot, odd bit from Tu, F&F, ASDA, Primark mens and womens, finding that mens shirts / shorts suit my shape and are made of far better fabric and usually of a heavier weight than women's items (often change the buttons and cut off pockets, as I hate a breast pocket / odd piece of detail). I go for cotton / linen / wool mix fabrics, non waisted dresses (as often the waist is ridiculous high and I'm average height but find the waisted dresses look frumpy) and rarely pattern, but prefer items with self pattern / texture.

Dresses from Yours. Fitted trousers and tunic tops from Evans/M&Co. Phase 8 cardigans. Culottes from Yours with long-line cardigans.

I'll probably get skates for this but Temu have some awesome comfortable clothing in larger sizes. I used to wear the same few items for years until I ordered from temu and they are so comfortable, I get a lot of summer dresses, leggings, t-shirts etc. They are also so cheap too.

F&F at Tesco have some great stuff at the moment, I'm sad you can't get it online anymore though.

Next is the other go to for me.

Shien curve does have some really nice pieces but I do feel guilty about buying from there. I recently saw that shein and Zara items were coming out the same factory though!?