Where can I get professional and stylish clothes in V large sizes?Help me spend money!!!

[agennaro]

I have recently got a new job where I will have to dress very smartly and I am told I need to project understated affluence - whatever that may be! The initial training course was full of people who so should have been on the apprentice and I don't mean that in a good way.

Anyway I digress the problem is I am a size 20/22 and only 5 3 ish so I am struggling to find a stylish, quality, professional but not old fashioned wardrobe. I am 30.

I have a pathological fear of my upper arms so they must be shielded from the public.

I really need a good quality basic - dare I say capsule wardrobe, also need shoes and handbags. At least I have a good pen so that's one list off my list.

Thanks in anticipation.

I am so desperate to find places to shop, or even suggestions for items.

I really would be thankful for any suggestions (apart from to loose weight) as I am starting to panic. Will consider most price ranges. As I have told/ brain washed my husband it's an investment!

Marina Rinaldi?

Selfridges personal shopper?

Dawn French part-owns a range of larger-sized clothes ; it's called something like 16:40 (or something like that)

Monsoon. I think they go up to a 22. I have a large friend who gets loads of stuff from there and I am always envious of how great she looks. ALso, invest in great accessories- she has the most wonderful necklaces and shoes and bags and always looks really well put together.

yes accesories are the way to go.....i dont think size 22 is V LRGE tho tbh

monsoon go up to a size 22

argosadditions have Oasis clothes up to a size 20 as well, sigh, I miss Oasis clothes

M&S range online do larger sizes

dorothy perkins can sometimes surprise - also up to 22 and online

I am v large like you, love monsoon, very comfortable stylish and bigger then you think, also next bottoms but struggle with tops, lands end, website, good for tops and nice white shirts.

Dawn French's range is called 1647 and it's here. Not cheap though.

Marisota go up to properly large sizes (36 in some cases) and some of their stuff is quite nice.

Marina Rinaldi if you want something designer.

Then of course there's Evans and Elvi.

Most standard high street ranges go up to size 22 these days though so you should manage to find something nice without going online, and without paying through the nose for "plus size" clothes.

collection do nice stuff

I think you'll find getting stuff for your petite height more difficult than size 20/22.
Not many places do petite past a 16 ime.

Do you prefer skirts or trousers?

is this too officy? goes up to a 20

ok how about a nice shift dress that you can wear with smart jacket or dress down with a cardigan and fab jewelry?

here

No that's lovely, perfect. I really struggle to find trousers that fit, as you said it's not so much the size but the size and height (well lack of) combined.

So generally I would tend to go for skirts, or dresses.

I do love Monsoon but a lot of stuff is slightly too casual or more evening wear. So I wear it a lot out of work.

The Marina Rinaldi stuff looks fabulous as well, does anyone have any idea of where I would be able to buy it online, or any where near Bath Bristol that stocks it. Or even Leeds? Also the other M one looks good and I will check out Dawn French's range. I do remember reading about that.

This is great, since my DD was born I have got out of the habit of shopping for clothes and tended just to stick my old favourites. For the first time in ages I can feel the need to shop burning inside!!!!

Thanks so much for all your suggestions.

ggirl, you are like Gok Wan and Trinny and Susannah combined!

nextsignature range is nice and smart too

Debenhams? Go up to 20 iirc
Don't Boden go up to 20 too

hey girlfieeeend!

happy to please your fabulous curves baby!

did not even know about next signature, just looked and they have some really things. Am starting to hyperventilate with excitement.

It's worth giving Ghost a try. They are very forgiving, I got married in a ghost dress, despite being a size 20 and 7 months pregnant, and have that 'expensive elelgance' air to them.

Just had look at their website, love it. I'm going to take the plunge and hope it fits.

I did buy a Fenn Wright Mason jacket today and that was an 18 so there is hope!

Still trying to search where I can buy Marina Rinaldi and I feel my wardrobe will be complete.

Thanks again.

You could try Wall www.wall-london.com/wall/ProductList.aspx?cid=Spring%2fSummer&language=en-GB&gclid=CIiu7Lun3ZICFQoMu wod2Hbc6g

I am an 18, with a floppy post-two-massive babies tummy, and I find their clothes flattering and confidence-enhancing. The fabrics are high-quality and the styles are quite different from what you would find in a lot of high st shops. The clothes may be too casual for your work, however. Depends on what the work environment is, I suppose.