Plus size clothing

[reluctantbrit]

Due to mental health my weight is going through the roof. While I try to get my control over food back, I also realise that I need to get some clothes I can wear in the meantime which aren't jumpers and trousers.

So, I am 52, size 16-18, hourglass shape with a decent waist and HH cup size.
I am 5.4/5.5ft. I can't wear heels as I have (non weight related) knee problem.

Where I can go to get clothes which make me look fairly fashionable, not frumpy but also not mutton dressed as lamb.
I need at least a couple of non-casual tops and a dress or two I can wear without heels. I have chelsea boots I love or flat court shoes.

I loved Bravissimo/Pepperberry and wrap dresses in the past.

I am happy to spend some money to get good quality clothing.

Sainsbury's Tu, Next, Live Unlimited, and the plus size sections of mainstream shops.for day to day. I've had a few nice things from Seasalt, FatFace and White Stuff although the prints can be really frumpy. John Lewis is also often good for workwear as is Phase Eight. Marks and Spencers veers between horrific and amazing but when it's good it's really good. Bodennis also worth a look although they seem to have taken a knock to the head this year too.

I find the "plus size only" stores live Evans, Yours tend to have very odd proportions, terrible sweaty fabrics and mad prints.

I've had some great things from F&F at Tesco recently, also Next and m&s for mid-range stuff and basics.

People will recommend h&m and uniqlo but I have never found anything for me there (apple size 18-20, mid 30s).

This would be great with Chelsea boots:

East dress

This is glorious;

East velvet

However, if your weight is fluctuating at the moment you may find more satisfaction in splashing out on some bold and luxurious winter accessories. If you get yourself a hat, scarf and gloves from here you’ll brighten even the plainest outfit:

https://www.jogordon.com

Even in the expensive stores a lot of dresses are made of polyester. I don’t find the sizing any different to other plus size stores.

Oh, I like the first one

I hate scarves or hats. The issue is less with outdoor wear, I have a jacket I really like and I am less bothered how I look.

But indoor clothes are a whole different topic.

@Splendud I felt Boden really changed their cuts. I had items from 2-3 years ago and bought similar ones a size up and they were absolutely horrid, a lot shorter, fabric thinner and in general feeling cheap for the price.

It maybe the current fashion but most high street shops are high neck, thick jumpers or knitted dresses or very unshapely, I look like I am even heavier if it fits around my boobs as it then is far too big around the waist and hips.

I agree about the fashion for high neck thick sweaters @reluctantbrit . It's awful for anyone blessed in the boobage area.

The merino sweaters from M&S are good. Thin enough to wear under a jacket, smart enough for zoom calls. The M&S wide leg jersey trousers are also good although they frequently go out of stock. The things I am wearing on repeat at the moment are two cord dresses from Sainsbury's in olive and navy. Only £32 and better quality than the ones White Stuff had in recently at nearly three times the price.

I haven't bought any Boden for a while. It always used to be so good so it's a shame it's gone downhill.