Where to buy clothes as a tall chunkier woman

[AlwaysPurple]

I need some recommendations on where I can buy new tops. I'm 5'7 but have a long top half and short bottom half, to the extent that a lot of tops simply don't reach my trousers. In the winter I tend to wear baggy jumpers/knitwear and it's OK, but now summer is approaching, I'm struggling to find anything. I had a baby last year and it's fair to say I've gained a bit of a tummy. I'd like to shift it but progress is slow. I'm 31 and typically a size 14.

Last week I went to Next and all I could find was shapeless viscose and polyester stuff which does nothing for my shape, or super tight fitting stuff which I don't want. I ordered some stuff from Weird Fish, much nicer material but again big and shapeless. H&M is fine if you're under 25, but I'm not, I'm a working mum. Last year I bought some bits from Long Tall Sally, which were nicely long but baggy and a bit frumpy. That suited me while breastfeeding but not anymore.

Is this just the fashion these days? Please help me! Suggestions very welcome. DH suggested I start making my own clothes which might have to be a last resort!

I’d be very surprised if you couldn’t find a sufficient number of satisfactorily stylish tops at

Cos

Thryre showing lots of things tucked in at the moment so you’ll need to click individual items, and check the measurements, but they do have lots of longer length things.

For more casual and colourful tops you could look at

American Vintage

who always seem to use a lot of material. The link is to short sleeved t shirts but they obviously make every sort of top.

Otherwise, don’t hate me but have you looked at

Toast?

I realise it might not be the first place you’d think of, but they do make some fairly neutral shirts and tops - and everything is cut generously.

I think the message is that you may have to accustom yourself to paying a bit more if you want both fit and style to suit you.

I’m interested in the answers to your post, OP, as I am experiencing similar problems with clothing. I’m a little older than you, and a size bigger, but I really struggle to find tops to cover me properly. I’m the same height as you.

I looked at Long Tall Sally this week, but I agree with you that the style is frumpy.

I'm in exactly the same boat! (Except I'm 6ft tall, so finding tops AND bottoms are a nightmare and I had a baby 3 months ago so everything is all upside down!). I've found dresses to be the lifesaver - midi ones specifically as they seem to be knee length on me, so might work for you?

Paired with white trainers so you can still run around after little one!

I'd chuck on tights when it's not super warm or a jacket over the dress too.

Otherwise I'm living in leggings and a hoodie!

I go to H&M and I’m well over 25.
M&S , Fat Face. Zara ( although the sizing is crazy). Mint Velvet (bit more expensive).
I’m 5ft 9 size 14.

Is there an influencer around the same height and dress size whose style you admire? Influencers often link the clothes they wear e.g.

https://www.shopltk.com/explore/molliecampsie/collections/11ef03b64e168f448b8f0242ac11000b

I’m the same height as you with a similar long torso (yours sounds slightly longer).
As a previous person said, perhaps get accustomed to paying more for items. Do you have a defined style that would help you create a capsule wardrobe?
Tops at M&S from the tall section. Their trousers are also really good.
Tu Clothing has really good stuff, the cut is generous but they also have a tall section.
Cos is brilliant. I buy quite some bits at H&M too, go in to a big one. They have a lot of tiny bits for teenagers but do also have reliable basics and workwear

I’m 5’11 and often look for Dutch or Scandinavian brands as Northern European women tend to be taller than eg French or Italian women. I’ve been v pleased with some Scotch & Soda tops (bought on Vinted - I think this brand may have stopped trading). Also Day Birgir Mikkelsen. American stuff works too sometimes - have had success with Tommy Hilfilger and Banana Republic (again Vinted is my friend here)

To be honest, Shein is easiest, as they list the length really visibly and I know I need 32in or it's just a total no go....

Long Tall Sally!! Reasonable prices/ long tops/ all sizes!

I'm 5'10, age 41 and I shop at long tall sally, m&s, Boden, next tall. I do find m&s tops are only ok with higher waist bottoms 🙄

Try Poetry. But the really good one for taller, bigger women is Sahara.
Pricey but lovely clothes.

Long Tall Sally is awful. 30 years ago when I started working it was all there was (I’m 6ft) and I was not happy! Thankfully New Look tall and Next tall came along soon. Sounds like you should be ok for trouser length (though I would go high waist) but for tops I would certainly look at Next Tall online. Dresses are your friend too. Can play about with waist styles to suit.

I was going to say Sahara, Poetry, Wrap, Seasalt, Gudrun Sjoden. It depends on your taste. I normally look on Vinted before I buy.

Kettlewell tops all come up long

You may find more choice online. For example, Next do a ‘tall’ range.

5’7” and size 14 is not chunky!

Can I suggest doing a body shape and colour analysis? When I found out these, I found clothes shopping alot easier, and I felt less frumpy. ‘Style by Suzie’ and ‘Emily Innes are two suggestions you could consider.

Finery. I have just discovered Finery, and find their sizing generous and long length on their trousers. I'm same height as you.

Was about to say what @Gundogday said. I'm 5'10 and properly chunky. I feel very unfeminine and ungainly - like a lumpy Princess Fiona.

I get that totally. No matter how much weight I lost I will still be broad and I feel like a lumbering clumsy giant standing next to other women. It makes me really uncomfortable and awkward especially when you get “you’re a big girl aren’t you”

@lunaemma I was watching Joanna Lumley in a film with Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie and she looked quite lumpen too next to shorter women even though she's slim and lovely. I would just like to feel feminine once next to much shorter slimmer friends. On my own I don't look that bad.

Apologies OP for the side line to your thread x

Look at Simply B, their stuff is so long, I struggle to find anything that doesn't need shortening for me at 5' 5".

I'm 5'7 and currently a size 18. Agree with pp that you need to look online. I've bought lots of lovely cotton things from Next in their Tall range. Plus M&S, John Lewis, Boden (only in the sale as they are so expensive now), Seasalt, and Uniqlo. I also have a couple of Popsy cotton dresses in some of their more toned down prints, but i know they aren't the most popular on MN. I'm nearly 40 and I just had a great order arrive from H&M so I would disagree with you on there, but I did do a lot of searching through all the "younger" style bits. I basically filter everything by "material" and select cotton or linen as my preferences. Then it filters out all the polyester crap.

There’s a lady on Instagram who puts together some lovely looks and sounds a similar build to you (maybe bit taller). Although she’s older than you I think the items she finds are often “ageless” and her daughters sometimes even borrow her clothes! They’re also reasonable prices not designer clothes eg M&S/Peacocks etc. She’s called something like 40plusnotgivingupyet. Might be worth a look 😊. I’ve bought quite a few of her finds and never been disappointed.

I have similar issues but I’m a bigger size - 5ft 7 and size 20-22. I find it so hard to clothe myself, I feel frumpy and uncomfortable and find tops in particular are really difficult as they’re just so short at times!

someone up the thread said about following people on SM who you like the style of - that’s a good idea! I follow Laura Adlington, she’s a bigger clothes size than me, but I like the dresses she tries on and have bought a few bits that she’s modelled

I am the same. I've been slim when I was younger and still felt ungainly and unfeminine!

I saw an interview with Erin O'Connor in the early 2000s where she talked about how she always felt out of place being so tall. Can't remember her exact words now but it helped me realise that how we feel isn't necessarily how we appear. I wish I could find the interview now as it really helped me to feel validated and not alone.

Some days I reframe my height - I'm a greek goddess or a valkyrie, with mythically strong bones and stature.

M&S and Evans are my go-to places