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Original poster

Plus size "fashion"

122 replies

Mumwithbaggage · 26/05/2025 23:09

I know it's my fault I'm fat but I'm working on it. I'm also tall - 5'10. I'm looking for a lovely outfit for my son's wedding but everything is awful. If I was just large or just tall I'd probably be OK but I'm stuck with polyester horror or dreadful old woman clothes or a few go to Boden dresses that are large enough and long enough.

Does anyone have recommendations for anywhere stylish for a tall size 20/22? Please don't say Chesca - I'm not in my 80s!

Thank you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
27
dontknowwasmadetoknow · 27/05/2025 09:40

Have a look at Live Unlimited London

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/05/2025 09:42

YY to Phase 8.
I'm 5'8", and I find their dresses are a touch too long for me.

MetaDaughter · 27/05/2025 09:44

Why on earth would the OP want to minimise her stature and size, @DeSoleil?

I hope the Vogue list provides food for thought and a useful range of stylish options, @Mumwithbaggage.

Vivienne1000 · 27/05/2025 09:44

How about Boden? They do long length, not too expensive and lots of different styles and fabrics x

Ayeayeaye25 · 27/05/2025 10:23

Have you tried Monsoon not everything is floral or Polyester and they have some nice pieces in this year. I am a similar height to you and only a tiny bit slimmer (but that is only recent but still struggle) and recently tried some of these on.

John Lewis online this is a midi dress and a goodlength on me and not the dreaded sweaty polyester. You could exercise it to the max and feel cool and unflustered.
https://www.johnlewis.com/and-or-ruby-tile-print-button-through-cotton-midaxi-dress-green/p113333106

Or https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-vita-abstract-dress-multi/p113027384 this one is surprisingly nice on. I am now an 18 to
20 but the 16 had plenty of room to spare I was going to try the 14 but they didn’t have one in store. It was a good length and no polyester. You could wear a dramatic hat and accessorise it to the max.

This is polyester but a lot of tall people
like this cut. https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-isabelle-garden-rose-angel-sleeve-maxi-dress/p113545426

Monsoon https://www.monsoon.co.uk/mya-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-green-1000530491.html

Or join Tallternative retail
facebook group
in facebook.
if you post saying you are in the UK, height, dress size members will give suggestions.

Mya Fit and Flare Midi Dress Green | Evening Dresses | Monsoon UK.

Shop the Mya Fit and Flare Midi Dress Green from the Evening Dresses collection at Monsoon UK.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/mya-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-green-1000530491.html

Original poster
Mumwithbaggage · 27/05/2025 10:25

Wow! I only went upstairs to get changed for the gym (see, I'm trying to tone up!) and loads more suggestions.

I love the colours of the Delicia Phase 8 dress. Those little jackets are lovely but don't sit on my broad shoulders. My only concern with Phase 8(which I do like) is that it's a real go to for wedding guests so I don't want to be upstaged by someone else in the same dress! I'll be taking a spare dress with me so can get changed if that happens!!

I know I'm sounding like I'm being fussy and there are some really lovely suggestions there. I hate being tall - my waist is too low and when I'm near other people on photos I just look so frumpy and unattractive, possibly because everything sits at just the wrong length.

Off to the gym then I'll have a good look through all the suggestions this afternoon. Thank you!

OP posts:
stardust777 · 27/05/2025 10:27

Could any of these work?

https://www.shopltk.com/explore/molliecampsie/posts/7e11a9ec-1574-11f0-b939-0242ac110022

Rubi2 · 27/05/2025 10:28

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/zt136

I am 5ft 11 and a 16-18 I have this dress in a different colour and got some many compliments at a recent wedding, it’s perfect length for us tall ladies. They do lots of different prints xx

FoulWrinkledWitch · 27/05/2025 10:57

Try beigeplus.com?

LollyWillow · 27/05/2025 11:02

Have a look at Poetry. Generally the collection veers towards casual, but there are some lovely dresses that can be dressed up with accessories. The sizing goes up to 22.
I have used them for size 20 formal dresses in the past and people have been very complimentary.

shiningstar2 · 27/05/2025 11:04

Try Monsoon or East.

TragicMuse · 27/05/2025 11:08

Live Unlimited perhaps? I’m not sure about the height though…

ArtemisiaTheArtist · 27/05/2025 11:14

I'm nowhere near as tall as you OP but I know what you are talking about. Everything is so cheaply made and and poor quality. I don't even like Phase Eight, the designs are awful. Some Marina Rinaldi is good but you have to scroll through a lot of pages to get anything vaguely appealing. I hate ruffles, and loud patterns, and too many sequins. I hate big sleeves, no sleeves, or cap sleeves. It's terrible out there at the moment.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 27/05/2025 11:42

Are you sure you want a dress? I'm the same height and size as you and find dresses really tricky. I tend to do trousers and tops instead

KnitFastDieWarm · 27/05/2025 13:23

If i was your height (sigh!) I’d wear something fabulous and 70s-shaped and vaguely bohemian and waft around like a goddess - I’m thinking Ozzie Clark-style kaftan. With a belt detail under the bust area so it still looks fitted.

Original poster
Mumwithbaggage · 27/05/2025 18:10

@KnitFastDieWarm that's my plan too!

Have tried a couple of Hope and Ivy dresses - the waist was too high and I'd rather not have something that might flap open. Very pretty though even if they are polyester.

@Bigearringsbigsmile I think it needs to be a dress. I do wear dresses quite a lot but it's easy to get something for every day.

I like Poetry but not right for the wedding, and Live Unlimited (I have a couple of things from there) isn't very exciting at the moment and again lots of man made fibres.

I WILL find a dress before I resort to making my own!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumwithbaggage · 27/05/2025 18:30

@VerityUnreasonble I do like that Karen Millen dress - if only it was blue!

I'm not normally this awkward!!

OP posts:
Disturbia81 · 27/05/2025 19:31

NancySpain1 · 27/05/2025 09:17

I like Yours stuff, but there's a lot of cheap nasty fabrics on there, so you need to check

Show quote history

True sometimes they are, and they shouldn’t be for the price!

Original poster
Mumwithbaggage · 27/05/2025 19:43

@Bigearringsbigsmile nice style and quite fancy that for parties but again, £200 for polyester. July could be sweltering and no-one needs a sweaty mother of the groom.

OP posts: