Where can I get decent mid to plus size clothes from, that don’t break the bank?

[TwinTantrums]

over the last year I’ve lost seven stone, I’ve gone from a size 28 to a size 16-18 (depending on the brand and the style of clothes!). I’m off on holiday to Italy at the end of August and would like some nice, floaty dresses (preferably with covered shoulders, because I’m pale and I don’t like my upper arms), and some nice bottoms (linen trousers, maybe some skirts), for both day time outings and evening wear. I’m looking to spend max £500, with the idea being I can use some bits again through winter and potentially next summer. I’m 5 foot 5, quite belly and thigh heavy. Any ideas would be welcome!!

Hi OP,

I thought that Primark would only do small sizes but they do a good range of sizes up to 20 & 22 so you should have no problems at a 16 - 18. I also find the fit quite generous, maybe not so much with more fitted things

I've just bought some Tu linen trousers @TwinTantrums and they're very nice!

I'm a similar height and build to you (and also a parent of twins!) and am starting a new job as a TA in September so I've been looking for suitable clothes too - so the linen trousers are great for summer but I'll need something warmer for winter. I really like Brakeburn for clothes and they have a sale on some items, you might find some nice summer dresses there - they come up a lot on Vinted too!

I’m currently in Primark, waiting for my daughter to try on more clothes, and really quite excited by the quantity of 2XL clothes they have. I’m a 24 elsewhere and so you would probably be an L. You could buy things in multiple sizes and just go smaller as you lose weight.

Disclaimer : I am in the one in Birmingham which is massive, the biggest in the world apparently. I’ve been in smaller shopping malls. Other branches may not have the range.

Nobody’s Child are good for dresses like this. Not super cheap but the quality/fit reflects that.

Might be worth in tk maxx for value - but hit & miss what you find in there.

I would say it is dependent on the garment material so for me it’s piece by piece.

I recommend Hush, might be a bit pricey but the quality is great as is the fit. Congrats on your weight loss journey so far!

Size 18 here - Sales are on, so try Nomads Clothing, Mint Velvet, Tu, Primark (I've bought the strappy beach dresses that have matching fine cotton shirts and wear them together), John Lewis own labels and AND/OR, H&M, Joules, Seasalt - remember to check for voucher codes too.

Well done on the weight loss op, you'll feel epic in Italy this summer!
I'm the same size and my holiday clothes came from:
Primark- linen shorts
M&S and Tu - denim shorts
Tiered dresses - m&co, Peacocks (both online). Also from apricot but I wouldn't recommend that as don't like the material quality.
Beach cover up - Shein
Swimsuits - Tu
Tops - next, Tu, New Look (beware buying from NL, loads of their tops had makeup stains)
Very comfy trainers - Tu
Also really nice, lightweight material, chub rub shorts from m&s, 2 in pack.

I forgot to add Mountain Warehouse - their dresses are really reasonable prices, good quality, often have pockets and you can get them even more cheaply on Vinted too.

Thank you for the tip about M&S chub rub shorts @CoolShoeshine, I have the Snag ones and was going to buy more but have really gone off Snag as a company, the M&S ones will be a fab substitute!

Peacocks and asda have a few nice bits the summer

ME+EM is my favourite shop at the moment. Not cheap but you will get key pieces that are so flattering. I think they go to 18.

I’m over to M&S at the weekend to grab some bits!

Vinted.

That used to be the case but they then closed Violeta (their plus size brand) and have sort of merged it with standard Mango. While yes, horrifically, size L is at most a 12, they now also go up to something like XXXXL. Fashionable and roomy. Quite often they don't have all the clothes available in the larger sizes in store but if you see something you like you can order online.

https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/cotton-wrap-dress-black-1267048003/
https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/sleeveless-dresses/product/gathered-halterneck-maxi-dress-pink-1266203003
https://www.east.co.uk/products/mella-applique-dress
https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-tie-shoulder-midi-swing-dress/p/clp60721531#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r2c2
https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/womens-lorelle-belted-midi-cotton-shirt-dress-navy-white

Not everyone wants to shop on vinted

I'm finding Asda quite good atm. Two dresses in particular keep getting compliments, which is rather nice.

I favour maxi dresses, with short sleeves. The ones I bought from Asda (for work) are apx £15-£25, and natural fibres.

They do have midi and knee-length. I wear maxi as I have scarring & blistering on my leg, that I hate the sight of.

I get you never ever wanting to shop at Yours again OP! I'm not as far down the line as you are - still at 20/22 level and I get a lot of stuff from charity shops but the Yours, Simply Be and Evans tops I put straight back on the rail as I've had almost all my adult life as only being able to wear that stuff and I never want to see a cold shoulder top with fucking butterflies on as long as I live.

I've bought a lot from Asda - not proper linen, but linen look wafty type stuff, and Tesco as well - although all of the supermarkets had a bit of a late spring fad of tie top things for everything which are not a viable fastening when you're large of nork (and what did buttons do against you guys anyhow!) but they seem to have rediscovered the fact that a large majority of women don't trust a tied shoelace size length of fabric to contain their assets and might still need to wear a bra.

M+S as well have been lots of my staples recently too - but we've got a big outlet near us.

I've got a couple of nice bits, really rate those wide leg jeans that everyone was buying. I got some lovely dresses in there but they are actually from a brand called Apricot.

For me M&S are good for tailored/linen trousers, I'm same size as you and pear shaped.

Oliver Bonas size 14 or 16 will probably fit you nicely. They do vanity sizing, so a size 8 is more like a 10/12

I have also recently lost 3.5 stone and now a size 16, in some shops I can even manage a 14 in trousers, so def try and go to a some shops.
I was able to get into some petite sz14 wide leg trousers in New Look yesterday, was gobsmacked as am def still a 16-18 in most other shops, they are elasticed obvs, but I’ve not bought size 14 in 15 years!

The supermarkets are such a good shout! I’ll pop into tu at the weekend too. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and go for some more fashion M&S clothes than just the big t-shirts