I want affordable stuff, that isn't tat. But I'm a size 20...

[PrettyCandles]

so where can I shop? I find catalogues frustrating because of not being able to try things on. And I'm fed up of Evan's quality - it's just not good enough most of the time, besides the cut is ghastly. Why are fat women's tops cut with such wide shoulders and low sleeve-holes? The result is inevitably that I look like a log, no womanly shape, and can't raise my arms or breathe too deeply because the cut doesn't allow for this.

Monsoon do lovely clothes in my size (tyhough I can only afford them int the sales LOL).

Where else?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.... TKMaxx.

Massive plus-size section. Quality gear like Jaeger, Betty Jackson, and stuff, rock bottom prices.

I am a size 16-18

I buy from Monsoon, Next for work, the odd thing from Simply Be but you have to be careful, Marks and Spencer, the odd bit of Boden and TK Maxx.

I tend to wear fitted clothes rather than things that just hang.

TKMaxx is crap for big sizes - unless you want to look like your Gran.

What about Next?

i am a szie 20 and have read all this thread and got some good ideas. h & m thing that all larger ladies are 7 ft tall though. everything is really long. alot of places are like that and it really pees me off.

there was loads of short sleeve jackets in the regular stuff so i thought i would get one form the b & b range, but no, apparently big girls cant wear them.

The trick with TK Maxx os not to look in the plus sizes section.

themoon - I think TKmaxx depends on your local store. Mine isn't great plenty of choice but truly truly bizarre styles/colours.

I have never yet seen anything in our local TKMaxx that isn't vile (imvho of course!)

It depends what you are looking for of course

Now I am in my 30's I find I dress increasingly like my Mum and I hate that. I look for younger styles but I am probably too old for most of them now, or not pert enough , it is really hard to strike the right balance.

tigerfeet, i am 28 and dress like my mum! lots of stripey tops. i dont know why i choose the same things as her.

i am trying to overhall my wardrobe at the moment so be younger and not so fuddy duddy.

My Mum and I have similar body shapes so we buy similar cuts of clothes that suit us. We are different sizes though and different heights so thankfully we haven't got to the stage of having interchangable wardrobes

I keep myself looking younger (I hope!) with accessories and shoes etc whereas she wears sensible flats and no chunky jewellery

Tesco!

F&F range is usually quite well made and well proportioned for my 16 arse/18 tummy and they go up to 20-22 I think?

And fashion conscious...

well me and my mum are the same height and nearly the same size. we often turn up together wearing similar things.

scary.

tons on littlewoods. That is if I am allowed to post anything on here without offending everyone and his dog

don't be childish - no-one (not even me and there was only two of us that commented) said you couldn't help.

If you knew how often you hear such helpful comments when you're over size 16 you'd understand why its so irritating.

and yes that is a helpful link

Apologies for a bit of a hijack - but does anyone know where I can get trousers that actually fit? I'm a 20/22, but hourglass - so stuff that fits my bum usually gapes on my waist. Any suggestions?

Couple of nice things on there OO, thanks, would have never looked there!..lovely black(yes i am a steriotypical fatty i like my black) tunic longline top!, thats my kind of style, nothing flowy, but past bum and teamed with bootcut jeans/trousers and heels or wedges...will peruse that sight later, ta chick

cornflake sorry to says this but elasticated waists

Message withdrawn

urgh, shudders at elasticated waste jeans..but i know what you mean ive got a big ole arse and small waist so have same prob..think someone said on here recently that boden do some in good fit??..i got some from new look more recently the style was called 'hula' as oppsed to hippy or somthing like that (which were hipsters), they high higher(normal) waist and although gape a little are still quite good fit..about £12 as well!

I bought a couple of t shirts from Peacocks at the weekend - not a shop I'd ever have ventured into before but I'm losing weight quickly and I was down to about 4 or 5 tops that fit (I was also at my MIL's which has a lack of good shops)

I was quite impressed by the tops in there, I got 2 fairly long line t shirts in size 18-20 for £10. I'm not expecting them to last long but they are both on the roomy side and I'm hoping that they have survived the wash safely.

I agree Kewcumber, one of my bestsellers at the shop is a pair of widelegged pinstripe trousers from Evans - they are elasticated at the back but flat at the front and they look fab on my customers! Jeans are more tricky for the fit though.

It depends if you are happy or not cod and imo if you look good it is an incentive to loose more weight.

I need to lose a bit of weight but if I go below a 14 I look odd.

h&m have some super things

I have bought the odd thing from littlewoods as well but again would not wear their plus size range.

ohmigod first bon marche, then peacocks...

what is wrong with you people?

there are plenty of other alternatives than little old ladyville.