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?

Boden (dare I say it) go up to a size 20 too. I'm not sure the quality matches the price, however.

Principles also go up to a 20 in some clothes, as do Next.

You may find (a la Gok) wearing the right underwear may help you drop a dress size. Wearing a size 18 would open up a wider range of possibilities.

I am a size 16/18 bottom but have a massive nork problem and often have to wear a 20 top, making dresses a real problem. Obviously I've bought stuff from Bravissimo but generally I tend to buy clothes from Monsoon, Laura Ashley, Boden, Principles, Debenhams (Betty Barclay Black is v generously sized and go up to 18) and good old M&S. I love the Limited Collection and Autograph. I have a pair of Betty Barclary Black trousers which are a size 18 and they are huuuuuuuuuge on me.

Dorothy perkins

jackieno, i have been wanting a pair of monsoon jeans for ages, but didnt know if they were worth the price.

might invest in some.

try hobbs size 18. i take monsoon 20 trousers and m&s 22 sized jeans, but can wear hobbs 18's.

is hobbs really expensive?

yes, Monsoon jeans are generously sized, with stretch.

La redoute do nice plus size stuff. They're not too generous though so you might want to get a size larger than you are (demoralising I agree). www.laredoute.co.uk

hobbs pricey compared to monsoon, last thing i got was a fantastic skirt, real workhorse in denim coloured linen, for 80 quid. and that is one of their basic things. but my god, you need a bomb to destroy some of their stuff. so buying classic trousers there, good shirts, etc, is well worth it

and imo better 80 quid on endless wear that goes everywhere plus decent labour wages for the makers than 3 rubbish pieces out of evans sweatshops.

i saw a beautiful jumper in a department store in jersey. that was hobbs. i didnt even look at it closley cause i thought they went up to about a size 14.

esprit has lovely, good quality basics. they stop at an 18, but the sizes seem to come up very roomy (I go down a size in there). and vg for the long of trunk!

I am porky and the first thing I would say is, avoid any shop or range (with some exceptions) which describes itself as "plus" as you are in polyester old lady territory immediately. This includes Evans (shudder), Ann Harvey (granny at wedding), Elvi (mother in law on the pull) and M&S plus range (fat frumps).

You need to explore "normal" shops - Monsoon, Wallis etc. Talbots (American) is quite good for work stuff and you can get some excellent bargains in the sale. Also good for trousers as long as you don't have hugely long legs (I do and it's a bit hit and miss in there). Ditto Liz Claiborne.

If you must buy from a plus range, Marina Rinaldi isn't bad. I've also got a few dresses from Talbots which do for garden party/summer weddings.

Agree re the fitted thing - if you are large, the last thing you need to do is wear tents and look twice the size.

I know it's not helpful but I try and go to New York every couple of years (more frequently if possible) and stock up on work stuff as the choice there is much, much, much better.

If you want to come late night shopping one Thursday in the West End, let me know!

mrsschdenfreude, is your name anything to do with avenue Q?

What's Avenue Q?

its a show in london. sorry just thought you might have seen it.

Oh yes, of course it is! [thick]

No, I've been Mrs Schadenfreude for a loooong time now.

Just to clarify - Most catalogues pay the return P&P for you. You stick the return label on the pack, take it to the post-office and get a proof of purchase (free)

You do need to keep a record of what you kept and sent back to ensure you are charegd the right amount. I honestly order 20-30 items and often return most of them. It isn't too much of a problem as long as you can get to a post-office to return the stuff you don't want.

Also once you get used to a company you can guess better what size will fit you from them.

Kewcumber mentioned Artigiano - expensive, but definitely worth a look in the clearance and sale bit. Main Artigiano is sizes 8-20, the Spirito di Artigiano range is size 14-30.

quality is excellent but definitely stick to the sale. Thanks Jackie I hadn;t looked at them for a while. They do have a shop too in the Isle of Wight if you're anywhere near.

matalan have a range called Papaya which goes up to a 20 and some of their things are nice

Sainsburys - not only nice stuff up to a 20 but you can write it off as a food expense

H&M have some nice stuff too

has anyone mentioned Principles?

Coast now do some stuff up to an 18 but I managed into a couple of tops without looking like I'd been stuffed into them

ebay is brilliant for picking up monsoon bargins too

new look and peacocks too

I know just what you mean! Most of Evans stuff I would be afraid to strike a match nearby in case I would go up in flames - so hideously nylon-y and cheap.

Agree that Monsoon can be good.

I got some nice tops and a nice pair of jean recently in Debenhams - the John Rocha range - it goes up to 22.

Pinkchick - I have found that Old Navy are a fantastic choice for hourglass figures. I think mine are either a 16 or an 18 (can't remember US sizes) but I am a 20 and the cut is beautiful and so flattering. Their other stuff that I didn;t buy was very nice too. Might be worth having a look on Ebay.com?

How about Dotty P, Debenhams, esp the Designer ranges and Monsoon on ebay.

Re: OO's comment.....if I'm being really honest, I've never really dieted for my health, I've done it to buy nicer clothes / wear a smaller wedding dress, etc. Baby due 12 June, diet starts 13 June.

I KNEW I forgot somewhere

Argos Additions do Oasis clothes up to a size 20 and they're fab - I LOVE Oasis

Oli.co.uk is good too for larger sizes