Phase Eight - what are their sizes/fit like?

[Marina]

Need a smartish outing for a wedding and would appreciate some advice about Phase Eight's cut and generosity of sizing
Have lost some weight, plenty more to go but am now a dumpy, bosomy 18/20. I do have a waist in there somewhere
Have not shopped for smart clothes in a good long time...are Phase Eight suitable for curvy women or is their cut more boyish?
I know Monsoon are often popular for large women going to weddings but this summer nothing much grabs me. There are some pretty things on the Phase Eight website which I can wear with a capacious shrug...
Please help a style imbecile avoid potential humiliation

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That killer line tells me all I need to know. My tits are always one size ahead of the rest of me at the best of times

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OK, that's good to know, thanks cod. I am going to have to go for a 20 I think, bugger

Have you not got a Phase Eight store where you are so you can go in and try on? We only have a small section in a dept store called Browns - but their stuff is lovely.

Have only bought one item which is the size I am ie. did not have to go size smaller or larger.

Not in the immediate vicinity bellavita, so wanted to scope out what kind of cut they offer before I make a special trip into the maw of doom

I have never bothered with Hobbs for example , even when a slender ten, because they were so long on me and so up-and-down I just looked utterly stupid the one time I tried something on

When is the wedding? Have you got time to order a few things and then return if you don't like them?

I do, just, and what an EXCELLENT idea. Doh! Thanks

I'm an hourglass size and a standard 14.

Phase 8 clothes are shaped brillantly for curvy figures, apart from that weird surgical smocklike thing they have in this season for some odd reason. I have bought a couple of the shrugs that tie under the boobs and they are very flattering. I actually found the tshirt material ones nicer than the more expensive wool ones.Oh and I have been coveting the Ophelia tapework dress and shawl for ages now.

I find their sizes pretty neat, in some shops I can fit a size 12 top but in phase 8 it has to be the 14.

Oh and check the promotions category, I managed to get a 20% discount using an online code

Well done on your weight loss, I am sure you will look glam at the wedding, don't forget to get some fab underwear.

Oh me too rookiemater, that dress is sublime Thanks for all the tips. The underwear will definitely have to be Challenge Anneka category, I'm very much a work in progress , but have alreay dropped a dress size except probably at Phase Eight

I have a pair of Phase Eight jeans which are rather good - a friend has the same pair in a different size, and although the waist is a bit loose (looser on her) the fit is good, speaking as a shortarse small bird with bosoms. I rather long for the wrap dress with green bits on it - saw it in Johnny Loulous.

Fenn Wright Manson also has some nice stuff for women with bosoms, I find.

Rookie - I bought one of those tshirt material shrugs and it was definitely nicer than the wool ones - in fact I wore mine to my brothers wedding a couple of weeks ago.

Marina - the returns are free and it is £4.95 p&p irrespective of how much you order.

Get ordering tonight!

Bellavita, the red phase 8 tshirt shrug featured yesterday on Dr Who.

Sadly it was on an actress who used to be Biancas mum on East Enders and I think was meant to be a slightly overdressed 40 something as it was matched with too much jewellery. Dh was amused as I kept shouting its my top at the screen.

I bought mine on the recommendation of my style consultant lady that I went to recently, apparently very flattering for hourglass figures. I've also got the black one, and found them both extremely useful on holiday as good when its too hot and relaxed for a proper jacket but it gets cooler in the evening.

Sorry, am obsessed by phase eight at the minute must stop droning on and on...

Oh and Marina, we are all works in progress, so don't put yourself down, it's hard work losing weight and its much much better doing it slowly and naturally than going all gaunt and Fern Brittony round the face.

The DS's taped last nights Dr Who - so I will have a look tomorrow when they have gone to school. I bought the black one.

Motherinferior - I will go and have a look at the jeans as I am a short arse person (with no norks - unfortunately)

justbought a phase8 dress, thisone - i got it in a 16 and it's much nicer on than inthe pic...as it's jersey i especially didn'twant it to cling..

that's v nice bundy. i ordered a couple of phase 8 dresses a few weeks ago, but they both had to go back 'cos of nork issues. i think you need to go to an actual shop i'm afraid marina. does johnny loulous at bluewater stock them?

thanks hoxty

shame re: norkage issues

dragged dd1 into toast/hobbs/all of upper st after her stagecoach stuff on saturday...for Emergency Shoes (didn't get any)

thankfully found suede purpley pink pair of clarks original wedges I forgot I had

i have shoe bundy! but no more room in my cupboard.... ds would probably enjoy such shopping, dd just wrecks shops. indeed, those very ones on upper st!

I find the Phase Eight sizes are fairly standard but am quite straight up and down.
Agree that Fenn Wright is worth a look and Principles too, I find Principles clothes cut quite well for the high street.
Also agree you need to try things on, can you book an appt with a personal shopper at Johnny Loulou or Debenhams?

Hi Marina, well, I have a couple of Phase eight things and so yes, they are suitable for curvy ones. I have just bought some stuff from La Redoute, it's VERY cheap and anything you don't like you can return, what about this? You could wear a shrug with it if you don't like your arms (as I don't) and it's quite nice. Do you want to borrow mine? You're most welcome. Or I have this skirt which is quite swishy and nice and could be jazzed up with a top and heels.

Not sure of your colouring and preferences but how about something like this
www.principles.co.uk/fcp/product/-/DRESSES/Navy-Pleated-Dress/7913?
WOudl flatter curves and enough room for a good bra undedrneath?