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Style snub for size 18 plus very busty women?

12 replies

Traveltart · 30/05/2026 19:29

Can one ever look stylish and cool in middle age as a size 18 plus with enormous (GG) boobs?

If so, where do I find these clothes? The majority of ‘in’ styles have never suited me. Wide legs make me look even more enormous. I can’t wear anything with a high neck or thin straps.

Terrible legs so can’t do short anything. The only large influencer types I know tend to wear garish colours or are much younger than me.

In an ideal world I would waft around in classic clothes made of fabulous materials but these just don’t work for my budget or size! Would love to be able to afford Victoria Beckham style clothes but they don’t stretch to my budget or size.

I need to get out of my Boden jersey dress rut…My go to styles tend to be wrap and scoop or V cross over necks.

I tend to wear day dresses all the time or frumpy leggings or black trousers with a top that covers my tummy area. I do have a waist but also a stomach.

I have nothing to wear to drinks or a meal out.

Will spend up to £150 per item if I have to but would love some ideas ahead of the summer sales so I can swoop when ready.

My colour palette is supposedly warm autumn but I tend to buy a lot of high contrast black and white clothes which may not suit me.

Cool people: please point me to stylish shops and outfits that go up to my size or to accounts I should follow for style tips. Am late 40s…

I think my problem is I like an elegant classic look that looks amazing on a size 8 but dreadful or at best plain on a bag of lumpy coals like me!

OP posts:
Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted · 30/05/2026 19:35

Hi. You sound just like me!!!

Try these...
Live unlimited
Kit and kaboodal
Room Lytham
Laundryb

WutheringTights · 30/05/2026 19:38

Do you follow rantsandbigpants on insta? She’s a 16-18 and wears some lovely stuff.

MummyWillow1 · 30/05/2026 19:39

Maxi dresses are great in summer for all occasions. I have a denim shirt dress I wear in cooler weather with tights and boots that I got from an online outlet but is was originally a Sainsbury’s brand. (H cup so have to size up in a shirt dress or it gapes but it has a tie waist so still has some shape).

I do like a pop over shirt, just got a new one from Regatta, so easy to wear with jeans or some cropped trousers/culottes in the summer.

Crazyquilter · 30/05/2026 19:39

Just chipping in with a comment about your colour palette. If you have been assessed and come out as ‘warm autumn’, do please trust it give it a go. It is very different to what you are currently wearing, but I think it will make you feel different and more confident. That’s what I found. I’m currently overweight and with a massive bust too!
Sorry, have nothing to say about brands, etc. but I’m sure others will come along with advice.

user593 · 30/05/2026 19:50

I’m an 18/20 and a G and I love these:

John Lewis Sleeveless Linen Maxi Dress

AND/OR Alex Pleat Midi Dress

(Admittedly both out of stock at the moment but you could set up a stock alert)

Zara Oversize Lace Linen Blend Shirt (I have this in an XL and it’s nice and roomy)

Sézane Max Shirt (a 20 fits me well, there are lots of colour and pattern choices!)

M&S linen shirts are also great with jeans and statement jewellery.

Traveltart · 30/05/2026 19:53

Thanks so much for the recommendations of rants and big pants and also the list from @Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted - some fabulous clothes on them and most of them very cheaply priced compared to what’s often on here! Quick question: is Lagenlook a little bit retired art teacher? I have always dressed ‘old’ for my age and my face - which isn’t too terribly lined - doesn’t quite suit my body if that makes sense. I fear I’m going to turn 60 in a decade or so and will suddenly crave wanting to be 35!

OP posts:
ThreeRandomThings · 30/05/2026 19:57

Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted · 30/05/2026 19:35

Hi. You sound just like me!!!

Try these...
Live unlimited
Kit and kaboodal
Room Lytham
Laundryb

Kit and Kaboodal went into administration. Im not sure if someone has since bought the brand but worth having a Google before buying to make sure you dont get stuck with things you cant return.

StarCourt · 30/05/2026 20:01

I’m 18 and a H so watching this for ideas now!

user593 · 30/05/2026 20:04

Traveltart · 30/05/2026 19:53

Thanks so much for the recommendations of rants and big pants and also the list from @Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted - some fabulous clothes on them and most of them very cheaply priced compared to what’s often on here! Quick question: is Lagenlook a little bit retired art teacher? I have always dressed ‘old’ for my age and my face - which isn’t too terribly lined - doesn’t quite suit my body if that makes sense. I fear I’m going to turn 60 in a decade or so and will suddenly crave wanting to be 35!

If VB is your inspiration I wouldn’t go for lagenlook, it’s very different, and it’s not impossible to achieve the look you want at your size, it’s just a bit trickier! It would also be worth checking out COS.

Traveltart · 30/05/2026 20:28

Ooh thanks @user593. This is very CBK isn’t it? I can just imagine someone wafting around the Hamptons in this.

I am now questioning why I like these looks so much and is there a part of the not-at-all Anglo Saxon DNA in me that wants to conform to a Waspish standard of beauty (thin, pale) which is why I’m opting for monochrome and neautral colours?

Do ‘cool’ clothes come in warm palettes? I do quite like a chiffony small patterned floaty blouse too… so I guess they do. I do in fact like patterns but it’s hard to look stylish and wear patterns, no?

I wasn’t suggesting Lagenlook was stylish. Though I did like some of the clothing linked to above and was shocked to see it labelled Lagenlook so perhaps I’m a pretentious prat!

OP posts:
Traveltart · 30/05/2026 22:02

Their companies house filing is still showing up as in administration - thanks for the warning @ThreeRandomThings

OP posts:
Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted · 31/05/2026 16:42

Traveltart · 30/05/2026 19:53

Thanks so much for the recommendations of rants and big pants and also the list from @Timespentwithcatsisneverwasted - some fabulous clothes on them and most of them very cheaply priced compared to what’s often on here! Quick question: is Lagenlook a little bit retired art teacher? I have always dressed ‘old’ for my age and my face - which isn’t too terribly lined - doesn’t quite suit my body if that makes sense. I fear I’m going to turn 60 in a decade or so and will suddenly crave wanting to be 35!

I don't do the whole Lagenlook layering thing cos it doesn't suit me, but I try stuff on and just return it if it doesn't suit me. I've had some lovely clothes from the sites I listed but also ones where I laughed when I tried them.on 😂. Just order loads and send it all back at once! I have learnt to step.put my comfort zone but it's just trying new stuff on. Good luck x

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