Style snub for size 18 plus very busty women?

[Traveltart]

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!

Following. I'm a size 16-18 and I have GG boobs so everything looks matronly on me.

I generally live in loose maxi dresses and I bought a lovely denim jacket for the cooler evenings

I’d suggest black wide leg trousers with a little stretch, a dark V neck top with a little structure, and paying more attention to hair, make up and accessories.

Watching as well, I’m almost an identical size and a shortarse as well. I see other women larger than me who seem carry it better - in my head I know how I want to look but I rarely feel cool and put together and definitely look matronly a lot of the time due to my bloody boobs 😩

I don’t find getting casual clothes too hard as many places stock 18 now but I really struggle with smarter stuff.

Did you know Karen Millen has a Plus range? Neither did I!

I'm posting a few pieces that caught my eye. Here's the link - there's 15% off at the moment.
https://www.coastfashion.com/categories/brands-karen-millen/facet/classification/Plus

Hello @Traveltart
I'm a size 16-18 with a 38J

I am 180cm though
Start with the perfect trousers. I love the silk and wool from marks and Spencer. You might need to go on eBay. I've worn these to all events, I wear black trousers although I am an autumn. I'm a fully trained colour analyst.
I wear cigarette pants as I've slim legs.
I only wear wide leg in linen with fitted tops. I look flappy with both halves loose fit.
Ketwell Colours work for seasonal t-shirts, jumpers, scarves etc. They have been around for years.
Next do not wear double breasted jackets ( you and I are double breasted!). Single or rever collars only. Any tops need to be a colour from your palette. I wear red, turquoise, green, orange. Buy some scarves too.
If you have the time look on eBay. I buy max mara ( Marina Rinaldi) at really good prices.

May not be your thing but Seasalt do petite sizes which larger ladies can buy.

Look at Marina Rinaldi and see if you can hunt it down on Vinted if you like something

I’ve actually had quite a bit of luck mixing New Look with pricier brands

Hmmm I’m not sure about Karen Millen. It’s always had a very 90s feel to me. And I can see Marina Rinaldi looks very well made - it should be for those prices! However it has always reminded me of a plus size brand rather than a brand that caters to all women including plus size ones.

I can see that petite women with big boobs have it very hard. Alas I’m a large woman with an even larger bust! Matronly is the right word. I just end up looking like Mrs Trunchbull. Things that drape slightly Grecian style tend to suit me.

And on a different note why can’t I shop somewhere like All Saints? It only goes up to a 16. It’s prob not even cool anymore but damn it I want to look a bit cool even if I’m more like a Mediterranean version of Pat Butcher.

Ralph Lauren has some dresses in your size

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/women/lauren-curve/20102?prefn1=websize&prefv1=18

Mango? https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/c/women/plus-sizes/7bc68eff?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand_1WOMAN_RESTO_GB&utm_campaignid=82148157&utm_content=Violeta&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=82148157&gbraid=0AAAAADpcxJgw3tr4NppvPo9xKuuIsDGSP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD1j-AJwBqDDzLEI4MYfhaKXcNV6Udl6H4Sd1RxSUAZd2r2rn3eeWPEaApNiEALw_wcB

I’ve just lost over 3 stones and my boobs have only gone down from a 38JJ to a 36 HH, I can only dream of being a GG! 😂
I’m a size 14 and petite, I tend to wear fitted tops with skirts or trousers (mostly from Next) Regardless of my size, I like fit and flare style dresses as these are more flattering for my shape.

Have a look at Anna casarina on instagram. I think that might be the kind of look you want. Quite elegant and simple but a larger figure and I would guess about your age. Harry Makes it up on YouTube is another example but she lives in California so tends to be good for more summery looks.

I used to be a 16-18 and loved a lot of Scandinavian brands like Cos / Arket / Monki and Weekday. I aspired to Acne, Studio Nicholson and Raey etc but of course didn’t have the money for those very often. I think it’s possible to dress “ cool” but you’ve got to have an overall idea of what direction you want to go in. The recommendation is to gather inspiration pictures to see what common items you’re drawn to. I like androgynous looks so used to scour the mens section of charity shops for blazers, shirts, t shirts and Cashmere or wool sweaters. The cut of them is obviously different to womenswear. Then you can add them to a piece from the high street .. say barrel leg jeans from M&S. Sometimes the supermarkets will throw up something which looks elevated - I got a indigo denim chore jacket which looks like Studio Nicholson.

Colours are interesting…. I’m driven by what I like not colours I supposed to wear. I’ve moved my style on from plain neutrals to colour blends but I like a bit of friction so I’ll throw in something that doesn’t go or is considered unconventional. Sweet colours like pink I‘ll wear with a dirty olive or chocolate brown for example. . Accessories are really useful for boosting an outfit that’s veering quite safe. I have slouchy bags or bags that provide a strong contrast colour. Trainers that are “ wrong “ for the outfit theoretically and ugly orthopaedic sandals from brands like Flower Mountain. It takes some work mate but you can do it without spending a ton on money.

Try Unfolded. All their dresses are at least midi, sorry, they actually now come in 3 lengths, and good for women with big breasts. They only make to order because they only buy so much fabric in order to avoid waste as much as possible. They work with educators in India to help children learn.

OP Toast goes to an 18. Would their dresses work and make you feel a bit more Me and Em? Some are quite costly though.
I have big boobs but am small elsewhere so partly feel your pain. HH ugh.

And finery goes to a size 24

rixo has a great range of sizes and their prints are stunning. On the pricier side but for some items it’s worth shelling out for as they’re fabulously cut and are standout. I’m size 16-18 and busty too and same colouring. The colour palette has changed my wardrobe. I wear colours that suit even if it’s a basic blazer. Structure is your friend too, it’s amazing how pulled together you can look with blazers and shirts/bliuses with defined shoulders, not dropped seam. I look at marina rinaldi and some of the Scandinavian brands for inspiration though they can sometimes veer into either retired art teacher or harsh geometric. Find out your body type (apple, pear, inverted triangle etc) and look these up on Pinterest or instagram. Belts pull you in and define you beyond just the bust. Keep denim dark and straight / bootcut. Anything else widens me. Good luck! There’s a lot out there you just have to know what you’re working with.

Yes to new look! You can’t do wrong with a lot of their stuff. Shame a lot of the physical stores are closed cos it used to be nice to pop in and try on and they had a good range of sizes too.

Lots of Live Unlimited in the John Lewis sale at the moment.i got a really nice dress reduced from £90 to £30. I have had several items from them and they are well made, but I do think tend to be expensive full price.

I’m an 18/20 H cup 5ft 6… recently had a lot of success with tops and dresses in Whistles!

I'm a 16-18, also GG, and under 5 foot to boot. I second the suggestion to look at Gudrun Sjöden: lots of great colours (though i go more monochrome). It's Lagenlook but I choose lighter fabrics so as not to have bulky layers, and get lots of stuff second hand off Vinted and eBay and in their sales. Today I have a plain black V neck T shirt and a black, beige and white patterned GS skirt which I love.

I came on to say Gudrun Sjoden too, my friend wears a lot of stuff from there and always looks elegant but she doesn't wear the patterned stuff.

www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-ie/clothes/dresses/woven-linen-dress-pacific-blue-l

I came to suggest exactly these sorts of styles op.

It is hard for anyone not to look stylish in a crisp white linen shirt, especially one with a bit of attitude like this one. They do need to be WHITE though - so must be washed separately on cool cycle.

Then pairing with classic understated chic colours and patterns like navy, cornflower blue and stripes. V necks and cropped pants work well as they reduce the fabric area visible to the eye at a glance, but still cover where you need to cover. Again, cropped trousers with a bit of attitude and swing work well.

This sort of style never really goes out and is the refuge of those who want to make quiet style statements imo. I like black: I wouldn't give it up too quickly. Again, it needs careful laundering to keep its intensity and not look dowdy.

A good quality necklace, sunglasses, handbag and bracelet help - not too delicate if you wear larger sizes..

I agree big breasts are a total nightmare especially when you are plus size. I feel like mine (only a D but feel bigger during pms) just dominate my entire silhouette and I end up wearing clothes to not draw attention rather than clothes I like.

Agree that wide leg trousers can be unflattering and it’s really hard to find a good straight leg trouser which also has a comfortable waist band as I can’t stand anything near my stomach.

hate wearing dresses- argh

end up wearing loose clothes which don’t flatter at all

no advice to be honest just sympathies!

Well I’m following this thread with interest as a size 20 with J size boobs in my late 40s! I am mildly short too which does not help. I think you should have a lot of options at size 18 no? At size 20 I find it almost impossible these days just to find shops that go up to my size let alone if I like the colour/style/price/trendiness etc.

Sounds like we have totally opposite styles though pretty much, I love super bright colours and always have even when I was slim. I’ve never really been into that “classic” type look really, at least sometimes I see it and admire it, but I genuinely think to pull it off well not only do you need to be tall and skinny but also have small boobs (like Kate Middleton!) So maybe it’s more accurate to say I realised it was never going to be possible to achieve rather than I don’t like it as such.

I don’t pay much attention to trends TBH,
I used to but these days I’m less interested in being on trend than I am in liking what I’m wearing, how it looks and also how it feels comfort-wise (and how I feel wearing it!). And like a pp I’m less worried about whether something looks “flattering” or “slimming” and just worry about whether I like it. I personally love wide leg trousers!

I love Sugarhill Brighton and Scamp and Dude personally but they’re not really the sort of thing you’re after. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Marina Rinaldi just wish it wasn’t so darned expensive. But honestly OP if you haven’t tried any of their stuff on, and you can afford it, you’re missing out. Their stuff is just so beautifully cut and the materials luxurious, it absolutely screams designer really, forget it being a plus size brand (actually I read an interview with the CEO recently and was a bit annoyed as they are clearly trying to pivot away from being plus size and I worry they’ll just stop making my size like everyone else…). A lot of their stuff is quite classic in style as well. I think that’s the obvious choice for what you’re looking for, it’s just very pricey.

I like the Autograph range at M and S for more classic style clothing that I mix and match with my more colourful or unusual stuff. So definitely worth looking there. I also really like Mint Velvet and find their tops and dresses in size 18 (where they sadly stop) unless super structured from stiff material, tends to fit me fine. I also like Saint and Sofia.

Oh! Berlin clothing is another good designer clothing site for plus size classic clothing, there are a few brands on there.