Plus size styling advice now my eldest is at school

[MariaDingbat]

My eldest is in reception and now we're hosting her first proper class party. I have been pregnant or breastfeeding or recovering from both for the guts of 6 years and now find myself out the other side about to head forth into the world of the school mums as I host the party and try to make mum friends. I need some new clothes!

All the mums so far seems lovely but I'm self conscious as all my clothes are pre-pandemic and I am now a size 20 and have no idea what I should be buying or what might look good. I tend to me a bit minimal, comfortable and safe in my colour choices, lots of navy, black and grey so I've hidden in jeans and hoodies for years. We have no department stores near us as everything has closed down so I can't really spend an afternoon pottering about trying things on the way I used to. I'd appreciate any style advice you ladies might have.

It might help you to read this thoroughly - clicking all the links and browsing the sites:

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

Also this:

https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

Can you give us a few extra details to help?
How tall are you?
What are your proportions/shape? For instance whenever I have been a size 20 or a size 12 I am 2/3 leg, 1/3 torso, apple shape etc.
You play it safe just now but what colours do you suit and perhaps a little could be added.
Hair colour/style?

Simply Be is worthwhile as you don't have many shops near you ,also Yours clothes. M&S are worth looking at. I love bright colours so my tops are all bright and people often comment on my colours and I am a size 20.

I forgot to add Vinted is worth looking at. Make sure the item is actually a size 20 as the sizing scan be quite different for some unknown reason.

For avoidance of doubt both the articles I’ve linked above include High St brands as well as more expensive sources.

What is your age, budget and what part of the country are you in, city/ countryside, etc?

I'm 5 foot 6, long torso with short arms and legs and carry most of my weight on my stomach.

I have auburn hair and very pale skin so a lot of high street colours don't really suit me unfortunately, especially anything from European brands like Zara and Mango, the colour is always just a little off so that's why i tend to stay in navy, grey, dark green, black etc. I'm in my early 40s now and I feel I've suddenly looked up and missed about a decade of different styles, I'm still wearing skinny jeans!

Brilliant, thank you! I didn't know some of these brands did plus size and I can go have a nosy online and see what they've got. I might even push out of my comfort zone into a Lucy and Yak jumper!

I live rurally and my job is quite hands on so I can't really wear some of the beautiful floaty things I see online at home or to work. It's a bit more wellies and practical, hard wearing pieces with an occasional 'jeans and a nice top' occasion. I'm not sure on budget, I haven't really bought much new the past few years so I think I might be a bit behind in my expectations. No more than £100 for a top or jeans I think, bit more for shoes or a coat?

I also think finding an Instagrammer or TikToker who has a style you like is really helpful and then recreating some of their outfit ideas either with pieces you already own or with new additions. There are many plus size influencers who shop High St and have lovely style. It's great for inspiration when you need a change.

With that budget I would probably buy jeans from M&S (I am an 18 and like the ‘Mum High Waisted Ankle Grazer’ jeans at the moment) and spend a bit more on other items. Sèzane goes up to a 20 (higher I think) and has lovely blouses and knitwear around the £100 mark. I find Celtic & Co is generous with their sizing, I wear an M-L or L in their knitwear but they also do an XL. For a coat practical for the outdoors, Seasalt is popular but I have no personal experience, otherwise M&S. I also adore this Joules fleece jacket - https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv016576/g91128 and wear it often. The photos don’t do it justice.

M&S has 20% off womenswear in their Sparks offers at the moment.

What kind of party is it? You don’t want to look all glam at your local soft play running around after children. My son just had his party and I wore legging, trainers and a hoodie it wouldn’t have been practical to wear jeans, heals and a fancy top. You want people to like you for you! You sound great, just like my sort of person I’m sure you’ll make plenty of mum friends whether you look glam or not!

Thank you for the Celtic & Co. tip, they have some really lovely knitwear and tops and a sale on at the moment. I'll have to find time to get to M&S and try on all their jeans, especially with 20% sparks at the minute. I'm not sure what a Mum High Waisted Ankle Grazer is exactly, but I'll give it a whirl and see! I have a Seasalt Forecastle jacket and love it, their ebay outlet is brilliant. Thanks!

You're very kind, thank you. My confidence has taken a bit of a knock the past few years with raising kids in lockdown, I didn't find a mum group as everything was closed and my friends had their kids much earlier than me. So it feels like I'm starting new too.

It's a big hall bouncy castle and party room type birthday, so I'm not having to rescue anyone from soft play thankfully. The other mums look quite put together on the school runs, even in casual clothes. I just want to look like I'm wearing something from this decade!

honestly, i think starting with a few outfits you already own would make this easier. you can put them on mirrala and get opinions on what actually looks good before spending money on a whole new wardrobe.