Where's the best place to buy (on line) plus size clothes and what the heck should I wear?

[snackattack]

OK, I'm having a crisis. I'm BIG - size 22 or so....but I've lost weight for me so just use your imaginations to think how big I was!

I have acquired a brilliant new job and I'm really useless when it comes to buying new work clothes. I ALWAYS wear the same things. I have 3 pairs of plain trousers (usually M&S) - navy, black and grey (also have a brown pair but have nothing to go with them. I wear a vest type top (loose) usually in a matching colour to the trousers and then I wear a jacket over the top (in a variety of shades of black, grey, navy etc). You get the picture. I wear matching low heal shows (I'm tall and hate heels). I'm so SICK of this look but it's just a matter of what I feel comfortable in. I need long tops or jackets as they suit me best. I hate anything fitted and I absolutely loathe any material which clings to my stomach and/or bum. I just like loose and baggy and a smart jacket over the top.

Well, it's time for a change and I need to develop a much more varied wardrobe. I'm afraid to draw attention to myself so I prefer muted colours. I have blonde hair, pale skin, green eyes if that makes a difference!

Please, please help me put together a wardrobe which is workable but which doesn't stretch me too much as I'm a coward at heart! One day, I will be in a size 14 (my personal target) but for now, I need to live with myself and I'd feel so much better if i could get out of my rut!

Thank you

Don't shop online! It's so difficult to get an idea of the fit of clothes without actually trying htem on. At work, in a solicitors office so I don't know if it would be a similar dress code, I wear smart wide leg trousers or a knee length skirt, normally with a vest and cardi over the top. Brown trousers would look good with a soft pink or beige/cream top. I have to say I am still carrying my babyweight and am about an 18 right now and am longing to get back into my 14's- its so bad that I thought I was massive at that size I would say H & M is a good place to start, and M and S is not actually that bad, I got a fab blouse and suit there when I graduated that is still good (not that I can fit into it mind )

I quite like Simply Be

I like the idea of a vest/cardi littlelamb but worried they are "clingy" in all the wrong places! Would love to find a pale pink top to go with the brown trousers actually....must have a search.
Frazzled- thanks, I'll check it out.

Ok there is a poster called twinsetandpearls. She has run some very good threads on how to dress for a larger size..try searching on her threads.

Saying you are a size 22 means nowt really
Are you blessed by the breasts?
Do you have a waist?
Are you in proportion? Leg length?
Good pins?
What height are you?
Best features that you'd like to high light

If there was someone's style you'd like to emulate, whose would it be?
How well off are you?

Ronaldinhio - in response to your queries.

Yes, I have breasts (40 DD) and not in bad shape!
No waist at all - even when slimmer I had no hips really - very up and down - however now I am more apple shape
Pins are OK but I hate my ankles - too fat - and hence I prefer trousers
Best features - none really - boobs I suppose. My hair is good (not useful). I hate my upper arms so never wear anything that shows them. Does this help?
Off to search for twinsetandpearls' posts. Thank you.

snackattack-If I were you I would invest in a great pair of comfortable knee high boots.They will give you confidence to wear skirts and dresses .
Try evans or www.duo.co.uk

I buy drapey cardigans from John Rocha at Debenhams or Wallis - to cover my ridiculous stomach - and wear with wide legged trousers.

nice dress

from their sale website,nice with boots and cardi or jacket

nice skirt
I think if you wear tailored pieces that fit well it would be more flattering than baggy clothes.

forget pale pink this would be nice with brown trousers

I know this is a bit of an old lady webite but some pieces are nice and good quality for the price if you get in sale
this top is very versatile ,wear with trousers or skirts,dress it up with belt /necklace

christ have just looked at the rest of the stuff on that site-pure granny ..sorry

ggirl - thanks so much and what a great idea about knee high boots- I've never thought about those before.