please tell me there is an alternative to Bravissimo...

[muddleduck]

I really need some new clothes but after returning countless tops that don't fit I've come to the conclusion I have a choice between:

1. lovely clothes that don't fit
2. dull dull dull overpriced bravissimo stuff that does at least fit..

HELP!!!!

(I am 34gg and usually end up in a 16 on top)

wallis one looks good and i LURVE purple, will check it out

I am 12 in trousers and 34gg and the wallis dress fits me in a 14.

good thread.

I like your dresses KristinaM, i would never thought of phase8, it always looks so formal but those are just right - are they very long? I am the same nork size as you, but I am barely 5ft, which adds to the limitations of finding clothes to fit.

they are above the knee on me and i am 5'5''

the first one is 35 inches long and the second is 33 at the front and 37 at the sides. It doesn't show well on the photo but when you are wearing it its much shorter in the middle

i know what you mean about phase eight i was a bit as its quite frumpy / wedding-y, but i spotted these in the window and thought they were worth trying

Yes, I've admired those Phase Eight frocks - I always look in there as they do have some reasonable stuff mixed in with the mother-of-the-bride combos.

Wallis dress looks worth a try as well; I tried one in the same style but made of brown cotton jersey in White Stuff yesterday, but the pockets made it flare out and swelled the size of my hips.

I also tried on a good dress in Fatface (has a similar rep to White Stuff on here, I know), which was perfect on top but the drapey hem emphasized my knees in a way I didn't want them emphasizing!
Would be good on someone without bizarrely large knees, though.

I am similarly endowed and tend to wear separates rather than dresses, but I have managed to find well-fitting dresses from Phase Eight and Great Plains lately.

I've always been struck at how badly Boden dresses fit me, and Monsoon similarly!

I am seriously considering a breast reduction when my breastfeeding days are over, although weight loss has helped too.

Fatface dress

I have that fatface dress!

I posted on here a few weeks ago when I was dithering about whether to keept it or not!

I had to go up to a 16 as the 14 didn't sit right, but it is a lovely dress.

You've obviously got normal knees, then .

yes I have normal knees

they are a window of normality in between my ludicrously masculine calves and my matronly bust!

i have been to kew and am now reporting back on day dresses. i am 5'5'', size 10 on top and 8 on bottom and have 32FF norks

buttercup dress was very good fit, esp under arms ( concealed bra) but frill on norks too much. nice subtle print

embroidered linen was ok on bust even in Small but very wide. blue is lovely colour, very cool and summery

bead detail was terrible fit - the seam was on bust not under so made me look very pg

silk trim was lovely soft jade colour and excellent fit so have bought ( despite high price for jersey dress)

jersey tie was also good fit and fine on norks. pretty colour, but ties at back so a bit girly for me [old bag emoticon]

i have also found 3 yes THREE dresses in Jigsaw that would be ok for work in the spring / summer ( unless your work is very formal), fitted me in Small ( didnt have to size up for norks) and were just on the knee ( so ok with no tights)

knot and ruche front

silk trim

and another dress which doesn't seem to be on the website called a multi way dress

HTH

i ma surprised the empire line on the kew dresses fit your norks. I always find the line sits mid boob and looks awful

Great links KM - might send for the buttercup dress although I take your point re the frills; I actually quite suit them usually but am not sure about the total lack of sleeves - I find cap sleeves more flattering as they seem to draw the eye up and out to the shoulders more. (Plus those of us endowed in the chest area seem to be correspondingly blessed around the upper arms!)

The others are lovely although I feel I need some small print dresses this summer.
Might send for the Bravissimo maxi.

what bravissimo maxi , I can't see one on the site?

Oh, I haven't looked at the site but I got a catalogue t'other day.
It's white with a bit of blue pattern and I think a crochet panel under the bust.
And for once Bravissimo have made an item of clothing in cotton.
Looks very low cut, though, and has bows on each strap, which I suppose will work on some but not others, so I'll just have to order and see.

Ggirl, it's in the Swimwear section - because isn't that what we all do when wearing a maxi - romp through the surf?
Think I'll also order the Ditsy Print Blouse - what DH calls 'wench tops' and little puffed sleeves usually suit me.

Hi all.

love those kew/jigsaw links - I'm thinking of heading there for a shopping spree tomorrow. Most of my boring standard work tops come from Kew.

I've also seen the Bravissimo maxi in the catalogue - very very low! Not for me.
To be honest I think i've decided to give up on Bravissimo. Given that their 'thing' is the fit of their clothes they alwasy seem really badly cut to me. I've sent sooo many things back to them.

I've also just tried the grey jersey M&S dress that there was a whole thread about - that is going back too - looked bloodly ridiculous on me.

aah have seen it now thanks
yes it's a beach dress
I ilke it
too low for me though

Have just discovered Bella Di Notte now do cup-sized swimwear. I might try this one.

Bravissimo have sold out of the blouse in my size, and had to order the maxi in Super curvy.

This could be the first time I've ever had to send something back for being too big in the boobs!

Hi All.

I had a fab shopping trip yesterday!

I haven't got time for all the links today, but will try to update later.

I had really good success at French Connection and Mango.

I also spent hours in Bravissimo having a fitting. I am now a 32H! I came out with 3 bras and the most amazingly fantastic tankini - it takes about 3 hours to get into but really feels like I'm wearing a proper bra. I'm also trying one of their tops with an integral bra - again its a bit of a mission to get into. Their other clothes were f*ing awful though! Badly made, boring crap IMO.

Glad you had success. I'd be interested to see what you found in Mango as I drew a blank there yesterday.
Didn't try FC though.
I spent 3 hours at the shops and came home with a scarf, pair of sandals and 2 t-shirts for the gym - nothing boob-covering looked right.
DH can't understand why this happens to me so much: 'you're always shopping, why don't you buy anything?' (I'm not, obviously), but in fact I've never really consciously realised the reason is my boobs!

ok sod it. I'm suppose to be working but here are some links...

French Connection navy dress
The best buy of the day. They only had the navy - thinking of getting the blue

Mango ditsy blouse This will need a couple of stitches to make it fit and I needed the large. It looks completely different on to the pic with the skinny model.

Mango top. Not very exciting, but stretches to fit without looking stretched IYKWIM

I also got a fab Mango checked top that I can't find online

Paul Costelloe top Much more draped in real life - very flattering.

Tankini Bloody amazing!

Well done - FC dress is lovely, in fact I took delivery of this today.

It's quite low cut (in fact you can see her bra in the pic), but I'll wear it with a cami.
It's also annoyingly cut wide and low under the arms (I think they do that so old gimmers like me won't be seen in their stuff), but again hopefully cami will sort that out.
And it's quite snug , so I might try a 14 - in fact, maybe it's just crap!

I saw the Mango tops and they were lovely but the flowery one was too creamy for my colouring and the other just didn't suit.

I've decided a cropped cardi or two, maybe crocheted, is the way forward this summer.

ooh - love the spotty dress.
but I've now bought 2 navy dresses this year and that is probably enough!