There always seems to be a plus-size clothes thread somewhere on the boards but of course its always US centric. So I thought I'd start one of our own!
So where do you buy larger size clothes (16-18 plus)?
I'm a size 20 (I've been a 10 many years ago and a 22 not so long ago)
I buy work clothes from M&S and some casual stuff - usually all the same colour - black!
I occasionally buy from Evans, usually the Seven range although the 16-47 range was quite good. The trouble with Evans is that the buttons seem fall off and the hems come down too easily. They also expect you to have a Pat Butcher bosom - just cos I've fat doesn't mean I have a large chest - I'm a 40B. The Seven range doesn't always seem very flattering and does seem a bit tarty but I've just bought some jeans from there and they're more comfy than the M&S ones I tried.
Ann Harvey and Elvi are expensive and mostly a bit frumpy, although I bought a nice skirt (for work) from Ann Harvey last winter. The AH sizes seem very large as well.
The real shame is that I used to wear a lot of 'alternative' clothes, tie-dye, hippy/metal/goth stuff. But its all one-size and way too small (Shira - where do you get stuff from?)
Emma
__________________ -----
Age 31
TTC since Feb 2000
Diagnosed with PCOS March 2001
Daughter born in 1994.
Sometimes taking 1500mg Metformin (supposed to be 500 mg, 3 * a day)
Had an ovary removed due to ovarian torsion 9th July 2002.
On my second injectables with IUI cycle - 50 IU Puregon (known as Follistim in the US).
well, I tend to get most of my stuff from Evans in the winter, cos that's when they bring out all their black (and purple and dark red) velvety/satiny stuff, although I have a problem with them, in that I do have a waist that is considerably smaller than my bust and they seem to think it's the other way round! I have never bought anything from the Seven range because it is unflattering, tacky, and downright naff. And not at all good value. I've no money at the moment so I am kicking myself because Evans have got a lot of really lovely black stuff (esp skirts - I find their tops to be pretty shapeless and not at all flattering) in at the moment, as have New Look (skirts of no use to us, but the tops go up to our size!) But go look, quick quick, before they change the lines they're carrying! Also, if you go into the type of shops (new age/goth) that sell our sort of clothes and talk to them about the unfortunate lack of anything in our size, if they're nice people (and most of them are) they'll see if they can get anything in for you. I have a shop I go to and the guy brought in some larger-size stuff on my recommendation, it might help if you went in with another plus-size "alternative" friend and both said you'd buy it if it was there. You can get some absolutely stunning stuff online in whatever size you want, but only if you're prepared to pay an (outsize) arm and a leg, unfortunately, but it's always an idea to go look at the websites (www.rosemortem.com is fantastic - and if you do want to order something from them they do custom sizing) for ideas, find a dressmaker, and go and raid your nearest Fabric Land (or whatever the Nottingham equivalent is) and get your ideas made up! The sad truth of the matter is that being plus-sized AND Goth is an expensive business. I often go up to London and Camden Market does have the occasional gem of a shop, I found the most stunning black PVC corset-style top with black rose-patterned lace overlay in a size 18 - ok the guy who sold it to me was a perv and I got him to knock the price down from £60 to £40 by letting him help me do the buckles up, but he had gorgeous stuff up to a 20. It really is worth a trip to Camden. The upside of being Goth is that if I do get married, of course it will be in black and my wedding clothes will cost a fraction of "normal" wedding dresses. There are consolations!
I'm sure there's more I could tell you but I can't think of it at the moment so I shall let you know if I think of anything else!
Good luck!
hugs
Shira
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They are really great for all kinds of things and the sizes go up to around a uk 26. I got last month a kermit the frog tshirt (size 20), a rainbow bright hoody (large!) and a lovely pvc black corset with long lace sleve's (size 22) and this came in at around 60 pounds including delivary.
I tend to end up buying stuff from New Look for day to day stuff. I can just about get into their tops in a size 18 but trousers were a nightmere. I finally got into a pair of 18's since i went on met but now they are too big!!!!!! Bloody typical.
Hope it helps.
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hello there i have a list of differnt places some of them you have to buy online, but if anyone wants a copy send me an e mail and i will pass all i know on lol.
i am a size 26/28, so that should give you a clue on the sizes of stuff i have found
I buy nearly all my clothes in Evans, with a few things from Etam (er, well ... 1 blouse, actually!), then there's H & M - they do their big is beautiful range. I have a blouse and a dress from them.
New Look have a big girl range (or whatever it's called), but nothing ever seems to look right on me.
Eva
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http://www.simplybe.com
have some of the basics and some nice things, have never had a problem with them.
http://www.lizt.co.uk/ this is my fav site sizes start at 24 and some really nice gothic and tye dyed clothing, fabrics are gorgeous and prices are good for what you get, the designer is plus size so she knows all the tricks for a perfect fit
Ok, I live in Cornwall & we have pretty usless sops down here - especially for smart clothes, like the suits I have to wear to work, but I find that I can buy (size 20-24 depending on what day of the month it is!):
Blouses in Etam, New Look & M&S
Dresses in Etam & M&S
Skirts & trousers in Evans & M&S
Just about anything from Simply Be catalogue - there stuff is not the best quality, as the hems come down really quick and the buttons ALWAYS come off, and they can be quite expensive, BUT, they have everything from joggy bottoms to t-shirts, to evening dresses, knee high boots (that DO go round your calves) and bras in just about any size (including my almost impossible to get 42B). They do sexy, smart and casual stuff. I LOVE THEM! And to top it all off, my feet aren't killing me by the end of a shopping trip, but I do have to wait about a week for it all to arrive.
Originally posted by Kerichens
(including my almost impossible to get 42B).
Oh - I know this one - I've just dropped back down to a 40B from a 42B and its such a relief as there's a bit more choice.
Why do shops assume that all fat women have big boobs?
Emma
__________________ -----
Age 31
TTC since Feb 2000
Diagnosed with PCOS March 2001
Daughter born in 1994.
Sometimes taking 1500mg Metformin (supposed to be 500 mg, 3 * a day)
Had an ovary removed due to ovarian torsion 9th July 2002.
On my second injectables with IUI cycle - 50 IU Puregon (known as Follistim in the US).
i buy most clothes online. does anyone have a good underwear site. i have tried figleaves but they have only a few 40b's.
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2005 update - not been on for a while. now get the 3 month jag to stop my bleeding.
I got a few nice 40Bs from M&S recently. In black too. (I only buy black underwear!)
Their range has improved since they did their bra size survey.
And of course the 'ladies' will measure you and check the fit. Well worth doing every time you buy a bra. I've also picked up a few tips, like bending over when you put the bra on so that your boobs sit better in the cups! You get less wrinkles across the fabric that way.
They also do mail order, I think.
HTH
Emma
__________________ -----
Age 31
TTC since Feb 2000
Diagnosed with PCOS March 2001
Daughter born in 1994.
Sometimes taking 1500mg Metformin (supposed to be 500 mg, 3 * a day)
Had an ovary removed due to ovarian torsion 9th July 2002.
On my second injectables with IUI cycle - 50 IU Puregon (known as Follistim in the US).
I've just bought some lovely stuff from New Look. They have a range called 'Inspire' which is for sizes 16-24. Rather than being their normal size 16 (size 12 but with a bigger waist) the clothes are actually all in proportion. They've got some funky stuff in at the moment and some smart trousers (complete with stretch!), which I bought for my job interviews. And at £17 a pair, I didn't think it was too bad.
Can't help with the underwear I'm afraid. At a 32G, I have the opposite problem - the think that everyone with G cups must have a wide back. WRONG! I've only found a few places to get bras from and they're always expensive. Bring back the days when I could buy cheap underwear!
Sue
xxx
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hi all i dont visit this board very often (slap my wrists) but i saw this post and would like to add if i can
i in the past have used Fasion world a lot because they go from 12 to 34+ they have great cloths, granted some are oldfasioned but some funky stuff is in there and they also do good size's in underwear and it is CHEAP which i found was the best attraction !
i would also like to add that i have been thinking of making my own cloths and if i get on ok with that i may well start making them for others as i know so many people in this situation. Tell me what you think and i i would love it if some of you would be my testers once i get going i just need so size guides from you thats all and the kind of thing you like as well and then away we go .
i am a size 30-32 myself and am sick of wearing the same cloths as i cant afford the prices of some shops ....would love to have a wardrobe full of clothes but it just not feasable ...ohhh and of course i keep telling myself there is no piont in buying new cloths if im gonna lose all this weight ...HA!
Larger size clothes 
(Shira - where do you get stuff from?)
