Large Plus Size Clothing

Lifeforms

Frankly clothes shopping, in the physical sense just frustrates me. I avoid anything that isn't fully plus size now, UNLESS I know they do plus range that is grouped. I don't want to have to climb into a shop fitting to dig my way to the backto see if they have plus (always at the back of the clothes) thus fighting my way through a size I know I will never be!
This is why I do catalogues online.

Evans, lost the desire there a long time ago. Got far too expensive, and far to ewwy for me, fit, style, patterns and colours.

I like to search for stuff, so online is my way now.
The only exception to this rule is Bon marche. None of their clothes that are sized fit (18,20 etc) but XL does. So okay most of their stuff is really granny like, but they have nice plain separates, like t-shirts, vests, and cropped jammies. I walk in there knowing specifically what I want however, never to browse.

Currently do the sales in plus catalogues. So simply be, yours, few others, fashion world, jamaco for more manly trackies, erm Daxon for bras etc, never the actual clothes. I was using ellos, but stopped, same as daxon really. Clothes took ages to come, sizing was screwed up, and their stock levels on site are just a lie. Shame really, as ellos was becoming a fast fav with constant codes off, and some nice stuff.

Adding inspire/new look to my wardrobe now. eBay for frock and frill (actual dresses and frills, not FRILLS, but nice stuff.) have a couple of plus sized sellers saved, with joe browns saved searches. Simply be is just too dear on joe browns.

terra_ferma

Lifeforms wrote: »

Frankly clothes shopping, in the physical sense just frustrates me.

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Adding inspire/new look to my wardrobe now. eBay for frock and frill (actual dresses and frills, not FRILLS, but nice stuff.) have a couple of plus sized sellers saved, with joe browns saved searches. Simply be is just too dear on joe browns.

Yes, I like simply be too, got some nice stuff from there.:) Although I noticed that since they've become more 'trendy' their prices have been going up and up. Their quality varies (they sell lots of different brands so it's bound to), but sometimes you get good bargains.

Daxon/La redoute, I've only ever been able to get some man's stuff from them, for me I only manage to get one order through, but was lost, they had no record of it, and every other time there were problems (technical glitches, codes not working, sale prices reverting to full prices in the basket etc etc). I've given up now...

Totally agree about shopping in stores that do regular sizing, you'll always find plus sizes at the back of the store. Like M&S when they had the plus range in store, you just had to look at the dullest colours and styles, right next the 'mature' range...
Or even worse sometimes it was mixed with regular sizes, so again skip all the nice stuff, don't even go near the Per Una range, and if you look hard you'll find plus sizes....

terra_ferma

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I like Evans but they're very hit and miss -

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However I couldnt be without New Look. I love their Inspire range

Yes, I got some nice stuff from Evans too, not much, for example some lovely leggings, very cheap in the sales.
Your clothing has some nice stuff, they are not as cheap as they used to be but still good. Unfortunately I find their quality (materials and workmanship) really poor, but to be honest trendy and quality don't go together well as far as plus sizes are concerned...
Asos is not too bad actually, and they have good sales. I've seen some of their stuff, it looks like it would last (they don't do my size, so again I don't buy there).
I would say that once you are over size 26 your choice on the high street is very limited.
I found that Matalan's plus range was much less nice than regular sizes. But that's a problem with all plus size ranges.

I agree, you can find good bargains on ebay, I've got some good stuff there, Ann Harvey, Praslin, Samya, Lovedrobe etc. As long as you check a seller's feedback you'll be OK (although the new ebay app don't let you check neg feedback, crafty so and so.... ). Always compare prices with the original store to make sure you get a bargain.

Topazmine

Evans is hit and miss for me too, but lately their jeans have been a godsend. Theoretically I'm apple-shaped so they they want me to buy their new 'shaped for apples' jeans, but their jeans for pear-shapes actually suit much better. They're classic enough that they can be worn in a number of different situations without any of the silly embellishments that can date them quickly, and I get so many compliments when wearing them.

They always did reinvent their styles every few years, presumably so they don't get branded as 'old-fashioned' and the younger crowd will buy from them which is fine, but surely they still need some classic pieces to sell?

Still find good underwear from them though and the last pair of winter boots I bought from them are now falling apart from overuse!

I also buy a lot of my clothes from charity stores, and some from eBay. I'm on the lower-end of plus size (although I do swing up and down within the ranges depending on my health) and have found many a good bargain in them. Have a beautiful Simply Be top from a charity store, a silk monsoon evening gown from eBay, and any number of silk shirts I use as nightwear.

terra_ferma

Topazmine wrote: »

Evans is hit and miss for me too, but lately their jeans have been a godsend. Theoretically I'm apple-shaped so they they want me to buy their new 'shaped for apples' jeans, but their jeans for pear-shapes actually suit much better. They're classic enough that they can be worn in a number of different situations without any of the silly embellishments that can date them quickly, and I get so many compliments when wearing them.

They always did reinvent their styles every few years, presumably so they don't get branded as 'old-fashioned' and the younger crowd will buy from them which is fine, but surely they still need some classic pieces to sell?

Still find good underwear from them though and the last pair of winter boots I bought from them are now falling apart from overuse!

I also buy a lot of my clothes from charity stores, and some from eBay. I'm on the lower-end of plus size (although I do swing up and down within the ranges depending on my health) and have found many a good bargain in them. Have a beautiful Simply Be top from a charity store, a silk monsoon evening gown from eBay, and any number of silk shirts I use as nightwear.

Yes I agree, Evans changed considerably particularly after being bought by Philip Green.
I used to buy their knickers too, but the quality went down the drain, I find simply be etc better quality and value, particular their 10-pair packs

Mrs_Ryan

I have knickers from Simply Be that are years old and are starting to fall apart now but I find M&S ones better (plain full brief packs go up to I think a 28 and seem to fit better than the Simply Be ones)
I forgot about Bon Marche. I have some lovely bits from there - mainly things like plain t-shirts and PJ's but I did buy a gorgeous dress in their January sales. And my favourite underwear (purple lace padded bra and microfibre knickers) and my favourite black padded bra are from there.
I would still say that your choice is severely restricted on the High Street even over a size 20. I get odd bits from non-plus sized shops (I'm wearing a size 20 Primark stretch vest under my hoodie at the minute that i love) but anything more and its usually either New Look or Evans (we have a Simply Be shop in Leicester Highcross but its waaaaaay outta my price range)

riehl

Hi.does anyone know where to buy leggings but ones that are cycling short length. They are for wearing under dresses etc.
Also a shop I've been buying from a lot recently has been poetry fashion. Goes up to a size 24 and sizing quite generous. The stuff is quite expensive but the sales are great and what I like about them is that the materials they use are great like linen, cotton etc. I find these materials a lot nicer than viscose etc

ali-t

riehl wrote: »

Hi.does anyone know where to buy leggings but ones that are cycling short length. They are for wearing under dresses etc.

I bought a few pairs in various colours from ebay, both knee length and cropped length ones. The quality isn't great but like you I prefer to wear something under dresses but hate wearing tights.

I have been wearing the control shorts from H&M that go from vra to knee and they are fantastic. I tend to wear a size 18 on my bottom half and the medium ones are a better fit than large so I would guess that the large ones would prob be fine on size 22/24

Lifeforms

riehl wrote: »

Hi.does anyone know where to buy leggings but ones that are cycling short length. They are for wearing under dresses etc. [snipped]

Okay don't laugh, but long knickers! I got a couple of pairs from Daxon. They're soo comfortable to wear, even over normal knickers, under skirts and dresses. They don't cause static, and do stop legs rubbing in warmer weather. Fairly light too, but not overly "supportive" so wont hold it all in, aka cut of your legs, and stop you breathing from the stomach I also now often wear them under jeans too (instead of usual knickers)

I know it seems weird, I always would wear either cut down leggings, or several sized smaller shorts under dresses (especially when wearing tights where static can be ahem problematic). I spotted these on a random trawl, and figured I'd try some. Wouldn't go back to hidden leggings/shorts now.
I don't bother with them when i wear leggings normally though.
I also waited till Daxon sent a voucher through that gave me a fair chunk off them because they're not the cheapest out there.

terra_ferma

riehl wrote: »

Hi.does anyone know where to buy leggings but ones that are cycling short length. They are for wearing under dresses etc.

Evans do them, and they are on sale right now, they get to just under the knee, to me at least (check the voucher section as there are discount codes as well).
http://www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33054&storeId=12553&productId=4676826&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=leggings&pageSize=24

They also do short tights type of thing, to protect against chafing. I've used them and they were good:
http://www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=41&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33054&storeId=12553&productId=1133955&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209431&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=20