Feeling Frumpy - money-saving new me advice

snugglepuss_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I haven't, so please can you tell me where to get larger bras with smaller cup sizes? I'd quite happily get a proper fitting if I could see ANYTHING on display that was likely to be any use, but in M&S the other day the lady thought I was a 42A, and she had NOTHING in that size! It's been bad enough when I've been looking for 40B - shops seem to assume that if you're more than a 36, you must be at least a C cup!

Oh, and ideally high percentage of cotton, and NO underwires!

I've looked on Figleaves, and there's very little there either ... most of what there is is described as 'prosthetic' ...

Whereabouts in the country are you? There is a really nice shop called Leia at Bluewater, and they stock all sorts of sizes there. I've got a large bust, and they were really helpful when I needed to buy something strapless. I've recommended them to friends, they are so good. One friend was told by M&S that she was one size, but none of the bras felt right. I took her to Leia, and she loved it. They are happy to spend time with you, working out what is right for you. I think my friend was in the changing room for about 90 mins!!

They do have a couple of shops around the country - i think Cardiff and York are their other ones. And they have a loyalty scheme too. They don't sell online yet, but their website is http://www.leialingerie.co.uk.

Savvy_Sue

snugglepuss wrote: »

Whereabouts in the country are you? There is a really nice shop called Leia at Bluewater, and they stock all sorts of sizes there. I've got a large bust, and they were really helpful when I needed to buy something strapless. I've recommended them to friends, they are so good. One friend was told by M&S that she was one size, but none of the bras felt right. I took her to Leia, and she loved it. They are happy to spend time with you, working out what is right for you. I think my friend was in the changing room for about 90 mins!!

They do have a couple of shops around the country - i think Cardiff and York are their other ones. And they have a loyalty scheme too. They don't sell online yet, but their website is http://www.leialingerie.co.uk.

I am in Bristol. BUT the in-laws live near Bluewater, not sure how they'll feel if I disappear for 3 hours on a bra buying trip, but I will bear it in mind if I want to escape! And I am sometimes allowed to go to Cardiff (they have an Outlet floor in their Lakeland Store! :rotfl:)

Anyway, today I went into Debenhams, where a lovely lady spent a LONG time sorting me out. Royce bras are part of the answer, they had three styles in my size, and Triumph also have some.

Alas, none in bright pink ... but at least they are comfortable and respectable, which my last batch from Primark barely are!

I also bought some pink shoe polish so I can dye the white sandals I bought the other day: I've been looking EVERYWHERE for comfy pink sandals for a couple of years now.

My fashion dilemmas are solved ... for now!

vik6525

Pink_butterfly wrote: »

Ok Vik, i'm going to bug you for advice too!!

I've lost loads of weight recently but i've still been wearing the same big clothes and as you can imagine I look awful!

I have huge boobs but I am a 12/14 size on the bottom. I have ridiculously long legs and I'm quite tall (5ft 11).

The only trouble is, I have a horrible 'mummy tummy' and everything just looks awful. I feel like a tree trunk on top!!

Any suggestions??

Thanks hun!!!

oooo.... you're doing really well on the weight loss!
Anyway, what you need to do is to try and 'create' some shape... Are you a jeans or skirts kinda girl? If you're a skirty girl, then go for 'A line' skirts, which end at the knee.. They'll skim over your tummy, but the shape of them will balance out your top and make your waist look smaller.. If you're a jeans gal, then wear bootcuts, cause again, the kick flare at the bottom will balance you out...
As for tops? well, id try a 'crossover' type shirt if you know what i mean? They'll accentuate your boobs, and if you wear a fitted shape, itll also give you the illusion of a waistline.... (ooo, the a line skirt and fitted shirt look is great, and makes you look really 1950s sexy!)
Dont wear polo necks, cause they'll just make you look like a sausage! Try and wear V necks too if you can cause theyll draw the eye 'up' and detract from what you think is your worst bit! Argh, Im rambling now, but I hope that made a bit of sense? Im cream crackered today, I only had 2 hours sleep last night, and im flagging!!!
Viks xx

vik6525

Tiff wrote: »

Hi vik!:wave:
Hope you're well hun.
You've really opened the flood gates here angel!:eek: You should be charging us for this hun.;)

I've never had much self confidence being on the larger side, so I've tried to pay interest to fashion suggestions for different shapes. Problem :

What do you do when you seem to fit in various or all the different categories vik?! :rolleyes:

I'm just under 5' 4", blonde and fair skinned, bust and hips measure about the same large amount though I have some kind of waist, 'heavy' thighs and calves, bingo batwings - the list goes on!:eek: Lots I feel I want to hide but I want to look like Twiggy too!:rolleyes:





Righty oh!
My two dafty questions for you are...
1) are you a trousers or skirts kinda gal?
and
2) Other than twiggy, who would you most like to look like??
(twiggy? really? Ive never got that.... Did you see them pics of her the other week with no slap on?:eek: :eek: )

Tiff_2

Hi vik!:hello:
Bless you hun - you sound exhausted! Hope you're well angel.
quote=vik6525
Problem :

What do you do when you seem to fit in various or all the different categories vik?! :rolleyes:

I'm just under 5' 4", blonde and fair skinned, bust and hips measure about the same large amount though I have some kind of waist, 'heavy' thighs and calves, bingo batwings - the list goes on!:eek: Lots I feel I want to hide but I want to look like Twiggy too!:rolleyes:

Righty oh!
My two dafty questions for you are...
1) are you a trousers or skirts kinda gal?
and
2) Other than twiggy, who would you most like to look like??
(twiggy? really? Ive never got that.... Did you see them pics of her the other week with no slap on?:eek: :eek: )[/quote]
Q1 -I've worn trousers, not jeans, the last few years out of lack of self esteem etc vik, though never did when I was younger. Very happy in sweat pants most of the time at home. Couldn't be bothered to make an effort as I've had a lot of health problems in this last few years.:o
The trouble is, now I can see how unflattering trousers can be on size 22 me - how they seem to to accentuate the weight iykwim? Funny thing is I started wearing trousers to hide the weight!:D :rolleyes: So, I'm a skirt gal at heart hun.
I've just started to buy long skirts now with busy patterns. But the tummy/legs are still there!:eek: :rolleyes:

Q2 - No, I wouldn't really want to look like twiggy hun. Anyone under a size 18 would do. I am just starting a diet and working on my self confidence. I've decided to be realistic - no outfit will take your weight away. Soooo, I'd like to be the most beautiful 'fat gal' I can be! That's the theory.:rolleyes:

I'm not as big as her but the prettiest, well-dressed overweight woman I thought of when I read your question, was Dawn French. I remember seeing her in a beautiful bright patterened jacket on TV last year. She kind of showed me that fat doesn't mean frumpy iykwim hun? Plus she's nearer my age. I'm on disability and IS so I haven't got her budget.:D But I'm trying to follow her example and get away from buying only black or dark colours to hide in. Scary though!:o
Anyhoo, thank you for your time hun. Don't burn yourself out ok angel? Take some you time!;)
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

Vashti

There's some great clothes in the shops just now for people like us

Matalan are cheap, and they have some lovely long line tops that look great over trousers, with one big chunky necklace. If you are funny about your bum like me, look out some summer dresses you haven't worn for a while and team them with white crop pants or jeans, with a low slung belt. Look for waistcoats in the charity shop - a skirt, white t-shirt and a waistcoat with funky jewelery looks great and is very youthful.

Vashti

PS

Try some fake tan too...it does wonders for your self confidence!

Savvy_Sue

Vashti wrote: »

white crop pants

:eek: I NEVER wear white - I just KNOW I'll drop food all down it and not be able to get the stains out!

Plus crop pants - I'd feel I have to do something about my hairy legs! :rotfl:

Vashti

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

:eek: I NEVER wear white - I just KNOW I'll drop food all down it and not be able to get the stains out!

Plus crop pants - I'd feel I have to do something about my hairy legs! :rotfl:

Well.. you can only wear them the once then wash...but they do look fresh and lovely with brown legs

As for the hairy bits...yeeeuch, if there is one thing that makes me feel old and unattractive its hairy shins...it only takes a mo in the shower with a bic...or go treat yourself to a wax!!

K9cuddles

I defo recommend taking a friend! I'm not shopping guru but I picked out all sorts of close that suited a friend at Asda once, she's not looked back and always has a bit of colour on her now instead of boring black and white!!

I also agree that copying an image you like or seen is a good thing. I'm no fan of skirts or dresses I find them far to impractical! But I do own 2 outragous dresses I figure if I plan to wear them people better notice I've made the effort! And shockingly I have 2 skirts ready for this summer!!! Some times it's nice to break the norm and it helps you to discover what you really like/dislike!

At work I'm normally a sucker for black trousers with a hooge variety of tops, but found even by buying grey trousers totally transformed my wardrobe. Also laying its really and gives a super impression of variety in clothing when you've got a small range.

My mum's 50 this year and everyone comments that she get younger and younger every year. Hair has so much of an impact on impressions it's unreal, she regulary has her done and it seems to work wonders!!! I think it's also having the balance of whats in fashion/trendy and what suites your and fill comfortable in!

Good luck!!