How do I dress for my size?

Question

Hi all,
I'm size 20, and quite happy with myself, but I just a need a little bit of advice on what to wear. I'm a big girl, but in proportion, if that makes sense.What kinds of things would look best for the shape I have? I don't like my stomach, and like to keep that covered. Any comments would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I used to be a size 20 , also in proportion, and I think the most important thing is to dress comfortably-that goes for every size! If you go out wearing something that you don't feel comfortable in, then you'll spend most of the time worrying about how you look rather than having a good time.

There is a lot more choice out there now for women with more voluptuous figures. Many high street stores have good ranges-new look's inspire for example, and Simply Be the catalogue is good too.

Take time for yourself whilst shopping. Plan a whole day to just take it slowly, try things on infront of the mirror and see how you feel. Take an honest (tactful) friend with you who will tell you what looks good. If they're a true friend they wouldn't let you go out looking horrendous!

If you don't want to or don't have time for high street shopping then catalogues are fab cos you get to try stuff on in your own home, where you don't have glaring lights making you sweaty and shop assistants annoying you!

Can't really suggest what to wear because I don't know what you look like and what you like, but wrap dresses and tops are really flattering.
As you're in proportion, fitted tops will look good too. Never hide under masses of material!
I've also heard fashion people say it's better to wear one column of colour rather than chop your body in half with different colours.
Lots of plus size ranges make their tops longer too which is always good for disguising stomachs! (I hate mine too!!!)

Hope that helps

Answer 2

I'm a size 22, and I've been wrestling with this problem too. There was a really good book called "What not to wear" by two British women (Trini and Suzann?) that covered the basics of color and stuff like that. It's for not-big women, but the basics are important for everyone.

The other thing is to think about your shape and your good features that you want to play up. If you have a cute face, try a square neck line. If you have a nice waist, go for fitted clothes -- baggy ones will just make you look bigger.

Also, think artistically. Each outfit should have a focal point -- a big spot, a brooch, a belt or something. And the focal point should attract attention to your good features, not your bad ones.

Finally, I've been in love with long scarves this year. It has a really strong vertical line that draws the eye up and down the scarf, instead of around and around like a belt might.

I'll be looking back to see what other answers come up -- (-: I hope some genius answers this question and helps all of us big girls!

Answer 3

I hate my large boobs and I'm in a similar position to you so what I tend to do is wear a minimiser bra (well fitted) with a long top to hide any lumps and bumps. There are some good control pants on the market that can make your stomach look flatter.

Boot cut trousers can flatter your legs reagrdless of your leg length. I don't really like jeans.

The good news is that you can wear the chunky necklaces and earrings that are around at the moment and they flatter us lasses!

Hope you find something that you like. I always dread clothes shopping personally and sometimes feel a freak as I'm not under a size 14 but thanks for making feel better this morning. I hope you do too.

Answer 4

I can't advise on what looks best... but I will give you my opinion on two things....

Jeans and baggy teeshirts only look good if they're faded jeans and light colours and REALLY clean, not pre-stressed.

Those Bloody Poncho's that some big girls wear look awfull !

I'm a guy who's not a lover of bonebags and anorexics... size 16 and above is great in my opinion, the best looking ( most utterly gorgeous) girlfriend I ever had was a size 24... But why anyone wears a Poncho thinking it hides them or looks nice ? ... It makes people look like mexicans, and says " I'm big and I hide it " which to my mind is the same as " I'm big and I have no self confidence " and let's face it, self confidence is 50% of what makes any look or outfit work.

also take a look here.... theyre about the best in the high street.

http://www.evans.co.uk/promostores/Evans/index.html?make_live=yes&promo=

Answer 5

Hey Sazzy,

I would recommend, the you visit the stores Dorathey Perkins, Wallis, Anne Haley. These 3 stores have great selections for Volupteous women.

You can still where things you love, Skirts, Jeans.
Concentrate more on the tops you where, select things that are loose around the stomact area. Long cotton scafs around the neck cover up things nicely, without looking obvious.

Try Jeans dark drity demin with turtle a neck jumper, either Black, Brown or Cream.
With a over top belt, this can be brown or black (White jumper you can use either but use opposite for black or brown). This will go around your waist over the jumper.
Then Black anckle boots to finish off.

It's a little difficult to go into details, as I have not seen you. Seeing you will enable me to advice you on exactly what colours would suit and compliment your figure.


Good Luck Saz.

~Bless Amaraz~

Answer 6

Oh my Gosh, Please disregard that guys last comment. He's clearly very narrow minded and ignorant. Im a size 14 - big onto and curvy hips, I hate my tummy also so I try to got for things that cut right in below the bussom (im told its the smallest part of a ladies body). I mainly stick to black as its slimming and use colourful scarfs, and jewellery to brighten my outfits up.

I only wear jeans/ trousers with a slight flare at the end so it evens out my hips.

pick your best feature and shoe it off! and only wear clothes your comfortable in- theres nothing worse than pulling and tugging at your gatments all day.

Answer 7

Hi, I'm also a size 20 & often feel uncomfortable with what to wear.

I shop at Evans, they supply for the fuller lady like ourselfs, they have lovely clothes that are stylish and fit perfect.


Like you I hate my stomach so I tend to wear longer length tops, shirts etc... Im loveing the jumper dress style of top as it covers the belly & looks great with jeans & trousers.

Answer 8

Hi,

Im a size 22 and i find that Marks and Spencers clothes look fantastic, and most of their store will go up to a size 26 (Plus goes up to a size 30 i think)...i also shop in Evans but i find some of their clothes to be a bit frumpy and out of proportion (where the top half will be fine but the bottom will flare out).

Dont buy anything to clingy, but also dont buy anything to floppy. Try and buy long tops to cover your tummy, and remember black makes you look slimmer lol

Answer 9

I'm a size 16 and have similar problems! If you don't like your stomach wear tops that cover you but don't cling. Apparently the 'empire cut' is very good. It tucks in under your bust and has a slightly 'flowing' look around the torso and waste area. But please don't wear over sized shirts as you will make yourself look shapeless!!

'A' line or 'kick flare' skirts are good and there are loads out there at the moment. Wear them with a pair of good knee or calf length boots. Make sure that if you wear trousers aren't too tight as we all have seen women of all sizes with 'camel toes' eeewwwww!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 10

Try shopping at Elane Bryants, its a plus size shop and they have an excellent selection of nice clothes. Plus the staff should be able to help you find what you want.
I know what 'big but proportioned' is and you shouldn't be too hard to fit at Elane's. If you don't have one of those, you could try any plus shop close to you.
All of the Marts have a plus section, I only suggest the 'shops' because they have experienced staff to help you find what you're looking for and not some skinny teenager trying to help you when she doesn't have a clue.