[mrshappymum]

Hey girls,

I've put on quite a bit of weight lately and I'm sitting at a size 18. I do hope to lose it but to make myself feel better about myself I want to wear flattering items in the meantime.

What do you wear at this size and where do you shop?

I tried on some skinny leg jeans at City Chic a few weeks ago and they were actually nice but I didn't have the courage to buy them. I worry that I will wear clothes that make me look frumpier!

Help!

[countrymel]

I usually wear loose fitting tunics, empire line et. al. - it drives DP up the wall.

On the weekend I went to a wedding and as I was having my usual "I don't have anything to wear!" panic DP threw a big grumpy and said "I forbid you from going and buying something you will never wear again.."
(this isn't as awful as it sounds as I HATE shopping and I specifically hate shopping for formal stuff that I won't wear again)

I was forced to dredge through the wardrobe and find 'something'... I ended up wearing a wrap dress hand-me-down, it was far, far more fitted than anything I usually wear and - blow me down with a feather - I looked great!

People who never comment on appearances (especially mine) all made a special effort to tell me I looked great.

Maybe DP is onto something after all...

[Mrs Manager]

I think it really depends on your body shape as well as size.

For me, my stomach is better described as a belly since having children and my upper thighs are gross, but my boobs are good and I have nice shoulders from the gym, so I pretty much only wear dresses that gather under the breast. I have some that are suitable for work, some for casual and some formal.

[mrshappymum]

Thanks girls. I am fairly well in proportion, just have a bigger tummy at the moment.
Do any of you wear skinny jeans? Whats your honest opinion of them on a plus sized figure?

[gemgirl]

Skinny jeans are great if you're an apple shape - slimmer legs, belly. Wear a good top

[anna_garny]

Skinny jeans on a 'bigger' frame can be horrible, but they can also be fantastic, depending on what your legs are like and what else you wear with them.

Most of the girls at City Chic stores are well trained and won't try and sell you something just to make money - they're on an hourly rate, no commissions or anything like that.

If you've got a TS/Virtu near you then they might be worth a look, or take a look at their website first to see if anything is to your taste (TS14plus or virtushop... I think... dot com dot au) and they specialise in bigger sizes.

[mrshappymum]

Thanks, I tried them on in City Chic and I quite liked them. I am tall and have ok legs so I get away with them with the right top. I still feel a bit self conscious though so avoiding taking the plunge.

I have bought from Virtu before and love it, just bought tops really but they are really nice.

[Propaganda]

Have you looked through some plus-size fashion blogs? They might be of some help.

http://theplussizelife.blogspot.com.au/
http://frocksandfroufrou.com/
http://www.curvestokill.com/
http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/

[Sofia*]

I think skinny jeans can look great and if you feel good in them, go for it!

I would probably look for a slightly longer/looser fitting top if you are self concious about your belly -maybe something with a nice neckline that flares out slightly under your bust to skim over your belly. Then the attention will be drawn to your legs and neckline and away from the bit that you aren't so happy with.

CountryMel has a great point - it's tempting to wearing very loose fitting clothes when you are a bit bigger, but often something that is the right shape for your body and fits nicely (not clinging but skimming) is much more flattering.

[**Mel**]

this summer I am living in coloured shorts and long tank-tops from crossroads. Cheap and cheerful!

I don't think I look too bad

I also have a couple of their jeggings - a black pair and a blue pair. love them, but I know not everyone does. I wear them with long floaty tops

I do buy stuff from city chic for going out and they have some great work stuff sometimes - fitted jackets etc. But, they are very expensive so I look out for their sales