Fashion for curvy girls

Hey everyone. I could really use some advice here.
I’m hunting for a fancy dress for a Christmas party. Why am I asking you guys? Well, for years I was a solid size Medium—good build, bit of a larger bust, nothing crazy, but I could always pull off those tight midi dresses without a second thought. But then life happened. You know how it goes—office job, endless stress, sitting at a desk way too much—and suddenly I’ve jumped up to an XL and I am completely lost on what actually looks good on me. My chest is huge, and honestly, everything I try on feels way too vulgar or just "too much." I’ve got strong arms and legs, and my proportions are still pretty balanced overall, but I’ve gained weight so fast lately and I’m just totally struggling to find my footing with this new shape. 🙂 I’ve already overhauled my diet and started moving more, but obviously, it’s a long road ahead and the party is coming up fast. 🙂
Thanks a million...

It’s not super formal, but this is the vibe I’d go for: https://shop.mango.com/hr/plus-size-..._57035776.html

Thanks, I’ve basically been looking at things from that same angle..

It's kind of wild when you think about it, right? Like, all those specific body parts I used to spend so much time trying to show off or highlight... now I feel like I just have to hide them all away..

urbannomad14 said:Thanks, I’ve basically been looking at things from that same angle..

It's kind of wild when you think about it, right? Like, all those specific body parts I used to spend so much time trying to show off or highlight... now I feel like I just have to hide them all away..

Since I’ve also been struggling (forever) with being busty, finding a dress that actually fits the top half is a total nightmare. If there are darts at the bust, they’re almost always way too small and sit way too high, regardless of what size I grab. Add in my narrow back and hips, and the whole silhouette just looks "off." So, I usually end up picking dresses with wider skirts—because anything straight-cut or pencil style just balloons out around my hips like crazy.
Check out some stuff from brands like Loft or Ann Taylor; they sometimes have nicer dresses with cuts that aren't quite as tight in the chest area. Especially Loft.

Jason Hall35 said:Since I’ve also been struggling (forever) with being busty, finding a dress that actually fits the top half is a total nightmare. If there are darts at the bust, they’re almost always way too small and sit way too high, regardless of what size I grab. Add in my narrow back and hips, and the whole silhouette just looks "off." So, I usually end up picking dresses with wider skirts—because anything straight-cut or pencil style just balloons out around my hips like crazy.
Check out some stuff from brands like Loft or Ann Taylor; they sometimes have nicer dresses with cuts that aren't quite as tight in the chest area. Especially Loft.

Are you for real? Thank you so much... honestly, everything is just way too tight in the chest area for me, so if I grab something that actually fits the rest of my body, the top half just looks completely ridiculous.

urbannomad14 said:Hey everyone. I could really use some advice here.
I’m hunting for a fancy dress for a Christmas party. Why am I asking you guys? Well, for years I was a solid size Medium—good build, bit of a larger bust, nothing crazy, but I could always pull off those tight midi dresses without a second thought. But then life happened. You know how it goes—office job, endless stress, sitting at a desk way too much—and suddenly I’ve jumped up to an XL and I am completely lost on what actually looks good on me. My chest is huge, and honestly, everything I try on feels way too vulgar or just "too much." I’ve got strong arms and legs, and my proportions are still pretty balanced overall, but I’ve gained weight so fast lately and I’m just totally struggling to find my footing with this new shape. 🙂 I’ve already overhauled my diet and started moving more, but obviously, it’s a long road ahead and the party is coming up fast. 🙂
Thanks a million...

Ever since I transitioned into plus-size fashion, I haven't leaned into dresses much. In my opinion, for a dress to truly look elegant, it needs to drape beautifully and strategically skim over the areas you want to highlight. Trying to guess the right cut and size online feels like playing the lottery, and I don't always have the energy to trek through malls all day just to find one thing. I also have a larger bust, but I’m shaped more like an "apple"—meaning I have slimmer arms and legs (though lately, I’ve been calling myself a "potato" shape!). Because of that, I discovered jumpsuits! They are so versatile; they drape nicely because of the pant leg, and you can dress them up with heels for a gala or keep them casual with flats or even sneakers.
Maybe something like this from ASOS or maybe H&M.

Joshua Garcia56 said:Ever since I transitioned into plus-size fashion, I haven't leaned into dresses much. In my opinion, for a dress to truly look elegant, it needs to drape beautifully and strategically skim over the areas you want to highlight. Trying to guess the right cut and size online feels like playing the lottery, and I don't always have the energy to trek through malls all day just to find one thing. I also have a larger bust, but I’m shaped more like an "apple"—meaning I have slimmer arms and legs (though lately, I’ve been calling myself a "potato" shape!). Because of that, I discovered jumpsuits! They are so versatile; they drape nicely because of the pant leg, and you can dress them up with heels for a gala or keep them casual with flats or even sneakers.
Maybe something like this from ASOS or maybe H&M.

Thanks! I actually really dig a couple of these pieces from H&M.
I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet, though—I'm heading out on a mission this Saturday to see what I can find.😵

Honestly, the only reason a plus-size girl wouldn't touch a jumpsuit is the bathroom situation. I am not about to spend my entire night wrestling with a zipper just to use the restroom. No way.

A-line dresses and skirts look great—they hug the body more at the top without being overly tight.
On ASOS, they call those styles skater, fit and flare, or A-line. Just be careful with the sizing; it looks terrible when a dress is too small, like you’ve completely outgrown it. I wear a large or XL, and honestly, I’ve had some luck finding decent pieces on ASOS ever since I finally embraced my new size... As for local designers, I’m a big fan of Kesidov’s work.

hey girls, anyone got tips for hiding or just distracting from a tummy area?
i always go for the oversized, longline stuff, but honestly... it just makes me look even rounder.

Hey everyone! Where can I pick up plus-size clothing here in the city—and please, don't suggest Ulla Pompken. In my opinion, it’s overpriced and just plain tacky.

It used to be easy to find those little boutiques scattered around town, but now? It feels like they’ve all vanished into thin air.

Mango doesn't carry larger sizes in-store—it's online-only. I tried ordering from them and was beyond disappointed; the fabric is paper-thin and practically see-through. To top it off, I had to shell out about $10 in shipping just to send it back. The sizing is all over the place too—either huge or way too big—and honestly, the quality of the stuff they ship out seems much worse than what you see on the racks in their physical stores.

Where can I find decent office wear that I can actually try on in person before buying?

Jerry Smith91 said:Hey everyone! Where can I pick up plus-size clothing here in the city—and please, don't suggest Ulla Pompken. In my opinion, it’s overpriced and just plain tacky.

It used to be easy to find those little boutiques scattered around town, but now? It feels like they’ve all vanished into thin air.

Mango doesn't carry larger sizes in-store—it's online-only. I tried ordering from them and was beyond disappointed; the fabric is paper-thin and practically see-through. To top it off, I had to shell out about $10 in shipping just to send it back. The sizing is all over the place too—either huge or way too big—and honestly, the quality of the stuff they ship out seems much worse than what you see on the racks in their physical stores.

Where can I find decent office wear that I can actually try on in person before buying?

C&A, H&M, Takko...
Sometimes Target has decent stuff, NKD is okay too, and KiK occasionally hits the mark—though you shouldn't hold your breath.

I used to find decent stuff at Gap—maybe a nice blouse or something... they definitely have those massive sizes, like their denim line, but honestly, it’s more "weekend errands" than "professional office attire"...

I snagged an amazing winter jacket at H&M—long, puffer style, really cozy—but I had to hunt it down online because the physical stores were a bust... people say the outlet near WestGate carries plus sizes, but when I made a special trip there about a year and a half ago, the selection was pathetic—just a few stray pieces left over from some old clearance rack, nothing that actually made sense together...

You can find larger sizes at Kmart, sure, but the quality is always a gamble... For me, a size 12 or 14 is basically my limit, and I need to go bigger than that... I'm looking for quality that actually holds up for a few seasons—I've finally decided to drop my prejudices against Old Navy...

Anything else? Maybe Target?

Jerry Smith91 said:Hey everyone! Where can I pick up plus-size clothing here in the city—and please, don't suggest Ulla Pompken. In my opinion, it’s overpriced and just plain tacky.

It used to be easy to find those little boutiques scattered around town, but now? It feels like they’ve all vanished into thin air.

Mango doesn't carry larger sizes in-store—it's online-only. I tried ordering from them and was beyond disappointed; the fabric is paper-thin and practically see-through. To top it off, I had to shell out about $10 in shipping just to send it back. The sizing is all over the place too—either huge or way too big—and honestly, the quality of the stuff they ship out seems much worse than what you see on the racks in their physical stores.

Where can I find decent office wear that I can actually try on in person before buying?

Mango has a Violeta line for plus sizes online starting from size 14 and up. I'm not sure what you mean by "huge" sizes—are the cuts just too baggy? An EU 48 is basically a US 16. They actually have some lovely pieces for work, like classic trousers, dresses, and blouses... I sit right on the line between regular Mango and Mango Violeta, and for years now, I've felt the Violeta line has much better quality. I know you can't try it on in person, but maybe check Poshmark? You can often find items with the tags still on, they list the measurements in inches, and the prices are pretty fair.

Jerry Smith91 said:Hey everyone! Where can I pick up plus-size clothing here in the city—and please, don't suggest Ulla Pompken. In my opinion, it’s overpriced and just plain tacky.

It used to be easy to find those little boutiques scattered around town, but now? It feels like they’ve all vanished into thin air.

Mango doesn't carry larger sizes in-store—it's online-only. I tried ordering from them and was beyond disappointed; the fabric is paper-thin and practically see-through. To top it off, I had to shell out about $10 in shipping just to send it back. The sizing is all over the place too—either huge or way too big—and honestly, the quality of the stuff they ship out seems much worse than what you see on the racks in their physical stores.

Where can I find decent office wear that I can actually try on in person before buying?

You could check out Gerry Weber; personally, I think it's a solid choice for professional workwear. Also, I believe stores like Centra carry more inclusive sizing. You might find something at Peek or Tom Tailor too.

Edit: If I recall correctly, Betty Barclay is an option as well, though they tend to run a bit pricier.

@Charles Gomez4, thanks for the tip about Poshmark—solid idea! Honestly, what I grabbed from the Nordstrom Rack outlet was a total disaster, but someone mentioned the non-outlet stuff is actually decent... plus, on Poshmark, you could potentially see things in person if you find a local seller!

@Mark Bishop2, thanks—had no clue about Ann Taylor, but yeah, that would be perfect for office wear. Hopefully they have my size 🙂

Hey, does anyone here actually shop on this site?

https://www.torrid.com/

Just trying to figure out what the shipping costs look like.

Just gonna answer my own question here... shipping is $25 for a $19 item. Yeah, no thanks 🤣.

Just a heads-up: the manager at the Westgate location—the only one who actually ran an HM+ department—isn't in that role anymore.
👎

Hey everyone, I’m just getting ready for my beach trip... I have two swimsuits in size 14/16. If anyone needs the details, just shoot me a DM.