Fashion for curvy girls

I’m not from the city, so I wouldn't know.

I shop at H&M. They don't carry plus-size suits, but I can fit into an XL or L sometimes... there’s this specific line, the Divided Basics, that fits me perfectly. I wear a US size 14/16, but in that specific line, you can really only find t-shirts—nothing else. In the "standard" H&M XL, there is absolutely no way I'm fitting into those. Those are just tiny little shirts that make you want to cry when you see the XL label; they're clearly made for someone of average weight. But the sizing in this line feels real. Plus, the shirts are priced at $23 and most importantly for me—they are actually long. Every single shirt I buy ends up being too short, especially after a wash. These seem pretty high quality, though. Now comes the first wash, and then we'll see how they hold up.

So, I’ve caught up on the last few pages, and I wanted to jump in with a few answers the girls missed...

Regarding Bon Prix, the sizing is great—maybe even a little roomy for me.
I usually grab some tees and tunics there, and they typically arrive in about three or four weeks.
I’ve also ordered from 3suisses and been quite happy with them, though you definitely need to size up since their cuts run small.

There isn't anything special at Lindex, and honestly, the prices are pretty steep.

As for H&M, I haven't found a single thing in the plus-size section yet, aside from one pair of jeans that stretched out so much I can't even wear them.

At Lidl, I pick up leggings ($13) and some comfy loungewear.

In the end, it all seems to come down to C&A. I'm actually planning to order a few things from Yours Clothing to try out, but I'm still building up the nerve...

H&M is pretty useless to me too.
I've got one cardigan that’s actually decent and a few t-shirts.
Their pants? Totally fine.
But their other stuff—it just doesn't fit right. I feel like I'm wearing a diaper.
I have a couple of large dresses that aren't even plus-size, but they work for me.
Bras are okay too, though finding a D cup is a rare win.
Evans has some good pieces, but man, they’re pricey.
C&A does solid work with pants and blazers that actually suit my shape.
Still, at the end of the day, Marks & Spencer is my top pick for quality.
Yeah, they cost more—but if you hit the sales, you can snag some great deals.
Their underwear is excellent, especially the bras.
Yoursclothing occasionally offers free shipping; I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet, but I really want to.

We totally missed the downtown shopping center today. I ended up grabbing a few short-sleeve tees instead. They had sizes ranging from 50 to 54, so there was plenty to choose from.

Don't forget, if you have VIP status, you're entitled to a 10% discount. Just text the keyword CENTRA to 13131. You'll get a code to show at the register. Simple as that.

I'm really into maxi dresses lately.
Can you actually find anything decent around here?

Lisa Myers said:I’m not from the city, so I wouldn't know.

I shop at H&M. They don't carry plus-size suits, but I can fit into an XL or L sometimes... there’s this specific line, the Divided Basics, that fits me perfectly. I wear a US size 14/16, but in that specific line, you can really only find t-shirts—nothing else. In the "standard" H&M XL, there is absolutely no way I'm fitting into those. Those are just tiny little shirts that make you want to cry when you see the XL label; they're clearly made for someone of average weight. But the sizing in this line feels real. Plus, the shirts are priced at $23 and most importantly for me—they are actually long. Every single shirt I buy ends up being too short, especially after a wash. These seem pretty high quality, though. Now comes the first wash, and then we'll see how they hold up.

Thanks for the reply and thanks to all the girls here helping out. 🙂

redtrucker8 said:So, I’ve caught up on the last few pages, and I wanted to jump in with a few answers the girls missed...

Regarding Bon Prix, the sizing is great—maybe even a little roomy for me.
I usually grab some tees and tunics there, and they typically arrive in about three or four weeks.
I’ve also ordered from 3suisses and been quite happy with them, though you definitely need to size up since their cuts run small.

There isn't anything special at Lindex, and honestly, the prices are pretty steep.

As for H&M, I haven't found a single thing in the plus-size section yet, aside from one pair of jeans that stretched out so much I can't even wear them.

At Lidl, I pick up leggings ($13) and some comfy loungewear.

In the end, it all seems to come down to C&A. I'm actually planning to order a few things from Yours Clothing to try out, but I'm still building up the nerve...

I can vouch for that, and I should mention I picked up a few things from La Redoute too, back when they had free shipping and everything was on sale. Shipping took three days then, but that was probably because of the promo. Quality was good, but yeah, you definitely need to order a size up—at least for me.
As for Bon Prix, I actually just swapped a shirt from there for one from Kohl's and the sizes are identical. Just a heads-up though, both were cotton. I've noticed the synthetic stuff always feels a bit bigger than the cotton ones, like it has more stretch, you know? Of course, it all depends on the cut, so ordering online is always a bit of a gamble. But what can you do when you don't have many options?
I'd love to try YoursClothing, New Look, or ASOS too, but I don't have my PayPal set up yet. I'm planning to get it sorted ASAP because they have such cute stuff, I'm just a little hesitant because I have an apple shape, and it seems like most of their styles are meant for pear shapes.
YoursClothing has these amazing jeans I've been eyeing for a while. I love jeans, but whenever I buy pants, I always have to get them tailored because they're always way too loose around my legs.
And yeah, regarding the sizing—it matters if a size 16 is from the "regular" line or specifically the plus line. The stuff I got from La Redoute was from the regular line but ran large, so maybe that's why I needed a bigger size.

Susan Anderson33 said:I'm really into maxi dresses lately.
Can you actually find anything decent around here?

You can find them at C&A. There's also a woman selling them via Instagram boutiques if you're interested. Just shoot me a PM and I'll give you her handle or connect you two directly.

coppertinker13 said:Thanks for the reply and thanks to all the girls here helping out. 🙂

I can vouch for that, and I should mention I picked up a few things from La Redoute too, back when they had free shipping and everything was on sale. Shipping took three days then, but that was probably because of the promo. Quality was good, but yeah, you definitely need to order a size up—at least for me.
As for Bon Prix, I actually just swapped a shirt from there for one from Kohl's and the sizes are identical. Just a heads-up though, both were cotton. I've noticed the synthetic stuff always feels a bit bigger than the cotton ones, like it has more stretch, you know? Of course, it all depends on the cut, so ordering online is always a bit of a gamble. But what can you do when you don't have many options?
I'd love to try YoursClothing, New Look, or ASOS too, but I don't have my PayPal set up yet. I'm planning to get it sorted ASAP because they have such cute stuff, I'm just a little hesitant because I have an apple shape, and it seems like most of their styles are meant for pear shapes.
YoursClothing has these amazing jeans I've been eyeing for a while. I love jeans, but whenever I buy pants, I always have to get them tailored because they're always way too loose around my legs.
And yeah, regarding the sizing—it matters if a size 16 is from the "regular" line or specifically the plus line. The stuff I got from La Redoute was from the regular line but ran large, so maybe that's why I needed a bigger size.

I'm an apple too—more like a barrel, honestly 😬 and ever since I started shopping at ASOS and New Look, I feel like a new person! The only thing is with New Look shirts, I make sure to check if it says "casual" or "regular fit." Their slim fit items are way too tight for me, and I'm not about that life.

Help, I need some advice! 😁 Usually, I stick to oversized tees, tunics, or cardigans paired with slimmer bottoms. I’m not really the makeup type—more of a "streetwear" vibe—and I always make sure to cover my chest, plus I almost always wear scarves. 🤣 But now, I found this top at Macy's that shows a bit more cleavage and has ruffles (honestly, I'm not even sure if ruffles suit me; I feel like I look like a cupcake in them!). Still, I absolutely love this shirt. The fabric is great—lightweight, breathable, and doesn't look cheap at all. 🤣 Anyway, I took a photo, but since I'm so used to looking in the mirror, I can't really judge how I actually look. What do you guys think? It isn't even expensive! 😁
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First off, I have no clue why you think you're fat?!?!
You aren't fat—and there's zero reason for someone as young and beautiful as you to be hiding away or covering up.
That shirt looks great on you.
Just buy it and wear it.
Leave the shapewear, compression gear, and all that nonsense to us older folks.

Ugh, maybe it doesn't look like it in the photo, but I'm an XL up top. Down below, I only wear boxers or those stretchy lounge pants (XL) because I haven't been able to squeeze into a nice pair of jeans for three years now. They aren't even available for me to buy! And when I head into the city, I have to go for XXXL, which looks absolutely terrible on me. 🤷 Plus, I love wearing scarves, oversized tees, and stuff like that—it’s not just about my weight. Even back when I was thinner, I dressed the same way to cover up my chest; I'm just not comfortable with showing it. 🤣
I'm still thinking about that shirt. They only got XS sizes in stock, and there are only two larger ones left, so I need to hurry before they're gone. 😁

I don't know what to tell you—you aren't XL, let alone XXXL.
Everything here is backwards. If you aren't wearing a size 4 or 6—or better yet, that famous American size 0—then you’re overweight.
Even the ads for XL clothing are trying to sell us size 12s!!!
12 isn't XL.
12 is a Medium.
XL is a 16 or an 18. That’s XL.
You aren't fat, and you aren't even "curvy"—you're just a normal girl with some shape, and I don't see why you need to wrap yourself up and hide your chest.
Obviously, you aren't going to walk around half-naked, but you'll be doing that kind of hiding when you're 50 or 60 and dealing with wrinkles and maybe grandkids.

Susan Anderson33 said:I don't know what to tell you—you aren't XL, let alone XXXL.
Everything here is backwards. If you aren't wearing a size 4 or 6—or better yet, that famous American size 0—then you’re overweight.
Even the ads for XL clothing are trying to sell us size 12s!!!
12 isn't XL.
12 is a Medium.
XL is a 16 or an 18. That’s XL.
You aren't fat, and you aren't even "curvy"—you're just a normal girl with some shape, and I don't see why you need to wrap yourself up and hide your chest.
Obviously, you aren't going to walk around half-naked, but you'll be doing that kind of hiding when you're 50 or 60 and dealing with wrinkles and maybe grandkids.

The girl is probably short. If I remember correctly, she mentioned somewhere in this thread that she's about 5'3". For someone who's 5'3", a size 12 is plus-size territory. For someone who's 5'11", sizes 12, 14, or 16 are totally standard. The number doesn't actually matter; it's all about height and build. When I was 5'4" and weighing nearly 175 lbs, I wore a 12 in pants and usually a 14 on top. People on this thread used to call those normal sizes, not plus-size, but for my height, those were definitely plus-size numbers because I was fat. Not "curvy," not a "normal girl with curves," just fat. Now, at around 130 lbs at that same height, I'm just a normal girl with curves, mostly because I still have a bust and hips and I'm not just skin and bones. I'm far from skinny, but I am slim. I wear a 6, which is a normal size for my height. On top, I sometimes hit a 8 or 10 if it's a blouse or a shirt, since I have to taper them at the waist, hips, and arms.

Stella regardless of how you saw yourself, I'd tell you to stay away from those boxy cuts and those leggings or stretchy pants. You're a beautiful girl; stick to tailored, feminine cuts. As soon as you define your waist, you look thinner. There are plenty of great tops and dresses with a defined waist, even the ones designed to "create" a waist.
IMHO, something like this would suit you way better (ignore the pattern/color, it's not really my style, just look at the cut): http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpu...42?bi=1&ps=200
When the top is cut straight across, it just widens your shoulders and visually balloons your chest, and since it isn't cinched, your stomach ends up looking like a balloon. You don't have to squeeze into tight things; tight isn't the same thing as being tailored to your body.

EDIT:
Tanesha is my favorite plus-size blogger (and she is plus-size by any metric), and she just has such great vibes.
Look at the difference a waist makes: (especially that last photo in the purple top)
http://www.justlia.com.br/wp-content...-plus-size.jpg
and for example, this:
http://girlwithcurves.com/post/86187571762/embellished

Incomparable.

Yeah, I’m super short, definitely under 5'3'' 🤣 And yeah, I'm curvy. It's not just me noticing it either; everyone else sees it too. I was looking at a video from four years ago today—back then I was a size Medium, and I could actually fit into a Small (I've always had wider hips and a larger bust regardless of my weight). Regarding that dress 5rich I just can't bring myself to wear something that isn't my style, even if it did look good 😁 Plus, it probably wouldn't even flatter me because it would make my chest look even bigger, and I'm wearing a D/E cup 😢 I also don't emphasize my waist because then my bust looks massive, which I'm not a fan of, and besides, it's just not my vibe 😁 Thanks for the advice though. By the way, I know a lot of plus-size girls shop at stores like Nordstrom, but I wasn't sure where to look... do they ship to us?

Bebilina wait, an XL has always been my size, how was it a Medium? 🤷

cosmicnomad6 said:Yeah, I’m super short, definitely under 5'3'' 🤣 And yeah, I'm curvy. It's not just me noticing it either; everyone else sees it too. I was looking at a video from four years ago today—back then I was a size Medium, and I could actually fit into a Small (I've always had wider hips and a larger bust regardless of my weight). Regarding that dress 5rich I just can't bring myself to wear something that isn't my style, even if it did look good 😁 Plus, it probably wouldn't even flatter me because it would make my chest look even bigger, and I'm wearing a D/E cup 😢 I also don't emphasize my waist because then my bust looks massive, which I'm not a fan of, and besides, it's just not my vibe 😁 Thanks for the advice though. By the way, I know a lot of plus-size girls shop at stores like Nordstrom, but I wasn't sure where to look... do they ship to us?

Bebilina wait, an XL has always been my size, how was it a Medium? 🤷

It wouldn't make your chest look bigger. Trust me, I know the drill with large busts and how to visually minimize them. 😁 I’m an E/F cup, sometimes a G if the cup is shallow. 😢 Even after losing a ton of weight, my cup size didn't budge an inch; it was just my waistline that changed. I had this animal print top about two years ago, black and white, a bit loose-fitting, but I’d cinch it with a belt and it looked feminine—showed off my curves without being too much. But hey, I'm not the topic here.
You don't need to force a waistline with belts all the time; if the cut is right, the clothes will do the work for you.
Yeah, DP ships here. They were a total lifesaver for me back when I was heavier, and I still pick up pieces from them now. Shipping is usually 6 bucks, but I think they have free shipping on orders over $30 until tomorrow night. Usually, it kicks in at $50.

Carl Walker79 said:I'm an apple too—more like a barrel, honestly 😬 and ever since I started shopping at ASOS and New Look, I feel like a new person! The only thing is with New Look shirts, I make sure to check if it says "casual" or "regular fit." Their slim fit items are way too tight for me, and I'm not about that life.

Haha, a barrel... yeah, that's definitely me.😂.

Could you please let me know how their sizing runs? Like, if you could compare it to something like Old Navy, Bonprix, or maybe H&M? It feels like their size 20 is probably our 16 or something. Have you tried their pants yet? I’m thinking about grabbing some denim jeggings—nothing super skin-tight, just something that looks more like actual jeans.
I really need to get my PayPal set up.

Listen Stella, people can be such pigs. They’re just dying to tell someone they gained weight or calling them fat. To those types of people, there is no middle ground. If you aren't skinny, you're fat. Period.

Not only are you not fat, you're actually beautiful. Own it. If you happen to gain a little weight while living life more actively, trust me, you'll only end up mad at yourself for wasting time feeling fat instead of enjoying how great you looked.

Anyway, let's drop this topic. I'm hating on you right now, you skinny thing! :gdjejenestaosmjalizaduricu?:

Hahaha, Lisa Myers, if that were actually true! Maybe it looks a bit off in that photo because I posed with my leg forward, but wait until I post one where I'm just standing normally 🤣 🙄
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Also, does anyone know where the plus-size section is in the H&M at WestGate? I've been there a few times and just couldn't find it...

Look, you aren't skinny, but you aren't overweight either, okay?! I am done talking to you about this. Get out of this thread!

I definitely will one day! 😛 🤣