Fashion for curvy girls

coppertinker13 said: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.

I wear a UK 24, but at Kohl’s, I usually grab a 3X.🙂

I don't dare buy pants online. You have to try them on first because fit depends entirely on the cut, the stretch, and the fabric. I don't do leggings, and I'll probably just stick to buying sweats at Kohl’s.🙂

The plus-size section at Westgate is on the ground floor, just to the left of the elevators.
Stela, I’m telling you again—there is nothing for you to look for in the plus-size department.
You aren't fat, and you aren't "plus-size."
Having this kind of attitude toward your own body? It’s a downward spiral.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I've got enough years and life experience under my belt to have seen it all.
Back in February, my daughter was in the hospital, and there was this fifteen-year-old girl in the room with her suffering from anorexia.
A stunning young girl—smart, beautiful—but weighing only 77 pounds.
Seeing the books she was reading at just fifteen, I could tell she was incredibly sharp, well above average.
She was. I was right about that.
It was actually a pleasure talking to her, right up until the conversation drifted toward food.
Everything she said came back to one thing: "Do you know how many calories are in this?"
Eventually, we started talking about what she was going through, and honestly, I was shaken.
She told me it all started when some guy called her fat—even though she had never been fat in her life.
But she decided she needed to lose weight, dropping fifty pounds to hit that 77-pound mark, which led to hospitalization and being force-fed through a tube.
I won't dwell on it—this isn't the place for that. We all have our struggles.
But please, stop posting that a size 16 is "XL."
Claiming it can't be any bigger is pure nonsense and a blatant lie—and it might just drive some young girl straight toward an eating disorder.

Honestly, I’ve never bought a single thing from the plus-size section at H&M because they always just have like, four pathetic little scraps of clothing to choose from.
Whenever I was over in Europe, though, I could actually find at least one decent thing, mostly just tees or sweaters.

At C&A, I basically stick to bras since the cuts are solid and the prices are pretty reasonable, around $27 (I used to buy the wireless ones, but honestly, $100 felt like way too much money for a bra where the underwire literally pops out after less than three months). Every now and then, if they have a cute top or shirt, I'll grab it because the prices aren't bad.

Back when I was a few sizes larger, I used to shop at Ulta—well, more like Kohl's style basics—picking up simple short-sleeve or tank tops because the price was $43, which is totally fine. The only issue is they never seem to have my actual size in stock. Their other stuff is way pricier, but they offer installment plans, so I usually take my mom there and dress her up if they happen to have her size. Lately, I've been picking up shirts there because they have decent black and white button-downs (sometimes colored ones too) with long or short sleeves that have some stretch and a nice tailored fit, all for a fair price.

My old lady does most of the shopping at Macy's—the prices are kind of highway robbery, and half the styles are just plain ugly.

As for the ASOS Curve line—ever since Evans started charging for shipping, I’ve been doing more of my shopping on ASOS, but God, they drive me insane because the sizing is never consistent! It drives me absolutely nuts. When I really want something, I'll bite the bullet and order it and just pray it fits. Usually, I just wait for a sale or a promo code for the more expensive pieces. I also get my New Look jeans through NI via eBay, and they're about $43.

Evans—I own quite a bit of their stuff. They regularly run 30% off sales for 24 hours, and I make sure to jump on those. But ever since they introduced shipping fees, I only order in bulk or specifically for weddings/work events, or I'll team up with my mom so we can both grab a few things. Their basic tees don't last as long as I'd like them to, but they do have some interesting pieces. I once bought a pair of sandals in a size 39 (which is my usual), and I easily could have gone at least a size smaller.

I haven't ordered from New Look lately because the shipping is just too steep, but I'm getting ready to pick up a couple pairs of wide-fit sandals for summer and maybe some pants. Their tops are hit or miss—everything goes from being super tight to way too baggy, even when it's the exact same size 😁.

Yours Clothing—I tried them once and I don't think I ever will again. Shipping was crazy expensive. Then they sent my package to the wrong address, so it got returned, then they resent it, and when it finally arrived... one item was missing, another looked like someone had already worn it, and despite everything being labeled the same size, every single piece fit completely differently. After two weeks of fighting them via email and chat, I finally got my money back.

I'm eyeing Roman right now; the prices seem okay, so I might order two pairs of wide-leg pants for summer. Based on the reviews, I think I'll just stick to my usual size.

Bonmarché—I haven't ordered yet, but I'm planning to grab a tee and a bra because finding the right size is such a struggle, and I don't want anything that looks "old lady" style. Plus, I want to find a gorgeous skirt. If anyone has any tips on their sizing, please let me know!

Next—haven't ordered yet, but they have free shipping. My only gripe is that the US site doesn't have half the stuff the UK version has. Their basic short-sleeve tees are about $40, which is a great deal. The problem is the sizes sell out instantly, and their plus-size selection is pretty slim. If anyone knows anything about their sizing, help a girl out!

eBay.co.uk—I buy from private sellers there, and I'm usually pretty happy with what shows up at my door.

When it comes to shoes and sandals, I honestly don't know where to look here. I have wide feet, and on top of that, I messed up an ankle on one foot so it's almost twice the size of the other. I can't really do ankle straps or sandals with lots of straps unless they are specifically wide-fit. I mostly buy shoes in the fall, usually from brands like Naturalizer (though this year they dropped a ton of narrow models) or Fly London, because other styles just deform on wider feet. Skechers was my go-to for those sporty ballerinas I bought every year because they were so comfy, but they've stopped carrying them. I'll grab Dr. Martens if they release a cute, feminine model. Even at Target, I can sometimes find one or two pairs that actually look good and fit right. Does anyone have suggestions on where else to look? Trying to order shoes online feels like a total gamble.

Basically, I just shop online—it’s kind of the move here most of the time.

For shoes, I’d suggest: Ari, Peko, or Alpina.
They all offer G and H widths. The footwear is genuine leather, and they have options ranging from younger styles to more mature ones.
Also, you can find several brands at Famous Footwear that specialize in wider lasts—especially when it comes to boots.
Last year, I picked up some perfect leather boots at Famous Footwear that zipped right up my calves without any struggle.
Btw, Sowy; did you check those sneakers for me yet?

Susan Anderson33 said:For shoes, I’d suggest: Ari, Peko, or Alpina.
They all offer G and H widths. The footwear is genuine leather, and they have options ranging from younger styles to more mature ones.
Also, you can find several brands at Famous Footwear that specialize in wider lasts—especially when it comes to boots.
Last year, I picked up some perfect leather boots at Famous Footwear that zipped right up my calves without any struggle.
Btw, Sowy; did you check those sneakers for me yet?

Honestly, I didn't see anything I liked at Pepito or Alpine.
I guess I'll take a peek at Ariat then.

I checked out Macy's, but nothing really caught my eye.

Hey, I sent you a DM, but I think the forum glitched out on me. I might have like two skirts in my closet, but I'm still on the fence about them. 😁
Give me a few days to wrap my head around everything and I'll hit you back. 😁

Great, thanks for the effort.
Got my honors exam on June 13th—need to get myself looking sharp. The Secretary was going to be there and the TV crews would be filming too, so...🤣
As for shoes—look, it’s tough. You really have to try them on first.
Alpina actually had a really lovely spring collection of flats and stuff.
Yeah, prices are around $167, but you can't expect quality leather shoes for anything less than that.
I stumbled upon a 40% off sale while I was in Canada—it's just as close to you as it is to me, so maybe check it out there.
Karl Lagerfeld has some stylish models too, but honestly, they're overpriced.
Though, if I'm being real, I invested in a pair of gorgeous loafers three years ago and they still look brand new.

And I won't even bother looking for anything like that 😁 I mean, those skirts are strictly for work—you know, the kind with the steering wheel patterns, sort of gypsy style, hitting right at the ankle 😁

Maybe my local Alpina just doesn't have much variety, so I'll check out another spot. Anything under 75 bucks works for me.
I’m always running into the Trader Joe's right next to the Alpina, but it never even crossed my mind to swing by and take a look.
The only thing is, I am really not a fan of loafers.

Check out this Alpine offer
Honestly, I'm digging about half their lineup.
And then there’s Ari
Their shoes are incredibly comfy.
I actually own a few pairs from both Alpine and Ari—some dressier, some more sporty—and I’m super happy with them.
They offer different widths too, so even if you have massive feet, they'll fit just fine. Plus, they carry half sizes, which is huge for me since I usually hover between a 7 and an 8—that 7.5 is my sweet spot.
As for those boho skirts? Yeah, absolutely.
I wouldn't wear one to an Oscars gala or anything, but I need something for summer. I love that style of skirt and dress (even if my husband is allergic to long skirts—not that he'd ever wear one, obviously, just me).

Quick question—has anyone here actually ordered bras from BonPrix before?

I’m looking at those cotton ones, the three-pack deal for $50, but I’m honestly a bit lost when it comes to sizing—not quite sure which one would actually fit me right.🤷

Susan Anderson33 said:Check out this Alpine offer

Honestly, I'm digging about half their lineup.
And then there’s Ari

Their shoes are incredibly comfy.
I actually own a few pairs from both Alpine and Ari—some dressier, some more sporty—and I’m super happy with them.
They offer different widths too, so even if you have massive feet, they'll fit just fine. Plus, they carry half sizes, which is huge for me since I usually hover between a 7 and an 8—that 7.5 is my sweet spot.
As for those boho skirts? Yeah, absolutely.
I wouldn't wear one to an Oscars gala or anything, but I need something for summer. I love that style of skirt and dress (even if my husband is allergic to long skirts—not that he'd ever wear one, obviously, just me).

I'm definitely gonna take a look. There are two Ari models that caught my eye 😁
I'm picky as hell and honestly a bit weird, plus I've got absolute bear paws for feet 😁
We'll see what ends up showing up from eBay once my spaghetti order arrives 😁

Like, these specific styles for wide feet are pretty cute
These are gorgeous—I wouldn't wear them every single day since I'm running around like crazy at work, but man, they are PREEEETTY.😁
http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gal...eels_307237501

And these two look like they were made just for me for the summer 😁
http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gal...dges_305028501
http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gal...dges_306945001

I'm a sucker for wedges like those green ones. And in all sorts of colors for summer! Even my everyday shoes, I prefer having a decent heel. They're way more comfortable and stable, plus they give me a little height boost so everything looks better.😁

I’ve got these Miss Sixty platforms with a solid five-inch cork heel—super soft, feels like a glove, really stable—and the heel sits at about 15 cm.
I also have some Sergio Rossi platforms; they aren't a solid block heel, but still hit that 15 cm mark. Picked them up at Stiefel & Co. on sale.
Do yourself a favor and Google their site. They have some genius designs.
Look, they’re pricey, but the quality is insane and they aren't narrow.
I have wide, difficult feet because of a bunion, so I can't wear basically anything unless it fits right—if a shoe pinches that bone or if the incline is off, the pain is just unbearable.
For example, those Tommy Hilfiger pumps? Terrible construction.
I love how they look, but the heel angle is a disaster. I can't take two steps in them, and they cost around $233.
I can grind through an entire day in the Miss Sixty platforms, and with the S. Rossi ones, I’ve actually gone shopping—which for me means walking nonstop for two or three hours. My feet didn't ache at all, and zero blisters.

Alright, let me weigh in here.
Honestly, my Tommy Hilfiger sneakers are absolute garbage. The arch support is non-existent, and they feel so unstable I’m surprised I haven't rolled an ankle yet.
Since I have this weird way of dressing—plus I’ve got wider feet because of that one time I actually broke a foot—it’s become my yearly ritual to just drop some serious cash on a pair of shoes that actually look good AND don't kill my feet.

Back when I checked out Miss Sixty, the styles I actually liked were way too narrow.😁>

Take this year's El Naturalista collection, for example—total letdown. They had these gorgeous models (I was seriously eyeing two pairs when they hit the shelves here), but they’re all super tight compared to the old stuff. It’s honestly infuriating how much they squeeze my feet when I try to slide them in.

Good, high-quality shoes cost money—obviously.
Personally, I’d much rather own one decent pair than ten cheap ones from somewhere like Target.
It’s worth investing in quality. I’ve had my pair of Allen Edmonds for 16 years now, and I have absolutely worn them down.
They’re classic, timeless loafers with a T-strap and a wide, stable heel.
The only real fix I ever needed was taking them to a cobbler to have some rubber grips added to the soles because the leather was getting way too slippery.
Everything else—even the heel caps—looks practically brand new.

I’m actually going to lose my mind 🙂 Every single pair of pants I own falls apart within six months. How do you stop this advanced crotch blowout? It doesn't even matter if they were expensive or cheap—material makes zero difference at this point... everything just shreds.

Kate Rodriguez84 said:I’m actually going to lose my mind 🙂 Every single pair of pants I own falls apart within six months. How do you stop this advanced crotch blowout? It doesn't even matter if they were expensive or cheap—material makes zero difference at this point... everything just shreds.

Lose weight :-)
Just kidding—but honestly, your pants are gonna wear out every time because of the friction while you walk.

Susan Anderson33 said:Lose weight :-)
Just kidding—but honestly, your pants are gonna wear out every time because of the friction while you walk.

Look, I’ve always had strong legs. Even when I was 15kg lighter, I still dealt with this, so I’ll be lifting weights forever and always. A few months back, I bought a pair of slightly more expensive trousers and tried spraying them with hairspray for the first couple of days to help, but they ended up being ruined anyway (it took two months to realize, though they were linen...). Honestly, it feels pretty stupid having to constantly buy new pants because of this. 🙂

Those lashes lasted you two whole months?! That is an incredible amount of time! 🤣

Lisa Myers said:Those lashes lasted you two whole months?! That is an incredible amount of time! 🤣

Yeah, it really is a lot.
Mine were expensive linen—last year’s batch—and they were pricey. After just one wear, they started pilling, and within five more? The fabric basically just gave up and started fraying apart.
My legs are weak as hell—but whatever, I'm doing it anyway.
When I was lighter, I didn't deal with any of this—so clearly, the only fix is to lose the weight.

Sent from my iPhone via Tapatalk

Same here, I deal with the exact same issue. Back when I was only 110 lbs, every single pair of pants I owned would split right at the crotch within six months. Now, I basically live in leggings. Even then, my leggings usually wear thin and tear after about four months, unless it's a specific type of trousers. Some pairs actually last me over a year and a half, though—I honestly have no clue what the difference is. 🤣

It can't be us. It isn't our fault these leggings fail. 🤣.

Seriously, it all comes down to the quality of the fabric. Some pairs of mine wore thin almost instantly, even back when I was at my lightest. I realized I went a few years without this issue, and then it came right back. My weight hasn't even changed since those good years. It’s just bad manufacturing.

I remember seeing those colored iron-on patches at Aldi once—supposedly meant to cover up holes in the material. But honestly, what's the point? You're constantly worrying about people seeing the crotch area or noticing the patch. It looks terrible. You could take them to a tailor to get a quick fix, but it’s barely worth the effort. It's just a waste of time.