WHERE I LIKE TO SHOP, WHY AND WHAT FOR

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 Photography by
JKG | jkgphotography.co.uk
Location: Balham, London

As a plus size woman, developing your own personal style that lives outside of wrap dresses and cold shoulder tops (yuck!) can be quite challenging. Obviously women of all shapes and sizes may struggle to dress how they want to - thick thigh ladies I hear ya, and confidence issues as well as just a general sense of 'this won't look good on me' may play a part too. But for plus size women, we have only had access to decent clothes in the last fews and dressing our larger bodies is still just as hard.

Quite often brands that have plus size ranges don't publicise them (which is problematic as fuck but we'll save that for another post), so plus size women don't know that they can shop there. Sizing and material also plays a huge part in how items fit, and obviously the quality of the clothes also matters. Shopping should be fun, but I know how hard it is to find the clothes you want that look good, feel good and fit good.

So today I thought I'd talk about where I shop on the high street for all of my clothes, shoes and accessories - including all of my
earrings which I often get questions about.

So whether you're a size 8 or a size 28, I hope this post helps you to navigate the shops and online retailers more and
gives you an insight into where I shop, why and what for.

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ASOS

You lot are probably very aware that ASOS is my absolute favourite and most browsed website - ever. I have loved it for years and I think I'll love it when I'm 60 lol. ASOS is my go to for everything. At the moment I'm a size 18-22 so I browse the straight size range and the curve range - so (I can't stop spending lol). I have a lot of choice which is amazing and annoying in equal amounts. I check the new in page every morning and night because 1. I obviously have a problem haha and 2. I like to stay up to date with whats new so that I can share it on here. I don't ever get bored of ASOS due to the amount of stock they have as well as all the different brands. The plus size brands are also pretty impressive too - I love the Alice & You dresses. ASOS own however is what I tend to buy the most - including their Farleigh Jeans & Ridley Jeans. If you are yet to try them you are missing out. They are both perfect and work so well within my wardrobe. I would recommend sizing up in the Farleigh's as they have minimal or no stretch, but stick to your size for Ridley's and maybe even size down as they give a lot the more you wear them. Tbh, whenever I buy denim I buy 3 different sizes because the way my thighs are set up.... hahahaha. Oh and I also adore ASOS's loungewear, pjs and of course the fact that they stock Monki. Monki is a swedish (don't quote me on this) brand that isn't a plus size brand but does a lot of items that are plus size friendly. Monki does amazing jumpers, slogan tops, oversized dresses and cute little accessories. I really recommend them.

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Top Tip

Check ASOS regularly so that you don't miss out. Invest in their premier delivery so that your items come the next day.

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Shop My New Season Favourites

 

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 RIVER ISLAND

Now, I'm not that much of a RI fan. I find their clothes often have unnecessary diamonds, patches or RI embellishments which I really don't like. Their plus size range is rarely updated either so although I check their website often - I usually only find 1-2 pieces that I really love. Their knitwear and jumpers are always warm and good quality though (including this incredible pink cardigan which I cannot get enough of - its sold out in most sizes though). As of late I have been liking their statement earrings and gold hoops, as well as their plus size jackets - I've ordered 3 in the last 2 months. Including this aviator jacket, this khaki jacket, and this waterfall check print jacket. Oh and their slogan tee's are pretty decent too.

 

Top Tip

River Island is also sold on ASOS and I find the selection on their sometimes better than the actual RI site. Browse it here.

 

Shop My New Season Favourites

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New Look

In the last year New Look have really stepped up their game and over the last 6 months I find myself browsing their site more and more. I find the sizing a little hit and miss but other than that I really enjoy shopping there. Their curve range in store is pretty decent but I would rather browse online. I love their plisse trousers and this amazing jumpsuit I'm wearing in these images. I also have a lot of New Look jackets that have lasted me from season to season throughout the years and I currently have my eye on this vinyl one - swoon!! New Look are also good for wardrobe staples like skinny black jeans, roll necks and ermmmm pjs lol. I'm also a huge New Look lingerie fan!

 

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Simply Be

Simply Be has so many stylish and fashion forward pieces! I don't really shop for anything in particular on there but if I want something for an occasion or I'm bored of other websites - this is where I head to. This is also a brand that specialises in plus size fashion so there is definitely something for everyone. The sizes are 12-32 but FYI - the sizing is AWFUL so bare that in mind.

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Topshop

I fall in and out of love with Topshop on a regular basis. Some weeks I could spend an absolute fortune - other weeks I don't want a damn thing. As a plus size girl I obviously don't tend to fit into Topshop and even when I was much smaller than I am now, I still struggled to get my ass into the majority of their stuff lol. But over the last few months I have been delving more and more into their stock and my gosh - my poor bank account lol. They have a good range of oversized jumpers and knitwear that work with larger sizes and I'm especially obsessed with their accessories. I love their bags the most as well as the occasional pair of earrings. Topshop can be overpriced so I don't shop their often but when I do find stuff I love and want to spend money on, I'm rarely disappointed.

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Top Tip

Go in store and try things on. I often find way more stuff that fits me and looks good if I can try it on and see it in real life. Oxford St, Brighton
and Lakeside are really amazing stores.

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My New Season Favourites

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Zara

Zara like Topshop has the most amazing earrings and bags. I don't really shop there for anything else - the occasional jumper but that's about it. I absolutely hate Zara in store AND Zara online so thats the main reason I tend to avoid it other than I can't get a pair of trousers over my baby toe. Zara isn't really my style but they do do some incredible oversized knitwear, as well as really well fitting basic tops. I would love Zara to extend their sizes but I don't think they will.

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M&S 

 Now.. M&S is the most surprising store ever for incredibly stylish pieces. Its super expensive but the quality is SO good. I like M&S for their cotton shirts, coats and skirts. I also wear their cotton black knickers if you're wondering lol. M&S used to be the place my Nan would only shop at but as I get older and opt for pieces that will last longer - M&S really does pull the ball out of the park. This red velvet skirt I featured in this post is one of my favourite buys this season!

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H&M

H&M is just like M&S and Zara. However H&M does have a plus size collection but my god it is awful. They are trying to get better though and this season is so much more thought out than last but its still not good enough. Again, I try to go in store when shopping here so that I try things on and figure out which pieces from their straight sizes are plus size friendly. H&M is definitely not a brand I gravitate towards - I do have my eye on this coat though! 

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Boohoo & Missguided

I thought I'd include these together as my opinion is pretty much the same. In terms of choice, Boohoo trumps Missguided by a long mile, but Boohoo as a brand are very problematic so I try not to shop there as much as I used to. Both brands are hit and miss in terms of sizing and quality but they are both extremely affordable. I sometimes have to buy a size 24 with each store so just be wary of that when placing an order. I actually really like Boohoo for pushing boundaries with plus size fashion. They tend to stock a lot of pieces that other brands shy away from such as bralets, mini skirts and amazing tracksuits. Missguided will often have the odd incredible piece but overall their plus size range is in dire need of some attention. I do like them for skinny jeans and jackets though.

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Top Tip

Boohoo & Missguided often have discount codes so make sure you wait for them before placing an order. These discount codes come out weekly.

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Shop My New Season Favourites

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Mango

God dammit Mango is just so good isn't it? I think I browse it nearly as much as ASOS at the moment. Their straight size stuff is incredible but so is there plus stuff which makes me very happy. The quality of their clothes isn't always amazing - but nonetheless they have some great pieces for a wide range of sizes. I love Mango especially for their outwear, jewellery and bags. The website imagery is perfect and I love how they style up their pieces. I do find some things a little overpriced I have to say but where most brands skimp on their plus size ranges, Mango do not.

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Top Tip

If you're above a size 16 I wouldn't recommend going into store. The plus size stock is only online and most Mango stores are so poorly laid out and messy - its a lot of stress to go for just the shoes and accessories.

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Office

For shoes I always pop into Office. They always have such a wide selection of stuff and I especially love the trainers they sell. From Converse to Gazelle's they have you covered. With shoes, I prefer trying them on so quite often I'll see something I like online and then pop to Westfield to see them in real life.

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Zalando

Zalando is an online retailer that sells high street to high end clothes as well as footwear. I only ever shop on Zalando for footwear because they are the best for stocking shoes that are sold out elsewhere. Remember when the platform Vans where SO hard to get hold of? Zalando had them! They are also great for selling exclusive collabs such as Puma X Fenty. Zalando often have discounts on their stuff too so if you fancy treating yourself to a pair of trainers - always check that Zalando don't have a sale on them first.

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Where I Buy My Denim/Jeans

In terms of denim, I am yet to find a brand that smashes it. I really really struggle with jeans and always have done but over the last few years I have discovered my favourite jeans from a small selection of retailers.

ASOS Farleigh Jeans;
A 'Mom' style. Super high waisted with a small amount of stretch depending on the colour of the wash. I size up in these as they may kill me when I sit down if I don't. The range of this style on ASOS is amazing and the plus size ones go up to a size 28.

ASOS Ridley Jeans;
Your bog standard skinny jean with ultimate stretch. I adore these jeans and currently cannot stop wearing them. They are true to size but do stretch out the more you wear them so size down if you would prefer.

Shop ALL the ASOS Curve jeans here.

Shop ALL the ASOS straight size jeans here.

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River Island Alannah Skinnies;
I haven't owned a pair of these for a while but I used to wear them all the time last year until I put on weight and gave them to charity. They aren't as high waisted as the Ridley's but everything else fits pretty much the same. I would say that these are slightly thicker though.

New Look Jeans;
The quality and fit of New Look jean as a whole are really good. However I just find that the sizing varies SO much that its just a real pain to try and make a purchase. I currently own their light wash boyfriend jeans though and they are a real winner.

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So there we have it. An honest and comprehensive guide to where I shop as a plus size woman, why and what for. I hope its helped you
and do let me know if you'd like more posts like this.

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