Plus sized fashion - what I bought in the sales

Actually I have been very restrained this year. I have gotten so big as to be uncomfortable, and therefore haven't purchased that much.

I also didn't get this one in the sales but it was so cute and only £12. Hard to tell, but its a festive tunic, with skaters and suchlike. I saw it on a friend and had to have it. The problem with Tu @Sainsburys is the sizing is all over the place. The top I'm wearing today is a 14, however the one in the pic below is a 20 (I probably could have gotten away with an 18 but they didn't have any left)

Collectif penny £12

Seriously. I had to didn't I - for that price? This is an 18. I doubt I'll wear it unless I get some tummy off though, and the neckline is supposed to be crossover but I find that unbearable, so I'd wear it halter style like this.

Lindy Bop Adriei - £23.99

I really love this dress, although its currently too tight on the bust (Lindy Bop also have very random sizing and usually I'd have more issues with the waist rather than the bust as I'm an apple shape - this is an 18) I like the simplicity of this. It has lovely shaping around the bust area and very stretchy fabric. I anticipate 8 weeks of the gym will allow this to fit properly!

Scarlett and Jo Black floral dress (from Evans £22)

This is so pretty. I have to size down in S&J so this is a 16. The sweetheart neckline is a little low for my liking and I'm not that well endowed so there's no cleavage to show off.  However, I love it, I like the longer length. I kept it. 

Scarlett and Jo Black keyhole tunic (from Evans £20)

I really wasn't sure if this is meant to be a top or a dress. I'd never wear this as a dress as I cannot bear getting my legs out, but I might wear it with leggings. I ummed and ahhed about this, then decided to return it. Its nice, but not nice enough.

Scarlett and Jo Black keyhole dress (from Evans £20)

I really didn't consider keeping this. I think because I tried it on after the floral dress and it felt too short. I'm not sure why I'm not keen otherwise, as the bodice is a lovely shape. I think there's something about the colour I just don't agree with. Can't explain that...

I didn't buy these. My youngest bought them for me (ok, he asked daddy to buy them) Gold sparkly with pompoms. What more could a mother want?!!

Plus Size Fashion: Sainsburys Tu - hit and miss

Supermarket shopping. I've said it before and I've said it again - they have some true gems. (Lets just return to this George +Asda baby - which after I'd cut out all the nasty hot lining is perfecto)

However, the sizing is all over the place.

I've found F&F @Tesco to be the most consistent. I'm an 18 in Tesco and that's that.

In Asda I'm more of a 16 (yeah, right) and in Sainsburys, who knows?!

I'm not going to show you me dressed in all the Sainsburys outfits today as due to an online order cockup I just need to get them returned and my money back.

All clothing was bought in a size 18 unless otherwise stated.

I shall therefore show you what I'm keeping. Which is this dress:

Its a pretty floral with wide straps (yey) and shirred elastic all the way around the bodice, meaning it fits nicely. It has a very light underskirt so its not too hot to wear. Which is necessary for a summer dress!

This fits just right. There are lots left in my local store, however it seems to have vanished online for the moment. 

This little gingham number one didn't do it for me and it made me a bit sad. It looks so cute in the pics, all retro and checky, but the waist fit me and the bust was too tight. That NEVER happens. I have a proportionately big waist. It just looks all wrong on me. Kind of billowy and ill-fitting. Return.

Then there's this one. Actually if this were a top I would keep it. I bought both the 16 and the 18 and didn't bother trying the larger one on as the 16 was perfect. As a dress though, its just a bit wierd and shapeless and I'm not sure I'd wear it. If I find it in the sale, for maybe half price, I might buy it and chop off the bottom. Return.

The tattoo dress. So cute on paper. So tight on wearing. There is no shirring on this one, and the straps were too tight as was the bodice in general. I could have gotten away with it, but honestly if its not comfy then I'm not going there. Its pretty, but in the flesh its kind of meh. These colours do nothing for me. Return

Then there's the skirt. Finally. FINALLY I get my hands on this skirt, and its awful on. In spite of being an 18, it was several inches too large at the waist (and my waist is 38 inches at the moment - what size do they think an 18 is?!!)

The length is terrible on me. Sort of mid knee. Totally wrong. There are pockets, which is good, but they sit badly. It was the least flattering thing I've tried on in a while. And I've been trying on jumpsuits, so that saying something. I suppose I should be grateful I didn't spend extra money! RETURN!

Plus Size Fashion: Voodoo Vixen Ally Cat, Asda George Tropical top and Sainsburys skinny jeans

 First off - the Ally Cat dress. This was a bit of a gamble for me, because I did the initial fitting of this in a plus size, and it just didn't. At all. The neck was too high. The waist too low.

However it was sent off for adjustments and a good thing as well because this one fits me just right.

(Earrings by DeerArrow, brooch by Lucky Ladybird Craft)

Side view - yes I have a big old belly. Its had two kids in it so y'know. Whatever... The armholes are generous enough for my chunky upper arms. The length is good for me.

This is the standard Voodoo Vixen quality -thick stretch cotton. The neck is a good fit this time. The body is a bit too long as they all are for me, but he belt sits in the right place.

The only issue for me is the lack of pockets. They are faux pockets on the front. Mega disappointed in this. One of the features I like about many of the VV dresses are the presence of pockets. I might have to put some in myself. 

Overall though, I bought this because like the Tilly, its more of an 'everyday' dress for me. I would wear this to the park with the boys. 

Also , Easy Eds just opened in Cambridge. This is the perfect dress for a visit!

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Asda. They are producing some bl**dy brilliant stuff at the moment. Their bardot dresses are beautifully cut and only 20 quid - sadly I can't get hold of one in my size in the black which is what I want, all they do have some left in the colourway below. 

Their seaside dress - its gorgeous. Its also sold out. All the time. I am determined to find one of these!

So whist I didn't get the dress I wanted when I visited yesterday, I did get this cut gypsy style tropical  jersey top. Elasticated at the neck and at the bottom, with fluted sleeves, its really pretty. I got the 16. I learned my lesson about their sizing the other day with the zebra dress. 

I also finally found a pair of skinny jeans I like. These are also of the supermarket variety. Tu at Sainsburys (who cancelled my skirt order as 'out of stock' even though I ordered it the day it turned up on the site - thats the one, below)

Anyway, lets gloss over it. 

 

The jeans are supersoft. Fit my belly without gaping at the back, and are the right length for wearing pumps. I'd have preferred an extra inch or two in length (I ordered 18 regular and I'm 5ft6) but they're fine. 

they are comfy and that's what matters. 

So this is what I'm wearing today :)