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: George at Asda - you beauty! Tu at Sainsburys - making promises you can't keep!

The supermarkets are coming out with some corkers at the moment. If you can manage to get hold of them.  A few weeks back I was desperately trying to get hold of this skirt. Twitter is an excellent way to get a response, but they said the nearest one was in Letchworth which is a bit too far to go.

So I was super happy when they appeared online (I'm part of the trial area for tu clothing online - its not available to everyone) Duly ordered two because I never know if I'm going to be a 16 or an 18.

Waited.

Waited.

Email telling me they aren't in stock. How can they not be in stock? I ordered them the morning they appeared on the website?! Frustrated. But hey ho its just a skirt. 

They also have some cute looking retro styled dresses. I do find though with Tu that they are generally less cute in the flesh. The one below doesn't have enough fabric in the skirt and is too long waisted for me. 

I'm wondering whether or not to order this one.

Anyway, I turned to George at Asda - they have these dresses at the moment in various colourways. They are lovely soft fabric, and only 20 quid. Very retro styling. I tried a black one on in store and it was lovely but too tight in a 16.

So I ordered an 18 online. Sadly when it arrived, it was just too big. Unfortunately my substantial waist means that what fits on the waist is hugely saggy in the chest region. 

But never mind because I'm keeping this one!

When I saw it advertised I was gutted there was only one left in a size 8, however they restocked and I again ordered a 16 and an 18. This is also £20.

Its so pretty. Exactly the kind of dress I like to wear. 

I had the same issues with the sizing. This is the 16. The 18 was just too saggy in the chest region. The 16 is a tad tight on the waist but I can live with it. 

The red belt is pinched from a Voodoo Vixen dress. I think it really makes it pop.

They've even lined it and put some net under the skirt. I don't think that was actually necessary (and I actually prefer unlined summer dresses) but its nice that they bothered.

I think that this is a standout buy. They also do a pencil dress in this fabric (which I know without trying would not fit me, because I'd probably need a 20 in the bottom, and 18 in the waist and a 16 on the chest)

Update 26/05/15: having being unable to wear this dress purely due to the lining which is hot and uncomfortable, I unpicked it all. The net, and the polyester lining has gone. I can wear it. Its cool. I love it!