What about the BIG, BIGGER and BIGGEST sizes

BirdieBlue

For me availability is not a problem, the general ugliness of what's available is.

Debs

I am also a bigger size .. 22 to 24 (NZ sizing) and I have found that there is not alot available that is resonable cost .. I am also a dressmaker so I tend to make my own clothing, however this is still not too cheap due to cost of fabric .. not to mention patterns and time. I am looking at making a clothing range in the near future to meet the needs of bigger sizes, I do tend to like knit fabrics as they can be a little more forgiving ... not to mention more flattering. Anyway keep an eye on trade me in the next few months (probably closer to summer) for my clothing it will be under the trader name of debzadezina ... I am 50 yrs old and don't want to look like I'm 85 when I go out ... so I want to promote classy, nice fitting and affordable clothing. Hope this may help you too.

Anonymous

cos this world sees skinny as a way of life and fat ppl are shamed and left out when a healthy size is forgotten and missed out i hate how this works , there are plces out there tp buy biger clothers but u have to look around i am a big size and hate the fact i cant walk in to any old shop and buy things i need !

CAT17

Hi kitten1954 = Do I have a store for you to visit! TS14+ Virtu are specialists in the fashion for "real women" Their clothes are stylish, beautifully made and designed for the BBBs of Aust. and New Zealand. The stores here in Adelaide SA are fabulous, the service is personal, caring and understanding. No girl feels uncomfortable in their stores. Shopping on line is easy and the selection is great. Check them out and I can assure you you will find something special. I have been shopping in store and online during their massive summer sale andI sure have got some bargins! Give them a go - you will not be sorry.

Anonymous

totally agree. i love how kmart has a large variety of clothes for BBB sizes but the fashion is so not cool. im a BBB size myself and getting bigger every year but i love my fashion. its a pity we can't just walk into normal stores and come out with a bargin like small size women do. City Chic has lovely clothes but the prices are to much. really? a plain dress for $120? you know how many skinny girls clothing i could get with that? im the kind of girl who loves to dressup for any occasion looking my best but lately i seem to wear the same clothes as fashion for big people are just not on. i have a cousin whos about a size 22 but makes her body fit a size 16-18 because the clothes are just better. NZ needs way more nicer clothes!

Anonymous

I agree and thats because the fashion companies have brainwashed people and made them think that the catwalk bodies are ideal and that everyone should be like that not thinking about the bbcz. Thats the size shops are putting their money on because they have no idea that bigger people are willing to buy their clothes if they ham sizes!!

Anonymous

I feel online buying clothes are better than going into stores ,their is a lot of completion out there now you can check out for better prices and styles,when you start buying on the net the shops hopefully will take notice and give a better deal I always waite untill end of season and buy when the discounts start end of season

Anonymous

I feel the more people complain about sizes some companies are listening,
millers have been introducing sizes for the fuller figure, crossroads also,and there is a chain of stores I think they are called chics the cater fuller figures and from day wear to evening and all ages. Check on the web I sure there are others that are listening and catering more for sizes and the need for fuller figures. Hope his helps

Anonymous

I am only a size 10 and have a DD bust size and I struggle to find affordable clothes. This problem exists for all shapes and sizes. It's so annoying!

Cole

We have TS in the mall in Dunedin, they sell sizes 14 and up, and also cater for the taller woman, they have awesome and very modern fashions for us real size women. They have brilliant sales and style..Yes they are expensive in some things but I'm guessing that's the norm in most clothing stores these days...If you are good with a sewing machine..unlike me, I suck..lol.. you can pick up some sweet ideas from their range of clothing..I'm sure they have shops now in other regions...Their online site is ts14plus.com...

Anonymous

They don't consider us to have any fashion sense, but we do and yes you have to shop around.
They do have clothes in our sizes at the warehouse or you could try k mart.
There is also a boutique in Tauranga on cameron road that sells some nice clothes in our size or you might have to get them custom made to how you want them which is not a bad idea.

Brad

The fashion Industry is a funny thing after working as a manager for years it come to my attention that yes there are not alot of choices for the BBB ladys, I learnt that it is a trick to make wemon want to lose weight and it has worked in a lot of cases however there are options that you have by going to places like target, Kmart and Big w as they tend to cater for the BBB lady and often enough the clothes are quite stylish. Another alternative is to buy clothes online through places like ebay or type in BBB clothing and brouse the many options that come up. good luck and dont be down the BBB ladys fashion is on the turn around.

CAT17

Hi girls who have a real figure like me, I have discovered a beautiful line of clothing here in Adelaide. TS14+ and Vurtu. They are beautifully made and because of the layered look are very flattering. I recently modelled their new season line for Breast Cancer awareness month and I was over joyed at how glamous I looked. The fabric the clothes are made of "drapes" and "falls" on the body and as there are no zips, buttons etc. they are so easy to wear and truly give the larger (real) woman an elegant and flattering line. Casual or dressy, accessories etc - they have it all, and the prices are comparable with Autograph. They have in store areas in Myer Marion and individual stores in the Myer Centre in the city and a new one opening on Jetty Road Glenelg later this month.

Anonymous

City Chics stores are NZ best for our Beautyful Big bodies, a Size sm is like a size 20, which is great in my eyes and very stylish andcan be a little on the dear side but how cares, your worth it.

Anonymous

The reality is if you do not fall into the size 8 - 16 category your pickings are reduced and typically if you want anything half way decent you will have to pay more.

It is the same for those people who are "petites", or "talls". Footwear is the same deal.

It is quite simple if you do not fit into one of the predetermined normal (this is not my opinion of normal but manufacturing) then it is mre work and quite plainly will cost you more money.

Ziah

It's going to get worse. I was told by a Kmart drone just last week that they are removing anything above a 2XL in men's and a size18 in Women's - and they've already removed anything over a DD in lingerie. I was horrified when she told me that's why the Big women's section has been reducing every week (it was down to 1 rack in my local store) - and they're also reducing the amount of active wear, too.

Target's choices for their bigger "fashions" are appalling, and the quality is no longer there, either.

I'm looking forward o seeing the new 20-piece collection BigW are bringing in next week for the Bigger Woman - perhaps they will be of a reasonable quality and fit, since like so many others, I can't afford Myer or the specialist stores for bigger women. City Chic is too young, Autograph too old and matronly - what about those in between?

Ziah

Sorry I have confused yopu Catherines is and online store.
She does not sell a great deal of designs but her tops are simple but material and colours etc are beautiful. I do wish you would...

Look, I appreciate your information, but as I have said a couple of times already, online is absolutely no good for me. I need to be able to try on an item before I will consider buying it, because I am not your average big girl. I am an odd shape (I have a nine-month pregnant-with-twins belly all the time (not pregnant, never will be), and size 14 thighs, no bum, big boobs and no waist. I don't fit into most normal sizes, and those I do I end up having to alter, so I need to know before I get them home what I will have to do to them. Tops are the same - I am a 16F/G bust, but I have to wear size 26 to get around my belly. I can't afford to have clothes shipped, discover I can't wear or alter them (especially bras. At a minimum of $50 each, that's expensive even before you factor in shipping and return shipping if they don't fit/aren't comfortable - and some places won't let you return if they're just not comfortable), then pay to ship them back and then get replacements shipped again. I just don't have that kind of money. I NEED to be able to try them on BEFORE I buy them.

Thanks for your interest and your information :)

frilly

Thanks muchly, frilly, but as I said - online (including eBay) is no good for me, and we don't have any of those stores you suggested (Catherine, the Clothing Company) anywhere near us. I live in...

Sorry I have confused yopu Catherines is and online store.
She does not sell a great deal of designs but her tops are simple but material and colours etc are beautiful. I do wish you would look. She is here in Australia and I think she has a flat rate of postage of about $9 and that is Express post. Her tops are only about $40. Please Look.
The other Company is in Australia also. They are about $80 a top. Their smallest size seems to be size 24/26 so there should be something. I have just received 2 tops but they are too big at that size which makes me feel gorgeous LOL?

Ziah

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE BEADED TOPS YOU IN AUTOGRAPH AT PRESENT. IN THE SUMMER I BOUGHT AT LEAST 6 TOPS ALL VERY PRETTY COLOURS (sorry about caps but have not the time to change all that) As I say...

Thanks muchly, frilly, but as I said - online (including eBay) is no good for me, and we don't have any of those stores you suggested (Catherine, the Clothing Company) anywhere near us. I live in WA, and we have very few big clothing stores that don't charge an arm and a leg...

frilly

Unfortunately not , frilly - online is no good unless you can try stuff on to see if it fits (I have an odd shape) - especially bras. I severely dislike Taking Shape - our Myer store sells it - and...

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE BEADED TOPS YOU IN AUTOGRAPH AT PRESENT. IN THE SUMMER I BOUGHT AT LEAST 6 TOPS ALL VERY PRETTY COLOURS (sorry about caps but have not the time to change all that) As I say they were admired and looked nothing like you are describing TS 14 I agree are expensive. Try Ebay enter TS 14 or any combination of that name and there are loads of the clothes for sale. There are shops that sell clothes for other people have you seen any of those? About bras I am a 24 I/J that is pretty awkward I can tell you but I manage to buy my bras. I have to I cannot buy them anywhere else.
Have you tried Catherine Plus Sizes online. her tops run about $35.00
The Clothing Company I told you about look a bit frumpy but better in person sorry they are about $81 at present they have a sale.
Try NZ with our $ prices are good.
Best of luck

Ziah

I do think you can pick your clothes in Autograph, they have some very pretty tops. I go to a fashion boutique and she says she can compete with their jewelled decorated tops. My 35 + friends wear...

Unfortunately not , frilly - online is no good unless you can try stuff on to see if it fits (I have an odd shape) - especially bras. I severely dislike Taking Shape - our Myer store sells it - and it is far too expensive. Autograph styles are mostly too frumpy for my taste - and I tried on those beaded tops that are in-store at the moment and felt like Mother Of The Bride combined with Mother of the Corpse (since they were all black). As I said in my original post, the boutiques are simply too expensive and well out of my price range. I can't afford to spend $100 plus on a single item!

frilly

It's going to get worse. I was told by a Kmart drone just last week that they are removing anything above a 2XL in men's and a size18 in Women's - and they've already removed anything over a DD in...

I do think you can pick your clothes in Autograph, they have some very pretty tops. I go to a fashion boutique and she says she can compete with their jewelled decorated tops. My 35 + friends wear them.
Have you tried VIRTU they are made by TS 14+ but cheaper. maybe they only go to size 22/24? There is an online store in Vic. called Special Sizes.
Large Bras Big Girls Don't Cry any More in Southport in Qld.
Catherines Plus Sizes on line does big sizes.
Big Time Clothing Com. They start mostly at size 24/26 I just keep putting any version of Plus sizes in my browser and searching it is amazing what you find. Curveaous Sizes I think it is called is another
Hope some of this helps

Keiko

Taking Shape has just moved over there have you given them a try, i know they are expensive but i have had some of there clothing for 10 yrs and its still perfectly good

stretch

got me beat but it is the same for mens clothes in xxxl hard to come by but if you surf the net you may find clothes for the bigger person
i wonder how are your shoulders and the back as increased weight on the front afect the rear in the back region

krin

Stores and department stores that don't stock clothing for the larger and lovely ladies are missing out on a big market. The average size of ladies in Australia is in the 16-18 size range. We would like somewhere to buy simple working clothes (not just in black) without paying a fortune. Hello? are you suppliers listening? You can make lots of money...

Anonymous

Stores and department stores that don't stock clothing for the larger and lovely ladies are missing out on a big market. The average size of ladies in Australia is in the 16-18 size range. We would...

i agree - the fashion market and retail stores cater only for stick thin people, and the fabric for real women is synthetic and aged

Miss Prim

I totally agree that there are not enough stores in Australia who stock the larger sizes. If you live in a regional town you normally have limited a choice of Big W or Best and Less. You have to go to the cities to find other stores that stock large sizes but there are only a few which are more expensive than what I can purchase locally. Being on a budget I have to be a thrifty shopper and I normally wait until sales times then stock up on the clothing that I need. However, I am lucky that I do not require much in the line of clothing now as I am retired and have a mix 'n'match wardrobe in styles that don't date.

Joan

I totally agree. I have the added "advantage" of being tall, with large feet, and larger than a 26 (that's a KMart or Target 26 - I fit into a My Size 26 most of the time, depending on the cut). It's almost impossible to find pretty underwear for big girls (I mean big all over, not just big boobs), pretty nightwear, and reasonably-priced fashion garments. I feel so envious of the girls who can buy a nice casual dress for $20 or $30. We big girls can't buy a singlet top for that price! And don't get me started on shoes! I can buy nanna-style Hush Puppies for $80+, or I can go to one store in Sydney and pay $300+ for a pair of fashion shoes, good quality, but please! If the population is becoming fatter (sorry, there's no kind way to say it) why isn't it reflected in the shops? What sizes sell out first in the plus-size specialty shops - the largest sizes. What sizes are on the sale racks? The smallest sizes (i.e. 14s & 16s). I feel like we're being overlooked and ripped off. I would love to see standard sizes introduced in Australia, so that I could say with certainty what size I am - I don't care if it's 156 or 6, as long as I could confidently buy something (especially online) in my size, instead of trying to guess. Try Elegance Plus in WA, they have an online store. Sybill's of Brisbane has gorgeous stuff (not cheap, but very nice indeed, no online store though), and Rubenesque (an Aussie ebay store) has great swimming costumes for big girls. I'd love to hear about other online stores for BBBs. Ezibuy's not too bad, but they don't have a wide range in the biggest sizes, and it's a bit hard to gauge what size of theirs I am. Some things fit and others don't. Good luck with your search. I sympathise with your plight.

Anonymous

I totally agree. I have the added "advantage" of being tall, with large feet, and larger than a 26 (that's a KMart or Target 26 - I fit into a My Size 26 most of the time, depending on the cut). ...

on the gold coast there is a shopping centre called harbour town all speciality shops great discounts up to 70% off I am sure they are on line,clothing ,shoes.ladies and men also I find Australian Ebay is good as well .Also Autograph
has great styles and big discounts as I have a friend that always looks great as she is a fuller figure as their clothes 16 to 30 and stylist/ hope this is helpfull also Harbour town has a underwear shop that also caters for fuller figures

sallymc

There are places here in New Zealand - Long Island goes up to size 30 and can go online and buy - they give great service and returns policies. There is way more than there used to be - my mother and her sister had a store that was one fo the first to stock clothes up to 24.