Believe it or not size 16 is the average dress size in the UK and 40% of RGs are size 16 and bigger. Please note this is size 12-14 for US gals. I have no idea what the average size is for T girls, but as I am size 20 - 22 there must be many like me who want more choice of where we can shop.

Have a look at the article and the numerous responses from RGs who struggle to get clothes that fit, whatever their shape and size. And for those of my friends getting this it doesn't mean that I think you are a big girl...I just would like your comments

hugs Pauline xx

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-blog/2011/sep/12/good-clothes-size-12?commentpage=2#start-of-comments

As a RG I can sympathise as I am a size 18/20( depending on where you shop) but am not that tall, so look silly in some clothes, as if they fit yours bust etc, they are long....I tend to make my own clothes when I can....

Hi Maria, Thanks for the comments. I can sew a button on and maybe do a hem where stitches are loose but that is it. I envy your skills at dress making. P xxx

i usually buy mine in charity shops they r quite helpful xx

I usually shop in Evans store as they cater for the larger lady, I can also get shoes there too, as they do EEE size wide fitting, they are a little bit dearer but more often than not I can find what I want, especially when they have the sales on

Fortunately I've an older sister who when shopping will get something for me if she thinks it would suit. Other than that it's usually ebay or if I'm working abroad I'll try the local markets/smaller shops. This one's ideal because they usually never bat an eye at me buying ladies clothes in my size.

Matalan (don't laugh), Peacocks and also found some larger sizes in Tesco of all places.

I am normally a size 12 for skirts and jeans etc and also for jumpers and blouses, but I got a basque from Ann Summers and needed a size 14 due to my ribcage and bust and the same for some dresses I have to buy a 14 due to my shoulders, but even I have problems buying fashionable clothes for me as I am tall too at 6ft with no heels, with heels 6ft 4inches so to get the best look, I normally buy from Next, Debenhams, Matalan, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Top Shop, New Look and a few smaller clothes shops that have some really good fashionable items that even the bigger shops dont stock, and then you have the internet, and my undies normally from Ann Summers, H&M or Debenhams, all very understanding female staff, who are willing to help you get the correct size first time.

Matalan is ace - laugh - I cry with joy when I go there!

George is good and so is M&S. And tghe staff in M&S are always helpful.

Marianne
XX

Primark have 18 and on the odd occasions a 20....... but you need to search through the racks! to find them!
XXXX

I guess many of us are like RGs and buy clothes from all over the place. I try to buy clothes when the sales are on or there are special offers. And although I am size 20 +- in dresses I am only size 8 in shoes (sometimes a 9)

I have found the following good places to shop at reasonable prices
High Street - Matalan, Primark, sometimes BHS and at sales time Monsoon and maybe Next or M&S. I echo Andrea + Marianne's comments about Primark + Matalan

Catalogues - The big plus of catalogues is you can try on at home and send them back if you dont like them.
One Stop Plus (which is the big size part of Le Redoute) has good fashionable clothes at OK prices in the sale, and shoes up to size 9.
Evans for shoes in the sales...they do wide fittings too. I find their clothes expensive and a bit frumpy.
JDWilliams group which includes Simply Be and Viva La Diva+ Shoe Tailor (specializes in wide fitting shoes). If you look in crazy clearance there are always offers, and usually you can get a 20% discount
Kaleidoscope has classy stuff but is expensive, so you need to go there at sales time. Shoes are on the small side....an 8 is more often a 41 rather than a 42.
Bon Prix - reasonably priced and aimed at younger girls, but goes up to big sizes
Isme - Huge selection so you need to hunt a lot. Plus is the option of no payment for a year, but then its 40% interest

The downside of catalogues are the interest payments (thats where they make the money); as long as you know that you can shop wisely.

I also look at charity shops and although I rarely find anything good I do like looking around - I do sometimes find unusual jewellery. For all clothes shopping part of the fun is looking around and finding a bargain....especially one that suits your figure and makes you look good.

Pauline xxxx

dont ask me im a cheap bird ebay and charity shops lol xxxx

julie is right, evans is a good shop for the more fuller girl, and mentioned before, there is always the internet, but being 12 / 14 i don't have much of a problem. marks & spencers is not to bad, don't know about asda, could be worth a look. love collette XXX.

Hi I buy my clothes from www.simplybe.co.uk which is a mail order catolgue in sizes 14-32

Yeah mainly ebay, steals, primark,but its nice to have something of real quality which you can get from good charity shops in upmarket towns

i have to admit, the charity shops are worth a look now and again. but i think on the whole it is worth going around all the shops and having a good nose. love collette XXX.

nothin wrong with checking out whats about of course:)

i buy most of my clothes from ebay,evans,primark,peacocks have had some good bargains from them xxx

I buy mine from NewLook & Next, Store cards are a girls best friend dont forget!
Bought some leggings from Primarni today 16-18, there way too small for me, so there going back.
Footware from NewLook as they go up to a size 9 wide fit, but i allways keep checking there site as they go rather quick.

As a 16-18, I tend to use George at Asda, New Look and Punkyfish. But even in these shops the same sizes do seem to vary a great deal. A bit of stretch in the material is always good. It's mostly shoes that I struggle with (size 11 anyone!?) Some Evans ones fit...but some just dont! Online it's alternative-footwear.co.uk, but thats not exactly a cheap option.
This post was edited by Suzi Slutz at January 15, 2012 11:31 PM GMT

Suzi have you tried www.bigshoeboutique.co.uk, as they do larger size shoes....Paula has bought her shoes from there although she is only a size 9, but I also know a couple of other girls that get their shoes from there & they are an 11 & a 12. Shoes sizes & clothes sizes do vary though as I bought Paula a pair of 8's in Primark on Saturday & they are quite big on her

Online I get most of mine from asos.com. high street shopping I find Peacocks have a good range. BHS, and Debenhams also seem to be quite good.

Hi Maria, hate to say it but bigshoeboutique is part of Barratts and they're in administration! Not sure how they're gonna go now, but down is sure a possibility :-(

I AM ASIZE 22TOP AND I BUY MOSR OF MY CLOTHES FROM SIMPLY YOURS .COM ON INTERNER THEY DO UP TO SIZE 32 ALSO WIDE FITTING SHOES

Being 6' 3" I find Long Tall Sally and Tallgirls very useful (latter mail order only).
I've bought loads of stuff on eBay. Some times it's superb, sometimes it's rubbish but it's always cheap! Buying lots of cheap stuff lets me experiment and find out which brands I like the quality/style most and then consider buying new/full price later on.