The long-awaited vintage-inspired Ruby Belle dresses have finally arrived at Evans, and I couldn’t wait to snap one up. I’ve been a fan of Fever Designs for a while, so I’m really glad they’ve teamed up with Evans to offer this range in larger sizes. Ruby Belle normally only goes up to a UK size 14 and while the size guide suggests that should fit me, my experiences trying on other Fever items suggests otherwise!

So I was waiting very impatiently for the dresses to be recut to Evans’ slightly more generous sizes – and given that it has a stretch top and full skirt, I risked it and bought the sailboat dress in a 14. And I love it! It fits really well, and I’d say it’s true to size, though I would warn potential shoppers that there’s not a lot of give to the wide band of elastic in the back of the waist, so getting it off can take a bit of wriggling about! The skirt is quite a flimsy cotton, but it is fully-lined so it’s not see-through. The top is quite thick jersey, so hopefully it’ll wash well. Shape-wise, I’m sold. Anything vintage-esque gets my vote, and I love the pleats and the nautical print.

Now that I’ve seen how it fits, I’d be really interested to try the mainline version in the same size to see how it compares. I much prefer the black and cream colourway of the Evans version, which is why I waited for it and didn’t attempt to squeeze into the main range (where the dress is hot pink which on me is just a bit too Barbie) but there is a £16 price difference; money which I hope has gone to good use developing a better fit in larger sizes. If nothing else, I’m going to guess this is a bit longer, and probably has a slightly larger waist.

If you bought one of the dresses, do comment and let me know how you got on. I’m sorely tempted by the short-sleeved flamingo dress!

- Shop Ruby Belle at Evans here.
- See more fab Ruby Belle reviews by Em at Oh The Places You’ll Go

It’s not hard to see why so many curvaceous women turn to fashions from the 40s and 50s when it comes to making the most of their bodies. The era’s pin-up girls, ‘cheesecake’ models and Vargas girls all had waspish waists and sexy curves. Actresses had hourglass figures that their clothes could barely contain (think Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors) and all women wore girdles that sculpted their bodies to perfection and bullet bras that gave the appearance of a Joan Holloway-esque bosom on even a petite woman.

I know from reading comments and looking at search terms that many of us wish we could eschew badly-designed, poorly-fitting modern pieces for something more flattering from the past. But finding true vintage pieces from that era for a larger figure can be difficult. Most good pieces are expensive, and many come in very small sizes, especially on the waist.

So three cheers for the many great brands and retailers who’ve allowed us to get a bit of that old-fashioned glamour in modern sizing. Some of the labels below stock plus size, some don’t, but I’ve chosen to include them all for reference.

This page lists some of best vintage reproduction or vintage inspired online retailers I’ve found. The list covers everything from 40s tea dresses to 50s tiki dresses, and I’ve also included some burlesque lingerie and my favourite retro swimwear brands so you can get the complete package. Don’t forget your hair either! Every wannabe pin-up girl should invest in a good set of hot rollers, some hair set and Lauren Rennells’ amazing ‘Vintage Hairstyling’ book for the perfect pompadour or pin-up set!

L – R: Vivien of Holloway, Tara Starlet, Get Cutie, Pin-up Emporium, Pin-up Parade

Vivien of Holloway – Famous for her circle-skirted halter dresses with boned tops, Vivien actually offers much more, including amazing sarong dresses, pencil skirts, sailor trousers and loads of different prints. Plus sizes are stocked, but the dresses use vintage patterns, so it’s worth heading to the Holloway Road store if you can to try a few on. I’ve got four VoH dresses and can’t speak highly enough of the fit, but you must go by waist measurement.

Pin-Up Parade – One of the best stockists in the UK for vintage repro brands from the USA like Stop Staring and Bettie Page Clothing. Move fast if your size is in stock, and keep an eye on the sale pages – I got a Bettie Page dress for £35 recently!

The Pin-up Emporium – A UK option for big US brands Stop Staring and Bettie Page Clothing (stock is limited but they have key pieces like the Bettie Page ‘Captain’ dress) as well as What Katie Did lingerie.

Tara Starlet – If Swing is your bag, this label offers up some brilliant floral tea dresses and early 40s styles. Unfortunately sizing is limited so anyone over a 14/16 (myself included) may have trouble…but if we hassle them enough, maybe they’ll increase the range?

Dolly Dagger – Rockabilly-influenced online store that stocks Tara Starlet, Stop Staring and many others. Good for polka dots, pencil skirts and swimwear.

Freddies of Pinewood – Do your best land girl impression in Freddie’s high-waisted jeans and 40s tops. Or try some dungarees if you dare!

Get Cutie – Not technically a vintage repro company, but if you like the full skirted styles and the rockabilly look, these cute dresses handmade in Brighton will be right up your alley. Choose your dress shape and then pick your quirky print (including some cool Varga girl style offerings and tattoo prints).

Soho’s – Primarily a punk / emo clothing store, this makes the list because it stocks Hell Bunny, an alternative clothing brand that does a lot of 50s halter dresses in prints, lace and polka dots for a lot less than you pay for the more pin-up style brands. That said, these are simpler styles with none of the boning or super-wide skirts you’ll find elsewhere. Also look out for Criminal Damage, who do a great sailor dress with a pencil skirt.

L – R: Bettie Page Clothing, Bernie Dexter, Pin-up Girl Clothing, Mode Merr, Stop Staring

Stop Staring Clothing – Probably the best-known producer of vintage-inspired wiggle dresses and bombshell frocks. Loads of great stretch dresses, satin cocktail dresses and swing dresses. Check sizing – stretch bengalene is not particularly forgiving. This has celeb approval too. Paris Hilton is a big fan, and Ashley ‘Twilight’ Greene was their model before she hit the bigtime.

Mode Merr – Retro dresses with a modern twist, separated into ‘good girl’ and ‘bad girl’ sections. Lots of embroidered detail (anchors, horseshoes, poodles and so on) and pencil skirts, fitted dresses and ruched gypsy style tops.

Daddy O’s – Rock and Roll store with a massive range of Stop Staring dresses (probably the biggest online away from the official site) and men’s bowling shirts. It’s a bit of a nightmare to navigate, but the stock is great.

Pin-Up Girl Clothing – One of my favourites for gorgeous wiggle dresses and pin-up styles. This big boutique stocks most of the big vintage brands and their own ‘Pin Up Couture’ label. Also the place to go for some very cute retro-inspired shoes and swimwear.

Bettie Page Clothing – Discovering the flagship store in Las Vegas was like stepping into my dreamworld, so this is another favourite of mine and I own three Bettie Page dresses now. Like Stop Staring, the best items are fitted wiggle dresses that make the most of a waspie waist!

BernieDexter.com – If you visit the shops above already, you’ll know Bernie. She’s modelled for just about every vintage reproduction retailer going. Now she has her own store selling some beautiful pieces for burlesque and vintage chicks.

Babygirl Boutique – One of the biggest boutiques for rockabilly and alternative clothing. It’s got all the big names, plus lots of accessories that can be hard to find elsewhere. Check out the sunglasses!

My Baby Jo – website of the cute LA boutique selling great vintage styles you won’t find elsewhere (look out for the gorgeous garden party dress) and brands mentioned above. The undergarments section has some great retro lingerie too.

L – R: What Katie Did, Fairy Gothmother, Playful Promises, Hepburn & Leigh

What Katie Did – The place to go for corsets and lingerie, including fully fashioned stockings (with the must-have french or cuban heel). If you want to go the whole hog, the bullet bras and proper girdles are a great alternative to modern shapewear (and much sexier).

True Corset – Classic overbust and underbust corsets in various fabrics, sizes go up to about a 24, plus loads of other burlesque and lingerie treats. For a review, see here.

StockingsHQ.com – The biggest range of fully-fashioned stockings made on vintage machinery by brands like Gio and Cervin, as well as plenty of more affordable modern interpretations. Also have their own range of 40s-style suspender belts and matching lingerie.

Playful Promises – Modern lingerie brand with a big dash of pin-up inspiration. Come here for longline bras, pretty girdles and suspender belts, and diaphanous, boudoir-inspired sets.

Hepburn and Leigh – stockists of Kiss Me Deadly, for a modern take on vintage lingerie (think suspender belts, deep knickers and push-up in lieu of bullet bras). The styles are pretty, the items well-made (I’ve got the ‘Alouette’ set) and kudos to KMD for going up to an E cup! The site also stocks Playful Promises, Cervin and others.

Miss Katie – Yet more corsets, this time a bit more costumey and over the top. Think blue corsets with big sailor collars and white pinstripe numbers with matching skirts.

Fairy Gothmother – Don’t let the name fool you, this site stocks a lot of really beautiful high quality steel-boned corsets and has a good crossover from its goth roots into the world of burlesque. They’ve also now got a big dress section. Definitely worth checking out if you like the wasp-waisted look.

L – R: Modcloth, Skinny Dip Swimwear, Pin-up Girl Clothing (above), For Luna

Esther Williams – Williams appeared in countless movies during the golden age of Hollywood, often in fabulous high-waisted bikinis or sexy one-pieces. Now she sells them to the public. Ignore the terribly 90s photography – these are the bees knees when it comes to retro swimwear. At time of publication, sales on the site are suspended, but some of the sites below (Modcloth and For Luna) stock the line.

For Luna – Small but perfectly formed online swimwear boutique. The only UK stockist I’ve found for Esther Williams, also has What Katie Did swim and Jantzen. Also stocks the Red or Dead swimwear collection which has some fab pin-up girl styles.

ModCloth – Retro and indie superstore with an amazing selection of very reasonably priced retro swimwear, including polka dot two-pieces, nautical inspired sets and Esther Williams swimwear. If nothing else, it’s a good place to see the line photographed in a more modern way!

Skinny Dip Swimwear – retro-inspired swimwear from the people behind lingerie / hosiery brand Leg Avenue. Includes cherry print halter bikinis, white broiderie anglaise trimmed swim dresses, and plenty of polka dots.

L – R: Dig For Victory, Zombie Doll Clothing, Audrey and Grace, Fables by Barrie

Dig For Victory – Beautiful 1950s style dresses made from vintage fabrics. Sized up to 16 with custom sizing available at extra cost. If you’re a Betty Draper fan, this is the one for you! I’m definitely saving up for my own floral frock! You can also shop in the UK at DigForVictory.com.

Audrey and Grace – With this one, the clue is in the name. Beautiful vintage reproduction dresses made in a variety of fabrics. The sizing chart runs small (the biggest waist measurement on the chart is 34″) but you can order with custom measurements too.

Jack’s Daughter – 40s, 50s and 60s inspired dresses, including buttoned tea dresses, halter neck swing dresses and a good dash of polka dot. There are also some very cute bikini top and skirt combos in tropical prints. Made in Australia.

Zombie Doll Clothing – Made to measure dresses, tops and corsets in rockabilly and retro tattoo prints. Lisa will even do custom designs, so if you’ve see a fabric you love, drop her a line.

New Vintage Lady – A seller who specialises in plus sized vintage. The store is mainly patterns, so you’ll need to get crafty, but you’ll occasionally find clothing there – usually items over a 40″ bust.

Miss Brache – Amazing retro ‘maillot’ swimsuits (take a look at the ‘ooh la la’ set!) and rockabilly dresses. The designer will custom make everything up to a US size 24.

Fables by Barrie – Vintage styles with a modern twist – mainly sailor-inspired. Amazing red, white and blue swimwear and button-detail pencil skirts.

The Red Dolly – Very well-priced retro swimsuits and bikinis in spots, stripes, block colours and animal prints.

La Drama Queen – More retro swimwear. Cute bikinis with halter tops and ruched sides, and amazing chevron striped swimsuits.

Note: This is by no means a complete list of retro reproduction shops and sellers, but it did take a long time to put together. Please do not republish it without my consent. If you wish to borrow portions of it, or if you use it to compile a list or feature of your own, please link back to this page – share the love!

There’s no real link between these ten products except the fact I love them and I will be investing in some of them ready for when the Sun finally shows its face! This Summer, I’ll be eschewing the more off-the-wall catwalk trends (jogging pants? Leather shorts? I think not…) for something a bit more flattering.

On the relaxed, bohemian side there’ll be an update on last Summer’s gladiator sandals, pretty maxi dresses, nude wedge sandals, 50s sundresses and vintage-inspired doctors bags. For something a bit more dramatic, I’m thinking chandelier earrings, waterfall frills, graphic print dresses and military inspiration. All these items are available now, so get shopping before they sell out!

The team at TK Maxx recently got in touch to see if I’d like to take part in their bloggers challenge. It sounded like fun, so I threw my hat in the ring. For the challenge, I had to create three outfits around the same item, each outfit matching a scenario picked for me.

I find these kind of styling challenges quite difficult, but I’m always up for having a go! I have no problem putting an outfit together at home, but faced with every accessory on the internet I get incredibly matchy-matchy. Still, it was great fun to try creating different looks around the same dress, though I could have spent another three days looking for just the right things!

The dress TK Maxx picked was a bright coral dress with frilled trim – quite a statement frock which is totally my style. I’ve worked on the assumption that these outfits are for me, so though I’ve picked from mainstream stores rather than plus size this time around, I’ve gone for items that’ll look good on a curvier woman, so hopefully these outfits might provide some inspiration even if you don’t like the finished looks.

There’s a real temptation to just team this dress with black because of the trim, but I wanted to add another shade, and Topshop’s printed jersey blazer was perfect. I don’t think you should shy away from your own style just because you’re meeting the parents, but I thought the heart print was apt for the occasion! I then added a pretty flower necklace with some pearls (moms love pearls, right?), black tights to make the look a bit more demure, patent mid-heel shoes (this is the not the time for f**k me heels) and a simple clutch in the same shade as the dress.

Dress (throughout) from TK Maxx
Heart and spot jersey blazer £55 Topshop
Spring Romance necklace $24 LakeShoreCreations4u on Etsy
Black 80 denier opaque tights £6 Topshop
KG Erin patent Mary-Janes £45 Kurt Geiger
Metal tip clutch bag £15 ASOS

A job interview is the one time when sticking to simple black with such a bright dress might be a good idea. You want them to remember you for your answers, not your outfit (unless it’s a job interview for the fashion industry). To make the dress interview-safe, I went for a smart tailored jacket from Reiss with a double hem, thick black tights and a classic pair of court shoes. I then finished the look with a classic handbag – the Mulberry Bayswater – and just one piece of jewellery. I decided on some coral earrings because I’d probably wear my hair up for an interview, so they’d be on show.

Otis formal double hem tailored jacket £179 Reiss
Black snake court shoes £35 Dorothy Perkins
Black 120 denier tights £12 Oasis
Chunky teardrop earrings £8 Accessorize
Bayswater handbag in black £595 Mulberry

A night out for the girls is a chance to go all out, so my first find was an absolutely killer pair of shoes. I like my going-out heels to be completely ostentatious and over the top, and you don’t get better than Nicholas Kirkwood for that! I’d team with suspender tights, which would just peek out from below the hem of the dress. The embellished jacket adds a splash of another colour but still pulls through the coral from the dress, which is also picked up in the bag. Finally, some funky jewellery – a vintage style necklace in the same burnished gold as the threading on the jacket, and a brooch in coral and pink that I’d pin on the bag.

Embellished jacket £95 Miss Selfridge
Vintage style pendant watch £22 ASOS
Heart suspender tights £10 ASOS
Coral suede clutch bag £99 Karen Millen
Comet bas relief brooch £105 Vivienne Westwood at My Wardrobe
Snakeskin and black shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood

So there you go – I hope you like the finished outfits! TK Maxx will be putting the entries from the bloggers onto their facebook page, so if you want to see what others came up with, take a look there in the next few days, or see the other entries I’ve located so far – from Tor at Fab Frocks and Pearl at Fashion Pearls of Wisdom.

Disclaimer: TK Maxx sent me a gift as a thank you for taking part in this challenge.

The nights are getting lighter and it’s pouring with rain outside, which can mean only one thing, Spring has sprung! We’re finally through (the worst of) the freezing cold days of duffle coats and ugg boots, and we can start planning our warm weather wardrobes. Problem is, most shops have had their Spring stock in for weeks already, and if you want to invest in key pieces, you need to move fast.

To help you decide on what you’ll need to revamp your look (or just as a treat) I’ve picked a few key trends that can be adapted no matter what dress size you wear. Just one of these key items will jazz up all those old faithfuls a treat – but don’t wait around for too long. Before you know it the shops will have nothing but gladiator flats, vest tops and bikinis on the rails!

Last year I searched for ages for an embellished black maxi and never found the perfect one. This time around I’m spoilt for choice, but my top pick is currently this ASOS version with a dramatic gold beaded panel around the neck. The tiered cotton maxi dresses of previous seasons were often too voluminous to flatter a curvier woman, but I think the ASOS Curve model (left) fills out this more streamlined, jersey dress better than the slim model wearing the mainline version. The dress is £55 and available in size 20 – 26 in black as part of ASOS curve, or in black or khaki in sizes 6 – 20 as part of the ASOS Premium range.

Life’s too short to wear boring shoes, and this season there are plenty of completely over the top options to prove that! From clogs (yes, clogs) to over-embellished gladiator sandals and chunky peep-toe boots, your feet need to be dressed to impress. Tribal sandals (inspired by last Summer’s Louis Vuitton show) are still hot, and this season they’ve got even more colourful. If you need a wide fit, Evans are offering a pair in sizes 4 – 10 EEE for a very reasonable £39.50, meanwhile over at Next, the design team have completely upped the ante this season with the tribal animal sandals for £45.

After seeing Diane in Evans’ denim biker jacket, I knew I had to mention this style again. A biker jacket is so detatched from my usual style, especially a denim one, but mixed with Spring pastels it’s absolutely perfect and I’m sorely tempted to try something new for once! For plus size shoppers, So Fabulous! at Very has a £35 version in an acid wash in sizes 16 – 32. I also really like the pale wash of La Redoute’s version, which is also £35 and available in sizes 8 – 20.

Here’s a catwalk trend that’s easy to scale up or down to suit. Stella McCartney showed full-on lace jumpsuits, others went down a more subtle route with lace trims and inserts on black or pale-coloured outfits. The most literal translation of the look comes from F&F at Tesco, whose £28 lace blazer (sizes 8 – 16) is a full-on nod to Ms McCartney. On a more subtle, wearable end of the scale is Evans’ floral lace-effect top with lace trim for £27. They styled it for the catalogue with a lacy cardigan over the top, so fingers crossed that’s hitting the shops soon!

Much to my chagrin, washed-out, barely there shades are taking over the dark hues we’ve all relied on. Nudes and pastel shades are the key colours of the season, and it’s not a look that’s easy to pull off if you’re pale like me! If you’re blessed with a skintone that doesn’t fade completely into mocha, mink and beige, give one of these dresses a go. Miss Selfridge go simple with a belted tunic for £30 (sizes 4-16) while Curvety pick draped jersey for a plus size option coming in at £49.

Wearing denim doesn’t have to mean wearing jeans, and this season there are loads of alternatives to the plethora of skinnies, jeggings and boyfriend jeans that are still filling the rails everywhere from M&S to Mango. I know lots of you – like me – have trouble finding jeans that fit, so save yourself the nightmare shopping trip! Shirts, jackets, dresses, skirts – this Spring, the alternatives are endless.

So I’ve put together some suggestions of jean-free ways to wear the fabric. If you’re really brave, you could tackle the double denim trend (yes it’s back!) and team a jacket or shirt with your favourite jeans or jeggings. I prefer to play it safe, though…

For a different take on denim, try 70s style button down dresses, worn-looking shirts (a la Christina Hendricks) or a boob-friendly grandad tunic (wear a good bra and undo a few buttons). If that’s still not for you, why not go for interesting pieces that are denim blue in colour, but made of softer, more pliable fabrics?

I’ve picked some of my favourite blue buys from a variety of shops. Some are high street, some are specialist, so there should be something for everyone. Size ranges are listed with each product, and nothing’s over £60 so there should be something to fit all budgets.

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The wonderful girls from ASOS broke the brilliant news on Twitter today that ASOS – the folks responsible for the fab (non plus-size) items above – will soon be branching out into the plus size market with new called ASOS Curve. It’ll cater for sizes 20 – 26 and they’re currently looking for fit models, so if you’re a Big Girl who fits the criteria, you could be one step away from ensuring an almost custom-made collection!

ASOS need someone who can spare a couple of hours a week to try on ASOS Curve clothing. They’re looking for someone who’s 5ft 5″ tall with the following measurements:

Bust: 116cm
Waist: 98cm
Hip: 124cm

If you fit the bill, check out the listing on ASOS for details of how to apply. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I hear more details about the range. Judging by the mainline collection, this should be a trend-lead, stylish and affordable range so I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

As winter rears its ugly, frosty and freezing cold head, it’s time to wrap up warm with a gorgeous winter coat. To help you find the perfect one, I’ve scoured the high street and some specialist online stores for the most flattering, eye-catching and comfortable styles. From sharp military styles to classic belted trenches, hopefully there’s something to suit (and to fit) everyone…

Your coat needn’t be boring just because you’ve got a few curves. Don’t be afraid to try out bright colours, bold styles, frills, embellishment and chic detailing. Just pick carefully and choose something that has one major detail, not everything! Evans’ hot pink coat is kept modern with a visible zip and simple trapeze shape, while George at Asda’s frilled neckline works wonders for a basic belted black number.

If it’s your bust that causes problems, try Bravissimo’s black coat in really or super-curvy for extra room around the top, or go for a double-breasted raspberry trench from M&S to make the most of a great waist. All these coats are under £100 and come in a good range of sizing, so what’s stopping you?

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In general, brands and shops tend to organise clothes based on occasion or style (unless we’re talking H&M, in which case there’s more of an irritating jumble sale approach) but I’m sure many of us would appreciate more attention to what suits certain shapes. Imagine walking into a shop and having a whole section devoted to pear-shapes, hourglass figures or apple shapes, alongside the tall and petite section.

Then rub your hands together with glee when you discover that it now exists – online at least! Some friends of Big Girls Browse have created the perfect solution for shopping by shape…

Joy of Clothes is a new site that brings together clothing from across the web (in all price ranges) and sorts it by body shape and colour. It allows you to find the perfect pieces without having to sift through loads of unsuitable shapes and styles, and then links directly to product pages on retailers website.

The chosen body shapes are all-encompassing and far less patronising than the ridiculous Trinny and Susannah offerings (I don’t want to be a skittle, brick or goblet, thanks). Most interesting for women like us is the addition of ‘full hourglass’, for those lucky women who’re curvy with a great waist.

It’s early days for the site (it’s still in beta) but it’s amazing how quickly you get sucked into it. The shape-to-product matches are chosen manually and not by a piece of software which means there’s little room for error, I was really impressed at the choices for my body shape, and the option to narrow by product and colour as well as sorting by price is useful.

But why am I telling you all this? Go and take a look for yourself, and see what you think!

Being comfortable with your curves is the key to looking great, and I have so much admiration for voluptuous women who wear what they want regardless of the fashion ‘rules’ (who wrote them anyway?). They are the women we should be looking up to. But the truth is many of us still have confidence issues and would kill to look a few pounds slimmer, hide the lumps and bumps or conceal the bits we don’t like very much. Whether it’s your tum, bum, boobs or thighs that you struggle to dress, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting you have bits you’re not so happy with. Until you have the confidence to say “to hell with it, I’m gorgeous!” dressing to flatter is key to feeling good about yourself.

However, hiding it not an option! So throw away those shapeless sacks and work with what you’ve got instead…

1. Belt it!
If you’ve got a big bum and big boobs, chances are you’ve got a killer waist to go with them. So don’t hide it. Bigger women – especially those of a certain age – seem to be inexplicably obsessed with low-slung hip belts. This has to stop! Accentuate the narrowest part, your natural waist, instead. If you’re a 12 – 18, you can go with a wider belt, perhaps an elasticated number or something with a big buckle. If you’re larger, try something narrower, and don’t fasten it too tight. Remember you need to be able to breathe!

2. Go opaque
My less-than-secret weapon for feeling great is a good pair of black or very dark coloured opaque tights with a semi-matte finish. We all know black is slimming, and nothing makes your legs look better than some great opaques with a pair of killer heels. They also smooth bumps and conceal thread veins, cellulite and ‘corned beef’ legs. Some of the heavier deniers can even have a shapewear-like effect.
The best in the business for lasting power are Wolford’s Velvet DeLuxe. If you can’t afford their £18 price tag, Accessorize do a 90 denier pair for £6 that are a dead ringer on a budget. Also look at brands like Falke, Tabio and Cette, as well as good old Spanx. And remember, tights are so super-cool now so you can wear them pretty much year-round. Look at tights fans like Zooey Deschanel, Gwyneth Paltrow and Leona Lewis for proof!

3. Go tailored
If I had £1 for every bigger woman I’ve seen drowning herself in shapeless layers of clothing, I’d be a very rich woman. As tempting as it is to throw on a baggy t-shirt under a man’s shirt and scarf and hide your lumps and bumps, you’ll look much better if that t-shirt is long, v-necked and semi-fitted, and the shirt is a blouse cut to fit a woman with a waist (you have a waist, remember?!) I’m not suggesting you suddenly shoehorn yourself into skintight bodycon (unless you want to!) but remember the more bulk you add in shapeless layers, the bigger you’ll look all over. Pick things that subtly nip you in, and you’re onto a winner.

4. Stop camping it up if you’ve got a chest!
Trapeze and A-line dresses (ones that flare out from the neck or above the bust) work brilliantly on women with small boobs, big thighs or round tummies because they skim those areas brilliantly, but they’re the worst possible choice for anyone over a C cup. There’s nothing worse than a tent-like dress with a spindly pair of legs poking out. You’ll get ’shelf boob’ and you’ll hide all those amazing curves, and what’s the point of that? You’d be far better off with a good heavy jersey wrap dress with a deep v-neck, or something that hugs the waist, perhaps with a darker panel or belt. Just stick a spanx slip or cami underneath to cover those annoying high-rise D+ bras.

5. Fake it!
I don’t advocate sun-worshiping, but a tan does give you confidence, and bronzed skin can make you look healthier and more radiant. So if you’re fair to medium skinned and conscious of how fair your skin is, why not get a fake tan if you’ve got a big event where you want to look your best? Professional spray tanners can even use the airbrush to ’sculpt’ your body, adding extra shading to the cleavage, the collarbone, the sides of the stomach etc. This is hard to copy at home but you could try tanning all over on day one, then topping up on the ’shaded’ bits with a mixture dilluted with moisturiser on day two. I also use a gradual tanning moisturiser throughout Spring, Summer and early Autumn when I’ve got my arms and legs out. It really makes a difference, but you’re less likely to go streaky in the heat.

6. Balance out big hips.
The key to hiding ‘childbearing’ hips is balance. Avoid wearing skinny jeans with short tops (go for longer tunic styles), throw out those hip belts and instead try bootcut trousers or flares teamed with long, fitted or body-skimming tops. Skirts with knee high boots (especially ruched or slouchy to add bulk to the calves to balance out the upper thighs) or dresses with detail on the shoulders also work to even out your proportions. Big shoulders are back in fashion at the moment and they’re a great way of balancing out your hips.

7. Buy the right size.
Ladies, many of us wish we fit into a size 8. But let’s face it, most of us don’t. Most of us don’t fit into a 10 or 12 either, and it’s about time we admitted it. Measure your hips, waist and chest (at the widest part) and compare it to the size charts of the shops you most frequently shop at. Try that size if you’re not wearing it already, you’ll probably find it’s a much nicer fit. One of the worst things a woman can do is try to squeeze into something that’s too small (or drown in something too big)…and I speak from experience here because I’ve done both. But it’s time we learned. Try things on, and only buy things that fit perfectly. Chuck them out when they don’t fit any more. Don’t hang onto stuff that you’ll never wear. Sell it on eBay and buy something else!

8. Get the right undies.
I will never stop rambling on about the importance of being fitted for a good bra. You’ve probably read countless times that 80% of us are wearing the wrong bra size. Stop just assuming you’re one of the other 20%! Get measured! Weight loss, weight gain, the fact you were last measured in M&S when you were 14…all of these contribute to the fact we’re all clueless when it comes to cup size. I promise you that a trip to Bravissimo will give you a new lease of life. In the right bra your clothes will fit better, your boobs will look twice as perky, and your straps will stop falling down all the time. On a side note, stop buying knickers that are too small, too. Go up a size, don’t be ashamed to be a 16 (or 18, or 20, or 32…) if that’s what feels most comfortable!

9. Get a new ‘do
I think part of feeling confident is about having a whole look that feels young, fresh and stylish. So many big girls (myself included) have a tendency to hang on to their hair for dear life, hiding behind waist-length locks that are desperately in need of a tidy up. So if you want a new lease of life, consider a new hairdo. A shorter, choppier cut will lighten up your hair and give it more body (long hair is full of weight that makes it look flat). I’m all about the big hair – it looks fun! so whip out the big velcro rollers, invest in some heavy duty hairspray, and have fun!

10. Get active
Big Girls Browse is all about looking good whatever your shape, so I’m not going to preach at anyone to lose weight (unless they want to). It’s taken me a long time to get to this point, but now I realise that life doesn’t end when your dress size goes up.

That said, so many voluptuous women have been knocked down so many times they eventually give up and hide away. And that’s a crying shame, because nothing beats the radiance a woman has from being active, going out, doing stuff and living her life to the full. So stick two fingers up to the haters, put on your favourite outfit and go and DO SOMETHING!

images above: Bravissimo shirt dress,Torrid checked shirt, Caryn Franklin belted dress, Simply Be Pom-Pom trim dress.