Shops of the season

You asked, and we’ve delivered. After much research, here’s our round up of the most inclusive, accessible and affordable places to shop this season…

Retail Stores

Monki

Monki may be a surprise store to open this list with, but we guarantee it’ll be worth you taking the chance. With their official size range only extending to a size 20, you can shop comfortably in the knowledge that the brand is known for their oversized fits. Women of a size 20 to 22 often report being about to wear the its size Ms – which, according to their size guides, are the equivalent of a 14. We suggest buying in your staples from here, and looking out for their brightly printed shift dresses specifically.

Price rating: ££

Find them in stores across the UK and online.

New Look

One of the first UK stores to carry a plus-size range, New Look have only evolved their offerings from there. You may recognise the name of its ‘Inspire’ range as an old favourite of yours, but it’s since been rebranded as the ‘Curves Range’. Now, it offers typically fashionable items alongside a whole host of well-fitting loungewear for those comfy days, and a good selection of jeans too. From size 18 to 32, the brand offers one of the most diverse size ranges on the board.

Price rating: £

Find them in stores across the UK and online.

River Island

Joining the plus-party slightly late came this high-street heavyweight – but boy, has it been worth the wait. Running from size 16 through to 28, they offer a mostly inclusive size range of many wardrobe staples. Not just taking items from their straight-sized range and grading them up, the brand also promotes lines exclusive to its plus audience - and no, there’s not a butterfly or drab colour in sight.

Price rating: ££

Find them in stores across the UK and online.

Mango

Running from a 12 to a 26 is Mango’s specifically size-inclusive label, Violeta. Not as well-known as its mother-brand, Violeta is quietly earning a name for itself in fashion circles. Great for holiday shopping, bikinis and everyday basics alike, Violeta produce clothing that fits well yet makes a statement at every turn. Paring classic silhouettes with trending colours, styles and prints, this brand is one to watch out for as it begins to be stocked in Mango stores.

Price rating: ££

Find them in stores across the UK and online.

Online Stores

Image courtesy of @enamasiama via Instagram

Elvi

This is a brand slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Having started out with a much smaller range of clothing available, the online store now stocks almost everything a woman might need to create a staple wardrobe. On the slightly pricier end of the spectrum, we recommend investing in pieces such as its pleated skirts, warm-weather jackets and smock dresses – all of which are offered from a size 8 to 28.

Price rating: £££

Find them at www.elvi.com.

PrettyLittleThing

One of the most highly commended brands of the moment is PrettyLittleThing. From starting the revolutionary trend of showing garments on both smaller and larger models in its product pictures, to collaborating on clothing collections with plus-size models, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll find something you like from the brand’s plus selection. Offering sizes 16 to 26, it doesn’t stock the largest size variety of all these brands, but they do have one thing on their side – style. While the quality of their products can sometimes be on the fast-fashion end of the spectrum, their design, fit, affordable cost and instant wear-ability help to make up for this.

Price rating: £

Find them at www.prettylittlething.com by searching for the Plus category.

Image courtesy of @issathicknation via Instagram

Boohoo

One of the most well-known online plus extension ranges comes from Boohoo. While it may not always cater to our high-fashion needs, it never fails to provide affordable, simple statement pieces to add a flourish to any wardrobe. One of the most interesting things about its plus collection is that it features the same clothes from its straight-sized lines, only produced in a wider range of sizes. With garments starting at a size 16 and running up to a 26, they also cater for many more women than the typical offerings of the fashion industry.

Price rating: £

Find them at www.boohoo.com by searching for the Plus category.

Image courtesy of @asos_loves_curve via Instagram

ASOS Curve

Probably our highest recommended shop on this list, ASOS Curve is a winner. Known for its trend-led, affordable, good quality pieces, you can buy everything – from a boilersuit, to a satin midi skirt, to wide-fit shoes. Focusing on what’s new in fashion rather than what plus-size women are used to wearing, ASOS Curve will inspire you with the pieces you love, not just the pieces you feel you should wear. In this collection, sizes from 16 all the way through to 30 and almost always fit true-to-size.

Price rating: ££

Find them at www.asos.com by searching for the Curve category.