SHOPPING can sometimes feel stressful when you’re looking for the perfect buy to flatter your figure.
You want something to make your boobs look bigger or smaller, you’re self-conscious about your tummy or you simply don’t think the store will cater to your dress size.
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Me and my work bestie Lynn are fashionistas with very different figures.
At 33-years-old, I’m a big-boobed and petite size 18. Meanwhile, Lynn, 44, is a gorgeous size 10 momma.
But we both struggle with body issues. We are now trying to step out of our comfort zones to help our fellow shoppers find the best stores for size inclusive fashion.
We’ve been scouring fan-favourite supermarkets and high street stores to find the right outfits for every occasion – and for everybody.
Recently, we put New Look to the test to see how it measured up for sizing and what it had to offer for AW24.
And it was all about the colour of the season.
We spotted a gorgeous burgundy chiffon maxi dress on the website for £35.99, and it inspired our entire haul.
With a subtle leopard print, it ticks the box for the viral print on top of being the colour of autumn.
It’s also super comfortable, flattering and versatile.
I had read reviews that it has a slightly smaller fit than usual though so I sized up to a 20, and it was definitely the right decision as it skimmed over all of my self-conscious areas.
Lynn, meanwhile, went true to size and thought it was perfect.
We continued our burgundy spree with a pair of heeled ankle boots for £39.99.
New Look instantly gains brownie points for offering a wide fit option, which also pass the chunky ankle test.
And despite being heeled, they are still incredibly comfortable and make any outfit look dressier.
Just a wee jacket. that was £36.99 and we got that in a medium, which is a 12 to 14. So you wanted for if you’re wearing anything chunky under it. And I did think an XL in that as well.
I have got a little wild card for me because I don’t really do pleather or leather. But I always wonder whether I’m maybe a bit too old for it..
But when it’s in a classic kind of shape, like a pencil skirt, I don’t actually think you can go wrong.
midi length pencil skirt, Business in the front, parking in the back.
I think this would be nice for office wear, potentially can be dressed up for night time as well. So we got this one in a size 10 and an 18, I think in that one today. Yes.
And this one is 35.
I maybe sized up because I’m always scared that I’m going to look like a stuffed sausage. So I think I went a 20 in that actually. We’ll see how it goes.
Next, and sticking with the colour of the season, we got these. Again, these are kind of out of my comfort zone. So it’s just a kind of casual pair of comfy trousers. But instead of going for the usual leggings or joggers, they’re kind of like silky ribbed wide leg trousers.
That we got in a 10 and I think an 18 with that one. And that was $18.99.
We are suckers for cosy jumpers as well. And this is just a lovely shape. Nice cream, a little bit kind of oatmeal-y. Super soft. It’s absolutely lovely with the kind of ribbed cuffs and the ribbed bottom.
So we’ve got that in a medium and a large
Generous for sizing. Jumpers are something I always gravitate to in New Look. They do them really well.
And that is £18.99 for that one.
So we’ve got a pair of absolutely beautiful little pointy toed, they’re patent, they’ve got a bit of a buckle, nice chunky heel. Comfort soles
they look expensive.
And they were at £37.99.
Paired with the jumper, it just makes it kind of casual enough. So we’re not doing like sexy secretary vibes.
If I had something tucked in or I’ve had something tight with it, I would feel like it was way too young for me. I would feel very self-conscious. But with the jumper, it’s lovely.
But if you were thinking about wearing it out of the office, so like something for dinner and drinks, you could still get away with that, like with a wee top and blazer or something.
And I think for me, size wise, this feels all right.
The skirt, not New Look’s fault at all, because it means that they’re actually a huge tick for being true to size.
I tried to size up to 20 and it’s just far too big.
It’s learning curve for us as well as for anyone else. And it’s knowing what New Look is like in terms of sizing. Because some places you would get a leather skirt or a pleather skirt and you would have to size up and I would have to size up. But clearly New Look are doing the right thing.
These are a total dupe for the Ganni ones. I think they’re like £345.
These were only £37.99. Which is a big saving.
absolutely to-die-for comfy silky trousers.
It’s like wearing a cloud.
they’re so lightweight.
These would be absolutely perfect for travel.
I think just such a bargain because they feel amazing.
Neither of us are the tallest, we’ve had to tuck the waistband over because they were just skimming off the floor.
Huge hit. Really good price point. Really good fit.
Lovely colour for the season as well. Tick, tick, tick.
It’s just so pretty. It’s absolutely beautiful.
it’s so elegant and effortless.
And the fluted sleeves, I feel like even are just gorgeous. But very, very light to wear again. Very comfy. I am glad I sized up because I just think it would maybe be a bit clingy otherwise.
They’re lovely. The wide fit in the boots are so comfy. Like, feel really nice on the ankles. So if you are a wide ankle gal I recommend them in that way.
It’s got a really nice little back detail. It’s got a slightly open back with a little keyhole detail.
with the print and the colour of the season. It’s just absolutely beautiful.
And generally I’m quite self-conscious about my tummy. But I feel really nice in this.
I don’t know whether it’s just the length of it. It’s just so flattering. It’s a win all round. I think we’re going to pop on our wee jacket.
It’s just that little kind of cropped length. And a little bit like… I’m glad we got the bigger size, because I think actually the kind of slightly wideness… It means we could wear hoodies under it and everything as well.
Chunky jumper. And I like that. it’s just that bit of a darker colour.
It just looks a bit richer and pop.
Yeah, I think you can see the material on it. It’s just super fuzzy. Almost like, as you say, felty or fleecy.
Especially autumn, winter. You’re wanting to keep warm.
That’s the end of the New Look haul. I think we would say 10 out of 10.
Absolutely. The only failings have been our own failings, not anything to do with New Look. And for somewhere where it is a staple on the high street, it’s always there, it’s somewhere I kind of forget about to shop.
This is a reminder that New Look is amazing.
And check out our other ‘For Everybody’ hauls for some more inspiration.
So far we have put Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing autumn collection to the test and walked away with some fantastic wardrobe staples including an £18 leopard print dress that suits any occasion.
Meanwhile, River Island impressed with their fall fashion – and we discovered the coat of the season.
We’ve also found the best alternative to the viral jumper in Primark, as well as some surprise jeans and trousers that are AW24 staples.
Elsewhere, we bagged the dream wedding guest dress that flatters all shapes in Quiz – and it’s under £40.