does my bum look big in this

Doversole you just made me giggle with that last sentence! Honestly we do have some very witty GN’s. Love it ?

As a 5ft nothing/size 18 I find it very difficult to find clothes that fit, at a sensible price. It’s not just a case of turning up hems, which is a pain, anyway. Sleeves reach my fingertips and waistlines often become hip lines. I would love to buy some of the beautiful long dresses, but shortening them by a foot or more would often spoil the hemline design. I am doubly cursed by having size 3 1/2 extra-wide feet, so buying shoes that don’t look like ferry boats is also almost impossible!

The lady 8n Marks and Soencer toldme that they no longer sell over size 20 in the shops and that with some shops it is not over size 18. They sell larger sizes online only. Next are much the same. Bon Marche usually give the length of tops but were useless with dress lengths. Not good when you are 5'10" and what looks well below the knee on the model would look like a mini on me.

I'm 5"3 and I buy from the petite ranges ,that way sleeves are the right length and tops generally long enough for me

I've ordered tops from Boden recently, but had to return as they were too short. When the description of the length says "Comes to hip length" its becoming obvious that the garment will hang differently on me 5ft -8ins, to that of a lady who is 5ft-2ins. I have asked them to state length of garment but they rarely do. Pity because I like the quality of their clothes.

Most online clothes quote the length measurement. I find being told the model's height a great help in judging where skirt lengths will fall on me.

Pear shaped, big bum, average bust size, small waist. I kid myself that some womem pay to have a big bum, although probably not as wobbly.

Levi's and I suspect Wrangler, but I haven't worn Wrangler jeans in donkey's years.

No, Hooty you’re ok. It’s them. All models have legs up to their armpits. And then they totter along on 10 inch heels like storks!

Completely agree Petunia.
If the top has long sleeves, that might give a guide, in that if the hem of the top is above the cuff of the sleeves, that gives you some idea of how low down the designer expects the top to sit i.e. it is a shorter top that will certainly not cover your bum. Of this does not work if they are designing for a gibbon.

I quite agree and also, is it too much to ask them to state what material it’s made from? Some companies don’t even do that! I usually assume it must be polyester or polycotton if they’re not prepared to ‘fess up. You can’t always assume from the price either, some brands (I’m naming & shaming you, Hush) charge silly money for clothes made from synthetic fibres.

M&S go up to a 24 I think. I am a 16 in trousers and that’s regular. I do like the ankle graser leggings got one pair from M&S and one from matalan. I am apple shape so 18 on the tops such as t shirts but have been buying longer tops or if they are short they curve at the side if you get my drift.
Have two t shirts from Cotten traders wash up nice too.

I saw a nice dress modelled by a 5’8” model and it came to just above her knee. Lovely, I thought, she’s taller than me so it should be just the length I like on me, just on the knee. But, NO, it was even shorter on me than on the model! How could that be? She must have very long shins and a short body! Or is it me who is oddly proportioned?!!

I would love to know the length of maxi dresses, especially if I am buying online. I am quite short at 5'3" so very often Maxi dresses drag along the ground if I am not careful.

Callgirl1 m&s do a new curvy range, not sure of the size range though

Men's trousers and jeans give inside leg measurement as well as waist, and I've always found them a better fit anyway. Asda and Tescos ones are very cheap.

Boden tends to describe eg low hip which is something I look out for if I'm wanting something that bit different from Boden. I do like bum covering tunic tops as they can be worn with leggings as well as jeans and trousers

On a slightly different tack: Do bums look big in 'paperbag' trousers which is a trend at the moment? I quite fancy a pair but I have a droopy bum and these trousers demand tucked in tops.

No, it is not too much to ask, some of the high end firms do give lengths.

John Lewis are also quite good at detailing specific measurements.

Boden usually provide garment measurements and indicate how long tops and dresses are (e.g. stating “finishes at top thigh”). Some shirts, tunics and dresses are also available in regular and longer length which I find very useful.

Sometimes they do but yes, as a short person I would find this useful. If we keep asking maybe they will.

Good old Cotton Traders. Their sizing is reliable.

Cotton Traders always state the length of the tops in their catalogues, a great help because I too like longer tops!

Landsend give length options and also offer a hemming service. Some of their tops come in petite, regular and tall which is really helpful.

The title of this thread made me smile, we all used to worry if our 'bums' looked too big when I was a teenager, today it seems people augment them to ensure they have a big rear view!

Do M&S sell large sizes nowadays? I was given a gift card for them for my birthday, and 2 weekends running I`ve been into our local branch and found nothing over a size 20, and regretfully, if I was a 20 I`d feel slim!