We are a size 18 and 10 and have found the best £18 dress for autumn, it is so flattering
When I accidentally showed up at work in nearly identical outfits, my best friend and I were regularly accused of “twinning.”
And the amazing thing is that we flatter our very different figures with this.
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I am small and have big breasts and size 46. That can sometimes be difficult to dress.
Lynn, on the other hand, is a slim figure at size 42, but is ashamed of her self-proclaimed mummy bag.
So we can say that neither of us like clothes that are too tight.
And at 33 and 44, we’re always trying to look stylish without getting judged by the Gen Z crowd — or dressing too much like them. It’s a tricky balance to strike!
Yes, we’re going to try crew socks, but we can’t promise we won’t fold them over into ankle socks. And the T-shirt tuck is here to stay.
To provide some fashion inspiration for over-30s who also want to shop in different sizes, we tested the same outfits in different sizes from some high street favourites to see what works – and whether stores really do have something ‘for everyone’.body‘.
And dare we say it? We think we’ve already found the fall dress at Sainsbury’s!
We bought the Abstract Animal Print Soft Touch Midaxi Dress from the supermarket’s own fashion label, Tu Clothing.
Priced at just £18, this dress is available in sizes 8 to 24 and features the trendy 90s leopard print.
Lynn bought size 10, while I went for size 18. So the size fits just right.
The “soft touch fabric” also deserves a special shoutout, because it feels like butter and glides over all the bumps and lumps. A dreamy combination.
We both agree that it fits fantastic no matter your size, shape or age.
Sainsbury’s bosses say: “You can’t go wrong with animal print!
“Create a stylish fall look with our abstract animal print dress.”
We’ve already paired this versatile piece with an oatmeal sweater for a more casual look, and with boots and a leather jacket for an edgy look.
And I think it’s safe to say we’ll be fighting over who gets to wear it to the office on any given day. But it also won’t look out of place when we’re out for lunch with the girls or on a night out.
We are especially surprised that this dress is not completely sold out. All sizes are still available online and some sizes are in the store.
The fit, material, colours and style all seem like a bargain when you get change from a £20 note.
But you don’t have to rely on us alone, as the dress has already received countless five-star reviews on the Tu Clothing website.
A happy customer said: “Bought a few weeks ago and wore for the first time yesterday.
“Fits and sits well, very flattering. Soft material and does not pinch.”
A second said: “I bought this dress with the money I got for my birthday. It fits perfectly and is very cheap.”
A third added: “Very happy with this purchase. Lovely soft material and a stylish look.
“Goes with so many things and can be worn both formally and informally – very happy with it. True to size.”
A fourth agreed with us, calling the dress a “fall classic.”
Is supermarket fashion the new high street?
DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale weighs in:
Supermarkets have really upped their game when it comes to their fashion lines. These days, when you pop in to do your weekly shop, you can also pick up a selection of wallet-friendly, stylish items for the whole family.
Tesco has just announced a 0.7 percent rise in the quarter thanks to ‘strong growth in clothing’ and M&S has earned the title of the number one destination for womenswear on the high street.
Asda’s George clothing line earned the supermarket £1.5m in 2023, 80 per cent of clothes at Sainsbury’s were sold at full price rather than discounted, and sales of Nutmeg at Morrisons have also risen by 2 per cent over the past year.
How is it that supermarket fashion is so successful?
The clothing is not only affordable but also of good quality, and much of the clothing is part of programs such as the Better Cotton Initiative.
They often stick to classic pieces that they know will last for years.
And because they buy so much stock, they can deliver quickly and the volumes are cheaper.
She continues: “I will be wearing this gorgeous dress until spring because it goes with almost everything, both formal and informal outfits.
“I would recommend going up a size as it is a jersey like material so it fits well. The colours are totally in line with current trends.”
A fifth responded enthusiastically: “I love this dress. What great value for money. Very flattering fit and lovely soft drapery fabric.”
Meanwhile, a sixth exclaimed: “Wow, I bought this on impulse today. It’s the softest, most flattering dress I’ve owned in a long time!”
“I am a size 20-22 but bought a size 20 and it fits perfectly. It is the perfect dress for autumn and a bargain at £18. If they had different colours I would have bought them all.”
- All filming took place in the beautiful Liberty Suite at the AC Marriot Glasgow Hotel on the city’s George Street.
