We did a big River Island fall tour in size 10 versus size 18, full of must-have purchases

As a plus size girl, I often fall into the trap of wearing baggy clothes to hide my size 12 figure.

And at certain stores I break out in a sweat because I don’t think anything on track suits me. One of those stores, without anything to actually support my fear, has always been River Island.

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But in an effort to step out of my fashion comfort zone, I decided to give the retail giant a try with a fall outing alongside my size 10 work friend Lynn.

With a shared passion for shopping, we’re on a mission to find the best gems on the high street that flatter both our body shapes and to see if there really is something for everyone.body’.

Last week we put Sainsbury’s Tu Clothing autumn collection to the test and came away with some fantastic basics, including an £18 leopard print dress that will suit any occasion.

And this weekend we went to River Island to test out their ‘new’ pieces for the colder months.

From viral prints to the color of the season, we’re sure to have some gorgeous must-haves on offer.

First we bought wide-leg trousers for €45 in the autumn color burgundy.

We picked sizes 10 and 18 and paired them with a simple white T-shirt costing £12.

Despite my fears that wide legs would make me look taller, we were both big fans of the stylish office look. The sizing was also generous, which is also a bonus.

The only disadvantage: at 1.80 meters they were even too tall for Lynn. So if you’re short, put on your highest heels or invest in a trip to the tailor to shorten them. They are worth it.

Next in our try it on videowe tried a cream pleated midi dress with a subtle animal print on it and a tie at the waist, and paired it with boots and a crossbody bag.

The £45 dress had a lot going for it: a flattering slit in the skirt, pretty flared sleeves and a boat neck.

But if you’re body conscious at all, it’s pretty sticky. And in all the wrong places.

I felt it emphasized my stomach way too much, while Lynn felt it didn’t shape her at all. Also, it only goes up to size 18, so I don’t have the option to try a larger size.

However, the jacket we paired it with was a winner.

The £79 khaki mac is a timeless staple and will see us through spring with ease.

We both sized up and went for an extra large and a medium so we had enough room for sweaters and hoodies underneath.

If anything, we’d say you could size down as it has a very generous fit. As Lynn jokingly put it, it gave off a slight Inspector Gadget vibe because it was so spacious.

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Our next choice was a slight wildcard due to our age. When I was 33, I immediately fell in love with the black, sheer lace maxi skirt.

Lynn, on the other hand, was hesitant about falling into “mutton dressed as a lamb” territory at age 44.

However, her fears were unfounded as we were both big fans of the overall look.

We paired the £35 skirt with our white T-shirts and a black blazer for a classic ‘smart casual’ vibe. If we were to swap our boots for heels, these would also look perfect for a dressier occasion.

And no fall haul would be complete without at least one sweater.

I think we’ve managed to find the cutest option on track with black fringed knitwear worth £55.

If you’re a Schitts Creek fan, you’ll agree with us that it gives Moira Rose vibes, but in a very current and stylish way. It is also super comfortable and can be worn casually or casually.

We’ve saved the best for last and rounded off our River Island shopping spree with a £95 leopard print coat.

With leopard print there is always the risk of it being ‘too much’ or looking tacky. But River Island’s designers knew exactly what they were doing with this gem, as the finished piece is beautiful.

We paired it with leggings, T-shirts and trainers for a casual look, but we’re already planning to wear it on a night out in the run-up to Christmas.

The animal print is subtle, the material is thick and luxurious and the cut is very flattering.

Again, you could afford to go down in this size. But you’ll have to be quick to get it in stores, because it’s already sold out online.

• All filming took place in the beautiful Liberty Suite at the AC Marriot Glasgow Hotel on George Street in the city