document: Plus size fashion : Size 18 clothes CAN look stylish If you 've ever tried to tug a poorly fitting pair of size 16 jeans over your hips in a changing room before collapsing in a dejected heap on the floor , you are not alone . One in four British women is now wearing a size 18 or above . But as Radio 4 presenter Jenni Murray admitted in this paper last week , it is almost impossible to find clothes that are both big and beautiful . So is hiding away in shapeless sacks the only solution ? It most certainly is not . As a fashion stylist who has dressed celebrities of all shapes and sizes , I 've discovered that every - and I mean every - woman can look good . If you know where to look , there are some fantastic companies , both on the High Street and on the internet , that have finally woken up to the fact that curvier women do n't just want to crawl away and hide . My number one rule is to ditch the hard-wired belief that plus-size means frumpy . Brave the High Street and -LRB- politely , of course -RRB- demand to be noticed . There are plenty of chains that go up to your size , from Marks & Spencer and Evans to Debenhams , New Look and Monsoon . If you ca n't face the tyranny of badly lit dressing rooms , there are countless online stores that you can peruse from the comfort of your living room . Simply Be , Marisota , Duo , Anna Scholz , Beige Plus and Ann Harvey are a few of the best - and even trendy boutique ASOS.com has launched a fashion-forward plus-size label , ASOS Curve . So here 's my pick of what 's on offer , as worn by our gorgeous model Nina -LRB- bust 36DD , waist 36in , hips 46in -RRB- . Enlarge Highlight your body as you would your face . Put the darkest colour on your heaviest area , or use colour to create a slim panel down the centre of your outfit . This can be done with a dark cardigan over a lighter shift dress - but this flattering frock does the work for you . Camel and black dress # 60 , Star by Julien MacDonald at Debenhams ; jacket # 40 , Dorothy Perkins ; ring stack # 7.50 , Daisy & Eve at Evans ; shoes # 105 , duoboots.com Enlarge You can wear stripes , capes and slim-fitting trousers - it 's just about wearing them well . All stripes work , whatever your dress size , if they 're broken up with layering . Team them with darker trousers and try a cardigan on top . Or wear under a fun and playful cape like this one , which hides larger hips . Cape # 70 and jeans # 30 , both Asos Curve ; striped top # 8.99 , New Look ; necklace # 125 , Bulatti.co.uk ; sunglasses # 123 , Miu Miu at David Clulow ; shoes # 120 , Ted Baker ; bag # 60 , vivaladiva.com Enlarge This season 's catwalk featured a lot of print - and there 's no reason for plus-size girls to be left out . Prints are a nifty way to disguise lumps and bumps . Tall girls can pull off large , bold prints , but something subtler like this suits everyone . Break up the print with jackets or cardigans in plain colours . China print long dress # 75 , Evans Collection at Evans ; white shrug # 19.50 , Evans ; necklace # 10 , Daisy & Eve at Evans ; sandals # 19.99 , New Look Enlarge Do you have slim legs , but worry about your hips and thighs ? You can still do fitted trousers like these combats - simply layer longer pieces over the top to disguise problem areas . This lightweight parka is thin enough to wear in summer and completes the combat look . Parka # 42 , simplybe.co.uk ; trousers # 28 , Indigo Collection at Marks & Spencer ; yellow sleeveless shirt # 19.99 , New Look ; belt # 6 , Dorothy Perkins ; scarf # 89 , Epice at Fenwick ; earrings # 6.50 -LRB- part of a multipack -RRB- , Daisy & Eve at Evans ; ring # 69 , Lola Rose ; shoe boots # 120 , duoboots.com Enlarge GET OUT OF THE LEGGINGS RUT : Harem pants are a super-comfortable alternative to leggings . You have to be fearless to wear them as there will still be volume around your hips and bum - that 's part of the silhouette . But if you keep the top half short , you 'll emphasise your waist . If you 're concerned about the jersey fabric revealing wobbly bits , wear control tights to smooth them out . White jacket # 139 , Anna Scholz ; blush lace top # 39.50 , Limited Collection at Marks & Spencer ; trousers # 50 , Monsoon ; necklace # 118 , Lola Rose ; earrings -LRB- part of a multipack -RRB- # 6.50 , Daisy & Eve at Evans ; shoes # 120 , duoboots.com Enlarge This is a fantastic shape if you 've got a big bum , and it 's everywhere at the moment thanks to Mad Men . This dress has a lovely V-shape neckline which helps slim a big bust , and volume in the skirt to skim over your hips and thighs . With a dress this perfect , you can get away with a daring pattern like these thick stripes on the bottom half . Red dress # 59 , Per Una at Marks & Spencer ; cardigan # 48 , Monsoon ; shoes # 89.95 , modainelle.com THE BASICS ... TROUSERS : Should be higher-waisted , ideally with a smooth front and the zip at the side . SLEEVES : Are either elbow or three-quarter length -- keep your eye out for cover-ups to wear over strappy tops or dresses . Avoid cap sleeves as these cut your arm at the widest point . NECKLINES : Are more flattering when lower , but you can cover up with a jersey camisole -LRB- # 5 up to size 24 at Marks & Spencer -RRB- . SKIRTS : Should sit smoothly across the front . A kick-out at the knee will give a balancing effect . DRESSES : Should have a back zip , not a side one . Diagonal ruching across the body is always slimming . AND DO N'T FORGET ... ACCESSORIES : Go for big , bold pieces . Daisy & Eve at Evans do an excellent range , with bangles and rings in all sizes . Lola Rose -LRB- lolarose.com -RRB- has a great range of stretch bangles . Use long necklaces -LRB- adele-marie . com has a good selection -RRB- and scarves to draw the eye down your body . SHOES : Evans has a great in-store range of wide-fitting shoes -LRB- up to size 11 -RRB- and Duo -LRB- duoboots.com -RRB- has boot styles in calf widths up to 50cm and an amazing selection of footwear in three width fittings up to size nine . GOOD UNDERWEAR : This is essential in order to achieve the smoothest , sleekest shape you can . Simply Be -LRB- simplybe.co.uk -RRB- stocks Gok Wan 's excellent shapewear and a good selection of large bras that look feminine . Pictures : Joel Anderson . Model : Nina Hartley/excel . Hair and make-up : Katie Reedman
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