And just like that, it’s July… We’re halfway through the year, the glorious sunshine is back, and so are the summer sales, which means it’s the perfect time to nab that last minute summer dress you’ll love for years, a feel-good holiday outfit or a savvy bargain that’ll set you up for next winter. For me, the sales are always about checking back in with my wish lists so to see if any of the items I’ve been lusting after have dropped in price. It’s an especially good time to invest in the higher-end brands you love with items you can treasure for years to come. Brands I love to check in with first are, Ganni (extended size range up to a UK24 / 4XL), Marina Rinaldi (8UK – 28UK) and Anthropologie (extended size range up to a 3XL). Top tip: I suggest signing up for Anthropologie’s emails, as they often give their subscribers extra discount codes for their sale!
As you know, it can be hard to find clothing in bigger sizes at the best of times, so finding the perfect piece that’s also discounted is even harder. You probably don’t have the time to scour the internet let alone the actual high street, right? That’s where I come in. I’ve searched through 100s of sites to find my top picks from the sales and separated into 5 categories.
I’m here to help you find everything from forever gorgeous dresses to winter ready pieces and the best sale shoes to the finishing touches. Scroll down to discover the 5 things I always invest in during sale season.
These pieces are good to go. A buy now, wear now (but love forever) piece that might be just the thing you’re looking for to squeeze into your suitcase. I’ve pulled together a mix of easy natural fibre tops, crochet cover-ups and stand out items for your summer wardrobe.
I’ve had this pink Ganni top flit in and out of my basket more times than I care to say. Although I see it being layered in the colder months, I also think it will be perfect worn as a stand alone top, as above. I’m planning on wearing this with a bikini top underneath and embracing its crochet-esque vibe.
Maybe I’m biassed, but dresses will always be the royalty of my wardrobe. After searching through pages of styles, this edit includes the ones that shouted pick me the loudest. Taller Marmo is quickly becoming the go to brand for the perfect lofty kaftan. Many a best-dressed wedding guest has worn its fringed or feathered pieces. Although they’re not labelled as “plus-size” I really want to try their dresses, as they’re often full of fabric and look as though they would fit a good range of sizes. They are a more luxury brand, but with 50% off this sequin number, it could be the perfect wardrobe investment.
Now let’s chat about this ASOS dress I’m wearing in the above images. I spotted this maxi a few months ago and it’s been on my wish list ever since. To me, it looks way more expensive than its price tag. I could imagine picking this off a rail in a portobello vintage shop where it would cost maybe 10x this. Plus, as a size 24, it’s the vintage feel that really draws me in, since finding true vintage that looks like this at my size is near impossible. There’s a few more treats including two fabulous mini’s from my favourite Olivia Rubin and a dream Mara Hoffman midi too.
I am rarely this forward thinking, but after losing out on the most perfect Mara Hoffman coat in the summer sale last year, I’m ready to grab an out of season bargain. If you know there’s a certain style of coat you love or some cosy knits your wardrobe lacked last winter, now is the time nab them and squirrel them away. Coats are often a brand’s most expensive item, so if you can catch them when they are discounted it can save you a lot of money. Marina Rinaldi is the brand I most want to invest in for outerwear. As a sister brand of coat master MaxMara, impeccable outerwear is its strong point. I’m also always on the lookout for denim coats, so the dark wash duster coat below really stood out to me. I love the neutral quality that denim has; it’s such an easy piece to chuck on with anything. Lastly, I tested out this Topshop trench coat I’m wearing above as part of the Who What Wear Great Try On earlier this year and loved it. It’s such a wardrobe staple and the quality of this piece felt like it would last you for years to come.
For this selection of shoes I wanted to feature as many wide-fit options as possible, then if they’re not made as wide-fit I have looked for styles that appear to have some fit flexibility with elastic or adjustable straps. I have these camper sandals in a pink colour from last year and they have been a fabulous shoe to style with. I love their chunky almost wedge heel that’s low enough to walk around all day in, and this blue tone is beautiful. Simply Be is one of the brands leading the way with wide-fit options, and I especially love the offering of boots. With Western styles still being prominent throughout the summer they’re the place to head to if you usually struggle to fit your calves into boots. In some styles they offer a range of three foot width fittings and three calf width fittings all in sizes 4 –9. Here’s hoping, amongst this selection you can find a perfect fitting pair for yourself.
Accessories shopping can get a bad rap in the plus size world, as they’re often the only things you can buy from a brand which can leave you feeling bitter. But as a maximalist, they’re also great joy bringers in my life and they’re the pieces I will often wear more than any other. There are two items on this list that you might have seen me wearing already, the JW Anderson Bumper Bag and the Swarovski gold pendant. I own both and absolutely adore them. I’d been lusting after the Bumper Bag for over a year when I finally hit buy, and it’s been a highlight for many outfits since. It’s a great size for carrying around all your essentials and the thin shoulder strap means it actually stays on your shoulder without falling down your arm, plus I love its sculpted squishiness. Since Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert was appointed creative director of Swarovski in 2021 the brand has reinvigorated its designs. I would happily “frost myself” (How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days) in the entire collection, but this pendant was my first choice. It’s a chunky statement piece that is brilliant to layer with and is a great conversation starter. Whilst their sale keeps running, I’m hoping to add a few more items to my collection including this ear cuff and these yellow stone hoops. Finding rings in larger sizes can be tough, which is why I pulled out this Missoma tigers eye ring as it goes up to a size V. Then I had to add in this Altuzzara basket bag as it looks just perfect for summer holidays.
