nuts4chic UK Online Womens Lifestyle Magazine

So you can imagine how tricky it is for people who don't have the average high street proportions.

Although the average British woman is now a size 16, 5ft 4 and a D cup, half the women in the UK struggle to buy the clothes they need.

If you're a bigger dress size than a size 14, have petite proportions, or even big feet, then you'll know what a mission it is just to find clothes that fit - let alone something which also rates highly in the style stakes. Not any more. We've searched high and low on the high street and the internet, and found the perfect places to head to.

:: CURVY GIRLS

		More than half the women in Britain are size 16 or over, but you'd be hard-pressed to find clothes that are generously designed for them. "Designers and retailers have to recognise that these are real women with proper lives. They want chic, fashionable, well-made clothes that celebrate their femininity and their sensuality. They don't want camouflage," says Anna Scholz, a larger-size fashion designer whose collection goes up to a size 26. "By the time I was 13, I was over 6ft and a size 16. My parents were desperate to spoil me but they couldn't. There was nothing to buy in my size that I wanted to wear. I had to wear men's clothes when I really wanted to be feminine and frilly."
Bonmarche's riding jacket, £30, riding skirt, £16, and faux fur scarf, £6.

Thankfully, things have moved on. Marks & Spencer's main fashion line goes up to a size 22, while their Plus line is available from sizes 20 to 28.

Elvi's clothes range from size 16 up to a size 26, as does Bhs' Amelie May range. Evans, Ann Harvey and Bonmarche are other high street chains that cater for larger-than-life women. :: STANDING TALL If you're one of the lucky minority with supermodel-length legs, you may not consider yourself so blessed once you see that the majority of trousers on the high street only stretch to your ankles. Trousers that flap around above your shoes are unsightly and look unprofessional. But there's no need to be discouraged by what's available on the high street - you just need to know where to go.
		Wallis' black empire line jewelled embellished dress, £90, specially for petite women.

		Zara, Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams and Oasis, plus online stores like Additions Direct and Tall Girls offer trousers in longer lengths. And Topshop has a 'tall' section, offering tops and coats that are specially designed for taller women. :: IF THE SHOE DOESN'T FIT What do Jodie Kidd, Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet and Paris Hilton all have in common? Besides being among the world's most glamorous women, they all take a size 9 or above in shoes.
Bonmarche's cape coat, £30

But if you think that being the proud owner of big feet means stuffing your dainty tootsies into clumpy workmen's shoes, think again. Faith offers shoes up to a size 9, and Brantano, an out-of-town footwear shop, offers stylish shoes for women up to a size 10, with best-sellers including black knee-high boots with kitten heel, £40, and chocolate brown knee-high boots, £70. Online stores like Big Shoes Direct and Lush mean you don't have to sacrifice style with size - and you can shop from the comfort of your own home. If you're petite, you're more likely to have a problem with feet that are too small to fit
	Jesire's tweed jacket, £135, and skirt, £69, created for petite women.

into adult shoes. Daniel Footwear has shoes from a size 2, while the Small Shoe Company and Small Shoes specialise in footwear for small feet,
from size 1.


Elvi's black jacket, £99, trousers, £69, and red lace shirt, £55.