Shopping for plus size clothing should be fun, but finding the right size, fit, style or outfit can sometimes come with a lot of questions.
Friday Flamingo is a New Zealand plus size fashion brand specialising in clothing for sizes 12–30+, with selected styles extending beyond this range. We love colour, prints, great basics, statement pieces and clothing that gives you options rather than rules about what a plus size body should wear.
We've put together answers to some of the most common questions about plus size clothing, sizing, styling and shopping in New Zealand.
There are a growing number of options for plus size clothing in New Zealand, including specialist plus size brands, department stores and international retailers.
Friday Flamingo is a NZ-owned plus size fashion brand with clothing available online throughout New Zealand. Our range includes dresses, tops, shirts, pants, denim, skirts, jackets, activewear, swimwear, loungewear and seasonal collections.
New Zealand shoppers can choose from dedicated plus size brands as well as retailers carrying extended size ranges.
When comparing brands, look at the actual measurements rather than relying only on the size printed on the label. Size range, style, price, fabric, fit information, returns and whether clothing is shown on models across the size range can all be useful considerations.
Friday Flamingo specialises in plus size fashion rather than treating extended sizing as an addition to a predominantly straight-size range.
There isn't one brand that will be best for every person. The best option depends on your size, personal style, budget and what you're shopping for.
Look for brands offering the styles you actually want to wear, a useful size range, clear measurements and fit information, realistic product photography and a returns policy you're comfortable with.
Friday Flamingo is a NZ-owned option specialising in colourful, contemporary plus size fashion in sizes 12–30+, with selected ranges extending further.
Friday Flamingo's complete current range can be shopped online at www.fridayflamingo.com, with delivery throughout New Zealand.
Shopping online also allows you to compare garment measurements, fabrics and fit notes before choosing your size.
Friday Flamingo's core range extends beyond size 24, with many styles available through approximately size 30+ and selected ranges extending further.
Always check the individual product because the available size range can differ between styles.
Friday Flamingo carries many garments covering approximately NZ sizes 26, 28 and 30.
Because clothing sizes aren't completely standardised between brands, use the measurements supplied for individual products when deciding which Friday Flamingo size is right for you.
Friday Flamingo loves colour. Alongside wardrobe basics, our collections regularly feature bright colours, florals, checks, stripes and statement prints.
Plus size fashion doesn't have to mean a wardrobe of black unless that's what you genuinely love wearing.
Personal style doesn't stop at a particular clothing size. Look beyond traditional assumptions about what plus size women are "supposed" to wear and choose clothing that reflects your own style.
Friday Flamingo collections include statement dresses, denim, colourful separates, prints and fashion-led pieces alongside everyday basics.
Friday Flamingo photographs clothing on plus size models across our size range and regularly shares try-ons and styling content.
Seeing the same garment on different bodies can be much more useful than seeing it on only one model.
Start with your body measurements rather than the number you usually buy.
Measure your bust, waist and hips and compare those measurements with the size information supplied by the brand you're shopping with.
There is no completely universal women's clothing size standard. A size in one brand can have different measurements from the same labelled size elsewhere.
That's why measurements are usually more reliable than choosing a garment solely because it's your "usual size".
Use a soft measuring tape and measure around the fullest part of your bust and hips and around your natural waist.
Keep the tape comfortably against your body without pulling it tightly. Depending on the garment, other measurements such as inseam or length can also be useful.
Body measurements are measurements of your body. Garment measurements are taken from the actual clothing.
A garment will often measure larger than your body because it needs room for movement or because the designer intended an oversized or relaxed fit.
Look at the garment's fabric and intended fit.
If there's stretch or the garment is deliberately relaxed, you may prefer the smaller size. For structured garments without stretch, you may prefer additional room.
There isn't one rule for every garment, so check the individual fit notes.
Not automatically. Compare your measurements with the garment or size measurements and consider where the garment needs to fit your body.
Fabric without stretch simply means there is less flexibility than a stretch fabric.
A relaxed fit generally provides additional room through some areas of the garment and isn't intended to sit closely against the body.
Oversized clothing is deliberately designed with more volume than a standard fit. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to buy a larger size.
In fact, sizing up again in an already oversized garment can dramatically change its intended fit.
Use measurements, read the fabric composition, check whether the fabric stretches and read the product's fit information.
Photos or videos showing the garment on different-sized models can also help you understand its proportions.
Friday Flamingo carries plus size dresses in sizes 12–30+, including everyday dresses, maxi and midi dresses, statement prints and occasion styles.
Friday Flamingo has a dedicated plus size maxi dress range featuring relaxed everyday styles, prints and dresses suitable for events and holidays.
Friday Flamingo regularly releases midi dresses across seasonal collections, from casual everyday designs to more dressed-up styles.
Colour and print are a major part of Friday Flamingo collections. Look for florals, gingham, stripes, bright colours and seasonal prints alongside classic options.
A maxi dress can be worn casually with sneakers, sandals or slides, dressed up with heels or boots, or layered with denim, a blazer, cardigan or jacket.
There isn't one correct way to style it.
Absolutely. Sneakers can make dresses feel more casual and are an easy option for everyday dressing.
Depending on the dress and occasion, try denim jackets, blazers, cropped jackets, cardigans or longer outer layers.
The best combination is the one that works with the proportions and overall look you want.
Friday Flamingo regularly carries dresses suitable for weddings and other celebrations, including colourful midi and maxi dresses and statement prints.
The same thing anyone else should consider: the dress code, venue, season and what makes you feel good.
A midi or maxi dress is an easy option, but a great pair of pants, shirt, jumpsuit or coordinated separates can work just as well.
Consider lightweight dresses, flowing skirts, wide-leg pants, colourful separates and fabrics appropriate for warm weather.
If the wedding is outside, footwear and sun protection are worth considering too.
Winter weddings are great for layering. Consider dresses with blazers, jackets or coats, boots, longer sleeves or dressier pants and separates.
Look at the dress code first, then consider fabrics and footwear that work well outdoors. Relaxed dresses, maxi dresses and flowing separates can all work beautifully.
You absolutely don't have to wear a dress. Wide-leg pants with a beautiful shirt or top, a jumpsuit or coordinated separates can make an excellent wedding outfit.
Friday Flamingo releases party and occasion pieces throughout the year. Check our current dress and Party Time collections for available styles.
Anything from a statement dress to colourful pants and a great top can work.
Christmas is also a good opportunity for sparkle, colour and bold prints if that's your style.
Start with the venue and dress code. A midi dress, wide-leg pants with a dressier top, a skirt and blouse or a relaxed blazer outfit can all work depending on how formal the event is.
Wear something that feels like you. A statement dress is an easy choice, but colourful separates, pants, skirts and jackets can create an equally special outfit.
Midi and maxi dresses are popular choices, but skirts, pants and colourful tops can work just as well. Consider the venue and whether the event is casual or more dressed up.
A dress, smart pants and blouse, skirt and shirt or blazer outfit can all work. If you'll be sitting or walking for long periods, comfort matters too.
Race-day dressing can range from colourful dresses and statement prints to tailored separates. Check the event's dress code if you're attending a particular enclosure or formal area.
There isn't a universal rule, although understated, respectful clothing is generally appropriate. Consider the wishes of the family and cultural or religious expectations where relevant.
Something that feels like your style and lets you concentrate on the date rather than constantly adjusting your clothing.
That might be jeans and a great top, a dress, wide-leg pants or something completely different.
Think about the venue, weather and how much standing or walking you'll be doing. Jeans, cargo pants, dresses, skirts and comfortable layers can all work.
Friday Flamingo carries shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, blazers and jackets that can be incorporated into a plus size work wardrobe.
It depends on the industry and workplace. A blazer with pants, a dress, a blouse with a skirt or smart separates can all be appropriate.
The goal isn't to dress smaller. It's to choose clothing suitable for the role that fits properly and allows you to focus on the interview.
Start with versatile pieces you can combine in different ways: comfortable pants, a skirt if you enjoy wearing them, shirts or tops, a blazer or jacket and one or two easy dresses.
Then add colour and statement pieces that suit your personal style.
Your basics should reflect what you actually wear.
For many people that could include a great tee, comfortable pants, jeans, a shirt, an easy dress and a useful layering piece. Your basics don't have to be black, white or beige.
Choose a smaller group of pieces that can create multiple outfits together.
Start with your real lifestyle rather than a generic capsule wardrobe checklist. Someone working in an office will need different clothing from someone working from home or spending most days on the go.
Friday Flamingo offers plus size pants including wide-leg, relaxed, pull-on, cargo and statement styles in sizes 12–30+.
Friday Flamingo offers plus size denim designed for our size range. Check each denim product for current sizes, measurements and fit information.
That depends on the style. Some denim is intended to fit closely while straight and wide-leg jeans naturally have more room through the leg.
The waistband should work for your body without making you spend the day thinking about your jeans.
Friday Flamingo regularly carries wide-leg pants across casual, workwear and seasonal collections.
Try them with tees, shirts, blouses, fitted tops, oversized shirts, knitwear or jackets.
You don't have to follow the old rule that a wide bottom must always be paired with a fitted top. Different proportions create different looks.
Friday Flamingo offers plus size skirts including maxi, midi, printed and everyday styles.
Pair it with a tee and sneakers for casual dressing, a shirt or blouse for something more polished, or a relaxed top for an easy layered look.
Friday Flamingo carries tees, shirts, blouses and seasonal tops across our plus size range.
Wear it open over a tank or tee, buttoned with pants or jeans, partially tucked, untucked, layered over a dress or even as a lightweight outer layer.
Almost anything can work. Try tees, shirts, tanks, blouses or relaxed tops depending on the look you're creating.
Tees, shirts, tanks, blouses and knitwear can all work with maxi skirts. Experiment with tucked, untucked and layered proportions.
Whatever you enjoy wearing.
If you're looking for particular fit options, you might experiment with flowing dresses, relaxed shirts, elastic-waist pants, structured pieces, high-rise bottoms or different lengths and proportions.
These are options, not rules for hiding your body.
Pay attention to garment measurements through the bust and how buttons, seams and necklines sit.
Stretch fabrics, adjustable styles and garments with enough room through the bust can make fit easier, but the neckline and silhouette are entirely personal choices.
Choose garments based on the look you want rather than trying to disguise your hips.
Wide-leg pants, straight-leg denim, skirts, dresses and fitted or oversized tops can all work on bodies with wider hips.
Look for sleeves in lengths you enjoy, including elbow, three-quarter and full-length sleeves, or use lightweight shirts, jackets and other layers.
Coverage is a preference, not something plus size women are required to have.
Of course. Oversized fashion isn't restricted by body size.
The key is understanding that oversized is an intentional silhouette rather than simply buying clothing that's too big.
Yes. Stripes are a design choice, not a body-size rule.
Absolutely. Colour and print have no size limit.
Yes. If you like them, wear them. They can be paired with jeans, skirts, shorts or high-rise pants in whatever proportions you prefer.
Start with what you're genuinely drawn to rather than lists of clothing you're supposedly allowed to wear.
Save outfits you love, experiment with colour and proportions, and notice which clothes make you want to wear them again.
Look for clothing that feels comfortable for the temperature and activity, including loose dresses, skirts, shorts, tees, shirts and wide-leg pants.
Fabric weight, weave, garment shape and airflow can all influence comfort.
Cotton, linen, rayon and viscose are popular summer options, but fabric performance also depends on weight, weave and garment construction.
Lightweight synthetic and blended fabrics can also work well depending on the garment.
Yes. Polyester is used across fashion because it can offer durability, colour retention, easy care, print clarity, wrinkle resistance and different types of drape and texture.
Like any fibre, its feel depends on how the fabric is made. Fibre choice is not specific to body size.
Cotton and linen are plant fibres. Rayon and viscose are regenerated cellulose fibres generally made using plant-derived cellulose, while polyester is a synthetic fibre.
Each can be made into many different fabrics, so fibre content alone doesn't tell you exactly how a garment will feel or perform.
Rayon and viscose can be sensitive to heat and washing conditions. Always follow the care instructions supplied with the individual garment.
Prioritise clothing you can comfortably sit and move in for hours. Relaxed pants, soft tops, layers and easy dresses are all popular options.
A removable layer is useful because aircraft temperatures can change.
Pack for the destinations, onboard activities and any evening dress codes.
Easy dresses, swimwear, resort pieces, comfortable pants, shirts and lightweight layers can create lots of outfits without overpacking.
Think lightweight dresses, swimwear, cover-ups, relaxed shirts, shorts, skirts and breathable separates, plus something suitable for evenings.
Check your accommodation and planned activities before packing.
Friday Flamingo releases seasonal resort pieces including dresses, shirts, kaftans, separates and swim-friendly layers.
Friday Flamingo carries plus size swimwear seasonally. Check the current website for available styles and sizes.
Try a kaftan, oversized shirt, lightweight dress, kimono or other resort layer.
Swim cover-ups can also double as part of your holiday wardrobe.
Yes. Friday Flamingo is a New Zealand-owned plus size fashion brand.
Friday Flamingo's core clothing range covers approximately NZ sizes 12–30+, with selected ranges extending further.
Check each individual product for the sizes currently available.
Many Friday Flamingo garments use our own size system. Use the size information and measurements supplied with individual products rather than relying solely on the number on the label.
Yes. Friday Flamingo uses plus size models across our size range and regularly shares try-ons and styling content so customers can see clothing on different bodies.
Yes. Friday Flamingo ships throughout New Zealand.
Current shipping charges and delivery information are available on our website.
Yes. International shipping is available, including to Australia. Check the website for current shipping options and charges.
Eligible purchases can be returned in accordance with our current returns policy.
Please read the current Returns information on the Friday Flamingo website before returning an item, as conditions and exclusions apply.
Visit New In at www.fridayflamingo.com to see the latest Friday Flamingo arrivals.
Our collections change regularly and some limited styles may sell out.
Shop Friday Flamingo online at:
Are Friday Flamingo clothes true to size?
Our designs are made specifically for curvy bodies and include detailed sizing guides. We are a generous curve fitting brand
Where is Friday Flamingo based?
Friday Flamingo is a New Zealand plus size fashion brand.
What sizes does Friday Flamingo go up to?
Most of our pieces are designed to fit sizes 14–302+
