Can anyone help me with store that might stock larger ladies sizes in Munich, I'm a UK size 18 and I think that equates to a European 40? Many thanks

You will find many clothing shops along the pedestrian street that runs from the Marienplatz back toward the Bahnhof, including a large department store, Kaufhof. You might try there first.

Hi Kateh -
I think a UK women's size 18 is closer to a 44 in Germany.

I am generally an 8 in US sizes - sometimes a 6 sometimes a 10, once in awhile even a 4 or a 12 - LOL. But generally about an 8. I did some shoping in Nuremberg and was about a 38.

Here is a link I found for size conversions:

http://www.onlineconversion.com/clothing_womens.htm

Ack, forgot the shopping recommendations. In Nuremberg I went into Kaufhof, which seemed to have everything. Enzian mentions one in Munich as well. In Munich I went into Herte, which seemed to be a little more upscale than Kaufhof. It is right across from the Hauptbahnhof and is a multi-level department store. Lots of good stuff in there. I was in there for sandals and beach towels because it was hot and we wanted to go swimming - LOL. I would have liked to have spent more time shopping though.

German/Austrian brands tend to be cut a little more generously than in other European countries (Italian sizes seem to be cut the smallest). So there is a possibility that you might find some 44s fit you, although I suspect you may need a 46 for some items. If the brand is Italian, don't be too surprised if you have to go to 50 or 52.
If you pass a Bonita store (mid-priced), I would bet they have things in your size. Vogele (inexpensive) should too. Then there are the designer brands like Marina Rinaldi, which is plus sized.
Kaufhof or Herte should also have things in your size, although the selection may be limited.

I bought some clothes in Germany and I'm about a US size 10 (UK 12) and bought size 38 or 40 in Germany, as I recall.

Ludwig Beck, on Marienplatz (the main square) has a lot of good, well-made plus-size options, all the way up to XXL.

Size 18 will be about 46, or XL, which should be available more or less everywhere, except those stupid small boutique stores that exclude a lot of potential clients by not having anything larger than 42.
46 is not yet considered a plus size.

Thank you to everyone for your shopping suggestions! I believe that if it fits, the numbers on the label often don't mean anything - I've got everything from a UK12 to a 20 in my wardrobe!!! I'll just try things on!

I think there's a Ulla Popkin shop in Munich--that's a European/U.S. chain of plus-size clothing.

If there is a Marina Rinaldi store in Munich, I strongly advise you to have a look. They're the best in my experience. They have their own sizing system - in which a UK Size 18 would be a 23.

How about plus size shopping in Berlin?

I went to the Diane von Furstenberg shop in Antwerp a few weeks ago. I am a UK 14/US 12. The clothes there are US sized. There was nothing on the racks bigger than a six. I asked the stick person behind the counter if the had anything bigger than a six - she sniffed haughtily and said that yes, they had all sizes and went into the back and brought out 2 things for me. Cow. I wanted to try on some more things but I just couldn't take the hassle of holding up another handkerchief size dress and asking for a bigger size.

Jeez - 12 is not huge and I'm 6 ft. I'm not going back there again - even though I lust after the DVF dresses.

There is a Marina Rinaldi store in Munich, at Maffeistrasse 4. Phone: 089 24206680.

And one in Berlin, at Kurfurstendamm, 178/9. Phone; 030/ 88554046.