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“Allie, I know this is a huge request, but what brands/stores would you reccomend for a plus size (missy 16) women that aren't too expensive? I have a definite waist but a large stomach.
I'm just a SAHM, with dogs, so I don't need anything too fancy but I don't want to look schlumpy either.”
This is not a huge request, for this is what I love to do (for those who don't know I have another blog – Wardrobe Oxygen where all I do is talk about style for women)!
Since having Emerson I hover between a 14 and a 16. I have a petite frame, so many plus size brands are too large for me in the shoulders, rise, length. This makes it terribly hard to find decent clothing. Many brands stop at 10, many brands have their size 14 and 16 just be larger versions of 8 (which means lots of gaping, bunching, sagging and overall poor fitting clothes), and petites are often TOO petite for me.
Stores I Frequent Because They Have Good Size 14 and 16 Clothing:
– Ann Taylor. Yes, Ann Taylor is NOT cheap, but they have ridiculous sales. When I enter their store, I go straight to the sale section. I have found $150 trousers for $29.99, cashmere sweaters for $40, and some of the best made tee shirts for only $9. You can't head to an Ann Taylor sale rack expecting to have success, but every time I do visit a mall, I stop in their Ann Taylor. You never know what you may find!
Another great thing about Ann Taylor is that their sizing is pretty consistent. If you try on a size 16 dress in blue at the store but wish for it in green, you can pretty much guarantee that if you order it online it will fit. They have acouple specific cuts of trousers in their stores, so if you know you fit great in their Signature cut, you can order it season after season online in new fabrics and slightly different leg openings.
The Ann Taylor Web site has a more extensive size selection than the stores (online they go up to size 18 andXXLin petite, regular and tall). I have found that Ann Taylor stores in metropolitan areas or large malls will have more of these sizes in stock (people will return unwanted online purchases). Also Ann Taylor is a retailer that still (usually!) has good customer service – befriend a sales associate, show that you are a serious customer, and they will be known to put things on hold in your size and call you when they are available.
By the way, Ann Taylor isn't all suits and co*cktail dresses – I have found great jeans, tees, sweaters and casual knits at this store. Nine times out of ten, what I buy at Ann Taylor is still in great shape a couple years later so I find the quality and style timeless and worth it!
– Ann Taylor LOFT. Ditto everything previously stated about Ann Taylor… EXCEPT that they aren't as consistent with sizing (a 16 in one pant may not fit as well in another), and I haven't found as personalized of customer service in their stores.
I used to buy a lot from LOFT but these days I find the color schemes to not quite be my personal tastes, and their styles to not be as classic/clean as I like. However if you have a more sporty or feminine style you may have a ton of luck at LOFT.
– Gap. Gap is really wacky with their sizing, most things seem to run large. I have size 14 Long & Leans and they end up too big by the end of the day. Their petites are too short for me, their regulars too long, but I often find some true gems there, and they have a very extensive size range.
I like Gap because I can find basic pieces there and the quality is usually pretty decent. Recdently I have found some nice cashmere-blend cardigans in rich colors that did well in the washing machine on the gentle cycle and then hung overnight to dry. They always have cute knits that are more interesting than the boring tee shirt (right now they have two henley styles in stock that are cute, come in some fun colors and stripes, and look great with jeans or casual pants and a cami or tank underneath), and they are usually well made. And like Ann Taylor, Gap often has a goldmine of a sale department. Sometimes all you find are shell-pink colored XS tee shirts, but sometimes you will find an online return of a woman just your size and shape and end up grabbing five pieces for under $100.
Gap's Web site has even more sizes and styles, and they are always having some promotion for X percentage off or free shipping. Sign up for their emails and you will always be in the know when they are having a reat promotion – that is always when I stock up.
– Old Navy. I have a love/hate relationship with Old Navy. I have some things from there that I adore (yoga pants, a couple dresses, a pair of shorts) and some things I despise (pretty much anything I have ordered from their Web site over the past six months). That being said, Old Navy has a great range of sizes (especially online), they often take popular trends and make them budget-friendly, and they use simple fabrics which means they are kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and washing machine-friendly.
Old Navy has no consistency with sizing though. You could order 6 pairs of jeans in the same wash and size and they would all fit differently. You could order two of the same tee shirt in the same color, size and fabric and not only would they fit differently, one may be see-through and one may feel almost spongey because the knit is so thick. No rhyme or reason. It is truly hit or miss. That being said, they too often have great promotions and free shipping online so it's a great place to find cheap summer dresses, tank tops and loungewear that is fun looking and fits your size. And once in a while, you may find quite a gem.
– Caslon for Nordstrom. Nordstrom? That is NOT budget-friendly! However the Caslon brand at Nordstrom is quite reasonably priced and usually from very good quality materials. Caslon clothing comes in petites and plus sizes, and their sizing is pretty generous (I usually purchase a Large instead of an XL). Caslon makes simple pieces in rich colors that always have some little detail that keeps them from being boring. They also do a great job at taking current trends and making them wearable and budget-friendly.
The Caslon line is usually found on the second floor of your local Nordstrom store, and mixed in with other brands. I have had the best luck online because there is a more organized and extensive selection and more sizes available. Nordstrom is now offering reviews of their products so you can often find out from other customers how an item fits or feels.
I personally keep my shopping choices as simple as my wardrobe – searching high and low in various stores in the mall only makes me exhausted and feeling fat and awkward. I do a lot of online shopping so I can try items on with the wardrobe I already own, the proper shoes, the proper undergarments, flattering lighting. I am less likely to buy something out of desperation or frustration, and less likely to get home with buyer's remorse.
I do a lot of Virtual Window Shopping where I will look at an item, place it in the Web site's shopping cart and then leave it there for a couple hours or even a day or two. I will look at my current wardrobe and stop and think – will this work with what I have? Is this something I need? What are the washing instructions – will it sit in my trunk for three weeks until I get to the dry cleaners?
Once I have determined that I like it and think it will be a good purchase, I often look for the same item on other sites so I can see how it fits on differnt models. That which looks adorable and work-appropriate on one model may look tight and club-like on another. I also google the item because you can often find reviews on style blogs of a popular item from a store like Gap or J. Crew.
So readers, if you are a size 16, what are your favorite places to shop? Where do you have luck?
Certainly, I appreciate the opportunity to share my expertise in the realm of plus-size fashion, especially for those who, like the author, find themselves navigating the unique challenges of being a size 16 with specific body proportions. My name is not explicitly mentioned, but let's dive into the concepts presented in the article, providing insights and additional information.
1. Ann Taylor:
- The author recommends Ann Taylor for its consistent sizing, quality, and affordable finds in the sale section. Ann Taylor offers a range of sizes, including online options up to size 18 and XXL in petite, regular, and tall.
2. Ann Taylor LOFT:
- Similar to Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT is suggested as a go-to for affordable plus-size clothing. However, the author notes that sizing may not be as consistent, and the styles might be more varied.
3. Gap:
- Gap is praised for its basic pieces and extensive size range. The author highlights the challenge of Gap's sizing inconsistencies but emphasizes the potential for finding gems in the sale department.
4. Old Navy:
- The author expresses a love/hate relationship with Old Navy, acknowledging the brand's budget-friendly approach, varied sizes online, and simple fabrics. However, sizing consistency is a noted challenge.
5. Caslon for Nordstrom:
- Despite Nordstrom being generally perceived as not budget-friendly, the Caslon brand is recommended for its reasonably priced and good-quality clothing. Caslon offers both petites and plus sizes, and their sizing is considered generous.
6. Shopping Strategies:
- The author shares personal shopping strategies, including focusing on online shopping for convenience and trying on items with existing wardrobe pieces. Virtual Window Shopping, where items are added to the cart for reflection, is a highlighted strategy to avoid impulsive purchases.
7. Size 16 Community Engagement:
- The article concludes with a call to readers who wear size 16, encouraging them to share their favorite places to shop and where they've had success. This engages the community and fosters a sense of shared knowledge and experience.
In summary, the presented concepts revolve around finding affordable and well-fitting clothing for a size 16 body type, with a mix of brand recommendations, insights into sizing challenges, and personalized shopping strategies. These insights reflect a deep understanding of the plus-size fashion landscape and provide valuable information for those navigating similar experiences.
