Hey curvy girls all over the world,
As plus size women, we can get so caught up with the number on the tag that we limit ourselves when it comes to shopping. We are afraid to shop in stores that don’t necessarily carry our size. When I think about what I love the most about shopping, I realized, I have a true love for the thrill of snagging a great find that was not intended for a woman of my size. Before getting a job in corporate America, I was a frequent retail associate. My first retail job was at Aeropostale, then I moved on to Lord & Taylor, then onto Ann Taylor, your girl even did a brief stint at Banana Republic and American Eagle. While working at those stores I found out that they actually offered sizes above a 14. It’s their version of EXTENDED SIZES. However, they never advertised they offered these sizes, which I thought was uncool.
When I found out, of course I shopped my little fashion heart out, but I always tried to tell every plus size girl I could find that these non plus size brands offer anywhere from a size 16-18 and even XXL. Now in 2015, they’re beginning to offer size 20, before they added back their plus size section at H&M, you could easily shop there and get a size 16 dress.Their size L should have been marked a 2X because the stretch and cut was big enough to fit someone that was an XL or XXL.
This is me at my first fashion week in 2012, a size 18 in a size 14 H&M dress
2015 In a Loft top size XXL
I’ve never been one to limit myself when shopping. I have always went into any store I wanted and looked at the cut and style of clothes to see if it would fit my plus size frame. I’m an avid shopper at Loft since they carry a size 16-18 and XXL. I’ve worn many pieces from them, seen HERE, HERE, and HERE.
I find that it’s much easier to make a dress and top fit in these stores more so than pants or tailored skirts.
Here I am in a Loft jacket, skirt, and top all in size 18
Now, let me make one thing clear, whenever you shop non plus size stores, make sure you shop with an open mind and no expectations. Obviously, if the store doesn’t necessarily cater to plus size women, you have a bigger chance of not finding something that fits. However, shopping with an open mind helps to get those creative style juices flowing and shows you that sometimes the number on the tag is just that. It’s always important to TRY CLOTHES on. You never know, your next greatest style find could be in an unexpected place.
So, today, I am going to share with you my list of 12 non plus size brands, that plus size women can actually shop at.
J. Crew-16-20 Yup, in selected styles. (J. Crew carries size 18 and 20 online only.)
Ann Taylor-0-18 XXS-XXL (size 16-18 online only)
Loft–0-18 XXS-XXL (size 16-18 online only)
Anthropologie-Up to size 16
Banana Republic-14-16 but cuts are large enough for a size 18 (size 16 online only)
H&M -Offers plus size selections in select stores and online
New York & Company–0-18, XS-XL in store and online
Gap–00-20-Generous cuts in tops and dresses. up to size 16 in store and (online only size 18-20 and XXL.)
Talbots-Misses line goes up to a size 20 in store and online, plus size 1X-3X in store and online.
Chico’s-Offers plus sizes from 16-22
Do you lean more on the Jr. plus size spectrum? We got you. Even the teeny bopper brands like Aeropostale and American Eagle are offering up to size 2X and size 18.
Aeropostale-0-18 and XS-XXL (16-18 and XXL online only)
American Eagle-0-18 and XS-XXL (16-18 and XXL online only)
American Eagle Denim Dress comes in sizes 14-18
Also, checkout this post if you want to know how to shop non plus size stores. We give tips on what pieces to look for. Read HERE
I hope this post was helpful. Let us know what you think.
Love this post! So nice to have a list of stores that carry extended sizes that we plus size women can wear. I didn’t see one store on the list that should definitely be on there, Chico’s!! Previously thought to be “your moms store,” they truly do cater to a younger generation now, and carry up to size 16/18 in stores and size 20 is offered online!!!
Thanks Chelsea! I am going to add Chico’s
Thanks for sharing these store names here which would be helpful for plus sized women to get their perfect outfit easily .Being a plus-sized, I prefer shopping from Chico’s and Gap which offers gigantic variety in western outfits .
This was so helpful, thanks! A commenter on my Facebook page was asking about extended sizes at Loft and I pointed her to this article.
My thing is that they might offer plus sizes but they are not normally available on stores, but only on line. For instance, Ann Taylor stores only have sizes up to 14 for most of items, so you can not have the “go shopping” experience. I wonder if it is that they do not want curvy girls going through their stores’ gates 🙁
Old Navy too!! I can get cute trendy pieces from Old Navy and not spend a lot of money. They have up to XXL and size 20 in store.
Thank you. As someone who has been in Corporate America for years and struggled with what to wear, this post gave me tremendous hope. Keep up the good work!
Love this post!! You go.girl!! My problem is and am still troubled to this day is I have a high waist line and I can’t stand high waisted anything! Since I and my body prefers low to mid rise, I have the most aggravating and problematic time finding my size in short and jeans since my lower waist is the same size as my hips!!! What to wear what to wear.