I like Lane Bryant to a point. It cost so much though and like others we don't have that money.

I shop a lot at Torrid and Marius.
Granted a bit expansive but they're super cute!

Interesting, I find that the Lane Bryants where I am are very fashionable so are the Ashley Stewarts (more so Ashley Stewart than Lane Bryant).

I'm 6 feet tall so my clothing, particularly my pants, have to be long (tall) and Lane Bryant is perfect for that.

I do enjoy shopping online for my shoes- I tried Torrid. Too bad Cato isn't in my area. From the website they look pretty fashionable.

As far as Lane Bryant, I can take/leave their clothes...but I LOVE their underwear and bras. I only go there when they have a big sale. I like them because they are trendy and they don't just have black/tan/white bras for my size. I can actually have a pretty bra there!

I usually shop Lane Bryant, Torrid, Avenue, and occasionally Maurice's.

If I had to pick a least favorite plus size section, I would pick Old Navy. First of all they are only online so you can't try anything on. Second of all their sizes are too variable. I bought two plus sized dresses there, one in a 2x and it was huge so I sent it back to get a 1x, then i bought another in a 1x because I figured they would be the same, and it was too small. Most of their clothes though just seem like you might as well be wearing a freaking potato sack though, they just don't know how to design for plus sized women.

I think its funny too about the tops. Not all of us Plus Size Ladies have large boobs. lol I wish I had that problem but I dont. I tried some shirt on once there that was super cute on but it looked like I could smuggle two small infants in that area. And Target is ridiclous with there maybe two racks of plus size and one pair of jeans only in a 24. And those were super ugly!

I can't wear the Lane Bryant bras but I love their underwear. I've got about 7 or 8 pairs of their string bikinis that are at least 5 years old and they all look really, really good. They've held up great!

I do all my shopping at thrift stores (except for underwear and socks)....Goodwill, Salvation Army and Family Thrift Center (a great local thrift store).

For one thing you already know how they will launder, etc. But it's the variety and the prices I love....not to mention the whole treasure-hunting aspect. I love hunting for treasures.

I have dropped 5 jeans sizes in 8 months...from 40" waist to 32" waist. Every time I dropped a size, I'd have had to purchase rather expensive replacements in a store...that I was planning to quickly diet out of. And I have a large family and can give all the 34's, 36's to sisters, etc. It's been just fabulous to drop a size and go get smaller jeans for just a few bucks and not have to worry about damaging your budget.

The other thing I really like about thrift stores is that there are often times that I don't like the popular styles of the moment.....and wish I could find older styles that I really liked and fit me well. You can't find these in regular stores but you CAN find these in thrift shops.

And honestly, after a few washes, the stuff looks just like the stuff in the stores....so why pay so much more? And you can get some great quality, brand-name stuff if you hunt....and they often look almost new.

deena

You have a good point, Deena. Losing weight, it would be impractical to keep buying everything new.

My solution is to sew clothing. I have fun doing that, and besides, I can get two entire business suits for like $50, materials included.

While I do agree that LB is overpriced, and the quality is questionable, I am not sure about the Jersey comment. I will also admit that even though I have about 5 LB stores within an hour drive from my home, what each store offers can vary alot. Some stores are too casual, some stores have a lot of professional clothes and very little casual, some stores have a whole separate room for just lingerie type items, etc.

What I find is that lb has nice dress shirts and to get them on sale and with any coupons possible.

I hate shopping, so I'm a little surprised I just read and enjoyed this entire thread! I feel like such a girl! LOL!

First off...many of you women who posted on the first page of this thread back in September can't be wearing LB anymore, according to your tickers. Congratulations!

I love Lane Bryant as much as I hate it.

Pros:
I love their solid colored t-shirt type material shirts. They're comfortable and they're flattering when they don't plunge too low.

I love their Right Fit line, though the exact same line is 50% cheaper at Fashion Bug. I just discovered that. Though their sizing chart must be inaccurate because it thinks I'm a triangle, but curvy fits like it was tailored for me. I have a large rear and hips and a small-ish waist.

This must be an age thing (I'm 35), but I feel like they're trendy.

Cons:
I hate feeling like I've been delegated to a special store, like I don't fit in the regular store. I think all stores who carry plus sizes should just mix the plus in with the regular! Why is that so hard? Each clothing rack holds more than one style, so just put one style in many sizes on one rack. I really don't get it.

Their patterns are hideous. I don't wear clothes that shout "LOOK AT ME!"

All non-right fit pants fit horribly. They think we're all apple shapes. If I manage to get them over my rear and hips, the waist gaps terribly.

On the plus side, I can almost officially say I can't shop there anymore. I'm finally in a size 16, but now and then I still find a pair of 16's that are too small. I am on the edge and loving it!

I am a size 14-16 and I can get the best of both worlds at times (depending on the item )-- I really like Kohl's Plus Sized department and some of Lane Bryants stuff is cool -- I just know what styles work for my body (Thank You What Not to Wear !! ) I used to like Torrid when I was younger , but since I am in my 30's now , I find their clothes too trendy for me --
Dress Barn and Fashion Bug can have some nice items too !!

You just have to go into the stores and find styles that work for YOU !

It's all about finding the right locations. I know of 2 locations (one near my current place and one near my parents old place) that have a good plus size section. The countless other locations I've been to suck. Their winter stuff is ugly though. I got lots of cute dresses and a few tops last summer, but I haven't found anything since around August.

I so agree about Lane Bryant catering to the 6-foot and taller woman. And the styles -- yikes!! I must admit, however, that I love LB's Cacique bras and panties. They're awesome!

Old Navy has a fairly decent selection of plus size clothing, but again, the jeans run fairly long.

Before I transitioned from plus size to misses, I found a lot of very nice-looking business casual clothing at CJ Banks, but I would never pay full price for anything there, as it could get a bit costly. I could get pants at a length that didn't require additional hemming and the blouses were always very flattering.

And now that I'm in misses sizes, Coldwater Creek is a definite monkey on my back! Stop me before I shop again!

-- JJ

I don't go to Lane Bryant either.

I shop TJ Maxx & AJ Wright, their stores near me are huge & I always find stuff really cheap.

Online I do Chadwicks & Roamans which I think both might be sorta comparable to Lane Bryant BUT you can find really low prices and search for coupon codes. IDK, I got some cute plus size sweaters and tops from Chawicks this winter and I even bought a jacket & a houndstooth coat that is adorable. Quality is sometimes an issue but as I said, I coupon & clearance shop so I don't pay a lot. Don't feel bad then, if I wear a blouse 3 times and then toss it. Would never never buy their jeans, though.

Also like Fashion Bug pretty well, their Studio 1940 clothes especially and I coupon/clearance with them too and get great deals! Five dollar espadrilles was one of my recent finds, also got some pretty nice yoga pants for seven bucks : ) and they fit great.

I live in Oklahoma and they opened a new store called avenue. I really like it and their close are fashionable. I am 22 and my mom is in her 40s and we both can shop their and find great buys. They do have a website. Just google avenue or avenue plus size.