question about plus size stores
 

Hi girls! :cheer:

I have a question about stores in the USA with plus sized clothes! I live in the Netherlands right now and I'm going on holiday to Los Angeles in October (I'm soooooo excited, me and my bf love America :lol: ). But I have no idea where to shop for (not too expensive) clothes... :?: Who can help me with this one? I went to Miami Florida a few years ago and was very dissapointed because I didn't know where to look. Ik hope you guys can help me with this one! :D

Charlotte

Lane Bryant is one; Torrid is another. Most department stores (Bloomingdales, Macy's, etc.) have a plus size department, too (usually called "Women's" as opposed to "Misses").
Good luck - I'm sure other may have more suggestions.

Depends on your budget-
This is wear I did the majority of my shopping when I was officially a plus size
Dress Barn Women and Casual Corner Women are both geared towards the 14 and up sizes. Anything that ends in Women tends to be for plus size people.

The regular Dress Barn and Casual Corner tend to have at least a corner of the store for plus sizes.

JC Penny usually has a good selection of plus sizes-it's called the women's section.

Lane Bryant-is specifically plus size, but I've never really liked their clothes

I did a google search and found this list: http://www.bestdietforme.com/ClothingAndWeightLoss.htm

The Major Plus Size Clothing Companies
Catherine’s Stores
Elizabeth – Liz Claiborne
Lane Bryant
Nordstrom's
The Avenue
Ashley Stewart
Dress Barn
Chadwick’s of Boston/Jessica London
August Max Woman
The Forgotten Woman
United Retail Group, Inc. (The Avenue)
Macy’s Style & Co. (adding plus sizes to its line)
Gap, Inc. (adding plus sizes to its line)
Candie’s, Inc. (added bigger shoe sizes.)
Today’s Woman
Just My Size

thanks!
 

Thank you for your replies! you've both helped me a lot :) I'll look for those stores!

:flow1:Charlotte:flow1:

Another to look for is CATO. they have a plus sized side of the store with both dress clothes and lots of casual stuff. they also have purses and shoes in most locations. The only thing about CATO that I don't like is that each store is not identical in what they carry. Some have great plus sized selections and some do not. Worth checking out if you pass one though. I have recently found some great shirts on clearance there and when I have needed something dressy I can usually find something acceptable at the one in my moms town.

I was really surprised at finding larger sizes at Walmart of all places. I have purchased some pants and shirts there that are wonderful and are wearing really well.

Oh, I forgot about that-yes, Walmart, Target and Kmart all have plus sizes but I'mnot sure if you'll see any in LA, they tend to be large box stores with big parking lots. They tend to be out in the suburbs. Plus sometimes quality isn't all that good, just double check. I always get shirts and basics there when they go on sale. :chicken: Yes, I am a little on the frugal side.

Sarah

My two favorite "curvy lady" stores are The Avenue and Lane Bryant (there is also a catalog called Lane Bryant - there is no connection, and the clothes from the catalog Lane Bryant are not good quality - I do not recommend them). Both Lane Bryant and The Avenue have websites where you can order stuff, too.

There is also a catalog, Ulla Popkin (I think that's the name, or close to it), which has some nice clothing for larger women - more career oriented clothing than Lane Bryant or The Avenue.

I thought the Lane Bryant catalog and the store were the same...they aren't? I don't shop there, it always reminds me of my mother. And to me it was the final "acceptance" of being plus size. Somehow a women's section of a regular store was much better then going to a store that was specifically geared towards larger sizes. I know, strange logic.

Sarah

I agree, Sarahyu. I've shopped at Layne Bryant and it's always embarrasing to walk into the "fat girl store" and then carry around those huge bags they put the clothes in so everyone in the mall knows where you have to shop. Plus I've found that for the price, the quality of their clothes is not very good.

I rarely buy clothes at Walmart but I've been checking them out lately and they have really improved their selection. They even sell plus size levi's (up to 18) which I will be trying on soon. I did buy a pair of their low rise junior plus size jeans a few weeks ago and even though I have to wear a belt with them they are comfortable and make my butt look way smaller than it really is....all for about 17 bucks. Can't beat that!

I've loved the clothes from the Lane Bryant store here. They are fairly trendy, which I'm not usually (but sometimes I want to be). They aren't Nordstrom's quality to be sure, but they aren't Nordstrom's prices either. I've loved the clothes that I've bought there, and the sales staff are very, very helpful.

The catalog Lane Bryant though sells really crappy stuff. Some of it looks okay in the catalog, but it's terrible quality and not much like the picture.

You can take a gander for yourselves - link for the store: http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/homelb.asp

and the catalog: http://www.lbcatalog.com/lbcatalog/l...t.mc_id=k40132

and this is from the Lane Bryant FAQ: <snip>
Q: How can I receive your Lane Bryant Catalog?
A: Lane Bryant does not produce a catalog and is not affiliated with the Lane Bryant Catalog. Lane Bryant owns and operates the Lane Bryant retail stores and lanebryant.com. If you would like to register to receive our e-mails and postal mailings with our latest fashion news and offers, sign in at lanebryant.com, click on “My Account,” go to ”My Profile,” and find the “Lane Bryant Store offers by e-mail and “Lane Bryant Store offers by mail” sections. <snip>

Personally, I'm not bothered carrying around their bag. I just don't care what total strangers think of me, I guess. Besides, it's pretty obvious that I'm not an a malnourished waif who can shop at trendy little boutiques where a large is a size 8!

Originally Posted by :
Personally, I'm not bothered carrying around their bag. I just don't care what total strangers think of me, I guess. Besides, it's pretty obvious that I'm not an a malnourished waif who can shop at trendy little boutiques where a large is a size 8!

:lol: I know, that's what I meant by strange logic. I mean, please I was popping out of my size 16. It was pretty obvious I was a plus size girl. :dizzy: I kind of looked like a weeble-remember from childhood, the little round bottom toys "weebles wabble but they don't fall down" -now I'm going to have that jingle running through my head all day long.

Sarah

DH and I were just discussing Weebles the other day - I wonder if they are still around? DS plays with the FP Little People. I loved my wobbly weebles!

I know weebles still exist as I am their model :D ...
anywhoooooo... I have always hated to actually go into stores and try crap on.. soooo I buy most my clothes on the internet.. I have VERY good luck with a Chadwick division called Jessica London.. and with Lands End for jeans.. I have so many "corporate" yuppie dresses and boots and blazers and pants from Jessica London.. Never had a Return problem .. and luckily rarely have had a sizing problem. I love their Big mock suede shirt with coordinating long sleeve shirt underneath.. and I have these no waist, side zip pants in black and chocolate brown that are very comfy and are flattering. Even when I'm big, folks comment positively on my style .. :D

In Regard to LB The store NOT the catalog
I first went in there in 1999 and it was a revelation I had been wearing Boxy Clothes for as long as I was bigger than a 14 (at 14 I could still get some cute stuff)
The fact that I could be trendy Was amazing! and I've never turned back so I dont' call it the fat girl store
I call it Voluptuous Store
not the stick bimbo store ;)