If you guys are anything like me, or most of the women in the country, you might fall into the “plus size” range of clothing. What is actually considered “plus” size varies between brands, but usually, plus sizing starts around size 14 (In the modeling world, anything above a size 8 is considered plus size. Wrap your head around that one, world). A big problem I have with plus sizing is that designers will often just expand the original design to a bigger size, with no regard to proportions. This makes it so all plus size girls end up wearing potato sacks. It kind of sucks. Here are 10 affordable, awesome plus size stores that don’t make you look like you live in 1930’s Kansas.
1. Torrid
Torrid is known as one of the best plus size resources out there. Unlike some of the stores listed below, they specifically cater to only plus size fashion. It’s great, they actually make plus size girls look like people instead of blurry amoebic figures. Torrid recently released a new “Retro Disney” line, and as a girl who has always dreamed of being a Disney princess, it’s my dream come true.(Disney Beauty and the Beast Ball Gown; Picture courtesy of Torrid.com)
2. Forever 21+
I was actually shopping on the Forever 21+ website when I started writing this article, so you know it’s Author Approved™. I know we all give Forever 21 a lot of flak for selling shirts that say stuff like “Pizza helps me find my soul” in French, but their plus size section is honestly so great. It’s current to trends and isn’t just an extension of their original store; Forever 21+ has its own design and look. There are over 30 items in my favorites, but I think this one might be the best.
(Plus Size Velvet Cami Dress (also comes in dark grey); Picture courtesy of Forever21.com)
3. Old Navy Plus
I won’t lie, before the Old Navy Plus line came out, I kind of hated Old Navy. I always felt like their clothes didn’t fit me right. Their new Plus line, though, is awesome. It has both more revealing and modest items, which is great because sometimes I feel like 1999 MTV Lil Kim, and sometimes I feel like rolling myself in a blanket burrito. I love a good off-shoulder dress, and the drawstring waist is one of my favorite parts of a dress.
(Off-the-Shoulder Plus-Size Tencel® Dress; Picture courtesy of oldnavy.gap.com)
4. Ashley Stewart
Like Torrid, Ashley Stewart is completely aimed to plus size fashion, and all of their products are so classically glam. Even the clothes that are supposed to be springy and fruity could transform anyone into an Instagram model. As an added plus, they employ a large array of models in terms of racial diversity and what plus size “looks like.” I like their website a lot because I know I can find something I’ll look great in, just based on how the model looks.
(Bold Stripe Skater Dress; Picture Courtesy of AshleyStewart.com)
5. Lane Bryant
I know what you’re thinking. Lane Bryant is a grandma store. But here’s where you’re wrong…IT’S NOT! Just because it’s been around since the beginning of the 20th century doesn’t mean that it hasn’t kept up with the trends. From their line with Melissa McCarthy to their great jeans, Lane Bryant is a fairly affordable choice for hot, high quality plus size clothing.(6th and Lane Patchwork Denim Skinny Jean; Picture courtesy of lanebryant.com)
6. H&M+
H&M is basically just the European version of Forever 21, and has become popular in the US. That being said, just because it’s the same kind of store as Forever 21 does not mean their plus size sections are the same! H&M+ is equally great, but has a little bit of a different style. H&M+ is definitely the place to go if you’re looking for edgy classy pieces (aka, you could go from beating someone up, looking hot while doing it, to a business meeting in these clothes).
(H&M+ Wide-cut Pants; Picture courtesy of hm.com)
7. Eloquii
I love Eloquii. Everything is so classic and clean cut and picturesque, I feel like I could be a princess or a Pinterest picture in their clothing. Their dress selection is awesome and filled with my favorite dress styles, like midi dresses, and fit and flair. Over all, my favorite items on their website are their jumpsuits. Jumpsuits are very instyle right now, and Eloquii has a ton of different looks for every personal style.(Cross Front Jumpsuit; Picture courtesy of eloquii.com)
8. Target
Ah, Target. We all love it. While the Dollar Spot might be all of our’s true love, they’ve really turned their plus size section into something great. Target carries a bunch of different brands, so price ranges are pretty flexible to meet your needs. Plus, their collaborations with different designers have made great pieces, like this dress from Victoria Beckham.
(Women’s Plus Black Collared Dress – Victoria Beckham for Target; Picture Courtesy of target.com)
9. Just My Size
For every outfit, there is a bra behind the scenes. Bras might be one of the biggest fashion struggles of plus size girls, and Just My Size has done a lot to fix that problem. These bras are SO affordable, which is important to me, a college girl on a college budget. They’re also supportive of my DD boobs, go up to over a 50 DDD, and super cute! I like the bra in the picture below because the lace overlays are a small, sexy touch, and the bra itself smooths everything out underneath clothing.
(Just My Size Undercover Slimming Wirefree Bra with SlenderU® Panels; Picture Courtesy of justmysize.com)
10. ASOS Curve
Behold the mecca for the cutest plus size fashion. My absolute favorite thing about ASOS Curve is that they don’t design clothes that fit within what is accepted for plus size women. Plus size girls are told to wear vertical stripes or solid colors, or things that cinch the waist to conform to beauty standards. ASOS Curve isn’t like that. It just makes things for the sake of being cute and fashionable, and gives the boot to body expectations. It’s awesome. For an added *plus*, shipping is free!
(ASOS CURVE Mesh Scatter Sequin Mini Dress; Picture courtesy of us.asos.com)
Writing this article was really important to me, because as a plus sized girl, I sometimes feel like I don’t look good in anything. When stores don’t carry a size I wear, it’s discouraging and it’s made shopping an upsetting experience for me. I know it’s not just me. As of 2016, the average women’s dress size in America is a 16. That means most American women are considered plus size. College can be a hard place to wear bigger than a 6; it feels like everyone but you weighs 100 pounds, even though that’s obviously not true. It’s not a bad thing to be really skinny or not skinny at all. Both are great! But fashion is an important part of self esteem and identification, and when a certain size is alienated from that, it’s pretty harmful. I hope this article helps some girls out there that look like me find clothing they feel good about themselves in, because that’s the main goal of modern day fashion.