It seems like only yesterday that fashion retailers began to get serious about increasing our sizing options. While the average American woman was thought to wear a size 14 for years, she actually wears a size 16/18. Yet even now, if you’re a woman over (or under) a certain size, you may walk into a department store, a chain store or a discount retailer and find nothing to wear.
While we are still seeing women with a wider array of sizes and shapes walking runways, glamming on red carpets and being dressed by high-fashion designers, the pandemic has hit supply chains and retailers’ profits dramatically. Quite a few shops have resorted to scaling back locations and offerings. Ann Taylor LOFT announced they will discontinue extended sizing this fall. Simply Be has ceased all U.S. operations. Eloquii has closed its brick and mortar stores and now operates exclusively online.
The landscape for inclusive fashion sizing looks a little different these days, but all is not lost! Some of our favorite stores offer extensive options, and newer labels have widened our online choices. A forward-thinking few have retooled their merchandising models to serve all of us better. Old Navy, for instance, recently announced that they will no longer separate niche size ranges — like petite, tall and plus — but will integrate all sizes, with the stores’ format and marketing to reflect the change. Other brands should take note. We’ve updated our figure-friendly list of shops that offer fashion in your size — whether that’s XXS, 16P or 7XL.
Anthropologie
Known for feminine, boho-chic clothing styled for “creative” women 30 and up, the extended sizing introduced a couple of years ago has continued to grow in a range of styles and popularity. Find separates, dresses and more up to size 26W. (Anthropologie.com)
ASOS
Curvy girls will find all the trendy styles their angular friends are sporting at this U.K.-based online store, which carries sizes up to 26. (Asos.com)
AFRM
Known for its uniquely printed pieces and sleeves with thumbholes, AFRM’s eye-catching and tonal turtlenecks, maxis and midi dresses have a signature look. In December, the line extended their sizing. You can find looks in XS to 3X on AFRM’s site. (Shopafrm.com)
BHLDN
This is a sister brand to Free People, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie (under the URBN banner). BHLDN has offered luxury occasion, evening and wedding attire in a wider range of sizes over the past year. I used to stalk their site knowing I’d never wear any of those things, but I now I can, as many stunning designs run in sizes up to 26W. (Bhldn.com)
City Chic
This Aussie brand (sold online and at Macy’s and Nordstrom) is a go-to for day or evening wear that’s bold, sexy, glam and chic in sizes up to 24. (CityChicOnline.com)
Draper James
Rom-com actress Reese Witherspoon’s line is unapologetically feminine. Clothing comes in sizes up to 24X/3X. (Draperjames.com)
Elevyn Thirty
This boutique was created by entrepreneur and lifestyle vlogger Tiarra Monet, and the brand offers a variety of in-style and comfy-looking pieces designed to make a woman feel sexy. They recently extended their sizing to include XL in straight sizes and 1X to 3X in plus sizing. (Elevynthirty.com)
Eloquii
With imaginative prints and sharp silhouettes, this brand offers high-quality looks for a fraction of the price of most designer duds in petite and regular lengths up to size 28. As mentioned, this store now operates exclusively online. (Eloquii.com)
eShakti
Looking for customizable clothing? This online retailer sells dresses and separates up to size 36W, with the option to affordably tweak necklines and sleeve and hem length. Shipping can take about a month, so plan accordingly. (Eshakti.com)
Hell Bunny
Full of vintage, retro and alternative-inspired pieces targeted at the lover of girly blouses and tea length dresses This line allows you to travel both back in time and into the future with its pieces that are both fit for work and play. The sizes range from XS to 6XL. (HellBunny.com)
Isolated Heroes
Not for the traditionalist, this Scotland-based designer provides an assortment of beautiful brightly colored, iridescent, textured sweaters, jackets, dresses and gowns in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL. (Isolated-Heroes.com)
J.Crew
This famously preppy brand has expanded its size range, and that of its spin-off Madewell, to include up to size 24. (Jcrew.com)
Mango
Spanish retailer Mango recently announced that it will be folding Violeta, an edgy, rock ’n’ roll-ready plus size offering, into its Mango Woman range and then extending the sizing up to sizes 4XL and 54. They also plan to extend the sizes of its straight size range both ways, adding 32 (XXS) and 46 (XXL). You’ll see these changes online first. (Mango.com)
ModCloth
Love 1950s-inspired dresses, novelty prints and full, feminine skirts? Find your fix here, where sizes go up to 4X. (ModCloth.com)
New York & Company
Shop modern work wear and casual clothing, as well as a capsule collection designed by Gabrielle Union, in sizes up to XXL/20 at this mall and online staple. (NyndCompany.com)
Old Navy
The casual clothing and jeans at Gap’s sister brand flatter larger busts, waistlines and hips, ranging from 0 to 30 and XS to 4X. (OldNavy.gap.com)
Rebdolls
This one-stop shop, self-described as catering from mid-size to plus-size, is like a Black-owned, high-quality version of your favorite chain boutiques. The shop stays true to its #SexyForAll slogan by selling everything from the hottest swimwear styles, outerwear, underwear, casual and office wear in sizes ranging from S to 5X. (Rebdolls.com)
Reformation
This eco-friendly brand recently launched a permanent plus-size collection, with feminine wrap, empire waist-, A-line- and sweetheart-neckline dresses up to size 3X. (TheReformation.com)
Shop J. Bolin
Curated by stylist J. Bolin, this shop in his name is one of my favorite places to check for fresh new designs. This designer regularly refreshes collections that include pieces with a global sensibility, in sizes ranging from XS to 3X and from 0 to 22. (ShopJBolin.com)
souk + SEPIA
One of two apparel lines under the UJUU brand, this shop is known for its international flair and unconventional wearable art. The line carries many pieces ranging from XS to 7XL. Their sister athleisure brand, Simi Sienna, stocks sports, bras, leggings and tees in straight sizes ranging from XS to XL and a plus size collection up to 6XL. (SoukAndSepia.com)
Standards & Practices
Aimed at the woman who wants to feel comfortable but still look like she put some effort into her outfit, this store sells casual-chic separates in sizes up to 3X/24. (StandardsAndPractices.com)
Torrid
Whether or not you consider this mall store’s clothing, which runs to size 6X/30, too youthful for your taste, you’ll likely appreciate its comprehensive selection of undergarments, accessories and wide-fitting shoes. (Torrid.com)
Walmart
Last year, the discount retailer launched Eloquii Elements (an affordable in-store clothing label available in sizes 14 to 28). The retailer also hosts a number of size inclusive brands with sizes going up to 6X (Walmart.com)
Yours
From maxi dresses to lingerie to sweatshirts, this U.K.-based retailer sells an impressive array of affordable staples and special-occasion clothing in sizes up to 36 and ships internationally. (YoursClothing.com)
