One of the most common complaints that I get when I post a fashion article is that I don’t focus enough on plus size clothes for women our age. Typical comments include things like, and, I’m paraphrasing here, “I applaud these women for their boldness, but, frankly, I don’t have a 28 inch waist. How about showing us some plus size women?”
Frankly, I don’t disagree with these comments. I’m not a super skinny woman. Like many women in our community, I try to stay in shape, but I am still rounded in all the usual places. No, the problem is not that I am avoiding featuring older plus size models. The problem is that I can’t find any!
Here is our list of the best places to buy plus size clothes:
- Lane Bryant – the pioneer in plus size clothing in the USA.
- Maurices – contemporary styling which appeals to older women.
- Gwynie Bee – unique concept in that you order clothing, wear it, and either send it back to exchange or keep it.
- Ashley Stewart – American plus size women’s clothing company and lifestyle brand.
- Just My Size – quality lingerie for plus sized women.
- Dress Barn – online sales only. They offer a great plus size section with a variety of selections.
- Addition Elle – Pennington’s plus size division for trendy curvy fashionistas.
- Dia & Co – created as a way for women to embrace their individuality.
- Avenue – carries a variety of brands that cater exclusively to plus size women.
- Woman Within – offer great-fitting clothing for women in sizes up to 6X.
Where Can We Find Plus Size Clothes for Women Our Age?
In a way, this is symptomatic of a larger problem that I would like your help in solving. When it comes to fashion, youth and slenderness are still the most desirable traits. As a result, older women with rounded bodies feel doubly rejected.
The good news is that designers are starting to recognize the opportunity that plus size women represent. For example, H&M has a plus size range, even if it is not targeted specifically at older women.
The bad news is that this change isn’t happening fast enough. This slow shift is somewhat puzzling when you consider the fact that, according to MassMutual Financial Group, Boomer women control ¾ of the wealth in the U.S.
To help accelerate this process, I’d like to ask for your help in highlighting some of the shops and brands that cater to the needs of plus size women. I hope that this approach will have a couple of benefits.
First, we can expose each other to new plus size clothing options that we may not have previously considered. Second, we can speak with one voice and help the fashion industry to understand the potential opportunity that they are missing. Let’s tell the world that we deserve to be fashionable and comfortable too!
I’d love to get your thoughts on this.
Where do you think are the best places to shop for plus size clothes for women our age? Are there any brands that you couldn’t live without now that you have found them? Please add your favorite brands and shops in the comments below.
Community Update! Here Are Some of Your Favorite Places to Shop for Plus Size Clothes
From your comments, it’s clear that finding plus-size clothing for women is still a challenge. At the same time, it’s also clear that you have found some hidden gems.
Top 10 Stores in the United States that Sell Plus-Size Clothes for Women
Lane Bryant
Lane Bryant is the pioneer in plus size clothing in the USA. It’s a woman-founded, woman-led brand. 115 years after Lena Bryant started designing and producing clothing (even before women could vote) the brand has expanded and now specializes in women’s plus size designs.
Maurices
Maurice’s has a specialty section that caters to plus sizes. The contemporary styling also appeals to older women.
Gwynie Bee
The Gwynie Bee exchange concept is unique in that you order clothing, wear it, and either send it back to exchange or keep it. They dry clean the clothing and put it back into circulation. Great way to continuously update your wardrobe!
Ashley Stewart
Ashley Stewart is an American plus size women’s clothing company and lifestyle brand, which was founded in 1991. The name Ashley Stewart was inspired by Laura Ashley and Martha Stewart, who the company saw as icons of upscale Americana. The ship internationally!
Just My Size
Just My Size makes quality lingerie for plus sized women.
Dress Barn
Dress Barn closed all their retail stores in 2019 and relocated to online sales only. They offer a great plus size section with a variety of selections.
Addition Elle
Addition Elle is Pennington’s plus size division for trendy curvy fashionistas.
Dia & Co
Dia & Co was founded in 2015 by Nadia Boujarwah who found it difficult to find clothing in her size. She created it as a way for women just like herself to embrace their individuality.
Avenue
Avenue carries a variety of brands that cater exclusively to plus size women.
Woman Within
Woman Within also carries a variety of brands that cater to plus sizes. They offer great-fitting clothing for women in sizes up to 6X and have been for over 50 years.
If you don’t live in the US, there are lists of retailers in Europe and Australia/New Zealand offering plus-size clothing at the end of this post.
Many of the women who commented on this issue said that they wanted to avoid looking like an “old lady.” Instead, they wanted to find plus-size clothing that is comfortable, stylish and affordable. Are you listening all you fashion designers out there? There is a huge market here! Just give us what we want!
Who knows, maybe there is a fashion designer in our community who will take up the challenge. After all, in many ways, older entrepreneurs hold all the cards.
In addition, you also offered several practical suggestions for where to buy plus-size clothing. I’ve included a list of your favorite stores, by region, below. If you have any other suggestions, please add them in the comments section below.
A few more US stores offering plus size clothes for women:
- Cato Fashion
- Catherines
- Chicos
- Christopher and Banks
- Gudrun Sjoden
- J. Jill
- Kohls
- Lands End
- Making it Big
- Kaliyana
- QVC
- Penningtons
- Reitmans
- Soft Surroundings
- Yazdi
Stores in Europe that Sell Plus Size Clothes for Women
- JD Willimans
- Fifty Plus
- Curvy Kate
- Ashley Stewart
- Romans
- Ulla Popken
- Curvisa
- Yours Clothing
Stores in New Zealand and Australia that Sell Plus Size Clothes for Women
- Ashley Stewart
- City Chic
- Maggie T
- Rockmans
- The Unique You
- Millers
What other amazing places have you found that offer plus-size clothing for women our age? Please add them below.
