Fashion for curvy girls

I see you guys are struggling with bra sizing, so I just wanted to mention that Triumph actually has a minimizer line with about 3 or 4 different styles, going all the way up to a 110 F. I’m not sure if anyone else even carries that size, besides them. Mind you, the price tag definitely reflects that, sitting around $100.

If you're in the city, there's a shop called Anita over on Gundulic Street that has a massive selection of lingerie and bralettes—tons of variety and plenty of stock in the bins.

I think I read somewhere that Amadeus Jeans released a spring collection specifically for plus sizes. Though, honestly, if the fabric quality is as flimsy as their standard line, I probably wouldn't bother.

Wait, you mentioned finding B&B stuff at H&M? Which location was that? Was it down in Florida? Apparently, the stores in New York don't carry that section... and which C&A were you talking about?
By the way, Marks & Spencer is supposed to have a good amount of larger sizes available, maybe 16-20... especially their jackets. Peek & Cloppenburg is similar.

As for boots, if you're looking in the metro area, there are ARA stores—one is downtown and another is in the Westside Mall. Their footwear is top-tier quality, too; they offer several widths, including some cute patterned bootie styles. They aren't cheap, though—those ballet flats with a little extra sole and heel go for about $167—but they're worth every penny...

There's a collection of B&B spots over in the city. They've got some near West Gate and CC1 East. Might be some options at the American Mall too, I think. 🤷

Every single C&A in the mall districts has a dedicated plus-size section, just like Takko Fashion does...
Even in the new CC1 East location, you'll find plus-size departments at both H&M and C&A...
I actually stopped by Oltre, which I think someone mentioned, but honestly, there isn't nearly as much variety as people make out, and Ulla Popken is just way too expensive!!!

I actually stumbled upon this gem at TAKKA—these waistbands with the built-in elastic (perfect for those of us dealing with a bit of a midsection).
Normally, I’m a size 12, but I squeezed into a 10 because they have that stretchy elastin, and honestly, they were still running a little loose; so, I grabbed the size 8 in white and I am absolutely thrilled with them.
I’m standing at about 5'7" and weighing in at 183 lbs... grrrr.

Every time I hit up Old Navy, I actually manage to put together an outfit that works. Maybe it’s because the stuff there actually fits my age group, unlike that whole section at Target or Kohl's where everything feels... I don't know. Honestly, most of the styles in those places feel more like something my mom would wear, or—no offense intended—something you grab just because you need to cover up and nothing else.
Even now, I’m rocking a T-shirt from Target, but I grabbed it from the basics aisle since the cut is a bit more relaxed.
Last time I was there, I ended up just picking up a bra. I let my mom do all the heavy lifting with the fashion commentary; if she wants to go hunting for deals, she can, but honestly? Everything seems pretty pricey to me lately.

Also, just to throw some fuel on the fire for Oltea 😁 ...they rotate their entire collection roughly every three months, plus they get new stock hitting the shelves every single week. So, if you don't snag what you want on the first pass, you can pretty much guarantee you'll find it a few days later.
If it turns out this ends up being my shop 😬 ...I guess I'll have to start charging them a commission...

Oh, and honestly, I don't know... I didn't really find anything specific there. Everything was just kind of crammed together in these messy piles, and that whole vibe just isn't really my thing.

So, I'm actually hanging out at the mall right now, so I'll scout out if there are any B&B options over at H&M. I can't even look at Oltre though, because my man would seriously kill me if I did 😁 .. There’s also that one New Look thing, so I’ll let you know what it is once I check it out 😉

Sam Martin said:Every single C&A in the mall districts has a dedicated plus-size section, just like Takko Fashion does...
Even in the new CC1 East location, you'll find plus-size departments at both H&M and C&A...
I actually stopped by Oltre, which I think someone mentioned, but honestly, there isn't nearly as much variety as people make out, and Ulla Popken is just way too expensive!!!

I popped into that Oltre yesterday and basically walked right back out... couldn't find anything in "my" size, everything was tiny. Totally thought I was tripping and misread the sign. Am I crazy???

And I don't even know 😁 So then you go asking girls to give you their number. If there isn't any outside, this is one of those rare shops where they don't just tell you "everything's on the shelf" and then start buzzing around...
The numbers go up to 52, is that enough for you?

Dana Wilson said:So, I'm actually hanging out at the mall right now, so I'll scout out if there are any B&B options over at H&M. I can't even look at Oltre though, because my man would seriously kill me if I did 😁 .. There’s also that one New Look thing, so I’ll let you know what it is once I check it out 😉

New Look is actually pretty cute! I've seen stuff there going up to a size 14, so if that works for your sizing, you can definitely find some really lovely pieces 🙂

Dana Wilson said:And I don't even know 😁 So then you go asking girls to give you their number. If there isn't any outside, this is one of those rare shops where they don't just tell you "everything's on the shelf" and then start buzzing around...
The numbers go up to 52, is that enough for you?

Honestly, a friend of mine used to shop there back when I lived in Chicago, and I seriously doubt someone who wears a standard size (like German, H&M, or C&A brands...) 14 could easily fit into a 20 there. A standard US 14 is roughly an Italian 52, French 48, or UK 18. Back when she was fitting into 10s and 12s in most stores, she was buying 16s and 18s at Outlets. Later on, once she decided to shed some weight, she was picking up 14s and 16s at Neckermann, while at the Outlet, she couldn't even get into the stock...
Coincidentally, right when she lost 30 pounds, C&A opened, and she joked that she didn't even need to diet... 🙂
I’ve looked at the merchandise there myself quite often, but I never bought anything because those Italian sizing standards always made me feel like an elephant. Back when I was wearing a size 31 in jeans (sadly, that era is long gone...), I tried on a 12 there and it wouldn't budge; I could only squeeze into a 16, though the 18s were actually more comfortable...
Anyone who fits into their 16 can certainly fit into a smaller size at any other retailer...

I spotted some decent lace-trim panties at U New Look—the kind you wear under everything—and the prices actually seemed alright.
H&M doesn't even carry B&B..
I didn't even dare step foot inside Oltre because I was terrified of going broke😬 though, man, they were calling my name... ugh... luckily, I was in a rush so I dodged a bullet.
I really wanted to swing by Amadeus too to check out that collection of larger sizes someone mentioned, but I just ran out of time.
So if anyone else heads that way, let me know what the selection is like..

Regarding sizing over at Oltre, I’m usually a 52 up top, but for bottoms, it really depends on the cut. I generally fluctuate between a 46 and a 52..
At C&A, for instance, I picked up an XL shirt recently and it fit perfectly..
I used to love Orsay because their stuff was so affordable, but these days? I couldn't even afford to walk past their storefronts. Maybe I'll pop in one day for a scarf or some gloves, if I'm feeling fancy. 😬

It’s funny, really... when you have a smaller standard size, you can get dressed for way, way less money..
Like, I just bought a bra at Anita - $107! It's pretty, but nothing special, and obviously black. If I were wearing, say, a B cup, I could actually choose from purple, yellow, blue, lace, wide straps, thin straps, blah blah blah—and all of that for less than $33. I heard that during the grand opening of the mall, Tezenis had all bras for $39.90..
Anyway 🙂 ..
One thing I’ve realized is that when I’ve put on a few extra pounds, nothing can be tight. If something pinches, I get so incredibly stressed... honestly, it stresses me out so much I end up gaining another 3kg immediately from emotional snacking on chocolate. 🙂 But when I feel good in my clothes and everything is comfy, then the weight just seems to fall off naturally. 😁

I spent the weekend in downtown Chicago, and here is my assessment:

Over at Old Navy, they have some larger sizes available. Most aren't on the racks, but that doesn't mean they're out of stock; you just have to ask one of the more proactive sales associates.
The styles are contemporary enough and don't look dated, but the fabric quality is a disaster. Most of the inventory is pure polyester, which I personally refuse to buy unless I absolutely have to. A polyester blazer $250—in my opinion, that's just too much. Nothing was on sale, so I clearly missed the window; there isn't anything in the store priced under $117. For instance, there was a sleeveless top from Svile, which I rarely see, but it had an elasticized hem. It wasn't bad, except the fit was terrible on me, so I passed. I didn't buy a single thing.

I ended up dropping a significant amount of money at Macy's. It’s great because they carry the same trousers in multiple lengths—short, medium, and long—so keep that in mind if you want a perfect fit without needing alterations. They are offering a 15% discount on purchases over $147. They actually have decent stock and sizing right now, so I bit the bullet and bought something before the larger sizes were snatched up and I was left with nothing.

At New Look, they have linen and cotton trousers in larger sizes located immediately to the left when you walk in, about $53 of them, in case anyone is interested...

Regarding Pumpkin Spice or whatever the name is, the prices seem comparable to Old Navy, but the materials feel more natural. However, the cuts are much more basic and feature those tacky, rural patterns that look like something out of a folk festival, so I didn't buy anything there either. :-)

Looking back at everything, I mostly walked away with athletic wear; I didn't find anything suitable for the office. For professional attire, I'd suggest checking out Sisley (near the downtown business district) or Vartex. Their material quality is significantly higher for roughly the same price, and they carry larger sizes if you know who to ask. I usually manage to squeeze in, so you likely will too.

Tom Taylor has excellent men's vests for around $53. They are 100% cotton, featuring white and navy nautical stripes and various blue-and-white combinations perfect for cooler evenings. The quality is genuinely high.

If you prefer natural fabrics and classic silhouettes, I recommend the Lady XXL boutique on Tratin Street—it's the road that runs through the city toward the residential districts, on the left side.

Hey ladies.

Does anyone know where I might find a decent spring dress in the city? Something knee-length, perhaps in a vibrant hue or a bit of a pattern—something easy enough to pair with ballet flats for everyday wear, without being overly $100?

I’m looking at a size 14 or 16, depending on how the cut falls...

Checked out New Look over on Avenue. Prices are decent, plenty of patterns and colors too, so you’ve got options. Their sizing goes up to a UK 16, which should cover that 44-46 range of yours. Noticed a lot of polyester stuff, though they might have some cotton mixed in—didn't really dig through everything. 🙂

I’ve spotted all sorts of lovely dresses and skirts over at the C&A in the new CC1 East, though I suppose you can find things in other stores too.
Their standard clothing line goes up to a size 18 or 20, but they have plus sizes reaching up to a 28, so there's definitely something there... 😁

Hey ladies,
I finally made it over to Old Navy.
I’m actually pretty thrilled—though I did have to grab the biggest sizes they carry,
our size 16—well, their 18.
The denim is amazing, so comfortable ($117), and this little blouse is just lovely ($83).
Pricing is pretty standard for those modern retailers that cater to fuller figures.
They even tried to sell me this brown silk top, but honestly, it was a disaster; it looked terrible and was way too pricey...

Anyway, my godmother’s wedding is in June, and my original plan to find something cute has totally fallen through. I'm stuck! 🙂🙂

Where can I find a cute dress in a size 16, without having to visit a tailor?
Those custom fittings always drain my wallet, and I really only plan on wearing it once...

I need some help here!

Where can I find some lightweight transitional pieces for my wardrobe?

About 90% of my closet is from Marks & Spencer—with the rest coming from places like Nordstrom, Old Navy, or just various catalogs. For tops or shirts, I’m usually a size 12, and for sweaters—depending on the cut—I fall between a Large and an XL.

I’m looking specifically for those perfect mid-season layers that work for the office but won't break the bank. Any suggestions?

mellowseal20 said:I see you guys are struggling with bra sizing, so I just wanted to mention that Triumph actually has a minimizer line with about 3 or 4 different styles, going all the way up to a 110 F. I’m not sure if anyone else even carries that size, besides them. Mind you, the price tag definitely reflects that, sitting around $100.

If you're in the city, there's a shop called Anita over on Gundulic Street that has a massive selection of lingerie and bralettes—tons of variety and plenty of stock in the bins.

I think I read somewhere that Amadeus Jeans released a spring collection specifically for plus sizes. Though, honestly, if the fabric quality is as flimsy as their standard line, I probably wouldn't bother.

Wait, you mentioned finding B&B stuff at H&M? Which location was that? Was it down in Florida? Apparently, the stores in New York don't carry that section... and which C&A were you talking about?
By the way, Marks & Spencer is supposed to have a good amount of larger sizes available, maybe 16-20... especially their jackets. Peek & Cloppenburg is similar.

As for boots, if you're looking in the metro area, there are ARA stores—one is downtown and another is in the Westside Mall. Their footwear is top-tier quality, too; they offer several widths, including some cute patterned bootie styles. They aren't cheap, though—those ballet flats with a little extra sole and heel go for about $167—but they're worth every penny...

You can find Triumph$60 bras starting from size 70 on eBay UK. Obviously, we're talking brand new with tags here—they've got everything from tiny to huge. I managed to snag a Triumph Amourette for about 8 bucks, while back home they were going for 300 or $133, I can't remember the exact number. 😲 Since then, that's my go-to spot! 😍

Anita's bodysuits are way overpriced. If you want quality without the markup, check out Pour Moi on eBay—they're fantastic, and you won't pay more than $60 for a full set. 👍 Also, Panache is great, though their panty sizing runs pretty large, so I'd suggest sizing down. For the bras, though—especially the underwire ones—definitely grab a larger size.

Brandon Nelson3, man, this sounds awesome! Seriously, thanks a ton for dropping all this info here.. I'm definitely gonna go check both of them out myself soon..
🙂