As a plus-size shopper, I have tried on countless styles and brands at store's like Macy's, Torrid, Lane Bryant, Nordstrom.. etc, etc. and every single brand and style fits differently. By now, I know that a size 3x in Juicy Couture fits more like a 1.5x, a Macy's "Eyeshadow" brand top in a 3x fits more like a 1x, Calvin Klein Jeans 1x actually fits more like a 2x.. and so on. I am an experienced plus size shopper. Most plus size fashion-savvy women can tell you that sizes vary depending on the brand/quality of the product. The same rule goes for buying online.. how do I know that what the GAP says is a size 18 fits the same as my Torrid size 18 jeans? (they are no where near the same, as the GAP does not adjust sizes based on body shape, like plus size brands do, they just make their styles in bigger sizes). Buying plus-size clothing online from a store that does not have a physical retail location for which you can go in and try clothes on is tricky. I took it upon myself to order clothing from most online plus-size retailers so that I could help some of you make sizing decisions before making costly purchases with non-refundable shipping charges! SO, in alphabetical order:
I am a true size 18 on top and bottom as well as dress size (I will post a full body picture below so you can compare sizes) Of course, my clothing size can fluctuate anywhere between a 16 and a 22, soo.. here are my approximations.
Alloy.com: xxxl fits like a realistic size 22 top when the fabric is stretchy, but if the fabric is a non-stretch, the xxxl fits a bit snug in the chest region and fits more like an 18. I have an xxxl cotton halter top that is too big on me and fits like a 22/24 and I also have a satin dress with no stretch that fits like a small 18.
(This cute dolman sleeve top (Left) from alloy would probably be a bit loose on a size 18/20 girl in an xxxl)
MissPhit.com has a handful of cute styles, most notably, they offer a lot of styles in the popular buffalo checker print. Missphit claims to use plus size 24 fit models, but their 3x fits like a size 18/20. I would order this cute checker dress in a 3x. (Above)
BandLu.com has some cute styles that are offered up to a size 5x! Their clothing is affordable and often unique. I ordered two tops and two dresses from BandLu.com and I found that, because of the thin, stretchy cotton material they chose for their styles, that my size 2x items were not flattering- but they did fit! I did order one halter style dress in a 2x that was no where near a real size 2x.. more like a size 14/16 with absolutely no room to budge in the chest. I would LOVE to look great in their clothes (like this dress on the left) but because of the stretchy cotton that sticks to every imperfection of my chubby belly, it isn't going to happen (even with spanx!)
Evans.co.uk is my favorite plus-size retailer. 90% of my clothing comes from the UK store. I pay a hefty shipping fee- but it is SO worth it. Trade Chic also has an exclusive deal with Evans of London (that means we're the only place in the USA you can come into a store and try their stuff on before making your purchase!!). Evans runs in UK sizes, which means that their size 22 is really a US size 18. Their clothing runs great to size.. all of my things from Evan's are a 22/24 (I usually get a 24 in fitted tops and dresses.) The really great thing about Evans for me is that all of their clothes seem to be made for a tall woman. I am 5'10" and clothes are ALWAYS too short on me, but not Evans! They have a really broad range of styles, including long-line tops, formal attire, wide range shoes/boots, lingerie, and outerwear, all of which fits just right!
DorothyPerkins.com is not actually a plus-size store, but they offer clothing up to a UK size 22, which is a US size 18. Their size 22 fits like a size 20 in most cases, the exception being some of their "tunics" and tailored clothing, which may fit a very petite size 18 girl (shorter than 5'5). I ordered a dress, two tunics, a cotton long line tank top "vest" and a blazer from DP and I found that the tunics were about 2 sizes too small for me (in a size 22UK) the dress was absolutely perfect (but too short to be a dress, I wear it with leggings as shown below), and the blazer was actually too big and fit like a size 22/24 US size blazer would. LOVE the DP styles and will definitely order more in the future- worth the shipping fees!
Have an online store you want me to test out? Let me know -- chances are I've already got a review for you!
Here is my full body shot for your size comparison:
(Dress: Dorothy Perkins)
(Dress: Torrid)
I'm obsessed with that blue dress!!
ReplyDelete