Reader Question: The In-Between-y Blues
I have them. Do you? The blues that come when you realize that you’re not big enough to fit into plus size, but not small enough to fit/enjoy regular sizes.
I received a question from a reader over at Broke & Beautiful that I thought I’d answer over here.
Hello, I have been reading your blog fro some time and i love how you have outfit suggestions. I love to shop but almost always return what i buy because it dont work for me. I am size 12/14 with a 40DD top. plus size fashions are always too big but women sizes are almost always too small! any suggestions? its like i just dont know where to look.
thanks for any help!
First of all, let me get an Amen. Seriously.
Women’s “Misses” sizes usually top out at 14 (sometimes 16), while Plus Size starts around 12-16 and goes on upwards from there. If you’re a size 14, like me, where are you supposed to go? Top of the Misses size chart, or bottom of the Plus Size? It doesn’t seem like it should matter, right? The problem, though, is that regular and plus sized garments are constructed completely differently.
Plus Size clothes are cut fuller than Misses, meaning they’re a bit more forgiving than their Misses-sized counterparts. For instance, a size 14 in Misses and a size 14 in Plus would have similar waist measurements, but the hips and thighs would be much fuller, allowing for more room than the Misses 14. Same thing goes for tops, as well. The waist on a top will be fuller in comparison to the bust than the Misses, as well as the sleeves.
So what’s a girl to do when she has the boobs of a Plus Sized woman, but a body that could be Misses?
Well, all I can do is tell you what I’ve learned as a fashion-crazed, almost-Plus Size, in-betweeny, so here it goes.
First of all, possibly the most important concept is deceivingly simple: GOOD. BRA. It can really make all the difference between having the best fit in any department. I definitely recall my personal astonishment after trying on clothes with a great bra on… It removed an entire dress size, and I didn’t lose a pound. Plus, if the bust is cut larger in the Plus Size top, you want to be sure that you try your clothes on with a better bra because lack of support in the bust could mess up the fit.
Secondly, buy quality. I know it seems obvious, so I won’t go into detail about it, but quality = longevity = worth the money to get it tailored to your body. There’s no better way to get “the perfect fit” than getting it cut exactly for your body.
Third, know where to go. Finally, what you asked for, right? As far as the question of the hour is concerned (Plus? Or Misses?), there doesn’t seem to be an answer, unfortunately. It has everything to do with the designer/manufacturer, and your body. Personally, from what I know of your situation, if the Plus Size 12 is too big, look for a Misses 14-16 to compensate, and if the Misses size 12/14 is too small – look for Misses size 16. They’re definitely out there, you just have to know where to look! What I can offer you, though, is a list of excellent stores that offer Plus Size and/or Misses sizes on the higher end.
Jones New York
Misses Sizes: 4-16
Plus Sizes (”Woman”): 14W – 22W
For: Classic work-wear that could easily be used for evening or cocktails. Very chic, affordable, and feminine.
Cape Town Slim Capri With Belt($69), No-Iron Easy Care French Cuff Striped Shirt
($89), The Signature Shape Jean
($89). Editor’s Note: Those shoes are awful, on the right. D:
Torrid
Plus Sizes: 12 – 26
For: Edgy, fun separates, sexy jeans and flashy dresses. Also extremely affordable, and the quality (from my personal experiences) is decent.
Grey Striped Voile Rolled-Sleeve Tunic Top ($44), Black Ruched Twill Pencil Skirt
($44), Cranberry Dolman-Sleeve V-Neck Sweater
($44)
BabyPhat (hear me out!)
Misses/Juniors Sizes: XS – XL
Plus Sizes: 1X – 3X (14-24)
For: I was shocked the first time I went to the Baby Phat website and saw what they were about. Man, if you look at the stuff that isn’t emblazoned with that damned, tall cat, they actually have some really unique and sophisticated stuff.
Belted Fold Over V-Neck Sweater ($79), Dusk Wash Natural Fit Roll Cuff Jean
($64), Mixed Print Slit Sleeve Belted Top
($49).
b&lu
Plus Sizes: 1X – 6X
For: Extremely adorable separates and the occasional gorgeous dress. …Did I mention the Forever 21-esque prices?
Editor’s Note: Ashe Mischief chronicled her experiences with b&lu on her site, here & here!
Giana Vest ($38), Kaehler Top in Black ($34), Keane Bolero ($32).
Shabby Apple
Misses: XS – XL
Plus Sizes: WS – WL
For: Some of the most beautiful dresses we’ve seen, for daily wear.
Editor’s Note: Use the code brokebeautiful10off for 10% off!
Midtown Dress ($74), 24K Dress ($98).
Do you have any additional advice for our reader? Do you know about an amazing place to shop for plus/misses? Let us know in the comments!
Comments feed
Great post, darling! This is a problem I find I have even as a plus-sized gal, because though I’m bigger, my proportions fit the Misses styling better. Crazy, I know, but the slimmer cut of Misses def. works better than the plus-shaping. OI.
I love B&LU and Torrid–they’re like my go-to shops. This Shabby Apple site looks DARLING–definitely going to have to check it out!
I’m a plus sized girl, but I also have a lot of trouble finding clothes that fit right because I’m very tall and I have a small chest. So, my best advice is to get a sewing machine! I’m not a sewing master by any means, the only thing I can make are pajama pants, but I use my machine all the time to take things in or let them out in certain places. It allows you to make your clothes fit specifically to your body. : )
My sister and I created heart&core Athletic Apparel, a active/lifestyle wear line that is built on this premise–we did not create a plus-size line, we did not create a line for S-M-L. We just launched a line of ruched tees and foldover capris for women sizes 2-32, which is translated into 1-8 feel-good sizing, and truly high-impact sports bras (34-42 C-DD), with trendy details and super-soft wicking fabric, in a decent price range. It is a line for every woman–working with your curves, covering your trouble spots and stylish for on the go or in the gym. It’s truly customizable, adaptable, flattering. We welcome feedback too, as we continue to expand the line!
Thank you so much for addressing this issue! I read quite a few fashion blogs and often end up feeling so invisible and hopeless because I fall into an area that isn’t talked about on them. It means a lot to know that I’m not the only one struggling with this issue. And thank you for the tips and recommendations!
I’m 5′8, a size 12-14 and thick around the thigh, hip and butt areas. My bra size is 36B. I don’t usually have too much problem finding tops but I do have a lot of issues when it comes to finding jeans, pants and skirts.
One store I usually have good luck at is New York & Company. I was turned on to them after being squeezed out of Express’ range. *LOL* I used to love shopping at Express and was so sad when I found I couldn’t shop there anymore. NY&Co’s clothes are very similar to theirs though. The bottoms go up to a size 18 and they also come in petite, average, and tall lengths which is helpful. I think the clothes they have in store are much better than what’s on their site so I definitely suggest paying them a visit if you have one near you.
Oh, one more thing! Another store I unexpectedly had luck finding a pair of jeans at was American Eagle Outfitters. If it wasn’t for the friend I was shopping with at the time urging me to go in there, I never would have since I tend to view stores like that as being strictly for teenagers and thin people. So I was pretty shocked when I saw that their jeans went up to a size 18, came in various lengths, and I was able to find a pair that fit me really well. The pair I bought were the Boyfriend 77 Stretch Jean, style 1432-7874, size 14, and they were on sale for $25 at the time! This was 2 years ago though and I haven’t been in there since (I still wear the pair I bought!) so I’m not sure if they still carry them. The Boyfriend line is one their website but I don’t see that particular style number. I’d give AE a try though if you’re in need of a pair of jeans and in the in-between range. Aeropostale also has “extended sizes” for some of their jeans so I might give them a try next time I’m in need of a pair.
Oh my gosh that Midtown dress at the end! I want it so hard! The Baby Phat sweater is pretty cute too.
I have a similarish dilemma. I’m an 8 or a 10 (usually a ten) and sometimes a 12, depending on the brand – so not quite plus size. But I’m really short, so my proportions are more like that of a plus size gal. Trying to find clothing is a bitch because if it fits in the waist, it gapes at the bust, if it fits in the bust, it’s huge in the waist. I usually just have to give up and either buy for my bust & belt it, or buy for my waist and deal with squished boobies (and the enhanced cleavage that tends to come with it, and the stares that tend to come with that).
One reason I very rarely wear jeans is because of sizing issues – if it fits my butt/hips/thighs, it’s usually too big in the waist and WAY too long for me. Petite sizing doesn’t quite work out either because the measurements are slightly different so the proportions are still not quite right. I just end up wearing a lot of really stretchy knits.
Sigh. I keep saying, if I ever get the money to do so, I definitely want to manufacture & distribute a clothing line similar to Bravissimo for the USA.
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If you are in the in-between-y size, it is still best to go for tailored dresses to best conform with your assets. It is just fitting into what is perfectly complimenting your body curves. We don’t want to look too bloated in a shirt or dress, and sometimes we seem to be trying too hard to fit into something, we look overly assuming of what we think of our bodies. Go get some ideas from department stores or fashion magazines that you want to be custom made to fit you. Pick your own fabric and be at your best!
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