Try it on: Spring items from Old Navy

Shopping from Old Navy's plus section is an adventure into the unknown. You have to be willing to order a bunch of stuff without really knowing what you're going to get. I generally just order several items that I have a good feeling about (fashion intuition, I guess) and then return what I don't want.

I really don't mind this process because I can just hop on a bus to return everything but I know this can be a pain in the butt for a lot of people. They do pay for return shipping on women's plus items but you still have to buy the big-ass-envelope to put the stuff in and I've heard of people having issues with the online return process.

I personally haven't had any issues returning purchases and I've been shopping with Old Navy online since they started carrying the women's plus line. I've ended up with some items that I really like and they keep coming out with cute stuff, so I'm sure I'll continue onward with my Old Navy Adventure. The whole Old Navy thing is a little controversial but I'm not really upset enough about anything to boycott them.

Anyway! I recently tried a few items from the spring selection. Usually, I keep the shirts that I order and have to return most of the pants but this time, the exact opposite happened! I have details and reviews of each item I tried on after the cut.

I was planning on including pictures with this post but I have yet to take a picture of myself that's presentable. I apologize for the lack of images.

Smocked V-Neck Top in Juniper
I love the color and the overall style and cut are okay but the length is a little too short and looks awkward. I think that will keep me from wearing it on a regular basis so it's going back. It might work for someone who is shorter but then the empire waist might sit too low, unless you're big busted with a smaller tummy.

Banded-Yoke Top in Green Spire
I thought the sleeves would be the issue with this top but the bigger problem is that the fabric clings rather annoyingly to my stomach and shows every seam of my bra. I'd need to wear something underneath to keep the top from clinging and since this is a spring/summer top, layers would be dumb! I wish Old Navy would use non-clingy cotton more often. Cotton, Old Navy, hook it up with some cotton. Cotton and a little spandex sure go a long way.

Pleated V-Neck Top in Cinder Smoke
This was bad on me. Really bad. I don't know who this top would work for but it certainly doesn't work for me. There's just too much fabric gathered up into the band at the bottom and it poofs weirdly. The cut at the neckline makes my shoulders look narrow(er) and schlumpy and all the fabric and banding at the bottom makes my hips look wider. It's just not a good look.

Pleated Denim Skirt
I've found that skirts always tend to run a little large on me so I went down a size from what I'd wear in pants at Old Navy. This was a good idea! The waist is a little gappy but the rest of the skirt fits pretty nicely, with a cute flare at the bottom from the pleats. The pockets in the back tend to poke out a little so I just tuck those in. If you've found that denim skirts are always either too narrow or too flouncy, this might be a good choice. It's selling out fast on the website so hopefully they'll get more in.

Low-Rise Wide-Leg "The Diva" Pinstriped Jeans
I really like these a lot. I don't even know if they actually look good and I kind of don't care because I enjoy them so much. They're not a straight leg, more like a relaxed flare that ends up looking trouser-ish, if that makes sense. These are very different from the dark bootcut jeans I typically wear so maybe I just like the novelty of them. The pinstripe is an interesting detail that you don't see a lot in denim. I wouldn't wear them with a printed top but that's my preference.

The downside with these is that they're supposed to be low-rise and on me, they're still too long in the rise. I am admittedly pretty short waisted, though. I think I should have gone down a size on these because the waist is about a size too big but a size smaller may have been too snug in the thigh. These are super comfortable and versatile so I'm sure I'll wear them a lot.

This is where I should point out that Old Navy doesn't cut most of their pants for women with curvy waist to hip ratios. I'm willing to deal with a little gapping at the waist if the legs fit well. For fit's sake, I still prefer my Right Fit jeans.

Low-Rise "The Diva" Twisted-Seam Straight Leg Jeans
I'm wearing these in a picture from the BFB Think Tank that Rachel from The-F-Word posted here. I'm on the far left with the pink bag. I was totally not expecting to like these but wanted to get my hands on them to try anyway. I'm weird that way. I was expecting an overly straight leg that ends up being "skinny" but these really are just straight leg jeans. If you're not a fan of thinner, stretchier denim, you won't like these. But if you want a straight leg with no flare or bootcut but also isn't a skinny jean, these could work. The only thing I don't like is that the pockets in the front do a little of that poking out to the sides thing.

Comments

[Tisha_]

I ordered the Banded-Yoke Top in Dark Chocolate Print on Friday. OF FUCKING COURSE it's on sale now. Gah that makes me mad!

Anyway, I hope it fits. I'm on love with it.

I also ordered the dark wash denim Bermuda Shorts. I'm scared. I hope they fit though, as I think they are super cute.

[AK]

I've been lurking, and I just had a big Old Navy shopping spree too!

I ordered the banded yoke top in green spire as well, and for me the sleeves are the problem. the elastic pulls them in too tightly, which creates a lumpy effect. I love the fit of the rest of it though, so I may doctor the sleeves by removing the elastic. I am extremely big busted, so the fabric does not cling to my belly, as Colleen found. I was wearing a bra with no seaming on the cup, so the look was smooth enough to please me. I love the color, as well.

I also tried the braided trapeze top in warm fire red, which I love as is. It's a warm, flattering color, and the cut drapes nicely over the bust and the flows out. I think it would look good on apple-shaped ladies as well.

This was my first foray into ON plus size pants, and I tried two styles, the classic-rise boot cut "flirt" and the classic-rise wide leg chambray jeans. I ordered size 30 with a 32inch inseam. The bootcuts are a nice weight of denim, which is good because the thigh/knees is cut a bit narrowly. The jeans are most certainly not cut well for pears, because I am more moderately curved in the bottom half and there was still a bit of waist-gap. The jeans work well if belted in place, though. The chambray jeans are too long and too big in the waist but I'm thinking of tailoring them because I love the look of the wide leg so much. The chambray denim is thin, but the leg is full enough that it doesn't show any lumpiness.

Hope this comment wasn't too lengthy but I was excited by our shared interest in the green spire yoke top.

Love the blog, btw. Cheers!

[vicki]

thanks for the old navy info.. i might order the straight leg jeans, i find this style looks best with my hip and waist ratio being almost the same. i love dickies skinny jeans--they are also not too skinny, just straight leg.

[MJ]

I recently bought the ON low-waisted straight leg jeans and they fit better than any other plus size jeans I have ever bought. I only bought the straight leg because ON is consistently out of my size in boot, wide or flare jeans. I will wear the straight leg, but it isn't my favorite cut. I ordered the boot cut last week because they FINALLY had my size and they were too small. So I called to exchange for a size bigger and wouldn't you know it? They were out of stock already. That is my only complaint about ON so far.

[Delsey]

The banded-yoke tops are the one thing that really works on me this season. I bought them in 3 different colors. I love the drapey fabric, although I've had problems with their viscose items shrinking considerably. I like the cotton/tencel knits the best (cotton and spandex in knit form is a not a friend to my apple shape).
I too hate elasticized sleeves, so usually I doctor them by cutting the elastic from the underside of the hem. I have yet to perform this alteration on the banded yoke tops, however.
With regards to Tisha's complaint, just call ON and ask for a price adjustment. You definitely qualify for one.

[Tisha_]

Thanks, Delsey! I had no idea that they would do that! I called and got a credit. Yay!

[Swellanor]

Thanks for the product reviews! It is so helpful to get eyewitness reports.

Has anyone tried the ON "Safari Shirt Dress"? I was wondering how it fits in real life, especially the pear-shapely among us.

[Simplyme]

Thanks for the heads up! Since ON moved their plus sizes out of the store and exclusively online, I've been weary. But this season's line is looking good, I might have to check it out.

[joan]

I'm like you as far as just going with my gut on what will work from ON. Their sizes are so whacked out, you just can't trust their size chart. Anywho...

I ordered the banded yoke top in the dark chocolate print and just got it from the UPS man last night. I didn't think it was clingy at all, if anything I thought it was a little too loose and drapey, but I figure once trip through the laundry and it will be just right. I also ordered the V-neck cardigan in Green Empress, but it was too small, so I'm going to have to go up a size. The green is beautiful though, and it's a lightweight knit that will go right through the spring and summer and into fall.

Just an FYI. Be careful when returning things to Old Navy. They say that it's free returns on plus sizes now, but I just sent an order back a couple of weeks ago and they charged me the 5.00 for shipping. One nasty email later and I got my 5 bucks back.

Also, you can get a price adjustment if anything goes on sale as long as you ask for it within 14 days of your original order.

Sorry for the novel.

[Tisha_]

Joan, were you the one over at Fatshionista that posted about the charge for shipping?

I just looked online and my ON order is on my porch right now. I'm so excited! I got the same top in the chocolate print and YAY! I'm glad to know you liked it.

Please everyone keep your fingers crossed for me, that my bermuda shorts fit. I'm scared!

[joan]

No, I view Fatshionista, but have not posted over there.

I like the top, you can wear it with so many different colors. And of course it has green, my favorite color of the moment.

Keeping my fingers crossed on your shorts.

[joan]

Colleen, you are so cute, and I just love your hair. (checked out the pictures over of the F word)

So how are the twisted seam jeans really? I remember back in the day when I'd buy a pair of 501's and the seam would be messed up/twisted. Drove me crazy. Would these jeans drive me crazy?

[Eden]

I've noticed that when I buy from Old Navy and return stuff, I never get the full purchase price back. I return in-store to avoid paying shipping on a return. I wondered if that's just my store or an Old Navy policy. I assume it's b/c I'm using an Old Navy card and I earn certificates but I think it's bogus it pay to try something on and then not even get all that money back when it doesn't fit. Does this happen to anyone else?

[Colleen (Pretty Pear)]

Thanks Joan! I'm not sure why they're called "twisted seam," I don't see any twisting anywhere lol

[Tisha_]

Eden, if you are ordering strickly from the Women's Plus at ON, you should not be paying for shipping back. If you still have all of your receipts, get them together, get on the phone and call ON and if the first person you talk to gives you shit, ask to speak to someone else.

Read this thread at Fatshionista:
http://community.livejournal.com/fatshionista/2482674.html

Specifically this part of the thread:
http://community.livejournal.com/fatshionista/2482674.html?thread=50459122#t50459122

I'm McFluffy over there.

Good luck!

[Rachel]

Colleen, you are so cute, and I just love your hair.

I love Colleen's hair, too. Sigh.. to have long and beautiful curly red hair...

[Sarah]

I ordered from ON recently too and here's what I got:

-Women's Plus Low-Rise Stretch Trousers in Koala Bear
-Women's Plus Smocked V-Neck Tops in Natural
-Women's Scoop-Neck Sweater in Linen Blue
-Women's Rib-Knit Henley in Blue Bell

I think they come in today so I will get to see what works and what doesn't.

[Becky]

Damnit, Old Navy doesn't ship to Canada. Which is stupid, because we have ON stores here. It's crappy to have the plus line online only and then not to ship to everywhere you have stores. (I can actually fit into ONs regular clothes, but I like the clothes in the plus line better!)

[Sarah]

I ended up liking the Smocked V-Neck Tops and the Scoop-Neck Sweater a lot. The pants were not what I expected. I suck at ordering online!

Becky, that stinks that you can't even order it online from Canada! Why can't they just carry the Women's Plus line in store? (And then build a store in my area!)

[Angela Stahl]

I am completely in love with ON spring line. I currently live in Okinawa Japan, so you can imagine the lack of choices here! So far, I haven't been disappointed in anything, I've ordered...and its been alot! I tend to order a size smaller through ON than on other sites, like LB or Torrid...talk about instant gratification! My favorite item has been the Women's Plus Pleated Denim Skirts, Women's Plus Stretch Blazers and all of the adorable shoes! I wear a size 11 and usual a wide width. The ON shoes have been wonderful, not sold as wide but very comfortable for those with not so narrow feet! The only not so great item I've found is the Women's Plus Pleated Drop-Waist Dresses. It's great, I just ordered a size too small, the consistency of sizes is less than desired. Overall, great line with amazing accessories and all!

[lnz]

For whoever asked, I ordered that shirt dress in Safari and it was terrible on me. Just not cute at all, the color is very blah.

[Godless Heathen]

You know, I still wouldn't have a problem with Old Navy if their sizes went above 26. I'm getting a little pissed that I've been relegated to the "extended plus" ghetto where there are only three or four stores that carry affordable clothing in my size. What really sucks is that they no longer do mens 3xl tee shirts in the Old Navy brick & mortar stores, it used to be I could go in and come out with something that fit me. In fact, I can't even buy any of my clothing in a mall anymore, and more than 70% of the supposed "plus size" online retailers stop before my size.