Head to Toe: Little Brown Dress

Target can be pretty hit or miss with their selection of plus size clothing. On any given day, you can find several pieces that are super cute or you'll find practically nothing. Right now, it seems like the selection of plus sizes at my local store is even smaller than usual. I do wish they'd stock more plus sizes because when they get it right, they get it really right. I did find a couple of items on my last trip that I like a lot, after trying on about twelve different things. Hopefully, someday Target will expand their plus size line. I know I'm not the only one who would snap it all up.

After the cut, I put together an outfit entirely from Target based on a brown dress that I picked up for myself.

Merona® Sleeveless Rickrack Dress in Spanish Brown
Available in sizes 16/18 - 28/30 for $30. I typically wear a 22/24 in tops but I got this dress in a 20/22 and I still have some room in the bust, so I'd say it runs on the big side. The neckline is a little low for me so I'll put an ivory cami underneath. The back neckline is a V like the front but isn't so low that it shows my bra. The dress and the lining are a nice, summery cotton. The ties are functional and can be cinched to make the straps narrower.

Merona® Cardigan in Aqua Bead
Sizes 16/18 - 28/30, $20. If you leave this sweater unbuttoned, it goes really well over the dress and covers the arms without being too obviously intended to cover the arms. I don't mind a little shrug or sweater over a sleeveless top or dress if it's part of the outfit and not just there to cover the arms. That's one of my unspoken fashion pet peeves. The sweater is cotton and will go well over other dresses and tops that I already own. I believe I got this in a 20/22 as well.

Merona® Winda Thong Sandals in Chocolate
Sizes 5.5 - 10, $18. I'm not sure these are the exact color I got, mine are more of a bronzey-brown rather than  the chocolate brown shown here. I haven't worn these out yet but they were fairly comfortable when I tried them on in the store and the thong doesn't hurt my between-toe area so they're probably OK. They have sequins and they were on sale, that's pretty much all it takes for me. If they prove to be somewhat comfy, I might have to pick them up in hot pink.

Flora Shopper Bag
This is actually a really huge shopping bag, the kind you'd take with you to Whole Foods to carry your organic veggies. But I like the print so much that I threw it into the mix and hello, it's $10 and will last forever. Use one of these instead of plastic shopping bags and save a damn tree. The canvas bags I use for groceries are bulky so maybe I need one like this to keep in my handbag? Hmm!

Xhilaration® Stretch Bracelet in Green
Ten whole dollars and adds a little contrast color to the aqua sweater. I like the color combo and having fashion jewelry like this is a handy way to jazz up an outfit. Easy.

Total cost of outfit: $88. Woo!

Comments

[a.]

agree! sometimes the plus size section at target has shrunk so much, I worry they are in the process of discontinuing it. Then invariably on the next trip, they have 65 new, different, awesome styles.

that brown dress is cute!

[MoxieDO]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that noticed. I've been walking into Target over these past few months and noticed that the plus size section at my local Target has shrunken greatly :( I remember I used to be able to walk into Target and find great deals and a large selection, but now the plus section is confined to the back wall. *bleh*

[Piffle]

I prefer earth tones, so I'd like the sweater in a gold tone matching the bracelet's beads rather than aqua. Or a darker green.

Phooey, they don't have either color.

Well, I'm greying, maybe I need to be more open-minded about pastels now...

[Sexy at any Size]

Hi this is my first time on your blog and i like what i see :)

[stefanie]

i tried on that brown dress a couple of weeks ago in a 28/30 and it fit over my very large and impressive hips. I was super excited and amazed, except i hate wearing bras and that dress seriously needs one. I want it to go on sale so I can buy it and make due with wearing it with a bra occasionally. i love that blue short-sleeved sweater you put with it - excellent choice. I agree with you on the whole arm-covering thing.

[brownie]

I tried on that brown dress yesterday. Cute but neckline is rather low; I feel like I need to pin that area at the cleavage so the girls aren't peaking out. I talked myself out of it for the moment, but I'll definitely reconsider if I see it on sale.

Target needs to step up its game and expand the plus section! The maternity section is double what the plus section is in the store near me. Can't we at least get that much of a selection?

[Mothermaei]

You are so dead on - the plus size area at my Target got moved to the back corner so the maternity clothes could move it - and it's where they store all the double height racks of things to get restocked. So, not only do you have to go to the back corner, you can't even view the clothing - talk about feeling like a 2nd class citizen. I've actually resorted to looking at some of the maternity tops - they are cuter than what is offered!!
Anyone else do this too?

[Mimi Stratton]

I bought that Merona Rick Rack Dress and it is very cute. I also bought the Isaac Mizrahi White/Gold Bollywood Summer Dress (sz 18) and it is beautiful, I've spent much more for less flattering dresses.
Pretty Pear should do a page on techniques for dealing with cute dresses that are cut too low for work. I've noticed women doing a variety of things, wearing the camisole underneath, etc. Varying degrees of success. I have bought a white, black, and pink "camisole" bra from Roamans (Lace-With-Soft-Cup-Camisole-Bra
-By-Comfort-Choice) that solves the problem of cleavage popping out inappropriately, yet the item doesn't add bulk such as a camisole does.