The Pretty Pear

What to do? What. to. do?

FFG asks:

OK, I have a fashion conundrum. My usual policy is to stop shopping at stores that don't treat their zaftig customers right. For example, if a store hides the Women's Plus section back in a dark corner by the restroom, or they move their plus collection to only online, I'll stop giving them my money. The dilemma: Old Navy now only carries Plus on their website, right? But, they carry my perfect pants. Something about their stretch, low-rise, bootcut trousers just fits me like a glove...er...a really well-proportioned pair of pants, anyway. What to I do? Let go of Old Navy because I can't shop in the store with the skinny girls, or keep buying my favorite pants? Any advice would be much appreciated.

FFG, this is one of those things that keeps me awake at night. Well, maybe not but I have thought about it a lot. I remember how very sad I was when Old Navy decided to make the plus size selection online only. I wrote about it here and I still feel the same. They pulled it out of the stores because it'd be more cost effective but they hardly did any advertising to let people know it was in the store to begin with.

Here's the issue - I could boycott Old Navy and never shop there again but I feel that I have very few choices of stores that carry my size and are in line with my style, and Old Navy is one of them. But if I continue to link to them off this blog and shop there myself, is that saying that I support their message? I don't know.

Ok, I don't have ALL the answers!

I was a little worried that no one would submit questions. I'm glad I was wrong. Keep them coming, I love it. Having said that, I knew there'd be questions I might not know the answers to and that's where you come in. Let's see...

Inz asks:

I'm currently planning a trip to Europe next spring, my first time over there, and I'm looking for shopping recommendations. Do they have many options for plus-size clothes? Specifically, I'm going to be in Paris, Florence, Madrid & Barcelona.

I was wondering where plus size ladies shop in Europe in this post last year and there are a lot of great comments. Does anyone out there have more tips for Inz?

Carrie asks:

Any suggestions for finding modern plus-size fashions for those of us up north in Canada? Some online retailers offer international shipping while others don't... There are few plus-size retailers in Canada, however, most of them aren't offering modern clothing or anything suitable for career wear.

DowdyDiva suggested Addition-Elle, which I've heard good things about as well. Where else can one find nice plus size clothes in Canada?

Speaking of Canada, Jennifer asks:

I am Canadian and going to Houston for work next week. What American plus sized stores can I look for at the Galleria and other large malls?

I found this directory of stores at the Galleria and now I kind of want to visit Houston. Wowza. I'm not seeing a Lane Bryant but most malls do have one of those. They have a Torrid, which is great for trendy stuff. The department stores, like Nordstrom, should have a nice plus size selection. And look at all the shoe stores! Fun! Anyone out there in Houston have suggestions for Jennifer?

Here's one I can answer. JC asks:

I will be visiting Chicago the weekend of October 19, and have been looking for non-chain, plus size clothing stores - without much success!

The only non-chain plus size store in Chicago I know of is Vive La Femme. Their website is under construction but the address is there so you can map it. If you're going to be downtown, head to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, Ashley Stewart, Macy's (it's not that great but eh, worth a shot), the Avenue on State Street and the Lane Bryant on Wabash. I spotted another plus size store in that general area but the name escapes me.

Finally, Catherine asks:

I'll be visiting New York at the end of October and would love to do a little plus-size shopping while I'm there -- but I can't think of any designers or shops to visit. What would you recommend for a shopping spree in NYC?

I honestly have no idea, Catherine. Any New Yorkers out there have suggestions?

If you've asked a question that I haven't answered yet, don't fret. I'll answer it very soon.

A budget? What?

Glib Gurl asks:

I'm wondering how much you spend on clothes and accessories? Do you regularly budget for it? Also, do you plan most of your shopping or do you buy stuff when the mood strikes?

First, Ms. Glib has been reading and commenting for years so I want to thank her for that :)

So the short answer is "Heck no!" I'm pretty impulsive and I don't really budget beyond "Gee, I should cut back a little on the spending." I don't give myself a real clothing spending allowance or anything like that.

The longer answer is that I do have some decent shopping habits. Each season, I take stock and decide what I need specifically. For instance, right now I know I need some new sweaters so I'm keeping an eye out for sales. I go through my bras and panties every few months to make sure those are in good shape and then stock up on what I need during a sale or use a coupon. There are staple items that I buy over and over so again, I wait for a sale and stock up. I comparison shop as much as possible and try to get the best value.

Questions quickies

From the questions thread, Sara asks:

Do you (or any of your readers) shop at Silhouettes? I think their catalog styling is awesome, but the one dress I ordered from them I had to send back because it was frumpy and basically a bag on me. Anyone else have better experiences?

I've never ordered from Silhouettes but Joan offered a good response and says that she always sizes down. I've been wanting to order from there so I can write a review but all of their tops are way, way too long for me. I'll keep looking, though!

Cait asks:

I now feel great [in] my new wide calf boots, but where are the wide calf knee socks? I hate wearing nylons/tights, but the regular socks bunch unattractively under the boot. Any advice?

If you're wearing the boots with pants, a nice pair of quality trouser socks might be a good idea. Check out the Spanx topless trouser socks, available from Lane Bryant. The description says

"Socks stay up with a special knitting technique: no more binding leg band to cause annoying shin dig. Stays in place all day, no sagging. New technology wicks moisture away to keep feet dry and comfy in shoes."

You might be able to fold them down once or twice to hide them under the boots if you're wearing a skirt. They're $10 and come in black and brown.

Lala asks:

i am looking for a pucci inspired dress and i completely forget the designer who does plus size "pucci" on the website there are mostly black models and dresses are in the $300 range. can you help me out?

The only site that comes to mind is Monif C. but maybe another reader has ideas?

Have a question? Ask me here!

For the tall and leggy

Oh hey, another question. From BwayBaby:

Where do the tall ladies shop? I'm 5'10" and I wear an 18/20 at Lane Bryant (most online places I've looked at, I'm a 22 or 24). Most of my height is in my legs so I'm always looking for nice work pants in Tall Plus sizes. I've had good luck (sometimes) at both Lane Bryant and Avenue - but are there other places? Why do the Plus Size departments assume we're all short? I mean, I'm glad they have the Petite department (I sometimes have to buy jackets here because I'm so short waisted), but why can't they offer choices? Thanks!

You know what's weird? I'm always wondering why retailers think we're all tall! There are very few people who don't have inseam issues, it seems. I think this is just a matter of expanding your shopping horizons a little.

First stop: Lands' End, a great store for quality basics, especially pieces for work. You can choose your specific inseam length for many of their trousers, and they'll hem them for you for free. Go for the "classic" rise that sits right below the waist. Also, a lot of their jackets come in petites so you could put together a suit just for you. They carry plus sizes 16 - 26 on the website.

Silhouettes offers these black stretch flared pants that come in a 34" inseam. They're a cotton blend, which means they're machine washable. I'd say they're more of a bootcut than a real flare, so they're flattering on a variety of body types and at $40, they won't break the bank.

A note about Silhouettes - it seems like all of their tops and jackets are super long in length. If you're looking for longer tops, check them out.

Old Navy has several pairs of trousers in different lengths for plus sizes, and their low rise pants are actually low rise. Ordering from Old Navy can be pretty hit or miss but you can return items to an Old Navy store.

Also be sure to check out department stores. On the really affordable end is JCPenney. They have a lot of pants in tall inseams up to size 20 and matching jackets in petites. If you're looking for quality investment pieces, check the plus size selection at Nordstrom.

There's nothing more thrilling than a tall lady in high heels. Embrace your height. Just make sure that your pants cover at least half the heel while you're standing. That can be a challenge if you're tall but keep in mind that hems can often be let out to buy more length.

Have a question? Ask me here!

Searching for outerwear

Another question! Laura asks:

I am moving to Chicago this winter and was wondering where a young plus size hipster can get a fashionable coat to keep her warm without breaking the bank. What should I look for in a coat?

Yay Chicago! It's been surprisingly warm here so far this fall so maybe the winter will be mild? And by mild I mean that you'll only lose one toe to frostbite instead of three. Hah!

Laura, what you should look for in a coat depends on two things:

1. Will you be spending a lot of time outside? Waiting for buses, walking here and there, etc?
2. Are you ok with wearing wool, down, cashmere, etc? Or would you prefer cotton or synthetics?

If you'll be spending more than five minutes outside, you'll need some serious outerwear. The actual temperatures here don't usually get very low (well, in relative terms compared to say, Antarctica) but the wind is obnoxious, as you can guess. It's really fun when it's windy, sleeting, and freezing cold. 

Fall wedding attire

A question from Jen, who apparently loves ponies.

My cousin is getting married the first weekend of October in the middle of Illinois. What should I wear to fall-yet-maybe-still-hot-yet-maybe-freezing wedding? I have to go light a candle or some other stupid thing during it, so I have to look presentable. The details: the wedding is indoors at 2:30, with a reception dinner. I am size 14/16ish, with 7.5W shoes. I own many black skirts, but apparently one can't wear black to weddings. I don't have a ton of money to spend, so I would like to get a dress or skirt/shirt and hopefully shoes for $100 or less. I prefer not to shop online unless I am complete sure of sizes. I have a Torrid nearby, and I think a Lane Bryant, and maybe an Avenue, but that might be a hike, and all the usual other stores found in any mall in America. What should I wear?

The only real rule is that your attire should be appropriate for the time and location of the ceremony and reception. You wouldn't wear a cotton day dress to a winter wedding in a chapel and you wouldn't wear a cocktail dress to a ceremony on a beach. This one sounds like a basic afternoon ceremony, evening reception type wedding which are pretty much the only kind we have here in the midwest. I've been to many.

I don't see any reason not to wear black to a wedding, as long as it's not head to toe black. If you don't want to invest a bunch of money into this occasion, pairing a black skirt you already have with a light sweater or blouse in a color you like is a very viable option. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed but I'd aim for pulled together and "nice."

If you have a suit with a black skirt or trousers and a jacket, you could wear both to the ceremony and take the jacket off for the reception. I'd wear a top that's fancier than just a button-up you'd wear to the office, something prettier and party-going-ish. You can add a little glitz with some dangly earrings and heels in a metallic leather that compliment your jewelry. Basically, something you'd typically wear to the office but dressed up a bit more for evening. This is the route I'd take.

But you can definitely find an outfit plus shoes and maybe even jewelry for under or around $100. You mentioned Torrid, Lane Bryant and the Avenue, so here are some items from each store to give you ideas.

Clothes for extended plus sizes

First question! From Peanut:

How about *really* big clothing? Bigger than size 32? Where does one go if you're bigger than the biggest sizes at the big size clothing stores? What do other super-size women do?

This is actually something I've been wanting to write about forever and ever and now is the time. Thanks for asking, Peanut! I have lots of links for you. I really should categorize these more nicely...

• Catherines goes up to a size 36, at least on their website.
• Jessica London goes up to size 34.
• Making it Big goes up to size 44.
• Woman Within goes up to size 44.
• Roaman's goes up to size 48.
• Zaftique goes up to size 38.
• The W+ sizes at Silhouettes goes up to a 44 misses.
• Big on Batik goes up to size 40.
• Just My Size has some items up to size 40.
• Myles Ahead goes up to 5X.
• Junonia goes up to size 40.
• Peggy Lutz carries up to size 40.
• Plus Woman goes up to size 10X.
• Love your Peaches Co. carries up to size 36.
• Baby Becoming has plus size maternity clothes up to size 6X.
• Sydney's Closet has occasion dresses up to size 44.
• Swimsuits for All has swimwear up to size 34.

Now keep in mind that sizes can vary greatly between retailers so always, always check the size chart and the company's return policy before ordering.

The challenge with extended plus sizes, aside just from the lack of availability, is that retailers don't invest in creating fashion forward pieces in larger sizes. It's obvious advice, but you can update a basic pant/top outfit with accessories. A beautiful bag, a few select pieces of jewelry or a colorful scarf can take you from blah to fantastic, especially if your clothing fits well and makes you feel good.

Ask me anything!

Need advice? Looking for a particular item? This post is the place to leave a comment and ask questions. Feel free to ask me about anything. Please keep in mind that I may not be able to answer every single question but I will do my best to answer as many as I can.

Note: Thanks for your questions! I'm going to temporarily close the comments on this post so I can get caught up and answer any questions I haven't gotten to yet. Thanks for your patience!