Welcome to the next instalment of the Where to Buy posts. This week it is wide fit boots. Boots for the plus size, large legged amongst us. Some have extended shoe sizing. Others offer wide fitting calf and ankle boots. Earlier this week, it occurred to me that it was feeling like the cooler weather might be just around the corner. What better time to talk boots? Wide calf and ankle boots are available now for the Autumn 2013 season in Australia, right? Thankfully the brands were on the same page because the new season boots are hitting stores now. Join one with the other, and hey presto, a post is born.
For the past couple of seasons, I have picked up at least one, if not two, pairs of boots from the Autograph range. The first year there was a black pair and a brown pair, which was pretty much it—boy, how the range has grown since then. Exciting news of the new red boots spread like wildfire through the Aussie Curves ladies, and if you head online, you’ll see the range covers a lot of bases. They are sized to a size 12 and priced at around $100. These are a great value boot, especially for their price point.
City Chic
One of the first times I met Dani from Danimezza.com, she was wearing a pair of heeled City Chic boots, and I couldn’t help but ask about them. They were a gorgeous fit, and she was running around like a madwoman in them, so they must have been comfy enough. A couple of years later, Dani still has those boots, and they are still just as fab. A good quality boot will do that for a girl. The City Chic boots have a higher price point, but the previous seasons have been worth the money if the reviews are anything to go by. I would love a pair of wedge suede boots myself. They’re on my list!
This brand approached me to review their boots for the blog. Having heard some great things online and being a bit of a boot fiend, I replied that I would and pointed out a pair I’d love to test drive. It turns out {awkward} they weren’t offering me a pair; they were requesting a review. I told them I would file the idea away should I ever need it and thanked them for thinking of this blog. So when doing this post, there is no way I could go past them even though I’ve never personally tried them. There’s a HUGE selection of boots that can be ordered in various widths and sizes. Well worth a look, for sure.
The first pair of boots in the TS14+ range has hit the online store, and I expect that there will be more to come. Last year TS14+ had some fantastic boots. So keep an eye out for more coming soon. These cute, on-trend ankle boots should get you started. Loving the chunky heel; I bet that makes them SUPER comfortable.
Bennett’s Boots was one of the first brands I recommended in the last post. I don’t have any personal experience with them, but the readers here who had tried them raved about them. Extra-wide calf widths work beautifully for those who require a little more room. The sizing chart is a wonder with listings for every part of the foot and leg, so get your measuring tape and get measuring. There are also reviews on most of the boots to give you an idea of fit and quality, and let’s say that the range is pretty darn impressive. Massively so! The Adele boot is one of my wardrobe investment pieces hit list. Just gorgeous.
Another brand mentioned was Boots for Broads, and when I went over to check it out, I was impressed by this collection for the modern classic styling. All the new season boots look very new season with modern colours and styles, but I believe they’ll be just as at home in the wardrobe in a few years. Beautiful detail work, and that’s not even the kicker. These boots are custom-made for your measurements. Seriously. Starting from $280 for knee-high boots, this is excellent value for a custom fit. Oh dear lord, won’t SOMEONE please pick me up a pair of those mustard boots! Gah. Perfection. And those red cowboy boots? Sigh.
While I knew about My Size for clothing, I didn’t realise that their range included wide calf boots in sizes 38 – 41 with three levels of widths. I think they may be seasonal, though, so don’t stress if they’re not there when you go looking. The sizing chart looks detailed enough to get you a decent fit if ordering online or if there are boutique stores across Australia. It’s a small range at the moment with four boots in the field, some in brown or black. With prices from $199, I would expect the same level of quality that is synonymous with the brand’s clothing. Let me know about your experience with My Size boots if you have any; I’m very curious to hear about it.
Currently, I have three pairs of SARA boots. I generally wear a size 11, but the only pair of SARA boots that fit me is a size 12. While older, size 11 boots had wider widths in calves, I found them to be pretty standard, if not a little narrow, in foot width, which hasn’t worked out for my broad foot. I’m not sure if this has changed, but in my experience with the last pair, the customer feedback comments and sizing guide were accurate, so I highly recommend using them.
The SARA brand is more of a fashion brand, and you’ll find synthetic materials and more affordable prices {similar to a lot of the boots in the first post, such as Autograph}. My brown boots from the recent Aussie Curves: Boho post is from SARA, and I couldn’t be happier with them. There are loads of incredible options there this season which is such an exciting thing to see. Yay!
It’s that time, team, shorts season! I mean, as a Queenslander, pretty much every season is shorts season, but you know what I mean. I’ve talked about how to find and wear shorts as a plus-size woman on this blog before. Of course, I have; this blog is a million years old. There have been many, many posts about shorts. Check them out next if you want some tips.
And, I see you out there. But, those of you who can feel your body physically tighten and the little voice in your head start to work itself up, stop! Seriously, stop that. No matter your shape, size or the current situation with your legs, you can and should wear shorts if you want to. No one cares as much about what you’re wearing as you do, so do what you want. And if someone has a problem, tell them to come and talk to me.
So, I thought I’d take a look around and find some shorts and put together a few outfits for you all. There are a couple of casual options, some that you can dress up for summer evenings, and all that in-between shorts goodness. Sound like a plan? Let’s get on with that.
Outfits for Plus-Size Shorts you’ll be wearing this Summer
Sweet Sweet Pastels
Even for someone like me who wears a lot of black, something about the warmer months has me craving colour. It’s pretty hard to resist. So get your colour fix in soft, pastel tones in sweet candy colours. I love to add colour to my shoes, but tops and other accessories are perfect.
And then, when you pair the ice wash, pale blue, denim with these colours, you’re sweet as (that’s for my NZ friends, lol). Lightwash denim is the perfect addition to your wardrobe; it’s just so versatile no matter the time of year. Don’t you think?
Ladies and gentlemen, nostalgia has entered the chat. When it comes to all things seasonal and on-trend, nostalgic items are top of the shopping list for those who identify as Millenials—especially geriatric types (otherwise known as Zennials).
Grab some shorts that all your favourite teen movies queens would’ve been proud of, and wear your childhood with pride. And no, in case you were about to ask, I don’t think you’re ever too old to wear Powerpuff girl socks.
There’s nothing I enjoy more than having people over for some beverages and a BBQ. Seriously, it could be the only socialising I enjoy doing anymore. I know post lockdown it’s all about the picnics, but I’m firmly team backyard BBQ. That said, this outfit would work for either. And for these kinds of events, you want comfortable, easy to wear clothes that look like you made an effort. Enter my dress as a top (discussed at length in this post) over shorts.
And you know me, I would typically default to a sneaker or a slide with this kind of outfit, but I came across these chunky sandals. They not only are in a great neutral tone (elongating for those with similar skin tones), but the chunky heel looks comfortable, stable and adds points for effort. Of course, nothing says I tried more than a heel.
Am I going to work out, or am I just getting coffee? That is the question? My love of activewear as daily clothing started, officially, when I started working for myself full-time. Working from home meant that comfort won across the board—more than style, more than looking the part, all the things. The good news is that these days, there are plenty of others that feel the same way.
I’ve linked to the range at Active Truth which you folks rave about, but I own bike shorts from so many retailers ranging from Best & Less to Hine Collective. Trust me; once you put bike shorts on, they’ll convert you. My favourite part is taking a simple bike short and crop and turning it into an outfit. If you want or need to. Take an oversized tee, some eye-catching sneakers, and you’re good to go. Pull up those socks, lady, and you’ve got style.
Now we’re back in my comfort zone; welcome to monochrome. I love mixing black and white together in an outfit, and adding printed shorts to the look makes it get up and get out the door approved. There will be no tough decisions to make when you go with this look, not to mention how versatile the shoes and tank are when worn separately.
What’s a flippy short, I hear you ask? Well, it’s a soft short, lots of room in the legs for a wide, easy-wearing fit. Perfect for those with larger bums and thighs that need more room. Soft shorts, the summer update to our favourite soft pants, are comfort dressing at its finest, and yet, you still look like you made an effort. Would recommend.
Links:
New Look Floral Flippy Shorts (other prints available)
You know what I mean, right? I can picture it now, the European cities, wine on the terrace, your days spent adventuring nut never breaking a sweat. I may not be able to promise you international travel or decedent adventures, but this look will transport you there all on its own. Effortless style, impossibly chic, perfect for those who are looking to holiday at home.
The higher waist and flat fronted waistband of these shorts make them easy to dress up or down. Add the matching jacket (yes, you heard that correctly) and a heeled sandal and you’re all set for your evening. But during the day, paired with stripes and denim, you’ll be exploring in comfort. Now, excuse me, I’m going to grab a wine and pretend I’m on vacation.
There you go, team, my plus-size summer shorts round up. I hope you were able to take away some inspiration for your summer shorts style! At the very least, you are now feeling more confident to put together items in your wardrobe. So, get those legs out into the world; summer is coming up fast. I can’t wait to see what you come up with, so tag me on Insta, I want to see.
Welcome, fellow large footed friend. If your internet search for women’s shoes for large feet has landed you here, I’m glad you found us. I know that search well. You don’t get to be a 178cm tall woman without big feet. It’s par for the course, as they say. These days, I wear a ladies 11/12 thanks to having a long foot and a wide one as well.
Finding fashionable shoes in the sense that I’m into wearing them that fit and are reasonably comfortable to wear is a whole thing. My love of sneakers and basic slides is probably born from years of uncomfortable work shoes and crazy-ass heels. I’ve had some big feet adventures, let me tell you!
Buying shoes for my large feet.
Luckily, my family travelled to the United States when I was a teenager, where my siblings and I stocked up on the latest and greatest sneakers. Think Reebok Pumps and blue suede Sketchers. It was years before I would need to buy shoes again, and that’s when I realised it was going to be more difficult than it had been overseas.
When I first started working and needed decent work shoes, I would purchase a size 10/10.5 in brands like Joanne Mercer or Diana Ferrari. I’d squish into them and wear them in. for this strategy you have to be sure that you buy leather; the natural give helped. When I started blogging, I discovered Torrid and would buy on-trend heels, flats and shoes that were just fun, via fellow bloggers (second hand or sharing the postage) from there all the time.
Learning the ropes; buying women’s shoes for large feet.
But, don’t you worry my friend, things got a little better. Over the years, I’ve found some great options. I’m always looking for more and will continue to update this post as I find them. After all, finding women’s shoes for large feet that fit has been a struggle for as long as I can remember. So, here are some that I’ve found and happily recommend.
Oh hey team, it’s ankle boots daaaaay! I was a wee bit excited to write this post because I love ankle boots and I want to make the plus size women of the world love them too. Because they’re awesome. Short versions. But because nothing is easier to wear, can keep you stomping around all day being a boss or cooler than an ankle boot.
You want that right?
Of course, you do. Following on from the how I wear knee-high boots post from earlier in the week, this post has two main examples of wearing ankle boots, with jeans or leggings and with skirts and dresses. It’s a little more abbreviated in the skirts and dresses section because I’ve written a WHOLE post about this before. Yay.
How I wear ankle boots as a plus-size woman!
Ankle Boots with Skirts and Dresses
I wrote this post especially with my tips for wearing ankle boots with skirts and dresses. Let’s face it; it’s my go-to style, and if you’re going to let someone tell you what to do in this area, it should be me. If you want to click over and read that post, it will open in a new window so you can finish up here. Easy.
Here are some of my favourite outfits.
Oh dear, I could have added outfits to this gallery for days. Haha. When I say boots are my thing, they absolutely are. Though have you noticed my sneakers sort of took over there for a while? Swings and roundabouts I suppose. But looking at all these posts, with a side order of a winter chill in the air, makes me miss ankle boots with everything.
Ankle boots with leggings or jeans
So, you want to wear ankle boots with jeans and leggings. Awesome! This is a great way to ease yourself into the ankle boot without feeling like you’re wearing a sign that says hey look at me in my ankle boots with a dress. Choosing a similar colour legging or pant to your boots is the baby steps level, going from there with some colour combinations that stretch you a little.
My hot tip here, for keeping things interesting is to show a peek of the ankle by cuffing your pants. A simple roll or two will do or wear a cropped style. Not too cropped though, you want a peek, not half a calf. Well, most of the time. The QUEEN of the cuff and the boot has to be the one and only, Nat Tucker from Make it Look Easy, which is what she does, she makes it look easy. Check out her Instagram for more jeans/boots combos. Seriously worth a look. You’ll love Nat.
With jeans and pants, I love a slim fit style with ankle boots, but if you’re cuffing them then a boyfriend or slouchier style is perfection as well. I love the post below with the slouchy pleather joggers with the low cut ankle boot. So fun and so good. So experiment with the fit of your pants and if it’s not working, try the cuff or try some socks above the boot line.
Here are some of my favourite outfits, click the image to view.
Buying your ankle boots for plus size legs
This is a tricky one, a question that comes up a lot on my blog and Instagram when I post an image wearing ankle boots is WHERE do I get them, and HOW do I get them to look right (most people mean, not chop my legs off by this). Good question! Let’s talk about that.
First, you want to be looking for a boot with a nice open ankle to give your legs some room. This isn’t always possible, but a few of the wide fit brands are starting to make sure this happens. I even find SOME Target boots can be generous in this department too.
Then, I like a little dip in the front of the boot if I can get it. My nude boots (worn to death, you’ll know the ones) are a perfect example of this. They dip a little at the front, and that makes your legs look longer. Or that’s my opinion anyway. And well, long legs are always fun regarding balancing out an outfit and its proportions.
some shops I recommend starting your search at are;
Right, questions or otherwise? Got a blog post or a photo you want to share of YOU rocking your ankle boots? We’d love to see it, add them in the comments (I’ve double-checked the guest feature is enabled for those without Disqus) let’s make this the place to go for such things.
Buying a plus size coat isn’t something I do every year. But, when it comes to my wardrobe, an investment plus size coat is my go-to. I want something I can wear year after year, and I recommend that to you too. So, when you’re looking for a winter coat, take your time, purchase one, and it will last you for years to come. It’s an investment.
And investing in your wardrobe is something that I find women shopping for plus-size clothing avoid. Why? Because they assume/hope/plan to be smaller next year. Sometimes it’s not even that obvious that you’re doing it. But, it’s true; I hear it all the time. But believe me, you can invest in your wardrobe now, at the size you are, just as you are, because you’re worth it. And let’s be honest, does much ever really change?
Years ago I was lucky enough to be gifted, by a friend, not the brand, a grey trench coat that is now in its seventh or eighth year for me. It did go missing for a year or so in the middle (it was at my sister’s house). That coat goes with everything, is warm enough for the coldest days but light enough when worn open, to manage the winter evenings here that aren’t super cold. That’s my hot tip for you when you’re looking for your own plus size coat, look for something you love. Be picky. Buy once. Let’s get started.
The most clicks in the AW2021 trends report were to some beautiful jewel-coloured plus-size jumpers. Heading into the cooler months here, chunky, soft, cosy jumpers are in high demand; I get it. Defined as (yeah, I looked it up, eldest daughter mode engaged) a knitted garment typically with long sleeves, worn over the upper body; jumper. With that in mind, I went looking a little further afield and found some GOLD.
The best part about a jumper is that you can wear them with anything. Literally, anything you like. You can dress them up or down, wear them around the house or out on the town. Even the images (grabbed from the retailers) below show the range of ways you can style them. My personal favourite is jeans and boots or over a dress. I love that a statement colour or a chunky knit pattern can do all the hard work for you.
Years ago, my sister bought the wrong size of a mustard knit jumper and gave it to me. To say that I wore that jumper to death is an understatement. Even now, it’s still in my wardrobe because I won’t part with it. Buy well, and you’ll have your jumper for seasons to come. This sort of look never goes out of style.
Have you been wondering what’s new in Australian Plus-Size Fashion for Autumn/Winter? Phew – that’s a mouthful! I’ve been taking a look around (mostly looking for boots; where did you find boots this year?), and these are the trends I see everywhere. Some have been popping up for a little while, and some are fresh for the AW/2021 season. Now, you know me, and when you see this list, you’ll see there is one, maybe two, that I’ll be getting on board with. But there’s plenty of other goodness for the rest of you, too.
And no, no one here expects you to rush out and purchase anything. We’re much too old for that. But I also know that it’s handy to have a little help from a friend when staying on-trend. Someone to do the legwork, find some great items and make the whole process easier. Since I was doing my research about some of Australia’s best plus-size retailers and brands on what was out there, I thought I’d be that person for you. Let’s dive into what I found, shall we?
Trends, Styles + Tips – Australian Plus-Size Fashion Trends for 2021
Knits as far as your eye can see
Please don’t roll your eyes at me, Meryl! Knits for winter, groundbreaking, right? Well, before you click away, hear me out. This season, I see many statement knits, knit sets, knit dresses, and skirts for a fun take on the normal cozy favourites. It was hard to narrow this section down, so you will find that most retailers will have more than one offering in this category, so make sure you take a look around.
Who doesn’t want to be a picnic, right? This trend is hanging on from Spring/Summer and is seeing a lot of brands bring out options in deeper and darker tones as we move into the cooler seasons. When you’re after a fun gingham or a moody plaid, there is a lot out there at the moment. And I don’t know about you, but I’m still not over The Queens Gambit and all the stunning checks (or the breathtaking cinematography), so why not wear them too? This is such a go-to dress for me, and I think you’ll find something similar that works the same in your wardrobe.
If you’ve been here for longer than a minute, you should have guessed this is the bracket I’ll be dipping the most into for my AW2021. I’m living for the matching tracksuits, basics in stripes and warm tones, as well as those small details that make an item more than your average loungewear piece. Shop these styles if you’ve committed to the “stay at home” aesthetic and won’t give it up. Or, if, like me, you believe sneakers are never going out of style.
If you came past the gingham etc., section, you’d know that sleeves are 100% a thing, so much so that I had to give them their own section. Big sleeves or small, this season, they’re saying something. Another carryover trend, I think this one is just waiting for the chance to get out in the world in a big way. Heck, even I’ve worn some outfits with a sleeve; this checked monochrome dress or this one that shows up in some of my profile images. As someone with broad shoulders, I used to worry about going big with a statement sleeve or shoulder pad. But do you know what? It’s too much fun not to!
We’ve already spoken about matching tracksuits, but what about the one-piece jumpsuit? As simple as a dress with the convenience of pants, that’s always been my favourite part. Plus, they make dressing up so easy. You’ll see that I’m a massive fan of a jumpsuit (I own the Hope & Harvest one in the first row, #2) from posts on the blog, but I can’t seem to make overalls work for me. If you have this secret magic, please let me know your secrets! That’s the major upside of this coming season; there is a cut and fit to suit everyone and their comfort zone.
Heck, I hope you’re feeling well informed about Australian Plus-Size Fashion for Autumn/Winter 2021 team. Because THAT was a mission. You’re lucky you’re cute because I wouldn’t spend this amount of time rounding up images and links for just anyone. Haha. So, tell me, what’s your wardrobe look like this year? Are you adding much to it or going with what you have? Due to an expanding waistline, I’ve had to get some new jeans. But other than that, it was a knit or two for me, maybe a tracksuit or two (that I don’t need), and the search continues for a pair of decent ankle boots.
I know what I’m talking about when it comes to plus size clothes for teenagers. How? Well, I’ve been over 5’10” since I was 12. To say that I was a plus-size teen is an understatement. I was tall, large and in varying stages of puppy fat and angst-driven disordered eating between an Australian size 12 to 18 the entire time. I was thinking about that the other weekend when my nieces visited. Tall, slim girls have the issue of length when it comes to buying clothes. They had other issues with fit, but that got me thinking about teenage girls shopping for clothing right now.
The girls, just like me, the plus girls.
When I was a teenager there wasn’t a lot of options shopping wise. I remember losing a bit of weight in my senior years and finding that I could fit back into the mainstream stores who by this stage were regularly stocking a 14/16. What a relief! Bye-bye peasant skirts and men’s board shorts. I do remember once though, in a change-room, when my Mum handed me clothing in a size 14/16 that she mentioned it was as far it as it went, sizing wise. That stuck with me and not because I was upset she pointed this out to me. But because I was not that big of a person. HOW could this be the largest sizes available to women. Why was that even a thing?
Luckily teens have way more options today.
LOTS AND LOTS of options. And while I think you should get your staple items from the excellent Australian online retailers that were in this post or from the brands I listed in my post about minimalist plus size clothing, a teenage girl wants to be fashionable, to wear what her friends are wearing, to be cool. In this post, we’re going to give you some options for where to buy plus size clothes for teenagers; some local and overseas options for the young adult market. Clothes that are more on-trend than wardrobe staples. The sort of clothing that helps a teenage girl fit in with her friends instead of having to wear styles older than she is. Let’s get started, shall we?
Where to buy plus size clothes for teenagers
Torrid
With stores throughout the USA, this brand is established and can be counted on to deliver on-trend basics for reasonable prices. The shopping to Australia can be a killer so subscribe to the newsletter for discounted shipping days or split an order with a friend. A shopping tip: I wear my standard Australian size in their denim and the majority of the range. Check out online reviews for more information. There are plenty!
I love Forever 21+ for modern, on-trend pieces. The pricing of the range puts it on par with the likes of Supre and such in Australia. Postage is reasonably fast and affordable. As a size 22/24, I find I’m at the very top of the size chart and would recommend this store for sizes 20 and below. Recently Australian stores have opened but the pricing isn’t on par with the online store and the range is better online. Shop by the look is another great online feature for those developing their own style. Grab your teenager, sit them down with the page open and let them shop.
A great Australian brand featuring great lifestyle pieces for everyday wear. A personal favourite of mine, but don’t tell the kids. When you want to mix quality denim and easy to wear lifestyle pieces, this is the place I recommend you start. Especially denim, the team specialises in great on-trend fits as well as classic shapes. I’ve found any number of styles make their way into my everyday wardrobe. And the best part? Because they’re made of quality fabrics, they’re going to last better than anything you get at cheap competitors stores.
A new addition to the Cotton On (Typo, rubi, Supre) family is the range of Cotton On clothing in Curve. Stocking sizes 16 – 24 in a range of on-trend items that are both seasonal and affordable, but wearable long after the season is done. You’ll get everything here from Jeans to Swimwear, graphic tees to basic loungewear. If your teen is sick of not being able to wear the same cool, causal clothes as their friends, this is a range you want to check out. Not so bad for us oldies either, I featured a number of these items in my casual capsule wardrobe post.
Don’t be afraid fo the slinky fits or sexy shapes on their Instagram account; I assure you this is a teen-friendly brand. Haha. Find anything from casual dresses, t-shirt, light denim and more at this cheap and cheerful online store. It’s a USA based store, but just switch the currency over to AUD when you arrive and you’ll know where you stand price-wise. I love this shop for casual tees and fun items you just can’t find anywhere else.
My fashion-forward friends in blog world turned me on to Misguided Plus and they were so right. By all accounts, the sizing is generous, especially in the styles designed to be oversized. Check out the charts and online reviews because you may find that you need to size down here on some items and upon others. I like to compare this range to the festival chic styling of Sportsgirl with the added punk you just can’t buy here. Loads of cool items that will raise your fashion game no matter your size.
A larger store with a range of clothing, underwear, sports and activewear, City Chic offers a few ‘in-house’ brands that cater to different styles and they’re always incorporating on-trend pieces that are made of higher-quality materials compared to a lot of the big brands. They have a great range of denim and boots too. All the good stuff.
Shop the new-season City Chic range here.
ASOS Curve
A great one-stop-shop for a range of styles, brands and sizes. Plus, if your teen identifies as a boy, there’s an entire section for plus-size men too! Easily one of my favourite places to shop. When I found ASOS Curve at the beginning of my style journey, it was like the world had changed. I’d never been able to find the clothing that suited my style; in fact, I had no idea what my style really was until I could start to explore it with clothing that fits me. Your teen might just find themselves there too.
A little note about your plus size teen if you’re a parent, guardian or concerned adult-type person. Leave them alone. That’s my hot tip. Live well, be an example and leave them alone. I don’t know if you’ve ever been the fat kid, but when you remind them they’re different, you aren’t telling them anything they didn’t know. I speak from experience. We KNOW we don’t fit in and sometimes that hurts. So be cool, love us and let your ideas about what we ‘should be’ go. And finally, if they’re not that into clothes, that’s okay too. It’s hard to care when you feel like you are constantly being excluded from a conversation.
Welcome one and all to Suger’s BUMPER plus-size fashion directory. After the success of the list from Melbourne Fashion Week Plus (I know some of you still refer to that), I thought it was time to start compiling a list of stores for plus-size women. So, no matter where you are, there should be something here for you. That’s exciting, right?
This is a list of stores that offer you, the plus-size customer, a selection of clothing just for you! I mean, come on, so much awesome.
I don’t know about you, but when I started to explore the world of online shopping, I would stumble across a new store, and it would blow my mind. Then the next, and the next, until a world of fashion choices was spread at my feet with just a click of a mouse. So good. I mean, you just have to look at my outfit gallery to see I’ve given everything a go! Now you can, too.
Are you an owner of a plus-size fashion brand that’s not listed in my plus size fashion directory? You’re welcome to get in touch, just email me at melissa{at}sugercoatit.com and I’ll check you out. Maybe put Plus Size Directory Listing in the subject so I don’t miss it.
And there you have it, I’ll be sure to update items as they come through and the descriptions as well if they specialised in a specific style or occasional type wear like activewear, underwear or special occasions. Actually, I’d love to add some specifically special occasion stuff, so let me know.
Is your favourite plus size fashion retailer listed? Let me know in the comments if not and I’ll be sure to check them out to add them. Finding the plus size fashion directory helpful? Make sure you tell a friend, pin one of the images below or share the post, please. The more the merrier!
Janine is on a mission to find the perfect maxi dress for Christmas Day. I mean, aren’t we all. While watching a movie last night, I started having a look around and bookmarking some of my favourites as I came across the. This post is about sharing what I found from some of my favourite online plus-size retailers.
I love a maxi dress for Christmas Day. Simply because they’re easy to wear, can take you from a casual gathering to something more dressed up if it needs to. And, the most important, you can eat and drink freely without feeling like your clothing is cutting you off. I did the same thing for my brother’s wedding last month when I needed something to work in (I was doing their photos) and something that looked dressy enough for a wedding.
And can I just say? Boho ladies, this is the year for you. Oversized shapes and prints, layers of lightweight fabrics and ruffles EVERYWHERE. But if it’s not your style, don’t stress, I found some options that I love that are a little less flouncy. I mean, we all know that my style could hardly be described as Boho. Let’s check them out, shall we?
Buying clothes when your plus-size can suck. On this blog, its something we talk about a lot. But, what about where to buy clothes for plus size men? Are there a lot of options for on-trend fashionable pieces for the big guys? The short answer to that question is that it has come a long way from the Big and Tall shops of the past.
The idea for this post actually came from the search terms on my blog post Where to Buy Clothes for Plus-Size Teens. I realised, while there were lots of options for plus-size women in that post, by not including a few of the big guys, I had excluded those who are looking to dress in a more masculine fashion. I should have known better (I’ve since updated that post).
This is my attempt to offer some options for the plus-size guys who may find themselves here looking for fashionable clothing options. Let’s dive in.
Kel and my brother have both been roped into featuring in photos for this brand (see below). Since then, it’s where I go if Kel needs new clothes especially anything for special occasions or the sort of wardrobe staple I expect to last (jeans or dress pants, jackets etc). The price point is pretty middle fo the range and they often have great sales or special offers.
I’m happy to recommend this brand and we continue to shop there. However, I have to let you know our horrible experience with customer service over a pair of shoes that my brother purchased. They wore through (worn Monday to Friday for work) really quickly and they wouldn’t take them back/listen to our concerns as they reference the extensive wear which was the point of the concern in the first place.
To be honest I don’t remember how it was resolved as I left it with my brother. But suffice to say that it left a bad taste in our mouth. Maybe as far as the accessories go, shop the sales. 😉
I think you’re going to love the range and selection offered by ASOS. If I’m stuck and can’t find anything for Kel (and sometimes for me too) then I head to the ASOS Plus-Size Men’s range to see if I can find it there. Especially jackets, lounge or sportswear or basic tees.
With the mid to low price point, it makes for a good option for the on-trend pieces it can be impossible to find. Especially since they are added new styles and brands to their line up all the time. One of those big sellers that will become a resource for you, I’m sure.
One word on this one, Trendy! BooHoo has always boasted a low price point and up to the minute fashion pieces. Their BooHoo Men range is no different. I refer to this style of retailer as cheap and cheerful because if you’re looking for something fun or that you’ve seen your favourite wearing, this is the place to go. They’re always turning over new styles with fresh takes on current trends.
The bad news is that Boohoo is often listed as a thumbs down due to their manufacturing process and labour conditions. I won’t even make my usual joke about it being ‘not ideal’ because it’s worse than that. I do believe that with continued pressure a brand like this can be made to do better. But, always, I thought you should have all the information before making your choices. In this case, which happens too often in plus-size clothing options, for a lower price-point, this is what we have to live with.
I came across this brand when I was shopping for Kelvin recently for a wedding. This is more of a classic style, with button-ups and business casual attire then a lot of the other options. Things like sleepwear and swimwear as well. There are a lot of styles and fits, usually available in multiple colourways, but unfortunately, none of the clothing is shown on models for fit.
This is also a great spot for things like belts, suits and sports coat; the sort of staples you need to build a solid wardrobe. On my rounds, I noticed a lot of the retailers don’t merchandise a lot of accessories specialised for plus-size bodies (especially belts) which is such a missing. You can find a lot of that here.
When you head to The Iconic there is a more limited selection of men’s plus-size clothing with only a few brands featured. That said, there are some great wardrobe staple items here such a basic tees, classic polos and style jacket fits. For me, the range is a modern take on the casual classics I personally gravitate to.
The other thing that they’re great at is accessories. You’ll find an extensive range of modern, even designer, sunglasses, shoes and bags. Especially sneakers if you’re into such things.
There we go! Some great options for clothes for plus size men. Was your favourite spot covered here? I especially want to know if we missed any small retailers based in Australia or New Zealand. We love a local small business. Let me know if you have any questions as you go through, I’ll answer whatever I can and outsource the rest.
Before we go, here are a few more photos of Kel and my brother Dean looking great in Johnny Bigg items featured on the blog in the past. No brand association currently exists, but when we took these photos it was for either sponsored posts or content creation for the brand. Full disclosure, you know how it goes.
What do you think about when I mention a casual style capsule wardrobe? For some, it will be jeans and tees, and for others, less interested in waistbands it may be t-shirt dresses or a go-to maxi. Which is it for you? Or perhaps, like me, you are a combination of both?
Since I started working at home full-time, my need for clothes to leave the house in has gone from light/moderate to non-existent! That’s before any of the stay at home orders or lockdown. Most days I work in either cut off denim shorts (which I couldn’t find any decent ones online this time, I’ve added jeans and other shorts instead) and a tee. Or my favourite go-to when I can’t be bothered to a maxi dress. During winter, I add a jumper of some description. Simple and effective.
But lately, I’ve been thinking about taking it up a level. I am selecting a group of items that work together to create a capsule wardrobe; causal style, of course. The sort of clothes I can wear all day, then add something to go out for dinner or visit the family. I don’t need much, but I want to feel like I’m making an effort again. While I was on my adventure to grab some new items (like jacket and lounge set below) I found some links to old favourites too.
Here’s what I’ve come up with; my ideal plus-size casual capsule wardrobe!
Ponte Pants + Sass Dress or Ribbed Tank or Grey Tank + Smock Dress (women open) + Superstars or Birkenstocks
Mum Jeans + Sweet Top or Cocoon Top or Ribbed Tank or Bodysuit + Superstars
Marty Coat + Maxi Dress + Dr Martens
Phew, what a mission THAT all was. Not to mention expensive as I added a few to cart as I went. But, what say you, would these pieces make the cut for you? There’s not a lot of colours here, I know for some people that would be a no-deal, but I’ve noted the selects that come in different colour-ways in the links. I was torn between the grey lounge set from Cotton On and the plum one, worth a look if grey (or black) isn’t your thing.