Where to Buy Affordable Plus-Size Clothing
Historically, it has been difficult for plus-size women to find clothing that is both stylish and budget-friendly, but the tides have been changing in recent years. More and more stores seem to not only offer an increased selection of plus-sized clothing, but more stylish options as well. The only thing that has not changed is that in many cases, plus-size clothing still costs quite a bit more than traditionally-sized counterparts.
If you are looking are looking for affordable and stylish plus-size clothing, I recommend checking out the retail outlets below.
Eloquii:
The Limited originally launched Eloquii as an option for plus-size shoppers, but after about a year, it shuttered the line. Earlier this year, however, Eloquii re-opened its doors (and severed its ties with The Limited), and it is again one of the best places to find stylish plus-size clothing that won't break the bank. Eloquii carries clothes both casual and formal, including business separates, and I have always found the quality to be top-notch. Full-priced items tend to be fairly reasonably priced, but coupons and sales are frequently offered.
Sears:
I found myself at Sears recently and was surprised to see lines like Bongo now offering plus-sized items that are actually quite stylish. While I'm sure Sears has carried plus-size clothing for some time, it was a pleasant surprise to find items like plus-size jeans and maxi dresses being sold. Some Sears stores also have Lands' End collections available inside the stores, and I have found that those Lands' End collections also have sizable plus-sized collections. (Of course, Lands' End on its own is another fabulous source for plus size clothing, too.)
Macy's:
I do most of my shopping online these days, so I cannot recall the last time I was in a Macy's and scoped out the plus-size offerings to see what was available. That said, Macy's has one of the most impressive plus-size clothing collections that is available online, with thousands of different styles from designers such as Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and more. Part of what makes Macy's such a fantastic place to shop for plus-size clothing is that in addition to the frequent sales, it is constantly releasing new coupons. There is really no reason to ever pay full price.
Torrid:
Torrid might run a little young for some more mature shoppers, but if you are looking for trendy plus-size clothing, shoes, and even swimsuits, I recommend checking out Torrid. It also carries a fantastic selection of plus-size jeans in the latest styles. Torrid offers frequent promotions in addition to everyday low prices, and it also has a rewards program, known as "divastyle," where members can receive special offers and a 5 percent discount on all purchases after reaching a specific spending threshold.
DressBarn:
While I did not grow up shopping at DressBarn, I wandered into one of their stores a couple of years ago and was really surprised by the wide arrange of cute dresses that were available. They have dresses for more formal occasions, like weddings, as well as casual dresses and workplace-appropriate dresses. Many of the styles that are available come in both traditional and plus sizes, which makes this a great shopping destination for nearly any woman. DressBarn does not offer as many coupons as some of the other stores on this list, but the dresses are usually fairly budget-friendly and I highly recommend checking out the sale racks for great deals.
Gwynnie Bee:
Gwynnie Bee is different from the other options on this list because instead of being a clothing store, Gwynnie Bee is a plus-size clothing rental service. This is a wonderful option for women who like to wear the latest styles but cannot afford to pay top dollar for those items. Women who wear sizes 10 through 32 will find hundreds and perhaps thousands of different styles listed on the site. Membership fees start at $35 per month, for which you will receive one item to wear. While that may not sound like much, you can return your one item for new items as frequently as you want over the course of a month. Gwynnie Bee's most popular plan features three items for $79 per month. Gwynnie Bee covers the cost of shipping and dry cleaning for all items.
Lisa Koivu is the founder of ShopGirlDaily.com, a budget fashion and shopping blog for women who want to have the best for less.
