Who wants to discuss fashion!?

[TrickyBob]

Because I know nothing about it! 

I need summer clothing. My Husband has recently informed me that I need to dress better. This is NOT a jerk comment, I wear jeans and a zip up hoodie 99% of the winter. If we are going out somewhere quick, just toss on the hoodie. I don't bother to get all fancy because I usually don't take the jacket off. So I 100% get where he is coming from and I miss feeling put together too. (He's just sick of seeing the hoodie)

I gained weight in the last year and I feel like nothing fits right. I want nice, but not super expensive tops. And maybe some long skirts and I'd even be open to a "fitted" maxi dress, where it usually has a v-neck and some sort of waist to it. 

But besides Lane Bryant (which I do like but sometimes it is crazy expensive) and Old Navy, I'm not sure where to go. I know sometimes Dress Barn has some pretty dresses but again, usually pretty expensive. 

I'm more interested in tops though. I SUCK at finding summer tops. I'm not a t-shirt person, I will wear sleeveless with a cardigan or something over it, but my usually mode of dress is sort of business casual when I do bother to wear something other than hoodies. Winter is easy, I could spend all day buying up sweaters. 

I hold most of my weight in my stomach; my boobs aren't giant but they are D's, and I am 5'8", and I wear a 22/24 women's. So the stuff has to be long enough, I like long or else I feel like I'm going to expose myself to everyone if I lift my arms up. 

But I need help finding A) good places for decently priced clothing and B) different options; I usually think whatever people post here is cute but when I am looking for myself, I tend to pass by stuff. And perhaps stuff that might be in style. 

And then when I lose weight, I can do this all over again or go shopping in my closet since I do own a lot of business casual but I'm too fat for it at the moment  

[TrickyBob]

Apr 25, 2013 15:55:00 GMT -5 frkls said:

do you live in the south? do you have a cato? i LOVE cato

I live in PA! 

I think I would probably have to order online or, if I get the chance, to maybe go to the outlets in Hershey or something. 

[TemperanceBrennan]

I wear the same size you do. I am shorter, though. I shop at Maurice's, Torrid, Lane Bryant, Old Navy. Sometimes you can find cute shirts at Deb, Target or shopko (they have a website if you don't have the stores). Sometimes Lane Bryant has really good coupons if you sign up with them. Torrid has good deals on clearance sometimes. You just have to watch. But, they don't take returns on clearance, so beware of that and make sure you for sure want it.

Right now I am in the process of losing weight. So, I completely understand not wanting to spend tons of money on things. There is a cute summer dress I just saw at Torrid that I might have to make an exception for, though.

[VeryViolet]

It is hit or miss but I have found some really cute stuff at Target.

[orval]

eloquii has everything 50% off today. They are actually closing so they are trying to get rid of it all. They are still accepting returns. www.eloquii.com

[Deleted]

Kohl's looks like it has some nice stuff. I notice that Macy's has a lot of the stuff that they have in smaller sizes, in bigger sizes. Plus, they have great sales on the weekend and you can get coupons.

[lilybug]

I get a lot of clothes at Target. I know they're not awesome quality, but I'm (or, my kids are) hard on my clothes anyway. I also love raiding Nordstrom Rack and the outlet mall (mostly Gap, BR, JCrew, etc.) for good deals.

[Deleted]

I really love Torrid. Some of their stuff is really young, but they also have a lot that still works for me (I'm 34). I also love Forever 21 for cheap tops. And dresses. And, well, just about everything else because I really like F21. I've had really good luck with their clothes and I'm the same size.

[TrickyBob]

I will have to check all of these out! I'm always so hesitant about Torrid because I don't want to dress like a teenager and I know people my age are still into a lot of that stuff, but I'm not. But I will check them out again.

[VeryViolet]

Apr 25, 2013 17:31:11 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

I really love Torrid. Some of their stuff is really young, but they also have a lot that still works for me (I'm 34). I also love Forever 21 for cheap tops. And dresses. And, well, just about everything else because I really like F21. I've had really good luck with their clothes and I'm the same size.

I must be doing F21 wrong. I went there looking for a bachelorette party dress and some of their plus stuff was still too small. I am a weird bunch of sizes but typically an 18w in dresses. I felt terrible about myself and vowed never to go back lol. What do you have the best luck with there? I am always on the hunt for cheap clothes.

[Deleted]

Apr 25, 2013 17:59:47 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

Apr 25, 2013 17:31:11 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

I really love Torrid. Some of their stuff is really young, but they also have a lot that still works for me (I'm 34). I also love Forever 21 for cheap tops. And dresses. And, well, just about everything else because I really like F21. I've had really good luck with their clothes and I'm the same size.

I must be doing F21 wrong. I went there looking for a bachelorette party dress and some of their plus stuff was still too small. I am a weird bunch of sizes but typically an 18w in dresses. I felt terrible about myself and vowed never to go back lol. What do you have the best luck with there? I am always on the hunt for cheap clothes.

I have quite a few tops from there, and a few dresses.  One is a shirt dress and I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.  Except from DH, who said it's matronly, and I was like IT'S FOREVER 21!  lol.  Their above the knee A line dresses, which they have a lot of, almost always work on me.  I order online but pay attention to the reviews.

[TrickyBob]

sonsi.lanebryant.com/plus-size-tops/social-occasion/smitten-lace-top-by-kiyonna/15332c18018p153755/index.pro?Mcat=18018&Mcatn=Social+Occasion&Mcatp=cat_15332&Mcatpn=Tops&Mcatg=category_root

Is this cute or too much lace? 

[Deleted]

Apr 25, 2013 18:34:28 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

sonsi.lanebryant.com/plus-size-tops/social-occasion/smitten-lace-top-by-kiyonna/15332c18018p153755/index.pro?Mcat=18018&Mcatn=Social+Occasion&Mcatp=cat_15332&Mcatpn=Tops&Mcatg=category_root

Is this cute or too much lace? 

I like it but on my figure it wouldn't likely work in the midsection.

[Deleted]

JC Penney's.

[TrickyBob]

Apr 25, 2013 18:38:41 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Apr 25, 2013 18:34:28 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

sonsi.lanebryant.com/plus-size-tops/social-occasion/smitten-lace-top-by-kiyonna/15332c18018p153755/index.pro?Mcat=18018&Mcatn=Social+Occasion&Mcatp=cat_15332&Mcatpn=Tops&Mcatg=category_root

Is this cute or too much lace? 

I like it but on my figure it wouldn't likely work in the midsection.

That's what I'm scared of. It seems fairly tight on the models. 

sigh...I hate carrying my weight in my stomach. I don't like babydoll type tops because they make me look pregnant; when I get pregnant, I won't care - I'll proudly wear them. But while I'm not, I don't want to look it. 

At the same time, I have to keep in mind that I'm fat, no kind of clothing is going to hide that, so if I like something, as long as it isn't terrible - I should try it. 

[TrickyBob]

Ignore the bathroom, it's at my parent's house. I'm a little doughier now because this was a little while ago; I've gained weight. 

[Deleted]

Apr 25, 2013 18:42:08 GMT -5 TrickyBob said:

Apr 25, 2013 18:38:41 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

I like it but on my figure it wouldn't likely work in the midsection.

That's what I'm scared of. It seems fairly tight on the models. 

sigh...I hate carrying my weight in my stomach. I don't like babydoll type tops because they make me look pregnant; when I get pregnant, I won't care - I'll proudly wear them. But while I'm not, I don't want to look it. 

At the same time, I have to keep in mind that I'm fat, no kind of clothing is going to hide that, so if I like something, as long as it isn't terrible - I should try it. 

This is why I wear a lot of casual dresses in the summer.  A casual dress can be just as comfy as shorts and top but are much better at hiding the midsection.  In cool weather, I do lots of open cardigans and blazers.

F21 tops that I have are cut well to not be tight in the midsection.  You can see that this one is cut loose, but not sloppy.  www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=plus&Category=faith_tops&ProductID=2015059049&VariantID=

I plan to order this one
www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=plus&Category=faith_tops&ProductID=2017218313&VariantID=

Button downs are good, too.

[Anne Blythe]

Asos.

us.asos.com/Women-Curve-Inspire-Size/zvvih/?cid=9577&via=top&pgeSize=200

They carry up to size 22.

SimplyBe.

www.simplybe.com/

I love this:

www.simplybe.com/all-tops/peplum-top-bird-print-length-27in/invt/mb808el/

Most of SimplyBe's clothes come in two different lengths, as well, to help out the tall ladies. They have great dresses.

I second F21, but their plus sizes are weird and a 3X is a size 18, typically, so I don't know what a good idea that would be with online shopping.

[Deleted]

Apr 25, 2013 18:53:39 GMT -5 Anne Blythe said:

I second F21, but their plus sizes are weird and a 3X is a size 18, typically, so I don't know what a good idea that would be with online shopping.

Hmmm, I've never had this sizing problem.  I wear an 18 on top and 22 on bottom, and order 2x tops and dresses.  I only order A line dresses, though.

[snipsnsnails]

Replace the hodie with a cute denim jacket and a colorful v neck. Target would be good for both of these.

Also, I'd go to Lane Bryant and get one pair of jeans that fit super well. I prefer trouser style in a dark wash to look a little more put together, but a nice boot cut would work, too, with your body shape.

As far as dresses, I'd hit up JCP. I've hear good things about their revamp.

[Anne Blythe]

Apr 25, 2013 19:01:00 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Apr 25, 2013 18:53:39 GMT -5 Anne Blythe said:

I second F21, but their plus sizes are weird and a 3X is a size 18, typically, so I don't know what a good idea that would be with online shopping.

Hmmm, I've never had this sizing problem.  I wear an 18 on top and 22 on bottom, and order 2x tops and dresses.  I only order A line dresses, though.

I haven't actually purchased anything there, but their size chart equates a 3X to an 18, and the measurements look appropriate. If you were larger than a 20 on top, I don't think I'd risk it.