Hey curvy girls all over the world,
This year has been amazing for the plus size fashion industry. In 2017 we gained a heap of new plus size designers and brands that made clothes specifically with plus size bodies in mind. Its been awhile since we’ve seen growth like this. Man, do I wish we had this amount of plus size designers and retailers when I was a size 14 high school student back in the 90’s. I remember squeezing into certain brands because the stores that offered plus size clothing were for the mature woman. Not the young and fun girl I was at the time. With the new plus size clothing selections we can choose from today, I want to shine a light on 5 straight sized stores that now offer plus sizes.
Being size inclusive and body positive is the bandwagon a lot of designers and retailers are hopping on. As they should. It has been a long time coming for brands to realize that plus size women are here and have money to spend. In 2017, we saw straight sized brands like The Limited, White House Black Market, Joe Fresh, and New York & Company add a full plus size range to their brands.
I do think that some of these brands are adding plus sizes as an attempt to improve their brands bottom line. I also think some of these brands may just be hopping on the size inclusive bandwagon to improve their visibility. They’re also looking for some extra cool points. To be honest, the size inclusive movement is dominating right now. Retailers are trying to get a piece of the billion dollar plus size fashion pie.
Lets take a look back at these 5 straight size brands that added plus size clothing in 2017.
New York & Company
New York and Company is actually one of very few brands that offered sizes above a 14. They went up to a size 18 and XXL. In September of 2017, they launched a full plus size range via their Eva Mendez collection. Sizes range from 14-24 and 1X-3X. You’ll find loads of party dresses and sexy tops from Eva Mendes plus size collection. I actually partnered with them for the launch. Check it out HERE
Back in August of 2017, Joe Fresh announced they would be adding their first plus size range for fall. Joe Fresh Women’s plus sizes go up to a size 3X. Joe Fresh plus size line is filled with printed tops, modern dresses, and laid back bottoms. I did a video review on their collection HERE.
White House Black Market
Back in 2010, I heard rumors about White House Black Market adding a plus size line. In November of 2017, they did just that. WHBM reached out to select plus size influencers to announce their new plus size collection in a social media campaign. WHBM plus sizes hs a bevy of chic dresses and classic workwear pieces. WHBM starts their plus sizes at a 16W-24W. Check them out HERE
The Limited
The Limited launching a plus size range was actually quite surprising. You may remember that Eloquii was part of the Limited brand before they went independent. Also, the Limited has been a struggle brand for years. They once was a go to place for working professionals to find work to weekend looks but somehow they fell off. Over the past few years they’ve closed stores and also tried celebrity collaborations with Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington to help their business.
I’m not sure when they launched their plus sizes, but I found out at the beginning of this month when one of their Instagram ads came through my feed featuring a curvy model. I clicked on it and saw they added plus sizes. Unlike the other straight sized brands, they did not do a big launch or announcement. At least, I didn’t see a huge announcement. Nevertheless, they’ve officially entered the plus size realm offering sizes 14-24. You’ll find an assortment of separates that can take you from desk to dinner.
Quiz Clothing
To be honest, I’ve always felt like UK brands have the best on trend and fashion forward styles in plus sizes. With popular brands like ASOS, River Island, and Boohoo adding their Curve range in the past, I think other UK retailers are taking notice. The latest UK retailer to add a plus size range is Quiz clothing. In March of 2017, Quiz tapped plus size model Felicity Hayward for their launch of their plus size range. Quiz is offering up trendy styles in sizes 14-24. Checkout their Curve range HERE
Have you shopped any of these brands plus size ranges yet? What did you think?
