Hi, so I moved here to the Bay Area (Santa Clara to be precise) quite some years ago, and I’ve been avoiding buying new clothes since then, since:
a. I hate to shop
b. You guys don’t have the same shops as back home! (Australia)
c. I’ve had jobs that require me to wear a uniform, and for non-work clothes, I brought plenty with me.
Sadly, c. is starting to not be true - my favourite clothes are dying, and it’s time to replace them. It’s also possible that there may be a job interview coming up for me soon, and, while I’ve been fairly OK with business casual up until now (slacks, nice top, cardigan if cold), this interview would put me squarely back in managerial territory, and in, I think, a suit.
Not a boring suit. I hate those. I’m thinking a quirky, edgy suit, or at least a great jacket. I think I’ve been watching too much Project Runway. But I’ve come to the conclusion that what I want to wear is out there somewhere.
But where? What shops should I try to start with? I am slightly pudgy, so plus sizes are required. I want something that is good quality, fits well, and doesn’t bore me.
How pudgy is pudgy? I’ve been tearing it up at White House Black Market recently for professional stuff - age appropriate but interesting. They don’t have plus sizes though.
There’s “quirky” and then there’s “quirky for a suit.” Macy’s is fine for the latter. Elie Tahari, a designer carried by both Macy’s & Nordstrom tends to be more fashion forward with his women’s suits, and makes sizes up to US 16. Cost ya, though.
(note: do not be confused by “Tahari by ASL” they are not the same thing)
Thing is, department store suits seem to NEVER come as separates, and I don’t know anybody who’s the same size bottom to top! It’s okay if you’re heavier on top because the skirt can be altered down, but most people go the other way. Very frustrating.
Not sure about my current size - combination of moving continents and not shopping for so long… but last time I tried, I could usually wear 14-16 top and 18 bottom.
I’ll check out WHBM, thanks for the tip. I think I know where the store is and everything!
Lane Bryant (I’m loving that ponte knit military jacket at the bottom of the page).
Talbot’s Woman (more classic, but some of their jackets do have an edge).
I second the idea of Tahari, and don’t even bother with the suit department. You will only find yourself falling in love with a suit and spending a fortune to buy it in two sizes :o. Macy’s does offer plenty of suit separates in Jones NY, Lauren Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, although they are not necessarily edgy.
I think H&M carries some larger sizes as well, at least up to 16 (maybe higher, I’m not sure). The store is an absolute nightmare (WHY arrange your clothing by color WHY) but since they knock off all the best designers, I’ve found nice things for cheap there. AND their suits are always sold as separates.
Most of their stores are in Europe so the size labels are all strange and incomprehensible, but once you figure out your “H&M size” you’re good to go.
Their regular lines do run to 16, though I think it varies some by store as to what’s available. Also, H&M has a plus sized line. At any rate, she’s looking for, among other things, a fun blazer around size 14-16, so it might work out. Just tossing out some cheaper options.
In my experience, the sizing at H&M is all over the place. I’m usually a size 12 up top, and I had to pass up buying one beautiful blouse that I just loved (oh the pain) because even the size 8 was too big on me and they didn’t have a smaller size. And then I have two other H&M tops that are one size smaller and one size larger than I usually wear, and they both fit fine.
It wouldn’t hurt to walk in once and try a bunch of stuff on, especially since their prices are pretty cheap.
They have a rotating capsule collection in the Impulse department, which features a different designer every two months. Now it’s Karl Lagerfeld, in October it will be Giambattista Valli. Kinder Aggugini did the last collection.