Where to buy business professional for plus size ladies?
May 16, 2019 4:29 PM Subscribe
I'm mtf transitioning, and in the market for women's Business professional. My dress size is usually 18. Where do I actually shop?
In Houston, Texas
Currently, it's just for interviews. But I may also need a couple of outfits for conferences and presentations. What stores should I be searching?
Anything else I need to know?
Thank you.
Currently, it's just for interviews. But I may also need a couple of outfits for conferences and presentations. What stores should I be searching?
Anything else I need to know?
Thank you.
Are you looking for suits, or coordinated ensembles, or dresses? What is your general body shape?
I am following this, always interested in ideas, but a bit more guidance about the formality of your workplace will help focus answers efficiently.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 4:46 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
I am following this, always interested in ideas, but a bit more guidance about the formality of your workplace will help focus answers efficiently.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 4:46 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Lane Bryant & Dress Barn are a good bet for a wide range of professional clothes. CJ Banks/Christopher & Banks skews a little older, but has good basics for good prices. Talbots has very nice things but is kind of expensive IMHO. However their sale rack is definitely worth checking out. And on the other end, Old Navy has a surprising amount of things that will transition into most offices - especially cardigans.
And If you're ok buying online, I HIGHLY recommend eshakti, which will tailor clothes to your dimensions for a small fee.
posted by Caravantea at 4:49 PM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
And If you're ok buying online, I HIGHLY recommend eshakti, which will tailor clothes to your dimensions for a small fee.
posted by Caravantea at 4:49 PM on May 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
And my suggestion is Chico's for classic-yet-interesting pieces that are workplace friendly but not too stuffy.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 4:50 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 4:50 PM on May 16, 2019
Macy's will probably have a lot of choices in their Macy's Woman department. (Caveat: in my city, there are big differences between "nice" Macy's and "drab/dull" Macy's, related to the relative wealth/fanciness of the area where they're located. Look for a nice Macy's.) Bonus: they tend to be very lightly staffed, and you will most likely be able to shop without anyone attempting to assist you, if that's something you'd prefer to avoid.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:07 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:07 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Also I want to suggest StitchFix. They have plus sizes and you can specify that you're looking for business clothing, and have the convenience/privacy of trying stuff on at home. (If you have any friends who use it, they'll be able to give you a referral code to save you both some money.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:18 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:18 PM on May 16, 2019
Depends on your price range and your personal taste! I'm going to list some options for you according to the price of a basic blazer at each store, since it provides a fairly good comparison across brands.
($295) MM Lafleur - very classic/upscale vibe, spendy.
($219 but currently on sale for $131) Talbots - fairly feminine and conservative
($198 but currently on sale for $128) Banana Republic - generally has a pretty good array of suiting in various professional colors, fabrics, and seasonal weights, and offers in-store hemming. Goes up to size 20.
($190) Universal Standard - youthful without being too trendy. Many of their workwear basics have something called "Fit Liberty," where they'll replace the item of clothing for you with a new size within a year if your size changes.
($169) Ann Taylor - classic/preppy, 18 is the top of the size range.
($165) Land's End Business - often machine washable and fairly durable; range of formality from "schoolteacher" to "law office".
($90) Lane Bryant - painfully trend-driven, but they do maintain a small stock of basic workwear.
($59) Eloquii - more "fashion-y" / trendy. Quality (ie, fabric choice & lack of linings) can sometimes be a bit on the cheap side.
($53 but currently on sale for $37) Dress Barn - feminine, lots of prints, a little less formal in general.
($35) Target / Ava & Viv - generally there is some plus-sized workwear in the Ava & Viv section, usually washable basics.
I'd also like to put in a vote for the Universal Standard Meg Blazer -- it's got great pockets!
posted by ourobouros at 5:28 PM on May 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
($295) MM Lafleur - very classic/upscale vibe, spendy.
($219 but currently on sale for $131) Talbots - fairly feminine and conservative
($198 but currently on sale for $128) Banana Republic - generally has a pretty good array of suiting in various professional colors, fabrics, and seasonal weights, and offers in-store hemming. Goes up to size 20.
($190) Universal Standard - youthful without being too trendy. Many of their workwear basics have something called "Fit Liberty," where they'll replace the item of clothing for you with a new size within a year if your size changes.
($169) Ann Taylor - classic/preppy, 18 is the top of the size range.
($165) Land's End Business - often machine washable and fairly durable; range of formality from "schoolteacher" to "law office".
($90) Lane Bryant - painfully trend-driven, but they do maintain a small stock of basic workwear.
($59) Eloquii - more "fashion-y" / trendy. Quality (ie, fabric choice & lack of linings) can sometimes be a bit on the cheap side.
($53 but currently on sale for $37) Dress Barn - feminine, lots of prints, a little less formal in general.
($35) Target / Ava & Viv - generally there is some plus-sized workwear in the Ava & Viv section, usually washable basics.
I'd also like to put in a vote for the Universal Standard Meg Blazer -- it's got great pockets!
posted by ourobouros at 5:28 PM on May 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
Talbots, Boden, and Lands' End are my go tos. I also have a lot of luck with Trunk Club from Nordstrom. If you can let us know a little more I can give you more detailed recommendations for pieces.
posted by notjustthefish at 5:32 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by notjustthefish at 5:32 PM on May 16, 2019
Not sure what your style is, but Wildfang has a lot of awesome pieces, including suiting, and carries up to a size 20. Bonus: it's women-owned!
posted by easy, lucky, free at 5:34 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by easy, lucky, free at 5:34 PM on May 16, 2019
Talbots should have its end-of-season sale starting around the 20th, with really good discounts. They'll also price match within 14 days if you need something sooner (although you have to go back to the store to get it). Look for a store that has a separate women's section; not all do. Their regular/misses sizes go up to 18, although selection is usually pretty sparse for 14+.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:43 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:43 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
MM LaFleur is fantastic for one or two staple pieces - the quality is top-notch and the style is so versatile. It's one of those "you get what you pay for" brands in that it is quite expensive but the pieces will last a long time and stay flattering even with changing fashion trends.
posted by joan_holloway at 7:57 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by joan_holloway at 7:57 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
It will definitely be helpful if you can give us a sense of your body shape, budget, and general style (eg, are you more traditional, trendy, like colors, etc?)
If you have a Macy's near you, shop Macy's online and return to the store--the plus size offerings in the stores, in my experience, are painfully limited and hit-or-miss.
If you have a Kohl's near you I've found it a good place for things like shells to wear under a blazer and for trousers.
If you are broad-shouldered (as I am), I found the Jones New York brand had more generously cut blazers and shirts in the shoulders/arms.
posted by TwoStride at 8:12 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you have a Macy's near you, shop Macy's online and return to the store--the plus size offerings in the stores, in my experience, are painfully limited and hit-or-miss.
If you have a Kohl's near you I've found it a good place for things like shells to wear under a blazer and for trousers.
If you are broad-shouldered (as I am), I found the Jones New York brand had more generously cut blazers and shirts in the shoulders/arms.
posted by TwoStride at 8:12 PM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
I have had very good luck working with a personal stylist at Nordstrom. It’s free, you tell them what you’re looking for, they pull things from the racks - including some things I never would otherwise have tried but are fabulous, and you only pay for what you buy. When you make the appointment you can make clear that you expect the stylist to be familiar with clothes that flatter mtf. No matter where you go, good luck in your job search!
posted by slmorri at 8:16 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by slmorri at 8:16 PM on May 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Go with knit fabrics, they stretch, woven fabric dresses are a source of dysphoria hell.
I’m a trans woman, I wear dresses that are knit fabric “fit and flare” dresses.
posted by nikaspark at 9:37 PM on May 16, 2019
I’m a trans woman, I wear dresses that are knit fabric “fit and flare” dresses.
posted by nikaspark at 9:37 PM on May 16, 2019
If you wanna go more suit and pants you have options, look up “tomboy femme” on google for ideas.
posted by nikaspark at 9:42 PM on May 16, 2019
posted by nikaspark at 9:42 PM on May 16, 2019
JC Penney is pretty affordable, here's their plus size career clothing.
They also have a YT channel (warning, autoplay video), with fashion tips, some from vloggers, some from their own stylists. If you get on their email list, you'll get updates on sales and stuff. I like their Liz Claiborne clothing, as well as Alfred Dunner (AD has lots of old lady capris and stuff, but some suit jackets and skirts, and I've found some cute tops that I like), tho' I try to get it on sale whenever possible, it's not too-too pricey to begin with and seems to hold up well over time.
They also have a line of career dresses, which you could pair with a neutral blazer. Here's one that comes with a 3/4 length sleeve jacket, comes in different color combinations, and other suggestions below.
I've found that no matter what size my body is, I have to allow at least 2 hours to try stuff on, different manufacturers size things differently, and I have to find a cut that looks good, feels comfortable, and doesn't break the bank. Their employees are generally helpful, but not intrusive, and I sometimes have to ask where to find stuff, because their store layout can be confusing to me.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:58 AM on May 17, 2019
They also have a YT channel (warning, autoplay video), with fashion tips, some from vloggers, some from their own stylists. If you get on their email list, you'll get updates on sales and stuff. I like their Liz Claiborne clothing, as well as Alfred Dunner (AD has lots of old lady capris and stuff, but some suit jackets and skirts, and I've found some cute tops that I like), tho' I try to get it on sale whenever possible, it's not too-too pricey to begin with and seems to hold up well over time.
They also have a line of career dresses, which you could pair with a neutral blazer. Here's one that comes with a 3/4 length sleeve jacket, comes in different color combinations, and other suggestions below.
I've found that no matter what size my body is, I have to allow at least 2 hours to try stuff on, different manufacturers size things differently, and I have to find a cut that looks good, feels comfortable, and doesn't break the bank. Their employees are generally helpful, but not intrusive, and I sometimes have to ask where to find stuff, because their store layout can be confusing to me.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:58 AM on May 17, 2019
Torrid is my favorite. They have a great selection of work appropriate clothes, always have great sales, and everything is on trend and super cute.
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 7:43 AM on May 17, 2019
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 7:43 AM on May 17, 2019
Seconding Universal Standard. Some really interesting pieces for larger sizes, and lots of classic basics. Nice quality. Their fit liberty program might be helpful to you if hormones or surgery during your transition have you end up at a different size. Free returns, order it all and try it on. Also as a short person, I've found many of their styles more suited to taller bodies, and that could work in your favor.
posted by donnagirl at 2:50 PM on May 17, 2019
posted by donnagirl at 2:50 PM on May 17, 2019
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