A size-18 snipe hunt?
September 19, 2011 4:33 PM Subscribe
Who sells misses' size 18 dresses?
Trying to find a special occasion (not too fancy/pricey) dress after going up a few sizes and have discovered that many lines go to 14 and even 16, but not so many to 18. Women's plus-size doesn't fit right - 14W sort of fits but the proportions are wrong. Target and The Gap (but not Banana Republic) sell misses' size 18, but who else? I don't have time to order online, I'm trying for brick-and-mortar. Today was spent calling and going into shops and I am about ready to just bag the whole event. Recommendations for anything requiring alteration or self-sewing will be laughed at, as I have no talent and there is NO TIME. And don't even think of suggesting I go thrifting.
Trying to find a special occasion (not too fancy/pricey) dress after going up a few sizes and have discovered that many lines go to 14 and even 16, but not so many to 18. Women's plus-size doesn't fit right - 14W sort of fits but the proportions are wrong. Target and The Gap (but not Banana Republic) sell misses' size 18, but who else? I don't have time to order online, I'm trying for brick-and-mortar. Today was spent calling and going into shops and I am about ready to just bag the whole event. Recommendations for anything requiring alteration or self-sewing will be laughed at, as I have no talent and there is NO TIME. And don't even think of suggesting I go thrifting.
Talbots
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 4:39 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 4:39 PM on September 19, 2011
Talbots and Dress Barn. Coldwater Creek could be accessorized.
posted by jgirl at 4:41 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by jgirl at 4:41 PM on September 19, 2011
Loft
posted by brainmouse at 4:42 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by brainmouse at 4:42 PM on September 19, 2011
Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx, Marshalls.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:46 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:46 PM on September 19, 2011
I have never seen above a 14 in Ann Taylor LOFT stores, brainmouse. Although perhaps it's regional or something.
I'm another vote for Macy's or another department store, just the sheer variety of brands and cuts means your chances of finding something go up a lot.
posted by crabintheocean at 5:10 PM on September 19, 2011
I'm another vote for Macy's or another department store, just the sheer variety of brands and cuts means your chances of finding something go up a lot.
posted by crabintheocean at 5:10 PM on September 19, 2011
Dress barn tends to carry semi-formal wear all year, not just in the winter for holiday dresses. In the stores around here, wander all the way to the back, and in our stores, the higher sizes are on one side and the regular sizes are on the other. At an 18 you'll probably be able to wander between the two. You may have to dig a bit to find your style though.
I have had good success with Nordstroms, and more affordable, Nordstroms Rack. Two of the current formal dresses I have are from Rack.
Don't discount Lane Bryant either. I think their smallest is a 14, but I've almost always had to try on every single thing I buy there, the fit varies significantly.
Good luck!
posted by librarianamy at 5:30 PM on September 19, 2011
I have had good success with Nordstroms, and more affordable, Nordstroms Rack. Two of the current formal dresses I have are from Rack.
Don't discount Lane Bryant either. I think their smallest is a 14, but I've almost always had to try on every single thing I buy there, the fit varies significantly.
Good luck!
posted by librarianamy at 5:30 PM on September 19, 2011
Catherine's/Lane Bryant and Nordstrom's/Macy's. I've spent much of my adult life in the no-woman's land between normal and plus sizes, and just about everything nice I have came from one of them. Wore a Nordstrom Rack dress to the nicest party I've been to in my life.
posted by SMPA at 5:33 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by SMPA at 5:33 PM on September 19, 2011
Lane Bryant
posted by Juicy Avenger at 5:33 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by Juicy Avenger at 5:33 PM on September 19, 2011
Ok, that dress is an "online exclusive," but their brick and mortar shops are worth calling or stopping by, too.
posted by small_ruminant at 5:42 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by small_ruminant at 5:42 PM on September 19, 2011
Oh, and Torrid, because it's closing in on Halloween and they sometimes have nice stuff.
posted by SMPA at 6:34 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by SMPA at 6:34 PM on September 19, 2011
Many J. Crew 'special occasion' dresses -- those sold as potential bridesmaid wear, anyway, which are mostly quite nice and non-bridesmaidy -- now go up to 20. Not American so not sure what the selection is like in the shops, though.
posted by kmennie at 6:55 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by kmennie at 6:55 PM on September 19, 2011
Seconding Dress Barn, definitely. Some of their stuff is matronly, but a surprising number of the better dresses I've had recently are from there. Lots of stuff suitable for any season, AND they also have a lot of accessories and shrugs/wraps/whatever that can work with existing dresses.
Another second for Coldwater Creek, too.
ALSO, if you are willing to let me know who you are, I'll send you a bunch of 'em myself :)
posted by Madamina at 7:12 PM on September 19, 2011
Another second for Coldwater Creek, too.
ALSO, if you are willing to let me know who you are, I'll send you a bunch of 'em myself :)
posted by Madamina at 7:12 PM on September 19, 2011
TJ Maxx is definitely worth a look, though stock varies wildly from week to week. Make sure you look around for stuff not on the dress racks; they often stock their nicest dresses in separate displays near an aisle. And I know you've tried Target already, but some of their very basic dresses can be made quite fancy with the addition of a wrap/cardigan/other accessories from the Maxx.
posted by ourobouros at 8:13 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by ourobouros at 8:13 PM on September 19, 2011
Try to find the largest Macy's around your area. They should have the best selection of the higher sizes including selections from INC and Amalfi. If you can find a good Macy Woman's section, look for OX sizes--that might fit you a bit better.
And I second the Talbot's stores--is there time to order online? This one might work.
posted by calgirl at 8:20 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
And I second the Talbot's stores--is there time to order online? This one might work.
posted by calgirl at 8:20 PM on September 19, 2011 [2 favorites]
JC Penney and Kohls frequently have stuff in a size 16 or 18.
posted by cabingirl at 8:45 PM on September 19, 2011
posted by cabingirl at 8:45 PM on September 19, 2011
Some Forever XXI stores carry a plus line. Their website makes it hard to figure out. I actually called a few stores until someone knowledgeable was able to tell me of which stores in the LA area carried it.
Since their stuff is cheapy-cheap, sometimes the sizes run funny but they're definitely plus. You might be 1X or 2X, you never know.
I also really like trolling Torrid online. I've found their sizes beautifully consistent. I can buy dresses there without trying them on. I know that's not for the event you have coming up, but something to keep in mind. The Torrid near me always carries cocktail dresses, but I don't always love them...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:36 PM on September 19, 2011
Since their stuff is cheapy-cheap, sometimes the sizes run funny but they're definitely plus. You might be 1X or 2X, you never know.
I also really like trolling Torrid online. I've found their sizes beautifully consistent. I can buy dresses there without trying them on. I know that's not for the event you have coming up, but something to keep in mind. The Torrid near me always carries cocktail dresses, but I don't always love them...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:36 PM on September 19, 2011
Mod note: From the OP:
Thanks all - I think my in-between size combined with the season (it doesn't seem to be a good time for dresses, right now) is making this more challenging than it normally would be. Places I've tried so far: Kohl's, Penney's, Talbots, 2 Targets, Belk plus and misses, Dillard's plus and misses, The Limited. Most either don't carry this size, or they just have slim pickings for dresses right now. Lane Bryant has never served me well, but if time permits, I'll try it along with the four other places I have time to check today.posted by mathowie (staff) at 5:40 AM on September 20, 2011
Someday those geniuses with 3-D printers can just print me out the perfect 3/4 sleeve black jersey above-the-knee dress with a knot front and a flared skirt in any size I happen to be. I know it.
May be too late to this post, but here's my 2 cents.
This one from Tahari seems to be similar to what you're looking for. I've only found it at Zappos, though they do provide overnight shipping so it may get to you in time.
What is it about the Lane Bryant dresses that doesn't work? Too boxy? If you have time you can do same-day tailoring to cinch a waist, drop a hem, etc. This one is cute.
NY&Co carries size 18, but availability in store is hit or miss.
Macy's also has a pretty good selection.
posted by melissasaurus at 5:58 AM on September 20, 2011
This one from Tahari seems to be similar to what you're looking for. I've only found it at Zappos, though they do provide overnight shipping so it may get to you in time.
What is it about the Lane Bryant dresses that doesn't work? Too boxy? If you have time you can do same-day tailoring to cinch a waist, drop a hem, etc. This one is cute.
NY&Co carries size 18, but availability in store is hit or miss.
Macy's also has a pretty good selection.
posted by melissasaurus at 5:58 AM on September 20, 2011
You are my size! It's obnoxious, right? I've had good luck at Macy's. Lane Bryant has never served me well, since like you say, the plus size clothes don't fit us right.
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 6:03 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 6:03 AM on September 20, 2011
You probably know this but I'll throw it out there since I had no idea until someone told me: in the Macy's near me, the plus sizes are all in the "Woman" (I think that's what it's called) section in the basement. So if you don't see anything over a 14 in the dress section, ask where the plus size section is.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:12 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:12 AM on September 20, 2011
Ask the person working in the fancy dress section at the Macy's or whatever upscale department store is near you. They may be hiding the size-18s in another area. Also, some size-16s in the fancy dress section may run large, and the worker may know the differences in the lines and be able to point you to a dress that will fit well. Good luck!
Also, if you have a SteinMart near you, check them out. They always carry fancy dresses, and some of them go up to an 18.
posted by zoetrope at 7:38 AM on September 20, 2011
Also, if you have a SteinMart near you, check them out. They always carry fancy dresses, and some of them go up to an 18.
posted by zoetrope at 7:38 AM on September 20, 2011
Oh no! I am wearing the exact dress you describe right this second! I bought it in the UK at a department store from a brand called Wyeth. It's an L and I'm a US 12 who is also seven months pregnant (this dress is not maternity) and wears a GG cup bra. I would offer to send it to you to see if it might work, but I only have about two things that fit me right now. Maybe it's some kind of a lead though? When I search Wyeth I see some suggestion that they might be a global brand.
posted by crabintheocean at 11:39 AM on September 20, 2011
posted by crabintheocean at 11:39 AM on September 20, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tristeza at 4:37 PM on September 19, 2011 [3 favorites]