Will voluptuous (aka 'plus size') women come here please? lol

[Kaitlyn]

May I ask where you shop for professional attire?

I have a professional business attire interview Thursday and I did some shopping today for a suit jacket and shoes and shopped for TWO hours and only got a suit jacket and ended up paying 60 dollars for it because nothing else fit right. I'm just big all over, I'm especially top heavy and it seems the jacket fits until there and then just flows off, looking very sloppy. The one I got isn't too bad but I'm frustrated and I'm going to need more professional clothes..


Soooo where do you shop?

PS Sorry for being the thread queen lately.

[WashingtonBay]

Unfortunately it's been a lot of years since I had to buy "professional attire".

Have a Laine Bryant, I think the name is?

[Kaitlyn]

Lol yeah WB it's Lane Bryant :) , tried there today. Nothing fit very well. Very discouraging.

[sugarsgirl]

I don't have to shop for professional attire yet, (I'm only 17 lol) but I do know that Reitmans and Penningtons have stuff like that.

[pandorasmom]

Have you thought about Woman's Within or Just My Size?

Actually not sure if there are stores for that besides a big warehouse or something though.

[All4Grace]

Dress Barn carries alot of professional attaire for the curvy woman. :-D

[palomino]

Fashion Bug? Torrid?

[AUEquine]

I've actually gotten most of my suits at department stores. Usually Richs/Macy's or Parisians (not sure what it is now). They usually tend to carry the large sizes and the good quality brands. The key with suits is to find the right cut/style for you're body type. In addition a good fabric and pattern. I learned really quick I was gonna have to shell out for something that looked nice and fit well. But it's a purchase that will last you a long time!

[mandisue]

You can also buy larger stuff that does fit that may be just a bit big, take it to a tailor and have it fitted. I'm top heavy as well and that can do wonders on a shirt.

[rums_mom]

Hope this isn't too late........

I have found some great things at Kohls, JC Penney's and Target. Yes, Target! specifically the Isaac Mizrahi line. I ordered a couple of dresses for professional wear and love them. They are remarkably well made. I also have gotten some blazers in the past. Ross too! You can get some great deals if you hit them on a day before they are picked over. You kind of have to know what you are looking for and have to weed through some junk. I like the Sag Harbor brand, usually sold at the better dept. stores.

I have gotten some great deals at Cato, their clothes aren't as well made so won't last as long. I usually recommend getting quality over quantity, it will save you in the long run. But you can mix some of the less expensive brands with the better ones to build a wardrobe. Once I find a brand that I like and fits me well, I tend to gravitate towards that brand.

You can go to Target.com and see what they have and then find it in the stores if you need it right away. It is hard to judge sizes online, I find the Isaac Misrahi shirts run small. I have a hard time finding the skirts to fit, some run small some run big so you really have to try them on.

Also, consignment shops are great places to get quality items on a tight budget.

Here is a tip from me: Buy classic styles that will last you for years, buy at the end of the season when everything is marked down, shop the clearance racks. Build on things from year to year, changing a shirt in the color of the season.

[TLC97]

JCPenny and Sears have good things...... Kohl's, Target and T.J. Maxx.

[Lakota's Pet]

Sears, JCPenney, and one of my favs around here is Avenue.

[shewasmyshadow]

I'm not oversized, but I am undersized, so I have one suggestion. My mother-in-law is a seamstress. I used to work at Fleet Farm where they issued standard work shirts. Those shirts looked HUGE on me. So, she would take them apart and cut them down, then re-sew them to fit me. If you have a grandma or anyone who knows how to sew they can help you out. You may have to shop a size or two above to get things to fit your upper body, then have things cut/altered to be your size all-around. I would suggest experimenting with some thrift store suits and see if your sewing person could do it. Even if you had to hire someone. Tailors aren't as expensive as you might think. You'd be surprised.

Just an idea. :D

[lovesfortune]

I was going to suggest Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, or Dress Barn.

[Horseless]

Horseless Loves Curvy women. :innocent: ;)

[lisakaye]

I have had the best luck with Target, Kohl's and Sears. my problem is that my top is much bigger than my bottom so I have to buy seperate pieces. Lane Braynt is good also.