What’s happening to plus size fashion?

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I don’t know what’s happening to plus size fashion lately. As a short plus size woman, I don’t think I need to be wearing loud prints or have endless ruching everywhere. To be honest ruching around my middle makes me look bigger.

What’s with the cold shoulder?

I don’t know who loves cold shoulder tops but I sure don’t. There’s nothing like trying to put on your top and slipping your arms through the wrong cutout. I also don’t find the appeal of why half the shoulder cutouts don’t fit people correctly.

I’ve even seen blouses what have the entire sleeve split to the cuff so your arm is exposed. It was an odd blouse and I don’t know who or even why it made it into production.

It’s like many of the buyers want to keep plus size clothing trendy and figure if we are forced to buy clothing we’ll just live with what is out there.

I’d rather buy clothing I can wear for a few seasons and not buy the trendy outfits of the year.

Clothing quality has gone downhill

I know clothing isn’t as durable as it used to be but some stuff I’ve seen while out shopping is downright see-through. I understand some of it is a clothing style/ trend but others are just cheaply woven. I don’t think I want to buy a T-shirt that will require me to wear another shirt under it just to leave the house. Some tops are so thin I wonder if they will survive their first wash.

I purchased a sweater last year and was very disappointed with Torrid. Their quality used to be so much better. Yes, we can probably place the blame on the post-pandemic bounceback and the lack of materials. But I felt that spending nearly $60 on a sweater that faded and pilled in a gentle wash was too much.

I’ve noticed a lot of plus size clothing (blouses and dresses) are now polyester. I’ve tried a few on that are just too hot for me. I’m someone who overheats quickly and if the item is a higher percentage polyester it’s too hot for me.

With that being said the material matters. Polyesters tend to run a bit smaller but it may depend on the style or cut of the item.

I used to love Torrid

I used to love Torrid. They had some great items. I still purchase stuff once or twice a year. mainly intimate apparel or use my birthday rewards for something. But as of late, I haven’t shopped there much. They have become overpriced and the quality just isn’t what it used to be. Also, my store is so crowded with display racks it’s hard to walk around in there without knocking into something.

I also don’t get why they are sticking to three themes, Disney, Skulls/spooky, and Femme stuff. I love Disney but I don’t see why I would justify paying $35 for a Winnie-the-Pooh shirt that’s thin. I also don’t mind skulls on stuff but I don’t think I need pants with skulls on them. I like feminine wear but sometimes their dresses are too long for me or the cut/ style doesn’t suit me.

Other stores aren’t much better

I’ve shopped at other plus size clothing stores such as Lane Byrant. But I have a similar issue many of their outfits are too long or they don’t suit me. I do purchase shirts from Lane once in a while but again like with Torrid I usually cash in my birthday rewards on a clearance item.

My local Macy’s has an okay plus size department but the last time I visited the store they had 4 racks and the rest of the area was full of extra coats.

I will say the brand I did like (even if they are a bit pricey) is City Chic. They had some great items that were well made.

Is color the answer?

I was at my local JC Penney last week and came across some clothing that was too bold for me. I guess we are back to bright colors and reverse image prints.

I guess we are back to bold floral or foliage designs. I understand the color contrast of bright and bold is supposed to be appealing but this is too busy for me.

I also noticed that most of the tops are cut square. They are shapeless. So it may make you look larger depending now where you carry your weight. This was a satin/polyester style material. I didn’t touch it but from the looks of that’s the impression I had.

If you’re not into bold colors check out this black and white dress. I don’t think it’s any better.

This dress was so shapeless. The pattern wasn’t very appealing to me it reminded me of a curtain or a comforter design.

Will it get better?

I don’t know if plus size clothing will get better but I hope so. I’d like to dress nicely when I have to attend an event. I also don’t want to look like a curtain, or sofa or like I’m trying to blend in with the background decor.

I hope some brands come to their sense and start making more of an effort to dress us well without having us look like a crazy pattern quilt.

So you’ll have to excuse me if I run around in jears and band shirts for a while.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.