A few months ago, I griped about my issues with finding business friendly clothes for a plus-sized gal. Obviously things have not changed much (the exception being that Lane Bryant, the ONE place in town for a girls sized 14 & over to get work slacks is now OUT OF BUSINESS!). How a store like Lane Bryant goes out of business in a state that vies for #1 in the nation for obesity… well, it’s frankly beyond me.
This post has another focus though, and that is on Etsy designers who create lovely, customized pieces for ALL SIZED GALS! ♥ ♥ ♥
First up we have Bon Bon. I found her shop so long ago when I fell in love with this wool fishtail skirt. Frankly, I’m going to love any seller who doesn’t charge more for larger sizes, whose size “Small” has a 30″ waist, and who models their clothes themselves.
Ashe Mischief’s Bon Bon Favorites:
♥ Wool Jumper! Perfect for Midwestern winters, I love how it can be paired with so many lovely tops! Plus it comes it sexy leopard print.
♥ Wool Fishtail Skirt Hello, there are flowers with rhinestones below the derriere. If that doesn’t make Ashe Ass look awesome, I don’t think ANYTHING will.
♥ Grey Party Dress with Yo-yos! I wish wish wish this were available in my size! Only sizes XS and S are left, though the S has a 36″ bust and a 30″ waist (VERY Apple AND Pear friendly!).
We also have the glorious Miss Brache who custom fits clothes from size 0-24. With a motto of, “the main reason I make clothes is because I want you to feel beautiful in what you wear no matter what size,” how can you not want to support this woman? From dresses to swimwear or seaweed cotton blouses, her pieces are bold and beautiful…
The “Yes, Please, I’d like them in my wardrobe!” pieces:
♥ Sweet Coquette Maillot (striped swimsuit)
♥ Mod Jumper Dress
♥ Organic Seaweed Classic Dress Shirt
♥ Ahoy! Vest
Honorable Mentions:
♥ Vigilante Labs, who create the most beautiful anemone skirts!
♥ Maisy Brown Repro Retro, and I’m insane for her Magenta Scoop Bust Pinafore Jumper Wiggle Dress! (Can you say that 5 times fast? Yikes!) This dress is HOT HOT HOT. The color is magnificent, and the cut looks flattering and comfortable. I’d be halfway tempted to see if she has enough fabric to make another to my own measurements.
♥ Desirapesta one of my favorite sellers of all time. Her profile lists her as specializing in couture and being able to make it in almost any size.
♥ Lisa Rietz (who I’ve posted about before) will make clothes outside of her size guidelines for anyone who inquires!
Does anyone else know of any great independent designers (on Etsy or not) who cater to plus sized gals? Or offer custom sizing? If their designs double as work wear, you win an internet cookie!
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
That striped swimsuit, is hot. I love it.
Also I adore the Jumper dress. FASHIONABLY AWESOME.
I didn’t know that Lane Bryant went bankrupt, that is surprising.
Etsy is fabulous why would I ever go out to stores and shop ever again. Oh yeah I hate waiting for the mail, I am an impulsive, instantly in my hand clothes satisfaction kind of girl.
LOVE the swimsuit. I want it… never mind there is SNOW outside…
I have both the jumper dress from Miss Brache and a high-waisted skirt from Maisy Brown and they’re both really well made and awesome. Great customer service too.
Thanks for all the links. The others look cute too. Oh, it weakens my resolve to not spend.
Ok Ash! you found some awesome stuff but I still need a halter tankini or two, size gorgeous of course and I am coming up short. I love the Sweet Coquette Maillot (striped swimsuit) but tummy and stripes is a no go for me. HELP! I leave for the BVI on 2/6!
Fantastic!
a kiss :)
I’ve learned the benefits of tailoring. I buy to fit my hips and take in where needed as my waist is smaller. I go to eBay a lot for this. You can find amazing deals for discount plus size clothing there.
@Samantha Darko – Did you check out the other Miss Brache pieces, hon? There are some that are one piece (not tankini’s), but that have halter straps and are a 1950s style…. or maybe try My Baby Jo!
@alixrose – I’m not sure if the company went bankrupt, but I think it was a matter of the company closing stores… nonetheless, not cool when the nearest one is almost an hour away!
@jennine – Don’t worry, I’m thinking about swimwear too, and we’ve got tons of snow and ice storms right now!
@Brigitte – Brigitte, I definitely agree that tailoring is the way to go! But sometimes it’s hard finding those initial pieces even to be tailored… and even better is custom made, wouldn’t you agree?
these are all excellent picks! and that bonbon flower skirt would go so perfect with my coffee rides /cute blog♥found you via the coveted :)
xo.meli
Fab finds! And in fact tailored pieces like these look so much better on a more shapely figure
xsx
I just love the Ahoy! vest. Great shape.
@The Style PA – The Ahoy! Vest has been on my wants list for so long… one day I’m actually going to pick up the darned thing!
@Sarah Edwina Rose – The tailoring & customizing of so many of these pieces would go great on so many bodies! I love the versatility of them all.
@meligrosa – It would be perfect for coffee rides! I love the idea of it being worn bike riding…
kudos to them for making the clothes & kudos to you for sharing the info! =)
Oh my god! This is amazing! Thank you SO much for posting this! I used to work for Lane Bryant, I knew they were having some financial difficulties, but I had no idea they were closing stores. Hmm. Have you looked at Torrid? I find their online shopping pretty reliable.
Don’t forget about me~ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5180174 I make clothing you won’t find ANYWHERE else– including plus sizes! I used to look at your eBay listings– think i even bought from you there years back.