You’re 14 years old. You have a small window of freedom when your mom says she’ll drop you and your friends off at the mall. There isn’t much of an internet- and certainly no smart phones. You agree to meet her back at the parking lot by the movie theatre at 3pm. You are free to laugh, and try on clothes, and spend the $50 you’ve been saving for months on the latest trend that will go stale in the next two weeks. That is, until nothing fits right, and you are too embarrassed to try much on in front of your thin friends who fit into everything perfectly. You relegate yourself to the accessories section and try on rings that will turn your fingers green, find a loud handbag that will only hold a tampon and a lip gloss. You fawn over the floral dress your bff is wearing, and wish you could look just like her.
Imagine being 14 now. You have fierce, plus size influencers to follow on Instagram. Your mom drops you off and tells you to text her when you’re ready to be picked up. You have $50 saved, and you already know what piece you want to buy because you scoped it out online ahead of time. You walk into a plus size store, and your thin friend says, “hey that’s cute, I wish it came in my size.” You all go into a big department store and try on cute outfits together. It’s not like kids today have it all figured out, we still haven’t eradicated rampant fatphobia, bullying and personal insecurities. There are still tons of stores we’re waiting on to get their acts together and offer extended sizing. But, there are more options than ever so you and your bff can finally shop on the same sales floor.
Modcloth
Modcloth has been around for a while as an online retailer, and has been size inclusive since day 1. They’ve dabbled with pop up shops in the past, but now they’ve recently launched a collection for Nordstrom, so you and your bestie can finally try on the clothes IRL.
Madewell
Ok, so this one is online only to start, but the brand has stated that they have every intention to start stocking plus size best sellers in stores soon. I’ve heard great things about their denim, and will review some eventually! In the meantime, vote with your dollar and make sure you know how to maintain your denim forever.
Anthropologie
I’ve been both dreaming about and dreading this launch. On March 15th, Anthro launched it’s first size inclusive line (00P-26W) online and in 10 brick and mortar locations. I only say I’m dreading it because it will murder my bank account.
Loft
The perfect wear-to-work pieces might not appeal to the 14 year old in you, but you and your office mate can both shop the same sales floor for sharp, professional options.
Old Navy
This San Francisco based retailer has been selling plus sizes online for ages, but it is officially stocked in store and here to stay. They have the perfect, affordable basics for literally everyone.
Forever 21
14 year old self, rejoice! The $50 you saved up will get you a stock pile of stuff that will probably go out of style in the next two weeks, but who cares? If it sparks joy, add it to the cart!
Nordstrom
Sure, loads of department stores have separate, dedicated plus size sections, but Nordstrom is setting themselves apart from their competitors. In multiple departments, extended sizes are now mixed onto the main sales floor. Leith carries sizes XXS-4X on the BP floor, and Halogen runs XXS-4X on the POV floor.
Target
I usually enter Target for one grocery item and leave with a full shopping cart of items I didn’t know I needed (thank you, Joanna Gaines). Nowadays, my Target problem is exacerbated because brands like Ava + Viv, Who What Wear, and Prologue are catching my eye on the way to buy toothpaste.
Aerie
I add this one with a grain of salt because I truly don’t see extended sizing yet. They do feature more body diversity in their catalogues and advertising, which is a step in the right direction. For now, they just go from a XXS-XXL, so if you run on the smaller end of the plus size spectrum, Aerie is a go!
Any brands that I missed, or ones you hope start making your size (or your bff’s size) soon? If I could tell my 14 year old self anything, I’d tell her it doesn’t matter what she weighs, or what dress size she wears. And I’d probably tell her not to blow her entire budget on that ridiculous little handbag.
Also, the lovely lady in all these shots is my friend, Courtney! You should follow her over on Instagram.
