How to Buy the Perfect Plus Size Clothes Online: The Ultimate Guide

Last updated Sep 5, 2023 265 0

Shopping for plus size clothing in brick-and-mortar stores can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. Finding fashionable, well-fitting clothes in physical retail locations often feels impossible. The selection is usually limited to just a handful of basic, ill-fitting items that lack style. And who has time these days for the trial and error involved with in-person shopping?

Thankfully, the online shopping world has opened up far more options for plus size women. A wide variety of retailers now cater to curvy figures, providing extended sizes, multiple fit types, and diverse styles. Buying clothes online allows the ability to browse hundreds of items in your own home. No more wasting gas and time trekking from store to store hoping to find something both flattering and fashionable.

However, shopping for plus size fashion online does come with some uncertainties. Without trying items on, how can you tell if something will really fit properly and be flattering? Are the quality and fabrics as described? Will you have to go through the hassle of returns?

This comprehensive guide will provide tips and resources to help you shop for plus size clothing online with more confidence. Follow the advice here to look and feel amazing in clothes tailored for your curves. Discover retailers that offer on-trend plus size fashions adapted for your body’s unique proportions. Learn how to evaluate sizing information accurately, choose figure-flattering styles, assess quality and fabric, and utilize return policies to your advantage.

Let’s get started! Here are the top tips to master shopping for plus size clothing online:

Step 1: Choosing Online Retailers Wisely

The very first step is finding online clothing retailers that actually cater their offerings to plus size bodies. Many retailers still completely ignore this market or just toss in a limited “extended sizes” section as an afterthought. Look for these positive indicators to identify stores with great plus size options:

Diverse Sizing Range

An online store serious about plus sizes will offer an extended range, not just the standard XL-3X. Look for size charts that go up to at least 4X or 5X. Phrases like “14+/16+/18+” indicate they are size inclusive. Names like “Curve” or “Woman” also signify options beyond straight sizes.

Use of Plus Size Models

A retailer committed to the plus size market will use curvy models on their website to showcase the clothes. Seeing the items on different body shapes gives you a much better idea of the fit. Stay away from stores still using tiny straight size models to market plus clothes.

Detailed Size Charts

High quality plus size brands provide measurements for each clothing item. This includes not just the standard S-M-L-XL, but specifics like waist, hip, and inseam lengths. Charts with multiple size options like regular, tall, petite demonstrate an understanding that bodies come in all shapes.

Customer Reviews

Product reviews can provide valuable intel from other plus size customers on fit and sizing. Look for reviews that mention measurements, discuss whether items run small or large, and describe how clothes fit on different body types.

Here are some of the best online retailers catering specifically to the plus size market:

Specialty Plus Size Retailers

Lane Bryant – A longstanding favorite for plus size women, Lane Bryant offers stylish, and sophisticated clothes up to size 28 in stores and 34 online. Known for bras and lingerie as well.
Woman Within – Carries sizes up to 44W and 8X, Woman Within emphasizes comfort and fit. Also offers tall, petite and extended options.
ELOQUII – Fast fashion trendy styles inspired by straight sizes but reimagined in sizes 14-28. Caters to young professional plus size demographic.
Torrid – Popular with teens and young women for their fashion-forward plus clothing and accessories, available up to size 30.

Major Department Stores

Nordstrom – Upscale department store with exceptional customer service and free shipping/returns. Extensive online selection of plus brands and extended sizes.
Macy’s – Longstanding department store with many plus size brands online up to 5X as well as “plus” sections for men and kids.
Dillard’s – Southern-based department store with glamorous plus options and helpful fit guides for each brand they carry.
JCPenney – Affordable prices and constant sales, carries many plus brands online with extended sizes and variety of styles.

Online Fashion Retailers

ASOS Curve – Trendy fast-fashion plus for younger demographic, but styles can run a bit small, so check reviews.
Boohoo – Similar to ASOS, Boohoo offers tons of cute low-cost plus fashion up to size 28, but quality varies.
Walmart – Surprisingly robust and affordable plus selection online up to 5X with brands like ELOQUII and Terra & Sky.
Amazon – Extensive variety of plus brands and sizes as well as Amazon’s own plus clothing brands. Convenient shopping and returns.

The benefit of retailers who understand plus sizes is they offer extended size charts, accommodating fit options, and test clothes on diverse body types. This helps eliminate the guesswork when shopping online. Focus your spending on retailers who truly cater to your needs, not those throwing you an afterthought bone.

Beware of Vanity Sizing

One note of caution when choosing retailers – beware of vanity sizing! This is the practice of brands adjusting their size charts to make customers feel better about wearing smaller sizes. A size L or 16 at one store may fit very differently than another.

Rely first on your actual measurements, not the size label, when selecting clothes. Then read reviews for feedback on if items run big or small compared to the chart. With some trial and error, you’ll learn which retailers have more generous or consistent size charts.

Step 2: Understanding Sizing Information

Once you’ve identified retailers marketing to plus size bodies, the next crucial step is carefully evaluating sizing information. The key to finding well-fitting plus size clothing online is taking the time to understand brands’ size charts.

Avoid Assumptions Based on Standard Sizes

Never assume you’re a particular standard size like XL, 2X, or 18 just because that’s what fits you at some stores. There is absolutely no uniformity across plus size fashion brands. A size 16W at Old Navy will be vastly different from a 16W at ELOQUII.

Instead, meticulously read the size chart provided for each clothing item you’re considering. Take all of your body measurements – bust, waist, hips, and any other dimensions given. Compare your unique measurements against the size chart to determine your accurate size for that brand.

This may mean you range anywhere from a M to 4X depending on cut, style, and brand. But those are just labels – finding your optimal fit for each item is what matters.

Read Reviews for Sizing Guidance

While size charts provide objective measurement data, customer reviews offer subjective feedback on fit. Scan reviews to see if the majority say an item runs small, large, or true to size. Look for comments like:

“Size up, this shirt runs small in the bust.”
“I’m usually a 16 but needed a 14 for a fitted look.”
“Classic fit, not clingy, order your regular size.”

Reviews add helpful context from customers with experience wearing the clothes. But still use your measurements as the starting point before factoring in review feedback.

Ask Customer Service for Help

If needed, reach out directly to customer service before purchasing with your measurements and ask for guidance. Many retailers even offer live chat! A knowledgeable plus specialty store should easily direct you to the optimal size.

Taking extra time to properly understand sizing sets you up for success in finding well-fitting plus clothes online. Correct size selection is absolutely the number one factor for getting a flattering, comfortable fit.

Step 3: Evaluating Quality and Fabric

While fit and sizing should remain priorities, you also want to invest in plus size clothes made from high quality materials. Pay attention to fabric content and construction details as you browse items online. Stay away from cheaply made “junk” that won’t hold up after a few wears and washes.

Seek Out Smooth, Breathable Fabrics

Look for clothes made with natural fiber fabrics that feel good against the skin and allow airflow:

Cotton – The gold standard for comfort and breathability. Seek out 100% cotton when possible or cotton-rich blends.
Linen – lightweight and absorbent, perfect for flowy plus size summer styles. Linen-cotton blends are ideal.
Silk – luxurious and temperature regulating. Especially nice for dressy occasion wear.
Rayon and modal – man-made but absorbent and smooth like natural fibers. Great for flowy dresses and tops.

Also look for stretchy knits and fabrics with spandex or elastane added – this provides flexibility and ease of movement.

Check Construction Quality

Higher prices often correlate with better construction quality:

Stitching – should be small, tight, and even without loose threads. Avoid clothing with uneven or sloppy seams.
Seam finishes – clean finishes like serging prevent fraying and tearing even after washing.
Hardware – zippers, buttons, and snaps should be securely sewn on. Metal rather than plastic parts show higher quality.

Well-made plus size clothing should be durable enough to maintain its structure and shape after repeated wears and washes. Carefully checking product descriptions can help you identify higher quality pieces.

Understand Fabric Pitfalls

On the flip side, these fabrics tend to underperform on plus size bodies:

Denim – stiff, rigid, and restrictive, especially for bottoms. Seek out stretch options with at least 2% elastane.
Polyester – doesn’t breathe and shows every lump and bump. Avoid cheap poly blends.
Rayon challis – pretty drape but delicate and prone to holes. Not the most durable.
Thin, flimsy knits – stretch out of shape, become sheer, and pill quickly. Inspect knit gauge in product images before purchase.

Checking fabric content before buying can help you avoid those that negatively impact fit, feel, and durability. See what other customers say about how items hold up after washing and wearing. The highest quality fabrics and construction will have you feeling and looking great for years to come.

Step 4: Finding Flattering Styles and Fits

One advantage of shopping plus size fashion online is the abundance of options. Take advantage of the huge selection to find clothes thoughtfully designed for your curves. Seek out these style elements and silhouettes known to be figure-flattering:

Styles That Cinch and Accentuate

Wrap dresses and tops – create a waist-defining silhouette and hide bellybulge. Gathered wraps are especially forgiving.
Surplice and sweetheart necklines – draw eyes up to accentuate the bustline.
Empire waist dresses and tops – cinch right under the bust to disguise tummy areas.
Drop waist styles – add definition by cinching below the natural waist.
Vertical ruching and draping – hide problem spots while adding elegant dimension
Pintucks, princess seams, and darts – strategically tailor fabric to contour the body.

Silhouettes That Balance Proportions

A-Line – skirt flares gently from the waist to balance hips and thighs. The ultimate flattering fit.
Flared legs and boot cut pants – add balance through the legs and prevent pulling at the hips and thighs.
Wide leg and palazzo pants – the extra volume balances curves and elongates the leg line.
Babydoll and trapeze dresses and tops – tent-like shape skims without clinging.

Styles That Lengthen and Streamline

Maxi dresses and skirts – elongate the leg and draw the eye down.
Monochromatic looks – wearing one color elongates better than colorblocking or strong patterns.
Deep v-necks – elongate the upper body, especially when matched with maxi lengths.
Vertical stripes – add length when running continuously down an item.

Pay attention to reviews discussing how specific items fit on plus bodies. Shoppers will often note if something is too boxy, shapeless, or clings in the wrong places. Seek out clothes with strategic details to accentuate curves while balancing proportions.

Avoid Unflattering Pitfalls

On the flip side, steer clear of these common style pitfalls:

Stiff denim – pulls, gaps, and clings rather than conforming to curves
Boxy, shapeless fits – tent-like but unflattering, usually in stiff fabrics like denim
Shift or trapeze dresses – can dwarf hourglass figures hiding their shape
Drop-waist dresses/tops – hit below natural waist and shorten the torso
High necklines – conceal the face and shorten the neck, especially crew necks

The best plus size pieces both fit well and flatter your unique shape. Seek out clothes with stretch, strategic tailoring, and made from fluid fabrics that drape nicely on a curvier frame.

Step 5: Being Smart About Returns

The final step to shopping for plus size clothing online with total confidence is having a solid returns strategy. Most online retailers allow unworn merchandise to be returned by mail within a certain window. Before you buy:

Understand the Return Policy

Return window – make note of how many days you have to initiate a return and receive a refund (usually 30 days).
Return shipping costs – will you have to pay to ship items back? Retailers like Amazon offer free return shipping.
Restocking fees – some stores charge fees for processing returned merchandise, typically a percentage of the item cost.
Condition requirements – items must be unworn with tags still attached. No refunds on worn clothes.

Use Credit Card for Purchase Protection

Shop with credit cards rather than debit cards or third party payment services like PayPal. Major credit cards provide strong fraud protection lacking on other methods.
If an item shows up damaged, defective, or drastically not as described, you can dispute the charges if a retailer does not accept a return. Much less risk than paying directly from your bank account.

Initial Trying On

After receiving an order, try items on gently over undergarments to determine fit and style without damaging them.
Leave any tags and protective stickers in place in case an item needs to be returned. Remove immediately after deciding to keep an item.
If hemming pants or dresses, only trim to length while leaving original hem intact. This allows items to be returned to original state if needed.

Follow Return Instructions

When mailing returns, carefully follow the retailer’s instructions on packaging, shipping method, and documentation to ensure getting your refund.
For defective or damaged merchandise, take clear photos showing any flaws before packaging up item.
Keep return tracking number and receipt handy in case any issues arise with your refund.

The benefit of buying plus size clothing online is the ability to return what doesn’t work out. So don’t be afraid to order a few different sizes and styles knowing you can send back whatever doesn’t meet expectations.

Shop Online for Plus Size Fashion with Confidence

Shopping for plus size clothing no longer requires frustrating, time-consuming trips to the mall only to find a limited selection of frumpy, ill-fitting options. Online retailers give you far more size, style, and shopping options tailored specifically for curvy figures.

Follow the advice in this comprehensive guide to make buying clothes online a breeze:

Find plus-centric retailers with extended sizes and detailed charts
Measure yourself carefully and select size based on brand charts
Evaluate fabric, quality, and reviews before purchasing
Seek strategic styles to flatter your unique shape
Use credit cards and take advantage of return policies

Soon you’ll be getting compliments on how amazing you look in the perfect plus size fashions ordered online. No more settling for whatever fits “good enough” at the store. You can now shop from home for clothes that make you look and feel fabulous.

What tips and retailer recommendations do you have for fellow plus size shoppers? Share your wisdom in the comments to help create an even more robust guide!