Non-exhaustive plus size shopping post (part 2)

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This is continued from part 1 (go there for disclaimers and more about what the heck this is.)

Target

Hey, you know Target! They generally have something available up to a US 30 (they also have “men’s” styles). They’re trying the “most styles available in most sizes” thing, to mixed success.

The style: Their own brands feature fairly youthful, on-trend pieces. Their designer collabs are surprisingly good.

My personal shopping experience: First of all, their in-store shopping experience is abysmal for plus size folks. They tried having plus sizes on the same racks as straight sizes, but they had so few pieces, it mostly frustrated shoppers. So they went back to putting the plus sizes on a couple racks in the back, and a lot of that is boring basics. Which is frustrating. Also, their changing rooms are my personal hell. 0/10. But online? They have so many options, and so many cute things! The problem there? Their sizing is random. I find that their clothing tends to run large… except when it doesn’t. Generally, I just order one size down and know I just might end up returning it. Which is frustrating. But honestly, it’s worth the headache; many of my cutest pieces came from Target! In my own experience, I’ve had zero luck with their pants, but their tops, dresses and skirts have all been hits.

Pitfalls: Aside from the sizing and horrible in-store experience, the website also offers clothing from outside retailers which is almost universally shit-ass quality. Definitely filter “sold by” to Target.

Meijer

Michigan’s greatest export – a grocery store – sells some of my favorite clothes. Meijer was one of the early adopters of the “most styles in most sizes, same price” model, and mostly? They do it reasonably well. They have small – 3X.

The style: Basics, mostly. A few trendy options.

My personal shopping experience: I’ve never shopped their clothes online, and it looks like they don’t offer much thatta way, anyhow. I’ve also never used their fitting rooms, if they even have them. I feel like their standard prices are a bit steep, but they run sales all the time. Some of my go-to pieces are from Meijer! I feel like the sizing is mostly standard, though a few pieces run a smidge small.

Pitfalls: You… might not have a Meijer anywhere near you. haha

CityChic

How many times will I extol the wonder of the CityChic zip tunic? They call it a tunic, even though it’s absolutely a dress. The fabric is gathered in such a way that it gives you so many curves. It looks fussy, but it’s actually super easy-wearing. It’s an instant compliment-fetcher.

The style: This definitely runs younger, mainly geared at party.

My personal shopping experience: Aside from loving that tunic (I have, like, four), my experience has actually been mixed. I feel like the pieces are okay quality, but I’ve been occasionally disappointed by the actual construction versus what was presented online. Not shoddy by any means, just sometimes I think the styling for the model was almost deceptive, with more definition and support than the garment itself offers. I also got some lingerie that was way, waaaaay too small.

Pitfalls: Sizing is mostly spot-on, but do check the reviews. And shop sales. Shipping used to take a little longer than I’d like, but my most recent order came super fast, so maybe that’s ironed out!

ModCloth

Please know that you’re not hearing a heavy sigh coming from me as I type this. I think everyone wants to love ModCloth so much. It looks so cute! They offer styles up to a US28… ish.

The style: Vintage-inspired, bordering on twee.

My personal shopping experience: Their sizing is so random. Part of the problem is that they feature styles from multiple labels, so some variation in sizing is natural. They’ve picked up AUS brands, and so that adds a layer of sizing confusion. But even the pieces manufactured specifically for them can be iffy. For me, I almost always had to size up. “Had, you say?” That’s right; I’ve sworn off this brand.* (*Unless they release something incredibly cute for Halloween, then maaaaybe…)

Pitfalls: Size up, if possible. Their outlet section definitely hacked at the quality to allow them to offer cheaper goods, which is a mixed bag.

BloomChic

You’ve seen the ads, right? BloomChic is definitely fast fashion, but geared almost exclusively to plus size women. They clearly researched the needs of plus folks before they launched; they offer a few little details like bustline snaps, stretchy waists, POCKETS and longer shirts that definitely speak to understanding their customer.

The style: Basics, but with some fun prints. Mostly dresses, but other pieces, as well.

My personal shopping experience: Like I said, it’s fast fashion. Fortunately, the photos online are mostly pretty honest about the product you’ll receive (the exception seems to be leggings. Those are shit in my experience.) Most fabrics are jersey or polyester, but none have been super thin or flimsy (except the leggings). I do find the items fairly true to standard size. I did one return because I ordered some leather-look leggings (what was I thinking? also, if you haven’t gathered, the quality was so, so bad) and a dress that felt too small in the waist and arms. The process was smooth. But I have several dresses from them, and all of them have gotten me compliments.

Pitfalls: The site pretty proudly proclaims “free returns,” but they really mean “one free return per customer.” That rubs me the wrong way. Maybe they do offer free returns and simply have the policy to discourage abuse of the return system, idk. They also reward customers for giving five-star reviews without disclosing that, which I don’t like. I’m 5’4″ and their maxi dresses and jeans are only slightly too-long on me; tall girls will struggle with this site.

eShakti

The concept of India-based eShakti is beautiful; made-to-measure dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, skirts and pants. They also offer standard sizes up to a 38, but their custom sizing allows for up to 100″ measurements! They also offer style customizations, such as choosing the bustline, sleeves and length – or even having the style made in a different fabric. The prices aren’t as high as this level of customization would have you think (most customizations are a small upcharge that is occasionally waived, and they offer a “free remake” if they get it wrong.) In practice, they sometimes struggle to deliver on their promises, but they do try.

The style: Interesting pieces in interesting patterns.

My personal shopping experience: I’ve shopped with eShakti randomly since 2010. Mostly, I’ve had good experiences. Shipping always took a while, which I expected, since the pieces are manufactured to order, then shipped from India. When I shopped this most recent time, my experience was not good. I ordered a standard size new jumpsuit and a clearance dress that was already made (they resell their unworn returns, which I fully support.) I saw that the estimated shipping time was much shorter than previously. I was delighted, but still mentally planned on it taking longer. Even still, the projected arrival date came and went without the jumpsuit even going into manufacturing (they have a handy tracker on your order page). I reached out multiple times by email and heard nothing. Then I went to social media and saw that tons of people were having the same issue of missed ship dates and no communication, only an automatic email mentioning “higher sales volume” – and the whole while, eShakti was running promotions and sales. I opened a PayPal dispute and coincidentally, they shipped out the clearance dress within a couple days and the jumpsuit went into production. Hmm. I canceled the dispute and the pieces arrived separately within a week, which was awesome speed! Don’t get me wrong! The jumpsuit was perfect (the clearance dress fit more like a size 20, but I suspect the person who ordered it got it with a tiny bust. Not their fault.) They finally reached out a few days after my pieces arrived (nearly a full month after I reached out, two months after my order was placed), apologizing and saying they were hoping to increase their manufacturing capacity going forward. What would’ve been my ideal response in this situation? eShatki could’ve simply updated their projected shipping dates on their website to better reflect their current capacity. A blanket email from customer service would’ve gone a long way for existing backed-up orders.

Pitfalls: The poor communication gives me pause on recommending this site right now. If you want a piece for an event (many bridesmaids order from eShakti), order it at least two months out. That said, most of my issues with them have felt like quirks of their unique manufacturing setup; occasionally standard size pieces have a single area that’s a little off on sizing, or there’s a structural detail that looks okay, but is sewn in a weird way. ALL OF THAT SAID, if you have a figure that typically requires tailoring of pieces, eShakti might be a godsend for you.