This week’s podcast episode Plus Size Shopping with Shelly is all about shopping tips when dressing a large body. Shelly has always resided in a large body. She shares her challenges, distressing moments and biggest advice for any dressing their plus size body with fashionable well-fitting clothes.

Check out the full podcast episode here!

This episode was inspired by a list Shelly shared with me about various plus size stores. It was more than just a list of store names that carried plus size clothing. But her tips on how various companies clothing actually fits. This has been crafted into a shopping guide below.

Listen to the episode to learn more about:

• What sizing is classified as plus size.
• What most stores go to and how sizing works in the average store.
• Her experience with dressing her plus size body over the years.
• She shares aspects that makes it so challenging.
• Her scarcity mindset that can set in when she finds fabulous fitting clothes
• Her biggest shopping advice for someone living in a large body.
• Her hopes for the future for size inclusive fashion.

Listen to the full podcast episode here!

Plus Size Shopping Guide

Shelly also graciously put together this shopping guide for anyone looking for advice when shopping with a larger body. Adding in her personal advice and social media accounts she loves following. We hope you find this helpful on your next shop.

Penningtons

• Includes a Responsible line, which is mostly about environmental responsibility
• Carries up to size 6x or 32W, and includes lingerie up to 48H bra sizes, and petites, regular, and tall lengths.
• Also carries shoes and wide calf boots.
• I find that the In Every Story line that they carry is more generous in sizing, whereas the Addition Elle line is smaller in sizing (at least the last time I tried that line on).
• There was a recent negative Markeplace story about them that I wanted to flag:

 

Joe Fresh

• They call their sizing “extended sizes”
• Locally there are many good options (it’s one of my local go-to stores). Their online store is ok, too.
• Great for basics, including activewear, leggings, t-shirts, jackets, etc. They also carry some extended size underwear.
• Carries 1x to 3x and up to Size 22.
• Generally true to size.

 

Torrid

• They have stores in Barrie, Newmarket, and Oshawa.
• You can also order online from their American store, but shipping is somewhat expensive. Sometimes they have discounted shipping to Canada on their website. Because of the shipping and currency conversion issue, I tend to shop in store in the above locations.
• Fashion forward, and somewhat more expensive and somewhat better quality when compared to traditional fast fashion.
• Trendy stuff that they sell includes maternity, wedding, and even “fangirl” type stuff (think Batman, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, etc.).
• They carry up to size 6x and 30W.
• They also carry lingerie and shoes/boots.

 

SexyPlus

• Mississauga-based company.
• This is fast fashion, but some cute things.
• Sizes 1x to 3x, up to Size 22.
• I find that sizing generally runs small.
• Follow @caterinamoda (an influencer who models for this brand) and @sexyplus
• The company does their “what’s new” on Instagram lives.

 

Smash+Tess

• Carries straight and plus sizes.
• Specializes in rompers.
• Some clothing up to 3x, others up to 4x.
• All the influencers are into this brand and there are many collaborations, including Jillian Harris (The Bachelorette), Sara Landry (The Birds Papaya), and Hillary Duff.
• I have ever ordered from there before but have thought about it.
• They have a visualizer so people can see what the clothes looks like on different body types. Love that!

 

Shop Incandescent

• Halifax-based, woman owned local company.
• Ships nationwide.
• Not sure about quality, but I love their attitude and social media presence @shopincandescent

 

Consign Your Curves

• Cool, Guelph-based second hand store for plus size women.
• Excellent IG presence @consignyourcurves
• Shipping available.

 

Other retailers:

• ModCloth (American)
• Lane Bryant (American, better quality)
• Universal Standard (American, higher quality – check out their “values”
• LoudBodies (American, high quality)
• Laura Plus (up to Size 22W or 24W, higher quality, often Canadian-made clothing)
• Anthropologie carries a plus size line – I have shopped their store in Yorkville and there are a few plus size items, but not sure about all their physical stores.
• Asos (fast fashion, can be shipped to Canada).
• Eloquii (I have never bought anything from here, but I think it’s one step up from Fast Fashion).
• Eh Plus Apparel (Alberta-based, fast fashion).

 

Listen to the full episode to hear her top tips for shopping in a plus size body!

Listen to the full episode here!