Plus size female looking for advice on SA attire Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'll be a 2L SA at a V10 firm this summer. Hoping someone can provide guidance on where to shop for clothing. Most of the stores I'm familiar with that carry my size don't have great options for business casual clothing and I would appreciate any advice. I should add that I'm most comfortable in pants.

[Anonymous User]

I'll be a 2L SA at a V10 firm this summer. Hoping someone can provide guidance on where to shop for clothing. Most of the stores I'm familiar with that carry my size don't have great options for business casual clothing and I would appreciate any advice. I should add that I'm most comfortable in pants.

Lane Bryant could be a good option.

[Anonymous User]

I don't know what price range (or exact size range) you're looking for, but in case it helps, and very vaguely from most to least expensive:

- Universal Standard (excellent size range and quality though more expensive)

- Talbots (more stuffy/middle-aged, but they usually have quite a bit of classic stuff - I like them for suits and pants, and they do have a lot of maybe not super exciting, but unobjectionable tops/sweaters)

- JCrew and JCrew Factory (both go up to 24/3X in at least some stuff, JCrew Factory is cheaper).

- JJill (can skew a little "older white lady beach casual" but decent size range)

- Lands End (like Talbots, comes across as boring/middle aged, and a lot of their online staging looks terrible b/c in the pandemic they went to these weird virtual models, but again, lots of basics)

- Macys and Nordstroms (both have a decent amount of plus-sized options, at a range of prices, Macys will have some cheaper stuff than Nordstroms; I particularly like Vince Camuto stuff)

- eShakti (has a great size range and lets you customize a lot of things - their options tend to look very overwhelming and NOT business-y at all, also very few pants, but quite a few tops - mostly patterned)

- ModCloth (a lot of this is really quirky/cute/twee depending on your perspective, and not really work appropriate, but again, you can find some stuff that is fine for work when it's not styled ModCloth-y).

- Eloquii (their Kady pants are very good business casual pants)

- Old Navy (very fast fashion, a lot may be too casual but they have a lot of basics that can work)

- H&M and ASOS both have some plus stuff (ASOS more than H&M, and again, a lot will be too casual/"go out"-y but you can find basics if you're willing to look)

That's what I can think of at the moment. Caveat is that I shop pretty much entirely online at this point and just accept that I need to order a lot of stuff, try it all on, and return a lot; I also find you have to scroll sort of obsessively through lots of stuff to find a few things, but oh well. Especially if you're K-JD, you may find that much of this stuff seems to be geared to women of a certain age, but if you can look past the styling to think about how a piece would work in your wardrobe, that will help (like even if the models look like they're entertaining their retired friends at their beach home or something, a pair of navy pants is a pair of navy pants).

Also, Ann Taylor and the Loft go up to XXL/size 18, and Banana Republic and the Gap go up to XXL/20, and if those are options for you, they're very good for business casual (but that's obviously a small sliver of plus size).

Last but not least, all these places do a lot of sales.

(I'll admit I've never really liked Lane Bryant, though it looks like it might be a little better now than in the past.)

[Anonymous User]

I don't know what price range (or exact size range) you're looking for, but in case it helps, and very vaguely from most to least expensive:

- Universal Standard (excellent size range and quality though more expensive)

- Talbots (more stuffy/middle-aged, but they usually have quite a bit of classic stuff - I like them for suits and pants, and they do have a lot of maybe not super exciting, but unobjectionable tops/sweaters)

- JCrew and JCrew Factory (both go up to 24/3X in at least some stuff, JCrew Factory is cheaper).

- JJill (can skew a little "older white lady beach casual" but decent size range)

- Lands End (like Talbots, comes across as boring/middle aged, and a lot of their online staging looks terrible b/c in the pandemic they went to these weird virtual models, but again, lots of basics)

- Macys and Nordstroms (both have a decent amount of plus-sized options, at a range of prices, Macys will have some cheaper stuff than Nordstroms; I particularly like Vince Camuto stuff)

- eShakti (has a great size range and lets you customize a lot of things - their options tend to look very overwhelming and NOT business-y at all, also very few pants, but quite a few tops - mostly patterned)

- ModCloth (a lot of this is really quirky/cute/twee depending on your perspective, and not really work appropriate, but again, you can find some stuff that is fine for work when it's not styled ModCloth-y).

- Eloquii (their Kady pants are very good business casual pants)

- Old Navy (very fast fashion, a lot may be too casual but they have a lot of basics that can work)

- H&M and ASOS both have some plus stuff (ASOS more than H&M, and again, a lot will be too casual/"go out"-y but you can find basics if you're willing to look)

That's what I can think of at the moment. Caveat is that I shop pretty much entirely online at this point and just accept that I need to order a lot of stuff, try it all on, and return a lot; I also find you have to scroll sort of obsessively through lots of stuff to find a few things, but oh well. Especially if you're K-JD, you may find that much of this stuff seems to be geared to women of a certain age, but if you can look past the styling to think about how a piece would work in your wardrobe, that will help (like even if the models look like they're entertaining their retired friends at their beach home or something, a pair of navy pants is a pair of navy pants).

Also, Ann Taylor and the Loft go up to XXL/size 18, and Banana Republic and the Gap go up to XXL/20, and if those are options for you, they're very good for business casual (but that's obviously a small sliver of plus size).

Last but not least, all these places do a lot of sales.

(I'll admit I've never really liked Lane Bryant, though it looks like it might be a little better now than in the past.)

I like Ann Taylor quite a bit but I'm unsure about the fit (gained some weight during covid lockdowns). I'll check out the rest as well. I find that Lane Bryant and some of the other notable plus size friendly companies have plus size clothing that looks and seems to fit terribly. But I've never considered some of the other brands you mentioned. Thanks so much!

[ohgoeun]

I really like MM LaFleur, if you're willing to spend a little money.

[Anonymous User]

I really like MM LaFleur, if you're willing to spend a little money.

Oh yeah, I adore MMLF, if you’re size 18 or under.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Any dark non-jeans pants are fine. White or blue are best color shirt/blouse in this business. If you want to cover up even more, dark blazer Is fine and can also help when air conditioning makes it too cold. Some women leave a sweater/blazer/jacket at their desk for that purpose in the summer.

[nixy]

Any dark non-jeans pants are fine. White or blue are best color shirt/blouse in this business. If you want to cover up even more, dark blazer Is fine and can also help when air conditioning makes it too cold. Some women leave a sweater/blazer/jacket at their desk for that purpose in the summer.

So where do you suggest buying this stuff, since that’s what the OP actually asked?

(I also don’t think that women should at all worry about sticking to white and blue.)

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Fair point — was trying not be helpful but the exact vendor I’m not sure — simply describing what I think is normal dress code for NYC biglaw

Agree on white/blue but it helps people who are facing decision paralysis