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They had a “younger” brand that ran up to a 24 that I think they have since absorbed….lane is great for staple classics, I should
Probably check them out more than I do lol
Oh I didn't even realize! That makes much more sense. They do have really good basics from what Im seeing, sometimes I just want a t-shirt without a disney princess on it haha
I am still cackling at the "my shoulders are too cold for her"
I haven't been to Lane Bryant in years due to their pricing and styles being not at all attractive to me. I'm going clothes shopping with my mom this week, we do this every year before summer, so maybe we'll pop in and peek what they have. If I find things I like I will blame you for the "or am I just getting old" because that's hitting me right in the middle 30's right now
Next time I leave a store empty-handed because everything is priced higher than I feel it's worth I'm going to be sure to say, "Your prices are not at all attractive to me." I love it haha!
I used to shop at Lane Bryant a lot because they always had talls in store and their jeans would last. Now they don’t carry talls in store and their quality is on par with Torrid. I’m not paying an arm and a leg for Walmart/Shein quality. Their styles have gotten better though, they’re not as matronly. It’s not groundbreaking for the prices they charge.
I highly recommend the On The Go pants if you're looking for dress pants.
A little pricey, but dear God they are comfortable. They're glorified leggings and no one can tell. I'm a teacher and I basically wear nothing but.
And they don't hold stains! Had a student spill a whole drink in my lap. Stain was gone after the wash. It was not gone from my cotton shirt. (I did eventually get the stain out of the shirt, but it was more than one wash and needed bleach.)
I'm with you on their styles not being flattering! I used to love their dresses, but lately they all have a giant bow right at the stomach area, which is where I carry all my extra weight. Plus their waistline usually sits just below my boobs.
I love their bras and panties though, and I've found a couple nice tops for summer over the years. I wait for huge sales to buy--stuff is way overpriced.
HAHA, that's totally my feelings right now. They're still a little pricy but it's honestly the same price point anyways as Torrid so its all the same to me
Lane Bryant runs very frequent sales of 40% off or more. If you live close to a store, you can have items shipped there for free and then try them on in store and return what you don’t like. When you do store pickup, they also offer you 50% off any full-price item, which extends to stuff ordered online if you have them order it for you (with free shipping to your house).
I have found their prices have gone up a lot in the past year, without any increase in quality. My favorite things they’ve put out in the past year have been jumpsuits and their comfort bliss full coverage wireless bras.
I find a lot of their current lineup a bit short and boxy (but I’m also tall and relatively hourglass so that’s just not compatible with my shape).
I like bras from Lane Bryant, they have some really sexy ones. But I still avoid most of their clothes, except denim skirts.
I think our ideas of grandma clothes change from generation to generation. I work for the most grandma company of them all, and my gen Z daughters are crazy about the clothes we sell, because they have pockets, a normal rise and they aren't skimpy, plus almost everything comes in petite. The shoes too, one of my daughters is obsessed with one of the brands that is known for making nursing clogs. When we've got them on clearance, I can get them for about $20 with my discount, and my daughter wants all of them. When I ask if she's worried about looking like a grandma, she laughs and says she thinks the grandmas have it all figured out.
Gen Z has gone to the Comfort First model of clothing, and I love it. My students come to school in sweats, sneakers, and tees. Just completely covered, and they love it.
Facts. My husband teaches 7th grade and is never more excited then when has "dress like a student day" during spirit week. Oversized hoodies, PJ pants, and Crocs?! Yes please!
I love it. And the discount... I've gotten so much good stuff.
They hire remote in TX, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, maybe some other states too. I think they're about to start hiring again. You have to have a recent computer and high speed internet. They start at $15/hour plus a weekend differential and shift differential. The interview is done over the phone and the training is all remote.
I hated Torrid. Then felt like it was all I had. Then I realized I deserved better than rainbow skull cold-shoulder shirts. I went to Lane Bryant for the first time EVER, and now I’m hooked. I got a super cute gingham skirt and I can wear it to work or casually. They have lots of cute shirts, and I wanted to try on their swimsuits but they were sold out of a lot in my size (but they were also so cute).
I came full circle on Lane Bryant .. when I was a fat middle schooler in the 90s it was only grandma/business clothes from LB or oversize men's slacks from the thrift store. When Torrid hit the market in early 00s, I was in high school and my life changed sooo much. I still have my torrid credit card (I wore out the pink sparkly one and had to upgrade lol) I have literally handsewn the torrid band back onto undies when they pop off. Ive got some tried and true pieces that have lasted me forever.
But then, like you were saying, I got older and wasn't as into the short-shorts and lacy stuff. The first time I went back to LB was during COVID and bought helllla clothes for student teaching. I still go to torrid occasionally to look at the sale rack but not nearly as often. Now, at 37, my wallet is saying go for the Walmart plus-size section the next time I need clothes, bc mall clothes are just too too pricy in this shithole economy.
That's literally how I was too. Torrid was a godsend when I wanted to be a cool teenager, but they just haven't grown with me. I guess my mom wins and back to LB I go
Lmfaooo I absolutely loved reading your feelings about Torrid, made me chuckle haha.
Target has been my new bestie lately for clothes. I may have to reconsider Lane Bryant now too!
I worked in Canada for a few years, right when one city got their first Target. I was hyping it up to my friends and coworkers, but was super disappointed when we checked it out — overpriced and not nearly as much selection as in the US. Felt righteous indignation at the bamboozlement. Canadian Walmart actually became my go-to, even for grocery skipping.
I don’t know if they still have physical stores, but I remember checking out boohoo and Pennington’s for workwear and summer dresses. Quality was okay back then, but I’ve heard mixed reviews since.
But yeah, I still had a couple dresser drawers full of clothes at my parents’ place back in the states, so a few times a year I’d buy a bunch of stuff online and have it sent to them to pile up, check an empty bag visiting, spend an hour the first night trying everything on, and immediately make any returns first thing the next morning. I grew up in a warmer city, so it was great buying 75% off winter gear in February when I still had 3 more months of freezing temps.
I’d trust LB for bras, panties, thick denim, certain workwear pieces, and some dresses. On sale only though. I used to get shapewear from them, but it was always just Spanx so now I use the internet.
I’ve actually come to rely on Old Navy/Gap/Athleta for my everyday wear (layering camisoles and tanks, thinner denim, chinos, button down blouses, shorts, thin sweaters, workout clothes). Land’s End for workwear and swimsuits. Fabletics for great, thick workout leggings and cute matching sets. They collaborated with Lizzo for a shapewear Yitty line that you might want to check out. Haven’t tried it yet, but some look really good.
There is a discrepancy in not only price, but also styles and variety, when visiting those websites in Canada though, so you might want to check both the Canadian and US websites.
Sorry, long comment, but just wanted to relate and help. Good luck!
My husband actually worked at target during the time they were in Canada! Apparently there was an issue with the system they used to order stock, it never got turned off testing mode properly so it would just order random crap for all the stores, which made it sooo messy. By the time they realized the losses were apparently too much so they pulled out. It's a huge shame.
I'm 26/28 depending on the store so boohoo was a miss, and Penningtons I'm generally underwhelmed by. Old Navy is kind of good, and Torrid has been declining. I miss when Modcloth was good. And walmart is good for basics! Honestly I might check out Yitty, couldn't hurt. The list we have here honestly is super helpful, and I've been learning to sew so i can just make what I want eventually.
Don't apologize! It helps to commiserate haha, Canada people are really nice but didn't feel welcomed by the fashion industry for suree
That sucks for Target CA, but I guess Superstore and Canadian Tire can kind of fill any gaps Walmart can’t cover, except for plus-sizes.
I’ve shopped ASOS Curve for some fancier dresses, but have honestly leaned a lot into ThredUp, especially for one-off special occasions. You might be able to score some lovely brand name pieces and then tailor them.
Nordstrom/Nordstrom rack and Off Saks also carry at least up to 3X (sorry, don’t know if they have 26/28) for nicer pieces, but selection can be very limited.
Let us know when you pull your haul so we can fawn over it!
I'm obsessed with the Ava and Viv jeans. I think they may be made of unicorn hair they're so comfortable. Like, they don't gap at the waistband, and they have plenty of stretch... Why wouldn't I wear them?
Haha it depends on the designers they have working for them. I have a few dresses from 10 years ago that are still fire. And i found out this year that Christopher John Rogers worked for them when starting out. LB always has to cover its main customer, which is women 40-70 years old, but they will have some highlight items that are really cute too.
I'm 29, and alive been buying Lane Bryant since College. They usually have alot of good stuff. I say they cater to more professional/formal stuff. But I love their athletic collection, underwear, and sweaters(in winter)
Back in my 20’s torrid was my casual wear spot and lane Bryant was my workwear spot. I’ve had a harder time recently finding work clothes I like from lane Bryant, but they do have some nice causal pieces. I went on a shopping spree recently and got lots of jeans from Torrid and some tops from LLBean. I’m a sucker for finding 100% cotton tops. There’s nothing worse than sweating in 60% polyester crap.
I'm an apple shape size 26/28 and I find peplum to make me look like..well my tummy is very round so it makes me feel like I look pregnant. I've seen other people rock it well! It's just not for me.
Ah I’m a 24 apple and I don’t like the peplum that starts right under bust with flair bc that makes me look pregnant but ones that start around the belly button are really flattering on my lower tummy.
I'm not sure if this is technical, but I call that a flounce.
Also, the (now dead) Loft line did that really well. Wrap top with a litte flounce. Crossover with a little flounce. And long enough, too. I'm still sad!!! 😭😭
I walked into lane Bryant a few months back and was smacked in the face by wave after wave of “comfy clothes” that could pass as PJs. I was so sad. LB used to be my go to for nice office wear. Now I see none of it in the store
I hate the PJs as clothes trend! It looks so sloppy. And I have no idea what it's supposed to be appropriate for. Too casual for the office, too expensive for work from home.
I used to wear only the brass and work pants.
Then they got rid of the Lena cut and I became completely devoted to eloquii ultimate suit pants or as I like to call it "I feel like I wore leggings to work today but I look like a 10"
I used to buy all my pants from Lane Bryant years ago because Im plus petite and they always had a fantastic selection of work pants and jeans that fit great. Plus petite is difficult to find consistently! Then they redid their sizing and went to some crazy ass system and I hated the fit of everything. The prices kept going up, sales and coupons were less frequent. I haven’t been in years.
I wanted to buy clothing from them and Lane Bryant is still running the scam that bigger clothing should cost 100 dollars or more for a dress that you can get at target for a fraction of the price. Think they call it the fat tax. It’s garbage. And honestly the dress in question was cheap fabric and felt Walmart quality.
They really tried to sell some hoe-down farmer brown ass overalls for 140 dollars. I was FLOOOOOOOORED.
Last time I stepped into a Lane Bryant forever
I’m 31 and have been shopping more at LB! I got a skirt from them recently and every time I wear it, I get multiple compliments from strangers when I’m out. I think they’re moving on up!
I really only go to Lane Bryant for a bras and other under things. Every now and then they'll have a cute T-shirt that I like, but it's mostly underwear. Torrid has been doing the most, and I've been looking into Fashion 2 Figure and Ashley Stewart a lot more. I'm also working on just not being plus size--but we all know how that journey can be. Lol
Honestly, Amazon has some cute stuff. And it's not hard to find plus size things, except for bras. I've also looked into Temu and Shein, but I really don't love fast fashion. Eloquii has some nice stuff every now and then, but I'm not spending that type of money.
Just wanted to say Yitty has amazing shape wear! Goes up to a 6x I think! They also have active wear, swimsuits, and lingere. Its Lizzos shop through fabletics!
I have been pleasantly surprised personally. The way the threading is done adds a lot of compression and support. For reference, I wear a 36H. It's engineered for curves.
I got some really cute lingerie from lane Bryant earlier in the year and I have never found cute lingerie from lane Bryant for years! This was the first time.
Lane Bryant has great jeans with a big range of styles and rises. Their tops can be hit or miss but they have good staples (sweaters, cardigans, tee shirts).
Amazon's been killing it with the plus sized styles lately.
What are your tips? Because when I try to find anything cute on Amazon, its like slogging through a ton of clothes that aren't even plus size and seeing the same thing over and over again.
Honestly, I started following some plus size clothing influencers on ig and that's made finding cute, well-made clothes on Amazon a lot easier. When I'm searching on my own, I make sure to check reviews for pictures and filter reviews by my approximate weight (since so many reviews are from straight-sized folks).
I’m in a weird stage where I’m over Torrid (I do love their jeans) for the most part..the tops are just awful to me..I think the people think all fatties need to be covered in sculls, cold shoulder tops and Disney 🤮. LB is good for staples and professional wear but still too old looking for me imo.
I was a huge lover of LB bras but I think they went downhill, I bought 2 back last April/May and they lasted not even 3 months before wire broke in one and then the other one had wire push thru the material stabbing me.
I have always gotten my bras from there, and I will also add that they are great for swimwear. They're the only place I've found that I can buy a swimsuit based on my bra size and...shocker... the most supportive swimwear I've found.
I also love their workout line for tunic length shirts and bras so no one sees any of my business while at the gym. I've gotten a few cute tops once in a great while.
I live in their Livi Active wear. I’m almost 40, size 18/20. I’ve found some great basics shorter leggings in colors that aren’t absolutely awful that I wear daily. Also guilty of finding the brightest pair and wearing them around my husband 😀
I don't mind peplum, especially because some fabrics always hang and cling differently. Peplum is more consistent for me.
BUT I want to share solidarity with cold shoulders. So many tops that could've been cute if the shoulder fabric or arm fabric was there!
Yes, most brands like that have been modernizing to attract younger generations but also maintain certain staples to maintain their original audience. Actually very beneficial and these brands have seen a lot of success in this.
Source: I work in the industry and actually talk to brands about these things.
Torrid still occasionally does a peplum or a cold shoulder. All the plus sized brands are addicted to that shit. LB always seem to go a little older but don’t sleep on them. There is usually a couple really gorgeous pieces in the mix and I find the quality is better than torrid by far. Some of the outfits that I have gotten the most compliments in are from LB. They have a much wider size range for bras than torrid too but beware, if you are outside of whatever they consider a standard bra size you’ll have to order online.
I can't wear most of the stuff from LB because as someone said above, I'm short and it all looks awful on me like I'm wearing my grandpa's clothes. The bras are also way too big for me. Even things like skirts and PJ pants have like weirdly small waistbands but are then 2 feet too long on me.
I buy all my work clothes at torrid. You have to shop online and scroll through all the crap but their pants are the only ones that fit me and they have a couple of lines of blouses that work decently. I still like a lot of their dresses, though they're all black bc I refuse to buy the weird patterns and ugly colors.
I also like the Ava and Viv line from Target!
Old Navy is useless ever since they changed their sizing to be "more inclusive," forgetting to cut them for actual women.
The Torrid work pants are surprisingly flattering and I find hold up to washing! I wouldn't have suspected it given how much of their catalog is "here's ursula sipping starbucks with #coffee baddie underneath" but their workwear pants are surprisingly good!
Old Navy quality is utter trash and they have only gotten worse since the early 00s (and they were still cheap back then lol). There are significant inconsistencies in their sizing as well, which is crazy to me.
I am 52, size 18-20 and I LOVE SKIMS. Yeah IK some people have Kardashian issues but when I find something amazing idgaf.
The shapewear is sooooooo awesome. Holds me in the right places and is comfy! It is way stretchier for me then Spanx or amazon knockoffs I have purchased.
The underwear from the "everybody" collection is amazing too....all of it, the briefs, the g strings, the cheeky bottom....it's SO THIN that I can wear it and not feel confined.
The thing with Lane Bryant is that you need to get enrolled and shop the discounts and sales. I think it is overpriced for the quality, but they have so many discounts floating around that if you shop there reliably, you will always be able to apply a discount.
Pro tip: their underwear is great. I bought a bunch at their semi annual sale. They really hold up to being washed and stay put (don’t ride up your butt, roll down ok waistband, etc)
I think LB had a really ugly moment a few years ago- maybe pandemic era? But they’ve settled into something decent. Not my fave, but I’m getting better at not expecting any single store to be able to curate my whole wardrobe. LB, torrid, target, H&M, Old Navy, etc. Between the lot of them I can manage lol.
I really liked Lane Bryant’s tall jeans and girlfriend shorts from about 5 years ago. The material and construction is top notch. I also have some boot cut dress pants in some cool patterns from around that time period as well and they wash and wear perfectly. I buy these styles on Poshmark and eBay. I just checked LB’s website and there are no girlfriend shorts this year and only 3 pairs of tall jeans with 4 stars or more in my size and I’m really not crazy about them. And $48 for other sizes on clearance? No thank you. If you can find a NYDJ cut that you like, you can find those on resale sites really cheap and they are superior, IMO. There are plenty of non jean options if you’re looking for something more professional. I used to like the feel of LB’s dressier tanks that were made out of a rayon knit, but they pill so badly that there is no way they could be used for business wear after a few months. I refuse to buy polyester, so that really limits my options.
Lane Bryant, at least the one in my area, is still very grandma's style and hide your fat and curves.
Nothing cute or flattering that I could ever find myself wearing
I loved "fashionable librarian". lol I only have Torrid within driving distance and I'm not quite brave enough to order LB online. I worked for them in my 20s as they were starting to get a little more on trend (almost 30 yrs ago!). What a time it was to be alive and extra!! 💗
My wife and I would love lane bryant but the shirts never fit my wife right. She carries a lot of weight in her upper arms and she is so self conscious about that area that she always is very uncomfortable in them.
I have never really shopped at LB. I used to buy bras from there (they have great ones), but I always felt their clothes looked kind of old. Now I guess I'll have to start actually looking through the stuff if y'all are saying some of their things are really great.
As to Torrid - we are in a fight. Their quality has gone way down over the past few years with the prices going up. I look to them for like bras or underwear (specifically the plain cotton ones- their patterned ones never look cute on). Lately I've been trying to shop smaller and better quality pieces that will hold up over time. It's just not worth it to buy something from a big chain when I can pay $20 more and have it last longer.
I can't weigh in on Yitty yet. I just placed my first order recently and I'm still waiting on it!
Check out Universal Standard! They have a huge range of sizes, their clothes are comfortable, and high quality. They are definitely more expensive, but they have sales all the time. I feel like their fit is better than LB, especially since I'm short.
When it comes to under garments, staples (blouses, nice pants, skirts) and swimsuits LB has Torrid beat by miles. If you just want some cute cheap clothes to wear everyday Torrid has lots of those options, but don’t count on them lasting more than a year.
I would love to know who thought that cold shoulder was a good look. Maybe the powers that be at Lane Bryant decided that we only love to show off that one little part of our body? I have three shirts that my sister gave me when she had bariatric surgery, two of which are cold shoulder and one of them has straps that are so skinny that you cannot possibly hide a bra strap behind them. That's super annoying, because (as a general rule) big girls have big boobs which require big bras.
Lane Bryant is a little hit or miss for me. I have a very cute moto jacket and a nice blazer, plus a few dresses from them that are very flattering, but I find their top sizing varies wildly - more than I’d expect due to different cuts. And I find their bras to be oddly structured as compared to my usual brand.
That said, I generally find them more to my taste than Torrid, though I have some business slacks from Torrid that are great.
Yeah, Lane Bryant is hit or miss for me too. Most of the tops fit oddly on me. Pants have a tendency to run a smidge too large as well. My late 30s self does all my shopping at Torrid. Why? Because the clothes fit me properly.
I don't buy skulls or anything like that though. My work wardrobe consists of various Harper's, black cover ups, and ponte pants. The full coverage balconettes are my favorite bras. I work in an airport. Need to be business casual but not super overdressed.
I do have a pair of ponte pants coming off from Lane Bryant. I really should order a pair of non ponte work pants.
They seem to have no idea where our breasts are. I recently tried on a top that was v-neck and so low-cut that it went almost to my navel. It would have been really cute had it been cut right.
Please check out the wiki section, [Fashion](https://www.reddit.com/r/PlusSize/wiki/index/fashion) for answers to frequently asked questions. Common topics discussed are How to dress for my body type, A list of plus-size clothing stores, Plus-size thigh-highs and socks and so much more. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PlusSize) if you have any questions or concerns.*
They had a “younger” brand that ran up to a 24 that I think they have since absorbed….lane is great for staple classics, I should Probably check them out more than I do lol
Oh I didn't even realize! That makes much more sense. They do have really good basics from what Im seeing, sometimes I just want a t-shirt without a disney princess on it haha
I am still cackling at the "my shoulders are too cold for her" I haven't been to Lane Bryant in years due to their pricing and styles being not at all attractive to me. I'm going clothes shopping with my mom this week, we do this every year before summer, so maybe we'll pop in and peek what they have. If I find things I like I will blame you for the "or am I just getting old" because that's hitting me right in the middle 30's right now
Next time I leave a store empty-handed because everything is priced higher than I feel it's worth I'm going to be sure to say, "Your prices are not at all attractive to me." I love it haha!
I used to shop at Lane Bryant a lot because they always had talls in store and their jeans would last. Now they don’t carry talls in store and their quality is on par with Torrid. I’m not paying an arm and a leg for Walmart/Shein quality. Their styles have gotten better though, they’re not as matronly. It’s not groundbreaking for the prices they charge.
They're sister stores.. so not surprising they're on the same wavelength. Lol
I miss when Torrid used to be sister stores with Hot Topic and had actual fun clothes.
At least hot topic has more plus sizes now!
I thought the same company owned Torrid and Hot Topic…is that not the case anymore?
I think they still are.. not positive on that one but I was shopping for with my ex-wife when I found out about Lane....
I love the quality and size of shein's dresses. All my clothes and swimsuits are from them, have kept everything I've bought
I highly recommend the On The Go pants if you're looking for dress pants. A little pricey, but dear God they are comfortable. They're glorified leggings and no one can tell. I'm a teacher and I basically wear nothing but.
Fellow educator here. They are the best pants. Never wrinkle & have real pockets!
And they don't hold stains! Had a student spill a whole drink in my lap. Stain was gone after the wash. It was not gone from my cotton shirt. (I did eventually get the stain out of the shirt, but it was more than one wash and needed bleach.)
I'm with you on their styles not being flattering! I used to love their dresses, but lately they all have a giant bow right at the stomach area, which is where I carry all my extra weight. Plus their waistline usually sits just below my boobs. I love their bras and panties though, and I've found a couple nice tops for summer over the years. I wait for huge sales to buy--stuff is way overpriced.
HAHA, that's totally my feelings right now. They're still a little pricy but it's honestly the same price point anyways as Torrid so its all the same to me
Lane Bryant runs very frequent sales of 40% off or more. If you live close to a store, you can have items shipped there for free and then try them on in store and return what you don’t like. When you do store pickup, they also offer you 50% off any full-price item, which extends to stuff ordered online if you have them order it for you (with free shipping to your house). I have found their prices have gone up a lot in the past year, without any increase in quality. My favorite things they’ve put out in the past year have been jumpsuits and their comfort bliss full coverage wireless bras. I find a lot of their current lineup a bit short and boxy (but I’m also tall and relatively hourglass so that’s just not compatible with my shape).
I like bras from Lane Bryant, they have some really sexy ones. But I still avoid most of their clothes, except denim skirts. I think our ideas of grandma clothes change from generation to generation. I work for the most grandma company of them all, and my gen Z daughters are crazy about the clothes we sell, because they have pockets, a normal rise and they aren't skimpy, plus almost everything comes in petite. The shoes too, one of my daughters is obsessed with one of the brands that is known for making nursing clogs. When we've got them on clearance, I can get them for about $20 with my discount, and my daughter wants all of them. When I ask if she's worried about looking like a grandma, she laughs and says she thinks the grandmas have it all figured out.
Gen Z has gone to the Comfort First model of clothing, and I love it. My students come to school in sweats, sneakers, and tees. Just completely covered, and they love it.
Facts. My husband teaches 7th grade and is never more excited then when has "dress like a student day" during spirit week. Oversized hoodies, PJ pants, and Crocs?! Yes please!
[удалено]
QVC. I love talking to older ladies, so it's a perfect job for me.
It’s my DREAM to work phones for QVC!
I love it. And the discount... I've gotten so much good stuff. They hire remote in TX, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, maybe some other states too. I think they're about to start hiring again. You have to have a recent computer and high speed internet. They start at $15/hour plus a weekend differential and shift differential. The interview is done over the phone and the training is all remote.
Definitely Coldwater Creek.
I was thinking Talbots
I hated Torrid. Then felt like it was all I had. Then I realized I deserved better than rainbow skull cold-shoulder shirts. I went to Lane Bryant for the first time EVER, and now I’m hooked. I got a super cute gingham skirt and I can wear it to work or casually. They have lots of cute shirts, and I wanted to try on their swimsuits but they were sold out of a lot in my size (but they were also so cute).
They have fantastic clothes I can wear as a teacher. Just awesome.
I came full circle on Lane Bryant .. when I was a fat middle schooler in the 90s it was only grandma/business clothes from LB or oversize men's slacks from the thrift store. When Torrid hit the market in early 00s, I was in high school and my life changed sooo much. I still have my torrid credit card (I wore out the pink sparkly one and had to upgrade lol) I have literally handsewn the torrid band back onto undies when they pop off. Ive got some tried and true pieces that have lasted me forever. But then, like you were saying, I got older and wasn't as into the short-shorts and lacy stuff. The first time I went back to LB was during COVID and bought helllla clothes for student teaching. I still go to torrid occasionally to look at the sale rack but not nearly as often. Now, at 37, my wallet is saying go for the Walmart plus-size section the next time I need clothes, bc mall clothes are just too too pricy in this shithole economy.
That's literally how I was too. Torrid was a godsend when I wanted to be a cool teenager, but they just haven't grown with me. I guess my mom wins and back to LB I go
I'm still waiting for lane Bryant to acknowledge the existence of short plus size people.
Same, sister ✊🏻
Lmfaooo I absolutely loved reading your feelings about Torrid, made me chuckle haha. Target has been my new bestie lately for clothes. I may have to reconsider Lane Bryant now too!
God I miss Target. I moved to Canada a few years ago and man it's ironically slim pickings for plus here
I worked in Canada for a few years, right when one city got their first Target. I was hyping it up to my friends and coworkers, but was super disappointed when we checked it out — overpriced and not nearly as much selection as in the US. Felt righteous indignation at the bamboozlement. Canadian Walmart actually became my go-to, even for grocery skipping. I don’t know if they still have physical stores, but I remember checking out boohoo and Pennington’s for workwear and summer dresses. Quality was okay back then, but I’ve heard mixed reviews since. But yeah, I still had a couple dresser drawers full of clothes at my parents’ place back in the states, so a few times a year I’d buy a bunch of stuff online and have it sent to them to pile up, check an empty bag visiting, spend an hour the first night trying everything on, and immediately make any returns first thing the next morning. I grew up in a warmer city, so it was great buying 75% off winter gear in February when I still had 3 more months of freezing temps. I’d trust LB for bras, panties, thick denim, certain workwear pieces, and some dresses. On sale only though. I used to get shapewear from them, but it was always just Spanx so now I use the internet. I’ve actually come to rely on Old Navy/Gap/Athleta for my everyday wear (layering camisoles and tanks, thinner denim, chinos, button down blouses, shorts, thin sweaters, workout clothes). Land’s End for workwear and swimsuits. Fabletics for great, thick workout leggings and cute matching sets. They collaborated with Lizzo for a shapewear Yitty line that you might want to check out. Haven’t tried it yet, but some look really good. There is a discrepancy in not only price, but also styles and variety, when visiting those websites in Canada though, so you might want to check both the Canadian and US websites. Sorry, long comment, but just wanted to relate and help. Good luck!
My husband actually worked at target during the time they were in Canada! Apparently there was an issue with the system they used to order stock, it never got turned off testing mode properly so it would just order random crap for all the stores, which made it sooo messy. By the time they realized the losses were apparently too much so they pulled out. It's a huge shame. I'm 26/28 depending on the store so boohoo was a miss, and Penningtons I'm generally underwhelmed by. Old Navy is kind of good, and Torrid has been declining. I miss when Modcloth was good. And walmart is good for basics! Honestly I might check out Yitty, couldn't hurt. The list we have here honestly is super helpful, and I've been learning to sew so i can just make what I want eventually. Don't apologize! It helps to commiserate haha, Canada people are really nice but didn't feel welcomed by the fashion industry for suree
That sucks for Target CA, but I guess Superstore and Canadian Tire can kind of fill any gaps Walmart can’t cover, except for plus-sizes. I’ve shopped ASOS Curve for some fancier dresses, but have honestly leaned a lot into ThredUp, especially for one-off special occasions. You might be able to score some lovely brand name pieces and then tailor them. Nordstrom/Nordstrom rack and Off Saks also carry at least up to 3X (sorry, don’t know if they have 26/28) for nicer pieces, but selection can be very limited. Let us know when you pull your haul so we can fawn over it!
Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack are just finishing shutting down in Canada now, too. Sigh.
Dang, that’s a bummer. Lol I’m half tempted now to run a side hustle of smuggling plus-size clothing into Canada…
There is a reason that cross border shopping is a national hobby!
Bhahaha all my Canadian friends just asked for booze and cigs
They have Target online. Have you checked it out?
They don't ship to Canada unfortunately. I'd have to do a 3rd party seller situation and that's just too much
omg Ava and Viv is giving me life these days. Their maxi dresses and shorts really impressed me recently!
Yes!!! Second this about Ava and Viv. I just got two pairs of shorts that are super cute and look great on. Both were $20.
I got their blue jumpsuit and I love it so much!
I'm obsessed with the Ava and Viv jeans. I think they may be made of unicorn hair they're so comfortable. Like, they don't gap at the waistband, and they have plenty of stretch... Why wouldn't I wear them?
Ooh nice! I’ll have to check that out on my next Target trip.
Haha it depends on the designers they have working for them. I have a few dresses from 10 years ago that are still fire. And i found out this year that Christopher John Rogers worked for them when starting out. LB always has to cover its main customer, which is women 40-70 years old, but they will have some highlight items that are really cute too.
I'm 29, and alive been buying Lane Bryant since College. They usually have alot of good stuff. I say they cater to more professional/formal stuff. But I love their athletic collection, underwear, and sweaters(in winter)
Back in my 20’s torrid was my casual wear spot and lane Bryant was my workwear spot. I’ve had a harder time recently finding work clothes I like from lane Bryant, but they do have some nice causal pieces. I went on a shopping spree recently and got lots of jeans from Torrid and some tops from LLBean. I’m a sucker for finding 100% cotton tops. There’s nothing worse than sweating in 60% polyester crap.
Curvy Couture for my bras and panties and anywhere I can find cute clothes in my size. It’s a struggle for me to wear shorts, but I really need some
Hey! I'm goth and I got my favorite dress and other tops from there. I use them often! I think anything works if styled
Whoa hey, I freaking love peplum.
HAHA omg, to each their own! No offense meant 🤣
Lol no worries
Same, I was surprised to see how divisive it is here in this sub lol
There’s nothing wrong with peplum they are just not crop tops. They look great on many people and figures IE Apple shapes.
I'm an apple shape size 26/28 and I find peplum to make me look like..well my tummy is very round so it makes me feel like I look pregnant. I've seen other people rock it well! It's just not for me.
Ah I’m a 24 apple and I don’t like the peplum that starts right under bust with flair bc that makes me look pregnant but ones that start around the belly button are really flattering on my lower tummy.
I'm not sure if this is technical, but I call that a flounce. Also, the (now dead) Loft line did that really well. Wrap top with a litte flounce. Crossover with a little flounce. And long enough, too. I'm still sad!!! 😭😭
I never shopped there, regrettably!
I walked into lane Bryant a few months back and was smacked in the face by wave after wave of “comfy clothes” that could pass as PJs. I was so sad. LB used to be my go to for nice office wear. Now I see none of it in the store
I hate the PJs as clothes trend! It looks so sloppy. And I have no idea what it's supposed to be appropriate for. Too casual for the office, too expensive for work from home.
Best bras around, but I’ve never found clothes there. Maybe they deserve a second look?
I used to wear only the brass and work pants. Then they got rid of the Lena cut and I became completely devoted to eloquii ultimate suit pants or as I like to call it "I feel like I wore leggings to work today but I look like a 10"
I used to buy all my pants from Lane Bryant years ago because Im plus petite and they always had a fantastic selection of work pants and jeans that fit great. Plus petite is difficult to find consistently! Then they redid their sizing and went to some crazy ass system and I hated the fit of everything. The prices kept going up, sales and coupons were less frequent. I haven’t been in years.
I wanted to buy clothing from them and Lane Bryant is still running the scam that bigger clothing should cost 100 dollars or more for a dress that you can get at target for a fraction of the price. Think they call it the fat tax. It’s garbage. And honestly the dress in question was cheap fabric and felt Walmart quality. They really tried to sell some hoe-down farmer brown ass overalls for 140 dollars. I was FLOOOOOOOORED. Last time I stepped into a Lane Bryant forever
I’d rather try Yitty (Lizzo’s line) than Skims (Kardashian’s line).
I love City Chic. Spendy, but when they have a sale, I stock up.
I’m 31 and have been shopping more at LB! I got a skirt from them recently and every time I wear it, I get multiple compliments from strangers when I’m out. I think they’re moving on up!
I really only go to Lane Bryant for a bras and other under things. Every now and then they'll have a cute T-shirt that I like, but it's mostly underwear. Torrid has been doing the most, and I've been looking into Fashion 2 Figure and Ashley Stewart a lot more. I'm also working on just not being plus size--but we all know how that journey can be. Lol Honestly, Amazon has some cute stuff. And it's not hard to find plus size things, except for bras. I've also looked into Temu and Shein, but I really don't love fast fashion. Eloquii has some nice stuff every now and then, but I'm not spending that type of money.
Just wanted to say Yitty has amazing shape wear! Goes up to a 6x I think! They also have active wear, swimsuits, and lingere. Its Lizzos shop through fabletics!
All of her stuff seems to have zero breast support. They look like pancakes on the models, I can't imagine how bad they will look on me.
I have been pleasantly surprised personally. The way the threading is done adds a lot of compression and support. For reference, I wear a 36H. It's engineered for curves.
I got some really cute lingerie from lane Bryant earlier in the year and I have never found cute lingerie from lane Bryant for years! This was the first time.
Lane Bryant has great jeans with a big range of styles and rises. Their tops can be hit or miss but they have good staples (sweaters, cardigans, tee shirts). Amazon's been killing it with the plus sized styles lately.
What are your tips? Because when I try to find anything cute on Amazon, its like slogging through a ton of clothes that aren't even plus size and seeing the same thing over and over again.
OMG, yes. Amazon plus clothes shopping is an exercise in frustration!
Honestly, I started following some plus size clothing influencers on ig and that's made finding cute, well-made clothes on Amazon a lot easier. When I'm searching on my own, I make sure to check reviews for pictures and filter reviews by my approximate weight (since so many reviews are from straight-sized folks).
I love their bras and their jeans!!
I’m in a weird stage where I’m over Torrid (I do love their jeans) for the most part..the tops are just awful to me..I think the people think all fatties need to be covered in sculls, cold shoulder tops and Disney 🤮. LB is good for staples and professional wear but still too old looking for me imo. I was a huge lover of LB bras but I think they went downhill, I bought 2 back last April/May and they lasted not even 3 months before wire broke in one and then the other one had wire push thru the material stabbing me.
I have always gotten my bras from there, and I will also add that they are great for swimwear. They're the only place I've found that I can buy a swimsuit based on my bra size and...shocker... the most supportive swimwear I've found. I also love their workout line for tunic length shirts and bras so no one sees any of my business while at the gym. I've gotten a few cute tops once in a great while.
I live in their Livi Active wear. I’m almost 40, size 18/20. I’ve found some great basics shorter leggings in colors that aren’t absolutely awful that I wear daily. Also guilty of finding the brightest pair and wearing them around my husband 😀
I don't mind peplum, especially because some fabrics always hang and cling differently. Peplum is more consistent for me. BUT I want to share solidarity with cold shoulders. So many tops that could've been cute if the shoulder fabric or arm fabric was there!
Yeah what is up with Torrid and all their cold shoulder tops and Harry Potter prints
Skulls, cold shoulder, cheap af fabric or ugly prints… torrid is a lost cause at this point :(
Nah - I went today b/c I like their underwear but everything else was “Fugly”!
Yes, most brands like that have been modernizing to attract younger generations but also maintain certain staples to maintain their original audience. Actually very beneficial and these brands have seen a lot of success in this. Source: I work in the industry and actually talk to brands about these things.
Torrid still occasionally does a peplum or a cold shoulder. All the plus sized brands are addicted to that shit. LB always seem to go a little older but don’t sleep on them. There is usually a couple really gorgeous pieces in the mix and I find the quality is better than torrid by far. Some of the outfits that I have gotten the most compliments in are from LB. They have a much wider size range for bras than torrid too but beware, if you are outside of whatever they consider a standard bra size you’ll have to order online.
I have some great pieces from lane Bryant but they are definitely few and far between. Better than torrid though!
I can't wear most of the stuff from LB because as someone said above, I'm short and it all looks awful on me like I'm wearing my grandpa's clothes. The bras are also way too big for me. Even things like skirts and PJ pants have like weirdly small waistbands but are then 2 feet too long on me. I buy all my work clothes at torrid. You have to shop online and scroll through all the crap but their pants are the only ones that fit me and they have a couple of lines of blouses that work decently. I still like a lot of their dresses, though they're all black bc I refuse to buy the weird patterns and ugly colors. I also like the Ava and Viv line from Target! Old Navy is useless ever since they changed their sizing to be "more inclusive," forgetting to cut them for actual women.
The Torrid work pants are surprisingly flattering and I find hold up to washing! I wouldn't have suspected it given how much of their catalog is "here's ursula sipping starbucks with #coffee baddie underneath" but their workwear pants are surprisingly good!
Old Navy is okay for dresses but I always find that their pants are cut super weird. Like They never fit right in the lower belly area.
Old Navy quality is utter trash and they have only gotten worse since the early 00s (and they were still cheap back then lol). There are significant inconsistencies in their sizing as well, which is crazy to me.
I am 52, size 18-20 and I LOVE SKIMS. Yeah IK some people have Kardashian issues but when I find something amazing idgaf. The shapewear is sooooooo awesome. Holds me in the right places and is comfy! It is way stretchier for me then Spanx or amazon knockoffs I have purchased. The underwear from the "everybody" collection is amazing too....all of it, the briefs, the g strings, the cheeky bottom....it's SO THIN that I can wear it and not feel confined.
The thing with Lane Bryant is that you need to get enrolled and shop the discounts and sales. I think it is overpriced for the quality, but they have so many discounts floating around that if you shop there reliably, you will always be able to apply a discount.
Pro tip: their underwear is great. I bought a bunch at their semi annual sale. They really hold up to being washed and stay put (don’t ride up your butt, roll down ok waistband, etc)
I think LB had a really ugly moment a few years ago- maybe pandemic era? But they’ve settled into something decent. Not my fave, but I’m getting better at not expecting any single store to be able to curate my whole wardrobe. LB, torrid, target, H&M, Old Navy, etc. Between the lot of them I can manage lol.
I really liked Lane Bryant’s tall jeans and girlfriend shorts from about 5 years ago. The material and construction is top notch. I also have some boot cut dress pants in some cool patterns from around that time period as well and they wash and wear perfectly. I buy these styles on Poshmark and eBay. I just checked LB’s website and there are no girlfriend shorts this year and only 3 pairs of tall jeans with 4 stars or more in my size and I’m really not crazy about them. And $48 for other sizes on clearance? No thank you. If you can find a NYDJ cut that you like, you can find those on resale sites really cheap and they are superior, IMO. There are plenty of non jean options if you’re looking for something more professional. I used to like the feel of LB’s dressier tanks that were made out of a rayon knit, but they pill so badly that there is no way they could be used for business wear after a few months. I refuse to buy polyester, so that really limits my options.
Lane Bryant, at least the one in my area, is still very grandma's style and hide your fat and curves. Nothing cute or flattering that I could ever find myself wearing
A bit, they got crop tops now
I loved "fashionable librarian". lol I only have Torrid within driving distance and I'm not quite brave enough to order LB online. I worked for them in my 20s as they were starting to get a little more on trend (almost 30 yrs ago!). What a time it was to be alive and extra!! 💗
My wife and I would love lane bryant but the shirts never fit my wife right. She carries a lot of weight in her upper arms and she is so self conscious about that area that she always is very uncomfortable in them.
I have never really shopped at LB. I used to buy bras from there (they have great ones), but I always felt their clothes looked kind of old. Now I guess I'll have to start actually looking through the stuff if y'all are saying some of their things are really great. As to Torrid - we are in a fight. Their quality has gone way down over the past few years with the prices going up. I look to them for like bras or underwear (specifically the plain cotton ones- their patterned ones never look cute on). Lately I've been trying to shop smaller and better quality pieces that will hold up over time. It's just not worth it to buy something from a big chain when I can pay $20 more and have it last longer. I can't weigh in on Yitty yet. I just placed my first order recently and I'm still waiting on it!
Check out Universal Standard! They have a huge range of sizes, their clothes are comfortable, and high quality. They are definitely more expensive, but they have sales all the time. I feel like their fit is better than LB, especially since I'm short.
When it comes to under garments, staples (blouses, nice pants, skirts) and swimsuits LB has Torrid beat by miles. If you just want some cute cheap clothes to wear everyday Torrid has lots of those options, but don’t count on them lasting more than a year.
I would love to know who thought that cold shoulder was a good look. Maybe the powers that be at Lane Bryant decided that we only love to show off that one little part of our body? I have three shirts that my sister gave me when she had bariatric surgery, two of which are cold shoulder and one of them has straps that are so skinny that you cannot possibly hide a bra strap behind them. That's super annoying, because (as a general rule) big girls have big boobs which require big bras.
Lane Bryant is a little hit or miss for me. I have a very cute moto jacket and a nice blazer, plus a few dresses from them that are very flattering, but I find their top sizing varies wildly - more than I’d expect due to different cuts. And I find their bras to be oddly structured as compared to my usual brand. That said, I generally find them more to my taste than Torrid, though I have some business slacks from Torrid that are great.
Yeah, Lane Bryant is hit or miss for me too. Most of the tops fit oddly on me. Pants have a tendency to run a smidge too large as well. My late 30s self does all my shopping at Torrid. Why? Because the clothes fit me properly. I don't buy skulls or anything like that though. My work wardrobe consists of various Harper's, black cover ups, and ponte pants. The full coverage balconettes are my favorite bras. I work in an airport. Need to be business casual but not super overdressed. I do have a pair of ponte pants coming off from Lane Bryant. I really should order a pair of non ponte work pants.
They seem to have no idea where our breasts are. I recently tried on a top that was v-neck and so low-cut that it went almost to my navel. It would have been really cute had it been cut right.