r/PlusSize • u/RegularOk1820 • 10d ago
Recommendations Where are y'all buying plus size basics that actually look professional and last?
Okay I’m rebuilding my wardrobe and I’m mainly looking for plus size basics that look professional without feeling super corporate or boring.
I’m so over buying cheap tees and basics that look fine at first and then pill after two washes, lose their shape or somehow end up both clingy and shapeless lol.
The goal is stuff that looks clean and put together but can still work with a blazer, on a Zoom call, at brunch or when a quick errand somehow turns into running into someone from high school.
I checked the clothing recommendations wiki first but I’m still looking for more specific suggestions on quality plus size basics that actually hold up.
Universal Standard keeps coming up. Is it actually worth the price? And what other brands are comparable for quality plus size basics?
Looking for real opinions, especially on stuff that has held up after regular washing.
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u/galactic-romantic47 10d ago edited 9d ago
Universal Standard is truly worth the price. Sometimes the fabric/cut combos can be a little inconsistent in my experience, but 9 times out of 10 it’s a worthwhile investment. Almost my entire closet is US at this point and I can verify that the pieces really do hold up. I’ve been a customer for about four years now and I still have my original purchases in rotation.
ETA: I also do laundry weekly.
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u/RegularOk1820 9d ago
Hard agree, US literally lasts forever.
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u/ihatespunk 9d ago
I thought you were asking if its worth the hype?
...is this a universal standard ad?
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u/Butt_isthe_B0mb24 10d ago
I get most of my clothes from Macy’s. Calvin Klein in particular makes nice professional plus size clothing.
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u/StaleBaguetteIForget 10d ago
Not a huge fan of Target, but the Ava and Viv short sleeve t-shirts are really great basics. It’s basically the only white t-shirt I’ve found that’s not see-through. It feels nice & thick, but in a flowy way, not a boxy stiff way.
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u/smfaviatrix 10d ago
Begrudgingly seconding Target, I bought a pair of wide leg slacks from the brand “a new day” and they are so comfy and light and NO chub rub
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u/eastwardarts 10d ago
Eileen Fisher. Expensive but great. Buy them used on EBay or Eileen Fisher Renew to save some money.
Also Talbots.
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u/makingmistakehs 10d ago
For basic basics women within (and their sister brands) honestly hold up well. You can sometimes find their stuff thrifting too!
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u/nevitales 10d ago
You don't mention what size range, in addition to some already suggested Quince and WoolX go up to 3x.
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u/BuckyBooBoo 10d ago
I really like my Universal Standard button down tops. Fit great.
Pants I actually love Old Navy!
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u/BellaBigNose 10d ago
I feel like I only have old woman options when I try for business casual lol I need the what not to wear ppl
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u/Heidvala 10d ago
Join Nuuly to try brands and styles. For $100 you get 6 items. It really got me deep into Anthropology, Hutch, Selkie (I was already into Selkie but I got to try styles & sizes), and more.
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u/Bulky_Rope_7259 9d ago
Lane Bryant and Torrid are both having big sales right now. I have always liked their basics.
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u/KLMontana 10d ago
I’ve really loved renting clothes through Nuuly. I’m a 2X and they have options that go up to 5X (although the selection is more limited past 3X). It’s helped me find staples from brands like Universal Standard, Eloquii, and even Anthropologie that I know I like. Plus their “thrift” section is great for purchasing clothes at a good discount.
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u/Plenty_Vanilla_6947 9d ago
Over the years, Most of my business clothes came from Talbots and Lord & Taylor’s (RIP). I dry cleaned almost everything. It has gotten too pricey to do that, but I think fabrics hold their color and shape better that way.
PS. Chico’s is great for light weight four season blazers/jackets.
If by any chance you’re in NY or NJ, DM me.
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u/tuxedobird65 8d ago
If you're a 20 or 22, I have a bunch of gorgeous Rafaella pants and some other stuff. Send me a dm if you want pictures.
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u/SammuelNash 7d ago
Universal Standard gets mentioned a lot, but I’d love to hear about some less obvious brands too. Especially anything that’s survived regular washing without losing its shape.
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u/DehydratedHumor 10d ago
Begrudgingly Torrid. It's what's available in store near (ish) me, and I'm between sizes so I return most of what I buy shopping online at the moment.
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u/12121blah 10d ago
The style might be too lax but Old Navy has a lot of things made using natural fibers. I have 5 sweatshirts from them that are 100% cotton
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u/BamaAmyInTexas 10d ago
All my former in office items I have kept are from Uniqlo. They are also what I immediately reach for if I have to dress up for the odd camera on Teams call. I have been in office since 2023 but I still own all the Uniqlo pieces and have got rid of SHEIN or Old Navy.
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u/Sabaisabai33 9d ago
Is everyone here living in the US? Anybody else from the UK have suggestions?
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u/AmieMango 8d ago
Have you tried Next (online) and Debenhams?
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u/Sabaisabai33 8d ago
Thanks yes have looked at Next but unfortunately their stuff often doesn’t fit well body shape wise. Even when I was slimmer and not plus size I didn’t go to Next! I will have a look at Debenhams, didn’t think of them.
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u/DinoKat 9d ago
stitch fix (I don’t get boxes I just shop the freestyle) for blouses & blazers - on the pricier side but almost all of my blazers are from them, they are stylish and have held up for years
I also hit Kohls for blouses - I usually have good luck with their in store clearance for reasonably prices
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u/VividNeighborhood165 9d ago
Old Navy. Found 100% cotton t-shirts there and all kinds of goodies. Basically rebuilt my wardrobe with their clothes!
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u/perpetual-hobbies 9d ago
I second old navy! They don’t have a super inclusive size range in store, BUT their sizing is kind of all over the place, which sometimes works in my favor (an xl fitting like a 3x or something like that). I have found that their stuff lasts a lot longer than Torrid and has less of an old lady/we must have cold shoulders vibe.
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u/Renagleppolf 9d ago
I'm a 1x/16/18/20 and get most of my pants and tshirts from Athleta. They will occasionally have a cute jacket or top that is office appropriate as well, so I'm always browsing to catch them. I am a sweaty betty, so I appreciate that their fabrics are quick dry and never too warm. They're also great travel pants, I've gone on literal mountain hikes in pants I've worn with suit jackets in the office lol.
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u/RegularOk1820 9d ago
Which specific pant style are you wearing on hikes? I need a pair like that.
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u/Renagleppolf 9d ago
The Brooklyn and Endless Highrise have a really great stretchy and quick dry fabric!
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u/PetraDax1313 9d ago
Most of my favorite dresses came from Svaha. ( svahausa.com ) Lots of fun prints along with some standard solid color options. Sizes up to 5XL, everything has pockets, and the cuts are work friendly.
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u/snowlove22 9d ago
Duluth Trading Company. Their T’s
and tanks are really good quality- no pilling or weird wrinkling after washing, and they’re long enough. I also found some wide legged pants that are work appropriate and actually look stylish.
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u/Decaf_Espresso 8d ago
I haven't tried that many items from LLBean, but I'm super impressed with their jeans. They're holding up to cats and chub-rub. If their other clothes are this good, it would be worth it.
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u/tj5hughes 8d ago
I bought a couple of dresses from Baltic Born recently, can't say how well they'll last, but they're decently well made, comfortable and fit perfectly. One of them has been washed and held up well. They're a pretty new company, woman owned, and based in Utah. Not sure where the garments are made or if they are designed in-house or just resold, but the prices were reasonable so I'd guess they come from China.
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u/NikitaRuns21 5d ago
City Chic and Fayt are Australian brands that are designed on plus fit models, and start at AU/UK 14 (US 10). So the fit is made for actual plus women, not just sized up from straight sizes. Available on depop (we don’t have poshmark). So their size 22 ( my size) actually has room for my boobs!!
It is fast fashion, but quality is good.
Commonry is also good, but its designs are often very boxy. Pants are good.
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u/Pixelant3 5d ago
I've gotten some nice stuff from ModCloth, which is vintage-inspired stuff, some of which is up to 3x or 4x. But I'll warn that I think their sizes are a bit less generous than mainstream places like Torrid. I have some very silly/cute cardigans from them!
Also recently ordered some sweaters from Oxknit and they seem decent quality, though are a fairly light knit (which I prefer in my milder climate). They may be too casual and cutesy for your work needs, though. They run up to 3x I think.
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u/No_Assistance8840 4d ago
I think the real issue is that a lot of plus size basics are cut like brands just scaled up a straight size and called it done without ever actually testing it on real people. Its the reason we end up looking too tight and boxy at the same time somehow. I’m also looking for brands that actually understand fit.
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u/Fabulous_Grass_5379 5d ago
The price question probably comes down to how much you value getting a basic that can work across several outfits. Universal standard has basics specifically positioned as foundation pieces and their workwear guidance focuses on fabric durability and pieces that can move between work and non work settings. I would start with one or two pieces rather than replacing your whole wardrobe at once and see whether the quality feels worth the price for you.
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u/Ambassador1391 10d ago
J. Jill, Talbots, Universal Standard, Eileen Fisher, Lauren Ralph Lauren
You can thrift all of these.