Plus-size coats
 

After weeks of hunting, gathering and trying on chic, affordable, curve-flattering clothes (just think of what we've spared you!), we rounded up some great finds in ten wardrobe-building categories.
  • Dresses

  • Suits

  • Pants

  • White Shirts

  • Jeans

  • Coats

  • Shoes

  • Shapewear

  • Bras

  • Designer Lines


    • Plus-size dresses
    Photo:  Michael Edwards

    This autumn floral dress from Evans ($120), a British plus label new to the United States, has a wrap-style bodice that gives 48-year-old Cindy Kuhn, an actress and vintage-clothing entrepreneur, a long, lean look.
    • Abby Z. has head-turning jeweled necklines. (AbbyZ.com)

    • Amsale offers high-end evening wear for brides, bridesmaids, and "cocktail" events. (Amsale.com for stores)

    • Evans, a sister company of Top Shop, is a terrific source for figure-friendly prints. (EvansLondon.com)
      Igigi's fully lined dresses smooth lumps and bumps. (Igigi.com)

    • Newport News' jersey has extra spandex for a more comfortable fit. (Newport-News.com)

    • Olivia Harper offers well-cut jersey that doesn't cling or bunch up. (LeeLeesValise.com)

    • Shape fx makes a sheath dress with a built-in power-liner control slip that slims. (Shapefx.com)

    • Z from Zenobia has dependable office wear. (Saks Fifth Avenue; 877-612-7257)
      Earrings, Kara Ross. Belt, Lai. Clutch, VBH. Shoes, Miu Miu.

    Plus-size suits
    Photo: Michael Edwards

    "Most suits are like boxes," volunteer Hilary Harper, 29, says. But not the handsome cut of this denim-look jacket and pants (Rafaella, $100 and $78). "You can see I have a figure!"
    • Calvin Klein can be counted on for office basics. (Select Bloomingdale's stores; 800-555-7467)

    • Ellen Tracy is a source for modern, appropriate workwear. (Select Saks Fifth Avenue stores; 877-612-7257)

    • AK Anne Klein is known for stylish day wear. (Macy's; 800-622-9748 

    • Kate Hill makes one of our favorite work suits—a single-breasted jacket with a wide-legged trouser. (Lord and Taylor; 800-223-7440) 

    • Rafaella carries updated classics that also work as separates. (Select Macy's stores; 800-622-9748)

    • Semantiks is useful for fall suits, like its stylish day-to-evening tweed pantsuit. (Nordstrom.com) Shell, Z from Zenobia, $525. Watch, Cartier. Bangles, Coomi. Shoes, Banana Republic.

    • Jones New York Collection makes a suit pant with an extended tab closure that camouflages the elastic in the waistband. (Macy's; 800-622-9748)

    • INC International Concepts offers flattering wide-legged trousers. (Macys.com)

    • Lauren by Ralph Lauren designs a winning straight-legged silhouette. (RalphLauren.com)

    • Magaschoni makes a superslimming "Magic Pant" that delivers on its promise. (Select Saks Fifth Avenue stores; 877-612-7257)

    • Old Navy offers a wide selection at approachable prices. (OldNavy.com)

    • Style&Co. has a great full-cut pant. (Macys.com)


    Plus-size white shirts
    Photo: Michael Edwards

    A large bust can make a blouse pull, creating gaps. But stretch cotton allows room for the bosom.
  • Calvin Klein's chic modernism is always flattering. (Select Bloomingdale's stores; 800-555-7467)

  • Gap's reliable classics retain their shape after multiple washes. (Gap.com)

  • Gayla Bentley's "Obi Sash Blouse" comes with a separate belt to help define a waist. (NeimanMarcus.com)

  • Kiyonna offers a version designed with a seam under the bust to create a flattering Empire effect. (Kiyonna.com)

  • Marina Rinaldi is the perfect fit for high-fashion-minded shoppers. (866-362-9872 for stores)

  • Style&Co. from Macy's, has gently priced shirts. (Macys.com)

    The shirt on Sage Salzer, 32, has pintuck seaming that adds a slimming vertical slant (Calvin Klein, $108). Coat and skirt ($550), Marina Rinaldi. Earrings, Charles Garnier. Watch, Emporio Armani. Tights, Hue. Boots, Cole Haan. 
    • Eileen Fisher offers a smart new organic-cotton, dark-wash stretch jean. (EileenFisher.com)

    • Just My Size makes a great trouser jean with a very discreetly elasticized waistband in back. (WalMart.com)

    • Lane Bryant's "Right Fit" denim trouser has a flattering wide leg to offset hips. (LaneBryant.com)

    • Not Your Daughter's Jeans " Tummy Tuck Jeans" have panels that suck you in and lift your rear. (Nordstrom.com)

    • Paige Premium Denim (select Nordstrom stores; 800-695-8000) and Svoboda by Jessica Svoboda (SvobodaStyle.com) offer styles that are as up-to-the-minute as the trendiest labels.

    The best coats for plus-size women
    Photo: Michael Edwards

    Activist Linnet Caban-Brown, 26, looks slender in horizontal stripes because they segue from pale to dark.
  • Anna Scholz makes fashion-forward pieces like a versatile drawstring anorak. (www.annascholz.com)

  • Gallery's down coats lie surprisingly flat. (Nordstrom; 800-695-8000)

  • Lafayette 148 New York is a source for high-end sophistication. (Lafayette148.com)

  • Lane Bryant always has a wide range of reliable options. (LaneBryant.com)

  • Marina Rinaldi carries beautiful day-to-evening suede. (866-362-9872 for stores)

  • Newport News makes a cozy, reversible robe coat we love. (Newport-News.com)

  • Spiegel has a great figure-flattering, single-breasted swing coat. (Spiegel.com)
    • Coat, top, and skirt, Lafayette 148 New York, $1,298, $198, and $228. Earrings, Melinda Maria. Bracelet, SuperOro for Gold Expressions. Clutch, Ralph Lauren Collection. Tights, DKNY. Boots, Stuart Weitzman.
    • Bella Vita is a youthful line that—like all lines listed here—can accommodate wider feet. (DesignerShoes.com)

    • California Magdesians is a fashionable source for footwear that says evening—think metallics and faux skin—without high heels. (Nordstrom.com)

    • Lane Bryant has a standout selection of boots. (LaneBryant.com)

    • Ros Hommerson offers a range of ankle boots in a versatile, neutral palette. (DesignerShoes.com)

    • Söfft has comfortable but not frumpy low-heeled options. (ShoeMall.com)

    • Barely There has slimming camisoles. (BarelyThere.com)

    • Body Wrap offers sleek, modern pieces, like the tank top and bike shorts all-in-one garment. (Macys.com)

    • Flexees by Maidenform makes a high-rise control brief (useful now with low-rise jeans on the wane). (FigLeaves.com)

    • Grenier combines old-fashioned lace with modern technology. (BraSmyth.com)

    • Miraclesuit has a tummy-targeting cincher that helps define the waist. (Macys.com)

    • Va Bien builds front panels into many of its pieces for top-notch control. (VabienLingerie.com)


    • Chantelle offers silky soft, full-coverage bras. (BareNecessities.com)

    • Comfort Choice has a noteworthy range of elegant colors. (Roamans.com)

    • Elomi by Eveden makes supersexy bras and matching panties. (HerRoom.com)

    • Glamorise's Magic Lift options keep you in place without underwire. (Roamans.com)

    • Goddess by Eveden is a favorite for no-line T-shirt bras. (HerRoom.com)

    • Le Mystère has a camisole with built-in underwire. (Dillards.com)

    Plus-size designer lines
    Photo: Michael Edwards

    Cultivating a healthy body image is important to Sage (she advises middle-school girls). A whirl of taffeta, sexy yet covered (Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon, $640), enhances her hourglass shape.
  • Banana Republic: Versatile not-so-basic basics. (Sizes 00 to 16, sizes XS to XL; BananaRepublic.com)

  • Charles Nolan: One of our favorite high-end options for office-to-evening style. (Sizes 2 to 16; Saks.com)

  • Chico's: Travelers by Chico's sports a wrinkle-resistant fabric. (Sizes 0 to 3.5, comparable to 4 to 18; Chicos.com)

  • Hilton Hollis: Beautiful blouses and other underpinnings in rich colors. (Sizes 0 to 16, Gus Mayer, Birmingham, Alabama; 205-870-3300)

  • The Limited: We love the gray pinstriped suit from the L3 Travel Collection—it's machine washable! (Sizes 0 to 18, sizes XS to XL; TheLimited.com)

  • Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon: Dramatic evening dresses, like their taffeta dress with a fitted waist. (Sizes 2 to 16, Neiman Marcus; 800-365-7989)

  • Thomas Pink: Known for tailored shirts. (Sizes 0 to 16; ThomasPink.com)

    • Earrings, Nordstrom Crystal Collection. Clutch, Rodo.
    From the October 2008 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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