Find Great Plus Size Women’s Career Wear

Last year I ordered a suit from a well-known plus size catalog. It was on sale, always a temptation to purchase something. But I needed a suit to go on job interviews and I liked the color and it came in my size so I purchased it. A week later it came and when I unwrapped it from the plastic it looked nothing like the catalog photograph. The fabric was shiny and things did not improve when I tried the suit on. Discouraged and frustrated I marched off to the post office to return the suit and try the process again with another company.

Fortunately there are quite a few excellent plus size women’s career wear clothing companies that offer a nice selection of clothes with high quality materials and excellent tailoring. It is important when ordering something from a catalog to be sure to take your own measurements to be sure to get the appropriate size, your size for their catalog or online store may be different from your regular size – but it is much more important to get the best fit. I’ve also learned that quality matters and even if an item costs a bit more than I’d like to spend right then, chances are it will last a lot longer and I will save money in the long term. So an item that I spend twenty percent more than I’m hoping to, but lasts for five more years while looking in excellent condition actually saves you money on your professional wardrobe.

Talbots Woman (www.talbots.com) For a classic and sophisticated look, Talbots Woman is an excellent choice. Talbots Woman has wonderfully tailored clothing, offering both suits and separates. Clothing comes in sizes 12W – 24W. You can find suits, blouses and shirts, jackets, pants and skirts at Talbots Woman. They also carry accessories and shoes. Talbots Woman also comes in petite sizes, 12WP – 24WP.

Catherines (http://catherines.charmingshoppes.com/home.aspx) Catherines offers plus, petite plus and extended plus sizes. You can find dresses, pant sets, suits, jackets, sweaters, tops, outfits and skirts. Catherines also carries accessories. Most career wear is suited for the modern woman, in trendy, updated colors with the latest colors and styles. V-neck ruffle front blouses and lettuce edge skirts are some of the more casual but pretty, feminine items listed in career wear. Sizes from 14W – 34W, or 1X – 5X.

Coldwater Creek (http://www.coldwatercreek.com/) This is a great website to find pretty, feminine clothes to wear to work. Clothing comes in sizes 1X-3X. You can find dresses, jackets, pants, tops, skirts, sweaters and vests. They do not carry suits but their dresses are very pretty and look extremely professional and “pulled together”. Coldwater Creek has lovely accessories also from jewelry to handbags and totes.

Elisabeth (www.elisabeth.com) Elisabeth offers pretty clothes for plus size women, both casual and professional clothing. They have dress pants and blazers, skirts and dresses. Very up-to-the-minute looks in wonderful colors. This is a great selection especially if you are looking to add some color to your wardrobe and you want classic tailoring but with some artistic details. There are some very unique pieces that will certainly make you stand out in a crowd. Sizes from 14W – 24W.