I’m a Plus-Size Editor & I Tried 3 Looks My Petite Coworkers Swear By

I don’t think there’s a pair of pants more universally loved than the Colette from Maeve. In all honesty, I tried these pants for the first time last year, and they quickly became one of my summer and fall wardrobe staples thanks to their perfect fit. PureWow reader- and petite editor-approved, these high-waisted babies are flattering on any curves (thanks to stretch) and height (thanks to extended sizing). Plus, they’re comfortable enough for everyday wear, versatile enough to be styled for any occasion and are oh-so soft; whether they’re made from denim, linen or the only-at-Anthro magic fabric. Read my full review of the pants here.

If you told teenage me that I’d be comfortably sporting an Abercrombie & Fitch dress as a 20-something adult, she wouldn’t believe it. Since the brand’s size expansion in 2019, I’ve been slowly incorporating some of their denim and pants styles into my wardrobe. Blouses and dresses, however, have yet to earn a spot. Let me explain. While A&F offers up to a size 38 (US 26) in bottoms, most of their tops and frocks stop at an XXL—and those measurements don’t equate to a proper 2X. But after seeing Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida (5’1”) flounce around in a few of the brand’s newest dress styles with built-in shelf bras, I was keen to try.

I opted for the Dylan midi-dress in a butter yellow cabana-like stripe. My first thought? This dress is *so* flattering. I expected it to fit incredibly tight around my bust and waist, but it was the opposite. The smocked back gives enough breathing room, so the dress cinches the waist without feeling suffocating. It features two deep pockets (bless), an eyelet closure above the zipper for extra security and is fully-lined, which I appreciate underneath the pale yellow fabric.

Its biggest selling point is the additional bra padding in the bust, so you don’t have to spend 20 minutes digging through your underwear drawer wondering if one of your ol’ reliable brassieres could work underneath it. With some needed tweaks to the adjustable straps and internal padding, I noticed minimal spillage from my DD bust. In this dress, the girls are fully supported and lightly lifted, offering a bit of tasteful cleavage. And did I mention all compliments I’m getting? I recently had a 15-minute conversation with a plus-size stranger who was in awe that I got it from Abercrombie. Do I wish it came in larger sizes? Absolutely. Am I upset at the current fit on my body? Nope.

If there’s one place I trust for jeans for my size 20/22 body, it’s Old Navy. They have 100+ styles going up to a size 30, which I can usually snag on sale. Clocking in at under $50, the brand’s best-selling barrel ankle jeans truly impressed me. The polarizing barrel jean trend has been making its rounds for a minute now, but they’re surprisingly agreeable on curvy and petite bodies. PureWow’s Editor in Chief Jillian Quint (5’1”) also loves this pair for their flattering silhouette and affordability, and they fit her frame just right. “These are really cute, especially at this price point,” she states. I now own them in two washes—medium and dark—and they fit like a dream. The cotton material is very soft and stretchy, with little to no rigidness. It leaves minimal gapping around my waist, but it’s hardly noticeable.

My only gripe is that the aforementioned large size range isn’t available to purchase in-store, only online. I’ve spent many shopping trips checking the website beforehand to see if the nearby brick-and-mortar carried my size, but no dice. My local store sometimes carries a size 22 in select styles, but overall it’s pretty discouraging. Fingers crossed that the brand expands its in-store offerings in the future.