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Okay so finally I have found a line of clothing that seems to be reliable, well-made, classically designed and not overly pricey. Which, after years of fat-girl abuse from the fashion industry, seems too good to be true. Attn fat chicks: check out Jones New York. [nice site, but heavy on Flash]

Mom and I went shopping at Nordstrom this weekend to find her an outfit for a conference she is presenting at this week, and I was really surprised at their selection (and at the amazingly nice and helpful sales lady). Normally I avoid department stores because their plus size departments are either floral prints that make you look like an upholstered sofa or there are 20 million ponchos and elastic waist pants. They also usually have some random employee working there who is pissed off to be in the plus size department and pretty much thinks that fat people don’t deserve to live, much less wear clothing [ew, you came out in public that fat?].

That leaves the big girls around here with two choices [hey, it used to be just one til a few months ago], Lane Bryant and Torrid. Going to LB or Torrid is totally a catch-22. On one hand, you gotta love them for the spacious dressing rooms, decent lighting and temperature, employees who look just like you [and will honestly tell you if the outfit is a big NO] and just the general idea that the store was made for you and you don’t have to stumble into the size 6s and catch a look like, “Um you’re not going to find anything in YOUR size over here.”

On the other hand, the clothes at LB and Torrid are less than well-made, sometimes ill-fitting, way overpriced for their quality [hey, when you have the monopoly on the market, who can blame you for price gouging], overly trendy [they went waaaay crazy with the boho thing], or in Torrid’s case, sometimes just downright weird or slutty-goth in hopes of appealing to a younger audience.

I was very relieved to run into the Jones New York women’s stuff. I had no idea they offered nearly EVERY item in their collection in plus sizes. But they do. And the price is barely higher than their normal items. The clothes aren’t gaudy [see Torrid] or trying-too-hard trendy [see LB]. They are very classic, versatile pieces that will get tons of use. You could put together about 20 outfits with about 8 of their pieces, I figure. And since the craftsmanship is of considerably higher quality than LB or Torrid, you’re not going to be replacing these clothes four times a year. You end up saving a lot of money in the long run. Plus you have no idea how different this clothing feels than cheaply made items.

I am on the end of my paycheck so I didn’t make a big purchase this time, but I definitely plan on going back and stocking up on some classic pieces that I need for work. I did buy their Collection Short Sleeve Tee, which is 75% silk, drapes like a dream, and was only $34. I am getting one in every color.

Anyway, fatties. Go to Nordstrom, or any of the stores listed on their site, and pick up some of this stuff. You really can’t go wrong with a good A-line skirt, or a blazer, or some lined slacks, no matter what your style.

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