Trust me, jeans are a blessing and a curse. We have all had that moment – picture it with me. You’re lying flat on your back on your bed and you’ve sucked in your tummy. It’s just you and this new pair of jeans, and you’ve almost got them on. Maybe if you suck in your belly and hold in your breathe until your face turns blue, shimmy them on, and zip, they will fit. Maybe, just maybe. But what if, you found jeans that actually fit?
It took me a long time to realize that fitting into jeans didn’t have to be a struggle, no matter your body size. There are brands and companies out there that were specifically committed to fitting plus size bodies well. Ever since I’ve made this discovery, it has been such a relief for me, and what used to be one of my dreaded items to shop, has now become one of my favourites thanks to these plus size jean stores. Real talk!
Here are 8 of the best stores to shop at for plus size jeans!
Universal Standard
Sizes: 00-40
Price: $109 – $164
On my last visit to New York City, I went to the Universal Standard showroom and decided to try on a pair of its jeans in a dark denim wash in a 30” inseam. Can I just say that these jeans are the best I’ve ever had, never wearing out against my thighs or losing their colour? Brilliant.
Levi’s
Sizes: 14-24
Price: $98 – $108
After seeing everyone in a popular Facebook community I was a part of recommend jeans from Levi’s, I decided perhaps it was time to take the plunge. The skinny jean style is inherently more snug than other cuts on this list, and I had to size up from an 18 to a 22, but they fit like they were made to measure, and they make me feel stylish as heck.
Torrid
Sizes: 10-28
Price: $74 – $78
For a long time, everyone has been telling me that their go-to jeans have been from Torrid. While I have not tried them out myself, Torrid pride itself on being well-designed and offering premium stretch. Torrid denim come in three different designs: bootcut, flare, and skinny. So no matter what kind of denim your heart desires there should be one out there for you.
ASOS
Sizes: 14-24
Price: $67 – 70
One of the very first high-waisted jeans I ever purchased was from ASOS Curve. The jeans, designed in the London office, offer petite ranges in its plus offerings. These jeans have so much stretch in them, are super sleek, and stylish. I would absolutely order them again in a heartbeat.
Addition Elle
Sizes: select styles available in sizes 10-32
Prices: $59 – $119
One of my go-to spots for jeans has always been Addition Elle. Recently, the retailer hired a new designer, Andy Thê-Anh, who is offering even more curve-friendly jean designs. While you’ll still find old favourites like the skinny, flare, and straight leg, you’re going to see some variations that are more playful and sophisticated. Plus, the denim is soft and really gentle on the skin.
Good American
Sizes: 12-24
Prices: $250-$265
All over the internet, I have been reading about how amazing Good American jeans are. While the price tag on them is hefty, it seems like the quality and styles are worth it. According to Instagramers and plus-bloggers everywhere, these jeans hug every single curve, and come up high enough and don’t fall down. Plus, Good American seem committed to the plus community by having a big appearance at Curvy Con this year.
Lane Bryant
Sizes: 12-28
Prices: $103-$148
When it comes to jeans, so many of my American friends say Lane Bryant is the best for plus size jeans. The best part: the brand finally started shipping to Canada, so we can finally enjoy the wonder that are its jeans! For example: in its high-rise skinny, there’s a waistband that stretches and molds to your waist, eliminating the dreaded waistband gap. Um, how cool is that? How many times how you found yourself complaining about jeans that have stretched out. It might be worth looking into these!
LOFT
Sizes: 14-26
Prices: $96-$110
Loft’s denim is known for its high-quality and different washes. While I haven’t personally tried these on, the selections available are nice, crisp and perfect for dressing either up or down.
We are now coming into the second month of 2018 and as always, It’s survival of the fittest when it comes to Canadian retail. While some struggling brands manage to restructure and optimize operations following filing for bankruptcy protection, others are left swirling in a downward spiral toward being obsolete. We hate to see retail closures result in layoffs, liquidations and losses, but there are a few big brands that may just be headed in that direction come 2018. The truth is, retailers are struggling and these stores might be in trouble. Keep reading for all of the details.
Michael Kors
We reported in May 2017 that Michael Kors had plans to close over 100 stores due to declining sales. Stores on the chopping block have not yet been revealed. Industry experts say that the drop in sales is a result of the brand’s decrease in perceived value. Michael Kors has discounted handbags in an effort to target value-driven shoppers, at the same time losing their luxury appeal.
Toys “R” Us
Toys “R” Us made headlines in September 2017 with the announcement of filing for bankruptcy protection. This major toy retailer has no plans to close stores. However, this will likely be determined following 2017 Q4 results from a successful (or lacklustre) holiday sales season. Toy “R” Us currently operates 82 stores in Canada.
Gap and Banana Republic
GAP Inc. announced in September 2017 that they would be closing 200 Gap and Banana Republic stores over the next three year. Striving brands Old Navy and Athleta will see new 270 stores open.
Tip Top Tailors
With big debt looming and a bankruptcy protection announcement in January 2017, Tip Top Tailors owner Grafton-Fraser Inc. felt pressure to restructure earlier this year. In June 2017, twelve underperforming store locations closed following the sale of the business to GSO Capital Partners. With hundreds of jobs lost with the handful of closures, who knows what other changes this retailer will see under its new ownership?
Abercrombie & Fitch
Once a mall-goer’s destination, Abercrombie and Fitch is now a fading memory of collegiate style. Since 2015, the number of A&F Stores across North America has dwindled despite efforts to reinvigorate the brand.
Ann Taylor, LOFT and Justice
An announcement by Ascena Retail Group to indefinitely close between 250 and 650 stores by July 2019 will shock the retail landscape. Ascena Retail Group, the owner of retail brands operating in Canada such as Ann Taylor, LOFT and Justice, is hoping to close stores in an effort to reduce costs and pursue rent breaks with landlords to keep remaining stores open.
Jean Machine
In January 2017, Canadian denim emporium Jean Machine filed for bankruptcy protection. In March 2017, Jean Machine was purchased by Comark Services Inc. to save the struggling retailer. With 30 locations across Ontario, new owners plan to reinvigorate stores with brighter lighting and paint. Time can only tell if the changes are successful.
Will you be sad if any of these struggling brands close their doors in Canada?
Featured Image: Instagram/@JeanMachine
Posts you might be interested in:
Tip Top Tailors In Huge Debt, Store Closures Likely
Sears Canada Wants to Liquidate All of its Remaining Stores
Lululemon will Close 40 Ivivva Stores
Gap Will Close 175 North American Stores
Toys “R” Us Files for Bankruptcy Protection
I’m sure many of us have been there; excited and hopeful that the box dye we’ve picked up from the drugstore is going to liven up our lives. Our hair is going to look immaculate and windswept and life will basically be perfect. However, instead of looking fabulous we just end up looking f**ked up.
I learned this the hard way when I tried to box dye my own hair white blonde. Being naturally blonde, I assumed that not much could go wrong, but on the contrary, a whole hell of a lot can go wrong.
The finished product, while not terrible, was blotchy, more yellow than white, and my roots were lighter than everything else. When they eventually faded/grew out I was left with even more blotchiness – almost like my hair resented me.
After living in ponytails for a few weeks, trying to conceal the damage, I finally decided to seek professional help at the new LOFT Salon location at 1575 Dundas St W.
Once my hair had been assessed by stylist Nadine Casemore, we discussed why box dyes never work and why your hair should be corrected at a salon.
Box Dyes are One-Size-Fits-All
Casemore says box dyes are “one-size-fits-all.” Unless you really know what you’re doing, you can’t predict how it will turn out, especially since everyone’s hair is different. This can be in terms of natural colour and the integrity of the hair.
Box Dyes Never Leave
Box dyes are literally in your hair forever! Even if the colour fades the chemicals from the dye still remain in your hair, and box dyes will react unpreditcably to other dyes.
How Your Hair Should Be Corrected
Given all the above factors, your stylist needs to assess your hair and completely individualize the process based on the current state of your hair, old dye, and whether you’re planing on going darker or lighter.
Once your hair has been assessed, Casemore says the first step is to strip the current colour with remover or bleach. After all the colour from the box dye has been removed, dye and toner will be applied based on your natural pigment and desired look. The huge difference here is that the dye and toner at the salon will be completely customized to your type of hair; not a one-size-fits-all.
The last thing to keep in mind is that you may not reach your desired goal in the first visit. Colour corrections can be incredibly hard – from trying to strip all of the pesky box dye out, to working with your natural pigment – it’s definitely a process, but seeing a professional really does pay off.
After one visit with Casemore at LOFT Salon, my hair was looking a hell of a lot better. I still have to go back for another round of colouring, but this is common with corrections so be patient. And in the meantime DO NOT try to fix your hair with another box dye!!!
LOFT Salon on 1575 Dundas St. W is open Monday to Tuesday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Wednesday to Friday 10 :00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.