Old Navy Plus Size Review

It's nice to know that a few trendy stores have started offering options for those above a size 12 -- who, according to most statistics, are actually more common than those who inhabit sizes 2-10. I'm on a crusade to figure out how things actually fit based on how they're advertised online, and because this plus size line is only available via Old Navy's website, I thought I'd do my best to sort through their collection.

Old Navy

Wool-Blend Trench Coat $92.00
As I mentioned in my last entry about puffer jackets, when you can't see a coat buttoned, zipped or belted, it's probably because there's something to hide. This coat's fatal flaw -- as acknowledged by the placement of the model's hand (not to mention her cinching grip!) -- is that it has no waist. Buttoned up, it will probably look like a big rectangle, as will you.

Old Navy

Floral Satin Dress $42.50
The cut of this floral dress is great! My one complaint is that it just doesn't feel right to wear a bright floral in the dead of winter. But hey, invest for summer (or better yet, wait until it goes on sale -- then invest!).

Old Navy

Embellished Faux-Gem Dress $49.50
This one's more favorable for the season, especially the holidays with its sequined empire waistband.

Old Navy

Notch-Front Dress $39.50
Not a fan of this blocky notch-front dress. Though it appears to have contouring in the right places (front seams, slight cinch at the empire), I have a bad feeling about that no man's land around the tummy area like there might be puckering around those seams as you move about, and as the extra fabric gathers under your boobs it's going to get wrinkly and look bad. Also, the notch collar looks kind of sloppy -- trust me on this, I've been doing it for years.

Old Navy

Crinkle-Chiffon Keyhole Dress $39.50
This drop waist dress is just horrible. It cuts you in your widest place and falls straight from the hip making you look even wider. Absolutely not a good cut for the plus sized!

Old Navy

Ruffle-Neck Cardigan $34.50
Love this pencil skirt, but the big floral satin top won't do much to make you look more svelt (if anything, it'll do just the opposite), and the cut of the cardigan is way too rounded, emphasizing the overall roundness of your top half. If you have a larger bust and broad sloping shoulders, you want a combination of tops that add some structure to your top half, not more soft lines.

Old Navy

Pleated Satin Top $29.50
If you need more evidence about how these types of tops really aren't flattering, look at these alternative views.

Old Navy

If you need more evidence about how these types of tops really aren't flattering, look at these alternative views.

Old Navy

Cashmere Scoop-Neck Sweater $79.50
Classic Rise Herringbone Trousers $36.50
The pants here are great, who doesn't need a staple pair of brown flat front, wide leg trouser pants? But the top, again, is too round. You'd do much better with a v-neck for a more svelte silhouette, and the extra fabric around the tummy isn't doing anything for you. Always look for fabric that adds structure and shape to your top half.

Old Navy