It’s always an amazing day when a brand decides to start offering plus sizes. While I think the demand for extended sizes has always been there, many brands have shrugged at plus size women rather than expanding their selections, whether it was because of their bottom line or simply because they lacked the belief that plus size women should have well-fitted clothing. But now, as more brands start to cater toward fuller figures, I see more women running to these brands and embracing their curves through the trends and styles that make them feel beautiful and confident.
I’m happy to add Loft to this list of inclusive brands. I attended the debuted of the Chicago Michigan Avenue Loft Store’s launch of its plus size section back in June, and I was so happy to see my fellow Chicago curvy girls dressed in the new pieces. I looked through the Loft plus size selection online and I was more pleased with the amount of options on the site versus the store, understandably so. While I feel like Loft is a brand that offers many on-trend flowy and oversized pieces—not just in the plus size section, but also across the entire brand—I was able to find really cute pieces to add to my closet even though I try to stay away from oversized and loose-fitting clothing. Before this encounter with the brand, I probably wouldn’t have called myself a “Loft girl,” simply because the brand didn’t carry my size, but also because the brand’s aesthetic wasn’t exactly my style. However, I have completely changed my mind with the launch of this new plus size section. And the outfit you’re looking at now, while maybe unexpected to the typical Loft customer, it screams, “Natalie.”
I curated this adorable look, and it has since become one of my favorites. I love the contrast it creates with the black and white stripes on the Striped Off the Shoulder Sweater, but also with the suede material of the Faux Suede Wrap Skirt against the sweater-like fabric of the top. It’s a unique pairing, and I wore it out to a brunch that Loft put on for Chicago bloggers at Summer House. I topped the look off with these Lace Up Block Heels, which have become my favorite, and I wear them everywhere now (as you can see from my most recent YouTube video)
SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 16 in the Faux Suede Wrap Skirt, which is my usual size, but the lining on the inside of the skirt fits more like a 12/14. I cut the lining out myself and the skirt fits perfectly without it. If you would prefer the skirt to have a lining, I would order a size larger than your usual. I am wearing a size 16/18 in the Stripped Off the Shoulder sweater, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly! I am wearing a size 9 in the Lace Up Block Heels, which is my usual size, and they fit fine! They are not by any means a wide fit, but I was able to squeeze my wide feet into them fine.
