I’m a Size 14, and I'm Overhauling My Wardrobe With 14 Staples for My 30th Birthday
Here’s everything I’m buying, from $20.
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Rachel Antonoff / Everlane
I’m turning 30 in a few weeks, but the birthday crises are well underway. It’s not the aging part of it as much as it is taking stock of my life; my wardrobe has been one of the aspects I’m most panicked about. I didn’t feel like my wardrobe reflected that of a woman my age, which is why I decided to overhaul it. (Fortunately, unlike the existential questions, this is a bit easier to remedy.)
It hasn’t been the simplest task—I’m plus-size (I wear sizes 14/16 or XL/XXL) and want quality pieces at a reasonable price. It’s taken a few months to find items that fit that criteria, but I now have the foundation of a youthful but adult wardrobe. Below, see everything that’s made (or is making) its way into my revamped wardrobe below. (And here’s a pro tip: use Trashie’s Take Back Bag to get rid of old clothes and get credit for new stuff.)
InStyle / Tamim Alnuweiri
Best Plus-Size Editor-Approved Fashion
Editor’s Pick: Madewell Alpaca-Blend Mockneck Sweater, $78; madewell.com
J.Crew Gwyneth Lace-Trim Slip Skirt, $100 (Originally $168); jcrew.com
A When Harry Met Sally Quality Knit: Pistola Quinn Mixed Stitch Cotton Blend Sweater, $168; nordstrom.com
A Layering Staple: By Anthropologie Long-Sleeve Lace Crew-Neck Top, $58; anthropologie.com
Dynamite Heavenlyarn Catherine Crewneck Cardigan, $65; dynamiteclothing.com
Worth the Splurge (Seriously): Leset Pointelle Slim Fit Tee, $78; leset.com
Abercrombie The A&F Scarlett Mini Skort, $48 (Originally $60); abercrombie.com
Thick and Cozy: Rachel Antonoff Cupcake Skort Black, $198; rachelantonoff.com
I Own Several: Lisa Says Gah Darcy Skort, $88; lisasaysgah.com
Apparis Sylke Pluche Faux Fur Longline Coat, $495; nordstrom.com
Sam Edelman Vienna Pleated Herringbone Tweed Miniskirt, $99; nordstrom.com
A Novel Take on a Classic: Rains Waterproof A-Line Rain Jacket, $90 (Originally $140); nordstrom.com
Everlane The Cozy Rib Wrap Top
Everlane
I wear a 38DD bra, which makes nearly all wrap tops look absolutely obscene on me. However, Everlane’s Cozy Rib Wrap Top adequately covers the girls—plus, the cotton is soft, and it’s suitable for daily wear but can be dressed up, too. You can snag the top in three colors (olive green, black, and white) and sizes XS to XXL.
J.Crew Gwyneth Lace-Trim Slip Skirt
J.Crew
My colleague turned me onto the shorter version of this J.Crew slip skirt (which will land in my closet eventually), but right now my priority is this midi-length version with a contrasting lace trim slit. The J.Crew Gwyneth Lace-Trim Slip Skirt comes in five colors (black, white, green, burgundy, and light blue) and sizes XXS to 3XL. A big bonus is that it’s machine washable. Regarding the fit, I usually wear an XXL, but at J.Crew I wear an XL.
Dynamite Heavenlyarn Catherine Crewneck Cardigan
Dynamite
My skin is very sensitive, so even the most expensive cashmere can irritate it, but I don’t have that issue with Dynamite’s heavenly-soft sweaters. The thing I like the most, though, is that they are very subtly tailored—I don’t feel like a blob in them. The Heavenlyarn Catherine Crewneck Cardigan comes in four colors (grey, beige, black, and light pink) and sizes XXS to XL.
Leset Pointelle Slim Fit Tee
Leset
A $78 t-shirt?! I’m annoyed at myself, too but this is one of the very rare expensive staples that is well worth the money. I have never worn a shirt (this applies to other Leset styles, too) that is so comfortable yet flattering. It hugs my body enough to show my curves but not so much that my insecurities are pronounced. I will be (pay-in-installments) buying Leset shirts for the rest of my life. Shop theLeset Pointelle Slim Fit Tee in eight colors and sizes XS to XL.
Abercombie The A&F Scarlett Mini Skort
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie has become one of my go-tos for affordable basics. It’s size-inclusive, reasonably priced, high quality, and the options are plentiful. This skort is my favorite—I bought one this summer and am adding additional colors to my collection. The Abercombie The A&F Scarlett Mini Skort comes in nine colors and sizes XXS to XXL.
Apparis Sylke Pluche Faux Fur Longline Coat
Nordstrom
I bought my current faux fur coat for $15 on a sidewalk in Berlin. It has served me well, but it’s time for an upgrade; I think this Apparis jacket is it. I like that it looks like it has the coziness of a blanket and is long enough to cover my legs (I exclusively wear skirts year-round). I have to assume it’s created with Apparis’s signature quality. The Apparis Sylke Pluche Faux Fur Longline Coat comes in sizes XS to XXL.
Trashie Take Back Bag
Trashie
If you need to get rid of clothes to make way for the new stuff, I recommend Trashie’s Take Back Bag. You stuff the $20 mail-back bag with up to 15 pounds of clothes and get a $30 credit to shop at brands like Quince, Cozy Earth, Nike, and more.
Rains Waterproof A-Line Rain Jacket
Nordstrom
Rachel Antonoff Cupcake Skort Black
Rachel Antoff
Lisa Says Gah Darcy Skort
Lisa Says Gah
Madewell Alpaca-Blend Mockneck Sweater
Madewell
Pistola Quinn Mixed Stitch Cotton Blend Sweater
Nordstrom
By Anthropologie Long-Sleeve Lace Crew-Neck Top
Anthropologie
Sam Edelman Vienna Pleated Herringbone Tweed Miniskirt
Nordstrom
Hue Women's Sweater Tights
Amazon
Read the original article on InStyle
