Our internet friend “m” has pointed us to a wonderful site which sells 50’s-style dresses.
You know, the 1950’s, when the ideal woman looked like a woman, not like a “waif.”
All of their dresses go up to X-large, and many many go up to 3x!
Happy shopping!
UPDATE:
Pah! And pah again!
A 37″ waist constitutes a 3X?
Francesca says: Bait and switch!
Pah!
We will not speak of this site again.
Francesca apologizes for her oversight and agrees, the sizing here is ridiculous!
Pah!
O. M. G. I need all of those clothes. The dresses, the swimsuits, the *squee* summer playsuit with the bikini top, shorts and overdress!!!! Oh, I so need that. Thank you for posting the link!
Comment by Charlotte — April 15, 2008 @ 9:37 am
The stuff on this site is really cute, but they consider a size 12 to be 1x, and a 3x has a 38 inch waist/50 inch hips, so I’d be pretty wary of their fit.
Comment by awesome — April 15, 2008 @ 10:03 am
The stuff on this site is really cute, but they consider a size 12 to be 1x, and a 3x has a 38 inch waist/50 inch hips, so I’d be pretty wary of their fit and I’d not consider them to be a non-waif friendly place.
Comment by awesome — April 15, 2008 @ 10:04 am
I love that site, but sadly their size chart is a bit insane. An XL has about 40″ bust and 31″ waist and a 3X has 46″ bust and 37″ waist. It’s especially frustrating because the designer is not tiny either (she’s maybe a 10/12?).
Comment by Julia — April 15, 2008 @ 10:28 am
I love their clothes, but I can’t wear anything there – there’s no way a 37″ waist should be considered a 3x!
Comment by Pamela — April 15, 2008 @ 10:54 am
I love their things and have bought a few things for swing dancing. I tend towards more of a ‘retro’ look myself because I agree… it was a time when women were allowed to have a woman’s shape.
I will warn that the sizing is more like Jrs sizing than womens. Buy up in size and even then sometimes it is small. DaddyOs has great service and will take your returns but that is always a pain.
If you are looking for a great vintage look swimsuit in plus sizes I would recommend Esther Williams swimsuits (really – that Esther Williams!)
http://www.esther-williams.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ewstore&Category_Code=ewswimwear_plus_sizes
Comment by mary martha — April 15, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Even though the sizing is certainly wonky, it is very helpful some of your readership and may help me to convince my little sister (size 14 and a perfect hourglass) to dress for her figure.
Comment by Brittany — April 15, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Hmm, I don’t think they consider a 1X a size 12. I wear a 16 and a 1X would fit me perfectly.
I think they have adorable clothes, but they’re not my style. I do have a friend that orders the Rockabilly look all the time. I’ll pass it on to her.
Comment by Angel — April 15, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
Yes, very cute clothes, and the one dress I have is fairly well made, but their clothes are cut REALLY small, as previous posters have pointed out. Fortunately, I checked the sizing chart before ordering something that would have been two sizes too small. What I got was perfect for the Rat Pack themed event I went to, though!
Comment by Elizabeth — April 15, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
First off, I want to say that even though I’m technically not a big girl, I loooove this blog! :] You ladies are awesome.
Secondly, those are cute dresses! I don’t think the sizing is that off though, I’m a large at most stores and the measurements look accurate. I didn’t the measurements for any size but mine, though, so that might be it. xD
Comment by Jessica — April 16, 2008 @ 7:15 am
The larger sizes are indeed atypical here, Jessica — they have a 37″ waist as a size 3x, whereas at many mainstream retailers — say, Lands’ End, for example — a 3x will be a 45″-48″ waist.
Women’s sizes are all over the place anyway, but the Daddy-O folks are pushing the definitions a bit. But they’re very cute for those who can fit into ’em.
Comment by Bridey — April 16, 2008 @ 11:22 am
I’ve bought five dresses from Daddyo’s, and would have bought much more had the 2x or 3x been in stock. Yes, their sizes are way off compared to most plus size guidelines. I wish the US would standardize sizing–it would help sooo much.
I do love the retro look, and most of the dresses on this site suit my style perfectly–form-fitted in the mid-section, glide and flare over those hips. I have one I call my “Lucy” dress–I wear it just to please the I Love Lucy fans I work with.
Comment by Mimi Stratton — April 17, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Many thanks for the link. I could probably fit into their size 3x; unfortunately most of their styles are unsuitable to the Woman of a Certain Age, and of those that are, not all of them go up to a 3x.
Now if only they would extend their style range back a little farther – say, to 1936, another female-friendly fashion year – I would be there in a heartbeat.
Comment by Annalucia — April 17, 2008 @ 8:32 am