If there's one type of clothing that can be really difficult to find in plus sizes, it's denim. Jeans are known to be challenging when it comes to finding a great fit and a reasonable price no matter your size, so you can likely imagine how much slimmer the plus size denim options of the world are. Considering that jeans are such a comfortable, cute, and versatile item, though, it's nothing short of an injustice just how limited the selection is for plus size babes.
To help bridge this gap, one can seek out the great companies that are doing things right and working hard to expand the plus size denim market overall. The fashion industry, of course, needs to keep learning the same lesson over and over: That every type of clothing can and should be widely available to individuals of all sizes. Thankfully, as body positivity continues to make headlines, more and more designers and brands are upping their denim game.
Here are just 11 plus size denim shopping destinations to fulfill your basic needs — because no one should be denied the magic that is slipping into jeans that make you feel ready to tackle this weird world.
1. Fashion To Figure
Acid Washed Distressed Skinny Jeans, $42.50, fashiontofigure.com
Fashion to Figure took an entire year to create its new denim collection in plus sizes. "The brand has identified the most popular styles — The Boyfriend, The Jegging, The Skinny, and The Bootcut — and developed the perfect jean for every body type," a public relations representative for FTF wrote in a press release. The retailer is also going to have fit specialists on site at its 26 locations to help customers find the right look and fit for them.
2. Torrid
Tripp Slashed Skinny Jean, $68.50, torrid.com
Torrid is known to be one of the sexier plus size retailers out there. With the amount of form-fitting, curve-hugging jeans it offers, it's not difficult to see why. If you like to wear denim with a bit of an edge, definitely check out these offerings. Torrid also sells jeans in extra short and short cuts, which is perfect for us petite but fuller-figured gals.
3. Forever 21+
Plus Size High-Waisted Skinny Jeans Short, $17.90, forever21.com
Forever 21+ is one of the few brands out there that really makes the same fabulous clothing options in its plus size line as it does for its straight size one. It also has a huge collection available online — especially in denim — so don't be afraid to shop around a little find the perfect cut and wash for you.
4. Cato
Distressed Medium Wash Girlfriend Jeans, $27.99, catofashions.com
Cato is a brand with affordable prices, flexible sizing, and totally cute stuff. These girlfriend jeans with their cute, distressed features and high-waisted design are totally on trend to boot.
5. Rainbow
Almost Famous Straight Leg Jeans, $22.99, rainbow.com
If you haven't thought of Rainbow since high school, it's time to revisit the brand. The truth is that it has a fabulous selection of jeans at very reasonable prices for plus size folks. I love how unique and versatile its designs are as well, like these dark wash skinnies with flecks throughout.
6. Old Navy
Women's Plus Boyfriend Patchwork Jeans, $45, oldnavy.com
Old Navy has really been making the effort to expand its plus size offerings these last couple of years. These patchwork jeans are a very unexpected design, and are bound to set you apart from the rest.
7. Ashley Stewart
Rhinestone Lace Bow Covered Skinny Jean, $41.65, ashleystewart.com
If you live for sexy, embellished jeans, you'll adore the denim collection at Ashley Stewart. I love how its jeans are very fashion forward and have a high level of sex appeal, which can sometimes be hard to come by in the plus size industry.
8. Melissa McCarthy Seven7
Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Stretch Slim Leg Jeans, $98, nordstrom.com
The world can't stop raving about Melissa McCarthy's new clothing line thanks to its body positive message — and that's just as it should be. These jeans go all the way up to a size 28, making this line one of the most size inclusive of the bunch. Seriously, if you haven't checked out Melissa McCarthy Seven7, now is the time.
9. Target
Dollhouse Plus Size Distressed Denim Pants w/ Plaid, $34.99, target.com
All I could think when I saw the plus size denim offerings as Target was, "Well, damn!" The brand has a pretty sizable range of jeans in larger sizes that are cute, fun, and anything but drab.
10. Levi's
590 Fuller Waist Boot Cut Jeans (Plus), $54.50, levi.com
America's most classic brand of denim is now sold in plus sizes. Levi's has a fairly wide range of styles available in its plus collection, which goes up to a size 24. If you love classic cuts and clean lines, this is the place to shop for your denim.
11. ASOS Curve
ASOS Curve Rivington Jegging in Sycamore Wash, $50.16, asos.com
For perhaps the greatest selection of on-trend plus size denim available on the market, there's ASOS Curve. Whether you're after high waisted jeggings, acid wash boyfriend jeans, colorful pants, or '70s flares, it will have you covered.
There's still a long way to go before plus size women can walk into any shop and find a good pair of jeans, but these 11 brands prove we've come pretty far this last decade.
Images: Fashion to Figure; Courtesy Brands
