The Impossible Dream: plus clothes for Boomer women

My disclaimer is that I am NOT a dress wearer, lol.

I get emails from Coolibar and just yesterday was one with dresses. The do have plus sized clothes so they may work for you. I've got several shirts and a hoodie from them and they are good quality.

https://www.coolibar.com/women/plus-size/dresses.html

Land's End is also a thought. I do recommend you try their products before you travel. I got a last minute shirt from them in August - seduced by the picture on the front of the catalog a week before travel...bought, washed, assumed Tencel would not wrinkle but yikes, it was a wrinkled mess by the time I was off my international flight! So lesson learned!

https://www.landsend.com/shop/womens-plus-size-dresses/S-xfg-xez-y5c-yp2-xec?cm_re=lec-_-wms-_-global-_-glbnv-plus-dresses-_-20180727-_-txt

I took a look at Eddie Bauer but it looks like everything they have is sleeveless or wintry at present.

I really like L.L. Bean clothes, and a lot of them are great for traveling. Lightweight and wrinkle-free.

If you have the money, Eileen Fisher clothes are excellent for travel. I used to buy her stuff when I was a practicing attorney, and now that I’m retired, I use them when I travel. Her crepe pants are incredibly comfortable, good looking, lightweight and wrinkle free. You can usually find them on sale.

Chicos is another store with a travelers collection. They have a whole line of clothes that are easy to pack and wrinkle free and much loved by boomer travelers.

All of the above clothing lines carry them in plus sizes.

Looks like there are kindred spirits here! :O)
This thread might be helpful?

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/plus-size-travel-clothes-for-women

Try J.Jill online, and QVC, Issac Mizrahi and Denim Company.

I second the suggestion to try JJill - I've used their clothing for travel for years and it doesn't wrinkle and many of them can be readily washed out in the sink and dried overnight. Their styling appeals to this boomer! You could also look at Chicos - some of their clothing would travel well too.

Another vote for Chicos. In store or on line. Not prone to wrinkles, easy to wash in sink, and light to pack.

Qualification: I am not a dress wearer...but if I were and maybe will anyway, I'd go for one of these from Wool&

They are merino wool dresses of all styles and sizes that look great, but work from walking the Camino to out to dinner. I might give in yet... I say that because one of my Camino family was an X sized woman who had two of these dresses that was her kit. Easy care for traveling...basically no care unless you spot clean a spill. I've purchased tees from them. I wore one as my post camino wear and travel wear for 15 evenings and day wear before and after the Camino. No smell and no washing. She and I are in our 60's.

I was going to recommend JJill too.
Love them, and Eileen Fisher.
EF is expensive but they last forever.
JJill has retail stores all over, and some for EF, you aren’t limited to online.

I recently discovered Athleta clothing for travel. They are lightweight, wrinkle resistant and dry easily. They are also size inclusive with sizes up to 3x. I love their dresses, Brooklyn ankle pants, and Trekki North joggers. The added benefit is that they are so lightweight which has been an issue lately when having a carry-on only on certain airlines.

Like Mardee, I am a big fan of Eileen Fisher and her clothes work particularly well for travel. Definitely pricey but I’ve found great deals on eBay, even new with tags. I especially like the stretch silk pieces, ultra light merino wool cardigans and basic “system” pieces. So lightweight and comfortable and look elegant. Note: Eileen Fisher usually runs large. I also like LL Bean and their Vista camp pants (slim fit especially) are great for more casual travel.

I really like Vermont Country Store clothing but be aware some of the sizing is really misleading. I ordered three jumpers for travel and had to return them twice downsizing two sizes. When I called them to order the third time woman said yes those types run big. Very happy with what I finally did receive. Bought three and that was all I needed for a three week trip. Worked out well for me.

I’ve bought quite a few things from Vermont Country store but won’t anymore. I recently bought two flannel shirts that looked awful on me, needed to return them, so it wasn’t an exchange. I had to pay to ship them back. I normally don’t buy things online unless returns are free or they have a store i can return them too (like JJill, Eileen Fisher, Macys, REI…). My bad for not knowing their return policy before now.

You might want to check Amazon as well; easy, free returns if you are a Prime member. For example,

https://www.amazon.com/ANRABESS-Womens-Crewneck-Pockets-727shenzanglan-XL/dp/B0BNDJ7TJ5/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=CXMPXY0VT3WB&keywords=ladies%2Bdresses&qid=1699652175&sprefix=ladies%2Bdresses%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/GRECERELLE-Summer-Casual-Leopard-Ruffle/dp/B09XWWGMBC/ref=sr_1_43?crid=CXMPXY0VT3WB&keywords=ladies%2Bdresses&qid=1699652175&sprefix=ladies%2Bdresses%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-43&th=1&psc=1

Cute dresses goanywhere!

Love them, and Eileen Fisher.
EF is expensive but they last forever.

I'll say. Some of my EF pieces are almost 20 years old and still going strong! And I wore the heck out of them when I was working.

Mardee, same here and many of my friends too. Have pieces 20+ yrs old that still look brand new. Good bang for your buck.

Eileen Fisher sells their own "used" clothes as Eileen Fisher Renew. I wear size 16-18 (XL) and have bought a silk skirt, wool skirts, and wool sweaters that I like, at pretty good prices. The Renew web site indicates wear and imperfections for each piece. There are often "good as new" quality clothes that look great.

That’s really good to know NYC Librarian, thanks.

I agree - thanks NYC Librarian! I have also frequently found Eileen Fisher clothing at Nordstrom Rack with discounted prices.

Another non-dress or skirt wearer here. Even when I was 50 pounds heavier than I am now, I found pants far more comfortable than skirts or dresses for travel, no matter the time of year or weather. Beyond that, they were far more versatile for me because I pack light and they take up much less room in my carry-on rolling bag.

Part of my problem is that I need to wear knee high compression socks and ankle boots for all the walking. That means full length pants or maxi length skirts or dresses. I would love to take and wear one dress and maybe one skirt. I might be able to justify that now that I need to wear knee sleeves on both knees and they wouldn't be as obvious under a skirt as they are under my pants. Of course, then I'd need something like bike shorts underneath to prevent chafing.

I've been haunting Amazon trying to find something that would work. These are some examples of what I've found.

Arolina dresses with pockets. Go up to XXL. I'd have to close up the side slits. If you can show a little leg or can wear shorter skirts, you'd have a lot more options.

Grecerelle dresses with pockets. Go up to XXXL. With a fuller skirt, their dresses might be heavier, take up more packing space and be more of a laundry challenge.

I found a variety of skirts with pockets. These are just 2 examples.

Naggoo midi. Goes up to XL. Says it can be a midi or a maxi depending on height and size. Lots of colors and prints.

Merokeety midi. Goes up to XL. Says it's a midi, but the skirts definitely are longer or shorter on some models. Lots of prints.

You might find something that would work for travel as well as at home at Amazon. BTW, I'm among the oldest of Baby Boomers, born in January, 1946.

Looks like there are kindred spirits here! :O)
This thread might be helpful?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/plus-size-travel-clothes-for-women

Since I started this thread, I will mention that I still stand by my suggestions. I have become a skirt-wearer after this and find the "Danube" knit skirts from Universal Standard to be my favorite. I have been traveling and wearing this style for a couple of years now and I probably won't go back to traveling in pants.

I have added a couple of other companies to my list. I have purchased some clothes from Amazon. While I am not a fan of fast fashion and the quality is not quite as nice, I did purchase some tops and skirts and were surprised at how well they are holding up to regular use.

I also have purchased clothes from Superfit Hero. They specialize in sizes 12-44. Their leggings and swim wear are comfortable and hold up well. They are expensive, so I always wait for a sale.

Many thanks to all who took the time to reply, sent links, etc. I know how I'll be spending the next few days - searching all your advice. Thanks again!

In the past wasn’t a mumu a popular dress for plus size women? Perhaps anachronistic now, but warranted to be reseen in a new light.

I’ve purchased many dresses from the Gap or Gap Factory for warm weather travel that I absolutely love. They are a fabric that is called gauze or crinkle cause. They were fabulous in Italy last summer, and in Costa Rica.

They sometimes sell them in a Tall option, which will give you a little more length.

Here is one option currently available:

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=665838012&cid=3020765&pcid=1189708&vid=1#pdp-page-content

I wondered why suddenly "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha started running through my head. I couldn't figure out why it was suddenly there until I looked down at my laptop and saw this post in the All Topics, lol!

I recently discovered Lulu-B clothing. Love love love it. Dresses, skorts, tops, etc. They have beautiful elbow sleeve dresses. I bought a bunch from Anthony's in Fort Myers, where it is sold under the brand "Anthony's". Goes up to 2x, I think. Generous sizing though.

Andrea, I love that store! I usually visit my brother and SIL in Naples, Fl every January for a few weeks, and I always go shopping at the Anthony store in Naples with my sister-in-law. The clothes are so comfortable, very stylish, lightweight and wrinkle free and look good with just about anything. Plus they're reasonably priced. I like the Southern Lady brand but will check out Lulu-B when I head to Florida in 3 weeks.

BTW, you can order from them online. Not all clothing is available but I ordered a few tops this past summer and was very pleased with them.

Mardee, I also found a retailer, Cathy's Resort Wear, that sells it.

My sister has tried ordering online from Anthony's and has difficulty with her Canadian credit card. I might have to give mine a try.

Lulu-B is also at a boutique called Razzle Dazzle, I think it was in Cape Coral.

We recently got invited to an April wedding at a Minneapolis mansion where we need formal attire. I spent many hours last week online trying to find a petite dress that I could wear more than once. On Friday I hit a sale at j.jill where prices were up to 70% off the marked down price. I ended up with a dress that I hope will work for the wedding, plus travel dresses and a necklace for $125. All three dresses all midi length. When I ordered, there was a good selection of sizes.

I like the wool dress suggestion by Wray. I am sensitive to wool, and it would drive me crazy to wear my good merino top every day, but I wish I could.

Target's Knox Rose brand has styles you might like.

I love Wool& for merino wool. Unlike other companies they have real plus size ( not just 16-18) clothing. Merino wool is expensive but great for travel.

I agree with the suggestion for Wool& clothing. They have dresses up to 2XL--short sleeves, long sleeves, 3/4 length sleeves, and sleeveless--knee length, longer length, midis, and maxis. All are some variation of merino wool that packs small, easily sink washed, wrinkles fall out quickly, keep you warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat. I have several and I would not travel without them. In fact, for folks who like to do carry on only, these dresses are a necessity. At home, I wash in the washer with wool friendly detergent and hang to dry. They dry quickly, too. They make fantastic cardigans, leggings, and tops as well.