On any given Saturday, all my heart desires is to walk into a designer store, latte in hand, and try on beautiful clothes—an afternoon that if I was straight sized would be effortless, but since I’m plus size, it requires research.
The demand for in-person shopping from the plus size community continues to grow (despite think pieces questioning the end of size inclusion in the era of Ozempic), and impatience for the fashion industry to catch up to our wallets is pervasive. Look no further than the comment section on Samyra Miller’s TikTok-viral song “Plus-Size Freestyle,” which asks point blank: “Why do I gotta get it in the mail?” You’ll find thousands reiterating that when it comes to shopping, plus size customers are over settling for less.
It’s a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with, and after a decade of being told by well-intentioned sales staff that I can only find plus sizes online, standing in a thoughtfully designed store and hearing, “We do have your size in stock; I’ll get a room started for you!” feels euphoric and is an experience you deserve to have too.
Deciding if you like clothing before you’ve already purchased it is a true luxury for plus-size people. I want to hem and haw with credit cards burning a hole in my pocket in a flatteringly lit dressing room while I ponder if this is what I really want. I’m tired of convincing myself a garment is good enough because I simply can’t bear sending something back—again. The planet is paying for my returns’ carbon footprint. I am paying for my returns, and what once felt like swimming in a digital sea of possibilities now feels like a cheap substitute for shopping. Give me curated scentscapes and mood-setting playlists; soda water while I browse; and the ability to compare sizes without having to pay $20 in return fees.
If you’re craving that tangible experience too, I have good news. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or want a size-diverse group of friends to all be able to shop together, here are ten designers carrying plus sizes in stores in New York right now.
Berriez
Your fave plus influencer absolutely shops at Berriez. Owned and curated by Emma Zac, Berriez is the place to find one of a kind vintage gems, reworked vintage, and exclusive collabs from emerging designers in sizes S–4X. It all elicits envious “where did you find that?!” cries. The appointment only shop also hosts pop-ups, creator closet sales, and size inclusive community events at their Brooklyn warehouse studio. If you’re looking for statement pieces ahead of the trend cycle, Berriez is a must visit.
Big Bud Press
This cute double-decker shop, with an interior that perfectly matches the vintage-inspired unisex workwear pieces and ’70s color scheme the brand is famous for, carries sizes XXS–6XL. While the dressing rooms are a bit on the small side, the emerald tiled walls make a stunning selfie backdrop, and the bubbly staff rounds out the whole experience.