Hey curvy girls all over the world,
After leaving a lovely luncheon yesterday, I stopped in H&M on 34th street in NYC for a few minutes. While cruising the store I stumbled upon a sign that said H&M Plus. I said to myself, What! And then I closed my eyes and reopened them because I thought they were playing tricks on me. Nope! They weren’t. H&M has brought back their plus size line to the states and there is a small section filled with clothes sized 14-24 at the 34th street store. There were rumors that H&M plus would return to the states but you know what they say about rumors. There used to be an H&M plus line back in the early 2000’s but the line didn’t sell well (due to bland styles) and was removed from the stores. So, hearing that it would finally make its return made alot of us curvy girls excited.
Now, we’ve all seen the super duper cute stuff that they offered with their BIB collection and their inclusive line. US shoppers were sending money to their UK family and friends just to get their hands on a piece from the inclusive collection. So it would be fair to say that one should expect the same offerings in the US store. Well, not so much. As I slowly walked the entire plus sized section of the store I wasn’t blown away by anything. I was merely intrigued. The US collection offered your simple plus size basics which are tailored blazers, cropped pants, denim, and of course tunics. Floral tunics, polka-dot tunics, bright colored tunics. All the simple and classic items to help build a wardrobe. Some things were cute but of course the misses styles were much better.
There were a few things that caught my eye such as a pink and tan striped nautical style top, blush cropped pants, a blush tailored blazer, and a pair of bright green skinny jeans. The rest of the collection was everything that you could find at your local Avenue or Lane Bryant. H&M is known for fashion forward styles and I wish I just would have seen more of that with the debut of their plus size section.
What I am most disappointed in is the lack of awareness that was brought to the plus size collection. It’s the same old story over and over again when it comes to plus size fashion. You can’t make clothes for plus size women or create a special section for us in a store and not give a proper introduction. And a proper introduction means designing clothes that are fashion forward and not basic as well as creating the proper advertising for it. A lookbook may have been nice. A launch party event would have been better.
However, I will give the collection a chance because sometimes you have to start simple to grow into
something great. Let’s hope H&M Plus in the US chooses the latter.
There are some cute pieces so go and check it out for yourself.
What do you guys think about the collection?
It looks like a big no which is fine b/c I have plenty of other and better options. Clearly, not as many as an under 14 but enough that I don’t have to buy 90’s Lane Bryant passed off as “H&M”.
I hope no one falls for the okey-doke and buys these sterotypical plus sized clothes just so they can have an H&M bag…
I’ve never understood how people think you can’t make ANY of the same clothes larger, as if all larger women are shapeless blobs.
I agree, I don’t see anything that Lane Bryant, Avenue or Torrid don’t already cover. I am looking for something different. the BIB, and H&M inclusive lines were much more creative. This line is just Blah.
http://LiteralGemini.blogspot.com
H&M’s BiB range has always been dull and offered basics only – and at a higher price point than their straight size stuff. It’s not surprising they didn’t make any kind of effort when launching in the US. I think Inclusive was their big risk take and because it was so poorly marketed it didn’t sell very well, so they will continue to ignore. Sad, really.
Hmmmm…I’m feeling the different blazer color options and that last color blocked blouse…and Im also intrigued by the colored denim you mentioned…but a lot of it does seem run-of-the-mill. I suppose I’ll just have to wait until the collection makes it to Chicago to make my final judgement.
***www.notquiteglam.com***
I agree with you 100%! I am going to H&M after work today to take a look at it (if my store even has it). From your pictures, it does look like things other stores carry. Nothing too special…thanks for the post though!
Kara
http://www.mylifeinthecurvylane.com
Ladies Think about it! when forever21 started their plus size line it was “dull” and basic. Lane Braynt, recently within the last few years really got it together, but they were “dull” (some of their outlets are still dull) and Torrid just got it together not to long ago. it takes time.
things like this need to evolve, cultivate. they’re not going roll out everything their main line has. they need to make sure that its going to be beneficial to them as a brand!
Well, first let me say, I am definitely happy to see plus sizes at H&M. This has been something I wanted for quite some time here in the US.
I agree with some aspects of what you are saying. Some of the styles are not very inspiring and rather boring actually. However, I really like some of the items like the blazers and striped shirts. They look great for work which is something I have been needing terribly at an affordable price.
Thanks for sharing these photos!!
http://www.fabellis.com
@Shainna- What you’re saying is true. However Plus is not something new H&M is doing. THey started out with a plus size line from the beginning and that failed due to bland styles and poor marketing. They’ve had years to get it right. However, I did state above that I’m hoping it continues to develop but this business is about making money and if you don’t come out strong then people will write the line off and it won’t sell and then they will pullit from US again. Forever21 was different because it was their first time ever doing plus.
I’m glad to see it. I hope the line matures.
Some promotion would have been great! I had no idea either! I bet no stores near me have it, let me go check.
I wouldn’t mind having a few of those striped blouses tho.
As much as I want to be excited for this return I wished that the selection could have went up to a size 26 and the H&M open up online shopping for it’s US customers….I’ll find something and make it work.
Like you ladies have already mentioned, the plus line is not new to H&M. As far as the price line goes, H&M is on point but as for the styles, been there done that. Another thing I dont like is that like Old Navy, the stuff is pushed into a dark corner! You cant see the clothes, the place is usually unkempt and just not very appealing to shop there…Ill stop by 34th to see the collection, but doubt if ill shop there especially if I have to climb over everything else to get to ‘our corner’!!!!
It’s quite Bootsey! Nothing I can’t get at Target, or Ross!
It looks boring as hell, but I suppose I’m glad it exists.
@Shainna, there are way too many women over size 14 for any store to act like they are taking too much of a risk to make clothes in those sizes. The “risk” is that apparently stores don’t want fat people blocking the aisles, or maybe believe that smaller women don’t want to be wearing the same clothes as larger women. I mean, there is all of this talk about how hard it is to size up, but plenty of women who are smaller than a 14 have body quirks and issues that make them hard to fit too, yet they at least have 1000’s of things to try on to find something that fits.
For DECADES, stores have put the larger ladies sizes on the top floor hidden behind the linens, towels, and bill pay centers. Some stores are STARTING to let us shop with everyone else but it’s interesting how many stores either carry plus ONLY online, or hidden from view, or only in styles that my grandma would pooh-pooh as being unstylish and old.
So I’d love for someone to stop acting like it’s some niche audience full of women with no money or taste, b/c everyone else seems to deserve a million great options and we get stuck with crumbs.
I mean, why can’t J.Crew or Ann Taylor go up above 14, 16, or 18…I realize that some “mainstream” stores go a size or two above “regular” but it’s generally a well-kept secret, sold only online, or only done with a few items.
It’s quite a slap in the face when companies think it’s too much to extend sizes for even basic clothing.
But like I said before, things are at least a bit better than they were 10-15 years ago, so H&M can keep its knock off Lane Bryant outlet fashions…
Is this soft launch of h&m plus available everywhere? I would love to go and snag that pink and tan nautical sweater and that blush blazer.
Thanks so much for sharing
I have to see more of the collection, but I do a couple of items that I like.
Regarding the comment about J. Crew and Ann Taylor. J. Crew carries occasion dresses up to a size 20, why cannot they just expand their main collection. I don’t understand. Ann Taylor sells up to 18 online and I have been kinda successful with tops.
I am huge fan of Talbots, not your grandmother’s store anymore. They sell nice items for the Plus-size (and Plus petites)ladies who like a more classic look.
I went to my local H&M this past wknd and they didn’t have a plus section but after seeing this I am glad because I would’ve been so disappointed….I like the pink and brown top thats about it :/…disappointed in H&M
It looks a little bland, but I will definately stop by 34th and check it out. I don’t know why H&M doesn’t have large sizes, even if they just carried it in larger stores- I know for a fact there are many, many plus size girls here in NYC that would love to see plus sizes at a store like H & M. GET ON IT, H & M!
I just have to say boring. I already have to shop in a separate section at departments stores, or a separate store entirely (Torrid vs. Hot Topic), Lane Bryant vs. Express (yep they are the same company), Avenue etc. I’m not going to make a special trip (nearest H&M is 100 miles away) to buy overpriced boring clothes I can find at Walmart or Kmart (actually they have more interesting/’fashion forward’ clothes at Kmart!).
I saw the plus size collection today at H&M. It totally caught me off guard since I was only going for hair accessories. The things I saw did not wow me. They seemed big and shapeless. The exception was the pink jacket but the fabric quality was low. Price wise, it seemed like everything was twice the price or more of comparable items in the misses’ sizes area. Also missing from the collection are accessories like tights or belts. However, I’m going to remain hopeful and pray that they get some cuter designs and extend their selection down the line.
More often when i go to H&M, i usually get their accessories because I can’t fit anything in their store.I was walking on 34th street when i stumbled upon the size 14-24 size on 34th here in NYC. I was more shocked than anything else. I agree, poor advertising will be the downfall of H&M with this line because i really think that it could have potential. However as of now, the line looks very plain and the sizes in the store are limited. i did purchase the tan and pink shirt/sweater which i think is adorable however I am intrigued about how the rest of the will pan out. Hopefully i will see it grow but without a dedicated fan base, I can clearly see H&M’s plus size line fading way. Le sigh
Does anyone know if an H&M locations in the Bay Area of California carry the plus size line? I tried looking on their website but no luck. Thanks!
I am glad I found this review. Which store on 34th carries plus? I’m in town for a short trip and want to check it out. I see there are 2 stores on 34th. One at Sixth and one at Seventh.
-GG
The clothes look a but frumpy. The only thing I would probably look at is that striped sweater and maybe that khaki blazer. Not really impressed. They could have done better.
Thought it would be interesting to share that H&M has stated that the re-branding of H&M+ that was launched in spring of 2012 would be modern essentials and that they intend to grow (the collection) as the seasons develops. They couldn’t even bother for a proper launch. The launch was done through Facebook Event Page. https://www.facebook.com/events/246070605474075/