I have spent the past couple of weeks talking to, photographing, and observing fashion models, most of whom are considered “fat” if they’re not a size zero or minus zero. But while these super-skinny models convey a sense of fantasy, most real women are much curvier and wear an average of a size 12-14 or beyond. They love fashion, and they want to be stylish, and they love chic jeans. Alas, many of the great jeans companies do not cut, or stock, jeans for curvy women.
So where can a real-sized woman find jeans that aren’t made for her teeneager, or the guys?
Enter Roamans, with their Invisible Stretch jeans that “practically shape themselves to your body.” They are available in straight leg and bootcut styles, and in a wide ranges of sizes in regular, tall and petite, and from 12W to 32WP. They also have great colors: stonewash, light stonewash, grey, black denim and white. and the cost ranges anywhere from $49.99 to $54.99 (and there are sales) which makes them affordable enough to get a wardrobe of these jeans for the price of just one of the “celebrity” brands.
Roamans? The plus-sized store? Yes! Before you protest that you don’t fit into that group, keep an open mind. You don’t have to be on “The Biggest Loser” or the reality star “Ruby” to find items at Roamans through their catalogue or web site that will fit, flatter and frankly, feel more comfortable than what you might find in some other places.
I am not a plus size by any means, but I do have curves, and as I get older, I find that jeans in particular, don’t flatter me. The chic ones are too tight in the legs, and the others are well…too “mom” for my taste even though they might fit my bottom. Still, when I was approached about reviewing jeans from Roamans, I initially, balked. The first thing I thought was that Roaman’s plus sizes wouldn’t fit me, and even if they did, the jeans were sure to be unflattering. But the size 12 straight leg jeans were no larger on first glance than any others I normally wear. And I noted right off that they looked well made. The minute I put them on, I realized why they were different. They felt comfortable, more like pants. To get jeans to fit normally, I have to buy them larger than I’d like to accommodate my “assets,” but then the waistband is too large and sags, and the legs, are too baggy. If I get them small enough to fit my legs, the waistband hugs like it’s a cobra! And I certainly don’t think this problem is solved by wearing ugly, elasticized waists!
So what’s a girl to do? The Roamans Invisible Stretch jeans solve the problem, by featuring a regular, rigid waistband with metal “button” closure. But this waistband has some stretch in it, so it fit precisely snug around my waist without squeezing. Even better, the midsection of the jeans were just a little bit more generous, so I didn’t have to pour myself into them. They fit, but they didn’t squeeze, or look baggy. Even better, the simple style without huge logos, butterflies, or anything to break up a smooth, clean line made me look sleeker and taller. The jeans also have a longer rise in back (no more worries when bending over), and simple pockets placed so they don’t scream “look at me!”
So I stand corrected about Roamans. The modern fit, with a smooth, Cotton/ spandex fabric (stiff enough to hold a shape, with just enough “give” to stretch without stretching out, and not so hard as to pinch) made these, perfect.
Roamans is a “find” for women who really do need plus sized clothing, and want to be trendy. Why should anyone have to settle for dowdy and dull? The Roamans tunics and accessories were downright cute. And the quality was there as well. If you are not a plus size but you would like to find trendy items that are cut just a bit more generously, you’ve found a new place to look. From the reviews I read on the site, many of the items (e.g. knits) in the smaller sizes actually run a bit snug, so they will flatter average-sized women.
Plus sized ladies may already know that Roaman’s is a great resource, but don’t let them hog it all for themselves. Roamans is as much for you as for the more ample woman. In the end, who cares where that cute top or chic jeans came from as long as you look and feel great!
I love getting print catalogues in the mail, but you can also check out Roamans.com and see the wide selection of (plus size) clothing and apparel. They even have a blog where you can learn of their latest deals. Tbe parent company, Redcats USA, includes: AVENUE®, Woman Within®, Jessica London®, Roaman’s®, KingSize®, BrylaneHome® and BrylaneHome® Kitchen sold on OneStopPlus.com®, The Sportsman’s About Redcats USARedcats USA is a dynamic, multi-channel, web-driven home-shopping leader, with numerous well-known brands in its portfolio: AVENUE®, Woman Within®, Jessica London®, Roaman’s®, KingSize®, BrylaneHome® and BrylaneHome® Kitchen sold on OneStopPlus.com®, The Sportsman’s Guide, and The Golf Warehouse.
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