Last year I wrote a post “Where Can You Find 4X Plus Size Costumes?” and I want to update it because some things have changed. In addition to retail 4X costumes, I am going to include my year of DIY costumes. Just for reference I am size 26-28, weigh 280 lbs, have a 53″ waist and tiny ankles. My experience is that costumes run small so buyer beware.
Tabitha was kind enough to let me publish this photo of her in her fabulous costume from HalloweenCostumes.com (The link is to their 5X+ costumes)
The makeup is from a tutorial on You Tube.
Well done Tabitha, and thank you!
Halloween Costumes carries 29 different Size 5X costumes, priced between $24 – $104. They even have 3 Size 8X costumes. This is where I would start my search. That is quite a bit of variety and I think it is worth the effort to check out what they are offering.
Torrid is back in the costume business. But my experience is that there 3X/4X runs really small, so I cannot really suggest them to people my size or larger. But they continue to have parts to costumes, like a Wonder Woman t-shirt in a 4X, and some Pop-Art Leggings which I am sure would fit me.
BigGals Lingerie will custom make your costume up to a size 12X. They are also VERY expensive, but it is good to know what your options are. I do not know how late you can order a costume to guarantee delivery before Halloween, I could not actually get them to give me a date on the phone, but I would say beyond October 10th you might be pushing. They told me on September 19th last year, that if I ordered a costume on that date it would arrive on October 20th. They generally have a six week delivery time, but that seems to be compressed for Halloween.
Sanctuarie has costumes that run to a 9X that are very cute, and some moderate pricing, as well as quite a few accessories and make-up. They also have some Halloween T-Shirts that you might want to consider, including a sparkly skull t-shirt that looks pretty cool.
BIGcostumes also has a variety of custom made costumes at varying prices. They even have a few bargains that are pre-made. Please read their BIGcostume Return Policies carefully.
Plus-Size Costume Shop carries handmade costumes up to a 7X. They are pricey but quite lovely and lean toward renaissance costumes and witches. At this time they do not suggest a specific date that you should by which you should place your order, but that might change in the next few weeks.
Etsy seems to have fewer Size 4X options this year and what I found was expensive and I had seen elsewhere. My favorite is a Snow White costume Size 3X – 5X, $135 custom made. Each seller will have a different policy so be sure check that out.
eBay of course has a variety of choices in both quality and fit. This is what I came up with when I searched for Costume 5X. It seemed to me that most of the costumes were also being sold on the other sites I have mentioned.
Sonsi reached out to me while I was writing this post and was kind enough to do a little research and they feel like the Dreamgirl Brand is most likely to fit larger plus sizes. The 3x/4x would fit me in the bust but not in the waist, but if you are more of a hourglass or pear shape with a full skirt, they might work very well.
Sonsi also has a few others that I thought might work: I have the Maleficent Costume and I know it fits me because I own it and have worn it several years. (UPDATE: One of my readers purchased the Maleficent costume and she thinks it could fit to a 6X.) Just FYI. I also like the Ombre Hooded Cape, which could make any black outfit into a costume.
Lady Strange Erotic Lingerie (toward the bottom of the page) carries costumes to an 8X.
Bustiers: Here is a great bog post, Plus Size and Proud, about Corset Boulevard Global and how they fit and how they look. Great information, and there are a couple of great photos.
If you are looking for costumes through a 1/2X 3/4X or 1X – 3X, there are many options. Almost all of the plus size stores carry some costumes, and most Halloween Costume vendors, like Halloween Express often carry up to a 3X, the list is quite long and you only have to Google “plus size costumes” to see the list of choices. Some plus size stores are not carrying any costumes this year, like Lane Bryant, at least not as of today this date.
Most costumes tend to run a little smaller than standard sizes so check the size charts carefully when you are ordering.
Making Your Own Costume: And last but not least, there is making your own costume. Go through your closet and see if there is anything that would work as the base of the outfit. Is there a black outfit that could be witch-like, or something gauzy for a princess or large sleeved for a pirate wench, the list is endless. There are a ton of tutorials out there on how to make a headband or accessory to fill out the illusion. Or you can purchase some accessories to wear with a leopard top, like leopard ears, as you can see in my last year’s post on costumes. In my experience everyone wants to believe in your costume and it only takes a little sleight of hand to make it fun and festive for Halloween. Here are some costumes/DIY tips from last year.
DIY Wonder Woman Plus Size Costume
DIY VooDoo Doll Plus Size Costume
DIY Steampunk or Edwardian Plus Size Costume
VERY casual Bee Costume (good for a child)
DIY Mrs. Claus Plus Size Costume
I hope you find this useful and as always if you have additional suggestions please comment. In addition, I would love to see some photos if you do decide to dress up for Halloween, or any time.
Peace…affinity
photos: Taken at Peralta Junction
Bottom photo: Leori Gill Photography
I had wanted an AffatshionistA t-shirt for awhile, but the custom design sites did not have my size, and then I happened upon customPLUS last year and here is my t-shirt and I love it. How fun is it to have a t-shirt with my logo on it, in my size?
See the red logo t-shirt above? I have t-shirts made for our theme camp at Burning Man every year. To get one to fit ME I have to find a t-shirt the same color, cut out the logo from one of the men’s t-shirts, and then sew it onto the t-shirt I have in the same color. I know there are places I could have a 4X t-shirt made but they don’t really fit me. They are not usually “women’s” in shape, and they are bulky in all the wrong places. So this is what I have been doing for several years to have a Burning Man t-shirt like my campmates.
