For a couple of years I have been writing posts about where you can find 4X and larger, Plus Size Costumes, and with Halloween coming it is time for an update. In addition to retail 4X costumes, as always I am going to include Do It Yourself (DIY) section. Just for reference I am size 26-28, weigh 280 lbs, have a 53″ waist and tiny ankles. My standard for inclusion in this article is that the costume might fit me. My experience is that costumes run small so buyer beware.
Halloween Costumes carries 31 different Size 5X costumes, priced between $28 – $104. They even have 9 Size 7X costumes, but this year there do not seem to be any 8X costumes. But based on one of my reader’s experience, these costumes appear to be generously sized. This is where I would start my search. They have quite a bit of variety and I think it is worth the effort to check out what they are offering, and these costumes appear to be exclusive to them. The Wonderland Cat includes the shrug and “wristlets”.
BigGals Lingerie has costumes up to a size 12X. They are somewhat 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 more costumes this year that run to a 9X that are very cute, and some moderate pricing, as well as quite a few accessories and make-up. The site says to check sizing for each item. I think this is a fabulous resource if their costume themes speak to you.
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 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. What I found was expensive and I had seen many of them elsewhere. Each seller will have a different policy so be sure to check that out. That said, they have a plethora of accessories, Paws, Animal Hats, various ears, and Tutus, which vary in their plus sizes. And don’t forget the amazing masks, which are not size specific, and vary tremendously in cost. And they even have some themed Halloween hats.
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, and I would be particularly careful of the bustier sizing, which always seems to vary a lot.
Hips and Curves has a lovely collection of costumes and accessories, some to a 6X, which appear to run a bit small. I love the look of these costumes and I have not seen most of them anywhere else. And OMG, this sexy witch hat, I have never seen anything like it. And look at this hoop skirt which comes to a 50″ waist. 10/26/14 Update fror a reader, confirming my fears that sizing might run somewhat small:
I have some of the Hips ‘n Curves items. They run extremely small. I have the satin sleeves, and I can’t get them around my arms….also some of the school girl items and petticoats. The petticoats are my favorite…they stretch!
Torrid has costumes but my experience is that their Size 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 Size 5X (I usually wear a 4X in Torrid Tops) Super Hero T-shirts which I am sure would fit me.
Lady Strange Erotic Lingerie carries very sexy costumes to an 8X.
Bustiers: Here is a great blog 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.
In addition to the 4X+ size costumes, I owned this Maleficent Size 24 costume for years. It more than fit my size 26/28 body, and I have even had readers state that they thought it would fit to a size 6X, but I cannot vouch for that.
If you are looking for costumes through a 1/2X 3/4X or 1X – 3X, there are many options. 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.
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, or a leopard print that just needs leopard ears and perhaps some leopard gloves, 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. 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 prior years.
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
In the spirit of making clothes work as costumes, SWAK has a wonderful layout, where they have taken their clothing line, added some accessories and have created costumes, where the underlying clothing could be worn during the year. Gotta love that!
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
I fell in love with this skirt the moment I saw it. I was reluctant to buy it because it seemed too “dressy” to wear tutoring or to lunch with the girls, but it is not as dressy looking as I thought it might be, even though it has both a mesh overlay and a tulle lining. I am going to wear it on Tuesday to tutor with my go-to tutoring top, which does not show as much skin. Sleeveless Turtleneck, Size 20, ASOS Curve
This is the same sock hack I used a few weeks ago (thus the green sock photo). I had some pink socks that I hoped would peek out of the boot, just to add a little matching color to the outfit, but they were way too bulky to wear under my boots. Great thin socks are always a struggle in plus sizes. So I cut the foot off of them and wore them like short leg warmers, since all I really cared about was adding a little color to the bottom half of my legs (I will wear the foot portion to sleep in so no waste here). I wish I had worn bright pink earrings to bring the same color up to my face. I suspect you will see the sock hack fairly often.
Torrid Shorts – What Size Should I Buy?
Torrid Size 4 – Fit and Flare! Best Skirt EVER!
I am wearing a Size 4, and it fits perfectly. A stiffish elastic waist, with a little zipper in the back. Unfortunately Torrid only has skirts in sizes 00 – 2 in stock. It took me several weeks to wear it because it just borders on dressy with the stiffness of the body, and the shiny sheerness of the fabric. Can I say one more time, this is my favorite skirt EVER?
Sock Hack (to show more color, and balance the outfit)
And here is a photo of my Burning Man 10 Year Volunteer Patch. I think I will put it on my hoodie.
