Forever 21 to Launch a Plus-Size Line, Faith 21

Thursday, March 5. 2009

Forever 21 to Launch a Plus-Size Line, Faith 21

Forever 21 to Launch a Plus-Size Line called Faith 21

On May 1, Forever 21 will launch a plus-size clothing line called Faith 21 in select stores and online, reports the Los Angeles Times. Faith 21 will offer tops, jeans, tanks, leggings and skirts in a junior plus size as well as XL, 1X and 2X.

I think this is exciting news considering the most common complaint I've heard about the fast-fashion chain (besides quality and blatant knockoffs) is the lack of adequate sizes. Just the other day, a reader made the following comment: "I love F21 just as much as the next budget conscious girl, but their sizes are so far from womanly it's ridiculous. I have a classic hourglass figure at a healthy weight for my height and their sizes barely even get over my head. What's a girl to do!?!?" —Katie

And here's another: "I have a figure very similar to Kim Kardashian, and I don't fit into anything at F21. Tops are way too tight and fitted, and pants? lol. Definitely not cut for me." —Joann

I think F21's taking a step in the right direction, and hope that other companies follow suit. After all, it's not just F21 who has ignored customers: The average American woman is a size 14, and most designer brands don't offer sizes beyond a 10 or 12. [Source]

Are you looking forward to the Faith 21 collection?

Forever 21 to Launch a Plus-Size Line

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The Budget Babe

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I think it's great that they are expanding their sizes available, but if it's normal to be a size 12 or 14 then why are these categorized as "plus" sizes? I'm maybe 5-10 lbs over my ideal weight for my height and this makes me plus sized? Seems like a pretty standard size deviation to me.

#1 Kristy on 2009-03-05 07:45 (Reply)

That is such great news!!!

#2 real style real people (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 09:06 (Reply)

The fashion gods have answered my prayers! I love forever 21 stuff but could never fit it! Hopefully this will push other brands to offer plus size clothing too. Because the market is very open and there is a need for trendy plus sized clothing. i had to send out a search party to jump on the buffalo plaid trend and i finally found a few after months of searching at missphit.com

#3 Miss B on 2009-03-05 09:16 (Reply)

How awesome! I'm glad to see that forever 21 is listening to people!
And I'm also happy that you keep us posted on whats going on with Forever21. I know other readers feel as if though its too much about forever 21, but I disagree. Forever 21 is a huge force in the budget fashion world and therefore news pertaining to them is very pertinent. Especially when there are stories to break! Like this, or about the swim suits. Me and my friends were hugely excited about the bathing suits, and if you hadn't told us we wouldn't have known to go and find them before they sold out. So thank you for keeping us up to date!
If you ever doubt the relevance of keeping up on the Forever 21 news, just go walk around downtown chicago- you can't go two inches without seeing someone carrying around a bright yellow bag!
Oh, and I think the blog is really well rounded anyway! (I'd say target gets just as much press!) Keep up the good work!

#4 Peaches on 2009-03-05 10:32 (Reply)

I'm so glad! I normally wear a size 9 in pants and I can't even pull those cute $12 jeans up around my thighs -- they NEVER carry anything over a 28 at my f21.

Now, if only they started making short sizes...

#5 Q on 2009-03-05 10:42 (Reply)

I love forever 21 and I buy a lot of my tops from there but I can't even think about fitting into the jeans. They are cut so small and although I wouldn't consider myself "plus sized" I do have a butt! Its about time they realized most of their clothes are made for people with model figures.

#6 Stephanie on 2009-03-05 11:14 (Reply)

this is awesome news, my mama is a plus sized lady and i would love to be able to by her a little something cute from f21!

#7 gina (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 11:20 (Reply)

This is great! I'm not overweight, and alot of their "Large" sizes do not fit me. So, this is really exciting.

#8 Nicole D on 2009-03-05 11:35 (Reply)

I love that just because they make their clothes to fit only petite women, I'm now being labeled a "plus size" when in fact they are the ones with inaccurate sizing. Their large is almost a small-medium in other stores and their pants? HA, right..

I won't be shopping at F21 "plus size" selection, I'll just take my money somewhere else.

#9 erika on 2009-03-05 11:55 (Reply)

Spectacular news! And thanks for the quote

blush Makes a loyal reader feel valued. As for F21, I don't care what label they put on it, I'm just happy to not be restricted to the accessories any longer. Now if only they came out with this in time for my trip to Miami...

#10 Katie on 2009-03-05 12:21 (Reply)

YAY! This is great news! Like some of the other commenters, i have a bit of an issue with anything bigger than a large @ F21 being labeled "PLUS" but i'll take what i can get.

#11 Carolyn (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 12:37 (Reply)

YAY!!!! I'm thrilled to hear this!!

#12 Sal (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 13:10 (Reply)

Go Forever 21! They definitely needed some sort of bigger sizes, considering I have to upgrade two sizes from what I usually wear at F21! Pat on the back.

#13 Blair (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 14:14 (Reply)

I think this is wonderful. When I was younger and bigger there was NOWHERE for me to shop until Delias starting providing plus size options. Yay for Forever 21! Everyone deserves to look smokin' hot and trendy without spending a fortune.
And those models look gooood.
CollegeCandy.com is muy excited about this!

#14 CollegeCandy.com (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 15:37 (Reply)

This is great - I'm not plus-sized by any means (though I may feel that way sometimes) but it's not fair that bigger girls can have affordable and fashionable stuff! I hope they make the boots with a wider calf, I have a friend with large calves and that would really help her on her search for sexy boots.

#15 Wanderlusting (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 17:39 (Reply)

Sorry, that was "NOT FAIR" that they don't make affordable and fashionable plus sized clothes more often

Forever 21's sizing is bunk though. I'm two sizes smaller than normal in their skinny jeans and yet sometimes I can't pull on a "medium" skirt. What gives?

#16 Wanderlusting (Homepage) on 2009-03-05 17:43 (Reply)

Agreed, F21's sizing is already all over the place. No consistency whatsoever, which makes ordering online tough. When I'm shopping in the store, I never look at the tags, I just hold up an item and eyeball it, or hold up pants/skirts to my body to see if it'll fit, then it's off to the dressing room!

#16.1 The Budget Babe on 2009-03-05 20:57 (Reply)

it's always been unfathomable for me to consider jeans, pants, shorts or skirts at f21 so i'm glad they're finally going to offer larger sizes. this would be the first time i've had to go "plus size" which i'm not bothered by but find rather funny. f21 seriously needs to rethink their sizing to realistically cater to their consumers. is it any wonder that their large sizes usually sell out first?

#17 m.s. on 2009-03-05 19:51 (Reply)

THANK GOD! i'm not even plus size and forever 21 is waaaaay too small for me. i'm like an XL there! and like m.s. said, i can never find my size. stores like that make you feel bad when you shop

why do we have to be short and skinny as hell to be stylish? hopefully this plus size line is just as fab as forever's regular stuff.

#18 m.c. on 2009-03-05 20:30 (Reply)

F21 is a juniors' store and it's juniors sizing according to the People's Republic of China (where the stuff is made), which means it's SMALL. Once in a blue moon I can find a top that fits me but you can forget about dresses, pants, jeans, or skirts. This is a smart move for F21, because not only will voluptuous juniors find something to fit them, those of us who are larger misses sizes can too. If F21 does it right, it will make a killing.

#19 greenfairie on 2009-03-05 21:40 (Reply)

URGH!!! I am so annoyed with people!!! Why is it that anyone who does fit into forever 21's clothes is labeled as freakishly short and anorexic!!! That is such bullshit! If I don't have a right to tell you you're fat and shop somewhere else, why do you have a right to tell me that a store has to make clothes for "real" women, like I'm not real, and that if I fit I have an eating disorder and am a midget! Did it ever occur to anyone that people come in different sizes naturally, and forever 21 is ALREADY making a killing, thats why they are so huge- do you think they would be in every mall because all their sizes are totally wrong and nobody fits in them?! Gimme a freaking break! I'm 5' 8" and 135 lbs- which is a COMPLETELY average height (if not slightly tall) and completely healthy normal weight- and guess what? I fit in the Forever 21 size small. So will you all just shut up already? No matter what store you go to you won't fit in everything or like the way it fits your body. You think the freakishly skinny short girls as you call us enjoy going shopping at certain stores and never filling out the bust, or the hips of a dress looking jacked up because it doesn't fit our shape? I don't expect these companies and brands to change for me, I just GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! And if you're shopping at a JUNIORS store, don't expect to find WOMEN'S sizing! And as for the language, its called semantics. If I shop at Limited two and have to get the XXL, its because I'm at a store for children. If you have to get a plus size at Forever 21, its because its a damn juniors store!!! Reality check people! And if you seriously have that much of problem with a size defining you get therapy, not more clothes.

#20 Kara on 2009-03-06 11:36 (Reply)

Ummm honey... I mean this in a loving way... invest in some Xanax.

#20.1 Katie on 2009-03-06 11:43 (Reply)

Because junior girls could never possibly be larger than a F21 size large?

Seriously, think before you post something that makes you look mean and ignorant.

#20.2 Sandra on 2009-03-06 20:21 (Reply)

dumb ass

#20.3 p on 2009-04-10 11:41 (Reply)

I think the point people are trying to make is that curvy or plus-sized girls have little to no selection. Nobody is bad mouthing you for your height/weight, just saying for the average american (which is OVERWEIGHT for sure) there isnt a good selection of clothing. Just be glad you can find clothing and fit into a small, if we were all so lucky...

#20.4 Hillary on 2009-04-22 17:15 (Reply)

I would just like to say that I am a Forever 21 employee at the Mall of America store in Bloomington. Now I fit into their clothes but I would just like to say that I AM PUMPED about getting the line in. It will be awesome for any woman to be able to walk in and grab what they want.

At the Mall of America we have people of all sizes coming in and asking for their sizes and I hate having to tell them that we don't carry an XL or a bigger size in jeans than a 30. You will be able to see what stores are carrying the Faith 21 line online at their website forever21.com. It will be carried at most large stores, just ask your assosciates or the managers. They should know if they are getting the line.

And to #20 kara, sweetie. A store should make a variety of sizes for everyone. Yes, Forever 21 does make a lot of money but that doesn't mean we are all about that. We truly want the average girl/woman to be able to be FASHIONABLE. Fashion is key at Forever 21 as all of you should know, so it's not all about making money. It's about setting a trend for others to follow. It's that what fashion's about?

Anyways. Have a good day ladies. I'm truly excited for this line to come out as my mom will love it and so will every customer... hopefully.

Thanks.

#20.5 Aimee (Homepage) on 2009-04-30 14:51 (Reply)

I had no idea "juniors' used that kind of language.

#20.6 I am who I am on 2009-04-30 16:33 (Reply)

LOL I'm with Katie - hey, I fit into Forever 21 SMALL dresses and shirts too but i'm not taking offence. I would be frustrated too if an inexpensive and on-trend store didn't fit me. They DO run small and that's a fact but it's perfectly fair for people to complain because they SHOULD run bigger.

I can understand something like Nina Ricci running small to fit "designer" model bodies but not a cheap chain store like F21 that swarms this, frankly "large," nation.

And there is no denying, again, that there is serious size consistency problems at the store. That's probably the worst problem of all.

#21 Wanderlusting (Homepage) on 2009-03-06 13:38 (Reply)

Some people need to take a serious chill pill. The fact of the matter is the average woman in america is a size 12 or 14. Stores should carry a wide variety of sizes. Thats the smart thing to do financially. As a plus size girl i dont mind spending my money on clothing as long as its decently cut and stylish. Forever 21 going plus sized is a major break through in fashion period. Forever 21's demographic is women aged 15 to 30 and trust me there are plenty of lovely curvy's in that age bracket including myself!

#22 Miss B on 2009-03-06 15:43 (Reply)

As for the sizing being wack at F21 it is because they have low intrinsic value.. they don't have people double checking to make sure that each item is the same, just as long as it looks like the pattern, they are like "ok!" this is another reason why they can charge so little for their clothing.

#23 Ally (Homepage) on 2009-03-06 16:45 (Reply)

I love it! And how awesome are you for keeping us voluptuous women in the know? I'm sure you already know. Thank you & keep up the fabulous work on The Budget Babe. You're so worth reading!

#24 Kaori (Homepage) on 2009-03-18 16:28 (Reply)

Finally- WOW! now we have some cute clothes to wear. I have very thick legs, and full bust so. I am a size 14, and don't fit any of the clothes in forever 21. EXCEPT THE ELASTIC SHIRTS. i love there clothes and prayed for this day to come. I AM SO EXCITED. WHEN A WOMEN IN STORE TOLD ME THE NEW STORE IN COLORADO WAS GOING TO HAVE PLUS SIZE CLOTHES I ALMOST PASSED OUT. THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE. JUST BECAUSE YOUR BIG DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND GRACEFUL.

#25 ALEXIS TAYLOR-ROSS on 2009-03-19 21:05 (Reply)

Is plus size going to be avalible in the colorado store??

#25.1 nikki on 2009-04-23 20:53 (Reply)

Actually Forever 21 doesn't cater to model figures, they cater to women 5'5" and under. Women who are average to petite. If you're tall and thin the proportions still won't fit well. I love them for that. I never have to hem anything that comes from F21, which is necessary considering the throw away status of most of their clothes. Anyways I just want to clear that up.

#26 Jessie (Homepage) on 2009-04-07 17:11 (Reply)

Omq im so happy like really cus i use tO qO tO fOrever 21 and say hOw much cute stuff they had and wish i was able tO fit them and nOw i can shOp at fOrever 21 well faith 21 im sO happy ツ

#27 wajanique on 2009-04-26 15:25 (Reply)

Ok this is GREAT! I cant wait til..tomorrow I will be on the website at 12am!lol but this is just awesome F21 ROCKS already lol...and yea I hope the sizing is accurate enough so that I can get my big booty in sum CUTE CHEAP jeans

#28 QuettaB (Homepage) on 2009-04-30 14:51 (Reply)

I was so excited about this when I first heard as well but has anyone looked at there size charts?
The XL is a 11/12 the 1X is a 13/14 and the 2X is 15/16. That is great for the people that will work for, but realistically that is where most clothes go up to everywhere. SOOO disappointed

#29 Chicago on 2009-05-01 09:48 (Reply)

This is NOT the place to shop if you consider yourself plus size. Many stores already carry up to 16, some 18. Forever 21's Faith 21 line only goes up to a 37" waist. Most women who are a women's 14 have larger than a size 37 waist (this is if you compare to Lame Giant sizing).

I have a 41" waist and wear a 20/22.

The places I shop for trendy affordable clothes are: (in order by my favorite)

curvygirlclothing.com
sizeappeal.com
bandlu.com

Curvy Girl and BandLu put measurement charts on their items so you know what u are buying as all 3 companies carry a junior plus cut. Cheaper than other plus size companies and a lot trendier!

#30 Tara on 2009-05-03 13:00 (Reply)

I think putting out a plus size line will increase their sales and also it's about time i walk in forever 21 only so my size 1 or 2 aunt can shop and i'm standing hopeless looking at all of these cute and pretty cloths. The only thing i have ever bought from a forever 21 store was a pair of glasses.they sould look into bringing a store to Del Rio Texas!!!

#31 Melissa on 2009-05-06 23:40 (Reply)

I'm glad they are expanding their sizes, but their definition of "plus size" is really quite ridiculous. My BMI is well within the "ideal" range and according to Forever 21 I am plus-sized. I am 5'10" and 155 lbs, and according to Forever 21 that makes me "plus sized." I normally wear 8s 10s 12s M or L in clothing... These are average sizes (and actually slim or curvy at my height)... so I hate that Forever 21 calls this "plus size." But eh, whatever... =P When have clothing sizes ever made sense...

#32 Holly on 2009-06-24 08:35 (Reply)

Isn't this all about the reality of clothing sizes and fits?
As has been established, F21's sizes are a bit confused. You can be a medium at any other store and go into F21 and suddenly become and XL.
This is where the problem begins.
It's good that F21 is launching a "plus size" clothing line. But, um, it's not really plus sized. It's large. Not overly large, just on
the higher end of the clothing size chart.
The solution should be an accurate sizing chart with no "plus size." Those who are XS should be able to find XS, and those who are XL should be able to find XL.

I see the side of smaller people happy that F21 offers their sizes, it's easy for them. I also see the side of larger gals being frusterated they cant find a dang large.
But why should the larger girls be the ones to be singled out? The special "plus size" section? It doesnt make sense to me. Why isn't there a
"Super skinny girl" line? BECAUSE society has based 'normal' size to be small. And that is wrong. Should a 5'9 girl, not fat at all, be restricted to plus size because she's not got the body of a 5'1 girl? No! And vice versa.

I think the solution would be to have all sizes
without having to make a "plus size" line.

#33 KR on 2009-11-05 17:27 (Reply)

i really think this is a great idea for the average sized teen. but from a girl who is a size 3. I am not anorexic or anything of the sort. i dont even play sports to get thin, and i eat like any teen eats! i actually dont find myself skinny compared to all of the "model" types people are talking about. i feel great about this line cause i think anyone should be able to look great. but someone needs to speak up for the size 3 girls without an eating disorder being labed as a too skinny when its just the way we grow!

#34 Zoe on 2010-01-10 00:18 (Reply)

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