Gotta have FAITH...

As a plus-size woman, one of the most difficult things that I've dealt with is....CLOTHING. I've never really been a huge fan of shopping, but it was really because shopping is frustrating when you're options are oh sooo limited. Who really wants to dress as a soccer mom when you're a teenager?? There was always, and in most cases still is, the issue of trying to find trendy clothes if you're not a size 4. In most instances, you have to settle for what you can find, which can be awkward looking, with dowdy shapes and random prints...things that I sometimes look at and think "Did someone manufacture that with a straight face?"

When I was younger, there were a few stores that catered to the young plus-sized girl/woman. I remember one called GirlfriendsLA, Torrid and a few others. But if the clothes weren't SUPER expensive, the quality was SUPER cheap. So I found solace in the simple styles of Old Navy and the like.

Today, a lot more stores have opened their merchandise to include larger sizes. Now the outreach is appreciated, but there's still the issue of the availability of cute trendy clothes. It makes you think that just because I'm bigger than a size 12, I must be banished to wear muumuus forever. Thanks but NO THANKS fashion world!

My guess is this is the problem that Forever 21 was trying to solve with the creation of their Faith 21 line with extended sizes. I know what you're thinking, Forever 21?? To me, if you're bigger than a size 8, then clothing from there is not really an option. But this new line might just be what a plus-size fashionista (or one in the making) may be looking for!

The Faith 21 line has up to size 3X in certain styles. The line includes mostly tops and outerwear, with and expanding jeans/pants/skirts selection. I've personally found a fashion lifesaver in this line.

Some of their styles:

Trendy, stylish, and definitely affordable. Being that it IS forever 21, the prices are pretty reasonable. (Tops are as low as $8, most expensive coat is $45). Granted, nothing's perfect. There are definitely some items that are questionable, in taste as well as quality. Also, AVAILABILITY. The amount of stores that contain this line don't necessarily cater to me because of my location, and why not just put it in ALL stores? Just my 4 cents. All in all, I have added a bunch of their items to my wardrobe, and definitely plan to in the future.