www. theAvenue.com
http://www.fashionbug.com

And on the subject of whether ON did this “on purpose,” I agree with Kate… I think it is mostly an issue of mismanagement. They decided to launch a plus line but it seemed like they didn’t want to put any money whatsoever into it. They squeezed it in the way back of the stores so that even if you went in the store, there is no reason you would necessarily know it was there. From what I understand they did not really advertise or publicize the new department at all… I certainly never knew it was there until it was already on the way out. So yes, primarily mismanagement, but I wouldn’t doubt in the least if the hush-hush wasn’t also, at least in small part, due to their desire not to be trumpeting “NOW IN PLUS!” and potentially alienating customers who would care that fat girls could wear the same clothes they could. I still maintain that there was a class/image concern on the part of management that played into the almost secretive nature of the in-store plus sections. Regarding them not wanting to be Gap, I’m not sure about that; these days everyone knows that all 3 stores are owned by the same company, so perhaps they wouldn’t want even their “low-end” brand dragging down the overall company image. Anyway, I think they mostly bungled things but I think there was also a little of wanting to have their cake and eat it too… get money out of plus size consumers without having anyone other than the plus size consumers know that they could shop in their stores. The “lose weight and buy regular sizes” comment is absolutely astounding.

Aaand in another unrelated comment, thinking of how they carry Levi’s at Sears reminded me that I think Sears, Penney’s, and Kohl’s (maybe try their web sites if your local store is poorly stocked) are still the best places to get work basics in plus at good prices. You could go broke trying to put together a work wardrobe at LB without some serious sale watching. Anyway I just wanted to mention that because until I started shopping there again recently, I wouldn’t necessarily have though Sears would have anything up-to-date in terms of professional wear, so maybe other people are overlooking them too.

On the subject of inexpensive jeans, you might also try their Levi Strauss line that is sold in places like Meijer and (maybe… I am not sure they carry the plus sizes) Target. Probably Wal-mart too. Riders is another brand sold in discount stores that sometimes has decent-looking styles. Honestly I think these lines are better made than Old Navy and certainly no more expensive. My straight-size friend was complaining about the bizarre way that Gap recut their Boyfriend Jean and asked me where I got the ones I was wearing. When I said “Meijer” she was pretty excited to try them because if they fit well, it would sure beat paying twice as much for saggy, ill-fitting Gap jeans.

They’ve gone through growing pains. . .and they’re going to experience them again shortly with Todd Oldham having been employed to re-design just about everying. Mind you I really dislike some of his combinations of color, but I am at least glad they hired him and not that twit Mizrahi who has churned out a bunch of crap since I was about 13 and paying attention to fashion.