I am looking for t-shirts that are (1) tall and (2) big enough without being too big. I’m plus-sized (you can be big OR tall but not both if you’re a woman), but the Old Navy XXL Tall used to be perfect: the Tall dimensions added width as well as length. But they’ve changed their cut/fit, so now they’re even more “fitted” than before, and the neckline is odd. I’ve tried the Old Navy 2X in plus sizes, but it’s too short and too wide. And in a lot of brands, 2XL is “baby doll fit”—i.e., a size or two smaller than expected. Anything men’s or unisex looks ridiculous on me: way too wide in the shoulders and waist, but then super tight across hips and stomach. But men’s sizes are LONG enough, at least.
Probably price is going to be another issue. I searched “tall plus-size” and did find some limited options—for, like, $60 per shirt. NO. Not for a perfectly ordinary t-shirt that would sell for $10 if it were a few inches shorter and narrower. I would like what I used to get at Old Navy, which was about $5-10/shirt, depending on sales. I will be reasonable and pay up to $15-20 for t-shirts if there is no other choice, but that is IT.
Lands End has some tall t-shirts and they are in your range when on sale. So maybe it’s worth checking them out.
I could not find any on Lands’ End that were tall AND plus-sized, but I admit I gave up after half a dozen. Did you have any luck? I might try their Tall XL and see if it is big enough, or maybe I’ll try their non-tall plus-size and see if it’s long enough.
Their non tall plus size will NOT be long enough. I could have written your original post and Lands End are out of my closet now. They creep up shorter every year. Old Navy slub shirts work for awhile but then shrink to your navel. Anyone tried St John’s Bay at JCP? they look promising in the XXL size.
Ugh. You’re right. Only their swimsuits come in Tall/Plus sizes. Sorry!
Maybe this from Lands End? Women’s Plus Size Supima Cotton Short Sleeve V-neck Tunic Top
Anything that says “tunic” should be long.
I like the tunic idea. I’ll keep an eye out for a good sale and then try one!
I’m a short person (is 5’4″ short or average?) with a longer than average torso. I’ve found the Merona T-shirts from Target are longer than most. I like a v-neck, but they do have a regular neckline. Maybe that would work for you.
Ditto Merona from Target! I find the fabric to be pleasantly stretchy too.
Eddie Bauer has XXL tall for women. They run between 20-25 a tee, but there are good sales (right now 40% off). They have a few different neckline options too!
Ooo, this sounds promising! I will check!
Just zapped off an order. Loved the look and price. Will let you know how a tall xxl fits on little ole 5’4″ me.
I was going to recommend Eddie Bauer also.
I am only 5, 2″ and I find Lands End plus t-shirts to be way to short. I have had good luck with some of the Old Navy xxl or even xl maternity shirts (the designs that aren’t like “rejoice in the splendor of my baby belllllay!!!” obviously). I’m going to be following this comments section, though, because this is an issue for me, as well.
I am a tall large in old navy or sometimes tall XL if shirt is tight in shoulders and I am breastfeeding. Right now I am preg mac and buying ON maternity in L
Instead of XL because cut is more generous. Would you be willing to try out ON maternity tshirts? They are so long. I have a ON maternity fitted maternity tank that is ribbed and XL and so so long. There is some ruching. I plan to wear it post partum though because I like the length.
Hm, I wonder. The length and the extra room in the hip region would be nice.
Yes, this. I have several tshirts and tank tops from Old Navy and Target that don’t have runching or all the other stuff that make them obvious maternity, they’re just longer and a material that is stretchy enough to fit a growing belly. But I still wear some of them now, just a size (sometimes two) down from what I wore pregnant. Or more like the stuff I wore in the early parts of pregnancy when I just needed something a little longer to cover more belly, but I wasn’t really BIG yet. Those shirts. Best.
I just bought a maternity t shirt (Liz Lange target) and my DH commented that he sees non pregnant women wearing shirts with ruching now a days. So maybe it’s a thing even in non maternity designated clothing.
I tried this recently because I still wear a couple of maternity shirts since they aren’t obviously maternity and I have a long torso. I found it hard to tell how the shirt was cut from the pictures online. The one I tried looked like it would be just extra stretchy and long, but when I got it it had a very maternity cut to it, so it went back.
I’m avidly watching this too, because while I’m not tall, I have a super long torso, so shirts often are too short. I was excited about the possibility of Old Navy Maternity as I have several maternity dresses that don’t scream “MATERNITY” and I love them. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to check shirts as well. But Old Navy doesn’t sell maternity online in Canada – OF COURSE. I’ll have to remember to order the next time I’m in the US for a few days.
I am neither tall nor plus but I think the search for a Holy Grail t-shirt is universal. When I find one I like — I often use it as a template to alter shirts that are fine on length & sleeves, but too boxy. (Why the boxy fit, designers, WHYYYYYY???) Maybe this method could work for you? Basically I follow theses steps, takes about 10 minutes:
1. Turn new, too-boxy shirt inside out.
2. Lay shirt on table.
3. Place favorite shirt on top of new shirt. Use sharpie to lightly draw dashed line on new shirt where side seam should go, using favorite shirt as guide.
4. Sew new shirt side seams straight up to armpit along dashed line, then trim off extra.
Voila! Pretty good new shirt.
You, with your cleverness. Why don’t I do that too? I have a sewing machine. I shall commence this project forthwith.
I go for the Lands End Tunic tops when they have sales. The regular ones are too short for me (I’m long-waisted AND plus-sized!)
If you’re game for basic-basic tshirts, I have this shirt in white and just ordered a few new colors. I have an XL and it’s pleasantly loose, so you might have some luck with the XXL? Or there are similar shirts from other brands that are similarly priced and come in 3X.
Doh, didn’t paste the link. Here it is. http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Loom-Ladies-T-Shirt-X-Large/dp/B00BBW9EEE?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I AM GAME. I will try one and see if it is long enough!
I recommend trying things with ‘tunic’ in the description. Tunic seems to be used as a synonym for ‘long’.
Try Duluth trading company – super high quality shirts in a standard extra long length (longtail I think it is called?) They do have 20%+ off sales regularly. I don’t have any short sleeve ones, but I love my long sleeved ones.
YES. I will try!
I cheat I buy men’s XL Tall tank top undershirts – you know the ribbed ones? And I wear them under my questionable shirts.
I like the Duluth Trading longtail tee shirts. Sometimes they go on sale and I like the heft of their material (I hate the flimsy 3 wash t-shirts some stores carry).
I will try these! I love all the colors!
Duluth Trading is pretty awesome. My dad usually wears big & tall stuff, and he is able to wear his usual size without the tall designation in Duluth Trading stuff because they seem to actually understand the proportions of people who wear larger sizes. Their clothing is a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth it IMO. Plus you can nearly always find a Duluth Trading coupon code with only the most minimal of Googling.
Another Celeste here. I am 5’9″ and plus sized. I have had luck with Eddie Bauer women’s tall before. Here is one you might try; they have a 40% code going on now. My only caveat is that I have gained weight and haven’t tried them lately. I have become completely disgusted with Lands End, though, so don’t feel like it was just you. http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/women–39-s-favorite-short-sleeve-crewneck-t-shirt/20902475/_/A-ebSku_0097305024000050__20902475_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Women&previousPage=&tab=&color=100
Hi another Celeste! :)
I also love Eddie Bauer shirts. I get tall but not plus-size–the length is great in both the torso and the sleeves. Also, I find they hold up well–I just retired a shirt I’d been wearing for ~5 years. It showed wear in the collar, but the color and fit were the same as the day I bought it.
For basic basics, I have bought Woman Within’s tunics for a couple seasons now, and they fit like I wish a regular t-shirt would. Try and find a deal with free shipping because the clothes are reasonably priced but shipping is stupid.
http://www.womanwithin.com/clothing/Top-in-tunic-length-the-Perfect-cotton-Vneck-with-shirring.aspx?PfId=168963&ProductTypeId=1&mobi_stop=true&affiliate_id=047&affiliate_location_id=10
Those Woman Within shirts look fab — love the little pleat at the v-neck — and I’m all set to put one in my cart, but is the sizing for real? I’m a 22-24 & always a 2x in other stores; would I really be a 1x for these like it says?
(And thank you for this thread… I’m eternally on the quest for the t-shirt holy grail, since Target’s plus size t-shirts mysteriously shrink 3 inches every time I wash them.)
There is a certain amount of vanity sizing with this brand, yes, so probably a 1x for you. Also, the neck line is usually good but gets a little low in the bigger plus sizes.
They do have that thing on the hips where there is a little notch on both sides, so less pulling across the hips. Is nice. Do like.
I second Woman Within. They put the length in the description for each shirt, which is helpful. Tees start at $8.99, can get $2 off each one if you get 3 (even different styles.) You can also order them through full beauty dot com (no spaces, obvs.) (Hi Texxie! Miss your blog!) They have a thing that for $20/yr, you only spend $2.99 for shipping on any order, and free shipping on any return. I disagree with a membership to shop on principle, but I saved more than $20 on my first order. (I tend to buy a large quantity at once, then do it again in a few years.)
Have you checked H&M? I’m 5’7 and size 8, so not super tall and not plus-sized, but I prefer my shirts to be tunic length. For their long t-shirts and shirt dresses in XS-XL instead of number sizes, I find their sizing EXTREMELY generous. I buy the items that petite, youthful types wear as dresses and get them in a smaller size so they fit like shirts. Here are a couple of them:
http://www.hm.com/us/product/91281?article=91281-M&cm_vc=SEARCH#article=91281-M
http://www.hm.com/us/product/43774?article=43774-C&cm_vc=SEARCH
Their clothing isn’t always the most durable, but it’s inexpensive and usually lasts me a few years, kind of along the lines of Old Navy.
I just got some LuLaRoe T-shirts and I LOVE them…finally a t-shirt that doesn’t show my butt crack every time I bend over at work or ride up so my lower back sticks to the car seat when I’m in the car!
I think they are like the thirty-one bags, though…you have to find someone selling them.
This is pushing the top of your price range but Long Tall Sally has two for $40 tees, plain v-necks. Sizes 4-24. http://us.longtallsally.com/c/tall/tops?redirect=false¤cy=USD
I find Lands End sizing runs pretty big. I would wear an XL or even xxl in other brands and their L fits me about right, unless it’s a fitted shirt.
Lularoe Irma tunic is very long and goes up to 3XL. I have two and they’re great. They also make a “classic tee” that still has added length in the butt, but not as much. And their “perfect tee” is blousy if you like that.
I am very short, but I’m wondering if ModCloth might have what you want? They always seem to have different lengths and sizes.
Alternatively (and more expensively), I was wondering if Eshakti would be a place to look? They custom-make tops and dresses. I didn’t spot any plain old tees there.
I LOVE ZigZag Stripe and they have a section that’s $20 and under. :) http://www.zigzagstripe.com/collections/shop-under-20
I like their Day to Day tops and Basic Dresses (I wear them like tunics)
I also love LuLaRoe like some others mentioned above, but they are pricey. I find $35 a shirt a bit much, even though they are SO soft and lovely! (I have some, but prefer their dresses as I don’t mind paying more for those.)
Dressbarn! I know the name is terrible, but they have the best plus size clothing, and cute dressing rooms.
I just went to Duluth and picked a few of their shirts based on all the suggestions. I threw a cute skort in there too. Let’s meet again and discuss when we access the shrinky and shorty business post wash.
I’ll also throw in a recommendation for Lularoe tops. I have a “perfect” in xs and another in medium. š I like how they flair at the hips. The size tag on the xs makes me feel good, although I’m solidly in the M/L (but usually large) size typically. The medium on me could possibly be worn with leggings or tights as a tunic (although I typically just wear it with yoga pants). I’m not tall (5’4″), but have a long torso, so am always on the lookout for longer tops. I don’t have any of the other two tops (Irma and classic), but my mom and aunt do, and the Irma is really long on them, basically a knee-length dress (they’re 5′ and 5’3″ for reference). Sizing is funky with this brand, but the quality is really good! They’re in the higher end of my price range for clothes, but I haven’t been disappointed. Sometimes their prints are in the WTF realm, and sometimes they’re charming. They’re typically sold through Facebook groups by a (franchised? authorized? Not really sure) seller. I can send you a link or invite to my seller’s FB page if you’d like (full disclosure, she’s another aunt, but I get nothing by referring you to her. She has a great sense of humor, though, and I think you might appreciate some of posts on the group page). Would have to be FB friends with you first….will send you a request now (been meaning to do that anyway!