As a proud card-carrying member of Club Torrid for over a decade, I could practically teach a Master Class in navigating their stores and site. Through trial and error across hundreds of purchases, I learned what flatters my shape, what fabrics last and what tricks score the best deals. Consider this your accelerated graduate course condensed from my PhD in Torrid!
My Fashion Resume Proves I Know Plus Styles
Before detailing my nitty-gritty tips by category, let me establish my plus-size fashionista credentials up front. As a 5‘7", size 16 woman with over 25 years navigating plus offerings, I boast hard-won savvy separating winners from duds. My hourglass shape with 42DDs up top and 53-inch hips below requires brands cut for bodies beyond a rectangle.
Through disappointing stints cramming myself into department store separates and fast fashion flops, I learned what works for me — and what doesn‘t. By 2010, I discovered Torrid addressing my needs across multiple categories with style. I‘ve since become a bonafide super-shopper there; if you see a woman filling her cart to the brim every visit, that‘s probably me!
Armed with this first-hand experience, I‘ll break down the nitty-gritty details on Torrid‘s categories, from still-going-strong leggings I‘ve owned for years to new arrivals taking me from "maybe" to "must buy" immediately. Consider this your loving tell-all from a fan who‘ll also keep it 100% real on where Torrid could still up its game!
Sizing: Deciphering Torrid‘s Fit Spectrum
Nailing the right size matters more at Torrid than straight-sized stores where you size up uniformly. Instead of fixating on a number, focus on finished garment measurements listed under Details to gauge best fit. I base my typical 1X on a few fixed reference points:
- Pants: Measure flat across the waistline where my pants sit rather than my natural waist. I take a 41" for comfortable stretch; size down to 40" for compression.
- Bras: I calculate band size from ribcage then evaluate cup size from biggest point across bust. My 42 ribcage and 55" over bust totals a 42DDD in Torrid Bras.
- Dresses: Assess hip measurement — mine run 53" — then cross-check against finished hip width of the dress style. I buy fitted styles in a 22/24 then size up to a 26/28 for more flowy fits allowing stomach room.
While Torrid‘s size chart lists general ranges per number, I find measurements more exact, especially for curvier frames carrying weight more in stomach, hips and chest rather than evenly distributed from top to bottom. If deciding between sizes, size down for a sleeker look or up for comfort. In shoes with removal insoles, I buy my numerical size then replace insoles if needed.
Now let‘s analyze how true-to-size items run across popular categories!
Bras & Intimates: Cleavage Confidence Up to 46H
As the rare specialty brand extending bra sizes through a 46 band and H cups, Torrid unlocks options for busty babes outside matrix sizing. I put their bras through paces from 9-to-5 to 5 a.m. club exits. When sized correctly, they deliver with lift and support rivals can’t touch.
After years confined to basic beige in standard sizes, Torrid’s lacy bralettes and strappy colorful sets made me actually look forward to showing my bras intentionally!
Their wireless options specifically won me over for all-day wear; the Y-back distributes weight so well, I forget I’m sans underwire. The smoothing shapewear briefs are my secret weapon for cling-free wearing under knits or dresses prone to highlight lumps and bumps.
That said, band sizing does trend snug in newer collections seemingly modeled on more hourglass than cylindrical frames. I sister size up now in bands for comfier all-day wear, going 42DDD to 44DD. Vertical height between cups can also run short for fuller busts; if quadding over cups, consider sizing up a letter.
Overall Grade: A- for awesome options; review sizing charts closely and size up if needed.
Dresses: Flaunt Your Curves in Comfort
Of all Torrid categories, their dresses best showcase technical mastery crafting for actual plus proportion. As an Apple shape, I require defined waist shaping preventing tents while allowing hips and chest room. Torrid‘s knit dresses in Ponte fabric master this with flare dresses and faux wrap styles made to flatter.
I can always rely on wiggle dresses sculpting my shape while allowing movement. For more casual summer looks, I choose flowy babydoll silhouettes layers over Torrid skinny jeans. Unlike fast fashion knits prone to sagging, the substantial Ponte holds structure wash after wash while the thick scuba fabric never clings unflatteringly.
Hemlines hitting just above or below the knee optimize leg lengthening for us taller girls. I love offsetting slimming silhouettes showcasing curves subtly with trendy puff sleeves or cold shoulders. Tailoring through the bodice suits D-F cups then subtly flares at hip level into an A-shape for balance.
I laud consistent quality but rarely notice dress availability beyond core neutrals translating from year to year. I would love more options staying in stock beyond one season in vibrant colors and prints. But for celebrating shape through impeccably designed silhouettes not hiding curves, Torrid‘s dresses rank among the industry‘s best.
Overall Grade: A for silhouettes honoring shape diversity often lacking in plus fashion.
Bottoms: Denim & Leggings to Flatter Your Best Assets
Like most pear shapes boasting a booty, fit through the hips and rear dictates my perfect jean size more than the waist or thigh. Torrid‘s contoured waistbands prevent gapping in back while ingeniously placed rear seams lift and sculpt. What I love most? Options actually curving in at mid-thigh tapering down the leg rather than billowing out unflatteringly like mom jeans.
With denim, I highly recommend trying on in store rather than relying strictly on size charts. Waist measurements assume even distribution; curvier frames carry more weight shifted back. Once you nail your dream fit, invest in both bootcut and skinny silhouettes.
Beyond denim, I live in Torrid leggings virtually year-round! Not only do they sell tons of colors and prints, the substantial Ponte fabric offers that coveted "held-in" feel without exploding at the seams through a long day. I easily get 2-3 years of regular wear from Torrid leggings maintaining compression while cheap brands bag out quickly.
Overall Grade: A+ for rear-view approved denim actually lifting assets & leggings retaining quality stretch over years of wear.
Shoes: Extra Wide Calf Boots Actually Made for Our Calves!
As both a wide-width and wide-calf shoe shopper, the thrill of shoes actually zipping all the way up my 17” calves without uncomfortable constriction or compromising style cannot be overstated! Torrid‘s boots not only accommodate, they celebrate, our curves through on-trend block heels and perfect slouch proportions. I appreciate the traction of lug soles and stability from slight platforms supporting my arches well.
Sizing does lean narrow in some tall shaft styles, so I always reference Torrid’s shoe width guide and size up if between sizes. The removable comfort padding allows room for my own orthotic inserts. For winter months, the faux sherpa and sweater knit boots bring seasonal cheer to my weekly rotation. Come spring, florals and animal prints suit my casual and professional needs well.
While still not matching the volume of options smaller shoe sizes get, Torrid expanded width calf options exponentially beyond the market‘s limited lane of orthopedic looks. For functionality and style syncing perfectly with our calf proportions, their shoes absolutely deliver.
Overall Grade: A for engineered calf width and comfort finally suited for bodies beyond standard.
Swim: Beach Bombshell Styles Built to Last
Beyond bras, Torrid‘s swimwear extends wearability for me as a bustier hourglass shape. Tops properly support F-cup girls with wire-free or light padding options while bottoms cover and flatter rear curvature. I appreciate bodysuits and swim skirts modernizing looks beyond matronly tanks.
Great fabrics make all the difference retaining shapes. With quality construction, I get 2-3 summers from Torrid swim pieces without sagging or pilling most cheap fast fashion brands fall prey to after one wear. I laud the brand for utilizing sun protective Power Mesh linings instead of just bare-all mesh barely masking skin. For range accommodating more coverage levels, Torrid leads in building full support into cup sizing itself.
My feedback for improvement would be expanding sizes for lower belly shapes needing more abdominal control from bottoms. Waistbands could extend higher with adjustable ties cinching in for confidence hitting happy hour after beach lounging. And for D-cups exceeding shelf bra limits, I always sister size swim tops up a band and letter for a comfortable custom fit.
Overall Grade: A for quality fabrics and construction catering to hourglass curves, but could improve on adjustability factoring more shape diversity.
Style: Trends Translated to Actually Flatter
Beyond fit assured by a size spectrum still shockingly rare for plus, Torrid leads the market styling for — not in spite of — our curves. They reject hiding full figures under tents or behind ruffles. Instead, clothes skim and celebrate shapes. Clever details like mesh accents, asymmetric shoulders and ruched sides play up assets in subtle, tasteful ways.
Rather than an afterthought, Torrid adapts of-the-moment trends to our proportions. Peplums become tunics; oversized sleeveless hoodies layer seamlessly over dresses for downtown edge or shopping mall realness. They modernized goth looks once relegated as novelty tees to commanding whole assortments mixing romantic and rebel vibes.
I only wish stock allowed snagging multiple colors of winning styles. Core basics in black, grey and denim reliably return but sell out quickly if you love certain dresses, tops or jeans. Be ready to pounce fast when those exceptional fits come back in vibrant shades rarely sticking around long.Beyond staples, rotating the latest looks keeps drops fun but harder to collect over time.
Overall Grade: A+ for inclusive industry leadership understanding plus style is mainstream style when crafted intentionally for our bodies.
The Bottom Line: Is Torrid Worth Your Investment Over Other Plus Brands?
In one devotee’s wholehearted verdict: absolutely, positively YES! No brand perfectly suits every body and personal style. But through listening then responding in kind with nuanced fits celebrating who fills them out, Torrid leads the market making plus feel as effortlessly incorporated as standard sizes.
Could certain aspects level up even more? Sure; no company nails everything universally. But the sheer range of on-trend specialty apparel scaled masterfully for sizes and shapes largely left behind goes unmatched. For pageant girls and goth goddesses, Torrid allows being yourself unapologetically. They understand our clothing costs more than money. It’s the chance to step out as who we really are.
Through welcoming stores actively working to offer community and killer deals, Torrid earns loyalty from shoppers too often treated like exceptions rather than priorities. By giving my curves visibility, voice and validation, Torrid makes me feel not just included but understood. And as more than a customer — as a member of their Chic Stylista tribe — I’ll be cheering each step expanding options for all of us.
