Dressing the Size M woman on a ₹3,000 budget
Ruffle sleeves, corset tops and power suits, oh my
We know the drill by now. Spot the perfect-for-office white shirt on the rack, try it on and struggle to button it up over your chest. Go up a size and return to the trial room only to find out it droops off your shoulders. Don’t even get us started about jeans. Every curvy Indian woman has struggled to find a pair that hits all three marks – comfort, style, good fit.
The pair that manages to easily slide over your bum, loosely hangs around the waist like a stretched-out elastic band. Size down and you find yourself in a WWE match, wrestling with the jeans, struggling to pull them over your hips. We won’t lie: the whole ordeal does make us want to end things with a chokeslam.
To steer clear of possible chokeslams, we’ve found midsize fashion brands that specifically cater to the curvy Indian body. The average medium-sized body type, that major fast fashion brands still can’t seem to do justice to with their size Ms, the “not so petite but not plus-sized”, as blogger Anusha Moore calls it.
The problem with many of the size-inclusive brands designed for the curvy Indian woman is that most of their collections tend to make you look like a tent. But thankfully, as the conversation has grown, so has the range of brands who break the ‘shapeless sack’ mould.
Recognising this gap in the market, we’ve seen the rise of several midsize fashion brands that offer a wide range of sizes (some go right from XXS – 5XL). No matter where you find yourself on the size spectrum, you’ll find a match without having to spend a small fortune on it. Plus, many of these brands will even customise the piece, ensuring a tailored, made-just-for-you fit.
We did some of the groundwork to put together a list of our favourite size-inclusive fashion brands that offer everything you thought midsize types didn’t have access to earlier: sexy styles, form-flattering design and even a mix of traditional Indian fabrics and textiles. Browse through our picks under ₹3,000 and revamp your closet.
8 picks from midsize fashion brands under ₹3,000
With their latest launch, Fabindia marries traditional Indian textiles and handloom with modern millennial styles and aesthetics. They’ve opened themselves up to a new audience with jumpsuits, fun shorts, strappy blouses, dresses and capes.
But they still retain what we love about Fabindia. Prints and comfort.
Easy cottons and breezy lines are perfect for when you’re trying to rock the boho look at your next socially-distanced lunch gathering. An easy hack for looking good while making it seem like you didn’t make too much of an effort.
Our pick: Cotton Linen Flax Printed Shorts, ₹790
Rust Orange is known for its lovely blend of ethnic and western wear and the size-inclusive range.
Our favourite dress is quite the multitasker. Pair it with straight pants or make it part of a work-ready Indian ensemble with a churidar and dupatta. Drop the pants and you’re ready to head out for the night in a shirt dress. Or open up the buttons and wear it as a long cape over any outfit that needs a splash of colour and prints.
Our pick: Yellow Stone Printed Shirt Dress, ₹1,199
You may have spotted a Phutari set on Soha Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan. Why’re they popular? They’re just so damn comfortable and the prints are amazing.
We have a soft spot for this particular pair of ‘Chill Jams’ that pairs a short cotton kaftan with pants. The perfect loungewear to flop down on the sofa in. Swap the pants for jeans and you’re ready to step out of the house. The drawstring around the waist has a cinching effect and highlights your curves.
They also do ‘Shortees‘ in similar prints: sets of shorts and cotton shirts.
Our pick: Strawberry Chill Jams Set, ₹2,600
Lea Clothing Co — with its ruffles, silk corset tops, statement sleeves, bralettes and midi skirts — can make all your whimsical pixie dreams come true.
A sustainable fashion brand created for the conscious consumer who wants to look sexy and stylish without breaking the bank, they cater to sizes that range from XS to 3XL.
The Addison, a light pistachio satin-silk dress, has a silhouette that accentuates the curvy Indian frame. The gold chain straps give it a distinct personality and the thigh-high slit adds just the right bit of oomph for a look that says ‘major payout, minimal effort’.
Our pick: Addison Satin One-Shoulder Chain Strap Dress, ₹2,242
Wabi Sabi’s catalogue is the kind of no-effort street style ideal for occasions when you might get photographed, you know, casually, for the perfect Instagram look.
Animal prints on clothes can work really well but it’s also very easy to dip into gaudy territory. The Tahnia Wrap Top belongs to the former category. The modern wrap top pairs a black and brown leopard print with flared sleeves.
The top itself is a statement piece, so you don’t have to do much else.
Our pick: Tahnia Wrap Top, ₹1,269
An eco-conscious brand started by three sisters, Urban Suburban makes clothes from surplus and leftover fabric from factories that would otherwise be discarded. Correcting any faults, they then stitch them into affordable, fashion-forward pieces for people of all shapes and sizes.
Oversized boyfriend shirts are comfy and stylish but things can go sideways if you pick something too small to be oversized or so big it’s just… too big. The clever design of this shirt counters that by adding a knot-style detail at the back. So, even if the size is a bit off, you can still make it look great.
Our pick: Multicolour Striped Shirt, ₹1,899
An edgy top for a big event, a light floral lehenga for your best friend’s mehendi and gota-patti adorned festive wear. Alaya by Stage3 has an outfit for every occasion on your calendar.
They often collaborate with celebrity stylists, content creators and fashion bloggers. Our favourite has to be the collection created with fashion influencer Sakshi Sindwani.
Wear it buttoned up as a long shirt, open as a jacket, and you can also pair it with the matching wide-leg pants to make it a complete outfit. We’ve also been eyeing this fuchsia front knot dress.
Our pick: Pista Green Long Shacket, ₹2,475
Freakins
With sizes that run from 24 – 36 (42 in select styles), this brand can cover all your denim needs. Experimenting with 90s acid wash bell-bottoms, going grunge with some ripped skinny jeans or just finding the perfect Mom jeans: you name it, the brand does it.
Everyone needs a pair of black jeans in their closet. We’re partial to this black skinny pair. High-waisted and made from stretch-fit denim, they’re also perfect for days when you have a food baby that needs to feel safe and secure after a big lunch.
Our pick: Black Skinny Jeans, ₹999
