Forever 21 to launch a plus-size line this May

With all the over-filled racks and massive square footage of Forever 21 stores, you would think they would offer something for everyone at their notoriously mind-boggling low prices. But even with all that merchandise, the fast-fashion chain has never addressed plus-size customers, until now.

On May 1, they will launch Faith 21 a line of clothing similar to Forever 21, but in plus sizes.

Faith 21 will offer tops, jeans, tanks, leggings and skirts in a junior plus size as well as XL, 1X and 2X. The design aesthetic follows Forever 21’s trendy take on everything from runway knockoffs to jersey basics.

As reported in yesterday’s Image section, the average American woman is a size 14, with many who rarely find cute and inspiring clothes, especially when the majority of designers don't often produce beyond a size 10.

Hopefully the Faith 21 line will deliver on style and fit.  If anything, we know it’s affordable. Prices range from $3.50 to $34.80.

Faith 21 will be available in L.A. on May 1 at Lakewood Center Mall, Montebello Town Center, Los Cerritos Mall, Anaheim Plaza and online at www.forever21.com.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: Looks from Faith 21/ Model Melissa Masi and photo from Wilhelmina Models

Comments

[linda]

I just saw the late breaking news on twitter.
way to go LA Times and Melissa!

[Karen]

Great to hear. However, I wish the images featured a younger, fuller-figured model -- you know, someone actually close to 21, the name of the store.

[Nicolita Swimwear]

What a great segment for them. That store is crazy as is...it's going to seriously get out of control.

[Aralion]

This is wonderful!! I am 40+ years old and I've always wished some of the styles were cut more for women with curves. Also, as an African American my teenaged daughter has had issues with some of the styles being cut to narrow since African American teens are sometimes a little fuller than their Caucasian and Asian counterparts.

[J.D Coates]

Would love to see some beautiful caftans for us larger women.

[Mist]

Yay ! Im so glad. Being a size 14 hopefully i will now be able to wear stylish clothes instead of the WAY overpriced too expensive Torrid. Good going Forever 21 !

[rogers]

This is wonderful!! Yay ! Im so glad. For More Plus Size Women’s Dresses, Visit: http://www.plussizexl.com

[jennifer]

Will it also be offered anywhere else. Cause I think it would be excellent if offered this line all over the US

[Suez]

Cant wait! I love forever 21 but since Ive put on some weight I cant squeeze into anything! Hope they come to Buffalo!

[Liv]

I seriously just burst into tears. Being fifteen and a size fourteen, shopping with my friends is still fun [though slightly treacherous]. Knowing Forever 21, the coolest, cheapest, cutest store ever will have my size- makes me want to cry for hours on end and give Forever 21 my heart on a silver platter. I will be there, opening day. YAY!

[lina]

im so excited it is about time a fresh fashionable store is feelin the bigger girls with some stylista clothing! all i can say is AMEN!

[Lola]

This is great and all, but WHY can't the plus sized line be called Forever 21 also? Why the distinction?

[Precious]

Yay!!! Finally i can go into Forever 21 and not just buy jewelry!!!

[Linda]

How come they're not selling this line in Canada?

[Rachel Patz]

This news spread like wild fire, so I had to go straight to google and see for myself. Fluffy ladies rejoice!

[kate]

I think its great that forever21 is making a plus size line, but! us plus size girls don't wanna dress in things that make us look heavier, we do not want to dress like were pregnant , we need something to slim our look. whats with the top's? they are either really short or way to long .. we need something just to cover the pouch!, and not every girl can pull off the straight legs specially if they have thick legs, they need more of the boot leg, and i dont think, that girls with chunky legs can not run around in WIDE legs with out looking like crap in plan English. give us the A frame dress, and top's . we like the same cute close you make for the small girl , just in our size , so just make them bigger, and maybe tweak them a bit because we are heavy but we do have a figure, so curve those tops , if i go to lane Bryant's all there tops are for square people, sponge Bob's family would be happy to shop there , although they do make a new line of paints that are great " right fit" now that was someone using there noodle. oh and another thing , why cant they use a plus size model, and remember that all plus size women are not 5'10" or taller, were short, some round some pear shape , even hour glassed , i know i would like to see someone my shape and size so i can get an idea of how that item would look on me. by the way I'm an hr glass size 14-16 and stand 5'6" with chunky legs. i am a real live women.. curves and all

[peachy]

the line will be available online, so i imagine everyone in the US and possibly Canada will have access to it...and once they see the success of the new line, it will definitely spread to stores around the nation. I am freaking excited about this news, I think it's fabulous! Like someone else said, I can finally buy cute clothes on the cheap, and go into Forever 21 for something other than jewelry. What a fantastic idea. I love you for it, Forever 21!

[Yolanda Lockett]

It is about time.

[Kandy]

Finally,somewhere we can shop at, since Torrid is really expensive . This store going to have really cute clothes that we can afford!! I luv Forever21!

[noreen]

what size exactly are they for instance a 2x is that a 16 or what?

[mariel]

im soooooooo GLAD about this i mean alot of forver 21's tops fit but the bottoms i know are a NONO! hahaha but i know if they have a store in Atlanta they will not be able to keep up with the sales!!! go faith 21!

[marisa xiong]

HELLLLLL YAHHH. seriously about time. and GO Rachel Patz above. seriously.. whyyy? we want to have the same exact tops but bigger.

<3nx

[ahlecks]

Everything ive seen so far is horrible. Why cant they just make what they already have in bigger sizes

[daplussizediva]

i am so happy forever 21 is launching a new line faith21....I been waiting on this day for forever......I myself is a plus-size female that loves fashion and to hear that a affordable store has plus size i was so shocked...

[psitsme89]

I am so excited for this line! I check the website and look for new articles allll the time. I really hope this is available in the DC area because I am no where near LA. If the plan isn't to release Faith 21 nationally then I hope they to an online ordering process is available. Am counting down to when this line is released! I am so proud of this company and I am very lucky because I am of college age. Lots of my friends are frequent customers of Forever 21 so now I will be able to get cute clothes with them....also the pricing is great! Torrid is wayy overpriced and Lane Bryant is expensive and more business oriented

Thank you!!! Have been waiting for stores to get the message for a long time!

[Jessica]

yes, i am so excited about this.. i always walk into the forever 21 by my house, and i always wish i could fit into there clothing, but i cant. and i just hope that this 1x 2x is more like a 3x 4x because no way that is going to make a difference from the normal forever 21.
hopefully this store is the new torrid.

[Ileana]

Wow I am so thrilled to hear that forever 21 is comming out with this line. Finally

[Briana L]

I'm so glad an affordable store like ,forever 21 is launching a plus size line, but why the difference in the name? Also why is Kim Kardashian so upset for being called plus size and pointing out she is a size two not a 2x, next time hear yourself before you speak do you know how many woman YOU offended by feeling offended for being called plus size.

[Taylor]

I was so excited about this line, but what I've seen today has been somewhat of a disappointment. I hope Forever 21 doesnt give up on this concept, and improves the style of the clothes provided. Check out my thoughts at http://taylor-chaitealatte.blogspot.com/

[Amy]

"Hopefully the Faith 21 line will deliver on style and fit."

By the newly-released sizing chart, seems like it would make an 'average American size 14 woman' feel like a cow.... because these are not women's sizes-- they're still juniors sizing.

Very disappointed about the vague sizing in the Forever 21 press releases... totally misleading hype.

[Jo]

I am soo excited for this new line....now finally something cute and affordable. Torrid is rediculously expensive and their clothes are not all that fashionable, cute or quality for the price. Lane Bryant is only for older people in my opinion...I only shop there for bras.Yay!...go faith21!

[Aya Badr]

we need forlove21 in dubai!! in MOE

[Nyeght]

The clothes produced in the line faith21 are awful. 50% of the wardrobe contains animal print and the clothes they have been using to publicize their company are not even offered on the website. Overall the launch was an extreme disappointment.

[Evalina2004]

This line isn't fabulous yet. The plus sized pieces up on the website currently look positively generic compared to their normal line. Just because I am a plus sized female doesn't mean I want to cover up my curves with yards of fabric, wear cheetah or any animal print for that matter, or envelop my body only in stretchy fabric. Where are the beautiful trendy dresses that forever21 is notorious for? The website adds 1 mediocre outfit everyday (if that). I'm still patiently waiting for affordable plus sized clothing that is fabulous and stylishly designed!

[Rika]

Man, I remember in 2006 I was on forever 21s website and I was admiring the clothes....thinking why cant they provide clothes for plus size women.....so while at work I took the time to write corporate about plus size women and their need for a store like this...they responded but it wasnt definite they were going to make a change. I havent been on forever 21 website in quite some time and something said check it yesterday and now I see they offer plus size.....Having a voice does count :)

[DJ]

I just sent Forever 21 an email about this so called “plus” line. If you visit their website, check out their size chart & compare it to a real plus size store, like the Avenue or Lane Bryant. It’s a joke. Their 2x amounts to a size 16 at best. It’s hardly a “plus” in my book.

It’s incredibly disappointing, because I see a lot of clothes I’d love to order :(

[maria simpson]

Try these Plus size beach dresses too...
http://www.beach-clothings.com/beach-dresses.html

[Danielle]

I was initially excited because when they said PLUS SIZE, i thought the meant plus sizes like TORRID. They think a 2x is plus size? Thats a SMALL plus size like a 14-16. What about the 20-22 and 22-24 women? I personally will just stick with Torrid because I'm not going to look like an idiot fatass trying to fit into "plus size" clothes that arent even plus size!

-Danielle-

[Rash]

I purchased some maxi dresses and other items from Faith 21 before i read the reviews and i was disappointed because i assmued that since their 1x was a 15/16 etc. it would not fit me. Well of course i tried them on when it got here and i am keeping everything save one dress(i ordered 3). I am a 14/16w on top 18/20w on bottom and the 1x maxi fit wonderfully. I am going to be shopping online a lot more at Faith 21. I think their stuff is cute, affordable and it fits.

[mary]

Wait a minute (Forever 21) Da! To me thats exactly what it means,i am 51 but still feel 21 and i love there cloths(big time) just wish they had the next size up so i am all for the older women photo,s along with younger would be great,honestly i just cant wait ~ Mary

[marisol]

I don't understand why people are complaining. Yeah the clothes might not last forever, but they are CHEAP. The price is excellent- far better then any other option... Have you seen the prices at Lane Bryant? And their clothes aren't 1/2 as cute! I jus got 3 dresses from the Faith line and couldn't be more happy with them.

[starr]

Finallyyy itz bout timeeee they get more pluz size clothez!!!!

[Mandi]

These clothes make the model look heavier. I hope for the sake of plus size women looking ridiculous that they reconsider designs because these are tacky. If I were heavier, you wouldn't see my buy this stuff but to each is own. Congrats to the plus size people getting their own clothing.

[hotmama]

I think this helps a lot! amen! start this in Hawaii as soon as it can happen- thank you!!

[genovie]

Sadly I'm 12 years and I'm already a size 16 in skinny jeans and it's really hard for me to look for clothes that actually button, zip, and don't slide down my stomach! I'm trying to get some back-to-school clothes but the only stores I KNOW that have plus sized clothes is Torrid which is WAY to expensive I mean $52 for jeans! Theres a possibility I can have Diabetes for being over weight because, I'm already getting the signs. I get so jealous when I look at smaller girls and they can just slide up the pants without having trouble with something. So, Thank you a lot Forever 21!!!!!