Floor-dragging hemlines. Comically disproportionate silhouettes. Too-low knee placements (see also: darts, and waistbands, and necklines). Rises so high, they span the entire length of your torso. Long coats that pool at the feet. These are just a few of the many, many sartorial challenges that petites face — but all of that is addressed in JCPenney’s latest fashion collaboration: Bold Elements x Ally Brooke, a collection done in partnership with the award-winning singer-songwriter (you might remember her from Fifth Harmony) that delivers petite-forward, fashion-fueled styles.
“At 5’0”, I know firsthand how often petite women are overlooked — and how difficult it can be to find fashion that fits. I wanted to work with JCPenney to break down those barriers in fashion and create a collection that fits and flatters all body types,” Brooke says. “What makes this collection so special is that it’s not straight-sized clothing that happens to offer petite, it’s petite clothing that happens to offer straight sizing. The difference is so apparent in the pieces.”
This thoughtful, considered approach to design that benefits *everyone* (from petites to straight size and plus size) is evident in all 29 pieces, but Brooke calls out two styles in particular: long trench coats and Bermuda shorts, saying “trend-forward fashion [like these] often aren’t realistic options for petites like me, but this collection offers stylish, proportional designs made for petite and plus-sized women.” Her other favorites include a top featuring a pattern of her actual lip print, along with the black blazer styled with the pinstripe pants. “Many people wear a combination of petite and standard sizes, and I love that you can mix and match styles and sizes to fit your own vibe — no alterations required.”
And to keep the big fashion energy going, JCPenney hosted an unforgettable event during New York Fashion Week to not only celebrate the launch of the Bold Elements x Ally Brooke collection, but also to announce the Petite Power List, which honors eight influential petite women, including Brooke, who are making waves in their industries: April Lockhart, an advocate for the disability community; Averie Bishop, a social activist and cofounder of the Tulong Foundation nonprofit; Shan Berries, CEO and founder of Shades by Shan Cosmetics; April Whitney, a certified personal trainer and founder of Petite PWR; Eli Rallo, a content creator and author of I Didn’t Know I Needed This; Imani Ellis, CEO and founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective; and Armani Latimer, a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who has embraced her alopecia and inspires others to do the same.
“I know that size means nothing when it comes to showing up in big ways and making an impact in life. [That’s why] I’m excited to work with JCPenney to announce the “Petite Power List,” Brooke says. “I’m so excited to help all women, but especially petites, find their big fashion energy.”
Prices quoted from February 6, 2025; checkjcpenney.comfor current pricing and discounts.
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More than 10 years after starring in an Express campaign, model Barbara Palvin is back in front of the camera for the fashion brand’s spring line — this time together with her actor husband, Dylan Sprouse. “When I did the campaign back then, I was super excited about it,” she tells Refinery29. “So I’m very happy to work with them again, and now with my husband.”
Titled Dress to Express, the collection features elevated everyday styles and workwear that can easily transition from day to night. Along with the campaign — which shows the couple in the latest Express pieces — the collection is meant to celebrate “confidence and self-expression and nods to the brand’s heritage as a fashion authority rooted in confident, modern, effortless style,” according to the press release.
While the two say that they have different fashion tastes, they note that they both prioritize comfort and practicality, which are front and center of the new womenswear and menswear collection which sees effortless styles like smoothing tops; cropped, loose tees; relaxed trousers; and “stretch-back” jeans.
“I wake up in the morning, I put on one pair of clothes, and I don’t want to have to change no matter what activity I do during the day,” Sprouse says. On Palvin’s part, she says she “likes to dress comfortably, but chic.”
The couple calls the campaign — which was photographed by Dylan’s twin brother Cole Sprouse — a “successful experiment” of a family project. “We got a little bit of creative freedom. So we all worked together to come up with the theme and the concept,” Palvin says. Sprouse adds: “It exemplified our natural styles, which are kind of easygoing, yet elegant.”
When asked to pick an outfit that helps her to “dress to express” and feel her most confident, Palvin points to the Relaxed Trouser, paired with a slim T-shirt, blazer, and sneakers, or the collection’s silk slip dress, blazer, and baseball cap. Meanwhile, Sprouse says he gravitates towards “something that mixes a comfortable workwear style with a little Western appeal,” calling out the brand’s corduroy separates and a faux leather Air Force-inspired jacket.
When asked if the couple would work together again, Sprouse jokes: “Oh, no! No, that’d be terrible… Yes, of course, I want to work with you again.”
The full collection is now available to shop online and in stores now.
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R29 Contributing Editor Sarah Chiwaya (aka Curvily) is a “shops-for-a-living” expert on plus-size fashion. Follow along as she tests new drops with inclusive size ranges, recommends the best plus shopping destinations, and serves up styling tips and looks.
The official season of romance is upon us, and with it comes the perennial question of what to wear for Valentine’s Day. I love any excuse to dress on theme, but I also value versatility in my wardrobe, so when I’m shopping for a Valentine’s Day outfit, I generally avoid overly kitschy, holiday-specific heart prints. Instead, choosing rich colors (red, pink, etc.) that you can wear year-round will let you get more wear out of your purchases.
Unfortunately, avoiding those on-the-nose items is harder when shopping plus; the industry at large still seems to be under a misconception that we’ll be content with the corniest graphic print tees. Thankfully, there are some brands doing it right. Ahead, plus-size Valentine’s Day outfit ideas I will be bringing out on February 14 this year. The best part? All of these pieces have endless wardrobe potential well beyond this month.
Plus-Size Valentine’s Day Outfit Idea: Brunch Date
The moment I saw the latest release from the Kate Spade x Eloquii collaboration (available in sizes 14-28), I knew it was perfect for a fashionable Valentine’s Day. This dress in particular called to me, as the fun bow detail and the tulle-lined skirt make it feel very in line with the iconic Kate Spade aesthetic. The true-to-size fit and the smart construction are what I’ve come to expect from plus-size label Eloquii, and this collaboration comes through here, too: I tried both this confection of a dress and the sleek black floral sequin maxi, and they both fit perfectly. In this pretty pale pink, this dress is perfect for a brunch date (even better if it’s a frilly high tea!).
I styled it with red patent pumps and a heart clutch, but if I was going to a cute Galentine’s Day get-together, I’d layer it over a crisp button-down and go with tonal pink accessories. (How good would this look with a lush velvet headband and pink Mary Jane heels?) It also comes in black, which works for anyone who wants a little romance but isn’t keen on reds and pinks.
My only note on this style is that you might want to pick up a little travel-size wrinkle release spray — I steamed my dress right before wearing but, as taffeta wrinkles easily with wear, the bottom was a little rumpled by the time I shot it.
Plus-Size Valentine’s Day Outfit Idea: Date Night
A good slip dress is a wardrobe staple. That said, I’ve tried bias-cut slip dresses from many plus and size-inclusive brands and, by and large, have been disappointed with how they are not fit for curves. When I tried a satin slip dress from Baacal though, I was beyond impressed. Designer Cynthia Vincent has decades of fashion fit knowledge under her belt (see: her work at Vince), and that expertise is apparent in the cut of these slip dresses. I love them so much, I’ve been amassing a collection over the last few years: I have black, cobalt blue, silvery silk, and now this sultry red one.
The dress is sexy (with slits on both sides) and date night-ready on its own, but you can easily dress it down with a chunky cardigan like this baby pink cable knit. I took inspiration from the lurex thread in the knit and accessorized the look with silver boots and my beloved Telfar bag. The pale pink looks great with the bold red of the slip, and I love the unexpected pairing of silver with this otherwise classic Valentine’s Day color palette.
Plus-Size Valentine’s Day Outfit Idea: Sexy Night Out
Red is here to stay, and this mesh set from Wray NYC is a great way to add the color trend to your wardrobe. This ethically made, size-inclusive label has become my favorite in the last few years thanks to its bold styles. Available in XXS to 6XL, the separates are size-graded correctly and fit like they’re meant to from the smallest size to the largest. The mini skirt is also double-lined, so no extra layers are required. The top is a sheer mesh, so I added a bra from French luxury label Empreinte — something this pretty deserves to be seen, after all! (You can layer this over a tank top or under a button-down if you want more coverage, though.)
I leaned into the crimson trend, pairing the look with a coat in a deeper black cherry hue for a night out. The faux-leather trench is from actress Ashley Park’s Rent the Runway collaboration but, unfortunately, XXL is the largest size offered, so this item likely won’t work for sizes above 20/22. For a similar look, check out this black version in sizes up to 6x. The dark red boots are a true wide-calf Journee Collection option from DSW — they fit my 18.5” calves! — and surprisingly comfortable. (The brand also offers extra-wide-calf options, if standard wide-calf boots don’t work for you.)
I’ve worn multiple outfits using these separates outside of Valentine’s Day: the skirt with a ribbed white tank and my favorite chunky Buffalo sneakers; the sheer top with low-slung baggy jeans and a red patent kitten heel; and the set worn with red tights and boots for a full-on monochrome moment.
Plus-Size Valentine’s Day Outfit Idea: Casual Outing
Never Fully Dressed has become a go-to for me when it comes to bold colors and prints, so it was one of the first places I looked when I started shopping for plus-size Valentine’s looks. It did not disappoint. Historically, the British brand has had many great pink-and-red options: boudoir-inspired slips, embellished pink-and-red button-downs, pretty pink plisse maxi dresses, etc.
This printed mesh number is a winner. I love how easy it is — very much a throw-on-and-go type of outfit. It can be dressed up with heels if desired, but I prefer styling it more casually with silver boots. I love that the dress is cut to highlight curves without clinging, and the soft stretch mesh is very comfortable. The print and colorway are also festive enough for Valentine’s without feeling too season-specific, and the mesh material and attached slip are lightweight enough to wear into summer.
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