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Quick Verdict
Build your plus size fall capsule around two pieces: stretchy bootcut trouser pants in Java brown and a mustard floral corset top. Both were keeps, and both are from Torrid (the Studio Trouser Bootcut Ponte Pant and the Puff Sleeve Corset Top). The chocolate skort, mushroom sweater, jeggings (I subbed a different pair of pants for the photos since these were way too big) and tall boots all went back, but I styled them into six outfits anyway so you can see what works and what to swap. The boots were a little too snug in the calf to wear over pants like I intended and everything else was too big (I learned I am now closer to a Torrid size 2 instead of 3, which was my mistake)!
I'm 5'2" and pear-shaped (46" bust, 58" hips), and I wear a 2X/20. Everything below comes from a try-on haul. Watch the full thing here.
Six Plus Size Fall Outfits
1. Mushroom sweater, chocolate skort and Mary Janes
This is my favorite of the six. Brown tights, brown skort and a tucked-in sweater make my body look balanced and very long, and the whole thing feels cozy and warm. I wear the skort high up because at my natural waist it chops me in half. It’s all about proportions!
LINKS: Moto Jacket (Similar) | Top | Skort | Tights | Boots | Bag (Similar) | Necklace | Headband
3. Sweater, plaid scarf and trouser pants
This is such an easy one. The Java trouser pants are the best piece in this capsule, and the Mary Janes dress them up. In real life I'd probably swap the heels for flats for more comfortable walking.
LINKS: Sweater | Pants | Shoes | Bag (Similar) | Scarf
4. Sweater, jeggings and tall boots
This is the outfit that needed the most swapping. The jeggings were too big and slide down, and the boots are too tight to go over pants. I ended up using a pair of capri jeggings I had lying around to ensure the boots would still work and I wouldn’t have to worry about the pants sagging.
LINKS: Moto Jacket (Similar) | Top | Jeggings | Boots | Scarf | Bag (Similar)
Torrid Sizing Notes For Fall
Tops and sweaters ran big. The size 2 mushroom sweater needed to go down one or two sizes, and the 2X corset top had extra room too.
Bottoms ran big too. The size 3 skort and size 3 jeggings were both loose, so I will be trying a 2. This is likely more so that my body has changed and my understanding of what size I wear needs to change as well.
Short inseams help. I'm 5'2" and the 22 Extra Short trouser pants hit exactly where I wanted. Torrid offers short and extra short inseams in many bottoms, which I covered in Where to Find Plus Size Petite Clothing. I have found just the “short” option is still too long for me which does limit my pants options unless I want to learn how to do some hemming.
Shoes are wide width, so I order a 7. Outside Torrid I order an 8 to 8.5. The Mary Janes were a little snug in the toe for me, so go up half a size if you're between sizes. My feet keep shrinking so for me I think this is the perfet size!
Wide calf is not the same as thigh-friendly. The corset-back over-the-knee boots fit my calves but not my thighs, and the other brown boots were too tight to go over pants. Measure your thigh as well as your calf and compare to Torrid’s measurement charts in the product descriptions.
Torrid denim is inconsistent for me. Last spring's luxe slim boot jeans were too tight in the thighs even sized up, and these jeggings were too loose in the band. If you are able to try on in store this could save some headache but returns are easy and free so if you prefer to try things on at home this is still a reasonable option! See my YouTube video Plus Size Spring Fashion from Torrid for more .
Plus Size Fall Capsule FAQ
What should I buy first for a plus size fall capsule? The Java trouser pants and the mustard floral corset top. Both are stretchy and easy to build outfits around, and they're the two I kept.
Does Torrid run big? On this order, yes. The sweater, skort and jeggings all ran big, so I'd size down on sweaters and try a 2 in the jeggings.
Do wide calf boots fit plus size thighs? Not always. Torrid sells wide width and wide calf boots, but the over-the-knee pair I tried didn't zip over my thighs. Measure your thigh as well as your calf.
What do I wear the corset top with? Tuck it into the trouser pants or the skort, and add a moto jacket on top.
Final Thoughts
If you only buy two things from this capsule, make it the Studio Trouser Bootcut Ponte Pant in Java and the Puff Sleeve Corset Top in the mustard floral. I wore the pants in a 22 Extra Short and the top in a 2X, and they’re the two pieces I kept reaching for. They also made the most outfits. The rest of the capsule is fun, but those two earn their spot.
Fall is almost over, but most of these outfits still work in winter with a coat and tights. If you’re building a wardrobe that does more with fewer pieces, start with the Java pants and work outward. My holiday capsule is up next, so check back for the party outfits.
And if you want to see all of these pieces in motion, including full try-on footage and fit testing, check out the complete haul video on YouTube here.
If you enjoyed this kind of honest, detailed review, I have several other plus size brand try-ons and reviews on the blog covering everything from everyday basics to special occasion pieces. Feel free to browse around and see what other brands I've put to the test, sizing notes, fit quirks, and all:
The Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Chafing Solutions and Slip Shorts
Until next time,
