Founded in 1986 by Iranian-American fashion designer Nooshin Malakzad, the Blanque clothing collection features comfortable, classic separates for women of all sizes. The collection is designed with comfort in mind, and is made primarily of lightweight, luxurious fabrics like crushed cotton, matte jersey and linen. These fabrics are more than just comfortable - they are also forgiving to the plus size figure by draping softly over the body and skimming gently over curves.
The Blanque Clothing Collection
The label shies away from runway trends and instead shines the spotlight on easy, effortless attire that women can rely on for every moment of their busy lifestyles. From relaxed weekend basics to polished work attire, there are choices aplenty in the Blanque range, including:
- Tops: The collection includes button-down blouses, V-neck and crew-neck T-shirts, jackets and tunics. All of the tops share a loose, airy cut, and many of them feature asymmetrical hemlines.
- Bottoms: Cropped pants, gauchos and basic full-length pants make up the versatile collection of bottoms. All are cut to flatter, with forgiving wide legs. Many feature smooth, flat-paneled waists.
Styling and Sizing
Though Blanque clothing is not specifically denoted a "plus size" collection, the range is extremely flattering to women of size. This is due primarily to the forgiving cuts, which steer clear of body-conscious, form-fitting styles and lean more to loose silhouettes. Thus, they're perfect for warm weather wear because they keep the body cool and comfortable, but they can also be layered easily when cooler weather hits. All Blanque clothes feature numerical sizes. Some garments, such as tunics, are designated as "one size fits all." Other garments are sized either 0, 1, 2 or 3, with 0 being small and 3 being extra large. Note, though, that even the small and medium cuts are very generously sized.
Where to Purchase
Though not widely available at popular brick-and-mortar stores, Blanque clothes are available at select online retailers and at a number of small boutiques around the United States, including:
eBay
eBay is an excellent source for Blanque separates, and it's also a great place to see true-to-life photographs of the garments. The selection changes often, so be sure to check back regularly. It's also a good idea to shop from a reliable retailer who has an agreeable return or exchange policy; if the garment does not work out for you, you may want to replace it for another piece.
Fawbush's
Fawbush's, located in Edina, Minnesota, features one of the most extensive selections of Blanque clothing on the Internet. Simply navigate by brand to the Blanque catalog page, where you will find a mix of both classic and trendy pieces by the brand. From colorful tops in the season's most timely hues to classic slacks that never go out of style, the entire range can be found here. Note that returns are accepted on tagged merchandise within two weeks.
Go Figure
Go Figure, located in San Francisco, California, carries an extensive range of designer plus size apparel for women. Online shopping is available, but the selection of Blanque attire is limited. For better results, it's worth it to schedule an appointment for a private viewing. The company's owner will prepare your selection based upon your needs, and may even be able to order the Blanque items you are interested in if they are not readily available in store.
Hello Boutique
Hello Boutique, located in New Haven, Connecticut, also carries the Blanque collection on its website. While somewhat limited, the garments that are available are extremely classic, crisply cut and perfect starting pieces for anyone new to Blanque attire.
Merrick's Too
Merrick's Too, based in Princeton, New Jersey, carries a variety of functional and stylish clothes for women of all sizes. The selection is updated frequently, so check regularly for new Blanque clothing.
Shopping Tips
Plus size women who seek attractive clothing that will move flawlessly from day to night should have no trouble finding just what they need in the Blanque lineup. The range is sensible and smartly tailored. If you're on a budget, though, be aware that the garments do not come cheap. It is wise to shop around for the lowest price; since the products are readily available on eBay and several other websites, it may be worth doing some comparison shopping beforehand. Be sure to find out the retailer's return policy before making your final decision, and consider the "cost per wear" factor, too. If you wear the garment enough, it will pay for itself quickly.
