Stores Like Chico’s: 12 Contemporary Women’s Brands for the 40+ Shopper
Text
About Chico's
Founded
1983
USA
Ships to
US, Canada
Sizes
0-3 (proprietary), roughly 4-16
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The comfort that made Chico's a Saturday-afternoon habit — the Travelers collection that packs into a suitcase and shakes out wrinkle-free, the No-Iron linen shirts, the So Slimming Girlfriend Ankle jeans — is now the thing every competing brand is chasing. J.Jill built a whole aesthetic around the same soft, drapey, forgiving pieces. Talbots leaned harder into the polished-but-relaxed lane. The energy that once made a Chico's rack feel like the only place that understood a woman over fifty didn't want to squeeze into juniors sizing has migrated outward.
The 0-1-2-3 sizing is the sticking point. It was meant to feel exclusive and body-positive; instead it strands new shoppers who have no idea whether they're a Chico's 1 or a 2, and it doesn't translate when you're trying to buy a gift.
Add the shrinking store count — malls losing their Chico's, associates you'd built a rapport with disappearing — and the loyalty starts to fray.
The brands below give you the drapey, travel-friendly, dressy-casual wardrobe without the decoder ring.
The 0-1-2-3 sizing is the sticking point. It was meant to feel exclusive and body-positive; instead it strands new shoppers who have no idea whether they're a Chico's 1 or a 2, and it doesn't translate when you're trying to buy a gift.
Add the shrinking store count — malls losing their Chico's, associates you'd built a rapport with disappearing — and the loyalty starts to fray.
The brands below give you the drapey, travel-friendly, dressy-casual wardrobe without the decoder ring.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Chico's
1
J.Jill
Est. 1959
Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
Sizes XS-4X, Petite + Tall
≈
similar
Chico's shoppers who love the relaxed, travel-friendly aesthetic but want standard XS-XXL sizing
The single closest match — soft, drapey, wrinkle-resistant pieces in an easy palette aimed squarely at the same 45-65 woman, minus the confusing sizing.
Pros
- Wonderwear and Pure Jill lines nail the soft drapey feel
- Genuine size range including plus and petite
- Easy standard sizing, no decoder ring
Cons
- Palette skews muted and can feel samey
- Less dressy than Chico's for occasion wear
2
Talbots
Est. 1947
Hingham, Massachusetts, USA
Sizes 00-24W, Petite + Woman
≈
similar
Women who want a more pulled-together, preppy-classic version of the Chico's wardrobe
Polished classic separates for the same age group, with the tailored blazers and structured pieces Chico's sometimes lacks.
Pros
- Strong misses, petite, plus and tall coverage
- Classic tailored blazers and knits that last
- Frequent stores plus reliable catalog
Cons
- Preppy leaning may feel too conservative
- Full-price tags are steep before sales
Visit Talbots
Full guide: Stores Like Talbots
3
Coldwater Creek
Est. 1984
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA
Sizes XS-3X, Petite
$
cheaper
Shoppers who liked Chico's more expressive, artful printed pieces
Relaxed, artsy, comfortable pieces with the same casual-to-dressy range and older-woman focus Chico's built its name on.
Pros
- Artful prints and easy knit dressing
- Gentler prices than Chico's
- Comfort-first cuts
Cons
- Now mostly online, few stores
- Quality is inconsistent piece to piece
Visit Coldwater Creek
Full guide: Sites Like Coldwater Creek
4
Ann Taylor
Est. 1954
New York, New York, USA
Sizes 00-18, Petite + Tall
≈
similar
Women who still dress for an office and want structured, versatile separates
Workwear-forward contemporary basics with a cleaner, more corporate polish than Chico's but the same dressy-casual reach.
Pros
- Sharp workwear and tailored dresses
- Petite and tall lines are well cut
- Regular deep discounting
Cons
- Skews younger than Chico's core
- Limited plus availability
Visit Ann Taylor
Full guide: Stores Like Ann Taylor
5
Eileen Fisher
Est. 1984
Irvington, New York, USA
Sizes XXS-3X, Petite
$$$
pricier
Chico's fans ready to spend more for quality natural-fiber basics that last years
B Corp
Organic
Factory Disclosure
The drapey, minimal, easy-elegance aesthetic Chico's gestures at, executed in far better fabrics with real sustainability credentials.
Pros
- Certified B Corp with real take-back program
- Organic linen and merino that ages well
- Timeless drapey silhouettes
Cons
- Genuinely expensive at full price
- Muted, monastic palette isn't for everyone
6
Soft Surroundings
Est. 1999
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Sizes XS-3X, Petite
≈
similar
Shoppers who loved Chico's softer, more feminine printed tunics and dresses
Romantic, comfortable, flowy pieces for the same demographic — the relaxed-boho end of the Chico's spectrum.
Pros
- Soft, romantic fabrics and easy fits
- Good size range including petite and plus
- Strong occasion and lounge pieces
Cons
- Prints can read dated
- Quality varies across lines
7
CAbi
Est. 2001
Carlsbad, California, USA
Sizes XS-XL
≈
similar
Women who miss the associate relationship and want curated wardrobe styling
Elevated, mix-and-match seasonal collections sold through home stylists — the personal-service warmth Chico's stores used to offer.
Pros
- Personal stylist model replaces store service
- Cohesive seasonal collections mix easily
- Elevated contemporary look
Cons
- No stores, sold through consultants only
- Size range tops out at XL
8
Boden
Est. 1991
London, UK
Sizes 0-22, Petite + Tall
≈
similar
Women who want more color and print with reliable, standard sizing
British contemporary womenswear with cheerful prints and dressy-casual dresses — the color and pattern Chico's shoppers reach for.
Pros
- Signature happy prints and vibrant dresses
- Wide standard size range plus petite and tall
- Reliable fit and quality
Cons
- Shipping from UK can be slow
- Sizing runs slightly small
9
Chico's Additions / Anthropologie
Est. 1992
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Sizes XXS-3X, Plus available
$$$
pricier
Shoppers who want elevated occasion pieces with personality
For the artful, expressive, dressy-casual pieces — texture, embellishment, statement dresses — with a more current edge.
Pros
- Distinctive, artful occasion pieces
- Growing plus range
- Real store experience
Cons
- Skews younger and trendier
- Pricey without sales
10
Peruvian Connection
Est. 1976
Tonganoxie, Kansas, USA
Sizes XS-XL, some Petite
$$$
pricier
Women who want unique, high-quality printed knitwear and won't blend into a crowd
Fair Trade
Artful printed knits and alpaca pieces for the same sophisticated older shopper who valued Chico's distinctive prints.
Pros
- Beautiful alpaca and pima cotton knits
- Artful, one-of-a-kind prints
- Fair-trade Peruvian artisan sourcing
Cons
- Expensive
- Narrow size range
11
LOFT
Est. 1998
New York, New York, USA
Sizes 00-26, Petite + Tall + Plus
$
cheaper
Budget-minded shoppers wanting relaxed workwear and weekend pieces
Affordable, easy dressy-casual separates and dresses that cover the everyday Chico's wardrobe at a lower price.
Pros
- Genuinely affordable, constant sales
- Wide sizing including plus, petite, tall
- Easy everyday separates
Cons
- Fabric quality is fast-fashion level
- Skews younger
Visit LOFT
Full guide: Stores Like LOFT
12
Sundance Catalog
Est. 1989
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Sizes XS-XL
$$$
pricier
Women who want distinctive, comfortable pieces with a handcrafted feel
Relaxed, artisan-feeling pieces with a Western-bohemian polish — the artful, slightly dressy comfort Chico's loyalists appreciate.
Pros
- Distinctive artisan and Western-inspired pieces
- Quality natural fabrics
- Dressy-casual with character
Cons
- Higher price point
- Limited size range
If the 0-1-2-3 sizing was the dealbreaker
The most common reason people leave Chico's is the proprietary sizing that never quite made sense. J.Jill, Talbots, LOFT and Boden all use standard XS-XXL or numeric sizing so you always know what you're ordering — and Talbots, J.Jill and LOFT add real petite, tall and plus coverage so you don't get stranded at the edges of the range.
Better fabric if you're done with pilling knits
For shoppers upgrading on quality, Eileen Fisher's organic linen and merino, Peruvian Connection's alpaca and pima cotton, and Sundance's natural-fiber pieces all outlast the typical Chico's knit. You'll pay more, but these are the pieces you keep for years rather than replace each season.
If you miss the store associate relationship
With Chico's closing locations and familiar associates disappearing, CAbi's home-stylist model and Talbots' still-robust store network bring back the personal-service warmth. CAbi in particular rebuilds the one-on-one styling relationship that mall retail keeps cutting.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Want the closest possible swap? J.Jill is the drapey, travel-friendly, easy-dressing wardrobe you already love, minus the decoder-ring sizing. Craving more polish for a still-working life? Ann Taylor and Talbots handle structured separates better. If you're upgrading on quality and can spend more, Eileen Fisher and Peruvian Connection give you natural fibers that actually last. Missing color and print? Boden and Soft Surroundings deliver personality. On a tighter budget, LOFT and Coldwater Creek cover the everyday pieces for less. And if what you truly miss is a person who knows your taste, CAbi puts a stylist back in the picture. Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat store is most like Chico's but with normal sizing?
J.Jill is the closest match. It offers the same soft, drapey, travel-friendly aesthetic aimed at the 45-65 shopper, but uses standard XS-4X sizing plus petite and tall — so you never have to figure out whether you're a Chico's 1 or 2.
QIs Talbots or Chico's better for a woman over 50?
Both target the same age group, but they differ in mood. Talbots leans preppy and tailored with strong blazers and classic knits, while Chico's is softer and more artful. If you dress for polish, choose Talbots; if you want relaxed, expressive comfort, stick closer to J.Jill or Soft Surroundings.
QWhere can I find Chico's-style Travelers clothing elsewhere?
For wrinkle-resistant, packable knit dressing like the Travelers collection, J.Jill's Wearever line and Coldwater Creek's travel knits are the closest equivalents. Eileen Fisher's jersey pieces also travel beautifully if you want a higher-end version.
QAre there cheaper alternatives to Chico's?
Yes. LOFT and Coldwater Creek both sell easy dressy-casual pieces at lower prices, with LOFT running near-constant sales and offering plus, petite and tall. The trade-off is fabric quality, which sits below Chico's on the everyday knits.
QWhat brands still have stores now that Chico's is closing locations?
Talbots and Ann Taylor still maintain sizable physical store networks, and LOFT and Anthropologie remain in most malls. If it's the personal-service relationship you're missing rather than a physical store, CAbi's home-stylist model rebuilds that one-on-one experience without a mall trip.
Our Verdict
The Best Chico's Alternative For You
Want the closest possible swap? J.Jill is the drapey, travel-friendly, easy-dressing wardrobe you already love, minus the decoder-ring sizing. Craving more polish for a still-working life? Ann Taylor and Talbots handle structured separates better. If you're upgrading on quality and can spend more, Eileen Fisher and Peruvian Connection give you natural fibers that actually last. Missing color and print? Boden and Soft Surroundings deliver personality. On a tighter budget, LOFT and Coldwater Creek cover the everyday pieces for less. And if what you truly miss is a person who knows your taste, CAbi puts a stylist back in the picture.