Maurices has quietly become the store you reach for when nothing else in your town carries a size 18 in a flattering cut. That is its strength and its cage. The denim wall — straight, curvy, and the genuinely good plus-fit jeans that actually hit at the waist — has kept women coming back through every mall closing and every Amazon outage in a way that no algorithm-driven online retailer has matched.
Walk into a Maurices in a strip mall outside Cedar Rapids or Bismarck and the appeal is obvious: a sales associate who knows your fit, a clearance rack that rewards patience, and clothes that read "church, work, and the school pickup line" without ever feeling like a uniform.
The trouble is taste, not size. The trend-forward pieces arrive a season late and a little softened — the bold color, the sharper tailoring, the of-the-moment silhouette all show up at Maurices in a gentler, safer version. And the online experience still feels like an afterthought next to retailers that built their whole business on the screen.
For anyone who wants the same easy plus-and-curvy fit with more range, Torrid leans into bolder, body-confident design while Old Navy undercuts the price without sacrificing the everyday basics — two very different ways out of the same closet.
Est. 2001
City of Industry, California, USA
Sizes 10-30
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Plus-size women who want bolder, more fashion-forward looks
Built entirely around sizes 10-30 with curvy-specific fits, Torrid delivers the plus-size confidence Maurices promises but with far more trend and edge.
Pros
True plus-only sizing with fits designed from the ground up
Strong selection of going-out and statement pieces
Generous, frequent sale events
Cons
Pricier than Maurices at full retail
Styling skews younger and edgier than some Maurices regulars want
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Women wanting elevated, truly size-inclusive staples
Universal Standard offers minimalist, high-quality basics in sizes 00-40, treating every size as equal — the inclusivity Maurices preaches taken seriously.
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Women 40+ who want comfortable, relaxed-fit clothing
J.Jill offers comfortable, relaxed women's clothing in petite, regular, and plus, appealing to the 35-plus Maurices shopper who wants softer, easy pieces.
If the reason you stuck with Maurices was the curvy denim and dependable plus sizing, Torrid (10-30), Lane Bryant (10-40), and Universal Standard (00-40) take fit far more seriously. Eloquii adds the trend-forward plus design Maurices keeps softening, while Knix covers the intimates side with sizing up to 6X.
Cheapest everyday swaps
For the low-price, clearance-rack culture that defines Maurices shopping, Old Navy and Kohl's undercut it online with constant coupons, Cato mirrors it almost exactly in small-town strip malls, and Ross delivers the in-store treasure hunt for bargain hunters who don't mind unpredictable stock.
Best for polished work-to-weekend looks
When you need something a step dressier than Maurices casuals, Loft and J.Jill deliver feminine, comfortable workwear in petite-through-plus ranges, and Dressbarn keeps affordable career dresses going online for the practical 40-plus shopper.
Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Choose Torrid or Eloquii if your frustration with Maurices is style — both build genuinely trend-forward clothing for plus and curvy bodies. Pick Old Navy, Kohl's, or Cato if it's about price, with the same everyday basics for less. Go to Lane Bryant or Universal Standard if you want serious size range and better-made staples. For relaxed, feminine pieces aimed at the 40-plus shopper, J.Jill and Loft fit best. And if it's really the bras and underwear keeping you loyal, Knix outclasses almost everyone on inclusive intimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat stores are most like Maurices for plus sizes?
Torrid, Lane Bryant, and Cato are the closest matches. Torrid and Lane Bryant specialize in plus sizing with deeper ranges than Maurices, while Cato mirrors its small-town, affordable approach almost exactly. Universal Standard goes even further, sizing 00-40.
QIs there a cheaper alternative to Maurices?
Yes. Old Navy and Kohl's both undercut Maurices on everyday basics, especially with coupons and Kohl's Cash. Ross and Cato are even cheaper if you enjoy hunting clearance racks for brand-name deals.
QWhere can I find more trend-forward plus-size clothing than Maurices?
Eloquii and Torrid lead here. Eloquii designs runway-inspired plus pieces in sizes 14-28, and Torrid leans into bolder, body-confident styling. Both fill the trend gap Maurices tends to soften by a season.
QWhat's a good Maurices alternative for women over 40?
J.Jill and Loft are strong picks. J.Jill offers relaxed, comfortable natural-fiber clothing, while Loft delivers feminine work-to-weekend pieces in petite and plus ranges. Dressbarn online also caters to affordable career dressing for mature shoppers.
QDoes Maurices have good curvy jeans, and who does them better?
Maurices' curvy denim is a genuine strength, but Torrid's curvy fits and Universal Standard's inclusive sizing go further on cut and consistency across body shapes. Lane Bryant is also worth trying if you need extended sizes with a tailored waist.
Our Verdict
The Best Maurices Alternative For You
Choose Torrid or Eloquii if your frustration with Maurices is style — both build genuinely trend-forward clothing for plus and curvy bodies. Pick Old Navy, Kohl's, or Cato if it's about price, with the same everyday basics for less. Go to Lane Bryant or Universal Standard if you want serious size range and better-made staples. For relaxed, feminine pieces aimed at the 40-plus shopper, J.Jill and Loft fit best. And if it's really the bras and underwear keeping you loyal, Knix outclasses almost everyone on inclusive intimates.