Astarte’ Woman bills itself as clothing “for the goddess woman who’s not afraid to make an entrance.” It has couture level pricing on sizes from 14- 32. The sizing confuses me a little - I have 53″ hips and a 46″ bust, which would make me a 1X bottom and a 4x top, reversing the usual order of how my measurements usually apply.
While many of the designs are interesting in an outside of fashion trend way, I do have to question the pricing on some items. To charge couture level on something like this abstract jacket, I understand:
It probably had to be hand-died, and fabric with exactly the right kind of drape for this look is expensive. However, charging over $100 for a basic scoop neck top seems a little outrageous, even to me, the anti-bargain shopper Herself. Even so, some of these designs win me over a bit, and not just because they’re shown on actual plus women of a certain experience level. Their capri pants are the first I’d seen that I’d wholly endorse for plus women. I’ve never seen anything like their flared slit pants.
The short ruffled cascade dress is just plain sexy.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Astarte’ goes as it builds its following. After all, Astarte’ is a goddess of love and war… taking over is so her thing.
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I have just recently ordered from Astarte - I bit the bullet and ordered one of their new line of lower priced career items. $45 for a nicely tapered tank top.
However - they’re prices are horrendous. While they have some very flattering designs, the fabric used is a dirt cheap polyester lycra - the kind that costs maybe $5 a yard.
Add to that the fact that my order took a month a half. For custom items I can understand the wait, but I received absolutely no confirmation, no communication for nearly a month. I e-mailed several times, left several voice mail messages and heard absolutely NOTHING. I posted a query on a BBW forum and FINALLY received a response indicating that they received the order. They asked if I still wanted it, and she’d go ahead and make it. A MONTH later, and she hadn’t even started the garment.
I received it the day before I would have had to file a Paypal dispute to prevent them from taking my money and running. And she laid a guilt trip over how shipping to Canada usually costs more, but she wouldn’t charge me this time. Like I’m going to give my credit card to let them charge whatever they want for shipping? It could have been $40 or more by FedEx. I specifically ordered and paid for USPS shipping, knowing I may have to wait 2 weeks for the item once shipped, but I’d have appreciated some sort of customer service before a month passed.
As much as I like the top, I won’t be wearing it at all in the summer (polyester is way too hot) and most certainly won’t be ordering any of their $200 tops in the future.