All My Plus Size Sisters

[mrstomrice]

To tell you the truth, it's frustrating going clothes shopping lately. I've gotten bigger through the years, and now that I'm a size 18-20-22, it's really hard to find clothes that fit and are flattering.

I can't seem to find "business" clothes for work without spending $100 and up on a nice outfit, whereas when I was smaller I could find sales all the time on clothes and usually end up with an outfit for around $30-$40.

Also, the selection is just awful in some places, like Target. At my Targets around me, there is a teeny tiny section with about 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants to choose from. And other places I find hugely "clown-like" clothes, if you know what I mean... fitting like a tent and brightly colored is NOT what plus size women are looking for!!!

This thread is great, because the suggestions have helped me find clothes that are affordable and stylish for my pooh-sized body!! Thanks everybody!

I just got back from Lane Bryant and found some nice work clothes. There weren't any current sales, but I had a coupon for $75 off. I also got some coupons for $25 off of $50 to be used in June. The dresses they have are a nice fit and very flattering!

 

[Tink_fanatic]

I go to Smithfield a lot, since it isn't too far from Raleigh. Do you go often?

Nope, not at all. This is my first time since like middle school I think. So this is a treat, we're also going to Raliegh and Durham, since I've never been shopping there before either. I live in Greenville and it caters to the very small college crowd. The only stores that carry plus-size here are WalMart, Lane Bryant, JC Penny, Belk, Sears, Dress Barn, Cato's and Ross.

We're going to try and find a Torrid store and a Hot Topic, we have one but maybe a bigger store will carry the plus sizes.

 

[mjantz]

I love torrid but you have to go in there with an open mind. A lot of the looks they put together are pretty hard or punkish but you can find some really great individual pieces. I've also found lots of great jewelry & other accessories there.
There's a store not too far from me called 'Rainbow' that I haven't visited yet but I want to. It looks like Catos or Fashion Bug so we'll see if its got good stuff or not.

 

[bearlyanne]

Rainbow is disposable fashion The prices are cheap and the styles are very very trendy which is good because the clothes will only last you a season if that! But they do have some cute stuff.

Usually I buy from Lane Bryant and Avenue.LB's coupons can not be beat!

Sometimes, I will find a piece or two at Ashley Stewart, but most of the time their colors don't work for me (although for this trip, I got the cutest shirt ever from there!.)

 

[taylor3297]

Nope, not at all. This is my first time since like middle school I think. So this is a treat, we're also going to Raliegh and Durham, since I've never been shopping there before either. I live in Greenville and it caters to the very small college crowd. The only stores that carry plus-size here are WalMart, Lane Bryant, JC Penny, Belk, Sears, Dress Barn, Cato's and Ross.

We're going to try and find a Torrid store and a Hot Topic, we have one but maybe a bigger store will carry the plus sizes.

I know there are Hot Topic stores at Crabtree (Raleigh) and Southpointe (Durham) but I am not aware of Torrid.

 

[LuvMickey36]

My good friend swears by avenue & Lands End online.

 

[taylor3297]

Sears at our Crabtree Mall has a great selection of Lands End clothing in the store. I do love the variety of sizes that Lands End has in their catalog too.

 

[Tink_fanatic]

I love torrid but you have to go in there with an open mind. A lot of the looks they put together are pretty hard or punkish but you can find some really great individual pieces. I've also found lots of great jewelry & other accessories there.
There's a store not too far from me called 'Rainbow' that I haven't visited yet but I want to. It looks like Catos or Fashion Bug so we'll see if its got good stuff or not.

LOL, I like the punkish stuff. Wouldn't wear it to work but would wear it like on the weekends. We used to have a Rainbow here, they went out of business while I was still in high school; so like, over 7 or 8 yrs ago. They had great stuff.

I know there are Hot Topic stores at Crabtree (Raleigh) and Southpointe (Durham) but I am not aware of Torrid.

Yes!! I hope they have plus sizes. I'm dying for a Twilight shirt.

Sears at our Crabtree Mall has a great selection of Lands End clothing in the store. I do love the variety of sizes that Lands End has in their catalog too.

I'm gonna have to check out Land's End.

 

[java]

I'm gonna have to check out Land's End.

Just be careful with the Cotton Tees- they are cut small imho- and one washing and they can be short and tighter- but I do stick them into the dryer so that might be the issue for me.

I do like their shorts though. Thankfully they are not cut like low-rider like the old navy ones I got.

 

[taylor3297]

Just be careful with the Cotton Tees- they are cut small imho- and one washing and they can be short and tighter- but I do stick them into the dryer so that might be the issue for me.

I do like their shorts though. Thankfully they are not cut like low-rider like the old navy ones I got.

Lands end has three different cuts, I get the fuller cut and it doesn't shrink. I do wash all my clothes in cold and dry on low heat.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have found that my clothes last longer if I hang them up to dry, then after they dry, I throw them in the dryer with a dryer sheet for about 10 minutes and hang them back up, no ironing necessary. Doing this has made alot of my frequently worn clothes last for more than a year.

Suzanne

 

[PammyK]

Check Old Navy online. They have lots of cheap stuff on clearance at any given time, and shipping isn't too $$. I like them for my weekend wear. I also buy a lot at Target and Lane Bryant, but LB is getting more $ without increasing quality.

I agree about Old Navy - lots of t-shirts and other tops as well as trousers and shorts. Their regular prices aren't great but their clearance/bargains are usually pretty good.

 

[dawnn12]

if i would of seen this thread before you could of had alot of clothes that size(i just got rid of them in march) i had wls in sept and now im down to a 20 in jeans and 14-16 in dress pants when i was in a size 26-28 and higher i went to fashion bug and ave. they have nice clothes that last and for a good price(look for coupons in the newspapers and online you can print out)

 

[elaine and the boys]

I just placed a small order from Avenue and used code AV81131 for 25% off my purchase. No minimum required.

 

[java]

Anyone ever try the Avenue swimsuits? I saw a cute one but am wondering about support. It's this one by the way

 

[NJGirl]

I agree about Old Navy - lots of t-shirts and other tops as well as trousers and shorts. Their regular prices aren't great but their clearance/bargains are usually pretty good.

Be careful with Old Navy. Since they don't carry the plus sizes in stores anymore...they used to allow free return shipping for online stuff that didn't fit. As of this month, they are now charging a flat fee of 6 dollars to return all "mail only" items...most of which falls under their plus line. I made the mistake of ordering a few dresses for my cruise not knowing the return policy changed and had eat 6 dollars of my refund bc of this change. They say they put the change of policy on the website for one day. Who checks Old Navy.com everyday? Some of their plus items are now able to be returned in stores..but most are not. I sent a letter to Old Navy's customer service, bc I hate they make us plus size girls pay to send stuff back..but regular sizes can return in stores. They said if they got enough feedback they may revise their policy.

 

[Tink_fanatic]

if i would of seen this thread before you could of had alot of clothes that size(i just got rid of them in march) i had wls in sept and now im down to a 20 in jeans and 14-16 in dress pants when i was in a size 26-28 and higher i went to fashion bug and ave. they have nice clothes that last and for a good price(look for coupons in the newspapers and online you can print out)

if you don't mind me asking...what is wls?

Anyone ever try the Avenue swimsuits? I saw a cute one but am wondering about support. It's this one by the way

that is cute!!

 

[kath1210]

WLS = weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass or lap-band

 

[dawnn12]

wls...weight loss surgery ..i had the duodenal switch

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Anyone ever try the Avenue swimsuits? I saw a cute one but am wondering about support. It's this one by the way

I haven't tried one on, but have looked at them in the store and they seem to be a really nice quality.

Suzanne