Shopping...

I hate shopping.


Really, as a PFG shopping can be a challenge.  It can also be very depressing and cause irrepairable damage to my bank account.


As any woman with a waist line above a 16 can attest, the selection for clothing is small.  So small in some stores that we are relegated to just a few racks.  And typically those racks are dominated with kittens in flower baskets and...elastic waist bands....*shudders*  I HATE elastic waist bands.  It's like clothing manufactures don't think that a woman who wears a 16 or larger is capable of use a button, which of course is total bull...well let's just say it irriates me..LOL


There are of course the "specialty" stores that have popped up which cater to women of my PFG'ness, but the cost to even step foot in these stores is far beyond the few pennies which reside in my pocket.  And that's not even counting the cost of the clothes!  Sadly, like most women, I was born with an eye for expensive, so all the styles and clothes that catch my eye tend to run on the high end of the pricing scale.  But generally speaking the price of "Plus Size" clothes runs this course across all style and types.  From swim suits to jeans. T-shirts to formal wear, even shoes!


Torrid and Lane Bryant are the two names that come up when you try to locate fashionable PFG clothes.  But the cost to buy one outfit is outrageous! Think about it, if you're looking for a cute outfit for a night out you're looking at spending a minium of $140!  Here's a break down of a cute outfit one might find at Torrid.


Jeans - $58.50
Top - $44.50
Shoes - $55.50
Bracelet - $16.50
----------------
Total cost - $175.00!!  Ouch.  My bank account is squirming just thinking about that number!


If you can hit the clearance section for some if not all of the items, then you can knock that cost down to just about $100.  But if you're like me, finding something that fits, isn't ripped or stained in the clearance section is like winning the lottery.  It happens about a life time.  And if you also like me, you just don't have that kind of extra cash laying around.  Personally I think this kind of pricing isn't fair, since there's such a limited amount of stores that carry clothes worth buying, what's a PFG to do?  


Now I can hear some of you out there saying, but there are other stores that carry "Plus Size" clothes at better prices.  And indeed there are other stores, but the styles and cuts are not available to buy off the rack.  Most stores like Old Navy do have a plus size line, but it's available exclusively online.  Who buys clothes without trying them on first, not me.  So what about outlet malls or discount stores?  They often carry the rejects from the main stores so the clothing is often ripped, mis-tagged or stained.  And more often than not they carry the clothes that aren't sized correctly.  Sure that top says it's a 2X, but it's cut was just a little off making it more like a 1X 1/2.  And usually the clothes have something that's just a little off about them.  So then what's a PFG to do?  Here's my suggestions...

• Walmart for jeans.  I know, I know, but really, if I search the few Walmart stores around me I can come up with at least two pair of jeans.  And ranging in price from $18 to $24.99, I can easily get two pair of jeans for the cost of one at Torrid.  The brand names determine how long they last, I can get Lee for $24.99 and they will last me a couple of years.
• For t-shirts and hoodies, I shop in the men's section.  I know they are pretty much shapeless, but at least they are the right length and fit my shoulders without the possibility of accidental belly flashing. 
• Dress clothes I usually hit Goodwill.  They, like most stores have a limited section for plus size clothes, but I have the good fortune to be by one that seems to get all the brand new clothes with the tags still on them.  I can hem pants that are too long, and replace buttons so it's a cheap place to find my dress clothes.  Another fun fact is that most thrift stores will run specials to drive in customers! My local Goodwill runs 50% off everything every other Saturday, and 50% off clothes the other Saturdays!  
• Also I keep an eye on Torrid.  They frequently run 50% off clearance sales both online and in the stores! Occasionally I can find a nice top or a pair of jeans, but mostly I use these sales to pick up underwear & bras as well as accessories.  
• One of the best suggestions I got years ago from a former employer was to learn which brands run smaller or larger than the size listed.  For example, LEI boot cut jeans run about a size smaller than the size listed, so a 20 is actually a 19.  This can result in making you love or hate that brand.  Of course finding which brands run small or big requires a lot of trying on, and all I can say is leave your emotions at the dressing room door.  Don't discouraged when you can't find a brand that runs bigger resulting in a lower size option.  But having this knowledge will help in the clearance searching.  If you know that a certain jean brand runs small in a certain cut, you can save time by not having to try them on.  Of course if you are buying a cut you've never tried on before, trying on is necessary!
• Don't try to follow every fashion fad. Some fashions that look good on the stick thin chicks just do not translate well for PFG's.  For me, Leggings will never be a style choice because I'm not going to subject myself, or the world to my thighs in skin tight fabric.  It's not worth all the cottage cheese in the world!  With that being said, I know many women who can pull this look off, and I say my hat's off to you! But I'll stick to my classic pieces and keep the world safe.  
• Shoes are the one thing that I will pay full price for.  Because let's face it, finding a good pair of shoes is hard enough without trying to stick with just the clearance section.  I've got to find shoes in the wide width section so find a pair that fit properly and will work with my current closet can be a challenge in and of itself.  So when I do find a pair, I will scoop them up.  

I may not be the most fashionable PFG out there, but I get by.  I can look cute when I need to, and I can look professional without being uncomfortable in ill fitting dress clothes.  I may still hate shopping, but some times a girl has to have that retail therapy!  The best suggestion I have for any one regardless of size when it comes to shopping is buy in the off season! Right when stores are changing from winter to spring/summer clothes is the time to buy coats, sweaters, gloves and scarves! Same goes for when they switch from summer to winter wear, that's when you buy shorts, sandals and swim wear!  It may seem odd, but that really is when you find the best deals around!  

If you have any shopping tips to share, please do, I'm always looking for new way to save money! 

Until next time!