"Plus size? What's that?"

[Kara_CS]

Indeed. Though it would explain why they're never wide enough. -.-

Don't do that to me! I mean, there are some pretty damn scary similarities between the two of us, but that would be just a bit much

I've had no luck at all with stores that offer exclusively plus-sized women's clothing. Either their styles just aren't me, or the prices are way beyond my budget. But I'm always on the lookout, because even though I've dropped several sizes in the past 6 months, and even though my body is naturally a bit curvy, I will always be in need of plus sizes thanks to my larger frame. A couple of my favorite stores, the ones that offer the styles I like AND can afford are:

Cato - My God I love this store. Half, that is, 50% of the store space is for plus-sized clothing. They're reasonably priced, but I head straight for the clearance racks. When they mark things down, it's practically a steal. The salesladies are ALWAYS courteous at all the stores I've visited, and at my local store they ADORE me.

Deb - Okay, I'm going to be honest, this is more of a store for teenage girls. Buuuuut, they have a pretty sizable section of plus-sizes and I have found some really cute skirts and one of my favorite tops there. Great place if you just want something fun and flirty for a night out.

For online shopping, I CANNOT possibly recommend anyone more than onestopplus.com. I can't allow myself to look at their site at any time while I have my bank card anywhere within reach, or I'll get in trouble.

And honestly, I find things here and there at larger department stores. Most of my jeans come from Walmart, Kohl's is great, and Target is generally hit or miss (been awhile since anything they've offered has impressed me).

[Andara Bledin]

Alas, Cato does not serve the west cost or norhtwestern states at all. Which makes me sad as a few of those tops they have for fall looked awesome. >_<

^-.-^

[Elspeth]

Thanks for the links Rum and Kara!! maybe I can find jeans that I like.

[Amanita]

I've given up looking at goth clothing websites, because to them I don't exist. Seriously, it seems that nobody making specialty clothes like that serves the plus sized market, which sucks. Why torture myself looking at cool things, when I would need a mastectomy just to fit into them? Seriously, the largest bust size that many of them cater to is about the diameter of my ribcage, where there is precious little fat padding.

[blas87]

I hate that with current trends of looser fitting shirts, girls who are hourglass shaped end up looking fat or pregnant, at least from the side view.

There's days I just don't give a shit and wear them anyway, but still can't help but feel a tad self conscious. I guess those shirts were desgined for the twiglettes out there.

I also hate that with some sweaters and zip hoodies, I need a larger size because of my chest, but the rest of the shirt is too big, so it gives me a paunch or looks like I'm trying to wear clothes that are too big for me.

[IDrinkaRum]

Elspeth, the best jeans I have found to fit me are the Alfred Dunner brand that I can find at either JC Penney or Macy's. I can get them in a 24 W short. The only thing is, they have elastic waists.

Which I'm fine with. I have a few Gloria Swanson jean skorts. (Got them at Kohl's. They're button and zip. They annoy me as the waist seems to "grow" during the day and suddenly the waist becomes too big - that's why I prefer elastic waists).

But that's me. I <3 elastic waist anything.

[bainsidhe]

Lupo, congrats on your weight loss and don't let anyone get you down. Call a few more stores and ask if 1) they accept plus size clothing 2) What sizes 3) What brands/styles. Consignment can be a tough market and each store caters to a specific audience, just as regular stores do. No one wants to enter a consignment store and have it look like a garage sale, so stores are often picky about brands/quality/styles. Whereas some stores accept brand-name jeans and tees, others focus on more professional work-style clothing. I'd call around first and ask, plus ask if/when they have specific times they accept merchandise and/or specific seasons or promotions. The stores around here tend to have huge store-wide clearance sales twice each year before closing down for a few weeks. Timing may be important. Good luck!

[siead_lietrathua]

blas, i have the same issue with alot of clothes. had to eventually cave and start tailoring them so i didnt look knocked up. i'll deal with the sewing-needle-stabbing to avoid being asked if im pregnant. lol.

[blas87]

See, I can't afford tailoring, and when it's hot out, I really do need a looser fit. It's more comfortable and less sweaty.

But I'm just self conscious and vain enough to stop by every mirror and ask "Do I look pregnant?" "Does this shirt give me a fake belly?"

I hate it. It's like they purposely make clothes so that curvy women look bad and have to stick with slutty and wild clothes, since those are the only prints and colors we can wear with our "slutty" shaped bodies, right? RAWR.

[Andara Bledin]

See, I can't afford tailoring...

Based on the comment about "needle stabs," I'd say she did the tailoring herself.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

Based on the comment about "needle stabs," I'd say she did the tailoring herself.

^-.-^

Either that or chose a taylor with a bad temperament.

[siead_lietrathua]

ya. if i could afford a tailor, i could afford the well-designed clothes that wouldn't need it lol.

[AdminAssistant]

Minor frustration: I read quite a few 'budget' wedding blogs. Every time the subject of plus-sized wedding attire comes up, they all say the same thing: get something custom made. Um, what? If I could afford to have a professional dressmaker make my gown, then I wouldn't be reading your blog!

[siead_lietrathua]

it really depends where you go, Admin. i went to a local bridal shop, and while they didnt carry anything in store larger than a 14, they could custom order stuff out of catalog for a relatively low cost (for a wedding dress, of course).
you may want to search cities near you for something like The Bride's Project, which resells wedding dresses that are donated to them for a very low cost, for charity purposes. i ended up donating mine after our wedding. other brides may have done the same.

[AdminAssistant]

Oh, I already have my dress, found a salon that had a room full of nothing but plus-size samples. Got a $800 Allure dress that's really pretty, the service was excellent, and there's no pressure to use their alterations person. More than I would have liked to spend, but no way was I giving money to David's Bridal after my treatment there.

No, I was referring to blogs that specifically cater to brides and grooms doing a wedding on a budget insisting that plus-size brides have no other options than to get something custom-made. For the 0-14 set, of course, they're happy to suggest all kinds of options, like J. Crew, BHLDN, vintage shops, Etsy, etc. But if you're fat, welp, better find a seamstress and stuff it all into a corset.