One of the most common challenges when it comes to plus size clothing is not so much the style, but the price tag! Plus size budget clothing seems hard to come by. I’m sure you have been out trying on that cute dress, thinking of all the places you have to wear it; but as soon as you checked out the price, suddenly you have nowhere to go! Plus size clothing that is fashionable, trendy and of great quality is usually priced considerably higher than smaller cut clothing. This can make it super hard to find cute clothes that are also budget-friendly. Looking to broaden your wardrobe horizons without breaking the bank? Read on my friend.
Shopping for fashionable, quality plus size clothing on a budget can be achieved by following a few simple tricks like shopping out of season, looking for pieces that are versatile, learning to read the material labels, shopping online, signing up to join a mailing list, and knowing how to color coordinate.
1. Shop Out of Season
One time I was wandering around in my favorite department store at the beginning of summer, and happened to stumble upon racks and racks of clothes with signs indicating 50, 60, and 70 percent off! Immediately I rushed over, and it was sweaters, wraps, turtlenecks, wool pants, long-sleeve button-downs, and sweater dresses. Jackpot! Of course, the weather was warming up and I knew I would not be able to wear any of it right then, but I made my selections and spent roughly $100. A few months later in the fall, I had so many cute outfits from those clothes, I didn’t have to buy anything extra. Shopping out of season is probably the best way to save money while you build your wardrobe. The clothes will still be fashionable, and you can get them at a fraction of the price. Think of it as an investment for the cold winter months.
2. Get Coordinated
Before you shop, take a quick picture of your closet. When you get to the store, you want to be able to have a frame of reference for what pieces will coordinate with what. We all have been shopping and bought a shirt that looked super cool in the store, however, when we got home, there was this big looming question of, “What do I have that will GO with this???”. That shirt will soon find its way in the back of your closet, never worn. Save yourself the drama, use the picture as a reference when you shop so you can avoid spending money on items that just don’t go with anything.
3. Read the Labels
Yes, I’m talking about reading the labels on your clothes. When shopping on a budget, you need to make sure you are getting the best quality of fabric for your dollar. Pay attention to different types of material; does it stretch, does it shrink, is it pre-shrunk, can it be tossed in the dryer, does it need to hang dry or does it need to be dry-cleaned only? These are very important questions when trying to make your dollar stretch the furthest. Clothing material that shrinks or fades easily will only cost you more in the long run. In addition, clothes that require dry-cleaning can certainly drain your pockets even more. Look for practical clothing, made of a material that is colored well, and that fits very well so that you aren’t replacing it in a month.
4. Shop Online
Did you know that most stores carry the same items online as they do in the store? In fact, oftentimes there is more variety of selections online than in the stores, and the items are usually a bit cheaper. Want to save even more extra bucks? Visit the store to try the clothes on, then order them online. Typically, the shipping will be free, and you will save yourself a few dollars.
5. Get Versatile
Okay, maybe the bright yellow skirt with the zebra print across the back was a hit at your girlfriend’s cocktail party, but did you wear that skirt anywhere else? Buying clothes that you can only wear once is a huge waste of money when you are shopping on a budget. You want pieces that you can wear to different settings and perhaps be able to wear through similar seasons (spring/summer or fall/winter). In addition, oftentimes, the super unique pieces are the ones that are extra costly. High prices combined with low versatility equals a bad investment. You don’t want clothing that will collect dust in your closet. Look for pieces that you can wear more than once, and that will match with some of what is already in your closet.
6. Sign Up
I know we all hate getting junk mail delivered to our email boxes. But before you say “no” to a newsletter, consider this: you may be able to save up to 20% off your first purchase. A lot of independent and boutique clothing stores offer VIP programs and first-time shopper incentives that will allow you to use a promotional code or coupon for your first purchase. If you’re really nervous about the junk mail, just send it to your spam box when you’re done with getting the deals. Or better yet, create an email address that you only use for stores, that way, nothing can jam up your personal email box!
Trendy Alternatives for Plus Size Clothing
In addition to traditional department and independent clothing stores, there are quite a few options out there that will offer you excellent fashionable clothing without draining your wallet.
· StitchFix. I would describe StitchFix as an online personal shopper service. Sounds pretty fancy, huh? This company does all of the legwork for you. You let them know your price range, general style, and size, then they do the rest! They send over clothing selections that you can purchase right away, and you only pay a $20 dollar styling fee. If you don’t like any of the clothes, you just pack them up and ship them back! No subscription needed, no worries, no fuss.
· PoshMark. PoshMark is like a shopper’s stock market. It’s a place where you can buy and sell clothing items all in the comfort of your own home. The PoshMark community is in the millions, and the merchandise is often full of designer brands that you will find on sale for a fraction of the price. It’s easy to purchase items that you like, or, if you’re trying to minimize the clutter in your own closet, you can post your own clothing items for sale. Sounds like a win-win to me.
· Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops – Both of these stores are basically one in the same, the only difference is that the consignment shop tends to carry items of higher quality. The Thrift Store is a great place to get wardrobe essentials like tank tops, blazers, skirts, casual sweaters, and accessories like handbags and clutches. Oftentimes, these items have never been used and are donated in the most excellent condition. You can also bring in your gently used items to donate, and they will be cleaned up to be sold within the community. Thrift Stores are a great way to give back!
· FashioNova – If you’re a fan of social media, I’m sure you have heard of the infamous FashionNova online clothing store. Plenty of curvy and plus size celebrities have done marketing for this clothing line, and for good reason. They offer a wide range of trendy, fashionable clothes, and sexy, sultry swimwear and lingerie all catered to the curvy plus size woman. But it doesn’t stop there. FashionNova offers major savings when you make your first order, in addition to free shipping on orders over $75 and easy-breezy returns. But more importantly, the clothes are super cute and affordable; you will not have to question whether or not you are in style when you shop here.
So, with all of this information, just know that you don’t have to wear the old school elastic waist pants and tunic tops all the time when it comes to shopping for plus size clothes. There are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar, and ways to get the very best fashion-forward clothing! And don’t forget to check out some of our top picks.
