Let's go Shopping

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 12:36 pm

Just got back from one of my favorite stores. Believe it or not the local GoodWill Store. I got three georgeous skirts and a silk (not sure of the spelling) fuchia blouse, two pair of 100% silk slacks - beautiful!! total cost $20.12. This blouse, which I am wearing, would probably cost $90.00 - $100.00 and the one pair of silk slacks easily $150.00. I saw several other absolutely beautiful silk blouses that had to be worth $100.00 each - just not my size, I could cry!!! Also picked up a beautiful pink cashmere pullover (blondes like pink). Perfect for a cool spring evening. This store also gets donations from local stores on new merchandise that has never been worn and at $2.75 for a blouse and $2.50 for slacks - unbelieveable!
My point is there are Goodwill stores and EasterSeal and Salvation Army stores which are really great places to shop! - If you have not tried it you should be pleasantly surprised.
Happy hunting! Love,
Deborah

Josey · Post by **Josey** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:20 pm

Hi Deborah,

Good point and I know you are absolutely correct. There are some very wonderful things to be found in these type stores. You mentioned that some are not in your size. Unfortunately, I never find anything that is in my size.

Evidently, the only girls who give these wonderful clothes to these stores are farily slim ones.

They sure don't seem to be any that come close to my size.

I just had to sound off a little. soap There are times I really wish I were a size 10 but, then again, doesn't every plus size woman?

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 6:13 pm

Hi Josey,

What size do you wear? I'm sure there are sites on the web we can find that specialize in your size.

Beauty

Jadeanne · Post by **Jadeanne** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:57 pm

Hi all,

Thrift stores can definitely be a good source of low priced clothes if you look carefully. (are all of the buttons there and sewn on properly? does the zipper work properly?)

In the area around Buffalo, NY there are numerous thrift stores - Salvation Army, Amvets, Goodwill.

I'm a size 16-18 and can find nice dresses/skirts/tops. My wife is my advisor who can estimate sizes well, spot potential problems, encourages some variety in colors ("you already have 3 navy polkadot dresses, try some different colors"). I have seen some larger sizes, lots of smaller sizes.

Josey,

You're in a totally different section of the USA, so I don't know what retail stores may be close to you, but one chain near us we like is Avenue. My wife normally HATES to shop for clothing for herself, but likes to shop in Avenue once in a while. The sizes start at 14-16W which is what fits us and the closeouts are priced pretty resonably - one trip got 2 skirts, a top, and a pair of pants, AND change back from a $20.

My favorite online shopping places are the closeout section of Old Pueblo Traders (some of their regular prices are a bit high for my personal taste), Blair (nice closeouts and they sell men's clothing if discretion is an issue), Lane Bryant (affiliate Roaman's has nice looking things but I haven't bought from them yet although the pretty lacy ruffled dresses/skirts/tops seem to be calling to me), and for lingerie, National Wholesale (shopnational.com).

This bleached blonde has no association with any of these places except as a customer.

I hope this provides a few starting points. Good bargain hunting!

Jadeanne

Josey · Post by **Josey** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:44 am

Hello Ladies,

I hate to admit this but right now I look for a 3x.

My male clothes come from Omar, the tent maker. I have tried to talk him into a female line but so far he only makes a few items and they don't look very sexy. My only choice is to lose some weight which I am trying very hard to do. It is working but Oh soooo sloowwly.

I can get things and do get a lot of the catalogs (Roamins, etc.) I am just not the "off the rack" kind of gal.

Loretta Ann · Post by **Loretta Ann** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:50 am

Josey wrote.

Evidently, the only girls who give these wonderful clothes to these stores are fairly slim ones

.

The larger size of woman's clothes do come into thrift stores, but are bought up by larger sized women who are early shoppers. There just is not as many larger size come in.

The early bird gets the worm.

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:01 pm

Hi Josey,

So then you do know where to shop and you do know there are things you can buy.

That's cool.

3X isn't that bad ya' know.

Beauty

Lorna · Post by **Lorna** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:38 pm

*** sigh ***

I MUST lose this weight...

Bernice · Post by **Bernice** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:04 am

Thrift stores are of course some of the best places to get value for the dollar. Also Church rummage sales, and garage sales.

As for size, get a tape measure and measure yourself around your brassiere (yes, while wearing it). Divide this by two. Take the tape with you to the store. Measure prospective purchases from underarm seam (at the side seam if there is one) to the other underarm sideseam. If the garment is at least as large as you are, it will probably be big enough when you try it on.

3X ? Been there, didn't like it. Got down to the point where I could wear some mediums. Now slipping back to the 2X range, darn it.

Anyway, if this isn't motivation to learn to sew, I don't know what is. Buy a used sewing machine at a garage sale or church rummage sale (or perhaps get permission to use your SO's machine). Go for recognized brands (Viking, Pfaff, Bernina, NewHome, White) that can do zig-zag stitching. Go for fabric at rummage sales or garage sales. Old bedsheets are great fabric to practice upon. It is very easy to make circle skirts with elastic waistbands. Then you can advance to dresses with princess seams. Make whatever YOU like, in your size. Learn to express your true self!

Hugs to all,

Bernice

Gaven McLaren · Post by **Gaven McLaren** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 2:25 am

I love the salvation army and goodwill stores. My last good buy at one was brand new Leotard from my fav leotard maker. The leo from them would have cost almost $20. I got it for a Buck. It is a nice royal blue velvet.