Plus-Size Fashion: Tips for Shopping on A Budget
The plus-size fashion industry has certainly come a long way, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. Anyone who wears plus-size clothing would dread upon the enormously high cost of fashion and plus-size apparel. A common problem for many full-figured women out there is finding fitting yet well-styled clothes that do not burn holes in your pockets. Because of this premium pricing, plus-sized women often struggle in the budgeting department when it comes to their clothes and fashion.
As more and more of the population demands plus-size clothing, the retail prices of the apparel must come down to a decent range that is affordable by the masses. While this shift in the market prices may take some time, you, as a plus-size woman, need to get creative with your budget to make the most out of the available opportunities. Whether you are a size 10 or 20, finding apparel for plus size women that is fitting to your body and your budget should not be that challenging.
Here we have put together some tips and advice that will help you in exploring the plus-size fashion on a limited budget.
- Shop Online
One of the most frustrating concerns of plus-size women is a lack of retail sizing and selection available when it comes to plus-size apparel. In such cases, it might be a good idea to go through their online inventories as online retailers can often pull the inventory from different warehouses. Therefore, by shopping online, you will be subjected to a much broader selection of sizes as opposed to the walk-in stores.
An important thing to remember is to check the size chart of the retailer before purchasing your otherwise usual size as there are often differences in terms of the exact dimensions and proportions. A neat trick is to keep a log or record of different retailers that you usually buy from and your respective size for each.
Many renowned online retail brands offer an expanded plus-size fashion line which offers the consumers a great deal of sizing options and selections. Some of these online apparel stores offer regular sales and coupon discounts, which further helps in cutting down the overall cost. Always remember to go through the details of shipping regulations and return policies so that the return of an item does not become a problem in the case of a misfit.
- Check Discount Stores
One of the greatest resources of budget-friendly plus-size clothing is discount stores. Such stores invest in overstocked clothing items from different brands and departments and then sell them to the customers at a significant discount. On top of the discounted prices, these stores offer a much wider selection of plus-size fashion apparel.
If a certain clothing piece from a particular brand grabs your attention but is way out of your reach, try the discount stores. You might have to do some thorough searching, but the low prices are worth the effort. Some of these discount stores provide a limited selection online, which is totally worth exploring if you are hunting for deals.
- Be Loyal
In general, staying loyal to one particular retailer or brand is a surefire way of overspending, especially when you are missing out on great deals and discounts elsewhere. However, contrary to popular belief, your loyalty can pay off at times when it comes to shopping.
Point programs and loyalty cards are the perfect options if you like to shop form a particular brand or retailer. Some brands offer loyalty perks in the form of coupons, redeemable cash points, and exclusive members discounts. All of these incentives can make a difference collectively when it comes to your savings.
- Build on Basics
Having a minimal collection of all the basics is important for anyone looking to create a wardrobe on a budget. When your wardrobe has some staple clothing items that will never go out of fashion, you will be able to get more range out of anything you buy.
Here are some of the basic items you should invest in before expanding your wardrobe:
- Straight-leg pants with a dark wash which makes for a universally flattering cut
- A straight or pencil skirt
- A suit that is tailored to perfection
- A pair of classic black pumps
- A denim jacket that offers a great fit
- A work-appropriate blouse and a plain buttoned-down shirt
Once you have a decent set of these staple pieces, you can build on from there by adding contrasting clothing items, scarves, accessories, or shoes. Having your basics sorted will always give you something to fall back on when you are unsure.
- Find A Tailor
It might be one of the most important pieces of shopping advice for a plus-size woman. No matter what size you are, in most cases, a general fit model is used to design the pattern in different sizes. This sizing system doesn’t take into account the varying proportions and dimensions of your curve, and as a result, the clothes fit differently.
If you want to wear clothes that fit your body perfectly, you have to make friends with your tailor. The idea here is to buy clothes that fit the wider parts of your body and then have them tailored so that they fit the smaller parts. Even if you have to spend a little extra, it is totally worth the investment.
Shopping as a plus-size woman can be a frustrating experience. Finding clothes that suit for style and budget is definitely not easy. However, when you get creative with the available resources, you get a wider selection, better prices, and, eventually, a better wardrobe. Don’t hesitate to pursue bargains, and you will soon have a wardrobe that you adore.