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Reader Question: Fashionable plus-sized girl needs options!
The Divas *heart* getting reader questions! And this one especially spoke to us. Check it out...
Dear Deal Divas,
Do you have any store and/or online recommendations for plus-sized gals (size 14-16W?) Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug are really not my style. I am in desperate need of cotton (durable,) high quality clothes such as v-neck /scoop neck tanks, tops jeans and skirts.
Your devoted reader,
Jill Conners
Well Jilly-Jill, you're in luck. This is an area that I know a bit about. No, I'm not a plus size, but I have plenty of friends who are and their closets are LEGENDARY, hun! I've learned a few things from them through the years about shopping and the art of working with what you've got!!
I'll warn you it's going to take a change in the way you think about shopping. It's kind of like a three-step process. You ready?
Step 1: Stop segregating your shopping experience to "plus-size" stores. For example, Macy's carries high-quality designers like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. Well, guess what? Those lines also produce plus size looks. Peep the cute plaid dress below by Calvin Klein. It would look great in any size, but it just so happens to be available in a size 18. Another store that carries cute plus-size items (at a lower price) is Forever 21. The store recently introduced their Faith21 line, which is available at the International Mall location.
Calvin Klein dress, Macy's, $55.60.
Step 2: Go International! The English have been a lot more fashion-forward when it comes to plus-sized women. As a result there are some great UK websites that sell plus size clothes. One of my favorites: www.dorothyperkins.com. This is a great site for all size fashionistas, but they just so happen to offer larger sizes in most of their online items. This great cowl-neck knit number below is available up to a size 20. But remember, Euro sizes run a little smaller than ours. For example, if you wear a size 12, you'd order a 14.
Knit tunic, 28 Euros, at dorothyperkins.com.
Step 3: A second glance might be needed. There are stores that I vowed never to step foot into again, only to take a second look and change my mind. And as a result now one of my favorite cardigans is from none other than, Talbot's! This is all to say that while you may not be fond of Fashion Bug or Lane Bryant, it might be worth it to check in on them again. If you've made your mind up, check out Torrid, a plus size store that I'm told sells the best jeans! There's are two Torrid stores in the Tampa Bay area.
Z. Cavaricci jeans, $58, Torrid.
Now that you've got the steps, all you've got to do is work the (shopping) plan and have fun doing it!
Deal Diva Nicole
(pictures: macys.com, dorothyperkins.com, torrid.com)
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Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!
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THE AUTHORS
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.
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Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her
mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost,
but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan,
she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never
needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her
closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can
be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.
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A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.
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Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.
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