Don't wait! I cant stress that rule enough, especially if you're on the higher end of the plus size range. The plus size shopping options have increased significantly the last couple years but we still cant seem to get physical stores to carry them. If you don't want to look thrown together, it is going to take some planning ahead of time. I like to look online first to get an idea of what I want. If I can find that item in store- I then head over and purchase it there to save time and money on shipping. If not, I order online with plenty of time to make returns if needed. Expect about a two week window for any online purchases to get to you.
My least favorite excuse to hear when it comes to shopping for plus size girls is that they wont buy it because they cant try it on. Most stores have great return policies if you buy online. Make sure to read them before buying though! Get it to your house, try it on in your own home and you have plenty of time to make a decision and return it if you don't like it. Learning your measurements for online shopping is key! Consult the size chart always. If I'm still unsure what it will fit like and Im on a huge time crunch, I like to buy a couple different sizes so I can pick which fits best and then return the other. (This is easiest with a credit card, but use credit wisely!) Why miss out on something fab just because you wont go through a little extra work?
Everyone's budget is different. Some of you are on luxe-line budgets and others are on shoe string budgets. If you are closer to the shoe string side, I do not recommend buying too much "fast fashion". It can be tempting! That $6 top is cute and... $6?! C'mon! You need it! ... you don't need it. Save that $6 and put it towards buying a more expensive classic piece at the end of the season that will look better, last longer and never go out of style (i.e. LBD, nicer pants, etc). You'll end up replacing that $6 top enough times to more than make up for the one you could have spent a bit more on instead. (Ask the 45 worn out lace tanks in my closet how I know!)
One of the positives of having most stores online only is the ability to compare similar items without running all over town. OneStopPlus.com is a fantastic and easy way to do this. The site pulls multiple smaller online plus retailers so you don't have to. I run a search for what I want (i.e. jumpsuit) there then pull up the major plus retailers (LB, Torrid etc) and see what they have to offer. Chances are, you'll find a few different options that way to be able to compare price and style. That black jumpsuit you saw in one store could look much better on in a drapey poly blend than a light cotton. As they say, "the devil is in the details".
This should go without saying, but if you aren't using coupons you are wasting money. That goes for all budgets. Most stores mail out coupons, so get on the list! If they have a free rewards program, join it! If you aren't on a mailing list or a member they usually give % off coupons for first time buyers or you can always use a coupon code. RetailMeNot is my favorite coupon resource. They usually always have one for what I'm buying. You can get a code online or they have an app you can download to pull up coupons and show to the cashier in store. If you're a regular, make friends with the store associates! They can often give you a heads up on when something will go on sale, when the best coupons are coming and Ive even been given a discount just for being a good customer.
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