How to Shop Online for Plus Size and Junior Plus Size Clothing
Shopping for plus size clothing can be a frustrating experience. Retail stores seem to offer single digit sizes in abundance, while sizes over 12 can be hard to come by. Luckily, there are some stylish stores---Torrid and Lane Bryant, to name two---that carry sizes 14 and up. In addition, some national retail chains are offering larger sizes, sometimes exclusively online. Hence, shopping online can offer the greatest variety of fashionable finds.
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Instructions
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Visit websites for stores that sell women's plus size clothing. Some notable stores are Torrid, which specializes in trendy, youthful plus-size styles, and Lane Bryant, which features classic workwear and weekend attire in sizes 14 through 28.
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Check out mainstream retail stores as well. As of 2011, national chains like Old Navy, Nordstrom, Macy's and Target all feature plus size clothing on their websites. When you arrive at these sites, look for a link or tab for women's plus size items.
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Use your mouse to click on a category once you've arrived at a store's website. Most stores will list links on the top of the page or on the left side or right side that include categories like "sweaters," "denim" and "active wear." Many also include a "sale" link. Pick the link that best suits your needs.
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Browse the images for something that catches your eye, and then click the item you like. This will bring you to that item's page, which will usually include information like the item's name, price, available sizes and colors, product description and multiple images.
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Find out if the item is available in your size. Some websites, like Old Navy, will have numbers listed under "size." Others, like J. Crew, will have a pull down menu, so you'll need to click on the menu's arrow and scroll down to find your size. If you aren't sure which number to choose, look for a link that says "size chart." Not all stores have this feature, but some do, and it can help to ensure a perfect fit.
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Select the color, size and quantity you'd like to buy, and then click on the link that says "add to bag." If that's the only item you want, click "checkout." If you'd like to keep shopping, use the back arrow to revisit your last page, or pick another category from the menu.
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Look for information regarding return policies. For all women -- but for plus size women in particular -- it's necessary to actually try on the clothes to be sure they're flattering. Of course, you can't try on clothes when online shopping (unless you've already tried them on in a store), so it's important to find out if ill-fitting clothes can be returned with ease. If they can, then you're ready to check out.
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Review the checkout page. Confirm that all your items are there and that the colors, sizes and quantities are correct.
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Select a shipping timeframe. Shipping costs vary by store, but in general, the shortest shipping time will cost the most, and the longest time will cost the least (or may even be free). Think about how quickly you need the clothes. Are you buying casual clothes or sleepwear? Then you might be able to wait. Are you buying a dress for an upcoming wedding? You may want to shell out the extra clams for quick shipping.
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Fill out your shipping and payment information. Look for "https" at the beginning of the web address asking for credit card information. According to the Better Business Bureau, this means the store is using Secure Sockets Layer technology to encrypt your information, securing you from hackers.
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Submit your information to make the purchase, and then print and save your order confirmation.
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Tips & Warnings
When choosing clothes, avoid notoriously unflattering styles like horizontal stripes and skin-tight jeans.
Don't buy clothes that are too small. While some women believe that wearing tight clothes will have a slimming effect, the opposite is actually true.
To ensure a safe and satisfying shopping experience, only buy online from credible, well-known stores.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
