Thrifting Tips for Plus Sized Clothing

If you wear size 12 or higher you may find thrifting for clothing intimidating or near impossible. I used to feel the same way! I used to go to the big plus-sized clothing stores each season and drop upwards of $300. I didn't think that I had any other choice. Since the change in economy and our tighter budget, I stopped doing this. But I still want to be fashionable and enjoy shopping for clothing. The clearance racks can be helpful but there is something much more satisfying about thrifting for clothing. Here are some tips that might help you, along with what I tried on and purchased on my last thrifting trip.

Browse all the sections

Our local thrift stores usually have 2-4 aisles of clothing labelled as plus. I look there first but I also check the sweater section for cardigans, and the dress section for tunics. I almost always find plus sized clothing in the sections not labelled as plus. They were most likely put there by an employee by mistake or just mislabeled in the first place. 

Check for "new" items

Most of the clothing I find at thrift stores are from Target. They donate returns and old items that I may have seen at Target just a few weeks before. The tags are still on and sometimes I can compare the clearance price to the thrift store price to make sure I am getting a good deal. Most of the unpopular items end up in the aisles of Goodwill and this can be to my advantage because I am not usually looking for anything super trendy. If there is a shirt with stripes or orange and purple geometric shapes, I will want it and not a lot of other people will.

Try it on...or don't

99% of the time, I don't try anything on. Get to know your body and the size that you are. I know that I will fit for sure in a size 3 (plus) but a size 2 may or may not fit. If I don't feel like going to the fitting rooms, I only pick out things I know for sure will fit me. I don't waste time trying to squeeze into size 12 jeans. This will only discourage you and keep you from buying clothes. And you certainly can't wander around naked!

Build your wardrobe

I don't go to the thrift store to find the perfect pair of jeggings or a warm winter coat. Those things still probably need to be purchased at a new store or plus sized vintage store, like Fat Fancy. There may be the rare luck of finding a wool cape coat in size 26 but chances are pretty low. I go thrifting to look for clothing that I can build up my wardrobe with. I am looking for items that I can layer or similar clothing that I might already own but would like in different colors and patterns. I am on the look-out for long shirts, tunics, short dresses, cardigans and accessories. These are things I can wear with the leggings and jeans that I already have at home.

Dress to thrift

Go shopping in your favorite pair of skinny jeans so you can see how tops will look. I do best trying things on when I am wearing leggings because I can try on dresses and if I try on a top, I still have an idea of how it will look with pants. Plus I am comfortable and don't have to take on and off a complicated dress that zips from the back or tights that require 15 minutes of pulling to get back on. I also pile on clothing so that I don't have to keep dressing and undressing.

Experiment

Wish you could try a new look but don't want to invest your next paycheck into it? Thrifting is a great way to switch up your look a little bit without going broke. You can go home with a bag of clothing and new possibilities for only $30. Or you can add a zero to that number and get limited options. I am looking to add chevron patterns to my wardrobe and found the peach top above for $6.99. 

Choose wisely

But wait! You just told me to experiment! You will quickly be overwhelmed with clothes if you don't discriminate a little bit when thrifting for clothing. I don't go crazy every time or I would have even more clothes on the floor than I already do. If a sweater isn't exactly what you are looking for because it is a little baggy and not your favorite style, then pass it up. I loved the turqoise color of the short-sleeved cardigan below and was tempted to get it, but I have sweaters in that style that I don't wear much and I wasn't too fond of the bagginess near my armpits. So it went back!

The no pile 

The yes pile 

Accessorize!

I also take a glance at the purses and scarves to see if I might find a style that I have been eyeing. The thrift store offers great prices on bags. Check for wear and tear first though. Make sure the straps are strong and not going to break when you pack it with 10 pounds of makeup, notepads and cameras. We are LARGE, people has some great tips for cleaning a smelly used bag.

These scarves were priced at a few bucks each. I usually find a few funky patterns and colors that make an awesome addition to my outfits. I have been wearing a scarf as a headband a lot and have the bug to go search all the thrift stores to build my collection. The second thrift store I went to was selling their scarves for $5 to $10 more and although I found a few cute ones, I passed. Unless I have to have it, I would rather scout out the cheaper prices.

I thrifted

Avenue peach chevron pattern top $6.99

Target Merona chocolate brown short-sleeved sweater $6.99

Target Mossimo gray tunic dress with pockets $6.99

Peach and blue striped headscarf $.99

Green and orange floral headscarf $1.99

Orange flower sweater pin $.99

Total $24.94

Being plus sized doesn't mean you are limited to the mall or online shopping. You can become a thrifting pro instead! Be careful, you may get so addicted that the smell of musty clothing gets your heart racing. Check out your local thrift store and you will be surprised at the options! I hope my experience and tips will help you make the jump. If I think of any more, I will be sure to share!

- Rachele