I was never a huge online shopper. You could find me exclusively shopping in store. I think it’s mostly because I hate returning things and I hate when things don’t fit. The honest truth about online shopping is that this happens a lot. Once you’ve shopped with retailers a few times, you’ll know exactly which pieces will fit you best. The number of returns you’ll make will severely decrease and the feeling of disappointment with an originally promising purchase will be a faint and distant memory.
I’ll be walking you through my favorite online retailers. Ever wonder where you can find the best quality, fastest shipping, and cutest pieces? I’ve got you covered on that too. You’ll also walk away from the post with insider secrets on sizing and items to avoid. Alrighty, let’s get into it.
This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission when you shop through my links!
Tee | Blazer | Jeans | Sandals
Take your measurements.
I used to be in #campguesstimate when it came to sizing. I’d always worn size x, so I must be size x. When it comes to online shopping, that’s just not gonna cut it. Sizing is not a standardized measure, unfortunately. Some stores run large and others run crazy small. One way to combat easily avoidable struggles is to consult the size guide. This will at least put you in the right ballpark.
Pay attention to the reviews.
All of us online shoppers are here to support each other. The biggest proof of that is in the reviews. I’m honestly not a huge reviewer unless I really love a piece. But, brands are now offering incentives to leave a review meaning that the number of reviews is going up. They are surprisingly pretty honest too. It’s a quick way to assess how high-quality materials are and how items fit around common problem areas including the bust and butt.
Start Paying Attention to Silhouettes You Love
It helps so much to know which silhouettes you love to wear. For me, I love a good A-Line skirt or dress. All of my bottoms must have some type of high-waisted element. I also love V-neck tops and anything with a defined waist. Take a peek at your most worn items and try to find any commonalities between them!
Know which fabrics to avoid.
We live in a world of polyester: not great and hard to avoid. H&M loves viscose & jersey [which gives a softer feel but might hug you in all the wrong places. J. Crew Factory does cotton graphic tees and they are soft and pretty great quality. The BooHoo slinky material is to be avoided at all costs. Knit items are generally okay and last for a pretty long time.
Use the Rakuten plug-in to save more while online shopping.
Online shopping is becoming a normal thing and you’ll want to be smart to make the experience even better. I always shop with the Rakuten plug-in for Google Chrome. It gives you cash back anytime you make an online purchase through one of their partner retailers. Also, take advantage of sales. Holidays are big for shopping. All of my students out there!! Be sure to always check and see if retailers will give you a discount! UNIDAYs is used by a lot of retailers like H&M, ASOS, and more. Be sure to sign up for rewards programs when you can. They’re usually free and get you sweet deals. My favorites are H&M, J. Crew Factory, Sephora, and DSW.
My Favorite Online Retailers For the Plus Size Gal
The plus-size market has grown its online presence significantly over the past few years. Some of my favorite stores at various price points are now offering extended sizing online. The day that all sizes are offered in stores will be my favorite day. But, for now, we still gotta look cute.
My Go-Tos
H&M
sizing: 12-30; run TTS or slightly big
vibe trendy & minimalist, city edge
pieces to look for: denim, basics, on-trend pieces
Old Navy
sizing: 12-20 [select styles up to 30]; runs TTS
vibe fun & easy going
pieces to look for: denim, dresses, activewear
BooHoo
sizing: 12-24; run TTS or slightly small
vibe trendy & bold
pieces to look for: dresses, skirts, graphic tees
ASOS
sizing: 12-24; run TTS or slightly big
vibe fun & bold, European
pieces to look for: dresses, outerwear, special occasion
Loft
sizing: 14-26; run TTS or slightly small
vibe polished & girly
pieces to look for: dresses, tops, basics
J.Crew Factory
sizing: 12-24; run TTS
vibe preppy & clean cut
pieces to look for: basics, graphic tees
Cacique
sizing: 32A-50K
pieces to look for: intimates, bathing suits, activewear
Places I’d Like To Try
Madewell
sizing: 16-24
vibe cute & simple
pieces to look for: denim, basics
Misguided
sizing: 12-20;
vibe bold & sexy
pieces to look for: statement pieces, special occasion
Nasty Gal
sizing: 12-20; run TTS or slightly big
vibe trendy & funky
pieces to look for: statement pieces, skirts, denim
Eloquii
sizing: 14-28; run TTS
vibe fun & bright colors
pieces to look for: jumpsuits, crop tops, fun silhouettes
Do you do a lot of online shopping? What are tips you’ve picked up along the way? Do you have any favorites that I missed? I’m trying to mix in mid-range stores and fast fashion so that my basic pieces will last longer! LOFT is a new favorite of mine and the quality is so great! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel to see all my favorite pieces in action.
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keep on keepin’ on,
