Back Again With Amazing Bargains

It has been a while since I've posted...here's what I've been up to in my eternal quest to find something that fits me ;).

While Christmas shopping at Saks Off Fifth outlet, I came across some nice cashmere blend sweaters by 7 For All Mankind. As you know, you can't find their jeans above a 32" waist. So I wasn't hopeful the sweaters would run true to size. I picked out a short-sleeved, oatmeal colored sweater in L and when I tried it on, it fit perfectly. The sweater was $79.99 but with a discount coupon, I got it for $59.99.

I got an even better deal on a Tory Burch long-sleeved top at Nordstrom Rack. It was $39.99! And again, the L fit just fine. There was a cute TB dress in a size 14, but it looked like it was still a little too narrow for me.

Then today, while at Loehmann's, I saw that Paper Denim Cloth actually makes tops up to XL ("4"). I never knew that it did, since the biggest size I'd seen in any of their tops is L ("3"). How 'bout that?

Not everything I've acquired this yuletide season was discount. There was a way cute jacket from Anthropologie I initially tried to order from its website, but when it was backordered, I called the closest store (20 miles away) and it turned out there was one left in L and in the color I wanted. Woo hoo!

IGIGI sizes down

IGIGI, the popular plus brand for the fashionable set, is now available in size 12:

http://www.igigi.com

Yet another premium denim brand sizes up

Avenue, the plus-sized national chain, has started selling premium brand Yanuk in two different styles starting at size 14, for $150. Let's hope it's not another ripoff like with the Seven7 line a couple of years ago:

http://www.avenue.com

Update: Avenue is also featuring an exclusive design from another premium brand, Antik, for $175.

Catching up

How has your holiday shopping gone? I went to Desert Hills Outlet Mall in Cabezon, CA on Black Friday. It was a madhouse. But I bought a pricey pair of shoes. Shoes are great on anyone of any size!

I've bought two items from Erin Fetherston's new line for Target. The line is girly-girlish and therefore not for everyone, but I found a couple of things that I liked. One is a red corduroy jumper/dress for $29.99. I'm a 14-16 and the large fit me just fine. I also bought a gray "oversized" cardigan with heart buttons. It's soft and comfy, even though some people online have sniffed at the fact it's acrylic. Acrylic isn't cashmere but really, what do people expect? I've ordered from Target.com the heart-shaped bags since none of my local stores carry much of the accessories.

The perfect quote

I saw this on a blog at http://www.luckymag.com in response to a post about a pair of wide leg Genetic Jeans:

For real? I feel like these are designed for women with zero hips. Who are you genetically blessed freaks?

It's Been A While...and Holiday Parties

Don't worry, I haven't abandoned this site! I had internet issues and I was busy with other things.

The only thing I can comment on as of late is the issue with holiday parties.

Many of us attend at least one Christmas-time party, and maybe a New Year's Party. Despite what the magazines and stores try to sell us, not very many of us go to fancy-pants, semi-formal or formal/black tie events. Family gatherings don't require tuxes. People don't put on prom dresses for New Year's anymore. Every office party I've attended has only been slightly dressed up.

Of course they want you to buy this stuff on top of your other gift-giving purchases, telling you that strappy shoes, accessories, etc. are must-haves. Sure it's nice to have these things on-hand in case you are invited to an event where you're required to dress up. But those events can come up any time of the year. And in all likelihood you'll only go to a couple of them.

Untapped Resources: Wal-Mart

Women of all shapes and sizes have a resource available to them that few people talk about...Lord Wally of the Mart.

I love Wal-Mart and its big box brethren. Just as you can find your favorite products at a discount, you can also find things that can fit your body...and not look bad either!

For years I've hit Wal-Mart to find casual clothes like track suits for lounging about at home or trendy wear for the weekends. But in the last couple of years, I've also found stuff nice enough for work thanks to its George ME line. Just last weekend, I bought a nice-looking brown suit for around 40 bucks (jackets and pants are sold separately):

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5995652

Sizes go up to 18.

And two weeks ago, I found a great-looking cropped jacket from the store's junior No Boundaries line:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6372138

The XL is true to size.

The quality of Wal-Mart clothes varies and sometimes you do have to size up. But I've found that there are many items that are of as good quality as things you can find at the mall.