Shopping Online for the Plus Sized Woman 101

I really don't know why people are so afraid of buying online. I've never had a problem and I've bought from a few places including amazon and e-bay. Well, maybe once, I tried to buy MAC (cosmetics) on a non mac website, and was fool enough to believe I would get original MAC cosmetics/brushes for such a dirt cheap price. Shame on me! Got some fake and crappy MAC eye shadows and a roll of useless makeup brushes, that shed hair like the world is depending on it. So yeah, lesson learned, there are definitely some things that are not meant to be bought online, unless from an accredited source. Other things I've bought online are electronics, contact lenses (you don't need a doctor's prescription) and clothing. But what means most to me to talk about is  

ONLINE CLOTHING SHOPPING - for plus size women

I've come people's biggest fears are that:

• the clothes will not fit and then they wont be able to return merchandise. 
• they will have to pay extra to return the merchandise that doesn't fit or that they don't like
• sizes are not accurate
• buying online can easily make you a victim of a SCAM

Little they know!!! Stores like Torrid and Old Navy have pre-paid mail labels that you can use to return merchandise and YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY extra money. When in doubt, research online and/or READ the return policy of the website you are interested in buying from. There are some websites that you can return in-store, but there are exceptions, for ex. Torrid has some clothes labeled online exclusive, meaning that this kind of merchandise can only be returned via standard mail. Old Navy plus size clothes can only be returned via standard mail, it used to be available in some stores but it's not anymore :(.
A piece of advice:

• If you are interested in something and the website looks shady, RESEARCH, go to Google and investigate. There are lots of forums and blogs that will help you.
• Always look at the size charts, measure yourself if needed. Have in mind that plus size clothes are a bit inaccurate when it comes to fitting.
• If you really like something don't be afraid to order it a size up or down, chances are it will fit either way. (If its made of jersey or a stretchy fabric a smaller size most likely will fit fine)
• Read reviews, but don't make your solely in a bad or good review, plus size women are all kinds of shapes.

In the end the truth is sometimes clothes fit perfectly and sometimes they don't, truth is you'll never know for sure. But you gotta try and see what works for you. You might end up with a variety of sizes in the try!

Places I've shopped online, and have had a pretty decent experience:

Torrid
Lane Bryant
Old Navy Plus Size Clothing - Women's
City Chic  

(City Chic has an uncommon sizing. Their XL would be a 2X or 22, I am actually a size 24 and the XL fits me, but once again, we are all fat but our bodies are different!)

Love,
J