| Retail stores seem to be shrinking their sizes. What | | | | something that has a pattern. Make sure it's medium |
| once was a size 10 is now a size 4. How are any of | | | | sized pattern. I know from personal experience, that |
| us supposed to shop? The answer is the World Wide | | | | the smaller the pattern, the bigger I look and if the |
| Web. Online retailers are making it easy to get just | | | | pattern is too large it's distracting. Each part of a |
| the size you need. I've even found websites that | | | | medium size pattern should be no bigger than a half |
| carry up to size 10X in select styles. There is a great | | | | dollar. |
| selection out there for Men and Women's plus size | | | | 7. If you're Tall...... you should buy tall! This isn't the |
| fashion. Here are some rules to follow when shopping | | | | 80's, half shirts are out of style! If you're a tall person |
| online for plus size apparel. | | | | there are so many options out there, okay not as |
| 1. Measure yourself: Knowing your own | | | | many as standard clothes, but the market is getting |
| measurements will help immensely when shopping | | | | there. My point is, It's better to have simpler clothes |
| online because often times online retailers provide | | | | and look good, than to have the latest fashions and |
| sizing charts. You can directly compare your | | | | have your belly button showing. Many online stores |
| measurements with that of the garment and know if | | | | are now offering a Big and Tall section to their |
| it will fit you. The best type of measuring tape to | | | | website. Check it out! |
| use is a tailor measuring tape (it's soft and not | | | | 8. Buy Multiple: If you find a shirt online and you |
| ridged). If you don't have one, you can simply use a | | | | absolutely love it then go ahead and buy multiples in |
| piece of string, wrap it around your body, cut the | | | | the same color. I do it all the time. You may be |
| string where it meets and measure that. | | | | thinking "People are going to notice." Well, I can |
| 2. Measure your Clothes: If you have something that | | | | barely remember what I wore yesterday yet alone |
| fits great, you should measure it. This way you can | | | | what you wore. If it fits and looks good then go |
| find garments online that are cut the same (especially | | | | ahead. We all know how hard it is to find good |
| in the length). | | | | clothes. The same principle goes for brands. If you |
| 3. KIS- Keep it Simple: Don't try to buy elaborate | | | | find something that fits so well that you think "this |
| items online (like prom dresses). The simpler the item, | | | | was made for my body" then snatch everything you |
| the more standard it is and the more likely it will fit | | | | can get from that brand and you'll save on shipping |
| correctly. We all know that returning things can be a | | | | as well. |
| hassle. | | | | 9. Customized: If you're bored with the plus size |
| 4. Buy V-Necks: V-necks elongate the neck and | | | | clothing out there then design your own. There are |
| make you look overall taller and slimmer. So if you | | | | companies that will do custom screen printing and |
| ever have a choice, go with the V. | | | | embroidery with no minimum order. That means you |
| 5. Darker Colors: Darker colors are always flattering | | | | could just get one if you wanted to. I always say if |
| on everybody. Because you're buying online stick | | | | you can't find what you're looking for make it |
| with colors that you already know look great on you! | | | | yourself! |
| 6. Medium Sized Patterns: If you're going to buy | | | | |