Sizing Up the Situation

One of the most important concerns and (very) common question when shopping online for plus-size clothing is - "Is it going to fit?" Great question!

Shopping for plus-size fashions online can sometimes be intimidating and even frustrating at times - however - I am here to give you the confidence you need to shop online for clothing - the fact is - if you are not shopping online for cute - unique and trendy plus-size clothing - you are missing out on so much that is available to you - gone are the days of being left with frumpy clothes and having very few choices of style and size.

Shopping online for clothing is fun and exciting - their is so much available to us - without having to jump in the car - pack up the kids - hit the mall and shop at the same ole shops everyone else is shopping at - we have an entirely plus-size mall right at our finger tips - and we can shop in our bunny slippers! - online retailers in the plus-size industry have opened up a whole new world of fashion for us plus-size ladies!

Before you begin your journey shopping online for clothing - the first thing you want to arm yourself with is your personal measurements - It is those measurements that will lead you to a perfect fit - as long as the retailer has provided you with measurements and not just an approximate guide. If measurements are not provided to you in a clear and precise manner - I always suggest - use that browser back button! - because if a retailer has not taken the time to give you something as important as the measurements - imagine what else they have not told you about the garment.

- Measuring Yourself (for blouses and tops) - Let's do this together!
- Grab a cloth measure tape and measure the following three areas:

1) Bust: measure the fullest part of your bust (while wearing a bra).
2) Waist: then - measure at your natural waistline.
3) Hips: and lastly - measure the fullest part of your hips.

Now - depending on how you like your blouses and tops to fit - I usually suggest to add 1"-2" to each one of your measurements for a comfortable fit - or - if you prefer a very loose fit - add 2"-4" to each of your personal measurements.

Write these measurements down and hang onto them - and if you don't want anyone to know your personal measurements - keep it a secret - and here is a little trick -

Write your measurements down somewhere as if it were someones phone number - Here is what I do - taped to my monitor is a little piece of paper - and it reads: Kathy M. 464-2520. Now can you tell that these are measurements? probably not - But it is my measurements: Kathy M. (M. for measurements) and my measurements are: 46 bust - 42 waist - 52 hips - follow your numbers with one zero on the end to give it 7 digits to make it look like a phone number - ok - I know it's silly but who wants their measurements laying around on their desk for everyone to see - you can have that sitting right up on your desk - somewhere near your monitor or by your desk at home or at work and nobody will be the wiser (smiles)

For a more visual assistance - and also to learn how to measure a blouse you have in your closet - in case you don't have a cloth measure tape - we have a handy little measuring guide to help you and it can be found on our website here: Kathy's Measuring Guide

Now that you have your measurements to use as your guide when shopping online - always be sure to locate the merchants measuring chart first and compare your measurements to their chart to see which size is best for you - and you can be confident that when that new package comes in the mail - you can open it up - slip it on - and it's going to fit! How exciting!

~ Kathy ~ 03/29/2008
Kathy's Curvy Corner