Sex and Fat Chicks and the City: A Tale of Shopping
Since we talked so recently about bad shopping experiences, I thought maybe I should tell you about a fantastic shopping experience (and hopefully hear some stories about where you love to shop and where they treat you well, although perhaps by the time you get to the end of this incredibly long post, you will have forgotten I even asked the question). As for me, my fabulous shopping excursion was just yesterday!
My friend Sony invited me to invent a dentist appointment and play hooky from work in order to go fat chick shopping. There’s nothing quite like a good fat chick shopping excursion (er, I mean, good dental hygiene). She’d invited two of her other friends who I’d never met. They swung by work to pick me up and I introduced myself to the other girls (one of whom was wearing a dress from Target that I totally own, so we are soulmates) and within ten minutes we were talking about sex toys and penis piercings. Yes, we were like the chubby version of Sex and the City.
Our first stop was a boutique in Burlingame that supposedly carries Igigi clothes. We walked in and I don’t know about the other girls but within a minute I realized this was Not Our Thing. The clothes were cheap, ugly, tacky, and to add insult to injury, mostly too small. And their Igigi order hadn’t even come in yet. We were gone within five minutes.
Luckily, we were still enjoying delightful girl talk and bonding over our love of Target, because we ended up just turning right around and driving back into San Francisco to go to Nordstrom. I’ve been there before, of course, but did I realize exactly how awesome the store was? I don’t think so. We headed up to their plus-size section, which is called “Encore.” (And how is that a euphemism for fat clothes? Someone theorized that it is because “encore” means “extra” or “more.” I never would have come up with that.)
We began browsing and immediately a helpful salesperson (a lovely lady named Marie, if you’re ever in the San Francisco Nordstrom “Encore” section, ask for Marie) started us dressing rooms in a little cluster. As we shopped, she came by and took hangers out of our hands and filled up our dressing rooms like magic. Plus, she pointed out all the designer lines, and suggested stuff she thought we might like (in a totally non-pushy way). I got a bunch of potential reception dresses to try on, we all picked out stuff for each other, and we ended up with a ridiculous number of clothing items in each dressing room (artfully arranged by Marie).
Our system was, we’d each put something on and then open the doors, and critique each other’s outfits. So fun! “That’s hideous; that’s awesome; that’s hot; that’s tragic; you look like a nun,” etc. My companions talked me out of a Michael Kors top that I loved but all three of them agreed was ugly (it is not ugly, but it is $109 so I didn’t get it). (In case you would like to pass judgment, it is this top.) I’ll talk more about the whole issue of wedding dresses at the end, but I did buy a dress. Oh, and I got a pair of Calvin Klein jeans. And they are too big, so I need to exchange them yet it is awesome to be able to wear Calvin Klein jeans. I love you, Calvin Klein, for making a plus line!
After that, we decided to go get fitted for bras, which none of us had ever done. I’ve been wearing 42 DDD; the fitter put me in a 38 J. (Yes, J. It stands for Jiant Boobs.) I got an insane bra and panty set to wear under my wedding dress, and it’s a surprise, so I won’t say more. But it is wild and very cute. Oh, and we all did our bra fittings in the same room (because by then we were all having too much fun being girly) so that was a bonding experience right there. “Hi, nice to meet you! What are your feelings on penis piercings, and also, have a look at my Jiant Boobs.”
After that, we were all pretty hungry (because it had been hours and hours) and so we headed over to Macy’s, where there’s a Cheesecake Factory. We put our names in and then while we waited for a table, did more shopping! Their plus section is not as good as Nordies’ is, and there weren’t any dresses (if I’d had the energy, I’d have gone to their dress section, because I think they put all the plus-size dresses in with the other dresses). Also there was no Marie. And this time we all crammed into one large dressing room to try on our clothes. We bought a few things that were very cute (Sony got an amazing dress that, weirdly, I can’t find on the Macy’s site but is on the Nordstrom site) and I got a couple of cute tops on clearance.
After that, we went to Cheesecake Factory and drank drinks and they put alcohol in them! And dinner was delicious, and after dinner we had cheesecake. (And I just realized I left my leftover salad in the fridge at home; damn. That was an excellent salad. Maybe I’ll have it for dinner.) We toasted to shopping and to new friends and Marie and Nordstrom, and I think maybe each other’s boobs. (There was alcohol. In the drinks.)
Now, as far as dresses, I tried on the Jordin Sparks American Idol dress, but it is really tacky looking in person. this dress made me look like I was ready to pass a plate of olives at a cocktail party in 1972. (That would make the best theme party.) The dress I ultimately bought was this dress, except in pink. (On me it’s much more form-fitting and flattering than on the model; it doesn’t look very pretty in the picture.) I’m so relieved to have something to wear. Now that the pressure is off, I can keep looking and maybe I will find a dress that’s even more perfect.
I think I’m going to order some more dresses from them and then try them on and make Ian take pictures, and then you all can vote on them! I just have to check on their return policy, because that’s like $1,000 worth of dresses. But I’d like to try on some of the ones they didn’t have in the store.
Also, just this morning, Nordstrom approved Big Fat Deal as an affiliate site! (Which is awesome, because after yesterday, I am a total Nordies girl.) So if you want to shop their site via our sponsor page, you can. (I swear I’ll stop mentioning the sponsor page, but it’s actually relevant to this post. And while I’m at it, Nordstrom is having an anniversary sale, and Lane Bryant is still having an awesome buy-one-get-one-half-off sale. So if this post has put you in the mood to shop; there you go.)
A final note. One great thing about the trip was that although we were all plus-size shopping, we are four girls with very different body types, coloring, and shapes. Sometimes we’d try something on and have it look blah, but we’d pass it to the next girl and it would look great. You started to feel like it wasn’t “your fault” or the fault of your “imperfect body” that something didn’t look good. You knew that it was just the garment. We all found things that looked fabulous on us. I don’t really know how to explain it, but I definitely did not hate my body, at all, while I was shopping. And normally there’s a certain amount of self-criticism and self-loathing that can go into it. But when the evidence is in front of you in the shape of three lovely women who all are plus-size and look spectacular in this or that item, you’re really just concerned with finding the item that will do the trick for you. And having friends who will ooh and aah over that one magical item makes the whole thing even better. So thanks to my shopping companions: Sony, Dawn, and Simone. You guys rule.
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Fashion, Fat Positive
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Great post! I feel like I’ve missed that fabulous-feeling-ness since I’ve been plus-sized. Must. Go. To. Nordstrom.
Awww, that sounds like so much fun! You should do that more often…then post about it so we can enjoy it too. Also welcome to the Jiant Boobs club!
We do rule. Honestly, yesterday was the best shopping experience of my life. I’ve never actually enjoyed it before. I see more excursions in our future. I’m not ready to give up on Igigi yet, we’ll just have to call first next time.
It’s such a nice change to read a happy post about shopping. You’ve totally got me into the mood for some “retail therapy”.
Shopping with same-sized friends really is fun. I only have one plus-sized friend like mehself, so I don’t get to do it much, but when we do shop, it’s always so nice to have someone to relate to, and who understands your issues. It really makes you feel a lot less self-conscious. Oh, and I have to say, I agree with your friends on the Michael Kors shirt. The pattern looks a bit too much like deviled eggs for my liking XP
They truly are your friends for intervening on the Michael Kors shirt. Best $109 savings you’ve ever had.
I swear, every time I go for a bra fitting they tell me to go up a cup size or two. I could almost believe they resize them all downwards.
That is a lovely dress. Though I also quite like the M. K. shirt that nobody else does. Wouldn’t be quite as weddingy, I can see.
What a beautiful dress! It looks like it’s too big for the models they have it on, silly Nordstrom, they should ask us for model volunteers.
You have inspired me to swing by Lane Bryant tonight and get me some more pants.
I’m torn on the MK top. I’d have to see you in it to know if it worked on you or not. Personally, I wouldn’t pick it, prints like that just don’t look good on me.
I just had a similar experience last weekend in the humdrum city of Toledo. My husband and I were visiting friends and had planned to go to the Torrid store at the mall there. I hadn’t planned on buying anything, but before we left I saw that I had to purchase a new pair of black slacks. Long story short, I found a pair that I LOVE! plus a fun skirt that I’m wearing this weekend to a party.
Shopping with same/similar sized women rocks!
I did not know that Nordstrom had a plus sized section. Must check out my local store. Is the one you went to in SF the one on corner of Market and 5th? I love that store and shop there whenever I go to SF.
That dress is gorgeous! If it looks even better on you you’re going to be beautiful at your reception indeed =)
I wish Nordstrom shipped to Canada *sniff*
I’m really envious of your shopping experience! At it inspired me to hit the local mall, where I actually found some cute shirts – on sale!
Sadly, I don’t have any plus-sized shopping buddies, so I usually shop alone. :-(
The dress is beeyouteefull!!!
I personally think the MK top is funky and you are the kind of girl who could ROCK it b/c that’s the way you roll.
:)
addendum: I love NORDSTROM’s but what is up with their pics of the encore clothes? it seems like almost all the pants are pictured on SKINNY models…is there some taboo against seeing the chubbies in the chubby pants? It really doesn’t help to imagine what you would look like in something that is being worn by a stick figure. Also, why do some of the designers INSIST on calling their shirts “caftans”…I think that puts a really negative spin on the outfit. Look at me, I’m so fat I have to wear a caftan!
SUCH a great, inspiring post! I love it! And I also wanted to encourage you to go ahead and order those dresses from Nordstrom. I’m also a total Nordies girl and did something similar before my husband and I went on a cruise this spring. I ordered something like $800 in dresses, kept two and returned the rest, right to the store even. They are AWESOME about this kind of stuff. And, to be honest, they carry the best selection of plus sized dresses, imho, as well. Good luck and keep us posted! :-)
I, too, know the glory that is Nordstrom’s. Had a girlfriend do a fashion intervention on me there a couple of years ago — we spent over 5 hours there including lunch! — good times. It really does help to plus-size friends, especially when those friends embody the beautiful, sexy, confident persons you aspire to be!
akaellen, I think that they have plus-size models for dresses that are exclusively plus, and then thinner models for the things that come in a range of sizes? I don’t know; that was my sense.
They have no plus-size dresses in their bridal shop, though, which sucks, because there are some really cute, casual ones.
And also, if that Michael Kors top goes on sale, I’m totally buying it, even if I will look like a platter of deviled eggs! It’s so cute! Why am I the only one who sees it! Heh.
Your choice of dress looks adorable!
I got a new pair of jeans at Nordstroms yesterday after sneaking out of work early too! And strangely enough I need to return my jeans for a smaller size too.
I shop a lot at Nordstroms because not only are their plus-sized clothes super cute, but they are great quality. And if you wait for their two annual sales, they aren’t really that expensive. I could totally spend thousands of dollars there if I had it to spend.
Oh and Nordstroms has the most lax return policy of anywhere I have ever shopped.
It was such an amazing day! I’ve been talking about it to everyone that will listen. I was left feeling so empowered and feminine and lovely and and and. To be out shopping with women who were so comfortable with themselves to try on bras together!! And for me to join in, I’ll confess to having been a little scared over it. It inspires me to become more comfortable in MY skin. Says the woman who won’t walk around naked if there’s a mirror in sight. An incredible day with some phenomenal women!
That top is cute, but not $109 of cute, I don’t think.
I like Nordstrom, but the way they name their departments is not at all intuitive! I know that Brass Plum is Juniors, and Shoes is, uh, shoes, and now I know about Encore, but the rest of it baffles me.
Oh, also, hooray on the dress! It is adorable!
LOVE the dress! It is perfectly you! And also, you planted a shopping bug in me and so I went out and spent a bunch of money on new bras, although I am holding off on getting my expert Nordstrom’s bra fitting until later when things are not changing from week to week.
I work for a chain of stores in Canada called Reitmans, and our plus line is also “Encore”, well, Encore 14+ to be precise. But we only go to a size 22. Our sister stores Penningtons and Addition-Elle carry only plus sizes, I think some up to 28 or 32. If anyone here is shopping at the Waterloo Ontario store, come by and say hi!
I actually had an awesome shopping experience just this week! Since I was home for vacation from grad school, Mom was all “LET ME SPEND MONIES ON YOU,” so we hit the mall. First of all, if you are not too hugely breasted, there are a ton of cute wrap tops at New York and Company right now.
But more importantly, we went to Torrid and it was lovely. The shopgirl started a dressing room for me, chatted nicely while I was trying to decide on jeans to try on, and then was totally awesome and friendly the rest of the time. Also? I love that both of the girls there were plus-size as well – it made the entire experience much more comfortable. For once I didn’t feel like I was getting the hairy eyeball, or like I didn’t belong because I was obviously waaay too fat for the store. I wanted to weep with joy. (Also, I finally bought jeans that fit me after wearing my old ones from before my recent weight gain. Hallelujah.)
Also (sorry for double-posting) the reception dress looks super cute! I can’t wait to see pictures.
Do you have a Loehmann’s up north? If not, come when you’re next in L.A. I just picked up a shitton of Kors and Calvin Klein for half of nothing. Call if you’re going; I’d be happy to tag along.
i adore that dress. I’m envious of your shopping trick. I wish I knew more plus-size people to go shopping with.
Oh I love going shopping. Probably because I work for Lane Bryant. I also love the joy that us fuller chicks get from shopping and having helpful, friendly, non-pushy salespeople help you find the right thing. It’s like going to heaven just without the dying part.
Alas, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over as of today. But I was lucky enough to pick up too many pairs of shoes (thank you, Nordstrom for carrying shoes in 10W!), and a few articles of clothing). There’s a very real difference in the whole shopping experience at Nordstrom versus Macys or the like. I get a real sense of customer service at Nordie’s. As for your purchases, love your dress! Please do take pics and post them. As for the Kors top, I’m not so crazy about it, but if you like it, go for it! If it makes you feel good when you wear it, all the better. I just picked up a cute faux wrap dress at Target–it’s black and has little white polka dots, and I love it! And only $25! I love me some Target and some Nordstrom! I’m an equally opportunity shopper!
All I have to say is that my mouth dropped open at the awesomeness of that dress. I can picture you in it, and you look gorgeous!
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