What I Bought: March
The One Where I Tried REALLY REALLY Hard to Get Some New Things for Spring BUT.
Online shopping is sort of like a savings account for me. I send them $100, they send me things, then I send them back the things and they send me back the $100.
EXCEPT FOR (prepare for rant) Target…which, for the first time, ever, did not refund the credit card I used, but, instead, paid the refund into e-credit on my Target account. Which means that money is now only good at Target. Ugh. ALSO, it was a VERY short return window. I feel like the standard is 30 days…and some sites extended well beyond this due to covid. But one of the things I bought two weeks ago and it was already beyond the return window! It took a week for me just to RECEIVE the items! So, keep this in mind when shopping.
Here’s What I Kept
Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Shoreline Slip-On
Finally bit the bullet on a second color: navy. They’ve already had a lot of wear and I expect that to continue.
Target Women’s Plus Size Striped Slim Fit Long Sleeve Round Neck Pocket T-Shirt – A New Day™ Brown 3X
I already showed this in last week’s Outfit of the Day post…it’s the shirt that I love the color and overall fit but has the too-big sleeves. Oh me and my short arms.
Old Navy Vintage Plus-Size Pullover Hoodie, 3x
After much searching, I finally found a “good enough” grey hoodie. This is the one that was in the “layering denim jackets” post.
Loft Blue Button-down with Ruffle Collar, 3x
This was in last week’s Outfit of the Day post…the shirt I THOUGHT I bought in February but hadn’t…but when Shoptagr told me it was back in stock I grabbed it.
Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Jeans
Springy green: perfect example of the different colors affecting the sizing So Much. These are 20 short, which all my other current jeans are. These are SO SMALL. Tight, short. Uncomfortably tight. And a weird shortness. They’re not doing me any favors (which will be a common theme throughout this post). I tried to return them but somehow it’s not coming up that I ever ORDERED them (they certainly took my money) so I can’t RETURN them. I didn’t spend TOO much time on it. I got aggravated and just figured maybe they’ll fit next spring. But this afternoon when straightening up I found a return label that might go to them, so…not sure right now. The color is really pretty.
These mustard gold ones (below) are sold out online so I can’t find a picture, but they’re the exact same as the green ones, only a different color. And THEY fit slightly better in the leg and length BUT I can’t come even CLOSE to getting them buttoned! Go figure. But since these were really for fall/winter anyway, I don’t mind holding onto them to try again in September. I do love the color.
Here’s What I Returned
Get a snack. This could take a while.
TARGET
Sorry for the teeny product pictures…there are so many things and I was trying to expedite things a bit.
Women’s Plus Size Sweatshirt, 3x
This one is Breaking My Heart. I LOVE the color. I love the fit through the body and the length. The neck-hole is a little large for my taste but not a deal-breaker for this lovely color. But the SLEEVES. Way too long and too loose. And it’s not a stretchy fabric, so just pushing them up is not an option, they fall right back down. I tried cuffing them (yuck, what am I, 6 years old?) I rolled them FOUR TIMES to make them an okay length so it was a big old clump of mess around my wrist. I can’t. But it makes me so SAD to send back this color. So sad. Size 3x.
Women’s Plus Size Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt – Ava & Viv™ Cream 3X
Mmm. I almost kept this. I wanted a cream button-down. I REALLY want a silk cream button-down but none of those in my size have come my way. I thought the cream would look pretty over the green jeans. And with black jeans, black cardi. Etc. Cream blouse seems a useful item. And this was fine. It’s not my favorite “up on my neck” collar (few things are) and I’m not crazy about the contrasting buttons or the buttons on the breast pockets (am I the only one who dislikes the term “breast pockets”? I’m like “my breasts don’t have pockets.” Would that even be useful? I dunno). But in the end that thing that pushed me over the edge was the material. A rayon polyester blend that’s just a little heavy on the polyester side. A little too slinky slippery. I know I would not be motivated to wear it even though “cream blouse” would be useful in my wardrobe. Size 3x.
Women’s Plus Size Short Sleeve T-Shirt – Ava & Viv™ Rust 3X
Oh dear. Ha ha. Ava&Viv strikes again. That Target brand, like Lane Bryant, thinks that fat women are TALL, not wide. Nuff said. I do love the color. Size 3x.
OLD NAVY
ON was having a big ol’ sale so I took more risks than usual. PLUS, I ventured into the men’s department cuz they have the colors and collars (weird, right?) I like. But like Ava&Viv and Lane Bryant, they are built for MEN, who are taller, broader through the shoulder, and slim-hipped.
These first few are all from the men’s section…
Graphic Soft-Washed Crew-Neck Tee for Men
XXXL seemed to be the largest size, and I was even in the “big&tall” section. Fit issues apparent. Right? I thought the colors were fun.
Soft-Washed Crew-Neck Tee for Men
Ugh. The collars are SO much better than on the women’s tees. Why IS that??
Regular-Fit Double-Brushed Cotton Shirt for Men
I thought a button-down that I could wear open over a tee would be better. Mmm. It’s BETTER…but still not GOOD. To go up in size, the shoulders and sleeves would be way too big. This one was a shame, I was thinking I would wear this like a shacket.
Vintage Gender-Neutral Garment-Dyed Long-Sleeve Pocket Tee for Adults
Oh this color. But man body. Not my body. Interesting they call this “gender-neutral” when it’s clearly cut to fit a man’s body.
I did get a couple women’s things, as well.
Vintage Crew-Neck Plus-Size Sweatshirt
Another disappointment. I really wanted this color to work. Traditional sweatshirts are a tough sell on me cuz of the bottom cuff. Plus, here. the sleeves. No.
Loose Specially Dyed Vintage Plus-Size Tee
Sigh. This is emotionally draining to look at all these again. This one is better than the others but….still not doing me any favors. The shoulders/sleeves…and just a little too snug fit at the belly. And the color was really not as it looked online.
Acid-Wash Shaker-Stitch Button-Front Plus-Size Cardigan Sweater
No favors. I love the color. It’s a cute cropped cardi. But I need more shoulder structure and I didn’t realize from the picture online that the sleeves would be so balloony. This is why it’s better to see items on bodies.
TORRID
TORRID CLASSIC FIT CREW TEE – VINTAGE BURNOUT WHITE
The hunt for a new white tee has been going on for awhile…to no avail. My H&M one is looking dingey and getting TOO soft from wearing and washing it so much. This is a 3x.
SO. Out of 16 purchases, I’m keeping six, but two of those I can’t even wear (the green and gold Gloria Vanderbilt jeans) yet. Ha. Sigh. But I’m glad I tried out the men’s things, now I know. It’s a shame they have such good styles and colors. And THAT’S where all the merino wool is! The men’s department! Who knew!?!
Next week I go back to working in-office Mon-Fri and I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M GOING TO WEAR ha ha. If it would stay cold I’d be golden.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
jodie filogomo
Well give you kudos for ordering color!!! There’s a wonderful thing!
My mom was talking about how the same jeans in the same size can totally fit different…but when you hear how they make them, then it makes more sense. I know you said the mint ones were shorter than the gold, but I couldn’t tell!!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
PS…btw, the most important thing we forgot to address when talking about that striped shirt with the too long arms was did you wash it?? My mom always said to never have things altered before they are washed because of shrinkage!!
bettyewp
Yeah, I always say that about jeans. There are certain colors that always fit better than others. The black is always the best. But the super super dark denim wash I can’t even button. And there’s a sort of cocoa-taupe color jean they’ve gifted me twice now and I can never get into them, even at different sizes. By the time I can button the waist, I’m actually down a size and then they’re too baggy in the leg (not in a good way).
WASH THE TARGET TEE SHIRT?!? ARE YOU CRAZY??? Ha ha. Seriously though, I am a VERY INFREQUENT washer of most things. So no, I have not washed it. I have things I’ve NEVER washed. Ha ha. But that’s a whole other story 🙂
I do understand the principle of washing before altering and will keep that in mind if I end up altering it (#whoamikidding).
xoxo
Iris
I’ve about given up on Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I love them, but as in your situation, the exact same size/style doesn’t necessarily fit the same. Really frustrating. I do love the colors you choose, even if you didn’t get to keep them.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Yeah, every “body” has to find the brand that works for them. Once I find a brand that fits I stick with it – like the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, and my Vanity Fair bras and underwear…and now the converse slip-ons…I’m already considering a third (grey) and fourth color (something bright and springy!).
Do you have a brand that suits you well??
Rita
It drives me crazy when different colors of the same item fit differently. What causes that?! That gold color is fantastic though and I hope they work out in the fall. It’s too bad the gender neutral blue tee didn’t work as that color looks great with your coloring.
bettyewp
Yeah, it IS challenging. Do they not measure the different colors? I don’t understand. Will have to do some research.
ON had a whole gender-neutral section which I’ve never noticed before…but it’s really only for tall, slender people.
Where do fat MEN buy clothes? I mean, men with big bellies? As far as I can tell from looking at several men’s clothing sites, the larger sizes just get taller, even in a “husky” type section. And why aren’t large men sizes also called “plus size”? AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOOD WHY DO THEY GET THE GOOD COLLARS AND NECKLINES? Why must a woman’s collarbones show? I am so aggravated by this. Ha. Do women have bigger heads?
I. DO. NOT. UNDERSTAND.
Liz Klebba
Those gender neutral pieces are just men’s fit but with less ease than the relaxed-fit that has become the men’s standard… Product photos can be so frustrating. Do you look for (or request) garment measurements before you order? I find those FAR more informative than photos or any size chart! It’s not just colors or brands that differ. Fit is tricky for ALL women. Only women working as Fit Models can expect to buy clothes off the rack. All the rest of us should factor in alterations. I tell clients “If you aren’t willing to pay to alter it, you don’t like it enough to buy it…” I’ve lost a client or two with that statement, but it stands!
bettyewp
“Do you look for (or request) garment measurements before you order?” Men’s clothing measurements are so annoying cuz they only give shoulder and chest and maybe length! HIPS are my determining factor and it’s hard to calculate down from chest to hips (obviously, as nothing fit!). I ALSO hate online sizing guides overall because they have one set guide. “ALL 3X DRESSES ARE BUST: 42 WAIST: 38 HIPS: 48 (I’m making these up ha ha)” cuz we know perfectly well that my black “invisible” swing dress is NOT the same hip measurement as a body-con wrap dress…and yet…the site has only one size guide to cover ALL dresses (or shirts, or whatever). Ugh. So it’s always something of a crap shoot. These hips don’t have a lot of wiggle room 🙂
I HAVE asked (a couple times) for specific item measurements and it was such a pita. We don’t know, we’ll have to get back to you…days later when the item is sold out “IT’S YOUR PERFECT MEASUREMENTS.” Ha, THANKS.
“I tell clients “If you aren’t willing to pay to alter it, you don’t like it enough to buy it…” That’s a great rule. I can’t live like that 🙂 If I had to automatically add $20+ to everything I buy…I would never buy anything! I’m TRYING to get in the mindset of being prepared to alter more expensive things that I know will be in my closet for a long time. But I’m a hard sell…even for myself 🙂 But it IS good advice!
Back in the day when I lived in Brooklyn and was still selling on ebay, I found a woman who would hem dresses for $10/ea with a minimum of 10 dresses, which I thought was a bargain. And when I was ebaying I easily met the 10 dress minimum weekly, but…I no longer have her info, that was 10 years ago, I don’t even remember exactly where she lived or where I found her. I keep thinking there’s SOMEONE out there who will alter some things for me for at an affordable price WHO ALSO GETS MODERN FIT (I’m looking at you, cropped slacks!) but so far I have not found that person. The local “dry cleaner tailors” want $20 to hem a simple tee shirt dress that I paid $20 for.
Maybe this will be the year 🙂
Sally in St Paul
Jeans that don’t fit in different colors…maddening! My mom has had this problem with the GVAs also. I only own them in brown and burgundy (which fit the same as each other) but it’s made me a bit hesitant to try the pastel colors that appeal to me but that have given my mom grief. Who are they kidding with that gender-neutral T? Good thought but it’s obviously a man’s T. (Like Rita, I thought that color looked amazing on you, though.) That was a lot of disappointing clothing…I mean, stuff that wasn’t even close to right. I guess you’ll be wearing that terrific striped shirt and navy Chucks quite a bit.
bettyewp
Yeah, this is how clothes shopping always goes for me 🙁
Someone recently commented on one of my TikTok posts (I think I was wearing the grey Catherine Malandrino cashmere crewneck) that I really needed to start sizing down on my clothing. But I know better, haha. That happens to be a very boxy sweater. I’m only just now starting to fit PROPERLY into 3x(22-24)…I HAD been spilling over int0 4x(26-28). You can see even from the women’s clothes I try in 3x, most things are still snug. For me. I REALLY don’t like snug. I hate the feeling of clothing “sticking” on me anywhere. I’m struggling a bit with the bottom band on most sweatshirts cuz they’re meant to be a little snug. Ugh. But sweatshirts seemed a good alternative to sweaters, cheaper, there seems to be more colors. I’ve never been much of a sweatshirt person but I can see their appeal.
Yeah the navy converse were definitely a win…but don’t really help with my “what am I going to work on this 60 degree day” dilemma. Now that I’m back to work 5 *($%^&!! days a week (oh the inhumanity) I need to focus less on comfy casual and a little more on office casual. I haven’t bought anything like that in over a year (besides the navy Universal Standard blouse). So I really have my work cut out for me.