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Reading: Your Ultimate Plus Size Thrift Store Shopping Guide
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Style Guides

Your Ultimate Plus Size Thrift Store Shopping Guide

Team TCF
Last updated: 08/14/2022
By Team TCF 7 Min Read
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Thrifting
Table of Contents
1. Ignore that size sign on the rack.2. Inspect the items thoroughly. 3. Just try it on.4. Can you do some tailoring?5. Go with your first impression. 6. Don’t buy everything!7. Shop vintage!8. Create the trend.9. Shop the whole store!

I love thrifting, especially when you find something cute, trendy, well made, and cheap to boot! Plus, plus size thrift store shopping recycles the gently used and prevents more waste buildup in our landfills. But shopping secondhand for plus sizes yields a few challenges.

However, you can also take advantage of the great rewards if you have some patience and a few good tips for finding great plus size scores while thrifting.

Plus size thrift shopping tips
Image via Shine Sheets

If you are on a budget, love the value plus size thrift shopping brings, or are a fan of the hidden gems you’ll find, keep reading. Are you ready to head out on your own plus size treasure hunt?

Here are our personal, in the trenches gleaned tips for my curvy thrifting women.

Your Ultimate Plus Size Thrift Store Shopping Guide

Free Plus Size Stock Images from Navabi
Image via Navabi

1. Ignore that size sign on the rack.

Some plus size thrift store finds may label their plus sizes from XXL while others will use the standard 1XL and up. Actually look at the label. An XXL may be a 2XL or not. An XXL in Ralph Lauren is not a 2XL for me. But you won’t know unless you try it on. So, add it to your cart and head to the dressing room!

2. Inspect the items thoroughly. 

Sift through the racks and really look over promising garments, just because a shirt seems cute and trendy, it might be threadbare or have a surprise ruffle (I’ve been there).

Look for missing buttons, zippers that open and close easily, along with rips and tears. Also look at the lining of the item, if it has it. As you are searching for and looking at the quality of that garment, subtle details will inform you how it will wear on you.

3. Just try it on.

Try on a range of sizes close to your usual size. One brand’s standard size 24 might be another brand’s 26. Or a size 20 might actually be too large.

Because clothes come in so many styles and cuts, it will benefit you to try them on and to try various sizes.

And don’t get depressed if clothes in your usual size seem to small. Thrift store clothing has been worn and washed, perhaps multiple times, altered, and may have even shrunk.

plus size thrift shopping tips

4. Can you do some tailoring?

A few sewing basics can make a shirt go from drab to fab, or transform an ankle length dress into a sundress. Pants can become capris, and even shorts. It might be a little work.

But for the price and the end result, and the one of a kind look, you can’t beat it.

Need some inspiration?

Check out the Thrifted Transformations Channel on Youtube!

5. Go with your first impression. 

Your first impression is a great style meter. If you come across a shirt that’s just your size and just your color but the fit looks off, go with that gut feeling instead of wasting time in the fitting room.

Your Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Thrifting

6. Don’t buy everything!

You need clothes, but hey – don’t just buy everything that fits.

If you want to build a great wardrobe be patient and hold out for a piece that you really love, or that have potential to be turned into something you know you will wear and enjoy. Otherwise those clothes will go right back to the thrift store.

7. Shop vintage!

Thanks to high-waisted jeans making a comeback, the jeans section might be your new best friend.

Where once, “mom jeans” were the bane of thrift stores, now those mom jeans could be just as cute as a pair of jeans from Old Navy, and for much less.

8. Create the trend.

Check out current fashion trends and see what kind of garments you can find in your local thrift store.but keep an eye out for classics too.

The foundation of a great wardrobe is always those timeless essentials that rarely go out of style. Keep in mind however, that plus sizes are not as prone to fast fashion (but places like Shein, Fashion Nova, and PLT are quickly catching up), and because the market selection is smaller, plus size women have a harder time finding great options. Therefore they hold onto them longer and are less likely to donate them.

plus size thrifting

9. Shop the whole store!

Remember to check out the rest of the store for great shoes, jewelry, purses and other accessory finds.

Thrift stores can be a scarf mecca, and with the exception of shoes, accessories are not limited by size! So, everything is fair game.

And check out the men’s section too. Especially for larger size comfy flannel shirts and oversize sweatshirts! They are perfect for those nights when you just want to curl up on the couch in something warm and cozy.

Plus size woman on laptop
Image via Canva

Style, trends, and fashion are really in the eye of the beholder.

And like the saying goes, one woman’s new favorite crop top tee is another woman’s thrift or consignment giveaway. So, when looking for your new summer look, add thrifting to your shopping arsenal.

Even with the challenges of plus size thrift shopping in stores, you might be surprised at some of the treasures you score!

By: Kay Vandette

TAGGED: fashion how to, fashion tips, plus size fashion, plus size thrifting
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8 Comments 8 Comments
  • 24PlusStyle says:
    August 14, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    Love these tips! I would add wear something comfortable, take hand sanitizer, cash, and a snack!

    Reply
  • Elizabeth Albrecht says:
    August 14, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    Thank you TCF. I <3 thrifting and it's something I can do with my granny

    Reply
  • Karen Hazelton says:
    August 14, 2017 at 11:42 pm

    If you can sew, tablecloths, vintage sheets, large scarves, and my fave, saris, are great sources of fabric, as well as the more obvious donated cuts of yardage.

    Reply
  • Akeema Crabbe says:
    August 15, 2017 at 7:42 am

    Roxane Tasha

    Reply
  • Kathie Bentley Fisher says:
    August 17, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    I don’t even bother trying to look for my sizes in thrift stores. I feel there is probably so little available in my size that it simply is not worth the effort involved.

    Reply
  • Diva Dealzz says:
    November 27, 2017 at 2:19 am

    I am going to bookmark this post which gives me so many useful tips. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  • Jackie Dunn Toler says:
    January 14, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    You did not mention the best type of shapewear and also can you list the Plus Size Thrift stores in New Jersey. Thanks

    Reply
  • Juliette says:
    November 28, 2022 at 12:21 am

    And please remember online thrifting at places like eBay, poshmark and thredup! I often find eloquii pieces there! And ebay is great for plus size genuine leather, among other things. I got my black leather maxi coat on ebay for $100.
    great post!!

    Reply

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