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12/07/2023
Thrifting as a plus size person can be frustrating. But it doesn't have to be.
At Salvos Stores we obviously love thrifting and strongly believe in the power of preloved fashion. However, we know that for the plus size community shopping for secondhand clothes is often daunting. Lack of size inclusivity is a huge issue in Australia's fashion industry, and unfortunately this can flow through to the clothing that is donated to our stores.
We want everyone to be able to shop at Salvos Stores and find pieces that they will wear over and over again. More than that, we want our stores to be places where people who feel excluded and frustrated by the clothes available at fast-fashion retailers can come to seek out better, comfier, and more expressive alternatives. Whilst we are always looking for ways to make this more of a reality, we think that there are already a lot of great options for plus size bodies when it comes to preloved clothing. You just have to know how and where to find them.
So, we are very excited that our amazing friends Faye De Lanty and Annika Nielsen have put together their top six tips for shopping for secondhand plus size clothing. Speaking about why they decided to create their '7 Days of Plus Size Thrifting Tips' Faye said: "Plus size girls in my community... find thrifting frustrating, challenging, [and some have] kind of given up." But both she and Annika believe that secondhand stores can be great places to shop plus size clothing. "I love thrifting," says Annika. "I think you just have to learn to love it. Get past all of the little hard bits and then it just opens up a world of possibilities."
Without further ado, here are the top tips that Faye and Annika had to share:
1) Don't be too concerned with the size on the label. Australia has no standard sizing, and whilst this can be annoying when shopping online it means that you don't need to be confined to just one section when shopping at Salvos Stores. Be sure to look everywhere - including across all of the different size sections. You never know, something labelled as a smaller size might actually be a larger fit, or someone might have accidentally put their items back in the wrong spot.
2) Pay attention to the fabric - especially if it has stretch. Different fabrics fit different ways. For example, stretch denim and rigid denim are completely different ball games! Also, it's a great idea to get to know which fabrics you feel comfortable in and which you don't so that you don't waste your time trying on pieces that won't have you feeling your best.
3) Look in the men's section. Men's fabrics and silhouettes can work really well for plus size bodies. Men's clothing tends to feature more generous sizing, extra fabric, and relaxed fits. There is lots of room for customisation and D.I.Y. too - Faye gives the example of two preloved men's blazers that she turned into one to get her ideal look and fit!
4) Customise and craft. When you start to think about how you can D.I.Y. clothing and textiles that you find at Salvos, the possibilities multiply tenfold! Why not have an upcycling day with your friends? Annika and Faye recommend looking through the haberdashery section of your local op shop to find unique fabrics to spice up your pieces and using dye to revive stained or discoloured items. If you can sew or have an interest in learning you can even use thrifted fabrics to create your own perfectly fitted clothes!
5) Don't give up on boots that are too tight on the calf. One of the most annoying problems for plus size shoppers, or anyone with thicker calves, is when cute boots just don't quite fit your calves. This can be frustrating when shopping preloved, as you don't usually have the option of trying on another size. If you struggle with this problem, Annika has come to the rescue with a great D.I.Y. hack! Next time you find a thrifted pair of boots that are a little too tight, try making a cut down the back of each boot and adding some fringe or other embellishment. Watch Annika's full tutorial here.
6) Don't be discouraged! This goes for anyone just starting out with thrifting. It can take a little while to get used to the rhythm of shopping secondhand, and to figure out what to look for and which pieces work best for you. And even once you become an op shopping pro, there will still be days where you just don't get lucky. Stick with it - we promise it's worth it!
We hope that these tips help you to feel more comfortable shopping secondhand, and to recognise the endless potential that we see in preloved clothes and fabrics! The underlying message of all of Faye and Annika's tips is that fashion has no rules, and that great things happen once you start to ignore preconceived ideas about how you should shop or dress. Clothes should work for you, not the other way around.
Salvos Stores are the perfect places to explore this fresh attitude to style. Armed with Annika and Faye's tips, why not head down to your local Salvos and give thrifting another go!
A huge thanks to Faye and Annika for sharing their wisdom and experience with us. You can find these amazing creators and watch them share their tips themselves @whoeverannikais and @fayedelanty on Instagram and TikTok.
