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Hello to all you lovely ladies out there. Many times in the chat room I was told I should hold a "shopping tips & tricks" class. I wasn't sure how to get it together, but with the help of a few ambassadors on here, I hope this forum will be helpful to some if not many.
When I first started dressing I went online and just did a search for "women's clothing apps." Several choices came up and I dabbled in several and then narrowed it down once I found what worked for me. The current apps I use regularly on my phone for shopping are Shein, Fashion Nova, Flamingo, Victoria's Secret, Temu, Target, and Ipsy. I will go into a little detail for each if you've never used them before. I will also explain a few other ways I have shopped.
Shein: Several people have mentioned they heard of it, but never ordered from there. Well I can tell you that more than 80% of my closet is from Shein, and maybe less than a handful of items I've ordered were not that great. The prices are relatively cheap as well. Fair warning about Shein, you can easily get lost in the amount of cute/comfy/sexy/etc looking items they have. I don't even want to try and figure out the amount of $$$ I've spent on there. But here's the trick to Shein ladies, they often have coupons for percentages off your order once you've reached the minimum spending limit for the coupon to be activated. Also you can earn points that may be redeemed on future purchases. They have a daily check in (which I do every morning) to earn points, earn points on purchases, and on doing reviews of your purchases. The points do expire so pay attention to that. One point equals 1 cent, which doesn't sound like much, but it can add up quickly. Combining the coupons with your points can reduce your total sometimes significantly. I have yet to find a limit on the amount of points you can use at one time, but it seems to not have a limit.
Fashion Nova: Primarily I started using this app because of a pair of specific knee high high heeled boots I was looking for and they had them, so of course I ordered them. Fashion Nova has some great opportunities for some good deals depending on what your'e looking for. They often have BOGO deals (where after I purchased my first pair of boots, they had a BOGO deal, so I ended up getting two more pairs). They also have opportunities for free shipping. Some of the prices aren't bad, depending on the item, but some can get up there in price. I find myself checking the app after receiving an email for a sale or free shipping. Plus I always start by looking under the "sale" sections first. This girl always loves a good deal! No point system for this app, but again, this I found to be another great app with some amazing styles. Also the shoes sizes I have found can sometimes go up to a size 12 (sorry for you ladies with the bigger feet). As a size 10 in women's, I usually have a good selection to choose from. I have also found some amazing dresses and some sexy lingerie pieces here as well.
Flamingo: I'm still on the fence about this one. I have ordered a few things from there but not much. As a woman stuck in a man bodies, I don't quite have the curves needed to fill out a lot of their items without the help of the necessary fill in padding and such. But I have purchased a couple pairs of cute jeans, some padded butt lifting undershorts (to help fill in my bland flat areas), some cute lingerie pieces, and a couple comfy sleep items. If you check it out, you'll quickly notice that a lot of the models are of a darker skin tone with the super curvy bodies, the big fronts and the big back ends as well. So depending on what you're looking for, a lot of the items may not fit you as you would like it to. They do have a point earning system as well as a daily check in, yet there is a limit to the amount of points you can use at one time. They also offer a "free" section (where you do your daily check in for points) which I have taken advantage of. You can use your points, if you have enough for an item and then just pay for the S&H. They have a limited amount of items on the "free" section, but I've found that it does change from time to time.
Victoria's Secret: Everyone of you should know this one, even if you don't wear their stuff. But I wanted to share my tips and tricks with this one. I did download the app and get the regular emails regarding sales, deals, or new items. For those of you that are still semi in the closet and want some VS items, what I did was found a store that was near me, found what I wanted (once I figured out the right sizes) and order it for pickup in store off of the app. You will get an email notification when your order is ready for pick up and they will hold it for several days until you can make it there. If you're nervous about walking into a Victoria's Secret as a man, don't be. The way I think about it and view it is many many like to see their woman in something sexy, so why wouldn't a man order and purchase the items for their lady that they prefer. Think of it as you are picking it up for your significant other.
Temu: This one is new to me. I've only ordered a couple things from there, my second order is still waiting to be delivered. But Temu, like Shein, has a lot of items on it from everything and anything you could think of, not just clothing. It's at least worth a look and a trial. The prices are quite cheap, so the quality may not be the best, but if you're a part time CD, an item may last you a good amount of time being the fact you aren't wearing it that often.
Target: Again everyone knows this place or has at least heard of it. I like to order bralettes and panties from target, particularly the "Auden" brand. The material is always soft and nice and have such cute color options. No big info regarding Target other than the fact that when I want something and feel awkward walking through the women's intimate section alone, I order on the app for curbside pickup. That's my trick with this one.
Ipsy: For those of you that don't know, Ipsy is a monthly subscription for trial sized makeup and beauty items. I was turned on to Ipsy through my wife, who had a subscription. Once I came out to her about my CD'ing, I decided to start my own subscription. The great thing with Ipsy is that you literally take the time to setup your own personal preferences with what makeup products you like or would like to try. Some months have the option where you get to choose one of your items from a small list. I found that this is a great way to try new makeup and beauty products for a reasonable monthly price instead of buying a full sized item at the store and finding out it just didn't work for you, and now its a waste. Ipsy does have a points earning system as well as the ability to upgrade your subscriptions, add to your monthly bag ( oh did I mention every month your items come in a cute zip up bag!!!) or just buy items from their shop at usually a reasonably discounted price. I have order a set, outside of my monthly subscription, called "Bat Em' Like Betty" and it was an eye makeup set with a Betty Boop theme that included eyeliner, mascara, an eyeshadow palette, and brush. If you're one of those ladies looking for possible new makeup items to trail without breaking the bank, then definitely check it out.
Now I know there are so many other places out there to shop either online or in person, but this are my go to's personally. Please add on to this forum if you have found other places that have worked in your favor. I believe there is so much that us ladies can help with each other on here and learn from.
If any of you lovely ladies have any questions regarding any part of my post, please feel free to reach out and message me personally on here, I'd be happy to help.
Much Love and Respect for you all,
Nichole
Hi Nicole,
For plus size girls both Lane Bryant and Torrid have apps for one to order an item. Torrid recently added a feature where a shopper can order and pick up in the store. Torrid has a rewards program too where a shopper can earn points for checking in daily and writing a review.
Torrid offers ship to store after ordering on line so you can try on a purchase and return it if not happy with the fit or look of the item. They have shoes in wider widths. The store carries to size 12 and 13 on line.
The stores are in the US and Canada but do ship to the UK. Torrid has their own unique sizing so use the charts for guidance.
Alice
Great advice Alice. I have ordered shoes from Torrid because of the wider width, so thank you for pointing that out.
Shein (pronounced as shee-in) is known for what is known as "fast fashion", so make sure that you know what you want first. They just partnered up with Forever 21, also a different kind of fast fashion brand.
I also window shop on Wish, too. You can find a large variety of unusual clothing there. If nothing else, use them for ideas.
Mostly I shop at Zalando which have a wide range og shoes in larger sizes and also with wide fit.
Free freight and return, good quality and affordable prizes.
It's not actually shopping but I go to Pinterest for fashion ideas which very often leads to shopping. Many times, a picture has information on the shopping sources for the items shown. I have individual albums for topics like dresses, shoes, hair and nails. I'm now seeing the trends in things that I like that are becoming my own individual style! This leads to better shopping decisions for me and a better coordinated wardrobe.
Great tips, Nichole. I too love the Auden brand at Target, love the cute colors and styles. Since I started working there I found Torrid is a great place too. Because their clothes are made for plus sized women many of the clothes work so well for us CD's. Most of their tops and dresses are larger in the shoulders. I don't shop on line hardly at all any more, prefer in store shopping. More than once I was doing a little dance in the fitting room as I was trying on clothes, I so want so sing but feared my deeper singing voice would have 'outed' me.
Happy CDing everyone Cassie
I was only in a Torrid store once and didn't see any CIS males working then.
Do you get to work dressed en femme?
Oh yes, Cassie works there. My co-workers only know me as Cassie.