Shopping in general can be a very frustrating and draining experience, even more so when you attempt to do so in the straight sizes, however it doesn’t have to be. I think the key to shopping the straight size section is really not getting too focused on size. What I mean is, if you find something you like, try it on. If it fits, go for it and make it werk! But if it doesn’t fit, it really isn’t the end of the world, after all that is where the fun begins. When I find something I really like in the straight sizes that doesn’t fit I start to look into how I can recreate it. Sometimes that means getting creative with separates to recreate a dress or focusing my shopping efforts to find something very similar in retailers that carry my size. And I should note that I do the same thing for plus size pieces that I can’t afford. In fact, I have found that this shopping tactic helps keep my spending in check as I only spend what funds I have on something specific rather than being solely driven by impulse, which is not to say that doesn’t happen; as was the case with this statement top. Continue reading →