If you're a plus size guy or gal, shopping for clothing can be plainly and simply annoying. Often, popular shops and stores don't even carry large sizes, so many times shopping efforts are wasted, and plus size shoppers return home empty-handed.

A few tips for plus sized shoppers:

* PLAN to take a long time when you first head out for shopping.
* Plan to visit several stores, in case you can't find clothing in your size at certain stores.
* Be ASSERTIVE and ASK store clerks to help you locate pluz sized clothing in the stores.
* Be ASSERTIVE about what you like and don't like, what feels comfortable and what doesn't feel comfortable. Some clerks will realize that they have little selection in larger sizes and many work on commission, so they'll want you to but what is available because of the bare selection.
* Take a trusted friend with you when you shop and discuss what you're looking for BEFORE you enter any stores.
* Have your friend go 'scout for clothes' in large sizes while you are in dressing rooms, trying on clothing for the 'fit.' This saves a LOT of time and energy.

* If you find things you like and you can afford to, purchase at least 2 of the item in different colours. You may save yourself some shopping later and will have more variety later on once you're home, happy with your clothing selection and the fit.

* You'll KICK yourself if you do find confortable clothing and plan to go back later to 'grab it,' and find out that it's sold out!

Sometimes clothing stores that don't specialize in large sizes but DO carry large sizes in some items do not pay much attention to their plus size stock. Often, they don't re-stock items with the same conscientiousness as they do for the smaller clothing sizes.

If you learn your size well, and learn how to measure your body correctly, you can supplement your wardrobe by also shopping online.

This is a little tricky for some in the beginning, but most plus sized people who prefer clothing a little on the 'loosely fitted' end of the spectrum can usually select correct sizes quite easily from online stores.

A half-size too 'baggy' in clothing is going to serve you much better than a half-size too small, for comfort and looks.

Also, a half-size too big can always be quickly sewn to fit smaller, however, it's hard to add elastic or material to make something fit bigger (though this is not always impossible!).

You can often save a lot of money buying 2 for 1, 3 for 1 deals online, whereas in-store offline stores may not offer you this option at all, except on very particular items they have choosen to put at sale prices.

A lot of online stores and shops have a 'running deal' whereby orders are tracked, according to 'item count,' so that you can buy ANY sizes and get a discount, so long as you've ordered 3, 4, 10, or whatever number of items is specified.

If you purchase from sellers on eBay, they will often give you a very good deal on shipping charges if you order multiple (usually more than 3) items.

Compare a decent shipping and handling charge on multiple items with gas money spend driving from store to store, and shopping online could turn out to be the better deal in that respect, too!

I found an online clothing source that deals specifically in women's plus sizes.

I searched for "Cargo Pant" and Junonia has quite a good selection. I think that Cargo Pants are a good choice for a lot of plus size people because they can be worn in many situations and are quite comfortable. While fitting comfortably, they can be worn for everyday and work wear as well as for casual wear. Some Cargo Pants with only slit pockets are even fine for dress-up occassions.

Also - many kinds of Cargo Pants have inside ties so that you can adjust the waist and this helps plus size people with the fit of the pants, as well.

Here are some of the Cargo Pant items from Junonia:







Both of the above come in sizes 18-32, are machine washable, 96% Cotton/4% Spandex. $53.95US

These next are called 'Snap Cargo' pant but you'll have to check sizing on-site:



More Snap Cargo:









There are a few other Cargo types at the Junonia site. If you follow a link to the site, you'll be able to browse and use the search function.

Here is a Fleece/Nylon pant:



Basketweave style pants:









There are 5 more pages of pant styles at Junonia.

Since I already introduced "Cargo Pants" why not check out a uniform store. They specialize, anyway, in cargo pants and very comfortable but sturdy clothing.

I just started ordering cargo pants from uniform companies. The plus side here is that uniform companies are well-stocked because dozens and dozens of job fields require a cargo pant. This is because cargo pants are STURDY, Comfortable, and USEFUL. The other main point is that cargos LOOK GOOD!

Delvery people, as well as nurses, doctors and others in the medical fields wear Cargo Pants because they look sharp and wear well. Many manual labour position workers and cooks, chefs, etc., also wear cargo pants almost exclusively at work.

These days, you'll find A LOT of variety in uniforms and cargo pants. Also, the PRINT styles have superb colors and most wash really well, with steadfast colors - so your print shirts and pants will look great for a long, long time.

Uniform stores seem to run a lot more sales and clearance shoves than most other stores. Though they don't deal strictly in plus sizes, almost all uniform stores carry a pretty good selection of plus sizes and you can usually buy in bulk to save money, mixing colours for variety while you're doing so.

Also - the sizes, once you get into a certain brand that you like are fairly standard so you can mix'n'match colors easily once you're familiar with brands. You can often get print sets of a top and bottom, but you'll likely be able to switch-up with 3 or 4 solid bottoms to each print top, and likewise with 3 or 4 solid tops to a printed bottom that you particularly like to wear.



Sorry - I don't have individual product links, but I will return soon to post pictures. Several of the other uniform companies feature the same brands, so it's a matter of browsing a bit to get the best deal. Different companies will have sales on certain brand name, but there are enough good uniform stores that most brands are on sale in rotation at almost any given time.

Here's a banner I found which has most of the better brand names on it. This Uniform company stocks all of the better brands.




Notice the 'Dickies' and 'Cherokee' brand names? Well those are two of the stores that have both online and offline sales in huge volumes. Also, MEN WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK with these brand names because Dickies and Cherokee also specialize in Mens' work wear. These companies work with denims and jeans, work-cargo pants (meant for manual labor jobs), painter pants and more.

Cherokee even has trendy clothing that people of non-plus sizes will enjoy.

The best thing I've found about Uniform stores online.....PRICE! The prices are usually quite low, as compared with other kinds of stores. The clothing is top notch, sometimes better stitched and the cloth thicker and more durable, too - but the PRICE stays low.

Guys will probably appreciate this online source for large size cargos more than women will - although there are definite women's clothes and unisex clothing here.




Regardless, if you order from here, you'll be getting some of the most sturdy clothes for your buck. You may never wear these cargos out with normal wear - these items are made for ROUGH and TOUGH Wear!

Awe, look at this banner - it even has a bow!




An outdoor-wear store, Altrec, also has casual and outdoor-sporty type clothing. It's sturdy stuff.



I've noticed that with their sale, some of their casual pants are under $40 and they have a pretty good selection of sweaters, long sleeved shirts, t-shirts, and much more than outerwear.

Now I know that I've tossed in some stores that aren't specifically plus size stores, but if you're browsing online, finding out that an eStore doesn't stock your size is much less inconvenient than if you're shopping at an offline store in-person and cannot find your size.

Sometimes, women can find a plus size in a man's pant and if the cut is basically 'unisex,' then there should be no problems with the fit.