trials of thrifting

I buy the bulk of my clothing used.
 most of it cames from local thrift stores, an online swap, or general fat fashion community and naturally the biggest garage sale of them all Ebay.

Most of the time I find really great things at very affordable prices.  And that my dears is the double whammy for any fat girl who wants cute clothes.

But there are a few down sides. One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to Ebay, People don't seem to wash the clothes before they sell it!

I just got a very awesome pinstripe button front tripp vest :

exhibit A

Soon as it got delivered, I whipped that puppy out of the mailer envelope and tried it on.
Looked in the mirror to see the fit, and what might need to be adjusted.. and then the smell hit me.
It stinks of stale cigarette smoke, and really cheep floral perfume. A combo that is beyond foul when mixed together! It smells so unbelievably skanky; just sooo wrong!

Now I admit I smoke (cloves.. don't judge! or call me goth.), and I like to wear perfume.
However any time I have sold clothing I wash that stuff! Namely so you (or whomever buys it) would never be able to tell: A) what I smoke and B) what perfume I like to wear.

Most online communities that cater to swapping or selling clothes have serious rules about clothes that smell and or have pet hair, thankfully. (a thing ebay could use!)

I expect when I get clothes from a thrift store to smell like the odd industrial soap they use. No big deal.. but stuff that came from a persons home that stinks.. eew just eew!

I don't know if I should lower the rating for this purchase,  I feel like I should. I did pay like $11 for shipping, least they could have done is send it through the washer.

Thoughts, feelings, horror stories you care to share??


Wash your clothes people!

**grumbles**


PS: I thought of a name for the smell!  introducing : Skank Stank (the next new perfume from some completely lame celebrity. More than likely from some reality TV show)

Who knew; I too am a Dixie Belle (ha I rhymed)

Lucky me my slips arrived!
I think I posted the Friday the amazing slip customer service thing happened and then low and behold, following Monday the slips arrived. And as my friend Sarah (notblueatall.com blog fame) said "they fit like they were made just for me!"
I couldn't agree more. I had to fight with her to get the one she tried on back.

sexy speakeasy slip party!!

All the slips I bought fit and look awesome. I have been wearing them for the past week, to test them under various dresses and skirts.

My order included:
two cut to length slips. They fit, are super soft! Love them to pieces.
Two different camisole tops. One I like more than the other (I think I just like the cut on the one top better under some of my dresses.)
A half slip that rocks my socks.
And lastly: a long white slip that I have started sleeping in, it is sooo soft and wonderful. And I have no need for a white slip, I have almost no clothing that calls for one. Also too lazy to dye it.

Then the bonus undies that are as Claudia stated "odd sized".
Both were laughably WAY too big. But I can alter them to work for me. I am playing with the idea of making them into really short slips, or the lining for a crinoline. Other than the odd size, they are very well made. I wish the rest of Dixie belle's undies line went into bigger sizes too. Better believe I would cover my buns with those puppies!

After getting all my stuff in the mail and having time to wear them, I put in a second order.
I again had amazing service and communication through Email about availability and color options.
My word of advice if you put in an order; Keep your eyes on your email. If Claudia has question and you get back to her quickly, it makes the odds of you getting your items a tad faster. Mostly due to Claudia wanting you to be happy with the items you receive. The good people at dixie belle are willing to say "hey, we don't have that in the color you want. so what about one of these colors, or a longer length?"  If you respond in a timely fashion it help you, and them.


There you have it kids!

Your now slip covered Raven


XOXO

PS: Dixie Belle,
I have some design ideas/requests. I have seen some of your vintage styles, yowza! Bring that stuff back.

The way every retailer should think of customer service!

(this is a personal experience: I have not been offered anything to give this opinion. This message is not sponsored in any way shape or form.)

 Sweet Sweet readers, A modern shopping miracle has happened! A dream of an experience as a customer.. 

 As we all know, I love dresses. But when one wears a dress there are certain things I like to wear under mine. Namely a slip. Weather half or full, they keep your garment fresh and your silhouette sleek. Plus they are more than a touch sexy. 

 While I know they have gone more than a little out of fashion, I think more women should buy and wear them. They are classic! 
 Some people like spanks or other shapewear, But I am a purest. I need nothing more than a slip. For some reason a simple nylon slip seems to cover my set of preferences, better than anything else. 

Sadly like all things clothing and plus size the options suck! I searched the internets for days looking for a 3x full slip, and the ones that appeared were not pretty, and or overly expensive. I refuse to spend more than $20 on a slip. The number that I kept coming across was always in the high $30-40 range. 





Then I found by searching 52 nylon slip a little web site, that while plain and simple; heald amazing things! 
I described it to my guy like this: "It's like a classic car, simple and beautiful. Everything you need and nothing you don't."

 
 Look at that clean simplicity! From a graphic design standpoint, I swoon.


Anywho! back to my point...

So I like any thrifty chick go for the closeouts. Make my choices and send off my $$.
This morning I get this email:

Raven, as you know some of the things you ordered were close-outs.

 I noticed you were charged incorrectly for 01774 and I will credit the overcharge back to you credit card through Paypal. 

Now I have a few questions for you.  I have the camisole 01781 that matches the 01773 half slip in a  black 52 available at the close out price of 8.25 and could ship it with this order if you desire.  

The 77014 52 average black and white are sold out BUT I have it available in Pearl Beige if you want that color.

 I also have the 01774 size 52 available in white or black. The item # 77114 I have a tall 52 or a 50 average in white. You did not order this style but it is available if you wish to add it. 

Please advise which color you want or if you want both. Since all the close outs are the same price I can just give you what you want and correct your packing slip to reflect the items you wish to get.

 If you would prefer to call me I will be here until 1 Eastern Time or 10 your time.

 Thanks for wearing Dixie Belle and I look forward to serving you. These close outs are a great steal! Glad you got in on the bargains. I have highlighted in green the items I have in stock. Remember I need a color on the 01774 and I can send both if you wish.  

Claudia.

And that my dear reader was only the start! There are 6 more emails in total making sure I had everything I needed or wanted. Questions I had were answered, and even photos sent to me of items that weren't listed in the close-out section, but that happen to be my size, and also on sale!

I was already very impressed with the service, when this happened:

What size undies do you wear and do you wear cotton or nylon. I could throw in a sample for all the trouble.


WTF! And that was my jaw hitting the desk. 
Nice emails, extra stuff to choose from.. and FREE undies for the trouble?!? 
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen that right there is the most amazing customer service EVER!

I right then and there have decided, I will never buy a slip from anywhere else ever again. This little simple website is the home of my undergarments.
I will sing their praises, buy their wares, and tell the people I know about this!

All I could do was humbly write this lovely woman Claudia back and tell her thank you, and give her my size.
I then get the corrected copy of my invoice and.. another mind explode

Ok. This is how it shapes up.

01781 blah blah blah                              Price

77114  blah blah blah                                  Price

01774 blah blah blah                               Price

01773 blah blah blah                            Price

77014 blah blah blah                                Price

03511  blah blah blah                              Price

                                                             Total of  Price

                                                                           Price S&H

For a grand total of                                             Price

(*blah blah blah, and prices mine)

I will issue a refund of 4.50 to your card. I have also sent you two slightly irregular panties in the size 15 and 16. We also have 1 nylon panty in a size 17 if you need it.  The 04516 only comes in up to 15  in black, pearl and white. The 16 or 17 only comes in white and it will have a small cord on the front of the panty but the same full cut pattern as the one I am sending to you. hope you enjoy and these will go out today by United postal service. 

Have a great weekend and again thanks for wearing Dixie Belle and please let your friends and family in on the web site! www.dixiebellelingerie.com

                                       Claudia Meyers, Vice President 

Yeah that last bit that says VICE PRESIDENT .. what the what?!?

My head really needed to take a minute to gather its self on that one.

I again thanked Claudia, In typical Raven fashion of complete understated honesty. 

I stated my sincere appreciation, and that I had truly never had a better experience with any other retailer.

In more typical Raven fashion, I then asked for permission to blog about it.  

There you have it kids, My simple story. 

A girl and her slips, going to live happily ever after.

Seriously though, Go buy a slip or 5 from this company they rock and make plus sizes.

Go like them on Facebook, share in my gushy love for them.

Dixie belle slips. See it says classic they know.

love/hate with "Mad Men"

As you are by now well aware, I love vintage clothing.
I am a slave to the beautiful clothing, and patterns from decades past.
This is where my love hate relationship with the TV show Mad Men started.

It isn't the show it's self that I have issue with. I adore the show. What with all the smoking , drinking, swearing, vintage clothes and cars.

What has been bugging the crap out of me for a while; is now for some reason it has become the descriptor dejure, to use the title to label vintage fashion.. even if it pre or post dates the era of the clothing (1960's)..
the 'Betty Draper house dress', the 'mad men secretary wiggle frock' anything that happens to use the show or its charters in is description. What is worse, that you have clothes from the late 70's and 80's being labeled this way too.

Really? You can't just call a dress from the 1960's what it is? Can't it just be a vintage dress? Why does it have to do anything to do with the show?

Also in my opinion the 1960's are where fashion really took a turning point. As a culture we moved to more ready made, easier to produce clothing.
The long slow slide into retail hell; where clothes have less and less form, structure, functionality (hello dresses with pockets), and last-ability. The movement towards 'space age fabrics' and away from good old, cotton, rayon, silk, wool and fur (yes I said it).. Not to mention the sudden explosion of polyester knits.. (shudder).


Maybe I am also a tad bitter that when a show or movie happen to showcase vintage fashion,  makes it a lot more expensive for me to snap up vintage clothing for my self. AKA: everyone suddenly takes an interest in vintage styles.

Oh well, for now I will just covet my pattern collection, and make my own clothing.

Torrid's responce

Well my dear sweet monster thingies,
 Torrid has written me back.
More to the point a customer service representative not Torrid corporate . And i am going to post that response to my letter to Torrid , and then speak further on it.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Hello Raven,

Thank you for shopping at Torrid.com! Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Raven,
Torrid is not going to abandon what it has begun.  Rather, it is adding
choices that the young plus size customers have asked us for that they
cannot find from other retailers.

We are definitely holding onto the looks that have always been part of our
assortments, as well as adding choices for the young plus size person who
has said her lifestyle requires more choices than we originally offered
her.

It is important to share with you that many customers have voiced repeated
requests for us to provide more alternatives to them.  They want the
younger plus size person to have a place that offers hip, young, current
fashion choices whether it is casual clothes for a student, a dressy
occasion, a sexy club outfit, or someone just beginning their career. We
heard over and over that our customers had many wardrobe needs to fill
their lifestyle alternatives and we were leaving some of them out.

We also learned from many customers that our logo had "stiff, skinny"
letters instead of being representative of something curvy and beautiful.
We also learned that the younger plus size customer did not know we were
plus size.  We are proud of being plus size. That's why our logo has
changed from stiff, skinny letters to beautiful, curvy letters with the
words "plus sizes" added.

We hope you will continue to give us a chance, so we may live up to your
expectations and to satisfy your wishes. We are going to work hard at
continuing to create products that are different than the other plus size
retailers offer, with our own unique Torrid detailing and style.



If you need any further assistance please contact us!


Cheers,
Mariela
Customer Service Representative
1.866.867.7431
International: +1.626.709.1188

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Now while I am thrilled That I got a response at all; I am fairly disappointed that It was such a general e-mail. 
I don't feel that torrid addressed any of my (our) concerns when it comes to quality of product.
It really feels like a canned response. 
Additionally the whole diatribe on them changing the logo.. I never said anything about said logo, nor do I have an issue with them changing it.


When I posted the letter to various groups i got quite a few comment on the lack of quality, so clearly this issue is very prevalent.


Again, to you my dear readers, I want more proof/opinions for future letters to Torrid.
I am going to write them back again, and voice again the concerns about quality. If there is more you would like me to address let me know.


Kisses, 
Raven

 

My letter to Torrid

So I finally decided to write torrid after years of being their faithful customer,and watching their slow decline. Our relationship has soured. I wrote them in hopes like any relationship we could communicate and work through our issues. With a little luck we can come out of this in a better place, and once again have a dirty love affair.

Dear torrid,
As a long time customer (since store #3 in san diego opened; till you opened stores near me. yeah I used to fly down to just shop at your store) I am really disappointed in what has been happening to your clothes over the last 6 years. Specifically the quality of the garments has really dropped significantly, as have your range of styles.


I get that you have revamped your overall look and feel. Back when this change initially took place I was hopeful that you would still do right by your original customer base, that there would be a nice cross section of styles. Sadly this has been less and less the case over the years.
You have all but fazed out the goth, punk, club, and alternative wear you once carried as staples in your stores.
I know I loved having the option of buying the different styles, and still covet my vintage black label torrid clothing.
So do many girls who shopped with you before (you can see this by after market purchase price on ebay).
Admittedly, I was also happy as I've grown older to have more business appropriate clothing as well. However I miss the other things you once had.
The fact that the clothing back then was well made and had decent prices was also a great benefit; and made me a dedicated shopper at your store.


I'm going to take this opportunity to expand further on your clothing and its current quality, or lack of. I have mentioned that I still own black label torrid clothing, as well as clothing from brands you don't carry anymore. All of these pieces have stood up well to the tests of normal wear. I sadly can not say the same for clothing that has been coming out of your store in recent years. Both bad material choices mixed with bad craftsmanship have taken its toll on my confidence in your clothing.
When I pay $40 for a simple top and it can't survive a trip though the washing machine (taking the care label instructions in to the equation) we have a serious problem. Same goes for $10 underpants, and $50+ pants.
Please ask whoever you have doing our purchasing you consider the quality of the clothes they are buying. I like many other of the people who shop with you can't afford to buy clothes that don't last, and that we can't replace. 


I wont even go into the lack of basic structure in your clothing.. I will say however it is disappointing. I don't like looking like a shapeless cloth blob. Nor do I like having to tailor clothing that I spend a lot of money on.


I am pleased as punch you have started to carry the more retro looks in clothing! And thank you for working with lucky 13 apparel as well as lip service again!


You are at the forefront of the plus size fashion industry, yet you are pidgin holing the people who want to be fashionable, with such limited choices.
I truly hope that you have a plan to remedy some of the things that have been effecting your stores for a while now.
And I really hope we (as in me your customer, and you the people behind the clothing I cover my self in) can have a chat about what is going on. I really was and still am passionate about your store and its clothing. Again I have been shopping with you for almost 10 years now, I remember what made your store great.
I want you to continue being one of the places I shop for all sorts of clothing.


Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. And I look forward to hearing back from you.


sincerely,
Raven Eagan

Let's hope I hear something good. I'll keep you all informed!
And if there is something I forgot to say, or something you want to point out, please let me or them know!

Kisses,
Raven

The male mind and the circles it creates.

**WARNING: I will be using the word chick, women, girl, ladies ect. to rant, I know the issue is not limited to women alone. As I wind down my rant, I change my gender type to include both men and women.**

I am beyond annoyed, I was going to do a nice mellow post on a dress I made... Then sadly, this morning on my facebook feed I see this comment:

Can I just say the amount of fail on this is EPIC (and I hate to use that word)!

I couldn't help but respond to the stupidity. Because really... wow. 

The thought (or lack of) that went in to publicly making a comment like that is beyond fucking stupid.

This is the normative male mind at work.. and it makes me cringe.

Yeah I get fat chicks aren't everyone's cup of tea; but really to basically shame any man or woman who does indeed like the the bigger girls, is just as fucked up as basically implying fat chicks don't deserve a persons: respect, admiration, love and consideration.

To the men and women who like the: curvy, fluffy, chunky, chubby, voluptuous, buxom, zaftig, and fat ladies (whether you admit it vocally or not) hell even if you just like women in general; You have more integrity, sincerity and balls Than any person who makes comments like this. Not just because you like women who might be bigger that what society deems acceptable; but because you don't need to chastise the other people around you for what they like.

EVERYONE deserves BASIC human respect. Why? you might be asking. It's very simple... because we are all stuck here together. We all at one point or another need the people around us for support; And if we want this little experience called life to be somewhat pleasant, it helps if we all have a small  bit of respect for one another.

The comment/quote above makes me question why F. (more over his companion who made the comment) has such a reaction to fat chicks and probably people in general.

What is it that makes us SOO unappealing?

What has a fat chick ever done to him to have him feel this way?

OR is it our general existence that is some how a bane to him?

Could it be a simple need to lash out at women in general? Perhaps, he has been turned down by women big and small, thus making him feel inferior?

Whatever the reason, he felt the need to quote the person in a public space, thus I am allowed to take away from it what I want.  

In the end I take away the knowledge that I have a complete fucktard on my facebook. 

And that while he didn't say it to me or about me specifically, I still identified with it. I am a 'fat chick' after all. I am also a great many things beyond that simple obvious label. 

The sad fact is, it takes a person to look past that immediate label of  'fat chick" to find out how great I really am. Maybe that is why the comment makes me so mad/sad, it reinforces my awareness of people who wont give me and all the other fat people, the time of day to find out who we are as simple people. This applies to everything from dating and friendship, to jobs and health care.

I don't hate you because you're thin. Don't hate me because I am fat.  (change the word 'hate' to: judge, criticize, comment, blame, harass, embarrass, remark, vilify, harm.. and the statement still works.)     
 
My rant started about the normative male mind, and brought me full circle to bring it to a place more about fat liberation and acceptance. I hope when you read this, you see how it applies to all people. Simple stupid comments, can create a shit storm of thoughts and powerful emotions. Take that power and do something with it. Don't let a persons close minded hate bring you down. Never let anyone take away who you are despite the labels you bare. And as corny as it sounds: remember you are loved, wanted, needed and accepted by me and more importantly you.

Kisses,
Raven