So I had a big ol’ shopping excursion yesterday at Cato Fashions which if you recall, I was mistaken for being pregnant on my last trip. But not this time. This time I had a wonderful girl who obviously is way more cool than myself and pretty much took me under a her wing.
See, when you walk into CATO, on the left side, you’ll find all the plus size clothing and on the right, you’ll find regular sizes up to 16 & XL. I always shop on the left. I’ve always bought my clothing way bigger than need be but that’s how I am. I’m insecure and hoping that that 2X shirt will hide the 3 tidal wave rolls I have been given by my blessed children.
Well, yesterday I was shopping on that same side and this cute dark haired beauty says, “hey, can I tell you something?” and I say sure….She says, “you don’t belong on this side. These are way too big for you.” And I say I’ve always shopped on this side and I am big. She decides to drag me to the “skinny” side and starts picking out all these clothes that I know I can’t fit in. You know why? Because they are Large….Ummmm, I haven’t worn Large since I was a baby. So I play along and take all those clothes with me to the dressing room. I try on the first one which was this one:
Now this doesn’t look like much on the hanger but lemme tell ya…it looked freakin’ awesome on me and I NEVER say that about any of my clothing! I had it on with some black slacks and I was just staring at myself in the full length mirror for about 2 whole minutes. I looked casual but business casual? Lots of oooooing and awwwwing over how it looked on me and the color. And they tell you the truth. They gave me several thumbs down on other pieces.
So, next up I wanted something more for evening like and this is something I chose myself:)
And yes, it’s in Large…and much more fitting than anything else I wear but it looks good! My problem has always been buying clothes that are too big on me. ugh! And I’m really not a pink girl but I thought this was super cute!
So I wanted a couple of casual shirts and here is the first one that I fell in love with.
Cute huh? Or no? LOL You can be honest, I have my big girl panties on! This next one was picked for me by that cute gal and it looks much better on that it does on the hanger. It actually shows an hourglass figure which is obviously an illusion of sorts but I’ll take it!
And this next one probably made me look the slimmest and I was so surprised at how it looked on me. I felt very stylish even though I wasn’t used to so much color!
My husband loves brown on me……so I had to get something that was brown! I went with a silky belted shirt.
There were more that I bought but I wanted to show you a few at least. I also splurged on some chunky jewelry that she picked out since I’m jewelry challenged……all of it was clearanced and around $1.99 a piece!
My shopping journey was inspired by Audrey from Mom Generations. You must read up on her fashion advice people!! She gave me advice on what to buy and recommended COLOR! I tried to be more open about what I bought and I’m extremely happy that I stepped outside of the box this time! I wanted some great looks for all the future conferences that I’ll be attending this year and I think these will fit the bill!
Sooooo, what are your fashion faves or worries? Do you wear what’s in style, what’s comfortable or are you like me and tend to buy oversized clothing to hide it all;)????
Lori is the Owner and Founder of four blogs, a 4 year Problogger, a social media influencer, and tech nerd at heart. She's been married 18+ years and has 3 handsome boys; Tyler 17, Toby, 14, and Truett 4. 
Lori! You did awesome! I love that brown top… that is beautiful! You did such a great job… I love the colors. And that jewelry? So I know I am going to be at some conferences with you… so you have to share with me! :) That photo of you in the mirror – holding the Nikon… classic! I love it. You picked such great and versatile pieces. See… you are a fashionista, you just didn’t know it! You picked out these clothes on your own…
xo,
Audrey
Wow!!! Love the clothes. I really need to go shopping.
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I love the paisley top.. what a shopping spree.. must have gotten some cash in your Christmas stocking.. Glad the sales girl noticed your beauty was hiding under big clothes..
deb
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Lori – I’m so glad you went to the other side! The clothes you picked out are so pretty! And you do look so much slimmer! Great job!
~Tanya
Love them all….I love Cato & love the brown shirt. I can always find something there. Even when I was really, really skinny (which was 4 sizes ago) I could find things there.
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Stumbled on your website. Really cool.
Love the stuff you got at Cato’s. Really like the outfit you had on when you took the picture.
We don’t have a Cato where I live but always hit the one in Dallas when I visit my cousin. Had to borrow a suitcase the last time I went to visit after shopping.
You picked out some really pretty clothes. I’m so stuck with my wardrobe and keep finding excuses not to buy anything for myself since I gained weight. It’s hard to know you have to look for larger size clothes, but I need to do it to look better. I’m going to try out the blog you suggested to get some tips.
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Nice – isn’t if fun to shop all for yourself? You look great even with your goldtoes!
My worries – my junk. My waist is smaller than my rear, which makes shopping for jeans a nightmare. I like to dress classic rather than trendy & simple.
I love the brown shirt with the waist tie.
Doesn’t it feel good to wear clothes you love?! Gives you a sort of self confidence – you look great in that top! I love brown too – I’m not a big shopper, but I’ll be poking my head into Catos in search of that brown top! I think you’re selling yourself short – you look great!
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I’m so glad you had a good experience at Catos this time! We have a Catos in Levelland and I’m always picking up bargins there. I can find things on sale there for under $10 all the time! You go girl, you look great in that pic!
One of my aunts swears by CATO. I didn’t know they had all sizes! I’m glad the dark haired beauty came to the rescue. You definitely don’t belong on the left side. I’m so jealous of your fab finds!
I like the cowl neck on the first top and that brown top is so pretty. It sounds like you had a very successful shopping experience. We don’t have a Cato in our city/state (as far as I know). Is it a department store?
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You look great! Those are very flattering choices – I wish I had someone to help me. You will rival the other women at all your ‘events’ this year. (BTW – no, I am not blowing smoke!)
gaye
Great picks. I have two problems when I go shopping. 1. I buy my clothes too big and 2. I buy too many patterns.
I’m so drawn to patterns and prints, that my wardrobe turns into a mish mosh. I have to stop, remind myself that solids and classics look much more professional and it’s much easier to throw an outfit together, and re-evaluate all the clothes I’m holding. Then I buy about half of what I picked out. Haha.
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I love Audrey’s fashion series! :-) Good job! :-)
My fashion faves and worries… Hm. I find it hard to straddle the line between being stylish and looking too young. I try to only wear trends that look good on me so I don’t end up a fashion victim, but I do over-think most of my wardrobe choices. But then, that’s just how I am! :-)
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ok so I know you look TOTALLY HOTT in those clothes…I am so glad I met you and got you out of the huge imaginative body you always thought that you had and into the slim body you have always had….I am reatful to have met a wonderful person such as yourself and happy to have be of help in this change in you life…people like you make the long days go by faster and also makes the job worth while….
The Catos gal,
Kelsey Zimmerman
Those are such pretty clothes. I really love the white top with the pink and black. It makes me wish I live in a town with more than a Walmart to shop at. :)
Oh I love that store, and the top you are wearing in the picture looks awesome!! What a nice lady to take you over to the right side of the store!! It’s fun shopping when things finally just look right!! I am excited for you and your shopping trip!!
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I understand how you feel. I had my first baby girl in December of 2008. Before her, I was extremely tiny. However, after the pregnancy I wasn’t myself and all of my clothes (which I spent a lot of money on) had to go. I really like the pieces you picked. Good job. They are very stylish and Cato does have a good selection for the price. I never shopped there until this past Friday when I stopped in this little sea town in Tappahannock, Virginia and got some Mother’s Day things. I think its great the lady took her time to help you. That says a lot about the employees. Oh and good job on the jewelry. Love them.
I work @ Cato and, let me tell you, the clothes you chose are GREAT fits! The style is so flattering and whoever helped you is one smart cookie!! :)