The Curvy Fashionista Curvy.Confident.Chic.
You know how you pass a store over and over again, you think that you know what’s in there… only to be quite surprised when you go in?
That was my experience this day when I visited the Avenue. I have known for the longest that the Avenue catered to plus size women, but I have always found their pieces to be too conservative for my liking (I kept telling myself), only to walk out of the store today with over $250 worth of merchandise (paid $175 due to a crazy sale!).
First impression?
Eh. Treasures to be found, if you have the time and patience to really look through and imagine your outfits.
I thought that the sales associates could have been more helpful. Honestly! And this is really hard for me to understand, with my 13 years in retail experience… So please excuse my irritation for the lack of help here, as I expect more when I go into an almost empty store… I am just saying…
SO!
I was greeted from the back of the store as I walked in- could not see the associate who said hello… weird. I dug through the seamless panties and bras, searching for my size for about a good 15 minutes- still with no assistance- although with most of my work done, I was in no real rush to get in and out.
I made my way through the jewelry (my real mission) and was finally approached by the sales associate (who spent most of her time near the register or doing work tasks) who asked me if I’d be shopping with my Avenue card and she also alerted me that a specific section of the jewels were on sale for like $3.96 or some random price like that.
I scooped up a handful of bracelets large enough for my big ole hands! (gotta get ready for Full Figured Fashion Week™! Walking across the store with a handful of jewelry, I made my way over to the shoes… pleasantly surprised with the selection! Cloud Walkers (I think this is their in house brand!) comes in all wide width selections!
I got these three shoes:
Avenue Maria Caged Gladiator Sandal
Avenue Zenada Snake Emboss Wedge Sandal (Wide Width)
Avenue Kelly Knotted Sandal in the Berry Color
While trying on shoes and pulling my sizes, I walked over to the sales associate at the register and asked her if all their sizes were out… SO SAD! I really wanted the Yvonne Embellished Wedge Sandal but no more were left in the black in my size!!!
After trying on the shoes, or while I was trying on the shoes (about 45 minutes into my shopping), I was made aware that the entire store was on sale! When you buy three or more items, you save 30% off your purchase! I already had that in the bag, so I perused the store to sniff out any other deals! I headed back over to the lingerie section- as a girl can NEVER have too many bras and panties! Seamless Boy Shorts? Yes please! A tan strapless bra and tuxedo plunge bra- YES! Although it did take me a while to find my size!
I did find some tops and a HUGE clearance section… I think I was overwhelmed and the merchandising could have been a bit more alluring, as I was trying to find something to walk away with!
BUT I DID, I DID!!!
Accessories, shoes, panties, and bras!
Overall experience?
SCORE on the things I was looking for! Cute and comfortable flats, chonies, and bras and jewelry! I could not be happier- especially after saving over $65 due to a sale! I had no idea! Because I was on a mission, the lackluster customer service did NOT deter me, although I was irritated while shopping. I will chalk it up to this specific location, ONLY because I did find some really fabulous things!
Have you shopped at the Avenue? I have been more of a Jessica London and One Stop Plus fan, but let this be a lesson for ME! NEVER write off a place- ever! You’d think I would have learned my lesson with Lane Bryant from the Lane Bryant conference last year! How about me being pleasantly surprised?
What type of enabler would I be if I did NOT share with you a coupon code and link to shop your heart out! Especially with the wide width shoe selection!!!!
Take 20% off your purchase at Avenue
