Thanks to that annoying midlife weight gain, shopping can become a wearisome proposition for women with widening girths.
Most secondhand shops cater to younger, slighter women. Sure, I was that svelte gal once. As a fashion model walking the American runways in my 20s, I weighed in at 127 pounds and stood 5 feet 10 inches tall. I kept that shape until my mid-40s, when I hit the proverbial hormonal roller coaster, and a size 16.
Denver, it turns out, abounds with specialty resale shops where discerning bargain hunters can find plus-size fashions along with petite styles, maternity wear, clothes for tots and even sports gear.
I was in one of those shops recently to work with the owners, who are sisters, on organizing a thrift fashion show and breast cancer fundraiser slated for October. It’s called The Breast of Colorado.
Sisters Eileen Baranosky and Colleen Mello own , 3995 S. Broadway in Englewood. Their consignment shop is a wonderful potpourri of plus-size clothes ranging from designer wear to casual attire. It has become a haven for discriminating women of a certain size.
Molly’s Closet opened in October 2008 and had a successful run its first full year. It was selected Best New Business by the Englewood Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and made Channel 7’s A-list in 2010.
But it occurred to me after chatting with the sisters that neither is named Molly. They giggled before offering this explanation:
“We inherited a ’50s mannequin from an alterations shop in California,” one sister said. It’s a full-figured mannequin named Molly. Today, she stands sentry at the store, welcoming customers and smugly displaying her beautiful bounty.
The most difficult part of the sisters’ business? Women seem never to be true about their size.
“Because of the pressures on women to be thin,” Baranosky says, “it is a challenge to get them to realize that they can look fabulous regardless of size.”
Despite the fact that media and magazines extol the virtues of being young and thin,the sisters insist that women can and should look fashionable, whatever their age or size.
That uplifting outlook could be one reason that people come to Molly’s Closet, not just to buy trendy clothes at great prices but also to spend time swapping tales and sharing trials with the sisters.
“We listen to women who are battling cancer or going through divorces,” Mello says. We share stories and dreams and pictures of weddings.”
So this resale shop is more than just a place to find designer duds in sizes 10 to 5X. It’s also one of those friendly places where you can find a ready hug when you need it.
Barb Tobias is a Colorado blogger, speaker and author. Her book, “Tossed & Found: Where Frugal is Chic” (Mile High Press), chronicles her journey from farm girl to fashion model to thrift-store fashionista. Read more at ThriftTalkDiva.com.
Big style, small prices
(3995 S. Broadway, Englewood; 303-789-7407 or ) is owned by sisters Eileen Baranosky and Colleen Mello. They carry sizes “for the average woman” ranging from 10 to 5X along with shoes, jewelry, hats and accessories. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
(5305 E. Colfax Ave.; 303-997-4336 or ), is on the northeast corner of Colfax and Glencoe. The store slogan, according to owner Rosanna Griffin: “Where all the goddesses shop.” Griffin’s boutique boasts a large selection of new and gently used plus-size women’s clothing, and a great variety of costume jewelry, purses, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves and even perfumes. Westword’s Best of Denver 2011 chose this shop as “The Best Secondhand Clothing for Big Girls.” Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 pm. Tuesday- Saturday.
(3890 Kipling St., Wheat Ridge; 303-420-5423 or ) opened in November 1993 after storeowner Christine Metzger got really, really mad. She was frustrated because she found few quality resale shops that accommodated plus-size career women. Now her shop thrives on helping women coordinate outfits, and encourages them to bring in their unmatched items so they can pull together a complete look that’s both flattering and frugal. UpScale Plus specializes in working with women sized 14W to 28W but also carries sizes 6 through 16. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
