Sponsor Posting: Marshalls Shoe MegaShop
Marshall’s is a Minnesota-Wisconsin standby for brand-whores who can not afford the brands on first run. On today’s walk through I saw Tommy Hilfiger, Franco Sarto, Guess and hordes more that didn’t do as good a job making it past my filters. While I only shop Marshall’s a few times a year, usually for really good quality bedsheets or to play clothing-find roulette, I do recommend them. Their plus clothing can go up to a 28, and they’ve made improvements in labeling – and in options. While a few years ago the best I could do was Gloria Vanderbilt mom-jeans, now I’m seeing things come in picked up from Torrid surplus among other retailers, and some of it ain’t bad. As I write this I’m even wearing a shell-band tank top I hadn’t seen elsewhere; it’s got an innovative design and goes well over pants.
So when a representative on behalf of Marshall’s emailed me with “hey, we’re promoting our SHOE MEGASHOP and we’d like to give you a gift card to give it a try,” I jumped at the opportunity. One, I actually need some new shoes, and two, it’s Marshall’s – even with its limitations, it’s always good for a treasure hunt. Basically, they’re committing 5000 square feet per store to shoes. Women are happy.
As to my own experience, I’m not just plus size, I’m plus foot. I wear a size 11M, and Marshall’s selection consistently stops dead at 10. And I refuse to participate in foot binding – I am most certainly NOT going to try to force myself into a shoe that will damage my foot; I’m still stunned so many American women knowingly do this. This really did limit my choices, leaving me to swim in a sea of beautiful shoes, forced to try my luck with top designers and their generosity in size 10. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. My trip also coincided with an annual clearance sale; any lurking 11s were long gone, or squirreled away into other parts of the store where even employees might be unwilling to reach. Such is the way of bargain shopping. And if you ask, YES, I was wearing capris even though I hate them. No, I most certainly will NOT let you have a picture of that.
After mentally going through my shoe wardrobe and preferences, I made a few narrowing decisions: I really needed either a pair of pumps, galoshes or comfortable sandals. I wasn’t above picking up a cute pair of flats. Alas, size drummed me out of most of these choices. But all was not lost. The shopping session still ended victorious.
Note: I brought my own knee socks for sanitary reasons. Not attractive, but necessary.
My first attempt was these galoshes. I didn’t expect success, and I didn’t get it – it wouldn’t even go all the way up my calf. (I have unusually large calves. A person with narrower calves would have more success.)
I had high hopes for these Dansko sandals – they were designed for comfort, and since the very stylish new Dr. Scholl’s (I mean this, no sarcasm) was fresh out, I had high hopes. Alas, the strap being just about a a centimeter to short to reach the buckle crushed my hopes here. They really felt good on my feet, though.
Admittedly, I really really don’t like wedges and I hadn’t intended to pick these up – a previous customer had switched boxes so what I thought I was getting were some gorgeous size 10 Tommy Hilfiger flats. On a whim I tried them on anyway. They were surprisingly supportive and comfortable, I didn’t have that horrible “god I’m going to tip over!” feeling at all. Unfortunately, they pinched all around my foot on major arteries, and since I have condition where damaging my feet would rule out walking for a few days and I’m moving at the end of this month (making it very necessary for me NOT to sacrifice my ability to walk) I gave them a pass. Cute, though, and very attractive and unexpected with the right summer dress (I have a brown one from Torrid that would have worked, and yes, I thought about it.)
These I loved. I loved them so much I almost considered living with the pinch. But I already own a red-and-black two-tone pair of pumps, I work from home negating pumps from most of my lifestyle, and ultimately, I went back to my principle in refusing self-injury. But these were gorgeous, and well made. They need to go to a good home. $39.99 at Har Mar, size 10, the clearance wall near the bottom shelf. Twin Citians, please, these neeeeed loooooove!
These wound up being the winners. Yes, they look absurd and awful here, but now that they’re home, they fit my foot properly, especially without that knee-high sock in the way. Are they sexy? No, they’re Naturalizers. But when I want to go running around in my summer dresses, I’d much rather be able to walk, especially with as much walking as I do.
I like Marshall’s. I always have – it’s one of those odd places you go to see if fate is for or against you. If fate is for you, you get a great discount on an umbrella on a rainy day. If it’s against you, all that’s left in your size in the plus section is a granny size giant print mumu. It’s divination by fashion. And the shoes? The shoes tell all – I know I must be at a crossroads because I passed up bright red Franco Sarto (they were wedges.)
“Divination by fashion” love it!
I love Marshalls too. You just never know what you’re going to find!
those kitten heels are so cute! I like itsi
I am another size 11 outcast (actually 10.5, but try finding them anywhere!) I have the added problem of a wide foot and bunions that I try to keep hidden (although I cannot bring myself to give up thong flip flops altogether). I don’t even bother with most show discounters including Marshall’s, DSW, etc., because they rarely have 11s, let alone 11Ws. But there is hope…the brand Sofft has expanded its offerings recently and I have had success with their 11Ws for the most part (they don’t make 10.5). I usually buy from Zappos, and while Sofft shoes aren’t cheap (average $80 a pair), they are well-made, usually very comforatble and they FIT! If you have a Nordstrom Rack nearby, you may find some Soffts lurking in there respectable size 11 section.