The Curvy Shopper – Diana Rajchel
Diana Rajchel — Fat Chic
Diana Rajchel is an opinionated writer/journalist from the Minneapolis, USA. She has been blogging from her Fat Chic platform for over six years but has many other platforms and interests that have absolutely nothing to do with being fat or fashion. She is a size 26/28 and like her blog tagline states, “It’s not about trying to look thin”.
What is your greatest concern about online shopping?
That the size chart rings true. I hate doing returns — most are a big hassle. So I rely heavily on accurate size charts.
What is your greatest concern about shopping locally?
Interacting with sales people. Most of the time it’s OK, but every so often I get someone with very strong opinions about other people’s bodies or how other people should dress. I’ve got a strong sense of my own style and what I like; I’d prefer people keep their opinions off me – this can be hard to navigate when someone is bringing me unsolicited Spanx.
What is your favorite store to shop locally?
Hm, tough call. My favorite store is the one with a decent selection of clothing in my size – and that changes all the time. Usually I head to Unique Thrift first before I pick up new clothes. This way I’m satisfying my environmental concerns while still indulging my clothes horse habits.
What are your top three online stores to shop?
It’s almost a dirty secret, but Old Navy. I really like what Old Navy has to offer, although I wish they’d just make it available in a walk-in store. The designs are comfortable and realistic to my life.
Target: it’s their dirty secret that they actually offer some nice stuff for plus sizes; they hide a lot of it online but it’s there (Never mind that whole Manatee grey incident.) They’re also headquartered in Minneapolis and I know where their super secret clearance store is, in the basement of a Salvation Army in the warehouse district of Minneapolis. If I’m on a tight budget but need something now I always check their clearance section on their website first. Sometimes it helps me keep an eye out when shopping in person; other times I can grab stuff they withdraw from stores early.
One Stop Plus — it really does save a lot of time for me, and it offers consistent discounts. I can usually find something I really want there even if I can’t find it through other means.
Your shopping weakness?
Clothing in general. I often style myself by mood, and that’s hard to plan for. So I end up with a wide variety of pieces, especially when thrifting.
Fave color:
Red, although lavender and black is my favorite color combo.
Fave trend:
Using Smartphones to shop.
Three things your blog readers might not know about you:
- I’m something of a foodie cook. This year for the holidays I gifted people with rose caramel made with real rose syrup.
- I have severe asthma and allergies. One of the reasons I spend so much time at the gym (that I write about in my plus size exercise diary) is to alleviate the days that I literally cannot move because of them.
- I write poetry and even do readings once in awhile.
Please fly by the Fat Chic and say “hello!”
Update September 2024: Check out Diana Rajchel’s writing on her official blog.
More Curvy Shoppers
I had the opportunity to touch base with some phenomenal curvy shoppers who also happen to women bloggers. Please take some time to get to know more of these amazing people: