Avenue.com

Full review
I’ve shopped at the local Avenue store for quite some time now. I like the clothes there for plus-sized women. They are always stylish and attractive. I have found the sizes to be consistent even though I always try things on.

When it was the middle of the summer and I noticed my bathing suit starting to wear in the seat, I wanted a new one before the year was out. However, with it being so far into the season that fall clothes were starting to come in, I didn’t relish the thought of going from store to store trying to hunt down a suit I liked in the size I needed from what was leftover on the clearance racks.

Figuring that just about everyone has an online store now, I checked if Avenue did - www.avenue.com

The main page was laid out nicely, immediately letting me know I’d arrived at the correct site. The menu along the left side of the page highlights the current selection depending on the season. Across the top are various general categories and links to customer service, signing up for email notification of specials, and logging into your account. Along the bottom are links for getting an Avenue credit card, gift cards, locating physical stores, and other information about their policies.

Avenue carries a terrific selection of plus-size clothing for all seasons. There are pants, shorts, tops, sweaters, coats, shoes, and underwear. The online styles available are all comparable or the same as what I’ve come to expect from shopping in the physical stores. Their prices are higher than what I’d find in the plus department of my local Target store, but I really like the style and wear of the clothes at Avenue so I’m willing to pay a bit more for them when I want to wear something other than jeans and a t-shirt.

I browsed through the swimsuits they still had online and easily found one I liked in a size I was. One reason I’ve been reluctant to really shop online for clothes a lot is the inability to try them on, but I decided to take the chance and order from Avenue. I clicked on the box and selected my size and color, the Add to Bag.

Checking out with my order was a breeze. I created an account, but you can shop and check-out as a guest and not create an account. Now my address and information is stored the next time I want to shop here, plus I get notifications of coupons or specials. Avenue takes major credit cards in addition to their own credit card. There were no provisions on the check-out form for ordering with a check or money-order.

An email with tracking information was sent to my mailbox,. The information was accurate and I could see exactly when the suit would arrive at my house via UPS. When my bathing suit arrived just a couple of days later, I was pleased with the speed at which I received it. I tried it on and it fit perfectly, just as I’ve become accustomed to the clothing I purchase at the Avenue stores.

I would shop here any time again. The sizes are accurate, the selection is terrific, and I consider them to be very reliable. There aren’t any in the immediate vicinity of where I’m moving, so I’ll probably be a more frequent visitor to the website from now on.


© 2005 Patti Aliventi