thin graphic shirts from Torrid, buy higher quality at Hot Topic

Well, the title says it all. I recently purchased 2 graphic tees from Torrid for my birthday and returned both. I actually lost money returning them, and probably could've made more had I kept and re-sold. My account was upgraded to the VIP status, and I thought free returns applied to past purchases. It did not. 

 

Anyways, because of this, I finally figured out why I no longer enjoy the tees from Torrid. It's because the material they use is too thin and a cotton blend. For graphic tees I prefer 100% cotton. If you're wanting a cool graphic tee with weight to it, I suggest checking out the Hot Topic graphic tees in men's sizes. They also carry women's plus size, but I prefer the men's sizes because they're usually 100% cotton. 

Tip: Wait for Hot Topic's $12 tee sale and stock up. Or buy them during the hot cash sale.  

Oh, Torrid, how I longed for thee, for graphic tees that were bold and free, but alas, my heart was filled with woe, for the shirts I bought were thin and low.

I thought my VIP status was grand, but free returns did not extend, to purchases made in the past, and my wallet suffered at last.

But in my loss, I found the light, the reason for my fashion plight, the material used was not divine, a cotton blend, not pure and fine.

Hot Topic, hear my desperate call, for your tees are weighty, standing tall, in men's sizes, I found my bliss, 100% cotton, a fashion hit.

So, all ye fashionistas fair, heed my words, beware, Of Torrid's tees that are not true, Hot Topic's deals are the way to go, dtock up on the $12 tee sale, or during hot cash, without fail.

thoughts on 2 star review left on Torrid Ski Cozy Fleece Crew Neck Sweatshirt

 

This style of design is actually very ON TREND. Have you heard..90's style clothing is IN STYLE? I imagine the designer was trying to emulate the retro 80s/90s ski vibes. I'll post a few below as an example.

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I've never been skiing, I would wear any of these pieces.

Torrid fashion fails. It's just my opinion.

Clothing I would never wear from Torrid or any other plus size store. 

1. Clothes with food. 

I'm a food addict ✋ and the last thing you'll see me wearing is a t-shirt proclaiming my love of pizza, donuts, or ice cream. Clothes with food on them is best left for toddlers and teens.

 

Being 70+ pounds overweight, I don't like advertising the food that caused me to become overweight. Not cool wearing my favorite binge foods on my sleeve. If I see pizza, I want pizza. 🤷

 

2. Shirts declaring your personality traits, faults, or short comings. 

I would consider myself socially awkward, and would never want to walk around with a shirt proclaiming I am. This made me laugh. Embarrassing!

This tee is advertising that you're a mean ass.

Another one...

another..

3. Shirts with words. 

Why? Because once at a grocery store, a guy stopped dead in his tracks to read my husband's t-shirt. It was an illustration of Shakespeare with a bubble quote "Doobie or not doobie, that is the question." After that I vowed to not wear any shirts with words at least out in public.

4. Shirts with a band name or a single word. 

To elaborate, if it's just a band name and no graphic, that's lazy. At least slap on a graphic. 

 

 

Here's a few examples:

 

Band shirts done the "right" way. These have the band name AND a cool graphic. 

 

Torrid's new shipping system update: super fast shipping

MY TORRID ORDER WAS DELIVERED IN 2 DAYS!!!!!!!!

I placed an order on May 25 and received my order on May 27! Wow if this is the new shipping system they're referring to on their website, it's SUPER FAST!!!!!! 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟to the people who work at Torrid's warehouse.

Here's my order receipt: 

 

 And my delivery email:

 

This reminds me of their old shipping system from years ago. Can't remember what years..but I was getting my orders in the same week I made a purchase.

part 2 Torrid plus size swimwear for top heavy babes

Here's part 1 of my picks for the BEST plus size swimwear for top heavy and busty babes.

Now on to part 2..

Here's my picks from Torrid, and most importantly WHY I think these would fit best for the fuller bust ladies.

First up, this Active swim scoop back cheetah one piece. Full coverage in the front, no chance of a boob popping out! Also wire free, which is nice when you're trying to relax on vacation?! The only problem some ladies could run into is the cap sleeves.

 

 

Here's the same cut, different print. This ocean print is beautiful, I'd probably buy this one if I had a vacation to go on. 

 

From the reviews on this active swim racerback top, the larger bust ladies are loving the fit. These are shaped exactly like their longline sports bras, and I also enjoy the fit. I'm 36h and the size 1 fits perfectly. This cut also has a larger area/band for the chest area making it the perfect swim top for a larger bust. Here's the matching bottom.

 

 

Next up this floral underwire one piece features princess seams and ruching on the sides and back. Also ruffle material on the chest area. This suit allows for you to choose cup size. From the pictures there looks to be alot of area for the chest. The straps are adjustable as well. 

 

If you're a less is more type...here's the best swimsuit for you. This swim dress has shorts and plenty of room for a large bust. 

 

Last, this swimsuit has plenty of room for a large bust in the long length scoop swim dress. From the reviews, the large busted babes say it provides them with enough chest coverage. This has thick straps to hold you in.

Here's the same swimsuit in a different pattern

Torrid order returns

Torrid gives you a generous 60 days to return your items. During the pandemic, in 2020 and 2021 they were allowing 90 day returns. A $6 return shipping fee is deducted from your return amount. Exception for VIP accounts who earned free returns. 

 

 

The process for my two returns went smoothly. At the time I did have a VIP account and signed into my account, selected the items and reason for the return. Then I was emailed a prepaid UPS shipping label. I re-used an Amazon mailer, taped on the return label, & dropped it in the mail. I received my refund in 2 weeks.  

 

What is excluded from returns? Third party purchases, gift cards, final sale/clearance, washed or worn items, jewelry, cosmetics, panties, tights, and lingerie.

Update post: My Torrid store experience

Update post: My Torrid in-store experience

The last time I shopped at a Torrid store was 2015 when I wrote this post. Although it's been a long time since shopping in-store, I do have a few more points to add at the end of this post. 

 

via GIPHY

To get an idea of what shopping at Torrid is like in 2022, I watched a few YouTube videos. It seems in some parts of the U.S., people are still wearing their masks. According to Torrid's website, the stores in my area (Texas) do require masks for unvaccinated customers. Torrid will provide a mask if you don't have one handy. To see if your store is still requiring masks, go to the Torrid website and look up your local store. 

via GIPHY

If it's your first time shopping in a Torrid store, know that the layout is spacious. There's plenty of room to walk in between the clothing racks. Their dressing rooms are also large enough to have your kids with you. I remember back in the day, dreading going into any straight size store and how tight the clothing racks were. Not an issue in Torrid's store, which were designed with the plus size customer in mind. Also, there's a fan in the dressing room!

Happy shopping!

Life changing advice for Torrid customers to prolong the life of your clothes

ALWAYS WASH COLD & DO NOT PUT YOUR CLOTHES IN THE DRYER! The dryer breaks down this elastic in your bras, under wear or swimsuits. Also a bad idea for clothing with rhinestones or foil graphics/metallic/glitter lettering.

I've seen even the bougiest of people air dry their clothing. I say this because I've always thought of air drying as too old school. 1900s type living. John Mayer says he air drys his vintage t-shirts while on tour. Also a popular youtuber/influencer hang drys all her expensive clothing.

How do I air dry? With 2 fans, an 8 foot ladder, and a whole lot of hangers. The bonus part is you are already hanging up your clothes making it easier to put away when dry. The hard part of doing laundry is already done for you! (unless you're folding clothes in a drawer) For smaller pieces of clothing I place those on the steps of the ladder or even hang on the neck of the hanger.

During the summer, my clothes can dry in 4 hours or less in the garage.

I'm writing this post because I've read comments from Torrid customers saying their clothes get torn apart or are coming loose at the seams. While yes, Torrid's clothing can have manufacturing flaws, I'm speaking of clothes that arrive in perfect condition. For the most part, the last piece of damaged clothing that I received was in 2014. (Torrid did replace though, great customer service!)

My suggestion, go to your garage and dust off that ladder. Your clothes and wallet will thank you for it.

My Torrid store experience: buying a torrid dress

Long time no blog?

I recently went instore to Torrid to try to find a dress. I printed out the picture of the dress I was looking for...and come to find out it was an ONLINE ONLY exclusive. Wahhhh so I missed that part apparently when I was looking online on the Torrid website. UGH! Why do you do this to me Torrid? And I NEVER go into the Torrid store and the 1 time I decide to in nearly 10 years and the dress I really wanted was ONLINE only!

Anyways I decided to look around at the other dresses there and was sooo disappointed. I found 1 other dress I was semi-interested in and the fit was horrible. I don't know about you, but when I wear something I don't like for my bra to show...and yea it showed big time. Lace open back dress below.

Under the pits was a huge gaping space and my bra was not covered. Every where else though the fit was perfect. I'm a size 18/20 and tried on the size 2. And the sales lady already knew before I told her why the dress didn't work out for me...she was like "it was the huge lack of material under the arms, right?" so she already knew alot of people had trouble wearing this dress. Maybe I needed to size up due to my large bust? I should just stick to  my rules when it comes to shopping at Torrid, which is if you have a large bust avoid anything empire waist cuz it's not going to fit you properly.

If you think Torrids graphic tees are expensive...check out Lane Bryants

Out of curiosity I checked out what was new at lane bryant. To my surprise when I went to their graphic tee section, and not only had they actually added graphic tees...but they were nearly $50 bucks! WTF!!!

Here are my picks...and ahhh Keith Haring!

I seriously wish I had some sewing skills. I kinda sorta not really do...I took a home ec. & home decor class in middle school & high school but uh that was a LONG time ago. But seriously if you have sewing skills, again I suggest going to the Target's men section and DIY'ing it! There's tons of cute graphic tees in the men's section and if you have the time you can make it look like the $50 version from lane bryant...or Torrid for that matter.

Torrid does not sell real jeans, just jeggins

Ah, I'm glad I'm not the only Torrid customer to notice the jeans are jeggins. I'm referring to my previous post about the Torrid "jeans". Please click here to read.

Posts from Torrid facebook page:

Torrid, What's the deal with the jeans??? You used to have real denim that I wouldn't mind spending money on. Now all you have are jegging type jeans without an ounce of denim and the prices for them are ridiculous. Even your tops are all synthetic now. What's going on??? The one pair of actual denim looked like something out of a 1990s teenage nightmare AND they were close to $80. Get with it please. 

Went into torrid to buy my favorite jeans today.....your jeans are now so thin. They use to be good thick denim not all like jeggins. For 60.00 you'd think I would get a good jean. Also you no longer carry dickies jeans. That makes me sad. Very disappointed.

Hi Torrid, I bought my first pair of Torrid jeans and they stretch out horribly for me. They are the correct size but after just a couple hours of wear they stretch out everywhere and become extremely baggy. I would normally just size down, but I paid $64.50 for these, wore them twice and washed them already so I can't return them. They fit perfectly in the store and hugged all my curves so I was very excited. I know not much can be done since I've worn and washed them, but I wanted to express my disappointment. For reference, they are the medium wash relaxed boot cut distressed denim. I know the relaxed fit means they are looser through the thigh and hip, but they shouldn't stretch out over an entire size larger when worn.

 

Torrid makes you pay for return shipping even if the item arrived damaged

From Torrid  facebook page

I have always been a loyal Torrid customer and recently made an online purchase with my Torrid Credit Card. Unfortunately I noticed before I tried it on, that one shirt was damaged- it has a hole in the side. I asked a Customer Service Representative for asssitance and they informed me that Torrid no longer includes a pre-paid return label to ship items back. So I have to pay for my return shipping! The closest Torrid is an hour away and they don't carry my size (5) in the store so I'm forced to order online, pay $6 shipping and THEN pay for return shipping when the item is damaged?? I am very dissapointed and would like some assistance in getting this issue resolved.

This poor customer had to go to Torrid's facebook page and post their complaint and was then told that Torrid would help her out with the shipping. Why did she have to beg, and why couldn't the customer service rep just do the right thing in the first place?

Torrid makes poor quality shoes, save your money $$$

From torrid facebook page:

Torrid, I really love the style of this boot! One issue though: after just a few hours if wearing them at my office I noticed the heels are coming undone. Is there something that can be done even though I've worn it? Or is it one of those "you get what you paid for" craftsmanship? Please help!

 

 In my personal experience, Torrid shoes suck. I bought a pair of strappy heels about 3 years ago, and they were falling apart after the 1st wear! I say save your money and buy your shoes elsewear.

 

Torrid, please make bigger bra sizes

Torrid: make bigger bra sizes please. Also make the bras comparable to Lane Bryant bras and I will buy them up.

Currently if you want a good bra and are larger than DDD, head over to Lane Bryant. Click on Cacique Intimates tab, select "view all bras", there is a special section for big cup girls, click "bra sizes f,g, & h". BUT wait for their bra sales. SALE IS EXACTLY THIS: I think the last time I bought bras from LB the sale was buy 1 get 1 50 % off. My personal fave is the Passion Lace Full coverage bra. I have tried their balconette, and did not like. Balconette bras I will never understand why you would want your breasts to spill out of the cup on purpose!

re: Torrid models NOT plus size?

Comment from customer on Torrid facebook page:

So I was on your website looking at your clothes and realized that NONE of your models look plus size! They have flat stomachs, thin arms, and small thighs. Ok, maybe their arms aren't as thin as a VS model, but they're thinner than most plus size women. They have on short shorts, no back fat, etc. I know we're all built differently being plus size, but c'mon! I'm looking at these women like why the hell are they on a plus size website?! I don't know many plus size women who can wear short shorts, at least comfortably. Just sayin'......


When all is said and done, the reason the Torrid models do not "look" plus size is because they are TALL.

I think what customers are meaning to say, when they make comments about the models NOT looking/being plus size is..."We want models that are our height".

According to a quick google search (because everything you read on the internet is TRUE) the average height for women in the U.S. is 5'3". So in conclusion what the Torrid customer are asking for is shorter Torrid models. This is never going to happen, because to be a model in the plus size industry you have you be at least 5'8".

I will leave you with pictures of Torrid models from 2007. These were pulled from my purchase history under my account.

Torrid black wash & dark wash stiletto skinny jeans smell like vinegar

A Torrid facebook fan mentioned a vinegar/barn smell coming from her pants. This seems to happen alot not only with their graphic tees, but also the dark/black wash jeans. I do not have any tips, fortunately I was able to get the smell out of my shirt just by washing it. If anyone has any helpful tips for getting the smell out, please feel free to share.

Has anyone out there figured out how to get rid of that nasty vinegar/barn smell that the dark and black wash denim have?? I use the same washer as the rest of the people in my apartment and cannot open the door once the cycle has started to be able to add anything. I have heard about adding vinegar and baking soda, but I don't know how vinegar would help something that already reeks--every single pair of darker washes have this smell...I'd love to keep the black stiletto skinnys I just got but the smell is overpowering--any tips??

Review: Coral burnout leopard print tee by Torrid: RETURNED

Another day, another return to Torrid. :( I really get sad when I have to return something to them. This time it was this shirt:

I have at least 3 or 4 burnout shirts from Torrid and this shirt is definitely a different quality (in a bad way). It was VERY thin. I know in general these are thin shirts, but this was so thin I was worried about snagging it. I have black burnout shirts, and I am able to wear them without a shirt underneath, and you can not see my bra. I tried this shirt on with a nude bra, and you could see it. There was no way I was going out with my bra showing, and I did not want to put a tank underneath either. So back it went. :(

I ended up using the return money on a pair of sandals from zappos. Torrid, why the low quality on your very expensive items?

I also have another bad item to tell you guys about, that I HAD to end up keeping. That will be another blog post so I can share pictures with you.

Torrid: customers want more BAND graphic tshirts, like the ones from Hot Topic

I would love to see more band tshirts with cool graphics. I have seen quite a few customers request bands of today with plus sizes. For example:

Hey Torrid, Being that you are a sister company of HotTopic I would love to see more actual band shirts! Asking Alexandria, Coheed and Cambria, things that you can get at HotTopic but are our size.

 Me? I LOVE the "old school" stuff. Like Kiss, Beatles, Led Zeppelin.

PLEASE TORRID, WE WANT MORE BAND GRAPHIC T-SHIRTS. WE WANT MORE, WE WANT MORE!

 

Torrid pop art print skirt & dress, print is upside down

Torrid why is the print upside down on  the dress? Is this going to be fixed? Or Torrid are you really trying  to be artsy fartsy and this is done on purpose. :)

 

The skirt has the print the "correct" way. 

Torrid Halloween Costumes 2013

Does everyone remember last years fiasco with the Halloween kits? Well I do, because last year I actually wanted to wear a costume. Torrid did not make any costumes in 2012. Only Halloween "kits".

Here are some pictures of the disastrous excuse for a DIY (do it yourself) "costume". The Halloween kits of 2012 enraged quite a few Torrid customers. Me included. I quite enjoyed reading the complaints on their facebook page.

 

 

 

Torrid wanted you to walk around in underwear and slap the accessories on, and "ta da" you have your own DAMN costume. To me, this looks like something for the bedroom rather than a Halloween party.

Thank goodness this year Torrid came to it's senses and has real costumes.  My issue with these, is I think I've seen these from previous years maybe they have been updated. The only new one to me is the dia de los muertos costume. 

ETA: According to the Torrid facebook page, more costumes will be arriving in the upcoming weeks.

Are these from previous years? I swear I've seen them before.