Torrid

i’ve been shopping at torrid for years. i decided to check out the one in portland and it was so disappointing. the customer service is completely lackluster and employees are apathetic when it comes to helping you. i hate coming in here

I went in to find a last-​minute dress for an event. They didn’t have what I was looking for in stock (not their fault — nobody does, dammit), but Jackie (if I got her name right!) who works there was super helpful, calling around to other stores, and taking my number to follow up and then left me a message with the results of her search. I’ve been in retail, so I appreciate how arduous the work is. To offer to go the extra mile is super wonderful and I really appreciated it. I’ll check another location tonight to see if I have better luck!

had a customer service issue regarding a gift card– the manager, Cindi and Nicole stepped up and took care of the problem within minutes I was on my way… good customer service in the store! The managers really take their time with their customers– for now on I rather travel to the Torrid store than order online–
About the clothes: there’s no better plus store than Torrid! Lane Bryant and Catherines clothes look like rags compared to Torrid’s clothes, they are youthful, sexy, trendy. I love them…
the parking is good and free if you enter between Ulta and Marshall’s on the 2^nd floor, your 5 stores away from that entrance–

Only one sales person and one cashier on a busy Saturday afternoon. Understaffed much?

I love food and clothes. Sometimes, loving food makes it hard for clothes to love me back. I can always find something that loves my body at Torrid.
So, Torrid ranges from sizes 12 – 26. The sizes are pretty standard, but they carry a wide enough range of styles that all body shapes can find something complimentary. I have a giant chest, but I almost always leave with a DRESS that fits like a glove.
Also? Awesome accessories. Great shoes. Sign up for the Diva Card. It is free, and you can be notified when the Half Off Clearance weekends are coming up. I am a cheapskate.
Torrid is a little pricey, but their clothes are typically high quality. I have been buying their dresses for 6 years, and they still look brand new.
I love dresses.
Also — they do have a nice selection of plus size shoes, including boots. The boots are BIG, though. Most regular boots run for a 13 inch calf. Torrid runs for a 20 inch calf in most cases. This is nice if you have massive calves AND want to stuff your jeans into your knee highs. Sadly, my calves are only 14 inches. Oh well.
The bras suck. Go to Lane Bryant for bras. Better selection and quality, and better size range.

So, way back in the day, us fat girls were promised a Hot Topic of our own. Apparently, Hot Topic could not just GROW SOME OVARIES and take on REAL plus sizes; Gap and it’s subsidiaries (or however that works) had to fork out the big ones just to keep us fat girls contained.
Okay. We get our own Hot Topic. Sure sure… say what you will about HT and it’s poser reinforcement of genres A-​Z, if you’re a fat teen, ready to get rowdy with your peers– would you prefer being able to shop at HT, or Lane Bryant?
So did the Gap deliver us a Hot Topic of our own? No. Apparently, it’s impossible to take the clothes at HT and just make them that much bigger! Where we were promised punk/​goth/​industrial/​cyber/​whatever, we were given (at the beginning), corsets made of tapestry material, a la the Sound of Music! Instead of vinyl pants and freaking boning, we were given Dickies and freaking Chiffon Smocked Peasant Tops!
— – Disappointed!! — –
Now, years have passed– and while Torrid has come a long way, it’s decidedly never going to be as edgy as it’s poser sibling, HT. Torrid won’t return my emails, and all has settled like so much dust.
So why do I, so full of wrathy angst, still shop at Torrid? Why do I still give it three stars and call it A-​Ok? Because they do have some cute clothes now (however mostly edge-​less), and the alternative is still Lane Bryant, and let’s be honest– dressing your age isn’t easy when you’re a happy fat girl like me!
As for the Lloyd Center location– the store is set up nicely, and the people have always been playful and attentive. So there’s that. ;)

My top 3 most hated things in life are carrots, sour cream, and shopping for ladies clothing on my own. I’m pretty confident in my masculinity, but shopping for a gift for my GF at a ladies clothing store is a REALLY good way to make me go from 0 to uncomfortable in blink of an eye.
Dude’s clothing is so easy to buy. You’re fat… you were a 50 inch waist. You’re tall… you wear a 34 inch leg. Simple, right? You ladies… Not so much.
So now its time to go Christmas shopping. Got my wallet? Check. Know what size to get? Check… Well, I thought I knew what size I needed. Torrid had crazy sizes. I was instantly lost. To top it all off, I couldn’t find what I saw my GF looking at a few weeks ago. Then one of the ladies there threw me a life saver. She helped me with the size conversion, and helped me find the garment on their web store. It was cheaper online with shipping then it was in the store. SWEET! Christmas was saved!
Maybe next time I wont get the cold sweats immediately when I walk in the door.

Lloyd Center Torrid is one of the best of the Torrids! They are always friendly… help you zip stuff and just generally… super cool…
Get to know your local Torrid employees for the best possible shopping experience and inside tips on whats new and coming!