About 4 months ago, Torrid came to Kelowna and you can find them at Orchard Park Mall near the food court, across from Bath & Body Works! The mall is made to be accessible for people with a variety of mobility needs and for further details please read my post about Extreme Pita, located in the same mall.
Before Torrid arrived in Kelowna, I had previously shopped at Torrid while on vacation in Las Vegas in 2016 and through their online store. Unfortunately, the Canadian dollar is not particularly strong against the US dollar right now and ordering online means incurring the additional cost of shipping and duty, not to mention the hassles that come with returning clothes if they don’t fit you properly. So, I am thrilled to have a local store!
I LOVE Torrid because they seem to understand that fat women* want to have choices about styles, fabrics, patterns (or solids), and that carrying a variety of cuts means that fat women of all shapes can find something that fits them in a flattering and comfortable way (that’s right, I just used flattering AND comfortable to describe the same clothing)!
*I want to add two things here. Some people may choose to use a different word or words to describe their size or their body and it is certainly the right of all people to self-identify. I mean no offense when I use the word “fat” but, rather, I don’t feel the need to attach any negative connotations to it, either. It’s simply a descriptor like when I say that I have curly hair. Also, when it comes to using the term “woman/women” in regards to the clothing sold at Torrid, that is how they describe their clothing on their website and their clothes tend to be cut in ways that make room for large breasts, round hips, etc. That said, no matter what your sex or your gender identity, if you want to shop at Torrid then I hope you have so much fun doing just that and that you rock your new clothes!
This post isn’t about the clothes, specifically, though I will tell you that all of the clothes I have purchased from Torrid over the years have lasted extremely well. To this day they are my favourite pieces in my wardrobe and I own a lot of clothes. The colours remain vibrant, the materials have held up, and nothing has shrunk or stretched out (note: I throw everything in the washer and dryer–I don’t buy clothes that require special treatment).
What I want to say about Torrid is that their change rooms make me so happy! They are magical, idyllic bubbles where, upon entry, I feel as though the world is adequately adapted to my size and needs.
I need to apologize for whatever I managed to muck up while taking the above picture. I assure you, the walls are not curved like you’ve just stumbled into the Mad Hatter’s tea party or a trippy fun house.
But do you see that? It’s a lovely, wide, sturdy, cushioned place to sit and there is one in every change room. Despite my warped picture that is not doing justice to the space, I assure you that the changing rooms are wider than most. There is no feeling of confinement or being cramped. There is, instead, the feeling that this space was made with you in mind and that your patronage is appreciated.
Now look up, way up! Every room has its own fan blowing deliciously cool air. One of the things I hate about trying on clothes is that I’m often left feeling hot and sweaty, especially when I’m having upper body mobility problems, which is frequent enough for me. It makes me physically uncomfortable and also a little embarrassed to emerge from the change rooms looking like a literal hot mess.
In addition to those lovely touches there is a big comfy couch in the change room hallway where friends can sit while they are waiting, or where you can just take a little break if you need to sit down. There is also a bench seat in the main part of the store that can be used while trying on shoes or waiting for others who are shopping. I take notice when stores offer a place to sit since I sometimes find myself in need of exactly that with little warning.
Additionally, I always find the staff to be friendly, helpful (providing information about sales, offering to bring different sizes to the changing rooms, etc.), and often modelling Torrid’s clothing on their own bodies. That said, they don’t hover and they’re not pushy, and I appreciate being allowed the time and space to do things at my own pace.
Having said that, I need to say one more thing before I wrap up this post. I am a white woman and I recognize that being so affords me the privilege of rarely being followed, watched, or hovered over in stores by the staff or security (Torrid does not have its own dedicated security people but the mall itself does). I can’t say with 100% certainty that others wouldn’t be watched, simply because I can only share my own experience with you. I would like to think that the women I’ve encountered working in the store wouldn’t profile by race, age, or anything else, but I realize that the world is not an ideal place. I hope we get there.
Peace, love, and happy clothes wearing to you all! <3