Catherine’s

I will just be honest.
Sigh.
I have a big butt and I cannot lie.
Just call me a fat bottomed girl. Go ahead.
I have been skinny and I have been plus sized and my uncooperative butt is always big. Its the genes.
Anyway. I need the big girl underwear. And I HATE granny panties.
My favorite source of panties from a big girl catalogue stopped making them.
And Avenue closed their doors. My former second choice.
So I gathered up my annoyance and my hard earned cash and went in here.
The one lady working accosted me to tell me about their sales. I typically dont shop here. I did buy jeans here once. And I get my moms petite 1x soft loose pants here.
I headed straight to the panties in the back. I wanted cute black and or print 100% cotton hi cut panties. Not briefs. With seams. Not lycra. Everyday panties. Apparently these are harder to come by. The sign read 3/​$ 27.
I got 6. Not knowing if I would like them.
The price tags are tucked in little cardboard tags inside the panty. I trusted the sign. $ 9 each. Right?
At the register there was some rigamarole about my «perks card» being expired.
Do you want to renew she asked?
Yes I said.
Then I look at the total. $ 80+.
Huh?
Well some of them were $ 14.50 and some were $ 18.50.
Grrrr.
And theres some kind of 5% discount for renewing my perks card.
Whatever. Paid. Went out to car and looked at receipt.
Theres a $ 25 fee for renewing my perks card!
Now apparently I have $ 25 off my next $ 50 purchase and some other discounts coming up.
All I know is those are some damn expensive panties.
Sometimes I would like to be a boy. I know those damn tighty whities dont cost any $ 18.50 each.
Sheesh.

The sales staff here is usually great — very helpful and friendly, and always willing to call around to other stores if needed. The store is always clean and organized.
Now, about the buyers… The buyers apparently think that large women only want to wear frilly clothes, or clothing adorned with flowers, embroidery, etc. And, whatever happened to long pants??? Not everyone loves capris.
I used to be able to shop here regularly, but the selection has, in my opinion, really gone downhill. My last three trips, I’ve walked away empty handed. I’ve just been looking for normal things — a plain long sleeve crew neck tshirt or even mock turtleneck; sports bra; plain dress top to wear under a suit jacket; plain workout tshirt;hiking pants (long, not capris). I struck out on everything.
If you are someone who appreciates the more colorful and flowery styles, then this will be a good store for you. They have a large selection, that is always changing.
If you are looking for the basics, shop elsewhere.

Okay so I am a big girl. There I said it. While I am working hard at being healthy — until I get there, and Omar isn’t always around I need a clothing store I can depend upon that’s not going to make me look 20 years older than I am.
This place is great for fat chicks like me. From their lingerie to their active wear the fashion is great, the staff is amazing, and I just love them.
When I am height and weight appropriate I am going to miss the ladies, but not my fat.
But really it’s a great place to go if you are larger than a size 18.

What the heck is happening to all my favorite stores? They seem to be closing faster than I can count? First it was Borders, and now Catherine’s is closing their Woodburn store! Why!!! I love that place! The deals are great, the fashion is great, and the staff that I have dealt with out there is wonderful! The last time I went to Catherine’s in Beaverton, I got attitude and lousy service. Who can I talk to and convince them to keep the Woodburn store?