Imagine This Boutique: Where to Shop Plus Size Fashion in South Carolina
What Imagine This Boutique Offers
Imagine This Boutique is a plus-size fashion retailer located in South Carolina that carries clothing, accessories, and shoes designed for larger body sizes. The store stocks contemporary styles in sizes that go beyond what mainstream retailers typically offer, with an emphasis on pieces that fit well through the torso, hips, and thighs rather than simply scaling up standard cuts.
The boutique carries both everyday wear and occasion pieces—jeans, tops, dresses, outerwear, and accessories from brands that specialize in extended sizing. Staff can help you find items that work for your body shape and personal style, which matters more in a boutique setting than in a big-box store where fitting room lines are long and staff are stretched thin.
Key Takeaways
- Imagine This Boutique stocks plus-size clothing and accessories from brands that design specifically for larger sizes, not scaled-up versions of standard cuts.
- The boutique model means smaller inventory than a department store, but staff who know the stock and can help you find pieces that fit your body.
- You can shop in person to try items on and get styling advice, or contact the store about specific items or sizes you are looking for.
- Boutiques often carry brands you will not find in chain stores, which can mean more distinctive pieces and less chance of wearing the same outfit as someone else.
Shopping in Person vs. Calling Ahead
If you live near the boutique, shopping in person lets you see the full range of what is in stock and try things on without shipping delays. You can also ask staff which brands fit true to size, which run small or large, and which styles work best for different body types—information that saves time and money on returns.
If you are not local or prefer to shop from home, call the store to ask whether they have a specific item, size, or style in stock. Many boutiques will hold pieces for you or discuss sizing and fit over the phone before you make a trip or place an order. Getting their phone number and hours from their website or social media is the fastest way to connect.
What to Expect from Plus-Size Boutique Pricing
Boutique clothing typically costs more per item than chain stores, but the trade-off is better fit, higher-quality construction, and styles you cannot find elsewhere. A well-made pair of jeans or a dress that fits properly from the start often lasts longer and requires fewer alterations, which can balance out the higher upfront cost.
Many boutiques offer sales during seasonal changes or holiday periods, and some have loyalty programs or email lists that notify regular customers about discounts. Asking staff whether they have a mailing list or rewards program is worth doing if you plan to shop there more than once.
Finding Brands That Work for Your Body
Plus-size fashion brands design differently from mainstream brands—they typically grade patterns to account for how bodies actually change across sizes, rather than simply enlarging a size 8 pattern. This means a dress or pair of pants from a plus-size brand often fits better in the shoulders, waist, and length than the same style scaled up from a standard line.
Boutique staff can tell you which brands in their store fit which body types—whether you carry weight in your midsection, hips, bust, or all over, and whether you are tall, petite, or average height. This kind of personalized information is hard to get online and is one of the main reasons people shop at boutiques instead of ordering everything from home.
Alterations and Returns
Many boutiques have relationships with local tailors and can recommend someone who does good work on plus-size pieces. Hemming, taking in seams, or adjusting straps is often worth the cost if the fit is otherwise perfect and the fabric is high quality.
Ask about the store's return and exchange policy before you buy—some boutiques allow returns within a certain window if tags are attached and items are unworn, while others have stricter policies. Knowing this upfront prevents frustration if something does not work out.
Supporting Local Plus-Size Fashion
Shopping at a boutique means your money stays in South Carolina and supports a small business owner who has chosen to focus on serving plus-size customers. Boutique owners often have strong opinions about fit and quality and curate their inventory based on what actually works for their customers, not what a corporate buyer in another state decided to send them.
Boutiques also tend to be more flexible about special orders, custom sizing, or holding items for customers who are saving up. If you have a specific need—an outfit for a wedding, a professional wardrobe for a new job, or pieces for a particular season—talking to the owner or manager can sometimes lead to solutions a chain store cannot offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know my exact size before I go to Imagine This Boutique?
No. Bring a few pieces you own that fit well, and staff can measure you or compare fit to help you find your size in their brands. Sizes vary between manufacturers, so knowing your size in one brand does not always mean you wear the same size in another.
Can I order online from Imagine This Boutique?
Many boutiques have websites or social media pages where you can see what is in stock and place orders for shipping. Call or check their website to find out whether they offer online ordering and what their shipping costs and return policies are.
What if I cannot find my size in a style I like?
Ask whether the store can special-order the item from the brand, or whether staff can suggest a similar style that is in stock. Boutiques sometimes have access to sizes or colors that are not on the sales floor, so it is worth asking before you leave.
Are boutique prices negotiable?
Prices are usually set, but boutiques often run sales and may offer discounts if you are a regular customer or buying multiple items. Asking about upcoming sales or loyalty programs is reasonable, but do not expect to haggle on individual pieces the way you might at a flea market.
What brands does Imagine This Boutique carry?
Inventory changes, so the best way to find out is to visit in person, call the store, or check their social media pages. This also tells you whether they currently have the specific size or style you are looking for.