🧵 I haven't had a lot of luck asking questions like this on Fedi before, but I haven't had enough time to do hours of research in web searches and watching YouTube videos as usual so here goes:

[meganl@mas.to]

(Forgot to mention - going to València and Bilbao)

But in case I'm still too large to find clothes that work for me, I was wondering how common tailors are that can duplicate clothing? In the US, it's not dirt cheap, but one could go to a tailor at a dry cleaners and some of them would be willing to duplicate a worn, but favorite pair of pants. Is that a service you think I could find affordably in Spain?

[meganl@mas.to]

I miss some of the "hippie" stuff I could get in the US like scentfree stick deodorant without aluminum, Dr. Bronner's soap... are there stores in these cities that would carry items like this?

Are there any stores to buy balcony solar or small panels/power packs for recharging electronics? Which stores in these cities are best for Mac/iOS items, including used laptops?

[meganl@mas.to]

Because I have no university or institutional support paying my way to this conference, I'm doing the travel on a tight budget. I'm staying at places that have kitchens (but no cooking things...I'd have to pick up cheap pots if I wanted to cook). I still want to support local businesses, but I can't be splashing out on meals at touristy restaurants.

Do folks have recommendations for the best places to dine outdoors or to pick up things at a local market?

[aarbrk@mstdn.mx]

@meganL It's possible. I didn't have any bespoke clothing made in Spain but I did have a backpack made to order and got several clothing and shoe repairs done for 5 or 10 euros. All the old mens' tailors (sastres) had been closing down, but there were still several small sewing shops (costureras) open. Wrong side of the country for your needs, but maybe these trends were national.

[jenni@appdot.net]

@meganL tailors might be an option - especially if run by turkish families (most of the ones in germany are now). something you might also want to check out are the weekly markets that are in most towns in spain. those usually have A LOT of clothes in all sizes and styles. My aunt (very short but plus sized) always comes back with way too many clothes from her trips.

[meganl@mas.to]

@jenni My fear is that my height plus my girth is going to be too tall (haha) an order. I think I'd have better luck in the Netherlands on sizes...

Thanks for the tips.

[jenni@appdot.net]

@meganL I totally get you on the height thing - i am only slightly shorter (178 or so). The thing is: Spain is a major producer of textiles for the whole european continent and the market place merchants are very much we have everything type places - and they also often cater to tourists so it might be worth at least checking them out. Same for a lot of the off-brand stores that might be around.

[meganl@mas.to]

@jenni Thank you. I look forward to it.

[tanquist@masto.ai]

@meganL
There are people on Etsy who can sew something for you. I've also seen lots of used clothing there.

[arpia49@mas.to]

@meganL I would suggest presenting the case in Spanish so Spanish people can get easily involved. Roughly automated translation I think would be enough. I've seen some people on the fediverse that sell hand made clothes in Spain.

[natharell@gamepad.club]

@meganL Spaniard here. I read about plus-size shops in Bilbao in a newspaper some time ago and I got few names, in case I ever go. I never went, and I don't even know if they're still open, but here they go, hope it helps?

Polita XL: https://www.facebook.com/Politaxl/

Orchid Curvy: https://www.facebook.com/orchidcurvy/

Sin límite: https://www.facebook.com/sinlimitemoda/

(FB sites because Spain is different and all that )