So it's that time of year again

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:58:04 > A quick thought

So it’s that time of the year again…

…and why can’t we buy enough occasion wear?

We're nearing Christmas again – this year the build-up is more muted. The shops are more cautious with their décor as well as their Christmas stock. I do not know whether it is due to short ordering or something else but looking around the stores I am finding that in London, quality fashion in larger sizes is even scarcer than ever.

I know, I’ve already gone on enough about today’s department stores which have all but turned their back on sizes over a 14 – but I am astounded that their buying departments are actually getting away with it. Sizes from a 14 upwards are hard to find after the first month or so of each new season – this is so evident when looking around for party outfits in larger sizes at this time of year – frustration sets in very quickly.

The highstreet supplies us with fairly throwaway party outfits – fun stuff for going out with casual work colleagues and girlfriends and that is fine - but if you want something more stylish or formal the task is getting really difficult.

Again us girls have to rely on the online companies who are tried and tested to provide us with something to glam up with – unfortunately this is not the ideal way to choose something special. The chance to choose, fit and accessorise is being denied and that is such a shame – it is a pleasure for any woman to be able to choose a dress, have it fitted to her figure and then have fun accessorising it, this all adds to the build up of the party season. Of course there are specialist retailers whose renown is passed around from word of mouth – but they are all too few of them.

I work as a personal shopper for women of many differing sizes and I have fun with them choosing things and matching up their outfits to ensure they are full of confidence for whatever special occasion it may be – unfortunately when they are over a certain size as some are, the highstreet is determined to make what should be a pleasurable task into something exasperating. I have contact with many in-store personal shoppers and they admit having to turn down potential clients who are larger in size – I have always thought this very defeatist in the past but now I can understand it – if they do not have the stock there is nothing to sell and that goes back to the buyers.

I have just been to the spring preview of Hobbs – it is lovely and feminine with collections that include smart casual, workwear, coordinated separates and occasion wear but it leaves me feeling why is it so difficult for someone to have the foresight to do this for plus-size women? Hobbs has sussed their market well. They have had huge success in increasing their size range to 18 and now divide their collections into differing sub-markets with NW3, Limited and Heritage spanning the age groups that shop with them and still keeping a careful eye on their price points which although take you one step further from the highstreet are not prohibitive. Still in 2009 no-one has come up with the same format for sizes 14 upwards – given the finance I would do it in a flash!!

Having had my moan for the season there are a still nice things to choose from. The casual party outfit should involve tons of sequins and sparkle worn together with leggings, jeans, chunky gladiator heels or diminutive ballet flats – very eighties!
Flirty little dresses worn with opaque tights and high heels or as tunics over slim-fit trousers or soft wide palazzo pants take you a step further. If you need something formal go to the specialist sites like Curvety, or Big, beautiful and Gorgeous – they will look after you because they know what kind of fit is needed as well as giving you advice. Simple well-cut styles whether long or short that can be easily accessorised. There are some great shoes in larger sizes if you have the patience to look - whether you need something fun and chunky or classically gorgeous – still look for lots of sequins and embellishments. Another thing to remember is to give yourself time if things need to be delivered so that you do not miss out. Go absolutely mad with jewellery – the glitzier the better and treat yourself to a great clutch bag.

Go make an entrance!!

UGH