I'm really hating the crappy quality I'm finding at the stores that do carry larger sizes (H&M isn't too bad, C&A is hit-or-miss), I remember my old RL jeans were fantastic though.
I know that Ralph Lauren and a few other designers carry "plus size" apparel in the US, do any of ya'll who shop those brands here know whether they're available at all here?
Here are a couple to start with.
http://www.big-fashion-boutique.ch/
No experience with either, so can't give an opinion I'm afraid, but they look like they may have some nice stuff, although I doubt they will be inexpensive.
Good luck.
The one thing that I've been underwhelmed with here is the clothing choice. I just don't like the stuff, it's too expensive for the quality. For larger sizes, if you're above a 16 (US), I think it becomes a serious hunting expedition.
My guess is that your best bet is to get it in the US. Sometimes even paying for shipping and tax, it's less expensive. I end up buying stuff on ebay, and once a year, usually a big pile of stuff from Land's end... surely not designer, but I like some of their jeans. My favorite stuff is Eileen Fisher, and for that I do ebay or shop when I'm in the US.
Having said that, I have seen Marina Rinaldi and Elena Miro in a store called Stadler in Bern. Awfully expensive, and not a good selection. There was some stuff in the Loeb (another local department store), but it reminded me of dress barn stuff, if you know what I mean.
Lots of weird little boutiques in Bern and that's hit or miss. I found some great stuff by Eva Tralala in a small boutique in Bern - a French designer and it's relatively inexpensive and a little funky. Probably fits sizes 6 to 18.
I've never seen Ralph Lauren, though.
There is supposed to be a guy who does designer stuff for larger sizes in Zuerich, but I forget where he is... there was an article in the NZZ a while ago.
And while it's true that many swiss women are slim, I've seen enough women in the 16 and beyond range to justify an improved selection for those sizes.
Now shoes are a different matter... lots of shoes accommodate a D rather than a B width, which is great if you have wide feet.
Oh, I remembered something - there's also Heidi's mode, somewhere in St. Gallen...
Flights to London are so cheap, that I've just done my shopping there for the past five-ish years. Can't remember when I last bought clothes in Switzerland - for anything over a size 14-16 (US), they are made for women well over 50 style wise, except H&M and their selection is incredibly hit or miss.
Yes, I've noticed the clothing selection is not too good. It seems the stores don't want to stock anything over a size 12!
If you are not too fussy about used or hardly worn clothes, e-bay is an excellent opportunity to get some great designer clothes on the cheap. You can even get some "bought but never worn stuff". Even with the high cost of tailoring here, you will probably come out well ahead if you don't mind buying on the web!
The "funny" part about it is that I JUST bought clothes when I was in the US for Thanksgiving. Now home and not having indulged in the customary American feeding-frenzy over Christmas, my brand new jeans are about a size too large and my new warm shirts are looser than I'd like as well. I *think* it has to do with cut more than my actual size and the jeans are comfy... just not terribly flattering.
Thank you all for the links provided, the first ones don't seem to show or even tell any detail about fabrics and whatnot - I tend to be a touch-shopper but have gotten general understanding of fabric descriptions shopping online so I can imagine how they may feel. Online shopping then is ok - as long as I have an idea what it's made from.
Maybe I can get together with a few of the other gals for a weekend shopping trip to London sometime in the spring (if it is cheap enough).
Designer label isn't something I care about (I love my Lane Bryant jeans and they're hardly "designer".. and same goes for my Land's End stuffs), I'm more concerned that the stuff I HAVE found in my size here won't hold up. As an example, I bought some bras over the summer time from Bon Prix and the underwire on one of them has already snapped! I don't need stuff to last forever... more than 4 or 5 months though is greatly desired!
BTW, I buy stuff from ebay new with tags, and it's still a good deal. At least 50% off list regularly, and there are a lot of sellers who will ship to Switzerland.
Ralph Lauren is really easy and cheap to buy via eBay US ... I have some models that fit me (there is usually a number printed in the tag inside, which identifies the model), which I buy frequently. Rarely had a negative experience up to now (only once I got a clear fake ...)
I do not even have a real plus size, but I am much taller than the normal Swiss, which makes it difficult already to get trousers here in Zürich.
By the way: Bogner in Zurich has a range of bigger sizes.
i dont know how trendy this stuff is (i know *squat* about fashion) but there is this shop in Spreitenbach, so its probably in Basel.
then there is always germany - they seem to have a wider variety there, both of shops and of people shapes.
Maybe if you wash your jeans in hot water cycle, they will shrink a size? Mine always come a size smaller out of the washer and eventually losen up during wearing. I wash my jeans hot, don't like manky jeans.
As for shirts - you can take them in, the side seams so they are more tailored. I made shirts smaller this way by one or two sizes. You do not have to undo the seams, just sew cca 1cm away from the original side seam and even the sleeves if you need to (I wouldn't bother with the shoulder seam). Then hem it and trim. This works, if they are made of jersey..Non stretchy shirts can be made more fitted with inserting belly and back tailoring seams.
Sorry, this is just a thought. I'm clueless in terms of stores. We have had really good ebay US clothes shopping experiences.
I just came from a trip to the Netherlands where I almost bought the whole Miss Etam/Promiss store. There is an Outlet in katwijk right where my in laws live and we assaulted the store (me and my sis), they have clothes from size 34-60 (European) and I like the quality and the design of their clothes. I have some sweaters that I got more than 4 years ago and still look great.
ANyways Peg, there is a store in the street where the cinemas are in Basel where they have sweaters that would be great for you (have not tried the jeans or trousers) I think the name was Anouk ???
I hadn't thought of getting them tailored, so stuck on that "off the rack" mentality I guess.
The new jeans are Land's End so probably would last me a bit, maybe I'll take them to see if I can have them altered. The shirts are intended to be part of a layered thing so I think I'll not bother with them (for now), if I decide I can't stand it for wearing them, they are really lovely soft cotton and will make good sleep shirts.
I'll have a peek over that way next time I'm downtown Angela, thanks!