Shopping options in Canada (women's plus clothing)

[Tad]

Not so many years ago, most places in Canada had:
- Cotton-Ginny-Plus in malls, selling casual clothes,
- Addition-Elle in the malls, selling somewhat trendy clothes,
- Pennington's in strip malls selling generally more generic plus-sized clothes
- Several stores that had plus-sizes sections, including Rietmans.

In the last few years the Cotton-Ginny chain has disapeared and Addition-Elle was bought bought by Dylex (the parent company of Pennington's and Rietman's), mosstly moved from malls to strip/box malls, and IMO lost some of of its more stylish edge.

In other words, the vast majority of plus-sizes clothing options for women seem to be controlled by Dylex.....and that is not a good thing. As a chain they seem to hope that women will have little individual style and will buy cheap-ish versions of whatever was predicted to be in style six months ago. The offerings at Addition-Elle and Pennington's are getting harder and harder to tell apart, too.

My wife is getting driven crazy, because the lack of options means that if what Dylex forsaw this year's trend being isn't something that she likes, she may be out of luck. Now, for tops she can still get t-shirts and the like from places like Mark's Work Wearhouse or some other stores, but for bottoms not so much, and of course lots of other women need a plus-sizes solution.

One option is obviously the web, but if your body has a quirky fit, it really sucks not to be able to try things on.

So I'm hoping to get a bit of a list of plus size stores in Canada, be it chains or local independents. After all, people do travel, but often won't even know to go look for a particular independent.

So....anyone got suggestions?

[Victoria08]

Originally Posted by Tad

Not so many years ago, most places in Canada had:
- Cotton-Ginny-Plus in malls, selling casual clothes,
- Addition-Elle in the malls, selling somewhat trendy clothes,
- Pennington's in strip malls selling generally more generic plus-sized clothes
- Several stores that had plus-sizes sections, including Rietmans.

In the last few years the Cotton-Ginny chain has disapeared and Addition-Elle was bought bought by Dylex (the parent company of Pennington's and Rietman's), mosstly moved from malls to strip/box malls, and IMO lost some of of its more stylish edge.

In other words, the vast majority of plus-sizes clothing options for women seem to be controlled by Dylex.....and that is not a good thing. As a chain they seem to hope that women will have little individual style and will buy cheap-ish versions of whatever was predicted to be in style six months ago. The offerings at Addition-Elle and Pennington's are getting harder and harder to tell apart, too.

My wife is getting driven crazy, because the lack of options means that if what Dylex forsaw this year's trend being isn't something that she likes, she may be out of luck. Now, for tops she can still get t-shirts and the like from places like Mark's Work Wearhouse or some other stores, but for bottoms not so much, and of course lots of other women need a plus-sizes solution.

One option is obviously the web, but if your body has a quirky fit, it really sucks not to be able to try things on.

So I'm hoping to get a bit of a list of plus size stores in Canada, be it chains or local independents. After all, people do travel, but often won't even know to go look for a particular independent.

So....anyone got suggestions?

Reitmans Ltd stilll owns Addition-Elle, Penningtons, and 3 other stores (Thyme maternity, RW&Co, and Smart Set).
Addition-Elle has always been geared towards a younger group compared to Penningtons. In recent years, this has changed. Now both stores are aiming for a younger audience, however only A/E carries the brand MXM - which is specifically for under 30's and is highly fashion focused. That's probably why you see the clothes in each store becoming similar in their styles. In Canada, the only stores I have shopped at are Addition-Elle, Penningtons, Reitmans, and Ricki's (they go to size 18). Besides those stores, I usually make a trip down to the USA once or twice a year and dabble in online shopping.
Beyond the stores that you already know about, I really don't know of any others in Canada - or in just my location anyway. Maybe Alia and TanJay? I believe they have a plus section, but I haven't been in there myself. The Bay has a decent plus section also.

[CarlaSixx]

I've only ever shopped WalMart, Addition-Elle, and Penningtons in person. WalMart is starting to get decent clothing for plus sizes and their jeans now run up to size 28 and are true to size compared to Penningtons.

Unfortunately I don't know what else there is in Canada to shop at as those are the only two big things in my city.

There is a small boutique in my city of plus size designer clothes brought in from the States. It's locally owned and operated. Amazing lady, very friendly, and fantastic prices. The quality and looks surpass Penningtons and the prices are generally lower for her items, too.
But no one comes to my city so they all miss out on the awesome clothing

[booyahmanx]

I'm fairly certain from all the times I've gone shopping with my wife that Pennington's carries the MXM line too now.. there's not a lot that differentiates Additionelle and Penningtons anymore

[CarlaSixx]

From what I know of my Penningtons, MXM is no longer in the store... been that way for almost a year. It could be just this one, but I don't think so. They got rid of MXM in Penningtons when they came in and relabelled all their fits. Now there's Savvy, Straight, Slightly Curvy, and Curvy. And the fits of shirts are basic, too. Fitted, Shaped, Relaxed, Comfort.

It used to be that Penningtons used things like "Kate" fit and "Boston" fit for the shirts and pants. Now it's gone back to basic. Right when MXM disappeared.


Also, the name of the plus size designer for cheap boutique in my city is Glam Gals Plus. They do have a website and a Facebook account, but there's nothing really on the website. The owner does update the Facebook account almost daily, though.

[~nai'a~]

Carla....
I saw the store on FB... They seem to have great clothing. I'm in Gatineau and would have made the drive to Cronwall but they seem to have 1x to 3x sizes only...?

[Tad]

Thanks for the feed-back, folks. So far no easy new destinations, but Cornwall is not out of the question. I know there are, or at least were, some boutiques in Toronto, but any of the ones I ever poked my head into were more fancy dress than everyday.

Originally Posted by happette

In my opinion you are not right. Let's discuss. Write to me in PM.

Ummm, who is not right about what?

[booyahmanx]

Way outdated reply, but if you're downtown TO, have you tried the GIANT addition-elle by the Eaton Center? Walking buy it the damn store looks huge.

[canadianbbw4u]

Sure with Cotton Ginny wouldn't have closed Their t shirts were super long and comfy. I really liked shopping there, it was the only store that my size was XL lol
Penningtons is OK. I usually hit up the biggest store in which ever city I am in as they have a better selection. They are getting more trendy clothing that is for sure. I went shopping after Christmas (which I do every year!) and got a really nice jacket for 50% off. I love their boxing week sales.
I do find the odd thing at Walmart but not much.
When I was in Vegas I shopped at Fashion Bug.. WOW, cheap clothing!! I was just on their site and they now ship to Canada

[CarlaSixx]

Originally Posted by ~nai'a~

Carla....
I saw the store on FB... They seem to have great clothing. I'm in Gatineau and would have made the drive to Cronwall but they seem to have 1x to 3x sizes only...?

They do carry up to US size 6x in select styles. Normally the basic casual wear stuff. I'm typically a 4x/5x and all the clothes I've gotten from Glam Gals Plus is tagged at 3x. So it's all about trying the clothes on.

We also now have a Maurices' in our big shopping mall. I frikkin LOVE that place. The pants only run to size 24, but the clothing itself goes to size 28/4x. I actually fit in a lot of the size 24 stuff and I normally buy size 28. So there's something good