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[soc.support.fat-acceptance,alt.support.big-folks] Clothing for big folks in the UK


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Archive-name: fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/uk
Posting-Frequency: monthly to *.answers,bi-weekly to
soc.support.fat-acceptance and alt.support.big-folks
Last-modified: January 31, 1999
Version: 2.4
URL: http://home.sol.no/~geirerni/Alexandra/faq_uk.htm
Copyright: (c) 1998 Alexandra Nielsen
Maintainer: Alexandra Nielsen <zandra@online.no>

See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Clothing for Big Folks: UK

This document contains information about clothing for fat people in
the UK. If you don't find what you're looking for here, try one of the
related FAQs (see question B1 for a complete list).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Changes from last version:
Added Sizedwell. Section A2, part 2.

The most up-to-date copy of the FAQ is kept in HTML format. The URL
is:
http://home.sol.no/~geirerni/Alexandra/faq_uk.htm
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents

SECTION A:  FAQ about clothing for big folks in the UK
A1) How do I know what size I am, and how do I convert between sizes?
A2) Where can I find clothing catalogues?
   Part 1) Clothing catalogues for women
   Part 2) Clothing catalogues for men
   Part 3) Unisex or miscellaneous clothing catalogues
A3) Where can I shop for clothes?
   Part 1) Retail clothing for women
   Part 2) Retail clothing for men
A4) Where can I find bridal wear?
A5) Where can I find underwear?
A6) Where can I find sewing/knitting patterns?
A7) Are there any web pages about UK clothing for big folks?
A8) Where can I find shoes for big feet?

SECTION B:  Information about this FAQ
B1)     Are there other related FAQs?
B2)     Posting information
B3)     Availability of the FAQ
B4)     Contributors

- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION A:  FAQ about clothing for big folks in the UK

A1) How do I know what size I am, and how do I convert between sizes?

Here are some conversions between general European, UK, and US sizes:

Women's dresses and suits
        UK size is 2 more than US
        European size is 30 more than US
        i.e., UK 28 = US 26 = Euro 56

Women's shoes
        UK sizes are 1.5 less than US
        i.e., UK 8 = US 9.5

Men's suits and coats
        UK sizes are the same as US
        European sizes are 10 more than US/UK
        i.e., UK 56 = US 56 = Euro 66

Men's shirts
        UK sizes are the same as US
        i.e., UK 20 = US 20

Men's socks
        UK sizes are the same as US
        i.e., UK 10.5 = US 10.5

Men's shoes
        UK sizes are 1 less than US
        i.e., UK 10.5 = US 11.5

For better guidelines, here are the measurements for women's sizes in
the UK. If your figures differ, please pass them on to the FAQ
maintainer.

Women's Sizes
Sizes   12   14   16   18   20   22   24   26   28   30

BUST    35"  37"  39"  41"  43"  45"  47"  49"  51"  53"
HIP     36"  38"  40"  42"  44"  46"  48"  50"  52"  54"

For bra sizes, measure yourself over a bra, and make the following two
measurements:
1) Measure around the body directly under the bust. If odd, add 5";
if even, add 4". This is your bra size.
2) Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
The difference between 2) and your bra size is your cup size.

           A    B    C    D    DD   E    F    FF   G
CUP SIZE   0"   1"   2"   3"   4"   5"   6"   7"   8"


- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A2) Where can I find clothing catalogues?

Also check the list of shops. Some of them do mail order.

    Part 1) Clothing catalogues for women

All Woman
        Unit 7,
        Clegge Street Workshops,
        Clegge Street,
        Warrington
        WA2 7AT
        tel. 01925 652938
            swimwear, leggings, bodies, aerobic wear etc.
            sizes 26-36+, also made-to-measure service available

Ambrose Wilson
        tel. 0800 262717
            sizes up to 26

Big
        Dept YES!
        12 The Shaw Barn
        Whitesmith
        Nr. Lewes
        East Sussex
        BN8 6JD
        tel. 01825 873111
            sizes 16-38; please send A4 SAE for catalogue

The Big Idea
        Doreen Knight,
        19 School Rd,
        Durrington,
        Salisbury,
        Wiltshire
        SP4 8HJ
        tel. 01980 652773
            size 16+ knitwear by mail order
            size 28+ a speciality
            write or phone for a brochure

Candid
        53 Dale Street
        Manchester
        M60 6ES
        Orders:    0161 236 9911
        Enquiries: 0161 236 5511
            Open 7 days a week, from 8am to 9pm UK local time.
            Casual, work, evening/party outfits.  Also lingerie.
            Small catalogue, but great styles,  up to 26

Classic Combination
        tel. Freephone 456 654
            sizes mostly up to 26

Delia Marketing Ltd
        24 Craven Park Rd,
        London
        NW10 4AB
        tel. 0181 965 8707
            underwear up to large sizes
            ring for a free catalogue

Elegance
        tel. 0115 9678 123
            swimwear and coverups up to size 24

Fashion Extra

Fashion World Ltd.     and also JD Williams at this address/phone
        53 Dale St.
        Manchester
        M60 6ES
        orders:  0161 236 9911
        queries: 0161 236 5511
        Lines are open 8am to 9pm 7 days a week.
            Fashion World Ltd sell reasonably priced interesting
clothes
            sizes 10-30, and JD Williams sell practical and stylish
            clothes, plus useful products for older or disabled people

Fine Figures
        8 Nazeing Glassworks Estate,
        Broxbourne
        Hertfordshire
        tel. 01992 442974
            sizes 16-36; dresses, separates, lingerie, rainwear,
            bridalwear; send SAE for full details

Joyce Mustow
        1 Low Seaton,
        Workington,
        Cumbria
        CA14 1PP
        tel. 01900 604759
            pure wool casual knitwear, machine knitted
            to order, sizes 16-32 prices from 15 pounds

Leah Extremes
        Leah House
        55A Chadwick Road
        Peckham
        London
        SE15 4RA
        tel. 0171 639 1653
            day wear, easy care fabrics, affordable,
            any size catered for, phone for brochure

Long Tall Sally
        Mail Order Dept.,
        Unit B,
        Pioneers Industrial Park
        Beddington Farm Park,
        Croydon CR0 4XB
        tel. 0181 689 9000
            clothes for the taller woman, size 12-20

(also see Part 3 for specialist catalogues, and those catering to
both sexes)


    Part 2) Clothing catalogues for men

Atlas Kingsize
        197-199 Cricklewood Broadway
        London
        NW2 3HS
        Tel: 0181 450 6556
          or 0181 452 0541
        Fax: 0181 450 9292

George Deakin & Sons
        Fore Street
        Redruth
        Cornwall
        01209 2162222

Georges
        http://www.georges.u-net.com
                
We are an established menswear shop in Chester, UK and have catered
solely for big men for the past 12 years. Our size ranges run up to
about 62" chest (larger in some items) and 68" waist and up to 23"
collar in shirts. We also stock a range of kingsize shoes, boots, and
socks. Some mail order is possible.

Greenwoods
        Greenwoods (Menswear) Ltd.
        White Cross
        Guiseley 
        Leeds
        West Yorkshire
        LS20 8ND

        Help desk tel: 01943 876100
        Website: http://www.greenwoodmenswear.ltd.uk
        Email: sales@greenwoodsmenswear.aol.com 


        Greenwoods have a new Mansize range which caters for gentlemen
up to 20" collar, and 54" chest and waist, unfortunately we no longer
do a catalogue so we are always looking for new ways to target our
mansize customer and we believe that the Big folks web site is a great
way to get information about ourselves to the very people we are
trying to reach.

High and Mighty
        Head Office, The Old School House, High Street, Hungerford
        Berkshire, RG17 0NF, UK.
        Tel:    01488 684666
        Fax:    01488 684912
        Orders: Freephone 0800 521542
        Also a chain.

Osbornes
        Fore Street
        Beer
        Devon
        01297 24028


    Part 3) Unisex or miscellaneous clothing catalogues

Cocoon
        Macdonald Originals,
        Trade Centre
        Lomond Industrial Estate
        Alexandria,
        Strathclyde
        G83 0TL
        tel. 01389 55511
            manufacturer with factory shop, also mail order
            any size, any length made to order

Flamedragon
        Minns Farm,
        Ranworth Road,
        Blofield Heath,
        Norwich,
        Norfolk NR13 4PW
        tel. 01603 714378
        Web site: http://www.ncsl.co.uk/flame.html
            please send 50p in stamps for a catalogue
            attractive belts in larger sizes

        
Sizedwell 
        Sizedwell Clothing Club
        P.O.Box 2037
        unit 26
        Lychgate Ind Est
        Rayleigh
        Essex
        SS6 7BY
        TEL: 01268 773928
        FAX: 07070 663928
        MOBILE: 0976 413 858

Mostly men's clothes, but some are unisex. Carries clothes up to 72"
chest and 60" waist. The type of clothes that I sell are more casual
and workwear, some fashionable, but at a reasonable prices.
We sell our garments by mail order at the moment, but we will be
opening a shop in the next few weeks in Rayleigh for general retail.

JD Williams
        53 Dale Street
        Manchester
        M60 6ES
        Orders:    0161 236 9911
        Enquiries: 0161 236 5511
            Open 7 days a week, from 8am to 9pm UK local time.
            Practical clothes for both sexes, also stylish clothes.
            Also has useful products for older or disabled people.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A3) Where can I shop for clothes?

    Part 1) Retail clothing for women

In this section, I have tried to include the name of the county where
the shop is located, to make it easier to use a search to find shops
local to you.


16+
        34 West Street,
        Conisborgh,
        Nr. Doncaster
        Yorkshire
        DN12 3JR
        tel. 01709 369832
            sizes 16-30 at affordable prices

1647 Ltd.
        69 Gloucester Avenue
        London NW1 8LD
        0171 722 1647
        0171 483 0733
            Catalogue 1 pound.
            Open 10-6, Mon-Sat.
            London shop that sells clothing in sizes 16 - 47.
            Skirts, trousers, dresses come in two lengths.
            Handmade. Slightly expensive but well-made and tailored to
            large women, not just sized-up. So called because at some
            point 47% of British women were a size 16 or over.
            Founded and owned by Dawn French.
            Collection in Littlewoods mailorder catalogues
            (phone 0800 600 400 to get a catalogue)

18+ Dress Agency
        48 Headley Street,
        Maidstone
        Kent
        ME14 5AD
        tel. 01622 759778
            good quality second-hand clothes and accessories,
            size 18 and over. Open Sat 10an-4pm or
            ring for appointment

Above Average
        12 The Parade,
        St. Mary's Place,
        Shrewsbury,
        Shropshire
        SY1 1UR
        tel. 01743 366625
            sizes 16+; contemporary, unusual, wearable, affordable

And.Y.Not
        58 Evelyn Drive,
        Pinner,
        Middlesex
        HA5 4RR
        tel. 0956 280215
            16+ clothing for the young fashion-conscious fuller figure
            house parties of appointment

Aquarius
        39/41 Wellington Rd
        Ashton-on-Ribble
        Preston
        Lancashire
        tel. 01772 728069
            sizes up to 60" hip
            please telephone Louise for a brochure

B B's
        7 Royal Star Arcade,
        Maidstone,
        Kent
        tel. 01622 688575
            sizes 16-26

Base
        55 Monmouth Street,
        Covent Garden
        London WC2H 9DG
        tel. 0171 240 8914
            Small shop with expensive clothing, but not
            just for the "middle-aged" look

Basically Black
        1 The Strand,
        opp. Town Hall,
        Blackpool,
        Lancashire FY1 1NX
        tel. 01253 751110
            sizes 16-32 mother of bride/groom outfits

Becoming
        Chain: to find your nearest branch look under
        Maternity in the Yellow Pages or
        tel. 01793 537905
            sizes 8-32 maternity wear

Beige
        5 Hoop Lane,
        London
        NW11 8JR
        tel. 0181 4551122
            small shop, expensive

Belks and Dillards
        South Square,
        Durham

Blake House
        2A Earsham Street,
        Bungay,
        Suffolk,
        NR35 1AG
        tel. 01986 893131
            sizes 16-34+, distinctive clothes, friendly service

Big Ideas,
        Edinburgh Business Centre,
        11 Maritime Street,
        Leith,
        Edinburgh
        Scotland
        EH6 6SB
        tel. 0131 555 2939
            two shops, one stocking Jacques Vert Plus,
            the other stocking German and Scandinavian clothes
            plus the JB collectables range from America
        alternative address
        96 & 116 West Bow,
        Grassmarket,
        Edinburgh
        Scotland
        EH1 2HH
        tel. 031 226 2532

Big Impressions
        93 High Street,
        Haverhill
        Suffolk
        CB9 8AN
        tel. 01440 712830
            sizes 14-36

Big is Beautiful
        164 Rush Green Rd,
        Romford,
        Essex
        RM7 0GH
        tel. 01708 745379
            sizes 14-34+

Big Tops
        20/21 The Variety Centre
        The Maltings
        St. Alban's
        Hertfordshire
           also
        Units 101/102 Indoor Market
        St. George's Way
        Stevenage,
        Hertfordshire
        tel. 01708 441252
            Separates sizes 16-32 and Party Plan

Buy and Large
        4 Holbein Place,
        Slone Square
        London
        SW1 W8NP
        tel. 0171 730 6534
            Small expensive shop catering mostly for middle-aged
            tastes. Blouses, skirts, dresses, coats mostly.

C & A
        Chain: branches all over the country
            a plus range of clothing up to size 26

Capella Collections
        32 Clytha Park Road,
        Newport
        Gwent
        NP9 4NZ
        tel. 01633 220082
            beautiful clothes for any occasion, sizes 14-28,
            exclusive model hats for hire/sale

Catherine Fenez Ltd
        15 Broad Street,
        Alresford,
        Hampshire
        SO24 9AR
        tel. 01692 734116
            sizes 8-26

Chapel Gallery
        111 High Street,
        Riseley,
        Bedfordshire
        MK44 1DF
        tel. 01234 708604
            sizes 16-24 in beautiful gallery shop

Cherry's
        10 Mayport Road
        Lady Mary Estate
        Cardiff
        South Glamorgan
        Wales
        CF2 5JX
        tel. 01222 757048

Claire's 18-32
        10 College Street,
        St. Helens
        Merseyside
        WA10 1TD
        tel. 01744 29303

Claire's 26-40 Plus
        Unit D5,
        Moor Lane Nusiness Centre
        Moor Lane
        Widnes
        Cheshire
        WA8 7AQ
        tel. 0151 495 2500
            factory shop open 10.30-4.30, Tue-Sat
            shirts from 15 pounds, gored skirts from 12 pounds

Clothes by Jane John
        Mayfield Studio,
        Crowthorne,
        Berkshire
        RG11 7JE
        tel. 01344 771625
            sizes 16-30
            open Mon 10-4 or by appointment

The Coach House
        Clark Road,
        Wolverhampton,
        West Midlands
        WV3 9NW
        tel. 01902 710783
            sizes 14-26

Coffee and Creme
        12 Moneyhill Parade,
        Uxbridge Rd,
        Rickmansworth,
        Hertfordshire WD3 2BE
        tel. 010923 770471
            sizes 8-26

Contrasts
        29 Worcester Rd
        Malvern,
        Worcestershire
        tel. 01684 568858
            sizes 10-24

The Different Approach
        123 Poole Rd,
        Westbourne
        Bournemouth
        Dorset BH4 9BG
            British/foreign to size 28, inc 5' 2",
            rainwear, alterations

East-gate Fashions
        3 Eastgate
        Lincoln
        Lincolnshire
        LN2 1GA
        tel. 01522 521125
            sizes 12-20

Elaine
        29 Beehive Lane,
        Redbridge,
        Ilford,
        Essex
        tel. 0181 554 9990
            sizes 14-30; mail order facility available

Elaine Fashions Ltd
        80 Bedford Place,
        Southampton
        Dorset
        tel. 01703 228242
            sizes up to 26, as well as matching hats

Emma Plus
        16 Church Street
        Brighton
        East Sussex
        BN1 1RB
        tel. 01273 327240
        URL http://www.webmaker.co.uk/emmaplus/
        email emmaplus@webmaker.co.uk
            sizes 18-30, designer fashions from around the world

Encore
        19 London Road,
        Alderley Edge,
        Cheshire
        SK9 7JT
        tel. 01625 582024
            sizes 16-26

Etam Plus
        Chain: branches within Etam shops.
        Jubilee House, 197-213 Oxford Street,
        London W1  tel. 0171 493 4004
            sizes 16-24

Elvi
        Chain.
        Also branches within some Lewis' department stores
            clothing size 14+

Evans
        Chain. Web page at http://www.evans.ltd.uk/
            stocks cheap clothing size 16-32.
            Lots of casuals, some office-wear, some glamorous
            things around Christmas.  Also stocks tights and
swimsuits.

Everywoman
        72 Worcester Street,
        Wolverhampton
        West Midlands
        WV2 4LE
        tel. 01902 711989
            specialists in ladies fashions, sizes 10-30+

Exelle
        22 Frodsham Street,
        Chester,
        Cheshire
        CH1 3JL
        tel. 01244 400623
      and
        Water Lane,
        Wilmslow,
        Cheshire
        SK9 5AP
        tel. 01625 539403

Exelle
        87b Low Petergate,
        York
        Yorkshire
        YO1 2HY
        tel. 01904 613260
            sizes 16-26

Exelle (Stratford)
        6 The Minories
        off Henley Street
        Stratford upon Avon
        Warwickshire
        CV37 6NF
        tel. 01789 296103
            sizes 16-26 affordable occasionwear to daywear

Exelle Clothes
        Cambridge Walks,
        Off Eastbank Stret,
        Southport,
        Merseyside PR8 1EZ
        tel. 01704 501118
            sizes 16-26

Extra Elegance
        10 Lindow Parade,
        Off Chapel Lane,
        Wilmslow,
        Cheshire,
        SK9 5JL
        tel. 01625 525402
            sizes 16-28

Extra Special
        22-24 Hospital Street
        Nantwich
        Cheshire
        tel. 01270 626611
            sizes 14-30

Extra Special
        2 Chipping Court,
        Tetbury,
        Gloucestershire
        GL8 8ES
        tel. 01666 505474
            sizes 18-28

Fabrics and Fashions
        21 High Street,
        Totnes
        TQ9 5NP
        tel. 01803 863314
            fabrics, clothes to measure (visit in person), any size

Fashele Modes
        205 Whittington Roa,
        London
        N22 4YW
        tel. 0181 881 0963
            daywear and separates for all ages, sizes 12-30

Fashion Affair
        7 The Green,
        Westerham,
        Kent
        tel. 01959 564486
            sizes 10-24

Fitting Image
        201 Petts Wood Road,
        Petts Wood,
        Orpington,
        Kent
        BR5 1LA
        tel. 01689 898292
            beautiful clothes for those size 16 and over
            quality alteration service available

Florentyna Dawn
        327 London Rd
        Hazel Grove
        Stockport
        Cheshire
        SK7 4PS
        tel. 0161 487 1679
            beautiful occasion wear up to size 28
            10% discount for YES! readers

Fuller Figures
        15A London Street,
        Basingstoke,
        Hampshire RG12 1NT
        tel. 01256 842772
            sizes 14-30 "beautiful clothes for all ages
            at affordable prices"

Georgia Brown
        3 Brown Street,
        Burnley,
        Lancashire
        tel. 01282 420775
            sizes 16-30

Harringtons,
        129 The Broadway
        Mill Hill
        London
        NW7 4RN
        tel. 0181 959 2312
        fax. 0181 906 4823
            size 16-30

Harry Arens / Harry Aarons / Arens  (?)
        3 Lyndhurst Rise,
        Chigwell
        Essex
        IG7 5BB
        tel. 0181 500 8227
            sizes 14-28; party evening wear and separates; Mon/Tues

Hechts
        Crabtree Mall,
        Durham

House of Fraser
        Schneberger range
        at: Cavendish House, Cheltenham
            within Kendals, Manchester
            within D.H.Evans, Oxford Street, London
            within Dickins and Jones, Regent Street, London
            within Rackhams (West Midlands)
            sizes 18-26

Image Plus
        212 Hallgate,
        Cottingham,
        Hull,
        Humberside
        tel. 01482 875578
            sizes 16-26+

Inextenso
        43 Queens Road,
        Sheen,
        London SW14
        tel. 0181 876 6765
            sizes 16-28

Jacksons Ltd.
        Kings Road
        Reading
        Berkshire
        tel. 01734 574477
            sizes up to 26, in makes such as Toddy and Finn Karelia
            agents for Norman Linton (catalogue order)

Jane Jordan
        10 High Street
        Kingston-upon-Thames
        Surrey
        KT1 1EY
        tel. 0181 541 0155
            sizes 10-24; special occasion wear

Jill's Fashions
        10A Burgate,
        Canterbury,
        Kent CT1 2HG
        tel. 01227 464203
            sizes 14-26, also underwear

John Neville
        5 Club Row
        Bethnal Green
        London
        E1 6JX
        tel. 0171 739 8936
            sizes 16-30; day dresses, co-ordinates, cocktail and
            evening dresses, wedding occasion outfits

Juno's Fashions
        76b Hare Lane,
        Farncombe,
        nr Godalming,
        Surrey
        GU7 3EF
        tel. 01483 429021
            sizes 16-30

Just Janice
        275 High Road,
        Loughton
        Essex
        IG10 1AH
        tel. 0181 508 8882
            (just off junction 26 on the M25)
            outfits for every occasion; alterations service available;
            sizes 16-30

Ken Smith Designs,
        6 Charlotte Place,
        London W1P 1AQ
        tel. 0171 631 3341
            sizes 16 to 30+ coasts, dresses, separates
            and evening wear. also make-to-measure

Kudos
        8 Jaxons Court
        Hallgate
        Wigan
        Lancashire
        WN1 1LR
        tel. 01942 825010
            sizes 16+; classics, casuals, knitwear, suits

Lady of West Wickham
        57 High Street
        West Wickham
        Kent
        tel. 0181 777 4596
            sizes 10-26

Lady Bountiful
        Upper ground level,
        40 King Street West,
        Manchester
        tel. 0161 834 0043
            Manchester's only city-centre shop specialising in
            exclusive good quality clothes for sizes 18-30

Large & Lovely
        30 Burlington St,
        Chesterfield.
        tel. 01246 221165
          ladies fashion, sizes 16-32
          (including light jackets, but no winter coats)

Large and Luscious
        `In-shops'
        South Mall,
        Edmonton Green Shopping Centre,
        Edmonton,
        London
        N6 0TT
        tel. 0958 293898
            sizes 16-32, they aim to make you look good in
            affordable fashion

Larger Options
        38A Queens Rd,
        Nuneaton,
        Warwickshire
        CV11 5JX
        tel. 01203 642474
            sizes 18-30+, fashionable, affordable

Larger than Life
        3 Mortlake Terrace,
        Mortlake Road,
        Kew,
        Richmond,
        Surrey TW9 3DT
        tel. 0181 332 6506
            and evening wear. also make-to-measure
            shop or mail order, sizes 14-24

Lorraine's Fashion Plus
        148 Sheffield Road,
        Barnsley,
        South Yorkshire
        S70 1JH
        tel. 01226 249637
            sizes 16-34

Mabel James
        4-6 Cross Street,
        Wakefield,
        West Yorkshire
        tel. 01924 291711
            not a shop specifically for large sizes, but they've
recently
            opened an 18+ department, stocking size 18-26

Madeline
        40 Mount Ephraim,
        Tunbridge Wells,
        Kent TH4 8AU
        tel. 01892 525028
            extensive stock sizes 12-30
            personal attention and expert alterations

Marks and Spencers
        Chain: branches nationwide
            up to size 24/26 in underwear,
            limited range of clothing up to size 24

Margaret Ann,
        Milestone COttage,
        Tytherington,
        Warminster,
        Wiltshire
        BA12 7AE
        tel. 01985 840520
            specialist underwear, nightwear, swimwear
            in fullest range of sizes. Also mastectonomy,
            maternity and bridal

Mary Mary
        87 Great Western Road,
        Glasgow
        Scotland G4 9AH
        tel. 0141 333 9329

Maseys
        1 St. Andrew's St,
        Plymouth
        Devon
        PL1 2AH
        tel. 01752 222141
            sizes 18-28, British + European collections

Maximus,
        33 Dulwich Village,
        London
        SE21 7BN
        tel. 0181 299 6761
        fax  0181 299 6561
            sizes 18-28

Maximus
        418 Croydon Road,
        Beckenham,
        Kent
        BR3 4EP
        tel. 0181 663 6133
            sizes 16-28 special occasion, casual,
            evening, knitwear etc.

MB Fashions
        St. Marks Lane
        Newark,
        Nottinghamshire
            opening SOON! (before December, hopefully) a shop
            run by Barry and Marie, contact barry@ssl1.demon.co.uk
            sizes 14-32, they aim for quality clothing at reasonable
prices

Mish Mash
        10 High Road
        Wood Green
        London
        N22 6DX
        tel. 0181 889 7256

Narda Fashion Studios
        67-68 High Street
        Oxford
        Oxfordshire
        OX1 4BA
        tel. 01865 793082
        "We fashion clothes for the woman whose beauty is determined,
        not by the perfection of one or a few attributes she may
        possess, but by the whole of her original purpose."
            stunning flowing original designs in all (yes, all) sizes
            in beautiful fabrics; also silk embroidered jewellery

Nemesis
        Ducie House
        Ducie Street/Peak Street
        Manchester
        M1 2JW
        tel. 0161 236 3858
            exclusive British designs, 2 mins. from Piccadilly station

Papillon
        11 Cockhedge Way,
        Cockhedge Centre,
        Warrington,
        Cheshire
        WA1 2QQ
        tel. 01925 234 326
            sizes 16-30

Park Plus
        12 Regent Arcade
        Brighton,
        East Sussex
        tel. 01273 326653
            sizes 14-26

Pink Sarah,
        Greenwich Arts and Crafts Market (Saturdays and Sundays)
        London
        tel. 0181 691 8444
            three main sizes up to 24, but larger can be made to order

Razzberry Bazaar
        69A Front Street,
        Tynemouth,
        Tyne & Wear
        NE30 4BP
        tel. 0191 258 6392
            ethnic style cottons and silks + own designed
            range in Jersey. sizes 10-20, bigger to order

Rendezvous
        11 & 12 The parade,
        St. Mary's Place,
        Shrewsbury,
        Shropshire SY1 1DL
        tel. 01743 368325
            sizes 16-32 smart/casual, all ages + prices

Richard Roberts
        Great Central Street
        Highcross Street
        Leicester
        tel. 0116 251 3183
            sizes 18-30

Rita Jarvis
        16 Queen's Grove
        London
        NW8 6EL
        tel. 0171 722 1127
            sizes 16+; mail order catalogue available

Rita Models
        6 Turnpike Parade,
        Green Lanes,
        London N15 3EA
        tel. 0181 888 6234
            sizes 12-30

Ritz n Glitz
        4 Angel Crescent,
        Bridgewater,
        Somerset
        TA6 3EW
        tel. 01278 450928
            fashionable clothes 16-28, plus swimwear

Robita
        519 London Rd,
        Westcliff-on-Sea,
        Essex
        SS0 9IJ
        tel. 01702 334266
            sizes 14-30

Rock Follies
        Sea Lane,
        Charmouth,
        Dorset
           sells end-of-ranges and quality second-hand clothing,
           sizes 8-30. Prices very reasonable, stock varies a lot

Rogers and Rogers
        Chain: branches at Belfast, Brighton, Brimsdown (Middlesex),
Bristol,
        Carlisle, Coventry, Glasgow, Harrow (Middlesex), Manchester,
        Middlesborough, Watford
            size 16+


Rubenesque
        22 Bath Road,
        Devizes,
        Wiltshire
        SN10 2AU
        tel. 01380 728972
            sizes 16-34 - young fun and different

Sam's Ladieswear
        65 Friargate,
        Preston,
        Lancashire,
        PR1 2AT
        tel. 01772 253100
            sizes 16-34, Mon-Sat 9.30-5

S.A.S.
        Manderville,
        Links Road,
        Amble,
        Morpeth,
        Northumberland,
        ME65 0SB
        tel. 01665 712939
           sizes 14-30+


Sapphire
        19 Hawkeys Lane,
        North Shields,
        Tyne & Wear NE29 0JF
        tel. 0191 296 0814
            sizes 10-26

Scruples (Fashion) Ltd.
        Vicar Lane,
        Leeds,
        West Yorkshire
        LS13 1LS
        tel. 0113 247 0766
            size 16-32+

Sheina
        779 Christchurch Road
        Boscombe
        Bournemouth
        Dorset
        BH7 6AW
        tel. 01202 428866
            sizes 16-34; day and evening wear

Simply Big
        222 Bennett Street,
        Long Eaton,
        Nottinghamshire
        NG10 4HH
        tel. 0115 946 5203
            ladies fashions sizes 16-30+

Sized Up
        11 Hedingham Rd,
        Halstead,
        Essex CO9 2DA
        tel. 01787 472633
            size 14-26, young colourful clothes; alterations overnight

Stepping Up,
        part of Familytique
        9/11 Market Place,
        Market Bosworth
        Warwickshire
        tel. 01455 290234
            stocks Jacques Vert Plus, Oliver  James, Frank Usher,
            Bellino, Tricoville, Hucke Mode, Lucia
            sizes 10-26

Sundial
        5 Lendal,
        York
        North Yorkshire
        Y01 2AQ
        tel. 01904 644410
            sizes 16-24

Suters
        14 St. Mary's St
        Wallingford
        Oxfordshire
        tel. 01491 825301 or Rachel on 0491 836002
            sizes 16-26

Twice as Nice
        115 Nicholls Field,
        Harlow,
        Essex CM18 6EB
        tel. 01279 860733
            Buys and sells only best quality used clothes. Casual and
            occasionwear always available.

Ulla Popken
            Caters to young women.  Sells somewhat expensive
            high quality clothing.

Up and Above
        48 Don Street,
        St. Helier,
        Jersey
        The Channel Islands
        JE2 4TR
        tel. 01534 58808
            ladies fashions, size 16-30

Valerie Dee,
        9 Shirehall Plain,
        Holt,
        Norfolk
        NR25 6HT
        tel. 01263 713545
            sizes 12-32

Vivace
        2 Bridge Street,
        Richmond-upon-Thames,
        Surrey
        TW9 1TQ
        tel. 0181 948 7840
            sizes 16-22, their specialities colour and fabrics

Watercolours
        37 Station Rd,
        Beaconsfield New Town,
        Buckinghamshire
        HP9 1QG
        tel. 01494 677666

Wishes
        13 South St,
        Wellington,
        Somerset
        TA12 8NR
        tel. 01823 662354
            special occasion + smart casuals, sizes 16-28

Women at Large
        95 George Lane,
        South Woodford
        London E18 1AN
        tel. 0181 989 5133
            trendy styles, sizes 16-34, stockist for Roger
            clothing at unbelievable prices

Woman at Large Ltd
        2 Spon Street
        Coventry
        Warwickshire
        CV1 3BA
        tel. 011203 550300
            sizes 16-30+

XL Fashions
        74 High Street
        Colliers Wood
        London SW19 2BY
        tel. 0181 241 0010
            large collection up to size 30

Yes Stores Ltd
        25-27 Duke Street
        Liverpool
        L1 5AD
        tel. 0151 708 6388


    Part 2) Retail clothing for men

Atlas Kingsize
        197/199 Cricklewood Broadway
        London NW2 3HS
        tel. 0181 452 0541
          or 0181 450 6556
          also
        3B Spires
        111 High Street
        Barnet  EN5 5XY
        tel. 0181 441 9892
            good selection of clothes at realistic prices
            helpful staff, also a catalogue

The Big Man's Shop
        43 Abington Avenue
        Northampton
        NN1 4PA
        tel. 01604 37727
            up to 60" chest/waist

Big Man's Shop
        1 Higher Fore Street
        Redruth,
        Cornwall
        tel. 01209 216868 or 216222
            for a catalogue, P.O. Box 3
            they do menswear and footwear

Big and Tall Menswear
        The Lanes
        Brighton

BJE Banks Ltd.
        512-524 Slade Road
        Birmingham, B23 7JE
        tel. 0121 373 5450
        fax 0121 382 5434
            large and comprehensive stock of clothing for large and
            extra-tall men. e.g. 30-56" waist trouser size for tall
men
            and 30-64" in jeans

Brook York formal wear Ltd.
        Coxs Lane,
        Old Hill,
        Warley,
        West Midlands
        B64 5NS
        tel. 01384 636311
            menswear shop, collar 14-18, chest 38-50in, waist 30-48in

Dunn & Co.
        Freepost,
        Swansea
        SA5 5ZZ
        tel. Freephone 0800 378 755
            branches nationwide, free mail order catalogue available,
            also made-to-measure and hire service
            collar 14 1/2-20, chest 38-54in, waist 32-54in

Greenwoods.
        Chain, mainly in the midlands and north.
        Also has catalogue.

High & Mighty
        Head Office,
        The Old School House,
        High Street,
        Hungerford
        Berkshire,
        RG17 0NF.
        Tel:    01488 684666
        Fax:    01488 684912
        Orders: Freephone 0800 52142
            23 shops in UK, also Holland, Belgium and Germany.
            Free catalogue available.
            collar 17-21, chest 44-60in, waist 40-60in, shoes 11-15

Houston Menswear
        67 High Street,
        Paisley,
        Strathclyde,
        PA1 2AY
        tel. 0141 889 4879
        http://www.houston-menswear.co.uk
            menswear shop mail order catalogue available
            collar 14-24in, chest 36-72in, waist 28-72in

Howards
        54 Leabrooks Rd
        Somercotes nr. Alfreton
        Derbyshire
        tel. 01773 603714

Leon's Exclusive Tailoring,
        115 - 117 High Street,
        Harlesden,
        London,
        NW10 4TR
        tel. 0181 838 5551
        fax. 0181 965 5958
            made to measure by computer, ready in two weeks;
            up to 72" chest, "comfortably priced"

Mr. Big
        60-62 Upper Parliament Street
        Nottingham
        Nottinghamshire
        tel. 0115 985 9169
    also at
        54 London Road
        Derby
        Derbyshire
        tel. 01332 342293

Oakland
        tel. 0181 450 3100
            menswear shops nationwide,
            collar 14 1/2-18, chest 40-50in, waist 30-42in

Rochester Big and Tall
        90 Brompton Road,
        London
        SW3 1ER
        tel. freephone 0800 442277
            menswear shop, mail order catalogue available
            collar 15 1/2-22, chest 46-62, waist 34-60in
            shoes 12-17D, 10-15 EEE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A4) Where can I find bridal wear?

The Bridal Room
        6 Park Road,
        Redhill,
        Surrey
        RH1 1BT
        tel. 01737 773390
            gowns for sale or hire
            design service available, bridesmaids, pageboys
accessories
            by appointment

Chapel Belles
        8 East Street
        Sudbury,
        Suffolk.
        CO10 6TP
        tel. 01787 371037
            stock or made-to-measure bridal gowns, sizes 10-32
            bridesmaids' dresses and all accessories

Doriel Benjamin
        123 Ribblesdale Roaad,
        Streatham,
        London
        SW16 6SP
        tel. 0181 769 2422
            Made to measure bridal and evening wear
            Experienced with royal wedding designer and top designers

Elizabeth of York
        1st floor,
        12 Blake St,
        York.
        tel. 01904 658600
            bridal and evening gowns from stock or made-to-measure
            also second wedding ensembles

Fairytale Dresses
        245 High Road,
        South Woodford,
        London
        E18 2PB
        tel. 0181 505 2626
            wedding dresses to hire or buy sizes 18-26;
            shoes, accessories, bridesmaids dresses

Hollywood Bride
        342 Newchurch Road,
        Bacup,
        Lancashire
        OL13 0LD
        tel. 01706 877949
            wedding gowns for sale or hire, sizes 8-34
            bridesmaids dresses
            free information pack available

The Jenny Wren Bridal Collection
        23 Montpelier Avenue,
        Bexley,
        Kent
        DA5 3AP
        tel. 0181 301 3867
            sizes 8-34; gowns, bridesmaid dresses, accessories;
            stock or made to measure

Lady Grace
        Sposa Bella Manufacturing Ltd.,
        22 James Road,
        Tyseley,
        Birmingham
        B11 2BA
        tel. 0121 708 1841
            wedding dresses in sizes 18-30 with an elastic
            backed "magic sample" to try on

Lyn Lundie
        788 Kenton Lane
        Harrow Weald
        Middlesex
        HA3 6AG
        tel. 0181 954 7039
            sizes 18-24; catalogue 5pounds by post - please request
            special size list

My Fair Lady Ltd
        45 Upminster Road South
        Rainham
        Essex
        RM13 9YS
        tel. 01708 523395
            sizes up to 28; dresses to buy or hire, shoes 2-10
            telephone for brochure

One Stop Wedding Centre
        24 High Street,
        South Norwood,
        London
        SE25 6EZ
        tel. 0181 653 4292
            bridal gowns for sale and hire; mother of bride outfits

Rosie Annabella Bridal Couture
        White Rose House,
        Market Weighton
        York
        YO4 3JU
        tel. 01430 871541
            pure silk bridal gowns individually designed and
            hand-created to order

Wedding World
        279/289 Central Drive
        Blackpool
        Lancashire
        FY1 5HZ
        tel. 01253 21301/751556
            bridalwear up to size 28; mother of the bride;
            also occasionwear

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A5) Where can I find underwear?

You can often find large-size underwear in the usual shops, however
there are also specialist shops/catalogues.

Delia Marketing Ltd
        24 Craven Park Rd,
        London
        NW10 4AB
        tel. 0181 965 8707
            underwear up to large sizes
            ring for a free catalogue

Gipsy Gloriette Hosiery Co.
        P.O. Box 2BE,
        50 New Bond St,
        London
        W1A 2BE
        tel. 0171 629 0641
            italian hosiery for the fuller figure
            reasonably priced, sizes 42" to 60"

Lady Harriet's
        Highertown Farmhouse,
        Advent,
        Camelford,
        Cornwall
        PL32 9QL
        tel. 01840 213976
            inexpensive silk/satin lingerie.
            Clothing up to size 34, made to measure
            sae for details

Margaret Ann
        Milestone Cottage,
        Tytherington
        Warminster,
        Wiltshire
        BA12 7AE
        tel. 01985 840520
            specialist foundationwear, lingerie, nightwear,
            swimwear, in fullest range of sizes
            also mastectomy, maternity and bridal

The Bra Box
        In Taplin's,
        25c Broadway,
        West Ealing,
        London
        W13 0SU
        tel. 0181 567 6152
            phone or write for a brochure
            bras from 34 to 46, B to G cups


- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A6) Where can I find sewing/knitting patterns?

Two books containing knitting patterns for large-size women
(Patterns go from very simple, classic designs, to very complex
intarsias.
Proper large-size models.):

        "Big knits : bold beautiful designer knitwear",
        by Dawn French and Sylvie Soudan, Century, London, 1990
        ISBN/ISSN: 071263505X hbk / 0712650970 pbk

        "Great big knits : over twenty designer patterns",
        by Dawn French and Sylvie Soudan, Ebury, London, 1992
        ISBN/ISSN: 0091770386



Common makes of sewing patterns often stock select ranges in larger
sizes, including the following:

McCalls, Simplicity

Burda Patterns
        Perivale-Guterman Ltd,
        Wadsworth Rd,
        Greenford
        Middlesex
        UB6 7JS
        tel. 0181 998 5000
            multi-sized Burda patterns; plus section is up to size 34

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

A7) Are there any web pages about UK clothing for big folks?

A UK page, "Big Times", in the Internet Emporium, offers information
about
shops in England and Scotland (and the Channel Islands!) catering for
larger
ladies, and also information about mail order services and
non-clothing
services. The URL is

        http://www.emporium.co.uk/bigtimes/

A lingerie selection, Ximage, is available through

        http://www.ftech.net/~ximage
and their email is admin@ximage.co.uk

Evans now has a web page, at
        http://www.evans.ltd.uk/

A8) Where can I find shoes for big feet?

No idea, sorry. This FAQ is really for finding clothing for fat folks,
rather than people who are tall or who have big feet, who are big in
a different way.

However, the British Footwear Association do publish a brochure called
"Footwear for Special Needs", priced at approx 2.50. The address to
write to is 5 Portland Place, London W1N 3AA. Ask them, not me.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION B: Information about this FAQ

B1)     Are there other related FAQs?

Yes. The list of them below can be found from the following page:

http://www.sover.net/~astarte/fa/faqs.html

  fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/canada
        information about clothing for large people in Canada
  fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/europe
        information about clothing for large people in Europe
        (excluding the United Kingdom)
  fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/us
        information about clothing for large people in the U.S.
  fat-acceptance-faq/health
        information about health issues affecting large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/research
        information about research concerning large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/maternity
        information about large-size maternity resources
  fat-acceptance-faq/sports
        information about resources for sports and activities
        for large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/fitness
        information about resources for fitness for large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/organizations
        information about organizations for large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/resources
        information about resources for large people (that aren't
        covered in the other resources FAQs)
  fat-acceptance-faq/physical
        information about resources for dealing with the physical
        aspects of being large
  fat-acceptance-faq/publications
        information about publications for large people
  fat-acceptance-faq/size-acceptance
        information about size-acceptance
  big-folks-faq
        general information file for alt.support.big-folks

There is some overlap in the topics covered by the FAQs. If you don't
find what you're looking for here, try the other FAQs.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

B2)     Posting information

This document is posted monthly to news.answers, alt.answers and
soc.answers, and posted bi-weekly to alt.support.big-folks and
soc.support.fat-acceptance.
Alexandra Nielsen (zandra@online.no) maintains this FAQ.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

B3)     Availability of the FAQ

All FAQs posted to news.answers are archived at rtfm.mit.edu and its
mirror sites.  You can get any of these FAQs from rtfm.mit.edu via
anonymous FTP or via the mail archive server.  (To get information
about the mail server, send email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the
body of the message containing the word "help", without the quotes.)
FAQs posted to news.answers are also available on the Web from:

http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/top.html

This particular FAQ is archived at rtfm.mit.edu and its mirror sites
under the filenames:

/pub/usenet/news.answers/fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/uk
/pub/usenet/soc.answers/fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/uk
/pub/usenet/soc.support.fat-acceptance/
             Big_Folks_Clothing_UK_Frequently_Asked_Questions_(FAQ)

It is available on the Web at:

http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/
        faq/usenet/fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/uk/faq.html

although the latest version specifically adapted for HTML and
maintained
by the maintainer can be found at

     http://home.sol.no/~geirerni/Alexandra/faq_uk.htm

The file Big_Folks_Clothing_UK_Frequently_Asked_Questions_(FAQ)
contains the last post to soc.support.fat-acceptance which has the
same subject
line as this FAQ.  In general, this is the most recent copy of the
FAQ.
Occasionally, however, it is a random post that has the same subject
line as this FAQ.  If this is the case, please look in one of the
other files.

The files named uk and the file available via the WWW,
contain the last version of the FAQ posted to news.answers.  Since
this FAQ is posted to alt.support.big-folks and
soc.support.fat-acceptance
more often than it is posted to news.answers, sometimes the version
available via these links is not the most recent one.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

B4)     Contributors

These are the people who have contributed significant chunks to this
FAQ.

Sharon Curtis           (Sharon.Curtis@comlab.ox.ac.uk)
Sasha Wood              (Sasha.Wood@cs.cmu.edu)

Also, lots and lots of other people (too many to credit) contributed
information that appears herein, some via email and some on a.s.b-f.
Thanks to them all.

Suggestions for additions/improvements are always welcome.
If you have information you think should be here (either in response
to an existing question or in response to a new question), send it to
the maintainers.  If you think another question should be addressed
here, and you do not have the information for it, post the question to
s.s.f-a and drop a note to the maintainers suggesting that it be in
the FAQ.  Also, please let us know if any of this material is
incorrect or out-of-date.

In particular, if you have new information about clothing in other
countries, please send it to the maintainers. We would be very happy
to update this information to include more countries.

Copyright 1998 by Alexandra Nielsen (zandra@online.no).
Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this article in its
entirety for non-commercial use provided that this copyright notice is
not removed or altered. No portion of this work may be sold, either
by itself or as part of a larger work, without the express written
permission of the author; this restriction covers all publication
media, including (but not limited to) CD-ROM.

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:


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Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer:
Alexandra Nielsen <zandra@online.no>





Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM