My thoughts on what's missing

[bodalorna]

Obviously jeans are a challenge and believe me, that challenge seems to be across the board - regardless of size. Every woman is shaped differently so there is no such thing as a generic style of jean that will work for everyone.
We've also noticed at Bodacious that the length of pants is an issue for a lot of women. The tall girls have finally found a friend in our Sweet Soul pants with the extra long inseam. We have a hard time keeping the size 16's and 18's in stock!
We've had a few petite length styles come through - at the moment we have some cute blue and white pinstriped capris by Schaart Clothing Company.

[Skeskali]

My favorite store in Vancouver is Narcissist, yet no matter how much I beg, plead, and cajole with the owners, they won't expand their clothing sizes (and all I'm asking for is up to a size 18 - one more size! GRR!)

What I need are fewer "fun, funky alterna-girl" clothes, and more professional clothes with a stylish and sexy edge -- like the dresses at Narcissist. If I have to buy work clothes from Addition Elle or Pennington's one more time, I think I'll cry.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Bon Bon designs (I own two dresses) but they don't always lend themselves to a traditional work environment.

Thanks for the forum - I love it, and I love Bodacious!

[P]

I've been searching for a "relatively fitted" blazer, one that hugged my shape rather than emphasize bulges. I was so desperate for one that I went to a tailor. I was quite unhappy with the product, so my search continues.

I also agree with the above poster. I dress in more classic/preppy style, so I’m always on the lookout for clothes in that genre.

Thanks for providing this message board, I’m glad I have a forum to discuss Bodacious clothing and give input.

P

[bodabarb]

I went to The Bay at Oakridge the other day and I was surprised to see some really cute blazers in pretty pink tweed, I think they might have been from Mac & Jac. They also had some other nice spring pieces but I've got to tell you, I had to dig. The Plus section in this store was a disgrace, stuff falling all over the floor, racks just crammed so full you couldn't look at anything. And the most heartbreaking thing, a bunch of pretty pink cardigans that had been put on the wrong kind of hangers, they were totally stretched out of shape and the hangers had ripped holes in the shoulders. All of them. They had 3 mannequins standing in the middle of the area sporting some of the new Spring clothes but they looked like they had been mugged, blouses untucked, jackets hanging off one shoulder, totally dishevelled. All of the surrounding departments looked fine. I've got to tell you it made me feel very sad. It is so obvious that nobody cares about those clothes and more importantly they don't care about the women who have to shop for them. So very sad.

[Skeskali]

Barb, I've been to several different Bay stores and found their Above Average sections in the same state. I was just at the Lougheed Mall store and it was disgraceful. Not only that - who wears Tommy Hilfiger anymore? It's so 1998...

Maybe it's time that we wrote to the store managers/division managers to let them know what we've seen in hopes that they'll address the issue.

Edited to Add: Here's the link to their customer feedback form: www.hbc.com/bay/e_co/ContactCustService.asp?site=BAY&catid=3

[raisn]

if you are going to go to the bay, go downtown! its sooo big and no one is ever there! peaceful shopping. the downtown bay is great. the plus size area is huge. but lots of the nice stuff sells out fast. so you have to go there offten. mac and jac is great. awesome colors. speaking of tommy... the last pair of jeans i bought was from the bay, tommy ones. they are by far the best pair of jeans i have found in the past five years. i think its better to wear tommy jeans then some no name brand from walmart. "where did you get those jeans?" "walmart" sounds lame. "the bay" sounds better. and how long are a pair of jeans from walmart going to last you anyways? not very long.

[Dee]

Anything Fitted! I'm tired of tent dressing. I look for stuff that is edgy and sexy. I also love a bit of retro style which works great with curvy figures.

[Suzie Spitfyre]

Well ladies...

I'm looking for a wedding dress that doesn't look like a wedding dress. Haha..try that on for size.

I'm getting married in September and I would like a 1930sish Hollywood glam number, but then I'd also need the 1930s Hollywood BODY..so that's sort of out of the question.

I think my mom is going to make it for me now...so hard to find something that is sexy, flattering, and doesn't make me look like Glinda the good witch.

Haha...
x
Suzie

[Skeskali]

Have you tried Peggy Lutz? The prices are STEEP, but it might give you some good ideas. I'm not sure what size you are, but their clothes are cut beautifully. They even keep different patterns around for different body shapes (apples, pears, inverted triangles, etc.)

peglutz.com/cyberstore/bridal/index.shtml

[phenom]

I'm looking for nice lingere...not sleezy stuff. I want the flabby arms covered, and a nice pegnoir set (long, of course to hide the legs) with a long cover that will hide the hips and butt. Something that falls from the bustline perhaps. Also, built in support so your boobs aren't at your waistline.
It's hard to find this stuff in larger sizes. But for some reason, I can find TONS of the very sleezy stuff with flesh oozing out all over. I'm not built for skin-hugging lycra! LOL

[Michelle]

Ladies, I have good and bad news. Recently I found out that Seven7 Jeans is now making PLUS SIZE JEANS!! You heard me! And, at only a fraction of the cost of regular sizes, ($79 USD) which is quite strange. If you check out the Lane Bryant website, you'll see the new launch. Sevens are a heavenly fitting jean, cut perfect for a woman's body. The bad news? They won't ship them to Canada and the closest store that carries them is in Lynnwood, just north of Seattle.

[se]

I was just on lane bryant and yes they do ship sevens to Canada. The new crops are soo cute. Nice to see some trendy, fun stuff in something other than barbie size ;D

[Shea]

I agree with all the comments here! It's really hard to dress well in this town if you are plus sized and want to be classy, with a little edge, in fashion and have figure flattering clothes. I'm a 20/22 (cut depending) in pant & a 44G up top. I don't even bother shopping for dresses anymore - nothing seems to flatter my figure. My pet peeve is Bras though! Try finding a nice matching bra & pantie that hasn't been imported from Belgium and runs you $300+ for the set - depressing. Not all plus sized women who want to look sexy and alluring, are a DDD. My biggest clothing shopping sprees have been sadly south of the border at Lane Bryant - but I'm stuck with the upscale lingerie shops that import for hefty prices for good yet nicely spicy support. Bodacious is blazing trails in the Vancouver market that's for sure! Great find!

[shea]

Okay.... Update! I just popped into Bodacious this past week.... looking for a dress for my friend's wedding. What do you know - I found a dress that fits, flatters and makes me feel fabulous!!! What were the chances of that? Apparently pretty good at Bodacious!! I haven't even worn the Party Girl dress from Bon Bon yet, only modeled it for a few of my friends... and they LOVE it - RAVE reviews ladies!!!! Thanks again to Barb & Lorna for having such a wonderful store.

See you again soon - Shea

[dzzle]

I can't find cycling/tri shorts, cycling/running jerseys are nonexistent around here, and apparently only Speedo makes racing suits in plus sizes but I have only found one store that carries them. To be fair though, Rackets and Runners to carry the Enell sports bra which is the greatest sports bra ever invented. I can find everything I'm looking for online, but it would cost me a fortune in exchange rates, shipping and knowing our government, duty, to get everything I'm looking for.

Maybe I just haven't been looking in the right places, or maybe I am blind, and if I am, help would be appreciated. If I'm not blind and I have been looking in all the right places, something's got to change.