Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!faqserv

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From: Alexandra Nielsen <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: soc.support.fat-acceptance,alt.support.big-folks,alt.answers,soc.answers,news.answers
Subject: [soc.support.fat-acceptance,alt.support.big-folks] Clothing for big folks in the UK
Supersedes: <fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/[email protected]>
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Date: 5 Aug 1999 13:23:21 GMT
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References: <fat-acceptance-faq/clothing/[email protected]>
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Summary: This provides information about clothing for big folks in the UK
X-Last-Updated: 1999/06/05
Originator: [email protected]
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu soc.support.fat-acceptance:79813 alt.support.big-folks:43379 alt.answers:43620 soc.answers:12219 news.answers:164049

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 <[email protected]>

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

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

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"

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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: [email protected]

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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]

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 ([email protected]) 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 [email protected] 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 ([email protected])
Sasha Wood ([email protected])

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 ([email protected]).
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.