As you know, I’m an advocate of shopping in stores when you are a plus size woman. But it’s not always easy because plus size stores are unfortunately still too rare. In Paris, the rue de Rivoli gives a little hope by concentrating in a long straight line all types of plus size clothing stores. It’s a good place to optimize a day of plus size clothes shopping in Paris.
The single-brand plus size store
A monobrand store is a sales space proposed by a plus size brand. It allows you to see the entire collection. It’s the ideal formula because frustrations are gone: no stares in fitting rooms, all the models cover our sizes, saleswomen aware of fashion and the problems of plus size customers. With the limitation that you have to like the brand and that the brand does not necessarily cover all life situations such as lingerie, nightwear or sports. At Jean-Marc Philippe, I am not always convinced by the saleswomen’s proposals, I prefer to make my choice alone and ask their opinion when the piece is on me. At Ulla Popken, I have the impression that the saleswomen are always busy behind the cash register and therefore not really available to help me make my choices. At the first one, I often found what I needed, at the second one less often but maybe because I don’t know why, the store makes me feel less like searching for a long time. On the other hand, I found some panties in the basem*nt that I like.
Jean-Marc Philippe, 89 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Ulla Popken, 3 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris
The multi-brand plus size store
There are not so many plus size stores in Paris so Couleurs stores are for me little treasures where to find in the same place different plus size fashion brands: Marina Rinaldi, Elena Miro… So yes, it’s a bit expensive but it’s the plus size brands themselves that are expensive. Private sales and sales allow you to benefit from prices, remember to leave your email address to take advantage. The fitting rooms are convenient, the saleswomen are present but never intrusive and give good advice. I don’t always agree but it allows to discuss, to refine one’s desire and to get out of one’s habits. Couleurs also offers its own brand. Classic items but of great quality. One of my favorite plus size stores.
Couleurs, 17 rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
The specialized plus size collection in a classic clothing store
Shout out for C&A for offering plus size clothing in stores for a long time now. For as long as I can remember, I think I’ve always seen a consistent plus size department in that store, which is not always as consistent in other C&A stores. The fitting rooms are spacious and numerous. We are mixed with customers of classic sizes but each one has the head in its fitting. There are no saleswomen to help. It is classic and it is at controlled prices. It’s great for basics but also for lingerie and nightwear.
C&A, 126 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
The plus size brand corner in a department store
Quite honestly, I don’t think it’s worth it. The Samaritaine has recently reopened and, with no surprise, it is a disappointement: no plus size brands. At the BHV Marais, size 46 and 48 can hope to find corners of brands that make those sizes, like Jodhpur but it’s still anecdotal.
BHV Marais, 52 rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Samaritaine, 19 rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris
The temptation of the famous perle rare in the classic size store
Unfortunately, we do not always find what we were looking for. The temptation might be to try your luck in the classic size stores that claim to carry plus sizes. Don’t do it. Zara has conveniently always just sold the last item in large size, ditto for Caroll and other 123. The truth is that these sizes are almost never in store because they only get one or two items. Size washing? Yes! Don’t support, at the risk of losing your morale, to buy a useless accessory to evacuate the frustration and to finish your day on a bad impression. Your next shopping trip will be the right one and in the meantime, you have the satisfaction of having been demanding and of not having bought an item that didn’t make you totally wow; the least you can do.
