Posted by
Girl
20 yrs ago
Hello
I'm a fairly normal sized girl for someone of Mediterranean background. Normal in that I have breasts, hips, average height, and like to wear clothes that flatter my figure.
In HK, I find it really hard to have as much choice as you would have in say, London, Paris, Australia, US.
The clothes here are not designed with curves in mind.
By curves - you don't have to be large. I just mean 'curves' - shape.
If you have this problem, please let me know what you do about it.
I don't know if I'm allowed to ask on this forum for people to send me a personal message to my AsiaXpat account if they relate.
I want to do a little survey to see if it's just me!
Thanks!
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Girl
20 yrs ago
Wow - no-one has this problem?
Every person is a stick?
No one has a shirt that pulls at the breasts?
No one finds trousers that when they fit at the hip, the waist is huge? (and vice versa)
I imagine that most people either get everything tailored if they have these issues - but goodness, don't you miss going into a shop, trying things on and being inspired by what you see?
Instead of having to draw up and imagine every piece that you want and hope to goodness that when the tailor makes it, that you like it?
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Girl I'm with you. I'm not a girly girl and have never been a shopaholic but I did enjoy shopping for clothes ocassionally but I hate it here. I am desperate for new clothes - spent the whole day looking and came home with a belt. I've bought a few clothes overseas and had a few of my own things copied and that is it - all my clothes are over 2 years old and its boring but cheap.
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Totty
20 yrs ago
Know how you feel gals, not everyone wants to be head to toe in Marks and Spencers, nor be buying designer stuff (if you're smaller than a size 2, but then you wouldn't have curves).
I normally wait until i go back to old Blighty and stock up by visiting Next, Principles, Monsoon, River Island etc.... or try ebay (most of the sellers on there are selling new stuff and i have never had a problem).
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Girl
20 yrs ago
Hi girls, thanks for the replies. Good to see it's not just me.
I'm not looking for any particular brand, but just the right to the experience to go in and shop as I would normally at home.
I wonder where the more curvy asian women and men shop?
I've reached the end of my tether again and have to head off to Shenzhen next week to get some clothes - I don't really like Shenzhen - it doesn't do anything for the whole ritual of finding a nice outfit.
You know what I mean - it's grimy and hands grab at you as you walk past.
- and I just feel a bit buggered its really my own option other that M&S.
Although, funnily enough, I found an old notebook of mine that I'd been doodled some designs of things that I'd like to find in my wardrobe and shops. I'll try to have them made for me.
I even pulled my sewing machine out of storage and whilst I was inspired, created a really groovy pair of jeans from two old pairs that I never wear anymore.
Great long legs, gaucho type leg. Love the result - and so flattering!
(sorry to write this, but I felt quite chuffed with myself. he he.)
Keeping my fingers crossed for new discoveries in curvy places to shop! (there has to be, even some skinny girls have curves too!) One of these days we'll have to open it ourselves. d'oh.
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Hi Girl
I was wondering what kind of bugdet you want to spend because I am very curvy, I have large breast and a hump and I love to shop in Hong Kong, now. I used to hate it and there are still times when maybe a sales girl will say something rude or mean. What I have realised is that sometimes the clothes I think will be to small fit. Sometimes sales girls bigger than me say 'too small' or 'too fat' for me and the items fit , sometimes even too big. I think Hong Kong is in denial, lots of local women need bigger sizes and as soon as stores realise this they will make more money. I like high end designs and you would be surprised to find out that they have sizes to fit curvy people they just keep them out back. Another brand that I find looks great on curvy ladies and is not too expensive, especially when they go on sale is Vivenne Tam, I am not small but I can wear there 0 or 1 and the fitted clothes complement curvy figures. I have to say the worst part of shopping in Hong Kong is usually rude or incompetent sales staff. I have been lucky to find some stores and some ladies who work there who are great at their jobs and I go back to them and don't return to places I get horrible service. Best of luck I know it can be hard to find stores with more variety .
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Hi Girl
I hear you. I am losing the plot too. Hong Kong is suppose to be fashion capital of the world NOT!!
I have always been fashion concious have always liked my gear, have to say I have never dressed as badly in my life since I moved to Hong Kong. I seriously cannot find anything decent to wear. My figure sounds similar to yours. Never mind the shopping where can we find bras??? Course all the bras here are padded and when you have boobs you dont really need the pads.
Then the bras with no pads look like something my Gradma would wear. I have been shopping in vain the past few Months only to come home depressed tired and end buying stuff I dont really like for the sake of it. I am not the frilly girl type with blouses up to my neck ( locals love the frills and lace ) I like to show off my assests in a classy way. Its getting to the stage that I have no choice only to get the tailor to make me something that fits and looks good. I used to love shopping with a passion, now I feel like I am being watched over by vultures when I enter a shop, with five of them following me around like I am a thief, and then they say in a funny accent, Hello, New Arrival, you can try!!!. Are they all trained to say the same thing to westerners??
Im over it. A friend suggested I have a look on victoria secrets web site and surprisingly they have nice ladies clothing. Real shame have to resort to online shopping its not really the same is it!!
Or maybe just treat yourself and go on a shopping weekend to maybe Bangkok or Singapore. Guaranteed to find yourself some nice gear there. Could be good to organise a shopping trip get a bunch of girls to go, also pick up some nice xmas presents
Keep the faith girl
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Raincatcher I am a curvy woman and even when I was 10 pounds heavier I can easily fit into Vivene Tam. A lot of there material is nylon so it fits me if I've gained or lost weight. I know a lot of people may not like the style but it was just an option for curvy ladies. I have never bought a bra in Asia I have no idea where?
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On weekends I wear alot of cotton t-shirts mainly b/c it is so hot. Just bought a couple of good t-shirt bras from Esprit on Queens Road - largest size a medium C - western sizing and no padding. Be careful in M & S the sizing is Asian sizing - the staff told me that. All my favourtie clothes have some lycra stretch so I will check out Vivienne Tam on the weekend, thanks for the tip.
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for bras...
www.figleaves.com - i know it sucks to have to order online, but that is my only option. they have a decent return policy so you can order a bunch and choose what you like.
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Girl
20 yrs ago
Hi there, Thanks for all the responses and advice on where to go. Sad that we're having to go online - cos it's really not the same I agree.
AXB, I think I'll be sending you an email!
I decided to do a little wardrobe cleaning after seeing The Devil Wears Prada - and ended up throwing out two big bagfuls of things!
I went into central to have a look about to find a couple of things and felt quite saddened that my only refuge was M&S or if I can miraculously unearth an XL in Zara (which are in general smaller sizings - I think they work on the italian scale). Let's face it with Zara - my E cups make a mockery of an L shirt in there! he he
Seriously thinking of doing something clothing-wise for the curvy goddesses of HK. Might be more$ than the fabulous bargains AXB can find for her friends under $100 - but just imagining what it would be like to comfortably shop in a store in HK makes me more determined to find a solution here.
hmmmm.....
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I have been in Hong Kong for 12 years and when I first got here (I am nearly 6ft and have size 14 hips), the sales girls started sniggering as soon as I walked into the store! Out of sheer frustration, I set up my own clothing label here in Hong Kong, called Cloud9Asia.
Although I have Asian sizes, I specialize in Western sizes (arm length, inseam etc). Also, I do alterations free of charge. So if you need a bigger size for the bust but you're smaller in the waist, I take it in so that we create a nice flattering hourglass figure. The store is on the 1st Floor, 7 Lan Kwai Fong.
There are more stores in LKF, all catering for Western sizes. There's Ozzie Cozzie (3/F, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong) who have all the famous brand swim suits. Evelyn B is in the same building and carries European brands as well as a great collection of evening gowns. Rosarini has non-crinkle clothing in black & white. So next time you go to M&S, make sure you pop up the road to Lan Kwai Fong too. We are here; but we're tucked into little buildings because we can't afford G/F rents! If you have any questions, let me know!
Kind regards,
Ilse
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