Plus-size clothes

Old Jan 20th, 2005, 04:53 PM
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PBH
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Plus-size clothes

I know the Italians are for the most part not overweight. Will I find any plus-size clothing in Italy to purchase? Please don't bother to answer if you are going to be nasty.
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 04:59 PM
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I saw a store in Rome called XL. I didn't visit it, but it was clearly targeted towards plus-size women. I hope someone else can post the address, but it was somewhere in the historical center, probably near or on via del Corso.
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:02 PM
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PBH;

The clothes in Italy run smaller than our sizes even the "M" did not fit my size 8 niece. With that being said, yes you can find plus-size clothing, although just as in the US it may not necessarily be in the same store as smaller clothes would be.

Clea
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:07 PM
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PBH, there certainly are women in Italy that wear plus-size clothing. The stores I am not familar with but there has be be some.

One thing to keep in mind is that their clothes seem to be cut differently then in the US. So sometimes that can present a problem. Have fun shopping, and just a thought. I would imagine a women's clothing store could you advise you where to go if they do not have what you need.

Have a beautiful trip!
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:15 PM
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Thank you all for your pleasant and helpful advice.
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:34 PM
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here's a list of of those who make the clothes, Several are for plus sizes and they can tell you if available where in italy you will be visiting.
http://www.made-in-italy.com/fashion/manufacturers/
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 05:35 PM
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here's a list of of those who make the clothes, Several are for plus sizes and they can tell you if available where in Italy you will be visiting.
http://www.made-in-italy.com/fashion/manufacturers/
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 06:41 PM
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Marina Rinaldi is a well-known brand, owned by Max Mara. According to a report on slowtrav.com, there is a shop on Via del Corso in Rome. Another brand mentioned in the report is Elena Miro.
http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/TripRepor...pid=97&index=1
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 06:49 PM
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PBH, I don't know the answer but I enjoyed your asking the question
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 07:01 PM
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I'm just curious where you got the idea that for the most part Italian women aren't overweight? Especially within a year or two AFTER getting married? Where have you been in Italy?
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 07:12 PM
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PHB, Patricks comment is true .
I think maybe you are getting Italian women mixed up with the Parisian women.

Parisian women do seem to have a reputation for being very slender. I do not know, I have never been to France.

But Italian women are not known for being slender.

In fact I have many wonderful friends in Italy and after reading your thread I got thinking about them and realized I am the one who is so much smaller then they are. Never thought about it before.

So you have fun shopping!! And enjoy every moment.
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 10:01 PM
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Coin department stores have women's sized clothes. I don't know how extensive the collection is though. In Florence, the store is located on Via Calziuoli. There are four in Rome, five in Milan, and two in Venice (the one on C. San Luca is cosmetics & lingerie only, the larger one is in Cannaregio.)
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Old Jan 20th, 2005, 10:34 PM
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Agree with Boodja, try local department stores like Coin or La Renachente (sp?). They have plus size departments, although they don't have a large selection.

Disagree with other posters about Italian women. When we moved there I thought everyone was going to be bigger from all the pasta and bread but most of the women (who were not little old ladies) were very slim and small. I was the one that gained weight there. All the younger italian women just drank cafe and smoked cigs. Guess thats how they stay thin.
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 05:56 AM
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I have definitely seen a couple of plus size shops in rome - and one in florence - but don;t recall excatly where. Your hotel should be able to help you - even if only by looking at the yellow pages.

One thing I found to be a problem in Italy though is that the cut IS different. I have enough trouble finding things in the US that fit properly (I'm not plus - but not skinny either - but am tall with long legs) and in Italy everything was just way too short - arms and legs both. I would suspect that anyone 5'6" or over would have trouble there.
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 06:10 AM
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PBH. I understand your dilema, I have the same one.
I just wanted to say that when I was in Austria, it was refreshing to find plus sized clothing everywhere.
I always dread having my suitcases lost when I travel. Where would I find clothes easily?
Good Luck. I am keeping the answers here for future reference!
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 07:26 AM
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FYI, I am sorry I cannot help you with Italy. I have found that the best plus size clothing stores in the world are Macy's (for everything) (Harold Square, NYC) and Saks for top designer clothes. It might be because be because Harold Square is their flagship store, but the selection is unbelieveable.
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 08:43 AM
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I've not tried to shop for clothes in Italy, but want to agree about size and shape mentioned above. Young women may be slim and stylish but women of "a certain age" are often short and wide! I am of Italian decent and recently noticed in a travel magazine a photo two grandma's who owned a restaurant and we have exactly the same body type (short and wide)!
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 08:52 AM
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PBH - I am not plus-size so can't help you with shops, but I do know that Marina Rinaldi clothing is beautiful. I have seen in it magazine ads - it is available in North America too. Good luck in your quest, and have a lovely trip.
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Old Jan 21st, 2005, 10:22 AM
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........I'd gladly wear Marina Rinaldi's
clothing no matter what size I was - the
line has its own stores throughout Italy
and the styles are very chic and well
made. Be prepared to pay the prices
that go with that level of quality,
after all, Max Mara ain't Target!
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Old Jan 23rd, 2005, 12:31 AM
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Marina Rinaldi now has a store in Venice. Just behind San Marco - go under the clock tower (currently the scaffolding is covered with a ghastly and huge Leaning Tower of Pisa) and it's on your right.
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