I don't wear ""fancy"" clothes, ""fancy"" isn't my style, I prefer minimalist or classically elegant clothes, with the detail mainly in the cut, perhaps with a subtle print/detailing, but nothing ""fancy"" per se.

The same goes for Paris. In fact, clothing tends to be much more reasonably priced in the U.S. than in France, unless you shop at the WalMart equivalents.

M_K

Sounds just like what I expect to see you in - a tent with a bow around your neck.

M_Kingdom - I'd be grateful if you could use your fashion expertise to assist me with a problem I'm currently facing. I've been trying to find a summer(ish) coat over the last couple of weeks and have only found macs and thick pastel tweeds. Are there any elegant, well-cut coats out there this season which aren't in a fabric which will scream 'spring 2004' in six months time?

Don't mind M-K - he's a legend in his own lunchtime.

I went to Harrods when shopping for wedding dresses for a plus-size bride. They had a number of trial dresses on racks around the wall. We asked first if they did her size and then if they had any in her size in different styles. They did sell in her size but had not a single one to try on. In most shops they had most styles in every third size so most size girls could try one just too small on (and not zip up) or or one a little too large and just hold it pinched in.

The woman looked at us and said, well at her size, well, can't you just take our 12s and hold them up against her, that would give you enough of an idea wouldn't it?

She was SO rude we nearly wet ourselves laughing and then left.

Some other shop got the £5k she spent on her dress in the end.

I am plus size too but I wouldn't shop there if they paid me. Well ok, maybe if they paid me, but.... with my own money? Not a chance.

The staff are more stuck up than any of their customers could ever be.

Well, what do expect, Kavey, with that daft Egyptian running the show? Ever since he has taken over, the service at Harrods has gone to the dogs. Even my Aunt Pat won't shop for fancy goods at the food stalls anymore.

My god, why doesn't Her Majesty just send Princess Anne over to take care of him? An afternoon of riding with her and he would eventually turn up in F&M Lemon Curd. Imagine accusing the RF of masterminding a plot to kill Dodi and Di. Prince Philip couldn't find his way out of a lift with a guide dog, let alone contrive to put the sweeney on three people.

We English are very narrow in the shoulders, Madison, so you may have trouble with jumpers, jackets, and shirts.

MKingdom, I don't know why you bring up Graham Kerr. Someone aught to teach that man how to match his shirts with his ties. In fact, I am giving his name to Trinny and Sus. Cheers.

rofl...totally agree with you, John
Fayad is another who is a legend in HIS OWN MIND.

Madison, good luck with your shopping expedition. I'll go clothes hunting with you any day. If some snobby British salesperson gives you a hard time when shopping for plus sizes, just remember that YOU are the one with the $s to travel abroad & shop, and THEY are the ones getting crappy pay for working retail, and will probably never get the chance to visit our diverse country, home of the XS - XXXL! :)

PS: Being a musician, I have performed with more than a few full figured opera singers, all of whom were 100% stylish and beautiful (and much classier than M Kingdom2).

Hi, Mimi!! Where have you been? I was left here all alone with no Mimi, Scarlett, or Sheila. I just read Foodsnob's post about her body and Diesel jeans. I was AFRAID!

Amp, that wasn't a very nice comment you wrote about salespeople. You are stereotyping. I have a very good relationship with all the salespersons at the shops I frequent. I think you should apologize.

Bonsoir John & Mimi ((F))

Whatever size they sell in Harrods, it is lovely and I hope you find what you want. The salespeople have been unfailingly polite and helpful to me whenever I have shopped there, and much to the Yankees regret, that can be often!

good to see you Scarlet and John , check out my post on the $280 jeans. I think the wedding dress is being sold by the same guy who sold his ex-wifes beabie doll collection last August.

Mimi, I think you are right! That is funny :)

I always remember the scene from Pretty Woman where the snotty girl won't wait on Julia Roberts. BIG MISTAKE

I used to work retail on commission and I can tell you "never judge a book by it's cover". People would come in looking like they just washed the car and spend THOUSANDS on designer garments.

(Of course, there is also the car dealer who would not wait on me for a Saab Convertible! Big Mistake, another dealer got the sale!)

John, ROFL, fair point!

Carol, I also remember the scene in Pretty Woman!!!

Amp, whilst that's certainly true, rather than spend my money somewhere where the staff are so rude, even if I can feel smug inside, I'd much rather find somewhere friendlier and more oriented to customer service and spend my money there.

It is good to hear that others have had more luck with service there. We were in the bridal department where most customers seemed to be locals or British at the very least (as we were) and perhaps the staff in that department just weren't trained as well as elsewhere. Who knows?!

M_K has it ever occurred to you when you are judging people that they may have a medical condition that is making them heavier.

Some people suffer from thyroid problems, Diabetes, or are on sterioids and medication to control a medical condition. Never judge as you may be there yourself someday.

Madison - You can get better value for plus sizes outside Harrod's in most major department stores and M&S as well.

Enjoy shopping

Madison, there is indeed a plus size section on the first floor; have a look at the Marina Rinaldi clothes. You will undoubtedly get a larger selection in the US though. And if the salespeople are snooty (which most are not) drop the word "guest shopper" to a friend. I used to be a guest shopper at Harrods; they ask regular customers to go shopping and then fill out reports. They pay guest shoppers with Harrods Vouchers and discounts. The staff know that there are guest shoppers around, but obviously don't know who. Any more Harrods questions? I know the store quite well!

Tulips, I used to do the same for Nordstroms many years ago. I actually got paid for it at the time. It was great to pretend and shop on the stores visa for a few hours. I bought things I could never afford! Unfortunately I had to hand the bags over shortly after but it was a fun job.

Bother plus sizes!
I am five foot three and a UK size 12/14. I'm quite small boned too with narrow shoulders. This year, I have found it almost impossible to get inexpensive summer dresses. I'm hardly a dwarf. I think that people must just be getting taller.

Papagena:

This coat by Marni I feel has a rather classic look - most of their clothes are casual, classic yet contemporary, I think it'll look good for a couple of years: (I'd advise the "pink" colour which is really a stone/beige shade)

http://www.brownsfashion.com/fashion158.html

Other pieces by Marni, usually the plainer ones - not with heavy abstract patterns, will also last for a few more seasons.

m_K you've GOT to be kidding...