Ban Lee Shoe Store
Sizes: up to size 15
Price: from $20+
Location: Holland Village

Bata
Sizes: up to size 12
Location: Sun Plaza, Causeway Point, Woodlands Street 31, Northpoint, United Square, Thomson Plaza, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, Junction 8, Toa Payoh Central, Lot 1, Bukit Panjang Plaza, Bukit Timah Plaza, West Mall, Jurong Point, Clementi Avenue 3, Compass Point, NTUC Hougang Mall, Heartland Mall, White Sands, Upper Changi Road, Century Square, Bedok North Street 1, East Point Mall, Parkway Parade, Shaw Plaza, Lucky Plaza, Centrepoint, Great World City, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Bukit Merah Central, Peninsula Plaza, Marina Square, Suntec City,

Charles & Keith
Sizes: up to size 10
Location: Amara Shopping Centre, Anchorpoint, Bugis Junction, Causeway Point, Central, City Link Mall, Clifford Centre, Great World City, Junction 8, Jurong Point, Marina Square, Velocity @ Novena Square, Parkway Parade, Plaza Singapura, Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3, Suntec City, Tampines Mall, Wisma Atria, Vivo City

DMK
Sizes: up to size 11
Location: The Concourse, Amara Shopping Centre, IMM, Raffles MRT XChange, Century Square, Plaza Singapura, HarbourFront, Chinatown Point, Compass Point, Suntec City Mall

Joo Chiat Shopping Center Level 2
Size: up to size 15
Location: Joo Chiat Shopping Center

noDa
Size: up to size 12
Location: Jurong Point, West Mall, Raffles Xchange, Suntec City, Far East Plaza

Novo
Size: up to size 10
Location: Great World City, Marina Square, Parkway Parade, Suntec City

Marks & Spencer
Size: up to size 12, approx. UK size 8
Location: Centrepoint, Wheelock Place, Parkway Parade, Raffles City, Paragon, Plaza Singapura, VivoCity

Pedal Works
Size: up to size 12
Location: The Amara, East Point Mall, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Jurong Point, Thomson Plaza, Pioneer Mall

Vincci
Size: up to size 10
Location: City Link Mall, Harbour Front, Malaysia (a few outlets but the nearest to Singapore is the one in Johor Bahru City Square)

» Click here for more comments from our members

Most shops sell shoes up to size 10, that’s size 40. What’s my size? My size is 12, that’s size 42. Depends on the cutting, I may be able to fit into size 10, but that normally results in blisters or the shoe splitting up at the end and a great deal of discomfort. If you are a size 10, there’s a few shops in town that you can go to -

• Charles & Keith
• Bata – last heard, they are opening up plus size shoes but not sure what happened
• noDa – they do have size 12 (export goods) but not many

However, if you are looking for shoes size 10 and above, it’s far and few. There’s Marks and Spencers, the price a bit steep but the quality’s good and there’s one shop hidden away in Holland Village Shopping Centre, above Cold Storage, that do sell shoes up to size 12 and above.

Ban Lee Shoe Store
211, Holland Ave, #02-04, Holland Rd Shopping Centre, Singapore 278967
Tel: (65) 64661007

They have new stock around 3-6 months. Design wise, its not fantastic but at least there’s comfort when you get the right size shoe. When I go by there, I will make sure I get a few. Hehe..Price wise, it’s pretty good. Price ranges from $15 (when on special offer) to $40+ per pair. Below are the heels that I got from Ban Lee Shoe Store. I even went to the extend of getting different colours for the same design! Hehe

Being plus sized doesn’t mean that you are unable to get evening dresses or gowns for your important occassions, that party dress. No. No. No. There are always options available. If you are thinking of getting nice dresses off the shelf, you can consider Dorothy Perkins, they don’t have many but selected few.

Otherwise, I will recommend tailors!!! I swear by tailors! They are great! Everything made to fit you perfectly. If you got it, flaunt it! I have now, 5 evening dress, all tailor-made, 1 from a seamtress in Chinatown, the other 4 all from Artiris. Let me share with you some of my insights…

Click on the thumbnails for a bigger image.

Black Long Tail Gown with Silver Beadings Cost approx $300 I had this tailor made at Artiris in Year 2004, when I had a business gala dinner. I wanted something really formal and I always wanted a long tail (those that drag the floor kind). Can’t fit into this now but I still love it. • If you are having a long tail, do choose fabric that are not so heavy so it doesn’t weigh you down. In this case, the 1st layer of this dress cuts up to give it more flow and lightness. • If choosing an all-black ensemble, do ensure that you accessorize appropriately. In this case, this dress has a section of silver beads after the waist. • Don’t go for pure solid black. Go for layers – translucency for that allure. • If you have big arms, a matching shawl will do good. • If you have a big tummy or small bust, have your dress as empire cut (high waist, slightly after the under-bust), it really flatters

“Marilyn Monroe” Bare-Back Halter Neck Evening Dress Cost approx $250 I had this tailor made at a seamstress in Chinatown in Year 2006 for a themed party – Superstars Nite. I had always loved that Marilyn Monroe dress and this was tailored similar to it. The seamstress was great. She had it done for my 1st fitting in 2 days. The only drawback was that I had to get my own fabric. The 2 layers of fabric that I got from Chinatown Market, however, only cost me less than $30. I have worn this on a couple of occassions -wedding, as an emcee, dinners, etc. It has a dangerously low cut front and a bare back. • If you have got what it takes, flaunt it! Go for a deep V if you wanna show that cleavage. • When wearing an all-white to a wedding, remember to do a courtesy check to see if the bride minds, otherwise, just don’t wear an all-white to the wedding, you ain’t the bride. • Remember to do a body scrub 1 day before you wear any skin revealing clothes, especially a bare back. You wanna look and feel good! • For a dress of such nature, go for soft and light fabric for its bounciness and flow. You want your skirt to blow in the wind. • Do not wear a bra in such dangerously low cut front. Go for nipple tapes and body tapes which are widely available in Watsons, Marks & Spencers, Guardian, etc.

Green Dress with Beadings Cost approx $300 I had this tailor made at Artiris in Year 2004 for a themed party – Prom Nite. I was the chairman and also the emcee, so something pretty is nice. This dress has a slim A-line cut which brings out the curves of the hips. Its long length gives me that extra height (provided you wear heels). Sadly, I can’t fit into this anymore but still love it, of course. • When going for colours, do choose one that suits your skin colour. Otherwise, it may turn up disastrous. Choosing the right colour will bring up the “luminosity” of your skin. • When choosing tricky colours such as green, go for a bit of fabric effects – such as glitter, textured, etc so that the colour does not look so stark. • If you are going for a more structured look, choose fabric of medium texture. You may couple it with a soft flowy shawl to balance it out. • If you have narrow shoulders, a “deep inward” shoulder strap will enhance your shoulder width and also increase the comfort leve.

Blue Casual Evening Knee-Length Dress with Beadings and Painting Cost approx $250 I had this tailor made at Artiris in Year 2007 for a friend’s wedding – supposed to wear all blue as sisters. The translucent fabric on top of the white cotton base makes me feel all princessy again. The only drawback with this dress is that it has a bust support which, if not tailored properly, may not look good. However, I really love the blue. • A knee-length dress or shorter, will give a more casual look and feel to any dress. • If you have small bust, do not opt for bust support, it will normally not look as great as with you wearing a bra. • If you have a big tummy or small bust, have your dress as empire cut (high waist, slightly after the under-bust), it really flatters • If you have big arms and would like to have some sleeves without looking out of date, go for translucent cap sleeves. They look great. Just make sure the cap sleeves is long enough. If the cap sleeves are too short, it will have an adverse effect of making your arms look bigger visually.

Where Can You Tailor Made Your Dress?

• Artiris – AMK Hub #02-11 Tel: 6484 0543 ROM PACKAGES AVAILABLE!
• Chinatown Seamstress – May Hp: 97424934 (located somewhere at Trengganu Street)

Or if time or budget is the constraint, and you are ok UK18-22, you can give me a buzz and I will be glad to lend you my dresses at no charges but you must take extra care of them, of course.

Hi Erica

Great job done on the amazing BAB website. I love the fun layout of things and regularly check out your products.

I was wondering if you could recommend me some good plus size shops to shop for shoes and clothes in Bangkok, as I will be heading there next week, and I hope to be able to pick out some shoes/clothing for myself, instead of standing by when my smaller sized friends shop and shop! So miserable!

Thanks and I really appreciate your help.

Regards

Liann

Hi, Liann.

Thanks for the great comments.

You can pop by to Platinam Mall and Indra Shopping Centre (they do wholesale there). They are quite close by. Your friends can shop there too. There’s a lot of stuff there. However, for plus size shops, there’s only a handful. The thing is I can’t recall where exactly are the shops. I only remember where they are when I am there. In Platinam Mall, it should be the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor at the corner. The other plus size shop is called The Fat Story (it’s quite pricey here), you can find it at Suan Lum Night Market or Bo Bae Wholesale Center (this is not well-known among tourists). As for shoes, there’s this only 1 shop in the Old Siam Square, beside MBK, its on the 2nd or 3rd floor, beside a hairdresser.

Hope the above helps. Have fun!

Regards, Erica

Let me share with you the joy of shopping at Sant Rolane!

If you girls are looking for great bottoms, well fitted jeans, Sant Rolane is where you should be going to! I buy all my bottoms from Sant Rolane. Why? Cos it fits and the cutting is great! Who says BAB Girls can’t find short crop pants or tights for that matter! I bought a pair of black tights at $49.90 and have been most definitely “utilising” it!

Their sizes range from UK8 to UK25, sometimes to UK27. Prices increase with the size. A typical pair of jeans will cost a size 10 approx $39.90 while it will cost a size 25 $59.90. They offer membership for purchases $500 and above. Members get 15% off. I also like the fact that they offer in-house seamstress service for on-the-spot altering if your pants are too long, etc. at no extra cost, most of the time.

They do have some tops and skirts (design is so so, kinda outdated at times) but I will say their pants/jeans really ace it! Check out that green jacket below! I bought that at $59.90, a bit expensive but I like to have a cropped jacket in my wardrobe to add to the casual stylishness!

See what I got from Sant Rolane just some months back!

Click here for their store listings in Singapore

Click here to Sant Rolane’s website

Let me share with you the joy of shopping at Dorothy Perkins!

I love shopping at Dorothy Perkins! Especially for their tops! If you are someone who love prints and colours. This is the place to go! And if you are looking at what’s in for the season, you get a pretty good update here. I just popped by their Raffles City Branch today. Looks like the “sweet girl” image is in for this Spring season of 2008. Think small floral prints and sweet pastel colours and lots of translucency…

They do have nice accessories as well though it’s a bit pricey. Their bottoms and dresses are however not quite of a fit. The cuttings are generally smaller, if not, it’s simply not fitting. Look out for their periodical sales, you can get really good pieces! Sizes range from UK8-UK20, sometimes UK22, but very rare. Prices range from $20+ for basic jerseys. On the average, I will spend about $49.90 – $69.90 for a decent top. Sales period is definitely a good time to shop! I got a red floral tupe top and yellow baby frilled top at only $29.90 during their November sales last year (see below).

Here are some of the tops that I have bought from them just last year.

Click here for their store listings in Singapore

Click here to Dorothy Perkin’s international website