The Closet's Empty

[The Rollercoaster Stops Here]

Hi,

I would like to find out from my Canadian Buddies, what their favourite stores for clothes are.

I find myself in a bit of dilemma. My most favoured store for casual clothes, is no longer there. I knew Cotton Ginny Plus, was having money problems, but a friend told me they had gone into receivership. I always knew if I went there and bought a XL, it would usually fit me.

Now, in the 100 Plus category in terms of weight loss I need some store ideas. I know of several stores that go up to 4X and occassionally 5X, but rarely. I've been to Addition-Elle and Sears to look. Most of their sizes go only up to 4x from what I see, and many of the pants do not have elasticized waists. A must for me!!!

Would like to hear about your favourite stores, and especially if it caters to those women above 4X

Thanks,

Karen


smile.gif smile.gif

[CordyC]

Argh, Cotton Ginny bit the dust? I was bereft when they closed in Montreal, and used to go to Ontario for my "fix". (Oh, yeah, now I've got the Lightfoot song in my head for the rest of the night. Thanks!)

Karen, there's an Au Coton Liquidation outlet in a rinky-dink plaza near me. I'll scope out any XLs in the Plus sizes and I'll PM you if anything turns up. I think they had that denim dress with the tie in the back, and maybe the striped wrap-around skirt.

In the meantime, what about Zellers??? The Bay? Their Outline line is very generously sized - I'm a Medium in the regular line, and their capri pants are on sale this week.

[The Rollercoaster Stops Here]

How's it Going CordyC?

Thanks for the response. By the Way, I'm banging my head against the wall trying to think of the Gordon Lightfoot song you are referring to. graemlins/crazy.gif graemlins/crazy.gif

Please let me know what you see. Mainly in the market for separates, pants and tee's, stretch cotton sweaters, (long over the hips) etc.

Hope you don't mind if I PM you sometime, as I like to keep in touch with some of my Canadian Buddies.

Karen :D

[Denise02]

My plus size store of choice. Penningtons I like their selection, they have something for everybody and sizes 14 and up. I find their prices a lot more reasonable than Addition Elle and I liked their selection better than Cotton Ginny.

I like the quality of their clothes also. Especially for the price you pay.

Denise

[CordyC]

Hi, all!

Karen, I'd be dee-lighted if you PM'd me. Now that the PQ is out of power, I guess Quebec will be a part of Canada for a while. graemlins/crazy.gif

The Gordon Lightfoot song is actually called "Cotton Ginny". It's a real oldie, and it's probably on his Greatest Hits CD. If not, try to download it from Kazaa. The store took their name from the song, because it came out first!

To try and get back on topic, any fans of Zeller's here? I am such a classy chick that I buy most of my clothes there. Also, The Bay (downtown Mtl) has a liquidation department, with all the "unpopular sizes" in abundance. So if you're a Size 4 or a 3X, you're laughing! They had a bunch of nice Liz Claiborne stuff, none of which fit me, because a) I am 5'4 and their stuff is cut for taller women and b) the sizing is so generous that I'm a 10-12! Worth checking out.

[The Rollercoaster Stops Here]

Hi to all Cotton Ginny Fans (that's you CordyC)

I heard that although Cotton Ginny went down the tubes, they have been bought out by another company. They are eventually to reopen at a later time, but with a decreased number of outlets. If and When that happens, I hadn't heard. I thought I heard 75 stores??? Not sure about that one. Anyway, will watch and wait for any further information.

Please keep all those other great Fashion Finds coming!! :cool:

Karen smile.gif ;)

[The Rollercoaster Stops Here]

P.S. to CordyC

Of course, I'd forgotten about the Cotton Ginny song by Gordon Lightfoot. Ever since mentioned it, I "can't get it out of my head".

Will PM you another time. I must do some chores before another Sunday passes me by.

Karen graemlins/wave.gif

[Shican]

Cotton Ginny is gone?????? Well that shows you how much shopping I do!!! I have had problems with the quality of Penningtons stock. Several times I have had to return items.

I like Reitman's. There used to be a plus size Weekender shop which was just great. I don't understand why these places are having such a hard go of things. There certainly isn't a shortage of large ladies.

Please post the new name of the store that is replacing Cotton Ginny's. I shop at West Edmonton Mall. Thanks.

(Didn't Anne Murray do a song something about Cotton Ginny????) :confused:

[Gail N]

Winners Plus sometimes has good stuff. It is hit and miss.

smile.gif

[Gail N]

Actually the place I get most of my close is Value Village the second hand store.

They have taken me through this weight loss from 280 lbs and size 26 to 198 lbs and size 14.

This way I can more for good prices and I know I won't have it long.

I bought a Louben suit there last Sat for 25.00. I had the skirt dry cleaned and taken up for another 25.00. For 50.00 I have a beautiful designer suit. It looks amazing. DH loves it-I am wearing it on Thursay to a large function where many for my friends will be and they haven't seen me since I started Weight Watchers.

[Jill March]

I went to Value Village in Burlington for the first time last week (don't want to buy new clothes while I'm still losing). You're right, you can certainly pick up some gems there. I got a brand name wool spring coat, a silk blouse and a pair of dress pants for a total of $25.50 graemlins/thumbup.gif

[dyna]

I'm a long-time Value Village fan. I also like to check out the local consignment stores. There is an excellent one in Plattsville - near Kitchener (if anyone is close by.
I like to have lots of choice and second hand shopping is a great way to have that.
Cheers, DYNA

[iamalama]

Glad to hear that other people shop at Value Village. graemlins/thumbup.gif It's great! And when you're losing weight you don't have to be concerned about buying clothes only to shrink out of them in a few weeks. :D I am below my goal weight now and still love to shop at Value Village. Why spend a lot of money when you don't have to? :(

[carlee]

Hi,
I live in Vancouver and Cotton Ginny has reopened several of their stores. I'm out in the Coquitlam area and both of our stores have reopened. The manager in one said they were bought out and hope to reopen most of the stores in the next year.
That was great news because they have the best fitting jeans I've ever owned.
I haven't posted in a long time because I've been living in the States with my boyfriend.
Hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to meeting some new friends.
Cheers, Carol

[ashlee]

I shopped at Cotton Ginny Plus too, but they only had casual clothes so I could never really get anything for work that was suitable. However, I loved their casual pants.

I'm now into smaller sizes. I can shop at the Alia store here and did buy a sweater yesterday. I never buy clothes at Sears, but did buy a blouse that fit now on sale there about 2 weeks ago.

There is another store here called Lindor which has some really nice clothes, however they were too small for me. I don't know about now - probably some would fit me.

We have 3 ladies wear stores downtown here and I only really shop in one of them. They are privately owned.

I love La Porta clothes also. I have one of their coats and would love a short coat now for Fall/Winter, etc. The store that sold them - well the people retired, another store picked them up and has since gone out of them. There is another smaller store that does carry her clothes so I might check there in the Fall.

We really need a store here for the working woman where they sell nice dresses/sets with skirts and tops, etc. However, it seems a lot of people wear pants to work and not just pantsuits anymore either. We could use a store for the larger size petite person too, which is me.

Ashlee

[Kanis]

Hello all. Thought I would put in my 2 cents.

Firstly, the cotton ginny in my mall has reopened. So that's good news for all the ginny fans out there.

Secondly, I like shopping at Old Navy. Rather affordable and comfortable clothing. I also like to hit Winners. I really have to take my time there however cause it's just jam packed with stuff.

One store that I would love to attack once I get down to my goal weight is Tristan and America. They have the cutest outfits. But for now I'll have to settle with window shopping. smile.gif

Christa

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Hi Karen

I just wanted to drop you a quick note about Cotton Ginny in the Ancaster Meadowlands (just outside of Hamilton)
I think it is still open or it has re-opened! I'm going to take a drive by there tomorrow and then I'll let you know!
It may be an option for you with the QEW / expressway right there
Hope this helps you a little .. I know it's frustrating when the stores we depend on go out of business .. from some of the other posts it seems like the stores may be re-opening soon???
Hang in there graemlins/wave.gif
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