Up until a few years ago I struggled to find clothing for my larger than average frame, but as I still consider myself relatively young, I wanted clothing that was still fashionable without looking like Pat Evans from Eastenders, although do you not think her earrings are pure class?? What do you mean no?

Well for those girls and ladies out there that don’t fit into the normal clothing ranges in most fashion shops, which is just about a size 14-16, you should pop into your nearest Evans, a ladies clothing store that specialises in clothing larger ladies from head to toe and just happens to cater for most tastes, even the most choosy of teenagers will struggle not to leave with a purchase in tow.

Most of their clothing range is available is sizes 16 up to size 30 however a small selection of clothing is available from size 14 up to size 32; their footwear even go from size 4 up to a size 10 and most of their footwear is suitable for ladies who require wider fitting footwear.

Here is a sample of the ranges on offer at Evans:

Design by Linda Benson
Evans own in-house fashion designer has designed a well tailored range of clothing suitable for special occasions like Christmas, parties etc, her range is elegant yet still managing to retain a perfect amount of style. I happen to love her range although I do find it a little expensive with the average dress costing around £90, but great when the sale arrives, I am sometimes lucky enough to get the same dress for around £40-£50. She also has some nice separates suitable for the business lady including co-coordinating tops, skirts, trousers and jackets, not just in black, although larger ladies quite often tend to hide themselves away wearing dull colours so they can blend in, Design, in my opinion is aimed at larger ladies believing they can feel beautiful.
Prices as I said can be a little on the expensive side with skirts averaging around £35-50 and jackets averaging around £60-90, but look out for the sales as they usually do slash the prices of the Design range, much to the delight of people like me, but a word of warning, get in quick as this range usually goes very fast as the quality of this clothing range is usually superb.

Sixteen 47
A range of clothing designed by Dawn French and Helen Teague exclusively for Evans customers, trousers; blouses; tops; jackets etc, designed to cover every lump and bump imaginable, I am only 5’3” and some of the tops go down to my knees which may suit Dawn French but I don’t think it suits me, I quite like some of their designs but oversized clothing kind of puts me off. Prices are quite expensive also with a typical top costing somewhere around £50 and a skirt around the same. Again if you like these kinds of thing then look out for the Evans sale, you are sure to find a bargain or two.

Active iii
A range of sportswear to suit the fuller figure including sweat pants (cropped and full length); shorts; t-shirts; sweatshirts and hooded tops, most of which is entirely tastefully co-ordinated and very comfortable. Priced very reasonably with t-shirts being around the £15 mark, sweat pants being around £20 and sweatshirts and hooded tops around £25-£30.

Seven
A range designed with the teenager in mind, the range changes quite frequently in order to keep up with the latest fashions, whether it’s cargo pants; slash tops; trendy jeans or even something you have perhaps seen in Dorothy Perkins but unfortunately they didn’t stock your size, then check it out, chances are you will find it in Evans Seven range. Priced similarly to Dorothy Perkins.

Essence Range
Suitable for the classic lady, simple straight lines with no over the top designs. Priced very reasonably, probably the most reasonable priced range that Evans carries with skirts being around £20 and tops at around £15.

Petites Range
A range of clothing for the shorter lady of 5’3” and under who may require shorter sleeves, trouser and skirt lengths, adjusted waist and bust lines as well as narrower shoulders. Evans stocks smart separates, tops, skirts, dresses etc, all reasonably smart and not too expensive either, with skirts being around the £30 mark and jackets being prices around £40-£50 and tops at around £15-£25.

Tall Range
The same concept as the Petites range except it’s geared toward the taller lady of 5’10” and taller.

Some examples of clothing on offer:
Skirts

Mostly you will find a wide range of skirts in many different styles, colours and lengths to suit most individuals, although the past years styles and availability have been rather disappointing, they seemed to have mostly concentrated on trousers, so far this season is looking good, but I’ll reserve judgement.

Most of you would normally find something to suit in store with everything from floaty chiffon skirts for the summer months and quite often you will find matching co-ordinates in store; pencil skirts for the work days available in navy blue, grey or back and available in 3 different lengths 27”, 29” and 32”; denim skirts and even jersey skirts with prices averaging from around £15 to around £35.

Blouses/shirts

Evans offer a wide and varied range of blouses whether you seek short or long sleeves or even no sleeves, plain or patterned in crinkle fabric, satin, polyester or cotton, whatever the season you will usually find lots on offer, you will also find overshirts, which tend to look good over jeans when going for that casual look, with prices averaging from around £18 to around £35.

Trouser/Slacks

If like me you dislike trousers then chances are you will have been as frustrated as me last season but if you do happen to like trousers then Evans would probably have had you gleaming with delight, much to my disgust.

No matter what the season is, there always seems an extremely wide range of trousers available on offer at Evans, including many popular styles including classic, boot cut, stretch, flared and high fashion, fabrics in pretty summer fabrics or heavy winter fabrics, some plain, some embroidered to suit the latest trendsetters, most come with choices of different lengths including standard, short and longer lengths. Cropped or traditional denims in several different shades and styles with prices averaging from £18 up to around £40.

T-Shirts

Whether it’s a V-Neck or a Round Neck style you are after then chances are you will find what you are after at Evans, they have quite a good range of styles and colours within their t-shirt range. Prices averaging from around £7 to around £15.

Dresses

Usually a great selection of dresses in store for everyday use, special occasions and even summer dresses. They usually have a great range of flowing dresses which I happen to adore wearing, I feel so nice, elegant and pretty in a nice dress and Evans have never let me down yet. Prices can vary greatly on their dress range usually from around £30 up to a whopping £90.

Swim Wear

Evans tend not to have a huge collection of swim wear which in comparison with everything else I have to say is a little disappointing, just because I’m big does not mean I don’t go swimming or on holiday, I happen to love Aqua Aerobics, so swim wear is important for me. However you will find a small selection of bikini’s, swimsuits, some are under wired and some have tummy control panels and some even come with their very own matching sarong WHOOOOHOOO! Sorry for the sarcasm but Evans really need to pull their finger out on this one. Prices for the swimwear are usually around £25-£30.

Wedding Outfits

A few years ago Evans launched Design Wedding, their very own range of Wedding Dresses and Wedding Outfits. A fabulous idea and one I am sure will bring them much success as so many bridal shops presume most brides are size 14 or below as I found much to my disgust when I married in 1997, I ended up having my dress made for me by a local dressmaker as I refused to pay the best part of £2,000 for a dress that I would wear for one day and even then I would be unable to try it on before deciding upon purchasing as once the order was made, it was as good as contract and unfortunately they did not stock many size 20 dresses for me to try on.

They do seem to have quite a nice range with matching shoes and accessories, the best bit for brides is prices are very reasonable, a full outfit with everything included will cost around £250, which in comparison with other bridal stores is just brilliant.

Lingerie & Nightwear

Evans carry quite an extensive range of underwear from the classic boulder holder and belly warmer nature to a range of more daring lingerie for the larger lady with matching sets of bras, thongs, knickers, suspender belts all at reasonable prices. As for sizes in bras, they carry sizes I didn’t think existed, unfortunately they don’t cater for me, I have a smaller back size (38) but a large cup size (H), ridiculous size I know and expensive too, I am normally £35 or thereabouts for my bras. It’s such a pity too as Evans have some nice bras on offer at the bargain price of around £18 with matching knickers at around £5-6. They also carry quite a good range of hosiery including tights, stockings (plain or fancy), footsies, pop socks and even comfort shorts to wear underneath dresses in the summer – they help to alleviate the uncomfortable rubbing feeling some ladies experience in their thighs.

A good range of nightwear is on offer including nightdresses (short and full length), pyjamas, chemises and housecoats. Costs from around £10 to around £30.

Although I have always found the quality of the products to be very good, on occasion in the past I have been disappointed with certain things, although on these occasions I found getting a refund no problem whatsoever, even on the occasions I had no receipt they allowed me to get something else to the value of the last price the item was sold at, not always good, it may have been in the sale, so it’s a good idea to keep hold of your receipt, I learned my lesson the hard way.

The clothing rails in store are all well spaced out to enable you to move about freely and see the goods without having to rummage, except when the sales kick in, then you’ll have to rummage to find the bargains, as stock tends to go quickly.

The changing rooms are all very pleasant and indeed generously spaced out with a full length mirror and seating available for waiting spouses or friends just outside the changing rooms, handy to gain their opinion on anything you may try on and even if you don’t have anyone with you, don’t worry, you’ll find a button in the changing room, press if you need help, different size or even a member of staff’s opinion, I have always found them to be completely honest, a refreshing change from some shops. If you happen to see something you like but unfortunately the sizes you have tried on don’t fit, then most staff will happily try some of the other stores for you to see if they carry stock, although they don’t get it delivered to their store for you, they can reserve it to enable you to collect from direct.

If you are struggling for time and don’t fancy trying your purchases on, as long as you keep hold of your receipt, Evans will happily accept your goods back giving you’re a full refund if you change your mind, as long as it’s within a period of 28 days.

Unfortunately, in all the Evan’s stores I have visited, I have never yet came across toilet facilities, which is disappointing considering you may well spend some time in store. On the plus side (if you’ll pardon the pun) they do cater for disabled people, well most stores I’ve been in do, with lift facilities and wider doors to help getting about easier.

I would most definitely recommend a browse around your nearest store, there really is something for everyone seeking larger sizes, I have always found the staff to be helpful and have noticed most of whom seem to be larger than average themselves and always seem to look good in the most flattering of outfits, setting us an example of how it can be done.

You will find a branch of Evans on most high streets, to find your nearest you can call 0870 599 11 11, even if you do struggle to get in to a store, you will be pleased to know you can also purchase online at www.evans.ltd.uk where you will be able to view your purchases and have them delivered direct to your door within a period of 3-4 working days (on average) at a cost of £3.50 however big your order is, the website is very easy to navigate but sometimes can be a little slow to load, you will find a good selection online and the beauty of ordering online is, you can try your purchases at your leisure in your own home and if any items are unsuitable, you can send them back via their carrier or simply take them back into an Evans store along with your receipt and they will refund or exchange goods for you.

Well there you go, I have waffled on again unintentionally of course, I sat down to write about Evans and got a bit carried away, I have to say I was feeling a bit down of late but writing this has cheered me up so if you can’t be bothered to read all the way through don’t worry about it, I’m not, take care, Heather :o)