... And there we have the reason that High & Mighty shops exist at all – high street retailers in the UK simply do not cater for men with significantly bigger-than-average arms, legs and waistlines. In fact, the chain used to run under the tag-line “for big and tall men” until ... Read review
Advantages: Trousers and shirtsleeves that are long enough; waistbands and shoes that are big enough Disadvantages: Price tags that are also big enough!
...we have the reason that High & Mighty shops exist at all – high street retailers in the UK simply do not cater for men with significantly bigger-than-average arms, legs and waistlines. In fact, the chain used to run under the tag-line “for big and tall men” until someone realised it was difficult to be both (in the sense meant, anyway) and changed the “and” to an “or”...
High & Mighty, in short, ... ...to find I’d outgrown the high street stores’ profitable size charts, High & Mighty sold suits, slacks and most probably flat caps – in other words, clothing that was functional rather than fashionable. Now the emphasis has switched, and in addition to the sharper cuts and modern colours sporting the chain’s own label you will find items from more familiar names such as Ben Sherman, Pierre Cardin and Rockport.
The chances are that you will never make use of the information in this opinion. Not because you don’t want to – but because you will never have the opportunity. And there we have the reason that High & Mighty shops exist at all – high street retailers in the UK simply do not cater for men with significantly bigger-than-average arms, legs and waistlines. In fact, the chain used to run under the tag-line “for big and tall men” until someone realised it was difficult to be both (in the sense meant, anyway) and changed the “and” to an “or”...
High & Mighty, in short, sell clothes – and shoes – that fit oversize men like me. If you have no need of their 40” inside leg jeans, 60” waist trousers or size 15 boots, then you will have no idea what a luxury it is to be able to look first at the styling instead of the size tag, knowing that your size will be in stock – or at the very least available to order. And the range has improved considerably in the last few years; when I first started to find I’d outgrown the high street stores’ profitable size charts, High & Mighty sold suits, slacks and most probably flat caps – in other words, clothing that was functional rather than fashionable. Now the emphasis has switched, and in addition to the sharper cuts and modern colours sporting the chain’s own label you will find items from more familiar names such as Ben Sherman, Pierre Cardin and Rockport.
In case you were wondering, I don’t have a 40” inside leg measurement (nor a 60” waist!) – the tape in fact reveals 37” as the optimum length. Therefore I make regular use of the alterations service, which as a High & Mighty account cardholder is available at no charge (non-card holders pay around five quid a time). Store assistants are trained in pinning the trouser at the correct length and the altered clothes can either be picked up in-store or posted out to you at standard Royal Mail charges. The card also entitles you to free gift-wrapping on any purchase and a complementary suit cover with your new “whistle and flute”, plus the occasional special offer. You also get free postage and packing when you order from the website, http://www.highandmighty.co.uk
But all this comes at a price of course, and like everything else in the store, it’s large. High & Mighty have got the market cornered, and they know it. There just isn’t enough business in the UK for another major player and thus operating an effective monopoly, everything is full price. A pair of jeans will cost you £40; a casual shirt £50 and a pair of shoes around £60. Suits start at £200; an overcoat is another £230. Business shirts are much more reasonable at £22. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s all quality stuff, but their sales are so infrequent that impulse buys are out of the question. One light is the discount section at Downtown near Grantham. It’s a limited selection, but most items are around half their normal price. “Full-size” stores can be found all over the mainland from Glasgow to Guildford and Cardiff to Croydon. There are also four stores in Germany and a further four in the Netherlands.
Did you ever see the Julia Roberts film “Pretty Woman”? Remember the scene where her character is asked to leave that boutique by the snooty assistants? Some of High & Mighty’s employees can be a bit like that, and yet others can’t do enough to help. Mind you, that’s better than indifference from all! Anyway, if you’re there for a serious shopping session or are with your partner, expect a proffered cup of tea or coffee at some point. Most branches keep a few toys and books in a corner too should you have bored children with you.
Overall, High & Mighty are a good chain but there’s not enough real competition to keep them on their toes. The directory http://www.extratall.co.uk offers links to alternatives, but frankly, they’re not thrilling. Anybody fancy going into outsize retail?
Advantages: Lots of household named shops, Wishing Fish Clock Disadvantages: Toys shop hard to access if you have kids with you.
shops like The Link, River Island, O2, and Mothercare. At the very end of the mall on the ground floor is BHS. The second floor is where you will find more specialist shops like a Chinese Herbal shop, High and Mighty a clothing shop for tall and large men and on the second floor above BHS is TK Maxx.
There are also a few places to eat and drink.
? Druckers ? is abit on the pricey side but the food is good.
? Butlers ? This is an odd one as this is on the upper floor at the front of the arcade next to Young World, but there is no lift only escalators which is an absolute nightmare if like us you have 2 young children one of which is in a buggy. The food in there is cheap but it?s not very nice at all.
? Soho Coffee shop ? The name says it all, its ideal as its quick and easy
? Auntie Annes ? Is a recent addition to the arcade. It ...
Advantages: Easy to use. Good quality merchandise. Good service. Disadvantages: Inconsistent fit. Clothing is functional and unexciting.
INTRODUCTION
Cotton Traders (CT) has become a staple source of clothes for me. In my darkest days, pushing almost 25 stone, it was my only reasonably priced, mainstream source of outsized clothes that did not carry the psychological baggage inherent in ?Big & Tall? and ?High & Mighty? type shops. With sizes up to 4XL for T-shirts and polo shirts, and waist sizes up to 52 inches, it was a godsend. The only downside was that ordering from them helped perpetuate the illusion that my size was OK. In fact, it was when I started struggling to get into CT?s biggest clothes that the penny finally dropped and I took decisive action to manage my health. The good news, for readers at least, is that I have ordered clothes from them for going on three years, in various sizes, and have built up enough experience ? both good and bad ? to be ...
Hishyeness 27.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Cotton Traders
Advantages: Variety of Shops, Christmas Decorations Disadvantages: Very Busy at Christmas, Butlers
seem to be restricted to suits and that's it - apart from River Island and a shop called "High & Mighty" for those who are tall. (What about those who is average height and does not need a suit? - very little). There are also sport shops such as JD sports and another opposite, Gilesport.
The variety begins away from clothes such as "gift shops" (not like at the seaside but where you could buy a quality intresting gift for a Birthday or Christmas). The Gift Company, Pied Piper, and Prezents Giftware make for intresting browsing. These are on the second floor, which is well worth walking around, as it is a break from the general clothes, clothes, mobile phone, clothes shops on the first floor. (Yes there are plenty of phone shops - O2, The Link, Virgin Mobile...). If you are a sport's fan, "Sportizus" have signed photos, pictures and lots ...
