Evans - what went wrong?

Tete_en_l'Air

I don't shop in Evans myself (thank goodness, from the sounds of it!), but I think you ladies here must be in the minority of larger ladies who want flattering clothes rather than just the latest fashions. Where I'm from there are scores of big girls walking around in miniskirts, leggings, vest tops ... they don't seem to care that they look awful, they're just happy that they're in something 'fashionable'.

aliasojo

I think the problem is the size range more than the actual clothes ranges. They cater for size 14 up to a size 32. Clearly an outfit that suits a size 14 will not suit a size 32. Larger sizes come with their own larger issues and whilst flabby arms may not be a problem for a size 14 who wants one of their halterneck tops for instance, they will be a problem for much larger ladies.

They are trying to suit all sizes and that just doesn't work I think. There's a reason why most shops stop selling their standard ranges around a size 20. That said, there are plenty of short cardis or shrug type things in the shops that larger ladies can put on over a short sleeved/sleeveless top should they feel the need. (Like me .)

amyb_2

Other people that agree with me about Evans :j

With me it’s not the fact it’s a picture/cartoon of some skinny girl – it’s the fact everything they sell has silly pictures or decorations on. Why can’t they sell nice plain t shirts???

If there not printed with a random picture, there decorated with chains, or sequins or glitter like they’ve been designed by a three year old who got a craft kit for Christmas. I’m an adult (29) I don’t need sequins and glitter on a daily basis.

The length isn’t really an issue with me as I’m 5’11, but they are so shapeless. I’m busty so when something fits nicely in the chest area it’s positively tent-like by the time it reaches my waist and hips. I have enough actual pounds I don’t need tops that give me the illusion of more!

Style wise. They are just made larger. There is no attention to detail or tailoring for a curvier shape which goes in and out. I’m not round therefore would like some tailoring in my clothes. I don’t mind showing my arms but hate cap sleeves as they cut my arms off at the chunky-ist place. Evans love cap sleeves.

Also vest tops and strappy dresses– why are straps so long, and who do they fit. Last time I bought thin strap vests from Evans I had to shorten the straps by over an inch. And I’m a GG cup so god knows who anyone else keeps there straps on their shoulders.

Trousers. Far too short for me so I never try them on. Shorts and crop trousers are fine in leg length but unfortunately my waist to crotch measurement is about half of why Evans think is normal so they have a horrid nappy look to them on me. This was the same when they used to sell a short-lived tall range,

I haven’t even mentioned the actual quality. Which is getting pants-er by the season. Or the cost which is too high. Evans is no longer the only place for plus size clothes, but they are still pricing like they have a monopoly.

That said I got a nice mid length trench coat a few months ago.

aliasojo

amyb wrote: »

With me it’s not the fact it’s a picture/cartoon of some skinny girl – it’s the fact everything they sell has silly pictures or decorations on. Why can’t they sell nice plain t shirts???

If there not printed with a random picture, there decorated with chains, or sequins or glitter like they’ve been designed by a three year old who got a craft kit for Christmas. I’m an adult (29) I don’t need sequins and glitter on a daily basis.

To be fair, that's the fashion at the moment, it's not an Evans 'thing'. I was in Debenhams trying to find a cardi for my 10 year old daughter and the place was full of sequinned covered knitwear that would suit Bet Lynch more than a petite 10 year old. Next is full of long tops covered in pictures too, in the kids section.

Evans have their problems, granted, but their ranges are only what's 'in' everywhere else too at the moment.

amyb_2

aliasojo wrote: »

To be fair, that's the fashion at the moment, it's not an Evans 'thing'. I was in Debenhams trying to find a cardi for my 10 year old daughter and the place was full of sequinned covered knitwear that would suit Bet Lynch more than a petite 10 year old. Next is full of long tops covered in pictures too, in the kids section.

Evans have their problems, granted, but their ranges are only what's 'in' everywhere else too at the moment.

I know that, but everything they sell is the same. Its 20 different styles of the same top.

Maybe its a frustration at the fashion than the shop. I'm obviously getting old.

Its a good thing for me anyway - tis forced me to look elsewhere for clothes and i'm pretty happy with what i've found.

aliasojo

amyb wrote: »

Maybe its a frustration at the fashion than the shop. I'm obviously getting old.

That's my feeling tbh. I've been clothes shopping a lot this week as daughter is going off on holiday and needed new clothes. It's all the same stuff everywhere, no matter if it's for kids or fat folk.

Most of the stuff isn't to my taste at all, I struggle to call it fashion, but it'll pass soon enough, just like shell suits and nylon jackets did.:rotfl:

cherub1965

i agree,evans is awful.they never do skirts,if they do they are too short.i like them long as i have scarring on my legs and a 36 length doesnt do it for me,and i'm only 5'5.they seem to think all big birds want to wear trousers/jeans and those long sleeveless vests with motifs on.am 44 !!!!!!,they should cater for mature taste aswell,classic stuff.new look do nicer stuff and i would say they are aimed at younger women.havent bought anything in evans for months.been instore few times and they are empty and i have bought nothing.got a skirt online for 25 quid and sent it back it was such horrible quality.thinnest material ever.i used to get loadfs in there.i tend to get stuff from ambrose wilson catalogue.the crazy clearance bit is soooo cheap.lot of it frumpy but ok skirts,shrugs etc.had some great bargains,then i go to new look or matalan for cheap fashionable bits to put with them.

meames_2

make-do=and-mend wrote: »

Evans is not as good as it was - year on year they churn out the same style blouses, just in a different colour!

Oasis have been doing this for years! :rotfl:

goanmad

aliasojo wrote: »

It's all the same stuff everywhere, no matter if it's for kids or fat folk.

Speaking as an emaciated thin bint I have to agree. The range of clothing is almost identical in every shop on the British high street. Gone are the days when each store had it's own individual look. If I wanted to wear a uniform I'd join the army.
Give me well-made, unique vintage pieces any day of the week.

Bitsy_Beans

goanmad wrote: »

Speaking as an emaciated thin bint I have to agree. The range of clothing is almost identical in every shop on the British high street. Gone are the days when each store had it's own individual look. If I wanted to wear a uniform I'd join the army.
Give me well-made, unique vintage pieces any day of the week.

Welcome to the British High Street where every town has the same shops, the same stock etc etc.
We have no individuality anymore