Shopping travails…
Ever tried shopping for ladies clothes, or even shoes at exclusive showrooms of international brands in India? No? Well, you are lucky. Don’t. Chances are, you will get out of the shop feeling like a baby elephant, a pregnant blue whale or a combination thereof.
Scene 1 – A few months ago – Attempted retail therapy – Reebok showroom, Nungambakkam
I walk in, eyeing the cute tops on display. After all, what better way to get over depression that to go shopping? My conversation with the salesgirl is something like this.
Me: I would like to see that purple top there.
Salesgirl: (With an air of nonchalance) Sorry ma’am. We don’t have it in your size.
Me: But, can’t I just look at it? My size is L.
Salesgirl: (Now, annoyed with me for having interrupted her afternoon siesta) I told you. We don’t have it in your size. The maximum we have is XXL.
Me: And I told you, I am only an L.
Salesgirl: But Ma’am, our size L won’t fit you. You can take a look if you want.
I pick up the size L, and indeed, it wouldn’t fit. How would it? The size L you find here is equivalent to size S in Europe, and size XS in the US.
Scene 2 – Levi Signature Showroom, Spencer Plaza, Chennai.
As soon as I walk in the salesman comes over.
Salesman: Welcome ma’am. May I help you?
Me: Uh, yes. I am looking for lycra jeans. Mid-rise. Boot cut.
Salesman: Sorry ma’am. Ladies jeans, the maximum size we have is 32.
Me: What the &!#&%#!!
Scene 3 – Woodland showroom – Anna Nagar, Chennai
Me: I am looking for sandals. Suede finish. Size 40/41.
Salesman: Sorry Ma’am. We don’t have that size in ladies’ footwear.
Now, tell me! What am I supposed to do? They don’t have bigger sizes in clothes nor in shoes. I realise that this is mainly because we, in India are clubbed along with the Chinese, the Japanese and Koreans as Asians. Reebok, Nike and other big brands import Asian sizes. This, is a huge problem because most Indian women are bigger, and larger-framed than the average Japanese woman. Why can’t these brands get this? It’s bloody annoying! And no, I am certainly not obese, or even overweight! I don’t appreciate being made to feel like an elephant!
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5 Comments
Praveen
I had to comment on this!
Been there experienced all of these @ Spencer’s. Guess this happens only in Chennai.
These sales people aren’t even willing to listen to you first.
Exactly! 🙁 Fate!
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Suki
If this makes you feel better… I’m 5 feet nothing and 50 kilos, and they STILL don’t have anything that fits me right. And I’m an L. Go figure.
Lol…thanks! It definitely makes me feel better…not our fault…blame the damned brands!
Alchemist
You know, I am 5ft, 40 something, a size S, and none of the Ss fit me. They are all way too huge. I always feel like, why am I made this way!!!
It makes me feel nothing fits me!!! Quite depressing!!
But after reading this, I feel, the grass isnt greener on the other side either! lol girl!
phantom
Reading this…i just HAD to share this !!!!
My mum’s friend had gone back to India, from Aus….she went to buy a petticoat from a shop in pune. Now this lady is on the larger side…but nothing significantly larger than your average well sized indian aunty. So anyway…the shop attendant shows her all the sizes…nothing fits. In a final attemot, the lady asks the chap if there’s anything out back….at this the attendant lights up….there IS apparently more stock in the back rooms. So he yells out to his subordinate “abey chotu….zara madam ke liye Jumbo size nikaalna !!!!”
Evidently, the lady in question didnt like being referred to as “jumbo”…..but i find this hilarious !!!!!!
Seriously tho…there is some serious thinking and analysis that the purchasing managers in india need to do !!!! As a 6 foot well built chap, I too have MAJOR difficulty in finding my size….funnily enough i found it more readily in delhi than in bangalore…at the same brand – Wills.
Jumbo size???? He he he he…it’s hilarious alright! But, I can totally empathise with the lady. It’s pretty annoying to have to fit into those tiny Japanese sizes! Indian women are rather large compared to the Japanese and Chinese women! High time these guys understand that!