Where are the Plus size shops in Rio?

October 2, 2007 7:48 PM

I am taking a trip to Rio de Janeiro next week. Are there any good shopping options for plus sizes (20-22)?

Price isn't so much a concern as quality. I'd love to find some unusual items I can't get in the states.

posted by renyoj to shopping (4 comments total)

I don't know about Rio specifically, but generally plus sizes are hard to find in Brazil. I am a 14 and that puts me at the really big end of "normal" clothes here. In a big mall, I'm sure there will be at least one store that carries big sizes (look for stores that offer sizes bigger than 50). But don't hold your breath that there will be really cute stuff--the plus-sized stuff I've seen has been more like polyester potato sacks than anything else.

Sorry to be a downer! Like I said, I don't know about Rio specifically--it may have way more options that we do here in Salvador.

Oh, and when you go to the beach, don't worry about maximum coverage with your bathing suit. Trust me--everyone lets it all hang out!
posted by wallaby at 5:14 AM on October 3, 2007

I only spent two days in Rio during my trip to Brazil, but in general I don't recall seeing any plus size items in specialty or boutique clothing stores. Maybe in a chain like Loja Americano, but that's sort of Brazil's version of WalMart.

The one shop I definitely spent WAY too much Reals in was in Santa Teresa. Worth a trip up to that part of town because of the lovely architecture:

La Vereda, Rua Almirante Alexandrino 428
posted by gov_moonbeam at 10:14 AM on October 3, 2007

Clothing wise, it's going to be pretty tough, since Brazilian sizes run very small by American (and European) standards. For example, I wear a size four in American clothing, which translates to a 38-40 Brazilian size, and most Brazilian sizes run at the most from a 44-46. What you can buy heaps of that will make you slick and fashionable here in the States are cangas. Cangas are the ubiquitous beach serapes that you will find for sale up and down Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon beaches. There are tons of different styles and colors, and you can wear them as skirts, tops, beach cover ups, you name it. Also, buy yourself some kicky Haviana flip flops. Don't bother with the clothing, there are very few things you can find in Brazil that you can't find here. If you are going to be in Rio on a Saturday, you can't miss the Feira Hippy (Hippy Fair) in Ipanema, you can get some super-cute jewelry there.
posted by msali at 1:50 PM on October 3, 2007

Well, it's not even the right country, but I can't resist mentioning:

My wife is a plus-sized lady, and when we visited Argentina some years back, she did not see any clothing in her size. What we did find, however, was a cute little leather shop that took her measurements (and mine) and less than 24 hours later we had gorgeous custom fit (and custom designed) leather jackets for about US$100 each. The moral of the story is that the tailoring/custom-made industry is much stronger in other countries than it is in the US, so if there is something specific you want, see if they can alter/make it for you (note -- having a good translator is probably essential for this kind of thing).
posted by Rock Steady at 6:51 AM on October 4, 2007