VOLUP2'S ULTIMATE SHOPPING GUIDE TO PARIS 2024! by Christa Cripwell
Original illustration by Daria Burobina
With Paris at the epicenter of the fashion world, its shops and popular style tend to reflect the fashion standards exhibited on its haute couture runways. As a result, searching for clothes in Paris that fit those with curves, can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not, we have found the best plus-sized or “GRANDE TAILLE” stores to shop at in Paris so without further ado, here's VOLUP2 Magazine’s…
ULTIMATE PLUS SIZE SHOPPING GUIDE TO PARIS!!!
Almé is a plus-sized focused brand located in the 9th arrondissement. It offers everything from evening dresses to casual pantsuits. Its sizing goes up to size 54 and its designs appeal to women in search of cutting-edge clothes which reflect true Parisian style. The store is a privatized showroom giving its shoppers a personal and special experience.
If your mission is to find a man’s 5XL, look no further than Big XXXXXL Diffusion Newman Distributeur, found on 12 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie. Its clothes tick the boxes of elegant, comfortable and sporty. With sizes ranging from XL to XXXXXL in brands such as Bugatti, Digel, Camel Active and Casamoda.
C&A, located on the Rue de l'Arrivee 3 boasts a large selection of affordable clothing ranging from sizes 44-62 in tops and 44-60 in bottoms. If you are looking for blazers and jackets to pull your outfit together, C&A has got you covered. There are four different C&A stores in Paris.
Capel, on 26 Bd Malesherbes, sells clothing for all occasions, from casual polos to suits. Jackets range from sizes 54-60, pants from 44-50 and suits are sold up to size 64. Cutter and Buck, Vilebrewuin, Eminence and Pal Zileri are just some of the many brands you will come across while shopping at Capel Grandes Tailles. You can check up on their blog to keep up to date with their latest arrivals and new trends.
Next up we have Di-Castri on 3 Rue Benjamin Franklin an up-and-coming contemporary plus size men’s clothing store. Di-Castri offers an array of jackets available in sizes 44-66 which can be tailored to suit you. If you are looking for a suit for one occasion only, Di-Castri also gives you the option to rent one.
Elena Mirò is located on 16 Rue St.roch. It is an Italian brand and has recently extended its range of sizes from 42 to 58, offering clothes of the highest quality and feminine style.
Jean Marc Philippe is located at 95 Rue Saint-Lazare. The French plus-size designer Jean Marc Philippe has created an avant-garde brand that seeks to meet women’s desires. JMP designs are simultaneously timeless and contemporary. They take on the role of emulating the classic sophistication which lies at the heart of Paris fashion, whilst also appealing to the modern woman. The allure of JMP lies in its versatility; it has comfortable designs that allow for a smooth segue from office to soirée.
Next, we have Kiabi located on the 4 Rue Camille Desmoulins. Kiabi offers cool yet sophisticated street-style clothing adhering to the Parisian style. They have a wide variety of print pants and pleated skirts ranging from sizes XL to 4XL which tick the boxes of both staple and statement pieces.
La Pompadour, found at 32 Bid Bd Haussmann boasts a beautiful collection of elegant clothing including long dresses, silk pieces and fur capes, ranging from sizes 38 to 62. If you are looking for special occasion outfits, this is the place to come. It is a beautiful boutique harbouring the grace and style of Paris fashion whilst embracing inclusivity.
Make My Lemonade is a stunning shop located at 61 Quai de Valmy. It has earned a reputation as a safe place for plus-size people to shop. They strive to make everyone feel comfortable, paying attention to the smaller details such as having armchairs without armrests to avoid discomfort for bigger bodies, and all sizes are available on the rack rather than being held in reserve. Its staff is trained in partnership with Fat Policy, which campaigns against fatphobia “to deconstruct bias”. Make My Lemonade has also been mentioned in Gaëlle Prudencio’s blog. Gaëlle was one of VOLUP2’s very first models. She is the founder of #French curves, the organiser of Curves and Cocktails, a body-positive blogger of fifteen years, and the creator of the Lagos-based plus-size brand Ibilola Ogundipe. Featuring in five VOLUP2 shoots, including The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of and Be In Love With Your Life, Gaëlle is a trailblazer and a hero in the industry.
The prêt-à-porter plus size brand, Marina Rinaldi, found at Haussman 40 is one of elegance and high quality. While you should expect clothes here to be on the more expensive side, there is no doubt in our minds that you get what you’re paying for. It adheres to Parisian standards of chic sophistication and sells dresses, knitwear, coats and blouses that cater for all sizes from size 38-54.
Rafal, located at 49 Bd Saint-Michel, carries a collection of sportswear, suits, coats and business attire ranging from sizes 40-50. Rafal is also home to brands such as Pierre Cardin, Monte Carlo and Bugatti. In Rafal, you will always be looked after and invited to ask for personal advice or styling assistance.
Tara Jarmon, has several stores in the heart of Paris, with one on 18 Rue du Four. Tara Jarmon is a Paris-based Canadian fashion designer whose stores in Paris have earned her a reputation for creating clothes that are “chic and timeless, simple and feminine”. She combines Parisian chic with practicality and comfort, to create a dream collection of clothing, encouraging confidence among all women.
Ulla Popken, found at 32 Bd Haussmann, is a plus-sized boutique store that has clothing for both men and women. It is a modish store which caters to all genders and all occasions. It ranges from sizes LG to 8XL for men and 12-34 for women. The store is home to a sustainable fashion line called PURE, which sells athleisure and casual clothing. Ulla Popken also has a blog that advises on various styling tips and hacks, trends and lifestyle content.
Un Jour Ailleurs, found at, 67 Rue de Passy, has held a space in the plus-size industry in France since 1985, creating clothes for women ranging from sizes 36 to 52. During the patterning process, the clothing prototypes are tried and tested by mannequins ranging across the entire size chart and then developed by specialised technicians to guarantee the perfect fit. Un Jour Ailleurs promises “style, comfort and durability” in their clothing. One customer named Florence de Nantes said “When I buy a piece (from Un Jour Ailleurs), I don’t have the slightest doubt, I know that it will suit me”. Un Jour Ailleurs bears in mind that all of our bodies are unique and different. As a result of this ethos, they take great care in paying attention to detail and technical finishes, adding in elastic comfort at the back of their pants, and in their sleeves.
Verseau Paris, found at 15 sq. Vergennes markets itself as “French couture, tailored for curves”. It was founded by a couple, Loic and Andrea who come from Central Africa and Sweden. Their brand emulates the ethos of VOLUP2, focusing on weaving inclusion and diversity into fashion. They believe that clothes should be tailored to the body, instead of tailoring the body to fit certain clothes and they emphasise that size should not be an obstacle when it comes to curating your dream wardrobe. If you didn’t think Verseau could be more perfect, you stand corrected! They also champion sustainability, sourcing their clothes from just outside Paris, using an exert atelier. They believe that fashion should not follow trends, focusing on creating a timeless collection that transcends trends. They say, “We’re all about style, quality, and fit.”
Zélia, found at 47 ter Rue d'Orsel is best known for its custom bridal gowns, but you can also design other styles of dresses. Zélia Sur La Terre Comme Au Ciel designs each dress to fit your exact body; you will leave feeling like a Parisian princess.
The Size factory on 20 Rue de l'Étoile offers a collection of T-shirts, polos and sweaters in sizes 2XL up to 8XL and pants in sizes 48-62. They also sell shoes for tall men, ranging from sizes 47 to 49. To stay in the know about new designs, take a look at the Size Factory’s journal.
We hope we have provided you with the best possible roadmap to help you have an unforgettable shopping experience for plus-size clothing in the fashion capital of the world!
