Evans - Size 14+ Not just for fat people! At least that's what I tell myself! (Evans)

Member Name: katykicker

Product:	Evans
Date:	28/03/09 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great range of sizes for the larger lady.

Disadvantages: Can be a little pricey, £35 for jeans!

My review is based on my local Evans store in Harlow, Essex.

My store is located at the Water Gardens which is a shopping area with outdoor seating and ponds and what not. The store is twinned with Dorothy Perkins so you have Dorothy Perkins downstairs and then Evans upstairs, they have an escalator leading up and stairs for getting upstairs & downstairs, it's slightly strange that they have an escalator going upstairs but not downstairs? Maybe they think that you won't mind walking down the stairs as much as walking up them?!

There is also a lift from Dorothy Perkins up to Evans but this isn't very clear when you visit the store as you would head straight for the stairs. The lift is a little scary as it is just big enough for two people with a pushchair and you have to press the button continuously yourself to go up or down. There are safety bars though which stop you from getting crushed against the ceiling!

The store is very well spaced out, they have quite a lot of choice too ranging from casualwear, officewear, shoes, jeans, accesories, underwear.

The changing rooms are very well lit with lots of mirrors (that don't make you look bigger or thinner than you really are!), they have lots of space and I have never ever had to wait for a changing room. Generally the staff don't worry about giving you a token or anything you can just show them that you're going in (they're normally over by the till) and head in with your items. The changing rooms are always clean and tidy and there is a rail on your way in/out of them to hang any purchases that you don't want (although I don't really get why people can't just put things back where they found them, that's what I do anyway).

They stock clothes from sizes 14-32 and I find that there is always a fair amount of choice (I am wearing a 16/18 most of the time so this is what I base my answer on). Maybe if you are of a slightly larger frame you might find that they don't stock as many of the products in your size but if you speak to the staff working they will be happy to help with this.

They stock shoes in the normal sizes (around 1-9 I believe) and these are mainly wider calfed boots and wider sandals/shoes, I don't tend to wear boots so my fat calfs aren't really a problem but I have heard all good things about the shoes on offer being that much more comfortable for the larger framed woman. I find their shoes to be a little pricy but quite often they have a sale shoe rack with quite a few pairs of nice looking boots at around 20% off.

Also, they generally have a couple of sale rails quite close to the tills all year round and these seem to be well stocked with a variety of sizes, I have picked up a few bargains pairs of jeans & t-shirts for £10 or £12 here and they have never had anything wrong with them.

The staff are always very helpful and willing to assist with anything be it just picking that perfect accessory or having your bra-size measurements taken (in the privacy of a changing room of course). They are always happy and smiling and don't hold unnecessary conversations with each other whilst serving you (some of the other shops in this area of town seem to have very snooty staff working they).

The fashions always seem quite on trend here but not everything is designed for a 16 year old (which is fab as I want to look in my twentys not in my teens!).

I would definitely recommend visiting the store if you are a size 14 and over, the staff are helpful, there is never a queue at the till, there are no pushy salespeople and they are always friendly.

Summary: I would recommend giving Evans a visit.