Big is beautiful

While utilizing online search engines to research on how Coco Chanel, Calvin Klein, Jennifer Lopez or Oprah defines fashion, I came across a blog entry entitled “Fashion: Boring vs. Trendy…Confessions of a Fat Girl.” Did that ring a bell?

Face it, most women would prefer a slim body with long legs, sexy thighs and to whatever that comprise a structure that most women would kill for. In short, vital statistics matter when it comes to wardrobe. Lean-bodied women can wear anything – as in, what’s in shops windows.

How about those who have more curves than Beyonce and a butt to make J.Lo jealous? Definitely, they are not too fat for fashion since there’s an influx of wardrobe shops that offers alternatives (in terms of extra sizes).

“Fashion is for everyone!” relates Joni T. Chan, proprietor of What’s In-Shoppe Store in Manalili that sells imported ready-to-wear items, bags, wallets, accessories and novelties, either wholesale or retail. “We offer big sizes/plus-sized tops ensuring affordability and customer satisfaction. Our designs are based on the latest trends (after the name of the shop) – mostly what you see on TV and in the malls,” he adds.

For six years, since its inception in September 19, 2001, What’s In-Shoppe Store with its location in the downtown area of Cebu has provided the masa a taste of how it is to be trendy and fashionable. Thanks to the expertise of Joni Chan’s better half Rowena who mans the designing and minds the trends updates (while Joni deals with the suppliers). The couple has made connections with the right fabric suppliers who also do the “sewing.” They specialize in made-to-order casual clothing at a reasonable price, which they have branded as WISS (What’s In-Shoppe Store) Collection – their own brand.  Their stocks are either from Thailand or have the WISS Collection tag ranging from P170 to P240 (negotiable).

The shop has gained a number of sukis from stalls and bazaar owners, workers from government and private offices. They are maintaining a velocity of goods since new products arrive every week.

Here’s Joni and Rowena’s advice to women who think they’re too fat for fashion: “Everybody can be fashionable, whether you are slim or not, there’s no discrimination in fashion. Petite is cute, while big is beautiful!”