Plus size fashion shows were at the forefront of New York’s Fashion Week last month. For its November issue, Glamour Magazine is honouring the topic with a beautiful spread of seven plus size models. Since it seems the industry is finally starting to understand that not all women are a size 0, I decided to head to Oppen’s, one of Montreal’s preeminent shopping destinations for plus size fashion.

Believe it or not, the cozy boutique located on popular St-Laurent Boulevard has been open for 22 years!  Having travelled around the world, owner Beverly Oppen says there is nothing she hates more than walking into a store and feeling intimidated – which explains the warm and friendly feel of the boutique.

With collections going from sizes 14 to 24, Oppen’s has a lot to offer for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. While I was there, I discovered a line called Roni Rabl, a hand-knit collection from Israel and reversible raincoats from Carmen G. Oppen’s also carries Toronto’s very own Linda Lundström designs, and other Canadian collections, such as Joseph Ribkoff.

In the back, a pot of candies and magazines sit on a table next to a sale rack that is constantly refreshed…365 days a year! Next to it, a section dedicated to wardrobe essentials such as t-shirts, blouses and nice cotton long sleeves.

Whatever is missing on the market, Beverly makes a point to have. She’s particularly proud of her jeans selection and I must say, with Tummy Tuck Jeans from the Californian NYDJ brand, she’s making a killing. The jeans go from size 2 to 24, all have a bit of spandex for maximum comfort and apparently, women swear by them.

Then come the scarves and the jewellery from France, Israel and the US. As Beverly puts it “a real hodgepodge of everything!”
A definite shopping destination for mature women in need of elegant, comfortable and chic clothes that fit!

Do you know of any good stores for plus size fashion in Montreal? Let me know!

Oppen’s
4828 Saint-Laurent Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec
514-844-9159