Last week I visited the new Pepperberry store on George Street, Edinburgh to try on a few of the clothes that are designed with boobs in mind. The idea is that you should be able to find your own dress size, e.g. 10/12/14/16 and match this with a Curvy/Really Curvy/Super Curvy in order to dress your hips, waist and bust without any bagginess or pulling, etc.
To begin with I found the sizing difficult. Based on my high street sizing and my bra size, the sales assistant advised I would probably be a 14RC (Really Curvy), so I tried on a dress in this size which proved to be far too big. I then tried a 12SC (Super Curvy) which fit across the hips, but was baggy around the middle and shoulders. I think a 12C (Curvy) would have worked but it wasn't available to try on, which was disappointing but understandable for a new store yet to determine the most popular sizes of regular customers. The trousers/skirts/shorts etc were all sized as standard on the high street, so I found the skirts fit well in a 12 and the trousers a 14 - this is usual for me, so in that respect the sizing was fine. The tops on the other hand, threw me off altogether - I ended up buying a 10SC!
I eventually figured out that I was a 10SC in tops; a 12 in skirts; a 14 in trousers and probably a 12C in dresses. I have to say the different sizing did put me off to start with (I found myself padding barefoot around the storefront in Pepperberry clothes, swapping sizes, determined to find the right one for me) but once I got my sizing right I was back in shopaholic mode.
The Pepperberry collection itself is great - full of staples and basics in classic designs. The dresses ranged from LBDs perfect for an evening out, to printed jersey dresses for the weekend. Skirts were feminine and pretty, while tops were varied and included casual t-shirts, pretty blouses and strappy numbers which contained hidden bust support (no more wide bra straps on show). Trousers were mostly classic - navy wide legs, indigo jeans, brown linen. There was workwear to suit everyone, including a grey trouser suit and a cream skirt suit. Overall, a great collection of pretty, wearable clothes to suit and flatter most figures, especially busty ones!
If you're looking for totally on-trend fashion or unique pieces for your wardrobe, I don't think Pepperberry would be the store for you. However, if you like good quality, timeless clothes that will fit seamlessly into your existing wardrobe (who doesn't?) then I highly recommend a trip to Edinburgh to visit the stand-alone Pepperberry store, where the clothes fit and the staff look after you to supply very good customer service. Prices are reasonable, ranging from around £30 to £60.
A word of warning: don't let the sizing put you off. If you put in the initial hard work, you will most certainly reap the rewards.
Below are some of my changing room trial and errors!
Following size confirmation, I shopped! :o)
Below is my final purchase of brown, tapered trousers (so soft) and a stone jersey top with sequin shoulder detail. I styled them with existing pieces from my wardrobe, including a navy blazer by H&M, shoes by BCBG, a cuff by Oasis and bracelets which were all gifts, including a Pandora.
With thanks to Pepperberry.
