Photo by Julie Vola
F
Supersize Me
or many expats living in Vietnam, finding clothes that fit can be an ongoing and sometimes emotional struggle. Hours can be spent perusing the crammed shelves of Hang Be, affectionately known as ‘Shoe Street’, in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, only to end in tears when told that that eye-catching pair of Vans doesn’t come upwards of US size 10. The same can be true of visits to many
of Vietnam’s lively markets and modern boutiques that, while definitely not short on variety, simply don’t stock items for the bigboned. And it’s not just shoes, either. Trips to purchase T-shirts, pants and even blouses can make expat shoppers a little hot under the collar — making the prospect of fashioning togas out of bed sheets somewhat appealing. While this status quo has provided a generous boost to Vietnam’s impressive
network of tailors, the opening of modern shopping complexes such as Hanoi’s Lotte Center potentially marks an end to those arduous searches. Stocking foreign brands in a wide selection of sizes, the new Lotte has seen Hanoi’s expat community flock to the changing rooms. But while you may have the option of better sizing at your fingertips, you may have to pay through the nose to get it. — David Mann
wordvietnam.com | January 2015 Word | 61