Shopping in the UK (for Filipinas)

"Don't ask me how I know this"!

UK clothing is generally of good quality. However, many garments are made to fit elephants!

These notes may help:

1. UK size 4 is US Size 0. This is because Americans are even fatter!

2. UK shops, outside the very expensive parts of London inhabited by models, may not carry stock below Size 8. Marks and Spencers (* and Debenhams - thank you, Anne!) do carry lingerie in Size 6 though.

3. Sizes are not reliable. Always ask for the fitting room and try on anything that you see and like. Englishwomen always do.

4. In a UK department store or boutique, the smallest size dress, jacket, etc. will be the one on the mannequin. Don't be shy about asking the saleslady to undress the mannequin so you can try the item on. If she can sell it to you, she will be happy to make the sale, and can dress the mannequin again with something else. Shops will offer to change the length of dresses and trousers at a small charge, usually £10.

5. Don't be shy about looking for "teenage" clothing and "children's" clothing. It is cheaper because there is no tax on it. Small Englishwomen do the same.

6. Shoes. English women are just as fascinated by shoes as Filipinas and you will find shoe shops everywhere. The prices are about in line with the Philippines. In boots, which you will need outside the summer months, you get what you pay for - the pair at £200 are better than the pair at £20! Philippines shoe sizes are the same as US shoe sizes and UK sizes are smaller - a Philippines "7" is a UK "4". But always try shoes and boots on.

7. Yes we have ukay ukay stalls in markets, and "charity shops" also sell ukay ukay.

8. We also have "outlet shops" which sell new seconds and unsold items very cheap.

9. Good hunting!

It's true about children's clothes.

My wife needed black trousers for work and had trouble getting some to fit. Eventually I persuaded to go to the local school uniform shop, and that's where she got some.

Absolutely right Methersgate, and i love going to the Charity Shops, i always got a good catch. There is always a Charity Shops every Town and i find it so clever. And i observed UK charity shops or what we called in the Phil UKAY UKAY is more reliable and safer to wear and have a good quality and if you will be lucky you can get a brand new one , rather than UKAY UKAY in Phil you will be hesitate the way they store it and can probably get disease. My husband said the Charity Shops have a good and secure storage and before they sell, it undergo a good proper hygienic procedure.
So i can say im fan of CHARITY SHOPS in Town

Thanks shengsei! I am very happy that a lady has confirmed what I have dared to write on this subject!

Debenhams also has size 6 and most of the time on an offer.

Thanks Anne! Good point.

We were pleased with the results in the January sales. We managed to find a lot of items in size 8 where the size 12 ones were sold out. The advantages of being smaller than the UK average.
You also forgot to mention the 'petite' ranges that some shops offer.

Even size eight jeans may be toooo long in the leg...

you're definetly, right when i first i arrive here.. i was in teens section for my clothes! lol

Asawa had a 23" waist but a few kids have put paid to that

Just realised the title of this thread can be read two ways. "shopping for Filipinas in the UK". Ho ho.

My wife likes mango as they have the same back home

I detest people who go shopping for Filipinas in the UK.

They are just too lazy and kuripot to go to the trouble and expense of wooing, perhaps supporting and in due course importing a Filipina from the Philippines and so they just steal other people's Filipinas.

The fellow who raced off with my ex wife of 17 years was shopping in the UK for Filipinas. He didn't pay me for the house I built for her in the Philippines, or for anything else, for that matter. She is a good cook and a good housewife but I don't guarantee anything else about her, and I will not give a refund or part exchange her. I wish him joy of his purchase.

My thread is about shopping in the UK (for Filipinas)

You mean her upholstery is a bit worn-out, her knobs are a bit wonky and her timing chain needs replacing. Caveat emptor!

Yeah.. my ex-wife had sagging upholstery and her temperature gauge stuck on 'cold'. I like my replacement, newer year model. She still has the new wife smell.

I went shopping for a wedding suit for myself in the UK and could not find any big enough and I am not that fat (see profile pic) so went shopping for suits in the Philippines instead and bought a suit from F&F Clothing in Cebu. Considering F&F is just Tesco (yes they get the suits from Tesco in the UK) it was surprising I could get a suit my size in the Philippines but not from Tesco in the UK!

Remember if your wife sees something she likes and it is too small, she will buy it anyway!