Lee Lee's Valise - plus size boutique in CG
Subject: Lee Lee's Valise - plus size boutique in CG
(I'm crossposting this to PS and PH b/c I've brought up the issue of plus size clothing in those two forums before and believe it's something people who responded to my posts on that topic might want to hear about)so ... last week I was in New Orleans and I found this store named (don't laugh all at once, folks - you might hurt yourselves) Voluptuous Vixens. I figured it would be some fetish store for ... someone. instead it turned out to be this cute plus size boutique. I tried on a dress that was a bit too snug and wanted the next size, but they didn't have it. owner asks me where I live and I say Brooklyn. turns out, she says, that the dress I want is currently at a brand new store in Brooklyn called Lee Lee's Valise!
last night I stopped by Lee Lee's Valise and, in addition to acquiring the dress I wanted, chatted with the store owner. she's amazing. she has TONS of great clothing in her store - all price points, juniors to formal to business, and designers you didn't even know existed. she has a fantastic vision for her store and the fashion industry in general. her store has only been open since May 5th (!!!!!) and already women of all ages have come from all over New York (upstate, around the corner on President Street, and everything in between) to shop there.
on Saturday, June 2nd, between noon and 4 p.m., she's having a trunk show for the designer who made the dress I purchased. he's originally from New Orleans and was displaced after Katrina. I'll be there - anyone want to come with?
anyway, I just wanted to spread the news, and I encourage all of you to support this awesome business.
disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with this store, aside from shopping there. I met the owner for the first time yesterday.
EDIT: d'oh! forgot the info. it's a 368 Court St. at President, I believe. their number is 718-246-5337
Comments
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I dragged my (very patient) husband there last weekend. This is possibly the best store to happen to ladies size 12+ in a long time. Amazing atmosphere, a true boutique, a ridiculously large selection of clothes for the size of the space. And they're planning a lot more. Definitely worth a trip.
I'm going to try and be there on June 2 as well...it so happens I have a wedding to go to in July, so I need a new dress. Darn. -
I should also note that they are in the process of building "Jim's Corner" in the back, stocked with a big TV and drinks (maybe even beer?!) for partners/boyfriends/husbands/what-have-you to hang out in comfort whilst the wimmenfolk shop.
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Thanks for telling us about this! I've been planning to go over to that neck o' the woods this weekend anyway (haven't been to Swallow on Smith Street in a long time, and I love their jewelry) and that's only a couple of blocks away. I'll definitely check it out!
Edited to add:
Oh, and I might be down for going to the trunk show with you -- will let you know next week. -
by any chance do they have lingerie? Cause I don't know about you ladies, but I have a hell of a hard time finding bras in my size.
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They do, but it's a limited supply for now. It's one of the things they're working on (or so I was told).
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great thanks. Good to know, I'll have to stop by some time to check it out.
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I've been meaning to post this since they opened. I went and met the owner, and saw the shop, it's fab! I have their card and info if anyone wants one, and have been spreading the word. FINALLY, a cute shop for sizes 12-24. Enjoy, ladies!
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oh how e iting!!
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Okay, I just got home from shopping at Lee Lee's Valise and I gotta say I LOVE this shop! They have a great inventory -- a lot from companies I'd previously only seen online like Kiyonna and B and Lu (and had hesitated to order because I prefer to try clothes on and see how they look first), and several I'd never heard of before. It's the first plus size boutique in NYC, to my knowledge (yeah, we have some of the chain stores but no other boutiques). I just blew WAY too much money there, but I got some adorable pieces.
The staff is super-nice. It felt a touch pushy at the time, but in retrospect I think that as a fat woman I'm just not used to being able to shop anywhere where the staff is attentive. For example, the owner pretty much insisted that I try on a sleeveless sundress and I never, ever go sleeveless -- I'm always too neurotic and insecure about my slopey shoulders and pudgy upper arms -- and it was *adorable* on. Totally bought it.
I also got three really nice tops and a cami. I think I'm going to have to resist going back too often because they have so much cute stuff! -
I'm so glad to hear this positive review, Appolonia666! I've been sending people there non-stop.
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sje wrote: I'm so glad to hear this positive review, Appolonia666! I've been sending people there non-stop.
Now, if they only had some custom SJE embrodered pieces in my sizes available, I'd be in heaven...
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apollonia666 wrote: It's the first plus size boutique in NYC, to my knowledge (yeah, we have some of the chain stores but no other boutiques).
I know the owner says that, and she is right to a degree - NYC hasn't had a dedicated plus size boutique in years. but probably ... 8ish years ago there was a place on the UWS that was a plus size boutique. granted, it was old lady, 'flowing' clothing. so nothing any of us would wear, but it did exist. but, like I said, I wasn't about to start an argument with the owner. 7-10 years ago was when I was in the clothing sales business which is why I even know this - I tracked all plus-size boutiques in the country during that period. but I don't remember the name of the place and don't have my biz records anymore (hurrah for the IRS 7 yr rule) so whatever.
but, just for the record, NYC has a bad track record but lee lee's isn't the first store. just the best so far. (and best as in really awesome) -
alafairnadia wrote: [quote=apollonia666] It's the first plus size boutique in NYC, to my knowledge (yeah, we have some of the chain stores but no other boutiques).
I know the owner says that, and she is right to a degree - NYC hasn't had a dedicated plus size boutique in years. but probably ... 8ish years ago there was a place on the UWS that was a plus size boutique. granted, it was old lady, 'flowing' clothing. so nothing any of us would wear, but it did exist. but, like I said, I wasn't about to start an argument with the owner. 7-10 years ago was when I was in the clothing sales business which is why I even know this - I tracked all plus-size boutiques in the country during that period. but I don't remember the name of the place and don't have my biz records anymore (hurrah for the IRS 7 yr rule) so whatever.
but, just for the record, NYC has a bad track record but lee lee's isn't the first store. just the best so far. (and best as in really awesome)I think the store you may be referring to is Daphne's on Amsterdam. They have a website, www.daphne1.com. But yes, it is a little old ladyish. -
Anonymous wrote: [quote=alafairnadia][quote=apollonia666] It's the first plus size boutique in NYC, to my knowledge (yeah, we have some of the chain stores but no other boutiques).
I know the owner says that, and she is right to a degree - NYC hasn't had a dedicated plus size boutique in years. but probably ... 8ish years ago there was a place on the UWS that was a plus size boutique. granted, it was old lady, 'flowing' clothing. so nothing any of us would wear, but it did exist. but, like I said, I wasn't about to start an argument with the owner. 7-10 years ago was when I was in the clothing sales business which is why I even know this - I tracked all plus-size boutiques in the country during that period. but I don't remember the name of the place and don't have my biz records anymore (hurrah for the IRS 7 yr rule) so whatever.
but, just for the record, NYC has a bad track record but lee lee's isn't the first store. just the best so far. (and best as in really awesome)I think the store you may be referring to is Daphne's on Amsterdam. They have a website, www.daphne1.com. But yes, it is a little old ladyish.
right! I knew I hadn't imagined them. but I guess it's not a store anymore but a studio? in any case, thanks for the link! -
Subject: excellent news
thanks for the store rec.
i can't wait to go by there and find some clothes that actually fit.
it's about freakin' time! -
Subject: Another Plus Size Boutique in NYC!
I checked out Lee Lee Valise and it's great that we finally have more options in NYC. Another plus size designer, Monif C. is also opening a boutique in New York. I just got the Grand Opening
Invitation...it's on her website, www.monifc.com but here's the info...
Monif C. Plus Sizes Boutique Grand Opening
325 West 38th Street (bet. 8/9th Ave.), New York, NY 10018
Thursday June 14, 2007
7pm - 10pm
Come shop the entire Monif C. collection, www.monifc.com, with 20% off all
merchandise. Meet and get personal shopping advice from Monif C.
Cocktails, music, giftbags, and more! -
I am really excited to check out Lee Le Valise but not so into the prices and styles I saw at Monif's website
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Subject: lee lee's etc...
checked out the boutique today.
the store itself is v. nice. most of the styles are not my taste. bib tops and wrap dresses are in full effect. (i can't think of two styles i look worse in. but that's my problem and i suppose the store shouldn't be held responsible).
fabrics are still not up to the quality of other bridge-priced clothing manufacturers - such as banana republic or j crew. why is that? seems to be a common problem w/ plus sized clothing.
(smaller production = less bargaining power w/ textile mills?)
however, TRENTACOSTA had some lovely, tailored options. a rarity for plus sizes. (alafairnadia - is this the designer you liked?)
here's the link to the site:
Contemporary Plus Size Dresses.
www.trentacosta.com
on it is the info for the trunk show this sat as well.
i will absolutely go and check out his stuff.
on a related note:
would any of you shop at a plus size store that had stuff like forever 21 and h & m sells? i'd give anything for some great prints on my clothing. just wondering.
do any of you shop at torrid.com?
any thoughts about them?
monif c? um, isn't the fulton mall already choc-full of plus-sized hoochie wear? i wish them the best - but i wish they weren't one of the only choices out there.
one last thing - i highly recommend baby phat if you have a hard time finding jeans. they keep their rise a normal length - which means that your junk stays in the trunk. or something like that. -
Subject: Re: lee lee's etc...
legoflambchop wrote: checked out the boutique today.
this is also a problem with extremely high end stuff. at saks, or macy's, shopping some of the really schmancy designers at price points like the high end stuff at leelee's you're STILL not going to get the same quality or construction as you do from non-plus size designers.
the store itself is v. nice. most of the styles are not my taste. bib tops and wrap dresses are in full effect. (i can't think of two styles i look worse in. but that's my problem and i suppose the store shouldn't be held responsible).
fabrics are still not up to the quality of other bridge-priced clothing manufacturers - such as banana republic or j crew. why is that? seems to be a common problem w/ plus sized clothing.
(smaller production = less bargaining power w/ textile mills?)
fabrics drive me nuts - I loved a lot of the designs at leelee's but they were in polyester! wtf! how many non-fat women want to walk around in a polyester top in the middle of summer? how many want to walk around in a polyester satin dress? I mean, the thought of paying $200 for a dress that is made out of, essentially, plastic is NOT ok. especially when it's 95 degrees and 100% humidity on the subway platform.legoflambchop wrote:
YES! I got the seersucker-ish dress. that neckline is heaven. and the pintucks? ack.
however, TRENTACOSTA had some lovely, tailored options. a rarity for plus sizes. (alafairnadia - is this the designer you liked?)
here's the link to the site:
Contemporary Plus Size Dresses.
www.trentacosta.com
on it is the info for the trunk show this sat as well.
i will absolutely go and check out his stuff.legoflambchop wrote: on a related note:
it would be great if there were plus size versions of forever 21, h&m and zara. I doubt it'll ever happen, though. I'd shop at them - at this point in my life, probably mostly at the theoretical-plus-size-zara - but you'd need to do a lot of work to get them right. have you seen the plus size areas of h&m? they are teh suck. while every other area of the store gets new merchandise every week and the styles are constantly changing, the plus size area has the same 3 pairs of tired pants and a white button down shirrt. so LAME.
would any of you shop at a plus size store that had stuff like forever 21 and h & m sells? i'd give anything for some great prints on my clothing. just wondering.
do any of you shop at torrid.com?
any thoughts about them?
I've been to the torrid stores at various malls around the country. they are really a plus size version of hot topic so I've purchased stuff like emily t-shirts and black jeans there. they actually have a nice variety of different cuts of plus-size jeans from various manufacturers.
also, have you checked out the juniors plus area in macy's? it sometimes looks pretty scary but if you look hard, there are some workable pieces there. heck, I bought a suit out of that area last year. -
The strange thing about H&M is that the plus-sizes are horrible in the U.S. (where they are needed)...but in Sweden (where they are generally NOT), the selection is amazing. I almost cleared out the downtown Stockholm store when I was there two summers ago and still wear many of the items.
Anyway...
I'm on a mission to STOP buying polyester. Not the easiest thing in the world, but there are some good basic things at Old Navy that help. -
I was so excited to see this store opening up in my neighborhood but had the same reaction as you. Why do they make everything out of polyester?? Its ridiculous. I also have an issue with the fact that dresses for plus size girls never have a waist, you always have to have one tailored in. I may have a big butt and big boobs but I also have a little waist....which is why I took up sewing. Now if we can just get a sewing store in the neighborhood I'll never need a metrocard again.
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Hrrm. While I did notice some polyester stuff at Lee Lee's, I didn't think it was overwhelming -- there were also a lot of items cotton and modal (which looks similar to rayon or polyester and thus might have caused some confusion, but it breathes a lot more and doesn't pill). The dress I got and one of the tops were both 100% cotton. (Alafairnadia, I came thisclose to buying that seersuckery dress too -- decided against it because I wasn't crazy about the stripes but the cut and the fit were awesome!)
I do order from Torrid.com sometimes. Now *there's* a lot of polyester! Their stuff is usually too juniory and a bit too mallrat for me, but they're often good for t-shirts and skirts, particularly, and they have some cute dresses a well (I just bought this one last week, f'rinstance, and it's very grown-up and looks great on -- they're now sold out of everything but size 12 now, though). H&M's plus size stuff is just abysmal. If there were plus sized versions of the regular clothes at H&M and Forever 21, I'd definitely be interested.
Once in a while Target has cute plus sized stuff, if you can stand wading through all the fugly crap. Some of their Mossimo plus sized things are sometimes pretty cute. I also get a lot of basics at Old Navy. But it's nice to have Lee Lee's as an option for some more grown-up items. -
oh, I definitely think that Lee Lee's isn't as bad as, say, Lane Bryant on the polyester/non-breathable fabric front. but there were several tops that I saw that I would have considered trying on if they'd been silk instead of poly-satin, for instance. and they did have a lot of polyester jersey - the evil stepchild of the glorious cotton jersey.
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in general i am also sketched out by the garbage bag style clothes made for plus size lasses like myself.
i don't have a particularly defined waist, but a rather curvaceous build and definitely more bodacious below than on top--in any case, a waist is important to define and i'd like to see more of that. all of the empire waists though make me look totally prego so i can't wait til the real waist is back in vogue. -
Subject: Lee Lee's Valise
The Trentacosta trunk show at Lee Lee's Valise was fantastic. I got this amazing pin tuck dress from Trentacosta - it fit like it was made for me. The store also had this great line I never heard of called Miss Fit, I am now officially a huge fan. I am so in love with this store -
Subject: non poly dresses
i'm partial to the cotton dresses from blue plate that i get at alight.com.
they are mostly empire cut which makes the "girls" stand out and look nice. also the prints are young but not kid-like. recently i got an email that they opened a store in Long Island which I want to get to some day.
sorry i missed the trunk show. i need to pay more attention to these things. i looked at the trentacosta website and dresses look nice but it's so hard to see the details online.
thanks for spreading the word. more plus size shopping is good news. reasons to not go to Lane Bryant are also good news. -
is the LI store an alight store or a blue plate store?
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Didn't make it to the trunk show, but made it to the boutique. Beautiful space, beautiful clothes, and Lisa was super nice.
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Subject: blue plate at alight
alafairnadia wrote: is the LI store an alight store or a blue plate store?
i think that it's an alight store. but they seem to be the only ones who sell blue plate clothing in plus sizes. you can always call the store i guess to find out what they carry.
there's definitely the best selection of blue plate on the website. -
Where is this elusive Alight/Blue Plate store? Could you give us a specific address/town, please?
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