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GeminiTiger · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:05 am Post subject: XXL shopping in Taiwan?

I asked this question on another forum here but let me ask for TW,

Next term I'll be teaching in a city just across from Taiwan that has a 2 hour ferry to Taiwan. So, I'm wondering if Taiwan has any XXL (USA) sized clothes.

Thanks for any help, feel free to PM me if it's more convenient.

ickle_moose · Joined: 02 Jul 2012 Posts: 13

The short answer is, 'no'.

There's a chain of stores in Kaohsiung called '5XL', it might be island-wide, but all of their stuff is very.... Taiwanese. If you like your clothes inexplicably covered in glitter/knitted roses it might be worth a shot!

However in general there isn't a lot of choice for the larger person.

GeminiTiger · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

52skidoo · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 30 Location: Taiwan

Buy everything before you arrive, get care packages sent or buy a sewing machine and learn how to sew. On the other hand, Costco carries up to XL in some things, which being western made might fit, some XXL persons.

ncaraway · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 63 Location: Tainan, Taiwan

This has been an issue for me, too. In the States I usually bought L or XL (XL mostly because I like loose fitting clothes). I've found that Taiwan XL is somewhat akin to US L size so I've been fortunate so far.

I don't know that you'll need your own sewing machine. I've found tailors here very inexpensive. I had the hems adjusted in a pair of khaki pants and was charged NT$50 (about US$1.70).

The biggest issue I've had is finding climate appropriate clothes. For example, I brought a bunch of cotton polo shirts from the States but they're way too heavy for summer wear here. Also, I brought a pair of LL Bean "Tropic Weight" khakis and find that they are still too heavy and hot. The mentholated talcum powder sold here helps a little, but if I'm outside for any length of time I still get sweat soaked.

Bottom line: I concur with the advice others have given - buy what you can before you leave and make arrangements to have things sent to you as needed.

Edit: Just re-read the original post and see that OP is coming from China, not the US. Sorry about the oversight. I hope my info is still helpful.