Flattering swimwear always a treat
Hanging out on the beach or by the pool on long sunny days is what summer is all about, but finding swimwear you love to wear can be a challenge.
The Fitting Room has a wide selection of swimwear along with an expert fitting service to ensure you feel confident and beautiful in whatever you choose.
The Fitting Room’s two Christchurch stores both have easy off-street parking and gift vouchers for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Owner Deborah Lewthwaite says it’s important that bras, lingerie and swimwear provide comfort and support as well as being on-trend, and the vouchers are an ideal way to let women take charge of that decision.
‘‘We’ve got one of the biggest ranges of swimwear in Christchurch with sizes from 8 to 24 and a special focus on cup-sized swimwear up to a J cup,’’ she says.
‘‘There’s a great range of bikinis that will properly fit your bust and lots of worldleading brands like Moontide from New Zealand and popular Australian labels like Seafolly, Jets, Sunseeker and Jantzen.
‘‘We’ve also got specialist cupsized brands from the United Kingdom, including Freya, Fantasie, Panache and Elomi.
‘‘We also offer a fabulous fitting assistance and help choosing so you don’t have to feel at a loss and despondent about finding something you’ll love.’’
For a gift idea, Deborah says lingerie is worth considering because many women would treasure something silky and special but are often reluctant to treat themselves.
Gift vouchers are one solution or staff can help if the person’s size is known. If the size turns out to be less than perfect, exchanges are no problem, including for online sales.
Almost all of The Fitting Room’s stock is listed on its website. However, because it covers the stores in Fendalton and Sydenham, people are advised to call ahead if coming in for a specific item.
One popular gift idea is the stores’ bralettes. These have more flexible sizing than wired bras and are ‘‘really pretty’’, Deborah says.
‘‘They’re easy to wear plus they’re lacy at the back so can work well with a backless dress. We have bralettes that will fit from sizes 10-18 and B-F cups.’’
The Fitting Room was established to give women more choice when it comes to bras, swimwear and prostheses, and to show that size is no barrier to style.
Individualised fittings are a key part of the approach, with staff acting like personal shoppers by helping with selections and passing over different sizes to women who can relax in the changing rooms.
Changing rooms can be booked in advance or people are welcome to pop in when it suits. However bookings are recommended in the busy time leading up to Christmas and in the New Year.
The stores will be open until 3pm on Christmas Eve for any last-minute purchases.
❚ The Fitting Room, 207 Fendalton Rd, Fendalton, 03 351 9244, and 360 Colombo St, Sydenham, 03 374 6391. Or shop online at thefittingroom.co.nz