Clothing Problems

[DianaLovesBsAs]

Hi!

A little about me: 25 y/o professional lady, from Miami, who loves your country and a porteno. I'm not in Argentina yet, but I am going to be moving there within the next 2 months or so. My bf (a porteno) is already over there... I've been to BsAs a couple of times before, but I have a couple of questions:

1. I'm a chunky girl. I'm also short, so I am terrified that I won't be able to find suitable clothing. I've been slimming down over the past year or so, but i'm still a US size 12/14. I've been told (from my bf) that finding clothes over there that size is going to be very difficult, so I want to know whether its true and where I can find clothes this size.

2. Whenever I find an aprtment listing, I see "apartament professional" - what does that mean? What does apartmento no professional" mean? What's the difference?

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[katti]

If possible, buy all the clothes you need in the US, not because of the size (don't know about that) but just because it is cheaper in the US, and the quality is a lot better in the US.

 

[Ashley]

My advice is to bring as much of your wardrobe from the US as you possibly can. Clothing here is not great (expensive, poor quality, etc) at the best of times and sizes are VERY limited - You will be hard-pushed to find much above a US size 8 and many sizes are "one size fits all" which doesn't...obviously! This is a massive problem for expats especially but many Argentine women too. Trousers, jeans and underwear are particularly tough to find in a variety of sizes. You certainly won't regret bringing more than you end up using.

 

[starlucia]

Yep, DEFINITELY bring as many clothes as you can fit into your suitcase. Haven't you noticed that in Miami, half of the customers in Gap/Old Navy/TJ Maxx are speaking Spanish with an Argentine accent? A couple of friends in the industry told me that in Argentina, clothing manufacturers ignore larger sizes because they want to save money on fabric... don't know how accurate that is, but there you go.

You might also want to bring a couple of pairs of jeans a size or two below yours, just in case (weight comes off quickly in BA, since the food sucks and you're walking so much.)

 

[DianaLovesBsAs]

Yep, DEFINITELY bring as many clothes as you can fit into your suitcase. Haven't you noticed that in Miami, half of the customers in Gap/Old Navy/TJ Maxx are speaking Spanish with an Argentine accent? A couple of friends in the industry told me that in Argentina, clothing manufacturers ignore larger sizes because they want to save money on fabric... don't know how accurate that is, but there you go.

You might also want to bring a couple of pairs of jeans a size or two below yours, just in case (weight comes off quickly in BA, since the food sucks and you're walking so much.)

Yes, that's what I was going to do. Im currently stocking up on t-shirts, jeans, trousers, blouses, etc, so that I have enough for a while.

Food doesn't suck over there. The best meal I've ever had was in the corner of my best friend's house in La Matanza... Best. Bondiola. Evar.

Any idea about the apto professional?

 

[nativexpat]

Apto profesional means commercial use - In other words, you are also allowed to work there... it can be used as a doctor's oficce, law office, etc...

It also means that if your building is full of "apto profesional" apartments, it is not that private/safe in my view... of course it depends on the number of units, but I would not want to live in a building where half the apartments are "apto profesional", since there is a lot of traffic during the day, and you are never sure who is being buzzed in.

 

[DontMindMe]

I had a friend who was a very curvy U.S. size 6 and even she had to search for days to find a decent-fitting pair of jeans. Bring anything and everything you can. If you have a large chest, definitely bring bras. Really anything that will get a lot of wear: socks, underwear, jeans, leggings, and other basics. Do you work out? Bring your athletic shoe of choice.

One more thing even though you didn't mention it-- If you are particular about skin and hair care products, stock up in Miami. Makeup, shampoo, cleanser, moisturizer, you get the point. I'm not a product snob in the slightest (drugstore girl here), but in the two years I was there I had trouble finding an affordable cleanser that actually washed my face, and my hair was falling out no matter which shampoo I bought at Farmacity. I know there was a hair-falling-out thread a while back. It wasn't just me and my roommate (!) Problem was solved when a visitor brought me some shampoo from the U.S.

HOWEVER. There are great accessories, bags and jewelry to shop for in BA. Now that I'm back in the U.S. I get a compliment in almost every checkout line when I pull out the wallet I bought near the Plaza Serrano one Sunday. (It hasn't broken yet, cynics who are reading this.) Same with any pair of earrings that came from the feria San Telmo. So pack light on that stuff, I would suggest.

 

[AngelinBA]

Definitely, DEFINITELY stock up on bras. I´m not that big, a very average sized New Zealand girl, not big busted by a long shot but they only do one measurement on bras here which is a total circumferance type thing, no separate cup size - back size so very difficult to find anything that actually fits comfortably!
If I could repack my ´going to Argentina´suitcase, I´d stock up on pants and jeans, and then buy heaps of the overpriced, cheaply made, flimsy but often whimsical and unique tops in Buenos Aires. Made to only last a season but means you don´t get bored of your wardrobe!

 

[HeyBA]

So I'm going to be the dude responding on the ladies clothes thread.

A great thing about the US is the sales rack at Gap-type stores, or even better, the outlet mall.

Hit your local outlet mall, even if it means a drive, and stock up there.

I got a few new shirts back home, and when I got a few compliments on them, I totally gloated over the price, "Eso, 28 pesos!" I literally got a nice shirt button-down boliche shirt for seven bucks from a sale rack.

I'd second the comment about personal care products. Some of the Dietetica have natural personal products, but it's nothing like you'd find in the States. Same for vitamins. So if you're into toothpaste without flouride or aluminum-free deodorant, get in the US. Go long on stocking up.

 

[NYKate]

Totally agree! Shampoo here is terrible! Suave here is not suave at home for example. I have chronic itchy scalp and my hair has started falling out.
I am a currently a size 10 - I gained weight here from not being as active as I used to be and it is very difficult to find anything that will fit me on the bottom. (I've run out of stores practically crying over it) Tops as well are difficult for me as well however I have found stores like Yagmour and Port Said to be pretty okay with sizing on top and I go there in a pinch. I'm not big on top - maybe a B or size 8 - but most stores don't carry my size tops.
Basically clothes here are too expensive and the quality isn't as good as you can find in the US. So, like the others have wisely said, stock up when you go home to visit and bring the clothes from home that you can live with until you can make another shopping trip in the US.
You aren't going to be wearing "real" jewelry on the street so the stores like Isadora are pretty good for a cheapish pair of earrings, necklaces etc.

Suerte! Wishing you all the best and good luck!!