I used to shop at Penningtons when I lived in Winnipeg and was larger in size. This chain caters to…read moreplus-sized women. At the time, clothes that I wanted to get at GAP had a maximum size of 16. I sadly couldn't fit in it. For more stylish pieces that fit me, I came to Penningtons and Addition-Elle. Although I am proud that I can shop for clothes anywhere these days, what caught my attention recently was Meredith Shaw's new fashion line at Penningtons. I have been a fan of hers when she was a radio host on CHUM 104.5 before joining Breakfast Television. I loved the pieces from her collection that she modelled. The colours were vibrant and flattering on her. We are roughly the same height, so it helped me gauge how it would look on someone a couple of inches shy of being six feet tall. I am less busty and less curvy (I look like a ladder when you look straight at me) than she is, so it also helped picture how a particular purple summer dress that I wanted would look on me. Penningtons offers Addition-Elle pieces. There aren't any physical Addition-Elle store in Canada anymore, but I'm glad that the brand endures at Penn. The difference between the two brands is sizing. Penningtons sizes make sense to me, the average consumer. Addition-Elle sizes run smaller. As an example, if you are a Penningtons size 1X, you are a size 2X on the Addition-Elle scale. I'm on the smaller scale at this store. So, I got the 1X in the dress that I wanted. It was a sleeveless tiered swing dress, where the swing part of the skirt starts above your waist. The best part was that I took advantage of this fashion line being 40% off. I ordered online and decided to pick up my order at this store in Vaughan. Exchanges are free if I got the wrong size. I headed over here after work. It's in a plaza that has a Winners and a California Sandwiches that I used to frequent years ago. I had no problem finding the store and parked in front of it. There was plenty of parking at around 5:30 pm on a Wednesday night. I walked into the store. It was spacious and inviting. I saw Meredith's line of dresses, but the dress that I had ordered was not there. I stood at the checkout counter. It took maybe three minutes for someone to acknowledge me. It's the only reason why this review is just shy of a five-star one. When a female staffer finally said hi, all was great. I indicated that I had an order. She asked for my name and phone number. She then went into the back to retrieve my order. Another female staffer came over and asked if I was being helped. I was. When it rains, it pours! The first woman returned with my bag. She asked for ID. I provided my driver's licence. All was great. She handed me my bag. She complimented me on my nails. I said that they were gel nail strips that you could get at Winners in the same plaza. She asked to look at my nails more carefully. She liked them a lot. I thanked her and left. There is a clearance section in the back left corner of the store. I wouldn't get anything at regular price at Penningtons because it can be expensive. I tried the dress on when I got home. It fit perfectly. It's flattering. I normally don't like to wear dresses because they don't always look good on me, but I was so pleased with the comfy fit and how wonderful it looked on me. The description of this dress online failed to indicate that you get pockets. I love pockets and was relieved that I got them. Pockets rule! It was nice to buy an Addition-Elle dress at Penningtons. I don't know how often I'll be back here again, but I did like a pair of Bobs sneakers in lilac. I'll need to wait for them to go on sale before I return for more. (221)

I've shopped here many times and the staff are very helpful and pleasant. T The clothes are…read morebeautiful and a great selection. I have told several friends and they also come here now. Their sales are great. Audrey O.