Whether it’s for a special occasion or it’s just who you are, wearing clothes that compliment your body type and don’t need any pulling and adjusting makes you feel confident and powerful. Even though I love sweater dresses and jeans, like every woman, I do sometimes like to fancy it up a notch and put on a nice dress or a pair of pants.

But you know the feeling when you try something on and it just doesn’t feel right? The color, the size, the length, everything is fine, but something is just off. And let’s not kid ourselves, most of us cannot be squeezed into Asian sizes. But let’s put that aside for a minute and focus on the fact that sometimes we simply need/want garments that fit us perfectly.

That’s where having a tailor on your WeChat contact list comes in handy.

A good tailor cannot only create new perfectly fitted clothes for you and increase the versatility of your wardrobe, but they can also upgrade your existing “off the rack” stuff and give them a sophisticated look by altering them to flatter your body type. If you’ve been struggling to find clothes that fit or you just need to move a button over or fix a split seam and you don’t have the skills, your safest bet is a skillful tailor. Luckily, we found a few options for you right in the heart of Beijing:

Beibei Tailor Shop
Located in Sanlitun, this family-owned business has been successfully operating since 2014. Ran by a husband and wife, it’s a place to go to if you or your partner are in need of a custom-made outfit.

The owner, Beibei, says that people mostly come in looking for formal wear and although prices vary depending on the garment and the tailoring service, a new shirt will cost you around RMB 200, whereas a properly-fitted suit can go up to RMB 1,500. Even though you’ll have your measurements taken at the shop, the actual magic will happen at a factory just outside the 5^th ring road. In case you cannot visit the Sanlitun shop, Beibei says that they can also come to your home. The shop is open 10am-8pm.

Find it:
Beibei Tailor Shop 高级定制
1F, Yishengge, 10 Xindong Road, Chaoyang
朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁负一层
WeChat ID: beibei318329

Yi Wei Custom
Another option if you’re looking for a good tailor to update your wardrobe is Yi Wei Custom, a shop located in the Hailong building in Chaoyang. This is also a family business run by a husband and wife. They make men’s, women’s and children’s clothes.

Shirts cost between RMB120 – RMB300, and a brand new suit can be anywhere between RMB 700 – RMB2,000. Yi Wei Custom studio is open 8:30am – 9:30pm.

Find it:
Yi Wei Custom依维定制
Room 203, 2^nd floor, Hailong Petroleum Buiding, Sanlitun, Chaoyang
朝阳区三里屯海隆石油大厦2楼依维定制203依维定制
Tel: 13522365571

Bespoke Tailoring
Another place that comes highly recommended is Bespoke Tailoring studio in Sanlitun. The owner, Jenny, is considering moving her business to another location in Beijing, but for now, the shop is still in the same place and is open 11am-8pm.

Whether you’re looking for a completely new wardrobe or you just want someone to make adjustments to your old stuff because your pants feel super tight around the middle, the waistband is too high or they just need to be reduced to a smaller or bigger size, they can do it for you. Prices vary depending on the quality of the material. Shirts cost between RMB 200 – RMB500, suits RMB1,000 – RMB3,000, and pants go from RMB400-RMB700. Appointments are required.

Find it:
Bespoke Tailoring 云涵私人订制
Room 101, 1st Floor, Unit 1, Building No.31, Sanlitun South, Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang
朝阳区三里屯街道三里屯南31号楼-单元101
Tel: 18500086728
Email: Jennytailor1982@hotmail.com

Lily Tailor
Open 9:30am-9pm, at Lily’s studio in Chaoyang you can get well-fitted, custom-made suits for RMB1,000-RMB2,000 and casual dresses for around RMB800.

Simple alterations, such as zipper replacement or seam stitching,  are between RMB10-RMB20, while more complicated ones can cost you anywhere between RMB200-RMB300. Appointments are required.

Find it:
Lily Tailor
亿人服装定制
Room 12, 1st floor, 53 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang
朝阳区东大桥路53号楼一层12门
Tel: 13161229623, 18612564946

Images: Courtesy of BeiBei Tailor shop, Jenny, Yi Wei Custom, Lily Tailor

Here’s the problem: I am 175cm tall, curvy, and hover around a size US 10-12, so I have a hard time finding clothes that fit well here in China. I very rarely shop for clothes on Taobao because the sizing and quality can vary enormously, so I tend to rely on second-hand clothing swaps or chain stores for my needs. But when I became pregnant I was suddenly faced with a bigger problem: all my usual duds felt uncomfortable, and I quickly needed clothes that would see me through the next few months. I was lost.

After listening to me moan for a bit, my friend and jingkids Managing Editor, Mina Yan, suggested getting some items tailored. Compared to other parts of the world, tailoring in China is still affordable and fast, and this way I could have full control over the fit and design of the items. I was game!

Preparing in advance

First step: deciding what to get made. As it was early summer, Mina suggested wrap dresses as a highly versatile item which can be worn both with a baby bump, and without. I expanded on this to also include a wrap skirt. A few minutes of image-search later, and I had reference pictures of the kind of cut and length I wanted, which I could use as a guide.

Next, finding the right place to get tailoring. There are many small stores in and around Sanlitun, where I live, with tailors that speak excellent English. However, I found that the range of fabrics they offered was lacking, catering mostly to men’s suits, or silks fit for making traditional qipao.

Therefore, I decided to visit Daxin Textile Market 大新纺织 in Dongsi. A combined fabric and tailor market, it has a dizzying array of fabrics and haberdashery, making it a great one-stop-shop.

The range of fabric at Daxin beats small-sized tailor shops hands-down.

Navigating the fabric store

The market was calm and quiet on the weekday afternoon that we visited, and wandering through the rows of fabrics, my friend and I quickly found one stall with everything we wanted: bright, traditional “Dongbei” fabric to remind me of China after I leave, and a lovely range of satin and silk.

Take the time to wander through the whole store before deciding what fabric you want.

To determine how much fabric to buy, a tailor from one of the stalls along the back wall popped over to help. We showed him pictures of the items we wanted made, and he quickly measured us to get an estimate of how much fabric we’d need for each item. Fabric is sold per meter, with cotton from around RMB 60 per meter and silk starting at around RMB 100.

As well as traditional qipao, the tailors have experience making Western-style clothes.

With the fabric measured out and cut, we paid for it at the old-fashioned central payment station. Then the tailor reviewed our reference photos, asked questions about any modifications we wanted, and took our detailed measurements.

I was especially impressed with his attention to detail around my bump: he explained that as I grew bigger, the front hemline of my dress would gradually rise, therefore we decided to extend the hem to ensure it would always hit below the knee, as I wanted. He also asked me how far along I was, to get an idea of how big I would eventually become (probably enormous if I am anything like my mother), and took this into account.

Our tailor hard at work measuring and calculating the cost of our items.

With all measurements made, he wrote our receipt, we paid and left with a friendly wave and instructions to come back in about nine days to pick our clothes up.

The result

A few days later, we were back, and ready to try on our clothes in the small changing room. The wrap dress was an immediate success, and I even asked my friend to try it on to verify that it would look fabulous on someone with an actual waist (it did.)

Flattering, forgiving…what more do you want from a maternity dress?

On the other hand, the skirts weren’t perfect: instead of the same simple “poke the waistband through the hole and tie it on the other side” kind, the tailor went for a more sophisticated design which included a button. This does look neater, but is not as adjustable as I wanted. On the other hand, they are beautifully cut and finished, and will probably fit even better as I get larger.

The skirts drape beautifully, even if they are not quite what I expected.

Despite this hiccup, all the pieces are lovely, one of a kind, and I hope I’ll be able to wear them long after my kid is grown.

In total, I got two wrap skirts and a wrap dress for a bit over RMB 1,000 (fabric and labor), all in cotton fabric. I always forget to even try bargaining, so you may be able to negotiate a better price.

Tips for a successful experience

• Consider what items are best for tailoring: wrap skirts and dresses, stretchy empire-line or t-shirt dresses and tops are ideal. Modifications are also a great option: check out this blog post with some simple modifications that a tailor can make to your clothes to make them bump-friendly.
• Get reference pictures ready. Roughly draw any modifications you want on the picture to make it clearer, for example shorter sleeves or hemlines.
• Better yet: bring an example piece for them to copy. As I learned from the skirts, there is more than one way to make a piece of clothing so it helps to be specific.
• Go with a friend. Deciding on fabric and cut is much easier with a pal, as the choice can be overwhelming.

Good luck!

KEEP READING: Picture Perfect! From Maternity Photos to First Job Application

Images: Michael Burrows from Pexels, Anna Pellegrin Hartley

At the beginning of this year some smart ladies had a grand event where kids clothes got swapped. It was such a success that mothers far and wide have been asking when the next kids clothes swap would take place. I was ecstatic when I received a “save the date” message for the next scheduled for Nov 11.

Reusing and recycling is getting hipper and hipper and with the speed kids grow out of clothes it is frankly a necessity. Parents probably have stacks of kid’s clothes that are still great for wearing just lying around. At the first kids clothes swap I returned with five dresses and many other items. My daughter was ecstatic when she woke up the next day. Many of these pieces turned out to be her favorite outfits over the summer and some were practically new. Best of all, I only spent around RMB 120 and got rid of plenty of clothes through this swap. It was a win win situation and I even made some new friends.

This is a can’t miss event for mothers (maybe even some dads) across Beijing. For more information and the location in Shunyi where the event will be held scan the QR code to be added to the group. Go here for some more information of the last event.

Picture Credit: Pixabay and Orginisers

I give myself some great advice, but I seldom follow it. I have promised myself to work out twice a week, and then I have promised myself to not gorge on food. Summer holiday came, and I have not worked out twice a week or have kept to my new healthy life style 100 percent. I blame the “all you can eat” morning buffet in the hotel. I find it hard to stop eating. “What is better than an egg and bacon sandwich? Two egg and bacon sandwiches!”

I don’t eat much with people other than with my husband and daughter, purely because I feel judged. And my point was proven when I had an ice cream on a hot day. Somebody commented “I thought you were on a diet?” I’ve never felt so hot eating an ice cream. I want to change my lifestyle, not be a slave of a diet and be unhappy doing it.

Food aside, I have started using my CPAP machine every night. Since I have gotten overweight I struggle with sleep apnea, and frequently stopped breathing in my sleep. The machine has been gathering dust for the last four years as I was reluctant to use it. I have been using it for two months now and I would not sleep any other way. A week ago our power ran out in the middle of the night, and the machine turned off. I woke feeling like I was suffocating. The next day I was tired and ate so much sugar it gave me a migraine. Food choices are a daily battle; some days I win, and some days food wins.

I have another secret hunger: shopping. This is always been a love of mine, and China has not changed that. It is hard enough though to get clothes that fit as a regular size person, but plus-size people have a real hoot finding stuff to wear.

I have tried online shopping and 75% of the time the XXXXXXXXL is too small. So I have a secret stash of plus size clothing which I can wear when I am skinny. Then sometimes clothes do fit, but you have to enter strange words in the search engine like “Big Fat Sister Clothes” – one of my personal favorites.

I have my secret shopping sprees where I “forget” I am plus-size, and still try to wear an XL top from Zara. In the harsh light of the dressing room, I struggle to get into the stretchy tops that looked too big hanging in the store. I’m happy that I shop by myself, and nobody is there to witness my embarrassment and pain.

There is also the happiness when H&M is newly restocked, and I find a shirt in a size 46!I don’t care how it looks, I am buying it. Sometimes I get a bit lucky and find XXL stretchy men’s pants at Uniqlo. Feeling joy about this is also sad and embarrassing. Beijing is not ready for cute-looking plus-size women.

My only extreme joy in shopping are clothing auctions where international woman gather with their clothes they don’t want, and have a great night filled with laughter and wine. I buy everything that fits me even if it’s not my style, gaining many new friendships along the way.

Photos: Pauline van Hasselt

One of the things parents always have too much of is kids clothing that our children can no longer use. They seem to grow so fast. I have so much great summer clothing for our daughter but she grew so fast that she can’t wear them anymore. One thing we don’t have enough of as parents is cute clothing stores in Beijing. I hunker back to the good old Primark in London were I could find great deals for my daughters fashion. EBay was also one of my favorites with great finds for her closet and a perfect way of reselling her outgrown pieces. Good for our wallet and for the environment.

There is a solution in sight, one of my favorite inventions from one of my favorite moms in Beijing is clothes auctions. Rebecca Archer and Bec Taylor have now come up with a great new idea to get rid of old kids clothes and gain some new kids clothes. A Kids Clothes Swap! The first Kids Clothes Swap will be held in Roundabout Community Centre, Shine Hills in Shunyi and all proceeds will go to charity. The night will be sponsored by Roundabout, Cheers, Piece of Cake, Balmain Sausage, The Yard, La Mezzaluna, and Naked Nut Butters.

This charity event is still looking for more sponsors, and is in need of more kids clothes for ages four to eight. For mothers who can’t attend but want to donate kids clothes, pick up can be arranged, please contact Archer on her WeChat: becstarnz

How To Swap in Style

• Entry fee RMB 100.
• Arrive between 7 and 7.30 pm.
• Swap begins at 8 pm.
• Mothers are welcome even if they dont have kids clothes to swap, so expectant mothers can get some good deals on gently used baby clothing.
• Bring kids clothing, from newborn to eight years old.
• Sort your clothing by age before you arrive.
• Items must be in good condition, free from stains and rips.
• There will be a free box where you can put items that do not fit the standard, and other guests can take them from the box for free.
• You will receive one token per clothing item, brand new items with tags can be exchanged for two tokens.
• Each token can be exchanged for one item.
• Extra clothing beyond your token allocation, can be purchased for RMB 10 per piece or RMB 30 for a new item with tags.
• Bring your own bag (or two) to take your items home.
• All unsold clothing will be donated to charity.
• The night will be kids free, but babies are welcome
• The event is limited to 50 people but, if it is a success, more events will be organized.

Beijing is filled with surprises; I have had some wild experiences in these first six months, which I doubt I would have had if i  stayed in London. The expat community is welcoming, and I am invited to lots of fun events. Rebecca (a mother of 3) invited me to my first clothing auction.There is no gavel in sight, but lots of woman and heaps of clothes.This is one of those things you wish you invented yourself; one of those “A-ha” moments Oprah talks about.

I am a professional thrift store shopper, second hand buyer and eBay-crazy mother. I have found the best deals for toys and clothes in these wonderful places. In this throw-away era, it’s such a joy to find something that you can use for so much longer instead of buying it brand new, and paying next to nothing instead of full price.

I was looking for something like thrift stores here in Beijing. What i found in clothing auctions is so much more fun. Clothes auctions are usually held in somebody’s home; Rebecca’s home was the venue for my first clothes auction she is the original promoter of this wonderful idea.

A few years ago her cousin in New Zealand held a clothes auction. Rebecca was struck by a few things: the awesome quality of clothes that people no longer wanted, how cheap they were, and how much fun the auction was. Rebecca held her first clothes auction in Indonesia when she realized her wardrobe was getting full of clothes she wasn’t wearing and she was craving a social event. Since then she has been spreading the auction joy in three different countries, Indonesia, New Zealand, and China. Her wardrobe is constantly changing, and she creates a ton of new friends along the way.

Rebecca shared a great tip about her evolving fashion; “Sometimes I love an item of clothing that doesn’t appear to be my style, or seems a bit out of my comfort zone. I realized that if I made myself wear it three times, it would either turn from a strange piece of clothing to a wardrobe staple, or I would realize I was still very uncomfortable in it. Then I would return it to the next clothes auction” There is no loss as its usually RMB 10, and the money goes to a good cause.

If you want to run a clothes auction, gather a group of ladies, and find a venue or a home to hold the auction. If you’re unsure how to auction the clothes, add Rebecca on WeChat (becstarnz). She can come over to help or give you more info. Typically the host will pick the charity, the second clothing auction I joined was held in Shunyi at a fabulous venue called “V-etiquette Home DIY”. The “Desperate Housewife’s of Shunyi” clothing auction supported the charity “OCF Dew Drops” www.dewdropslittleflower.org

Typical Flow of an Auction:

1. Venue welcomes guests at 7:00pm. Bring good quality ladies clothes and shoes you no longer wear, want, or fit. You can bring as few or as many items as you want. Also bring some money so you can bid on other clothes. You do not have to bring clothes, you can just come to buy, or to socialize. Bring a bottle of wine, some snacks or dessert to share.
2. From 7 to 8 pm you will have the opportunity to rummage through and try on any clothes that catch your eye.
3. At 8 pm the auction will start. Auctioneers will quickly go through the items of clothes, with the opening bid starting at RMB 10. This means that if you are the only bidder on an item, you’ll pick it up for just RMB 10. If it’s an item that two or more people want, you’ll need to have a bid-off to win it. This is where the fun and laughter comes in! It’s OK to request to try it on if you are unsure about an item.
4. You go home to an emptier wardrobe and fill it back up with new clothes.
5. All unsold clothes will be donated to Roundabout and all the money raised will be donated to support a charitable cause.

Shirt and scarf both won at a auction for a low RMB 10 each!

Pauline van Hasselt has just started working for Beijing Kids. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

 Photos courtesy of Yahaira Vargas

When I think of kid’s fashion, I think of adult fashion…but smaller. Most styles that are trendy this season for you, will be the same on a kids rack. (More age appropriate of course!) Here are six things you need to incorporate into your child’s wardrobe (and maybe even your own) this fall and winter season.

COLOR
Let’s put an end to the black and brown everything. Add some color! Black and brown is repetitive and can get boring if worn every day. Explore your own style by playing around with different colors, and patterns to see what you like best. Luscious color adds spice to your outfit and your mood! Keep your personality vibrant by rocking your favorite color combos this fall. No worries, if you’re worried about your four year old getting their new pink coat dirty, click here to see how you can prevent stains before they happen.

H&M “Eyelash Jumper”

H&M “Corduroy Trouser”

H&M “Jumper in a textured knit”

Bomber Jackets
I know you’re wondering. What in the world is a bomber jacket? Don’t worry, I bet you’ve seen one before. Not only are they super fashionable but also very versatile. They are loose fitting, therefore perfect for layering and are usually adorned with wide pockets that can keep tiny hands toasty. Bombers are this seasons IT jacket.

H&M Pink “Bomber Jacket”

H&M “Bomber Jacket with a Hood”

H&M “Sequined Bomber Jacket”

Leather Jackets
Next on the rack are leather jackets. Leather (or pleather) is always stylish and in season. Both Bomber and Leather Jackets can be found in a variety of colors which is a great way to enhance your closet’s color palette. When shopping for leather jackets, shop for wear and ease of movement. Some leather jackets tend to be stiff and squeaky. Make sure your kids can move around in them before adding it to your cart. If not, you’re looking at one whiney afternoon.

H&M “Biker Jacket”

Jumpers
Jumpers, or oversized sweaters, are comfy and cozy. They are great for children because they keep them toasty in the winter months without needing a dozen additional layers. These sweaters are so loose and fluffy that they make movement easy and effortless. It’s like going to school (or work) in a nicer version of your favorite beat up sweatshirt. Jumpers are available in many different color options and styles like ¾ zip, turtle necks, full zip, cuffed, and cropped.

H&M “Shawl Collar Jumper”

H&M “Knitted polo-neck jumper”

Leggings, Jeggings, and Corduroys
Girl’s leggings are a great way to add a splash of color to a dull outfit. You can find leggings almost anywhere in fun colors, patterns, and prints to bring some extra ‘tude and liveliness to an event or even if you’re just feeling sassy. Jeggings, for those that are unfamiliar, are jean leggings. In other words they are leggings that look like jeans. Thicker than a basic legging, but less heavy duty than a jean pant. Jeggings, much like leggings, have a good stretch, come in a ton of colors and more often than not fancy pockets, a zipper and button-close front. On the other hand, for boys, I recommend Corduroys! You may not have seen Corduroys since you were a kid, but boy are they making a comeback (in kids fashion at least). Corduroys now come in options like straight cut and skinny, and still have that same velvety smooth softness. Corduroys are a great pant for boys to rock casual or dress up.

H&M “Corduroy Trouser”

H&M “Patterned Leggings”

H&M “Corduroy Dungaree Dress”

Ankle Boots
Last but not least are Ankle length boots. Ankle boots are super trendy for both boys and girls. You can’t walk down the street without seeing someone with a pair. Next time you’re clothes shopping, grab a pair for you and your son or daughter! There are tons of options so make sure to shop around for style and price.

H&M “Ankle Boots”

H&M “fleece lined Chelsea boots”

The curiosity of a child’s mind can spark some of the most interesting and creative ideas you’ve ever imagined. Even some stylish combinations, so don’t be afraid to let them pick out their own clothes. Another plus, is that you can find most of these items designed with their favorite characters on them.

H&M “Printed Jersey Leggings”

PHOTOS: H&M.com, Pinterest.com

About a month ago now, my good friend from the US came over to my house with her son for a playdate. She flew through the door in a flash of colour and style, wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt I instantly admired and commented on. “I know,” she said, “Don’t you love it?” Then she started talking about Meijile.

Bamboo Shirt Collection

Meijile has been around in Beijing as a small clothing brand for the past three years but I hadn’t really explored their work. I’d heard of them and seen their displays at a few craft sales, but I admittedly haven’t taken enough time with my wardrobe in the past four years thanks to kids and/or the convenience of a favourite pair of jeans and a hoodie. But when my friend breezed through my door with those wide eyes of self-love, I thought: “I need some of that!”

The Founders: Dani & Kicki

美极了－ “meijile” — So Beautiful! or How Beautiful! — is a great name for a clothing shop. Maybe it seems rather confident, but if you’ve actually seen these clothes and judged them for yourself, you can tell that they’re made with great care and quality control. The fabrics are beautiful, the stitching is solid, their styles are fun and unique.

When I looked into it further, I discovered that the owners, Kicki and Dani, have been exploring the environmental impacts of the fashion industry and have committed to using leftover fabrics for things like interesting jewelry, covering buttons, creating unique linings on children’s pants, etc. They also don’t use plastic packaging, which in itself is a miracle here in China where even the smallest of products suffer in their individually wrapped, smothering plastic.

Last Lined Pants Collection for Kids

I asked my friend for the designer’s WeChat contact and she passed it on. Then I texted and asked them about the style of shirt I had set my eye on. I got a response right away. Then she even sent me a garment by courier and I sent her the money through WeChat wallet. What a treat to put on this gorgeous shirt today. I feel fancy and pampered: by me!

For more information about Meijile and their wide array of kids and adult clothes, please visit their website (needs VPN!).

Photos Courtesy of Kicki of Meijile and Ember Swift

Nearly 2,500 have died in the Nepal earthquake that happened on Saturday according to CNTV‘s English site. It has been 80 years since the country faced an earthquake on the 7.9 magnitude scale, which has seen most buildings collapse and residents frightened to go back home due to fears of after shocks and structurally unstable buildings. In the capital Kathmandu, people are living and sleeping in open areas such as parks, the pavements, and fields despite the cold temperatures.

Roundabout‘s Mary Kate Brown is currently in touch with Nepalese officials at the embassy in Beijing to find out how donations such as blankets, winter clothes, and others can be taken to the people affected.  To help, Roundabout is now accepting donations and the current drop off point at the Roundabout offices. (click on link to get address and contact information). At this time,the organization is still trying to find out more and will communicate that information once they receive it. 

Nepal is a popular tourist destination and has been a favorite for many families with the rich history and the beautiful landscapes. Updates to follow shortly.

Photo: Women of China