Something to know: Aritizia sizes can be small. Their bottoms only go up to a 10 (and that's IF they actually have 10s in the store, I haven't seen that many), but as someone who actually *is* a 10 (across a few labels), I can only assume the number on the label is actually the suggested age of the wearer, and not the size.
So the communal mirror in the dressing room area, where you're forced to bring yourself out into the open to potentially show off your muffin top, camel toe, or any other proof that you're not the size Aritzia would like you to be, is less than ideal. The employees of this store aren't to be blamed for this. The higher-ups in the brand have decided on a No Fatties policy (because that worked so well for the CEO of A&F?), and the designer of the space decided on that mirror. The women who work here just sell the clothes. So, this isn't their fault, but this also isn't the reason for my review.
In an age where e-commerce is king, brick-and-mortar stores need to be able to offer something the consumer can't get online: excellent service, and the ability to try on garments before they decide to buy. I don't know why nearly every time I've come into this store, they're mysteriously low on larger sizes, but have so, so many options if you're 0-4. Maybe those sizes sell out first. Maybe someone is deliberately ordering fewer larger sizes. I don't know. But this isn't uncommon. If you've never experienced being larger, let me tell you, [inadvertent] passive-aggressive fat-shaming SUCKS. But if I learn that you don't usually carry my size in store, then I will learn not to shop in your store, and shop online.
Which brings us to the service bit. Service here is hit or miss. I was here a few weeks ago, and the two women helping me were lovely: Stephanie at the register, and another woman whose name I can't remember (I just remember she was rather petite, maybe medium-length dark hair? 20s?) Helpful, made suggestions for garments I might like (since the ones I was interested in weren't actually in the store), pleasant without being overbearing. And then there was yesterday, where the girl helping me with my return was just downright surly. As in, I just wanted to get away from her as fast as I could. The middle-aged woman with the red hair who editorialized on my returns was well-intentioned, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but word to the wise: it really doesn't help to offer your thoughts on clothing someone else is rejecting, especially when you don't know why they're being rejected.
So, between not actually expecting to find garments in my size, and the crapshoot that is the service here, I won't come back unless I absolutely have to. You won't have to drag be back kicking and screaming, which is why this isn't a one-star review, but I won't be happy about it. read more