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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 33 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Customers frequently praise the product selection, noting the beautiful array of garments available in various colors, sizes, and styles. Many appreciate the good quality of the clothing, finding items comfortable and well-suited for curvy body shapes. The staff are consistently described as friendly, helpful, and patient, often going above and beyond to assist customers with styling and finding suitable outfits. However, some people were dissatisfied with certain aspects of the service and product quality. There are mentions of issues with clothing colors not matching online images, and some customers experienced poor service in stores, feeling ignored or having to wait excessively. A few reviewers also noted a decline in the quality of certain items, particularly t-shirts and swimwear, which they felt did not last as long as previous purchases.

What people talk about most

Product

Users describe positive interactions with the product, often praising the quality, style, and fit of the... See more

Staff

People report positive experiences with staff, highlighting their helpfulness, patience, and friendly... See more

Quality

Consumers find quality to be positive, especially regarding clothing that makes them feel beautiful and fits... See more

Service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about service. Some customers praise the friendly, efficient, and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had a wonderful shopping experience today in Bunbury. Looked after so cheerfully well by Maria and the other staff members. Beautiful array of garments, some on special, in many great colours and size... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Last year my husband gave to me a birthday present of clothes at my favourite dress shop Taking Shape at Pukekohe. I had such a wonderful birthday experience with the staff member Jill that this year... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The clothes are a little bit different, and very quick shipping! The only "con" for me personally, is that the smallest sizes are still pretty large, more like a 12. However, although I had to send... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am a plus size customer, and also tall. I shop at Taking Shape both online, at the West Lakes Adelaide South Australia store, and sometimes through the Myers on-line site. The West Lakes store is a... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Women's Clothing Store
  2. Activewear Store
  3. Clothing Store
  4. Fashion Accessories Store
  5. Jewelry Store
  6. Shoe Store
  7. Swimwear Store

About Taking Shape

Written by the company

Taking Shape is your go-to plus size women’s fashion brand in Australia, NZ and online. We design clothing, shoes and accessories specifically for women sized 12-24, and now cater to shorter women with our Petite Plus range. Our collections incorporate natural fibres, exclusive prints and designs that fit and flatter in all the right places. Feel confident and look amazing in Taking Shape, shop online today!


Contact info

3.7

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

1K reviews

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Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always Great Customer Service!

Over the past year, I bought lots of beautiful clothes from TS, mostly from Lidcombe store or online & then picked up at Lidcombe store, NSW, Australia. Purchasing online is easy & only takes a few days to arrive. Mary the store manager & her assistants provide great customer service, are welcoming, warm, very helpful & the experience always leaves me uplifted & happy to return. A special thank you to Mary & everyone at the Lidcombe store!

December 28, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent clothing and online shopping experiences.

I notice that most of the negative reviews come from GB. I have been buying Taking Shape clothes online in Australia for years and am very pleased with their clothes and they are very fast at dispatching the items. Their ‘basic’ clothes are great and I love the style and difference of their other lines.
I’m a very happy customer.

December 18, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have been shopping at Taking Shape…

I have been shopping at Taking Shape for more than 10 years,Very happy with stores. UNTIL my visit to Lidcombe outlet in September. The ladies were so busy chatting to themselves they ignored me.I was the only customer in the shop. I was in the dressing room and looked out the curtain and asked for help as 3 of them were close. They ignored me. I had to come of of the changing room and go over to them. They got the young girl who was vaccuming in another part of the store to stop and help me while they continued talking and laughing.
I won't be visiting that store this December. Such bad service. The ladies at the outlet near Auckland airport are the opposite to them. Always helpful and friendly.

September 4, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A good company turned bad

I have been buying their clothes monthly since their inception in Oz. Then over here in Uk when they began selling here.
They are soaking my You Tube with repetitive ads. I feel I am being punished for all those purchases.
Foolish Taking Shape.
They are making customers pay for their ridiculous repetitive ads on TV of some rather (ghastly)outfits .
Too big for your boots. Karma.
You have lost most of your customers with your new swingeing delivery costs £12! Uk is in recession, we cannot pay this for delivery of just one item from your UK depot. And expensive returns You are treating us like fools.
You have become too big for your boots and your sales in Uk will certainly reflect this As I said Karma

November 10, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I discovered Taking Shape whilst on a…

I discovered Taking Shape whilst on a holiday in Australia which I took when I retired. On returning home I discovered that they had a UK online outlet and needing a complete new wardrobe for retirement, I have spent a lot of money with them. I was thrilled with the quality of the clothes and the service and I have recommended them to many friends.

However I was horrified to discover when I wanted to return a pair of shoes that do not fit, that I was to be charged £10 for a return.

To add real insult to injury I followed the instructions on line and printed a DHL label and took my parcel to my nearest drop off place (7 miles away) to be told the label should have been stuck to the parcel - whereas I had thought they provided a plastic window to insert the label and stick to the parcel. I returned home and stuck the label on and this time went to a drop off place 9 miles away and was refused again as when they scanned the barcode they said it was the wrong one.

I am not sure what to do next - but one thing is for certain I shall not make any further purchases from Taking Shape.

September 30, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Minimum spend and return charges are too high

I agree with the reviews referring to increased costs. I have been such a fan of this company and have recommended them to friends far and wide. I discovered the company when visiting Adelaide years ago - I loved their designs and have frequently bought from them even though they were more expensive than other similar companies. I was pleased to find them online (especially after the store in Liverpool closed down) but I am sure the recent increases in charges re delivery and returns are going to impact on their business in the UK. Customers will look for alternatives - I certainly will be but I am very disappointed to have to do so.

September 29, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Returns difficult & costly

What are you are doing? I loved the quality of your clothes (and bought loads!) but I refuse to pay the extortionate price of returns - esp when your competitors are offering free returns. Such a shame but real point of principle for me. I see others feel the same. So another lost customer.

September 17, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Outrageous cost to return an item 🤬

I've bought lots of clothes from Taking Shape when I lived in Australia and they even offered me a birthday coupon and loyalty discounts based on my spends.

I bought clothes from them back home in the UK earlier this year. but sadly no discounts in the UK as they clearly don't actually value their customers loyalty.

To add insult to injury, I just bought some more clothes from them but I was absolutely shocked when I found out that they want to charge me £10 to return an item. Absolutely outrageous 🤬

I won't be buying from them again.

September 18, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

When you have an amazing team to help you, honestly, you don't hesitate to buy!

In early July I had the pleasure of visiting your store (Tower Junction - Christchurch) to shop for clothes for my son's wedding, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the exceptional service I received. I didn't have an appointment with a stylist, but Tania went above and beyond to assist me throughout my 2.5-hour shopping experience.

Tania’s pleasant and helpful demeanour made a significant difference in my shopping experience. She patiently helped me find the perfect attire for the wedding and even suggested a few additional pieces that I fell in love with. Her attention to detail and keen fashion sense were truly impressive.

What also struck me during my visit was the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by your staff. Tania's assistance was exemplary, but it didn't stop there. Toward the end of my visit, when I was feeling a bit tired, another staff member, Nikki, offered me a small bottle of water. It may seem like a small gesture, but it left a big impression on me. It's these thoughtful touches that set your store apart.

Thank you to Tania, Nikki, and the team for the exceptional customer service, I left the store not only with clothes for the wedding but also with a few extra pieces I couldn't resist. I am genuinely grateful for their assistance and the overall lovely shopping experience I had at your store on that day.

I must also say that this was not my first amazing experience at that store, approximately a couple of years ago, I had the same kind of experience and a lovely little lady with round glasses (not sure of her name) helped me for hours and once again, I left the shop with several items.
The team in general is amazing!
Thank you
Alexandra V A

July 6, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I won't be placing any more orders - returns expensive and difficult

I agree with previous feedback about return costs in particular. I had no idea the returns policy had changed just one month ago. I never would have placed my last order if I'd known I would be charged £10 for returns. The DHL returns process didn't work for me without some troubleshooting from my son who noticed the url was pointing outside the uk. I've never had so much trouble returning something. I also agree that pricing is very high - although sale prices make their products just about affordable for me. I really don't understand why they are making it so difficult to shop with them.

August 31, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Used to love Taking Shape and bought…

Used to love Taking Shape and bought without fail on a monthly basis. But agree with other UK customers I'm sadly now out.

£12.99 for delivery and £10 returns and no returns on clearance items. This is an internet based clothing outlet so you can't try the clothes on. Their sizing does vary so you can't guarantee that each item is going to fit. I have no problem paying for returns but not £10 a pop and not 1pence short of £13 for delivery. Plus the added fact that you actually can't return some items to them anyway.

Another noticeable fact is that they have significantly increased the cost price of their clothes that sorry do not reflect such prices. £100 for very bog standard cardigans that certainly will not be the quality and standard of say Masai clothing is just not warranted.

I know they closed their UK retail outlets and left the UK market, then returned via web orders only. But this now seems the final passage back out of the UK market as customers are not going to pay £23 per item for a delivery and return and not actually be able to even return lots of items as well.

My last order with Taking Shape was obviously my very last one last month. It's a shame but just not viable now.

August 31, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

What’s Happened?

I have spent £100’s with this company over the last few years. Their styling and quality have been fantastic and their garments actually fit! I have never found a UK company that fits me so well. I’ve left many a glowing review in the past. Sadly they have now increased their minimum spend for free delivery, charge an unrealistic amount to return items and their prices are generally a lot higher now. They’ve lost my custom and, I suspect a large proportion of the UK market. What a shame.

August 21, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Hike in delivery costs and return charges

I loved the clothes from this company, yes they cost a little more, but I thought they were worth it. However what has happened to their customer experience and service? It is now non-existent with their recent overhaul of delivery costs and returns. I was shocked to find out they were going to now charge me £10 to return an item. I reached out to complain and all I got back was thanks for the feedback but 'it is the difference between moving forward and standing still'. A direct quote, I honestly couldn't believe it. Why should the customer bear the brunt and cost of the company's desire to move forward? To make even more money obviously. I am done, never buying from here again, such a shame

August 18, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor returns service

I wanted to return some dresses, so printed off the return label and took the parcel to a DHL parcel store. The very patient shop assistant tried all ways to scan the label, but was unable to do so. I now don't know how to return the goods. Also now £10 to make a return. I won't be ordering from this company again.

August 15, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Watch out for delivery cost!!!

Used to like this site but they are now charging £12.99 delivery!! Be careful if you purchase as this is a ridiculous amount. Used to be £3.99 until they recently changed to a global site.
They have lost me as a customet

August 13, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I discovered TS at a time when I hadn't…

I discovered TS at a time when I hadn't purchased clothes for over a year and needed a significant wardrobe refresh. Having sizes 12-24 is fantastic! Whoever does the styling and design really understands women's shapes (and we're not an easy bunch!) Simple things too, like having more robust fabric. (If you're a 38F bra, you don't want thin t-shirt material!) I found the Christchurch Riccarton shop staff excellent, the prices very good, the styles consistently suited to curvier bods and the returns and rewards systems excellent. There is some variance between shops but mostly, staff are a key factor in making curvier women (and their partners) feel comfortable and valued. I use TS for pretty much everything, except shoes because I have arthritis. I find I can often find something in the sales rack or on special, and no matter what time of year I travel, I can always find something to take - swimwear, t-shirts, jeans, fitness gear, party and evening wear, etc. Lingeries is well designed and in fun colours. I find the rewards system generous. There are also clearance stores that I've used to track down a second item of something loved that's become unwearable, and I've found the staff here extremely helpful for phone enquries and purchases. Did I mention, this is my favourite shop!

July 21, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I took a chance on this company.

I took a chance and decided to order a lot of clothese from TS online. I have put a lot of weight on that even Big W stores don't cater for my size. The delivery was prompt, my brother was with me out front when the package arrived, so we opened them. He even commented on how gorgeous the items were and the quality. I was shocked, I bought slightly too big but that's all good, the quality is amazing. I am extremely happy with all 8 items. thank you

July 18, 2023
Unprompted review

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