If you’re a woman and you don’t have an hourglass figure, it can be difficult to find clothing that fits and flatters.
The same shopping problem is true for men who don’t have the inverted triangle body shape most clothing manufacturers base their designs on.
That’s where Caposhie fits in. Created by Canadian women’s national soccer team goalie Erin McLeod and Vancouver fashion designer Adelle Renaud, the store (pronounced cah-poh-she) was set to open this week at the Village at Park Royal and specializes in clothing designed specifically for different body types. The brand identifies five body shapes for women: triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, hourglass and round; and three shapes for men: round, inverted triangle and rectangle.
“You walk in, you find out what your shape is, and then basically we have different fabrics, different designs to flatter the way your shape is and make the most of your shape,” says McLeod, a North Vancouver resident who is an artist and designer in addition to an athlete.
For example, she says, “if you have a round shape, you typically want to add volume to the top of your body and the bottom of your body.”
A blazer with shoulder pads paired with a skirt that is fuller at the bottom might be a good choice for a round-figured woman.
Each garment comes with a ribbon that denotes which body shape it is best suited for. If shoppers don’t know their shape, staff members will be equipped with measuring tapes to assist.
“It’s kind of like a personal shopping experience,” says Renaud. “I really love the innovative side of the fashion world, so this retail concept is really less of a shopping boutique and more of an experience.”
Customers will also be given a card with their body information that they can use to shop online later.
“With the click of a button you can see all the clothing that’s going to fit you that’s in our store,” Renaud says. “What’s on our site versus what’s in our store is always going to be changing and a little bit different.”
Part of Caposhie’s slogan is “own your shape” and that’s an important message the two founders hope to convey to their customers.
“It’s about actually being proud of your shape and not caring if you’re an hourglass or not, or an inverted triangle or not,” says McLeod.
When McLeod isn’t decked out in soccer gear, she says her day-to-day style reflects her athleticism.
“I want what I do to translate into what I wear. When I’m on the field, I like feeling in charge and confident and comfortable with who I am,” she explains. Off the field, she wears whatever gives her that same confidence and comfort.
“Sometimes I dress totally like a tomboy and I wear my pants low and people make fun of me for having a swagger,” she says. “And then sometimes I’ll put on a pair of heels and skinny jeans and a cute top and a leather jacket and I feel confident.”
The Caposhie brand is part of McLeod and Renaud’s Noble Motives Collective fashion company, which supports a number of charitable causes through clothing sales. The company’s other brands include Peau De Loup, Renaud’s line of menswear-inspired clothing for women, and Motive Athletics, McLeod’s new line of fitness-meets-fashion wear. All three Noble Motives Collective brands, in addition to several outside brands, such as Nygard, are available at the new 2,000-square-foot Park Royal location.
“It’ll be a little bit of everything for everyone,” McLeod says.
For more information visit caposhie.com or noblemotivescollective.com.
