Kathmandu

It’s frustrating to shop for plus -sized clothing. If you are overweight, it is not easy to find clothes that suit yourself. Instead you are suggested to lose some weight! Believing you need to lose your weight to fit in the clothes that are usually sold in the stores of Capital, you start going for morning walks. And Kimdole, Swayambhu is one of the best destinations for your morning walks. As you begin your morning walk in the wide lane from Kimdole Chowk to Buddha Park to burn your fat, you are surprised to find the plus-sized clothes galore along with other items.

Selling everything from shoes to stationery to clothing to cosmetics for both men and women along with other everyday items, your morning walk stretch could also be your shopping destination. And you won’t ask for more. If you are heading to Buddha Park from Chhauni, you will find the lane on your left. In the peaceful surrounding where there is no flow of heavy traffic, you can shop without hassle.

New offering

Three years ago, the stores in this area used to sell only the products related to prayers, and had eateries. It has changed with time. It has been booming as a shopping destination in the last three years. Now, it features a fitness centre, few eateries, and you get to shop clothes, shoes, accessories, stationery, toys, home decor, kitchen items, cosmetics, et cetera.

“It is only recently that people have recognised the value of this lane and have started their business here. It is one of the popular areas for Buddhist devotees as well as for those who come for morning walk. So, you can find most clothing stores focused on XL size clothing for men and women,” Bishnu Khadka, owner of Green Tara Gent’s Collection shared about the flourishing shopping lane.

As per her, the shopkeepers were inspired by the plus-size people, who came for morning walk in this area, to start their businesses. And the stores in Kimdole-Swayambhu lane open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The lane features more than 30 stores of ready-made wear for men and women while 10 stores sell items needed for religious purposes.

Big bargain

People coming for morning walk at Kimdole are the customers of the shops here. “My store specialises in plus-sized clothing for women. You can get casual clothes, sportswear, party dresses along with shoes and bags imported from Bangkok and China,” informed Pasang Choeky Sherpa, owner of White Lotus adding, “My customers usually are those who come for their morning walk. I mostly have plus-size clothing. Clothes in smaller sizes usually remain in stock.”

At Green Tara Gent’s Collection you can get everything, from undergarments to pants, shorts, shoes, jacket, tee-shirt, cap, et cetera for men. Khadka brings items from “local wholesale market and according to the season. One can get 25 to 30 per cent discount at my store”.

You don’t need a reason to shop but Punam Sherpa gives more reasons to shop at her Fancy Clothing store. You can buy unisex clothing along with glasses, scarves and pashmina shawls among others here. “You can get products in reasonable price without compromising with the quality. The quality of clothes is similar to the one at malls,” she pointed out.

Other buys

Beside clothes, shoes, accessories and kitchen items, you have many other options to spend your money here. Khapse — a Tibetan cookie — which is not available everywhere and in different shapes, is one of the reasons. “Khapse is a necessary item for any religious purpose for Buddhists. Khapse is the Buddhist form of sel roti that is cooked in the household of Hindus,” shared Hira Lal Tamang, owner of Khapse Shop. The ready-made packed Khapse costs Rs 180 per kilogram and Rs 70 per 225 gram.

There are more on this lane. Stores sell materials required for Buddhist prayers — different variety of incense, incense sticks, metal vessels to burn butter lamp, religious flags and more.

Price List

Fancy Clothing Store

Shoes for children: Rs 500 to Rs 1,100

Shoes for men: Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500

Shoes for women: Rs 200 to Rs 1,600

Scarves and Pashmina: Rs 300 to

Rs 12,000

White Lotus

Bag: Rs1,590 to Rs 3,000

Zumba pant: Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,300

Party dress: Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,000

Green Tara Gent’s Collection

Shirt: Rs 600 to Rs 1,050

Pant: Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000

Shoes: Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,200

Tilpung Lungda Enterprises

Flag: Rs 50 to Rs125

Metal vessel for butter lamp: Rs 40 to Rs 1,200 per piece

Vessel to burn incense: Rs 25 to

Rs 1,300 per piece