A 15-stone American woman who says she was thrown out of the Harrods store in London is preparing to issue a defamation writ

Eilene Kadden, from California, claims she was ejected from the store because she did not have the right image.

Her lawyers, who will issue the writ after Christmas, will argue for damages claiming other shoppers thought she was shoplifting when asked to leave by a store security guard.

Ms Kadden, a children's clothes buyer, said that her mother, a size 10, was allowed to stay in Harrods even though the pair were wearing similar outfits.

She said: "I was embarrassed, humiliated and physically removed from the store.

"Harrods has been the only place where I have had problems. I am in the fashion industry and have shopped all over the world. Nothing like this happened before."

She says she has battled with depression after the �1,400 shopping trip with her mother turned into a nightmare.

Ms Kadden was wearing a �250 outfit of brown leggings and a white embroidered shirt, for the shopping trip in May, which she had bought on a previous visit to Harrods.

Ms Kadden, 48, said: "Since this happened you look at yourself a lot and it makes you worry about if you are wearing the right clothes. I do not feel that they should get away with treating people this way."

Legal experts predict Ms Kadden's claim could be between �30,00 and �40,000.

Harrods has a strict dress code which was introduced in 1989 and bans unsuitable attire.

Many famous people have fallen foul of the ruling including the ex-Neighbours stars, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
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