Plus sized Fashion

[catnapper]

I have resigned myself to being plus sized. No matter how hard I try, I always end back up in the plus racks. Through much soul-searching, I am ok with this this. I give myself permission to be overweight (this is a huge breakthrough for me)

PROBLEM IS: Plus sized clothing is truly awful. If they are not blah, shapeless frump, they are made for amazonian women. All the clothes are tailored as if you get taller as you get wider. they also love to stick shockingly ugly prints on everything.

Am I the only one who hates their options? I feel like I can't find a look that says "Kim". I want color thats sophisticated (not splashy and garsih). I want flattering cuts (as opposed to great big boxes). I want easy wash and wear. I want fabric cat hair doesn't magnetize itself to (Ok that one is a hard thing to find in any size!)

[Karen]

You need to be persistent - often stores that you might not think of like Macy's, Dress Barn and other department stores often have plus size things, but just a few of them so you have to look hard. I've gotten two great denim skirts at Dress Barn of all places! Check sale racks - this time of year is good for stuff left over from the holiday push, and you have to be willing to go through the racks, but I often find inexpensive pieces that will work fine year 'round. Also, look online. There's a lot more selection online, and more and more places are designing for plus-size women. And of course, adding a belt can make a "tent' more shape-fitting, for example.

http://www.onestopplus.com/

http://www.leeleesvalise.com/

are two places that seem to have some shapely things.

I hate that some places just assume anyone ever a size 12 wants black knit garments, and sweats, as you said, that are just sad and shapeless. And capris. I do not own a single pair of capris, think they are unflattering on almost everyone, and make ya look shorter than you actually are ... why oh why do they make so many of 'em?

[cassiesmom]

C.J. Banks (my new favorite store!), Catherine's ... both have online shopping too. Then there's Lane Bryant and Torrid stores' styles, which to me are more like something you might see in a fashion magazine. I don't shop there because of the dress code at work, but if the dress code was more casual, I could.

I really like the Jessica London catalog for pants.

Coldwater Creek has sizes from small to 3XL but some of their items are too expensive for me.

I need to learn to sew because for me, the problem is sleeve lengths. I'm forever rolling up my sleeves. I moved the buttons on a couple of good blouses because the cuffs come halfway down my hand. If I could just raise the sleeve at the shoulder it wouldn't be so darn long. Plus I'm washing my hands a zillion times a day so my cuffs are always wet- I hate that. I don't have longer arms at size 28 than I did at size 22, people.

[Freedom]

All the clothes are tailored as if you get taller as you get wider.

PMSL, I complain about this ALL THE TIME!!! SO great to "hear" someone else say it, thank you!!!

[Suki Wingy]

All the clothes are tailored as if you get taller as you get wider.

I actually wish that was the case with clothing! I tend to find the opposite. I'm 5'9" and pretty average build I guess, but I find myself having to wear plus sizes because it seems like everything I find is meant for tall lean people. (like my 13 year old sister, she is 5'10" and still growing!) Either that or it fits width wise but is really short.

I actually have a thing with plus size. I don't think it should start at size 12. I ride right on the border of normal and plus sizes and I think honestly it would be so much better if everything was labeled/sold by measurements. Like all pants should be labeled 31"x35" (inseamXwaist) It would make buying things online much easier for a start!

[Twisterdog]

I hear you ... on both issues!

Maurices and Vanity have plus sizes, and great clothes, since they are geared to teens.

Online, try Woman Within. I buy a lot of stuff there. And try ebay. You'd be surprised at what you can find, if you don't mind searching a bit.

[shais_mom]

I absolutely LOVE Maurices. And my 2nd choice is Fashion Bug.

[Karen]

I probably looked like an idiot doing my Christmas shopping, but I wanted to buy nice warm sweaters for both my sister and my big brother's wife. My sister is shorter than me but has a long torso, and my sister-in-law is quite tall but not too wide, so I was measuring sleeve lengths on every sweater, trying to get my sis-in-law something that had long enough sleeves but wasn't 3x her size in the torso, and my sister something long enough in the torso but without sleeves that go past her fingertips! Took me a while, but I persevered, and both recipients were happy.

[carole]

I was surprised to read you having so much difficulty, i would have thought that in the US OF A one would be spoilt for choice,and i mean that kindly, as i just know America has so much awesome things on offer, compared to my lil country,however we have a few plus size shops here, carpenters daughter and K & K come to mind, they are both expensive, you won't find anything much under 80 dollars an item there though.

I often like the plus size clothing better than the ones i get for myself, and just wish it were in my size.

I hope you manage to find something nice,i find it harder as getting older to find things that suit me, they seem to only cater for the young these days, that is my biggest moan, somethings i can wear, but others i look at , and think no way, can a woman in her mature years wear that, well at least not me anyhow.

Everyone no matter their size should be able to buy things that suit them, make them feel nice,not frumpy for sure, good luck.

[kittycats_delight]

I had the same issues when I was living in Canada not so anymore. It is not because there are many plus size options here in Italy but there are a few amazing online stores that have nice things, sizing is always perfect, quite economically prices and very good quality. I know there are a few PTers who also love it and a few of my hubby's friends moms & sisters & significant others as well. I have even gotten things for my mom from there as they don't just cater to plus size. They do it all. They have lovely undergarments (which is usually really hard to find in plus size) & their boots & shoes are amazing. I am a boot, shoe & purse addict.

Anyway, it is called bonprix. So if there is anyone in Europe or the UK that is in need of a place like this check it out. I do believe they have websites for a lot of different countries. There is definitely one for germany, uk, france, italy etc.

[pomtzu]

Wow - it is strange for me to read this. So many times when I'm shopping and not really paying attention to size, I see some of the nicest outfits - then I look at the size and it's a plus. I'm forever saying to myself - "now why can't I find something like that in my size?"

I'm a size 2 (not by choice-it was a medical issue), and I'm 66 years old. Do you know how difficult it is to find age appropriate clothes for myself??? Sure - jeans or sweats aren't a problem since they are ageless - but try to find a dress or skirt or even just causal tees. Yikes - no way I will I dress like a teen or even someone in their 20's.

When I was still working and had to dress in office appropriate clothes, finding clothes was a nightmare. I finally discovered Chadwick's mail order, and since they carried size 2 petite clothing, it became a lot easier for me. Over the years other department stores have started carrying a lot more of the very small sizes, compared to the almost nothing that used to be available.

So tiny or plus - I guess we all have problems finding clothes that suit us.

[cassiesmom]

All the clothes are tailored as if you get taller as you get wider.

Man, I thought that was only me! I've discovered with Catherine's pants that although there isn't much difference in the rise between petite and average, there is a difference in the leg lengths. So I try on the petites now. They also have a cut of pants that fits better on my apple-shaped body. Not quite so full-cut.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am kinda on the border of plus size. But I mainly get my pants at Old Navy and they now have sizes bigger than 12.
But I used to go shopping with my plus size friend and we would go to Lane Bryant and I wished they had my size there. I thought they had a lot of nice clothes. Casual and dressy. So those would be my two suggestions.

[cassiesmom]

I am kinda on the border of plus size. But I mainly get my pants at Old Navy and they now have sizes bigger than 12.

I checked out Old Navy's Web site... I had no idea they carry women's sizes. And modestly priced, too! Thank you, Taz Zoee, for the suggestion!

[catnapper]

Thank you everyone. I was at the doctor's today and was reading a magazine, where the plus sized editor was complaining about the same thing I am: modestly price clothing is not shaped properly. She worded it more eloquently than I did.... she asked that fashion designers be locked in a room with size 16 women and see that just because you add width and legnth doesn't mean its going to fit! Some of us hide our weight in sectionas (belly and chest for me) while others are in their legs and thighs, while others are all-over. She said that Lane Bryant has a new DKNY line.... I'll have to check it out, but I've never been too thrilled with their clothes.

I typically buy Jones New York, or Liz Claiborne (I LOVE LIz!) but they closed the Liz outlet by me (BUMMER!!!!!)