posted on July 8, 2001 01:34:25 PM
OK, I am ranting. Why on earth do a lot of clothes makers thing that just because a woman is "plus-size", "pleasantly plump" etc that we WANT to wear flowers or in general unflattering clothes?
posted on July 8, 2001 02:08:01 PM
In the same vein - why does Lane Bryant, to pick the most blatant example, think that plus size women want to wear spandex capris and midriff-bearing tube tops?
posted on July 8, 2001 02:21:37 PM
I'm ranting right next to you!
I search for black sweaters or black tunics occasionally on eBay. Even when I use "black -white -grey -red, etc." there's a ton of listings - sparkles, flowers, checks, yikes!
I can't imagine wearing something with flowers or a large animal print - I'd look like a tropical rainforest with legs.
As to spandex and midriffs for heavy/plus sizes, I can see it as fetish clothing, but for real life? ew.
posted on July 8, 2001 02:39:18 PM
Thanks Sadie! I laughed so hard at your comment "I'd look like a tropical rainforest with legs." I know how you feel.
Spandex is something I think should be outlawed in general, most people have curves that I just don't want to see.
posted on July 8, 2001 03:06:57 PM
I'm afraid this is gonna blow my cover as you'll all know who I am after this comment.......
I instructed my daughters years ago; "if I ever wear stretch pants in public, have me commited immediately." I feel very strongly about it. We cannot all be slender, I don't want to be. I have lovely full legs. But I am a "plus" size and from being observant I've noted it is immodest to wear skintight pants. It often shows MORE than a bathing suit! You look like a naked person in technicolor. Purple naked person. Denium naked person. Over there a green/blue striped and ahead of me in line a floral naked person (woman. always woman. ya think men would wear those things?).
Honey, I don't want all the details on your butt cheeks. How about a little mystery here? Like the total count on cheeks inside those pants/tights/leggins.
posted on July 8, 2001 03:22:24 PM
Designers of all sizes obviously hate women.
Why else would their clothing look that way?
I like how my wife looks in Bayburry/Pendleton sort of things, and plain old jeans and kaki's but not
"fashion" clothing.
posted on July 8, 2001 04:24:20 PM
immykidsmom, I'm LMAO at the visual that just created. A large purple butt with dimples - I may have to rip my eyes out just to get sleep tonight!
No, guys don't wear that stuff, but they do put the waist of their pants above or below a beer gut so they can wear the same waist size they did in college.
posted on July 8, 2001 05:12:33 PM
I am standing up and owning up to being a big butted plus sized sister. I just hate going shopping for clothes these days because, first you have to search for the right size......usually over near the maternity section, then you have to weed out the floral, animal and down right disgusting prints. Once you have done that you may be lucky if they have one or two items that are even close to your requirements, and even then it is usually a case of : 1) they are too big or 2) made of slinky stretchy meant to be sexy material. Why can't they just give us a lovely tailored look, is that asking too much. I give up, the other day I was looking for not the outer clothes, but rather the under garments, and they are just disgusting. I wanted something that would make me feel good about myself and all I could find was something that looked like it would be at home in a gladiators kit bag. I am just fed up with plus sizes looking like they belong in a circus.
I will never again be the slim young thing that I once was , but I sure would like to be able to walk down the street and hold my head high and look like I am my age not my grandmothers.
My rant is over and thank you for the chance of expressing my feelings.
posted on July 8, 2001 05:35:23 PM
OMG, I am ROFLMAO!!!! I started laughing so hard (with you guys, not at you!) that hubby asked me if I was ok or had I finally lost all my marbles!
I too am tired of most spandex and all midriff baring, slinky (read tight), obnoxious prints, and clothes that were designed for skinny people just made bigger!
I was just talking with my neighbor about this the other day and we were discussing how we would design clothing if given a chance. First of all, all tops would be longer, not end at our widest part! I have a really hard time with that particular problem because I'm tall as well as plus sized. It's enough to drive me mad!! Next would be no more polyester! First of all it's not very flattering (most of it anyway) and especially here in the hot desert, it's too hot to wear. We want cotton, linen, more cotton! Natural fabrics that breathe and drape, not cling and show all the dimples and rolls, thank you!
Now, I don't mind some leggings, provided they're worn right. Meaning, not so tight you can see every little dimple and with a shirt long enough to cover the hips, belly, butt. I have some denim type leggings that fit looser and I only wear them with a long top! (Ok, so I have maybe 2-3 tops to wear with them, ARGGGGGHHH!)
And why do the clothing manufacturers think all plus sized women have at least a D cup chest?? Some of us weren't quite so blessed here. And what happened to stretch straps on a bra?! Or that not everyone wants/needs an underwire or lace! So combine the fact that I'm not a D cup with I have to have a stretch strap (remember, I'm tall and they never lengthen the straps when they take out the stretch) and my skin is too sensitive to wear lace that close to my body and how many choices do I have left? Um, maybe a sports bra...Oh, how flattering, a smooshed chest!
posted on July 8, 2001 05:44:34 PM
I'm soooo glad it's not just me!!!
I ***HATE*** those gosh-awful flowers and designs that look like Hawaii exploded. I see nothing at all wrong with plain, solid-colored colors! Who designs this stuff -- people who wear a size 4?
What also bugs me is how these catalogs get skinny people to model their clothes. Why can't they get real-sized people to model, so we'll have a better idea of how the clothes actually look?
posted on July 8, 2001 05:50:29 PM
I agree with the skinny closed made bigger! Ack! My chest my fit into it, but there is no way this butt will. And the necks on the tops - we are bigger, but we still have necks! I am not a football player that needs a 2 foot neckline - sorry my head is not that big (just don't ask hubby that question!)
Mouseslayer,
You are tall, I have the opposite problem - I'm just shy of 5 foot 4 - I can't wear long sleeves - these designers must think our arms get longer too.
Ahh, this feels good to find people who are in the same boat I am!
posted on July 8, 2001 05:59:59 PM
The problem I had when I was wearing the plus sizes (and even now) is the HUGE arm holes in sleevless shirts! I know some are made to wear a shirt under, but I bought a really cool suit (sleevless) and the arm holes are HUGE!
posted on July 8, 2001 06:27:57 PM
OMG lotsafuzz, me too! If it's something I just have to have, I beg my mother to fix it. But usually I have to pass them by. I always thought it was because I didn't have a D cup chest, LOL!
MurphyBird, I know what you mean about the necklines. Um, like I want to show off my sports bra bra straps?!?
posted on July 8, 2001 07:44:50 PM
Hanes makes great cotton bikini panties in ample sizes.
Another not often thought of option is thongs. Not only do they feel like almost nothing, but hold a size 8 or 9 thong up next to a size 8 or 9 high waisted panty - you'll feel thinner immediately! In case you haven't tried these yet because you thought they were only for thin women, one hint: don't buy them too large for you or you'll feel like you're being sawed in half in a very short time.
If any clothing manufacturers wander in here, I hope you hear what we're all saying. We want comfort. We want simple lines and simple prints or solids. We do NOT want to be made to look like circus tents or one of the 8 wonders of the world!
posted on July 8, 2001 09:35:15 PM
They really don't do much for us misses sized people either. They have midriff baring, strechy and too skimpy to wear stuff everywhere. And where do all of the large and extra large sizes go? Everytime I need to buy a top there are only smalls and mediums. My 10 year old daughter is at that in between girls and misses stage and there is nothing in the stores I want to see her in. Slinky, strechy, low cut and sexy do not look good on her or any preteen. Thankfully, she doesn't like these styles either.
My daughters last wardrobe expansion came when a friend was cleaning out a storage unit. My friend found her summer clothes from 20 years ago that she could never fit into now. She gave the clothes to my daughter and my daughter actually liked them and wears them all of the time!
posted on July 8, 2001 09:54:16 PM
When I was in high school & college to dress up meant wear old lady looking things.
2 years ago at 5' 1" almost 300 lbs ( I can tell you that now because I am only half that) and a B chest I felt like I was drowning in every blouse/shirt I put on. Long sleeves hung way too long. Sleeveless forget it! These problems where because I had no chest and a big belly!
PRINTS - SWEATPANTS - LEGGINGS I would not be caught dead in them. OK, I slept in sweats because I was (still am) always freezing. NEVER did I even go to the door in them.
Now, no longer a plus size person. I sell plus size clothing on ebay. Men's & Women's. Because I know what it is like to try to find nice looking clothing at affordable prices. I sell clothing that I would not be embrassed to wear. I will admit ocassionally I have a snake skin skirt (personally I would not wear) but apparently some people like this stuff. Double breasted black blazers are RARE, hard to find items! And they are absolutely great sellers even used! Anyone have one they would like to sell me? (LOL)
posted on July 8, 2001 10:15:14 PMnettak, Treat yourself!
http://www.maggie-t.com.au/index.htm
Also, I believe you have a sister down here in sunny Melbourne.
Can you trust her to buy for you?
A shop here with a great reputation for bigger size fashion and style is called The Little Shop on Glenferrie Hill.
It's in Hawthorn.
Bob, Downunder but never down.
[ edited by bitsandbobs on Jul 8, 2001 10:17 PM ]
posted on July 9, 2001 02:47:48 AM
Well my friend Bob thank you for that information, I will have to check out Maggie T's undie collection, next time I venture into the big smoke. Yes you are right one of my sister's does live in Melbourne and she has excellent taste in clothing, so maybe I should get her to have a look for some undies for me. LOL Actually she did tell me some time back that they have some wonderful factory outlets down your way, we only seem to get the little designer things up here for some reason. I think that they wish everyone has little butts and can wear those minuscule little G string thingos, well let me tell them that I would clear the beach faster than any old shark if I was to appear in a tiny little number.
Oh and umm Bob are you living in a dream like state, because since when has Melbourne been referred to as sunny Melbourne...... As my mate Michael would say, "Tell him he's dreamin". With a top of 16 you live in a little hell hole down there and I believe it is foggy to boot.
posted on July 9, 2001 03:46:12 AMLOL nettak, Just hang around with me. I make my own sunshine!
The real big golf game is tommorow. I must win to get through. My game is a bit iffy right now but there's no second chances.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Queensland or bust!
Bob, Downunder but never down.
posted on July 9, 2001 04:40:32 AM
Hah! You think size 4s design clothes?
NO!
Very tall people design clothes. Try being 5'2" and 100 lbs. Pants 5" too long. I call them puddle pants because the excess fabric puddles on the floor. Size 3s that may fit in the hips, but the waist is huge. I am a woman, and my waist is smaller than my hips. Gaping armholes and necklines. Skirts cut for a height of at least 5" taller than me. Not to speak of the big patterns that swallow up a small person.
I get a decent fit in vintage clothes because they run smaller and are cut more realistically.
posted on July 9, 2001 05:45:10 AMBob ROTFLMAO.......When did you take that picture of me. LOL
Okay down to serious stuff, I have faith in you honey, I just know you can win that big game, you have to win because I want my dinner date you promised me. Oh and by the way Bob you always make the sunshine for me. hahaha
posted on July 9, 2001 06:29:29 AM
No no no no no no - tall people don't design clothes. I'm tall. Sleeves hit three inches above my wrist. Pants are too short, waistbands are too low.
Ever seen tall sizes in a catalog? They say they fit all tall people between 5'7" and 6'1". That's a six inch in height and is supposed to accomodate all of us.
And how about the "one size fits all" category of clothing. How ridiculous!
Some man, somewhere, designs all the women's clothes. He thinks we are all the perfect 5'6", size 10. No variation at all in size and shape.
Men, on the other hand, get to buy pants in waist and length sizes, shirts with varying neck and sleeve sizes. No one sells men's clothing that are ALL the same length no matter what the size.
posted on July 9, 2001 06:49:12 AM
Fashion designers should be forced to wear their clothes before they're marketed. I bet we'd have better choices then! I'm an average size woman - 5'5", 135 pounds. I don't want to wear my grandmother's small print dresses or my nieces' spandex. And how about the sandals this year - can anyone walk comfortably in them? I don't want high platforms and I don't want backless shoes that I have to scrunch my toes in in order to prevent them from falling off. How about designing something that I can wear while sprinting to the car or walking over gravel?
posted on July 9, 2001 07:09:55 AM
All right, who let the skinny chicks in? Just kidding of course!
Somehow it's comforting to know that we all face some problems. Apparently if you're thin, they think you're 20 years old. If you're not thin, they think you have no taste at all.
The solution would be to learn to sew, but I have zero patience. Bought a nice sewing machine at a yard sale two years ago, and there it sits, closed, covered in off white fabric - it functions as the table I use to take auction pics.
Do you think the fashion industry has any idea how much money it's losing by making crap we won't buy instead of easy comfortable stuff we would gladly buy?
And just a small mini rant, HSN is one of the worst offenders. They show these "outfits" on average sized women, and look at that shirt - there's a giant panda on it. Up to size 3X. My roomie and roll with laughter at these things. And they show up on eBay, NWT's, so they look as hideous once you get them as I always figured they would.
posted on July 9, 2001 07:17:09 AM
I can tell you a little bit about why clothes don't fit people who aren't "perfect" sizes.
All ready-to-wear and most home sewing patterns are based on a mid-1940s study of the measurements of 3000 women. This study was undertaken by the American National Standards Institute and used the most readily available pool of women to be measured:
3000 active-duty servicewomen, ages 18-24, in the US Armed Forces. During World War II.
Yep, we ALL look like that.
So the base figure type is 5'5", 120 pounds, and has a B-cup.
To get larger and smaller sizes, the pattern manufacturers grade up or down from the base. But instead of grading increases as a human body changes, they grade up everything, which is why size 22 armholes are too big, necklines are too large, and hips don't fit properly (the "standard" size 22 has a flat tummy and no tush, just like the size 4 only bigger around).
I've taught pattern sizing and garment fitting for years, because only about 10% of American women can truly wear clothing off the rack or made from commercial patterns.
posted on July 9, 2001 08:08:53 AM
I think Ken designs women's clothing when he is not too busy with his political analysis. I think he designs it just right to keep all of us griping...it is just his nature ya know.
Hippy wannabe 
~^~
I always thought it was because I didn't have a D cup chest, LOL!
In case you haven't tried these yet because you thought they were only for thin women, one hint: don't buy them too large for you or you'll feel like you're being sawed in half in a very short time.
