The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome! | Page 52 | the Fashion Spot

The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

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Personally I view anything past 16 as plus, and anything from 8-14 as healthy (depending on height of course). but many would consider my view very liberal


I agree with side 16 is considered plus but when you say healthy that can be a little heated, because a person can still be healthy at size 18, but thanks for the clarification, because Plus size can be seen as being something totally different all depends who you speak to.
 
I agree with side 16 is considered plus but when you say healthy that can be a little heated, because a person can still be healthy at size 18, but thanks for the clarification, because Plus size can be seen as being something totally different all depends who you speak to.

Very true. Like I said it depends on your height as well.
 
Do not feel this way. You can be a fashionista at any size. You have to own your look. I know a lot of friends of mine who are size 16 plus and can dress fierce. Accentuate your assets is what makes a person look great and own the look. You start by getting the basics than get the essential accessories to dress up or down your look. . I hate Lane Bryant and Avenues, there look is like drapes nothing truly fitting. If you do not like what you see the easiest way to start is create your own personal look book and search for those items, but make sure it caters to you and go on the hunt for a great tailor or dress maker because just because you get it in a story doesn't mean it is ready to wear. Good luck and do not get discouraged.

Just wanted to mention, I see a lot of Avenue clothes because they kindly donate to an organization I work with, and I have seen some fitted things :flower: They gave us a bunch of long narrow black knit skirts that I really like. They have some pretty things ...

star, it seems like a long flowing top might work for you ... I think everyone has to experiment to find the shape & cut that works best for them. I think the most important thing is to start out with a lot of patience when you go shopping, and if you have a supportive & helpful friend, that's a big help too. Best of luck :heart:
 
Someone in the thread earlier mentioned "hot mess." I'm a hot mess, sad to say. I love fashion, but as a bigger girl, I definitely don't feel fashionable. I see some plus-sized women pull it off and look stunning, but I am inept at doing the same thing for myself, aside for a few times in my life.

I think I've adopted the "why bother?" attitude, because I feel like no matter what I do, I'll look stupid. I'm an apple shape and as someone mentioned earlier, it is definitely hard to find things flattering for such a shape.

Another problem I have is I don't know where to start. Sure, I love the a bunch of things that look great on skinny people, but where does one start when overweight? Sorry, but everything in Lane Bryant and Avenue and all those other fat girl shops do not appeal to me. Some are OK and some I have purchased, but some look cheap, some look sl*tty, and some simply aren't stylish.

Any advice is appreciated as I'm sick of being stuck in this rut.

I'm really sorry to hear that and I am going to echo everyone else in this thread and say don't give up and have confidence in yourself. It sounds like such a dumb cliche, but its true that if you feel good about yourself, you will look better no matter what you are wearing and you may gain the confidence to wear even bolder stuff.

Lane Bryant is horrible. I am not really familiar with Avenue. My suggestion is to maybe break from the plus-sized only stores. I don't know what size you are, but Gap goes up to size 20, Old Navy does plus online, Nordstrom's and Saks and Macys have pretty extensive plus sections, Target, etc. I rarely have good luck finding stuff at plus sized stores.
 
^ Saks' Salon Z has really nice salespeople too, who will be able to help you ...

Shoes are also a great way to express your personality :flower:
 
The picture on the bloomies website is horrible
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=121173&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results
If the product is for people with shapely thighs, couldn't they use a shapelier model so it doesn't look so baggy? I am also not fond of the stitching at the bottom.
the ones on jbrand's website look slightly better
http://www.jbrandjeans.com/pl/c/113.html
Seriously. That's a horrible picture. The jbrand website one looks a little better. I'd like to see them in person; I so can't order pants/jeans online. It is an interesting idea though, I'd like to see them on a non-model body.

Starbelly, I have to echo everyone else. You really need to get out of that mindset of not 'deserving' nice clothing or bothering to wear nice clothes, just because you're a plus size. Of course, people can tell you that, but getting it through to yourself can definitely be hard to achieve. I'm very much a pear shape, but my mum - who is an apple shape, has had some luck with Target plus sized clothing. I'm Australian, and there actually isn't that much choice for us when it comes to clothing, but I have heard of a number of people who have had good luck with Nordstrom. Some UK websites do ship overseas as well - a friend of mine regularly shops from Evans and Dorothy Perkins.

Apologies for the novel! :blush:
 
I gave up on Lane Bryant eons ago once I found other options; however I have to say that I ventured into one last week and copped two pairs of the new Right Fit Lafayette pants (in which I was a size 4...loving that sizing!) and they are amazing. They have 3 fits according to your body type and are some of the best fitting pants (for my figure and 6ft height anyway) that I have had. I got a comfy fit over my thighs and also a waist that felt like I had it tailored to my waistline....it is hard for me to find both features off the rack. The size tall must be for someone 6'2+ because I had to get Average size to avoid tripping over them even in heels. Also got some cute lingerie for my honeymoon...not the stuff that usually on on the tables 3 for 25 or whatever but lingerie that was on hangers. They were well made and a very sexy nice fit. I've trashed or given away most Lane Bryant items I have ever bought after finding better clothes...only thing really left and often used in my wardrobe are a black stretch sheath dress (a basic must have wardrobe staple item in my opinion) and some basic knit slacks that I have had forever and wear at least twice a week in different colors. So they may not be a wardrobe staple for me anymore but they do occasionally have an item or two here or there that I like. I am too excited about my new Lafayette pants!
 
Starbelly -

You've done a great job here of summing up what I think a lot of us go thru regarding fashion, whether it's because of body type or size. It took a long time for me to decide & say, I love fashion but it rarely works on me. But style, I have heaps of style and I enjoy that more anyway. It's about something personal instead of trying to keep up with what's in this season or next.

My experience with Lane Bryant is similar to blkladylaw's. Sometimes there are really good basics to be had there, and I do love the new Right Fit system (I'm a blue). Torrid is similar and I've found some great jeans there. I've never been to Avenue but I'm actually planning on dropping in later this week. I have my best luck with Macys, Dillards, and eBay, but I've been visiting Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus outlet more often.

Personally I didn't figure my own style out until fairly recently. I went thru a phase that was similar to what you posted. I decided to figure out what I really liked on other people and what I truly enjoyed, and figure out how to make it work for myself. I did the look book thing, and kept magazine clippings as well as saving pix I found online. I took close notice if I was out & saw someone whose style I liked. I read lots of books on 'how to create your personal style' and 'how to build the perfect wardrobe' and decided most of them were crap, but I still have a few that I loved. I read online blogs and diaries and zeroed in on a few people who really had it figured out, both celebs and everyday folk.

I don't think there's any single right way to do it. I don't think it's a matter of everyone being able to buy X, Y, and Z and look great in a wardrobe based on the same pieces. But you can work out what those starting pieces would be for you, and it can be fun figuring it out.

So, what about you? A little more about your personal tastes might give us all a better idea of what sites or stores you may want to check out. What do you like? What do you want? What do you need?
 
^ We have a thread called "Starting the fashion thing" about how to do the process cait describes. :flower:
 
We have a thread called "Starting the fashion thing" about how to do the process cait describes.

I found the thread a couple of pages back: http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f58/how-start-fashion-thing-58051.html There's some good info here, a lot of these posters seemed to be working to figure out who they are. I can only speak for myself but when I started working on it, I had a good idea of who I was, I just needed to figure out how to put it into practice.

A good example is my love of Chanel. I love the classic cardigan suit so, so much. But on me there is nothing flattering about it. Matronly isn't strong enough to describe the effect. And that can be a real blow, to put on something that's always felt like the height of chic and discover you look totally wrong in it. Eventually I worked out how I can wear that style, I just need to make sure it's not the original boxy cut - and that the contrast trim doesn't conveniently fall right at my hips.

Star seems to have a sense of what her style is already. She may not think so, but she does. I think she does because she must have a specific ideal to call herself a "hot mess" in comparison. (Which means she's probably not really a hot mess either.)
 
Thanks for all of the posts and support, guys. I really appreciate all the advice and all the confidence you folks have in me. :blush:

I think my style is very eclectic. I have a wide range of things that I am drawn to (classic, bohemian, funky, etc.), and maybe that is part of my problem - sometimes, it is hard to put everything together. I remember in high school, I felt pretty fashionable, and was also into trying something new. I didn't subscribe to a particular style, per se, I indulged in whatever I liked - which was probably way, way too much. Looking back, I probably gave the impression that I didn't know what I was doing from one day to the next. But, I was also a lot thinner then, though, so it probably wasn't as hard to pull things off as it is now. ;)

Now, I've let myself go, totally. I moved away, put on some pounds (never been too thin, but I was happy in high school at about a size 14) started college, and got married.

One of my main problems, when I really think about it, is pulling things altogether with accessories and what-not. I can spend a bundle on a nice looking outfit, but I will manage to make it look crappy because I don't take the time to shop for jewelry, shoes and stuff to set it off.

I just graduated from college (and am back in school, but only part-time), so I am looking for a job. I think once I find a job, it will be a lot easier to explore my style because then I'll have money in the bank. :cool: Sad to say, but shopping for whatever I want is one of the main motivations I have for getting a job right. this. second!

Anyway, I really admire you plus size girls for being fashionable and being plus-sized - it is a tough job, for sure, so kudos to all of you. :winkiss: Some of the best-looking, hottest, well-put together ladies I've seen are plus-sized, so I know it can be done.
 
Yeah, Starbelly, please don't feel that way. there is always something you can do. It's just about putting a little extra effort. We're fiting an uphill battle being plus sized, but being an apple shape means you have great legs - look for skirts that show them off and tops that drape away from the body.
Good luck!

On another note, I know not many people here are into LB, but has anyone tried the new Right Fit jeans? How did they work for you?
TIA!
 
I have a question to pose to the group.

Are Spanx the best at what they do, or are there and comparable, cheaper options? The style I was looking at is $36 and that is just way more than I would want to spend. Do you have any recs of other brands, or are spanx priced like that because they really are the best.
 
I really don't like talks of 'letting yourself go.' I find it kinda ... demoralising? Is that the word I'm looking for? Defeatist, maybe? I don't know, I'm not comfortable with it. And notice how it always seems to be directed towards women, especially older women? I just ... ugh (not a dig or nitpick towards you, Starbelly, it's just something I've thought for a while and you saying it sort of sparked my little rantiness :lol: )

Anyway, moving on to fashion: masquerade, I've never tried Spanx, and have wondered if they're worth the money. I currently use Triumph brand (do you get that in the US?) undies, as well as a corset-type thing and find they hold me in pretty well and smooth me when I want it. They were both around AU $20.
 
I've seen the spanx thread, but its not exactly active.

IDK, I guess I will see what target has to offer.
 
^ You could revive it ;)

I just recently bought my first shapewear, which was Spanx ... but I have no basis for comparison to anything else.
 
I find shapewear to be a personal thing - what one woman likes, another is kinda of 'meh' because we are all in our different skins and want different results. Spanx are supposed to be good because they have a sized waistband, unlike other hose which is all the same size (did you ever notice that??) I have a pair which work well for smoothing out under clingy fabrics, but I just cannot wear them under pants because the lack of airflow is really uncomfortable to me. And honestly, I don't buy pants that need that kind of help...!
 
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