The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

[classic1908]

This is indeed true,but what is truer to me is that most of the time curvy girls get it really bad. I don't know about US,but the places I've been living (aka Italy and paris ) they don't have much for YOUNG curvy girls,most of the stuff is clothes that not even my grandmother would wear,shapeless,out of fashion,grey and black colored tunics..really horrible. That's one of the reasons that motivated me to lose weight....can you believe i'm size 48 ( US 14 ) and I couldn't find a decent fitting pair of jeans since summer? there are all law waist because that's what's on style here now,and I look horrendous with a low waist....
how is the situation where you like? Any good clothes for the curvt girls as well? Just curios

Iphygenia, I'm more of a conservative dresser than some who post here regularly. I'm also in my 40s and am an "inbetweenie" (can wear either the top sizes in misses or the smallest size in women's), so I do decently.

I'm in Southern California, so I have access to a lot of places...but I still get at the offerings. For instance, I like sheath dresses in natural fabrics and have the toughest time finding them. Earlier this decade, I think, pickings were more fruitful. Several designers had plus-size bridge lines (Versace, Valentino, Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta) but those are now out of business. Many went out of business around the time Mode magazine, which I think was the definitive plus glossy, folded. Grace and Figure don't measure up.

Some of the younger regulars will have a different perspective. That's the beauty of this thread.

 

[xmodel citizen]

^^ Oh I so agree! Also, I know people b*tch about Old Navy's quality, but they go up to XXL and 20 and I've never noticed anything bad about the quality. Unless you're doing something heavy duty in your clothes, most pieces will hold up.

 

[frk-frost]

Many went out of business around the time Mode magazine, which I think was the definitive plus glossy, folded. Grace and Figure don't measure up.

I loved Mode - I was so annoyed when it folded

 

[LaurieAnn]

I loved Mode - I was so annoyed when it folded

I completely agree with you. Figure magazine is really more of an advertisment vehicle for Lane Bryant/Fashion Bug/Catherine's which are all owned by the same company I think.

Also, as far as plus-size clothing not having the breadth of styles available for many more women to dress for their own individual personalities I totally concur there too. I never paid much attention to accessories before I became plus size, but now I use shoes, bags, scarves, jewelry, etc. to highlight my personalilty with the clothing often acting as more of a canvas for my look. I also take better care of my hair, skin and make-up than before as being well groomed sends a message to others that I care about myself and am not one to be overlooked because of my size.

 

[Iphygenia]

I also take better care of my hair, skin and make-up than before as being well groomed sends a message to others that I care about myself and am not one to be overlooked because of my size.

this is indeed very true. I find that people tend to think you do not take care of yourself/your body if you're 'fat' and I find that for most curvy girls is just not that way. i personally take a lot of care of my body ( plus my mom is a beautician ) I just find it harder to say no to some comfort food,combine that with the fact i'm a good cook and here's you've got a plus size,but i indeed care about myself,maybe more than those girl who starves themselves to supposed 'perfection'

Iphygenia, I'm more of a conservative dresser than some who post here regularly. I'm also in my 40s and am an "inbetweenie" (can wear either the top sizes in misses or the smallest size in women's), so I do decently.

I understand your point classic1908,but still what I find here in italy is just carelessness about plus sizes,like they ( as in stores ) thought 'well,you're a fat person,you just aim to cover your body' well,it's not like that. I found it very saddening when i was 16 and i just wanted to dress like every other girl,now that i'm 27 and lost most of the weight i'm happier,but i think it's very bad for young girls,everyone has the right to feel stylish despite their body

 

[fashionista-ta]

Surely if one can't fit a regular 10 then a size 12 is the answer, not creating 10W. Now THAT is vanity sizing!

Not true at all. Just like petites, women's garments are structured differently (for example, more room in the arm and bust). Petite garments have, in addition to the obvious shorter legs and sleeves, a shorter rise and smaller armholes. I don't know how these two get reconciled for petite plus, but I would like to ... maybe classic or LaurieAnn knows?

 

[fashionista-ta]

I've seen 10W with Rinaldi and Elekta by Maska. I'm surprised that more people don't do a 10 or 12W.

I remember seeing the press release (or press release-based story) when Talbots started doing 12W. They were the first in the US. And it's not like we don't have the W shape here It's like y'all are saying--"Just cover yourselves, girls. Anything will do"

Certain blouses, I can go up to the biggest size, sometimes 14, and still can't button it. That's the point at which I swore off buttons

Shoshanna would probably work great for me, but I've never seen it carried here. Maybe it is & I just haven't seen it ... I guess I should contact them.

 

[3RingCircus]

I sew my own clothes, that's how I get what I want, when I want it. Want a bias cut Dior-style dress in just the right color? Make it yourself, and you can tailor it to your body. I find that Vogue patterns are the best and truest to quoted measurements.

Masquerade, the shopping is fairly similar in London however you will pay more for the same kind of thing (i.e. a USD$50 pair of jeans will be about £35, which converts back to USD$70 right now), but on the upside a lot of the high street stores carry up to an 18 (about a US16 depending on garment style) so you have more variety at that end of things. You also have more chance of getting your hands on the special designer releases ie H&M, New Look, Top Shop if that is your style.

Evans compares very closely to Lane Bryant and they also sell shoes which is great if you need wide fittings. There is no real comparison to Torrid for youth plus, however New Look has the Inspire junior range, and Debenhams has Gorgeous, which has some younger pieces, as well as going up to an 18 in their designer capsules which includes the very fab Mathew Williamson and Julian McDonald lines.

Interestingly, there are a lot of dresses on offer (day, formal, cocktail) in the UK. Far more than in the US where casual separates and sportswear rules.

 

[LaurieAnn]

The petite women's sizes (12wp) at Talbots will have a partial elastic in the waist and I believe about 1/4" more fabric in the seat, thighs and abdomen areas. In the blouses they have more material to accommodate larger bustlines.

 

[classic1908]

FYI: Avenue's Web site is now selling jeans from Antik and Yanuk for between $150 and $175 a pair. Unfortunately, they are not in stores and if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I need to try them on in person instead of the hassle of returning them by UPS.

 

[fashionista-ta]

The petite women's sizes (12wp) at Talbots will have a partial elastic in the waist and I believe about 1/4" more fabric in the seat, thighs and abdomen areas. In the blouses they have more material to accommodate larger bustlines.

Thanks, LaurieAnn

(They can keep their elastic, btw )

 

[masquerade]

FYI: Avenue's Web site is now selling jeans from Antik and Yanuk for between $150 and $175 a pair. Unfortunately, they are not in stores and if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I need to try them on in person instead of the hassle of returning them by UPS.

that sucks. jeans are so hard to shop for, idk why they would do that.

 

[LaurieAnn]

Thanks, LaurieAnn

(They can keep their elastic, btw )

I don't like the elastic in the waist either. But for the last few years I've worn everything untucked so it wasn't a problem (other than my knowing there is elastic on my pants which I'd lie about it asked).

This spring I'm going to try their petite regular sizes again for white jeans to see how they work for me. Wish me luck!

 

[classic1908]

that sucks. jeans are so hard to shop for, idk why they would do that.

The only reason I could possibly think of is that these are a test and they don't want to take up store space, which is still idiotic IMO. Jeans are truly a b**** to buy -- that's why I stopped wearing them for nearly 20 years.

 

[frk-frost]

I've got a question - I hope this is the right place to post it It seems to me that a lot of the tops and dresses in the stores right now are very voluminous and loose - how do you style that when you're a plus size - and/or have a big bust? When I've tried different things on it looks like I'm wearing a tent or that I'm pregnant - not really the look I'm going for obviously

 

[3RingCircus]

^ Look for the right neckline, and when you find one that doesn't make you look like a quarterback with huge boobs, run the top/dress in a bit at the sides so it is more A line.

 

[frk-frost]

^ Look for the right neckline, and when you find one that doesn't make you look like a quarterback with huge boobs, run the top/dress in a bit at the sides so it is more A line.

With a belt for instance? Is it better to wair belts at the waits or at the hips? I'm such a novice at this Thanks for the advice

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I believe she's saying alter it, or have it altered

 

[frk-frost]

Oh, ok. I hadn't thought of that option at all..

 

[3RingCircus]

^ Correctamundo. A good tailor is a girl's best friend