Plus Size Clothes...RANT

valanhb

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OK, I have been thinking about this for a while, because this is how I have to shop. My rant is that over half of the clothes that they offer in plus size wouldn't look good on ANYONE - not a size 2, and certainly not a 22+.

Seriously - do they get the ugliest prints they can to make into tops? These prints wouldn't look good in a small, let along an extra-large. They are just plain UGLY!!!

I have always known the fashion rule is that big girls (and boys) should not wear horizontal stripes because it makes you look wider. OK, then why is it half of the tops available in plus size have horizontal stripes?

And the shapes of the tops and dresses...putting anyone in a burlap sack is going to make them look huge. Adding color, or god-forbid those hideous prints, doesn't make the sack any better looking. Give a little definition to our clothes! Either that, or they make them tight along the hip region. HELLO?!?! That is usually the area we want the least attention!

And WHY would it be a good idea to make plus-size jeans a size to small and STRETCH? When I had a good body I wanted tight jeans. Now I don't, and I don't want skin tight pants (with flared pant-legs, as if to add insult to injury by making the cuffs as large as the hips, which are skin tight because they are stretch!).

I firmly believe that anyone can look great if they dress to accentuate the positives in their body, and hiding (for lack of a better word) the parts that are less positive (even if it's only in their mind). But these clothes that are too often offered to us big girls won't accentuate anything positive!
 

crittermom

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Well, being a plus size gal, I can relate to you. I HATE to shop and that is why I often wear my pjs........only at the house of course.But, out in public, I tend to borrow hubbys shirts.
Here's a
to you.
 

dragoriana

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In aus we have stores called My Size, Big City Chic and 1624 which specialise in bigger sizes, so their clothes arent well..crap. But if i buy bigger clothes from kmart/Target/Big W they all have those stupid ugly patterns and fit like a potato sack. The people who make those clothes do not know what they are doing. You have to go to a store that makes them in bigger sizes only, not one of those big everyday stores.
 

crittermom

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But, with the Fashion Bug plus and all of those, they tend to be more expensive.
I want to have nice clothes---not the price.
 

dragoriana

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Originally Posted by crittermom

But, with the Fashion Bug plus and all of those, they tend to be more expensive.
I want to have nice clothes---not the price.
Unfortunately that is true. Buy generic, ugly but cheaper clothes, or individual, flattering and more expensive ones.
 

swampwitch

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I've made clothes (and costumes) for many people - all ages and sizes. There is a major problem with the patterns for larger sizes. The patterns are enlarged from the small sizes - and I mean enlarged like on a photocopier. The seam where the shoulder and sleeve meet is usually about three inches too low on the arm, and that looks sloppy and makes the sleeves too long.

You have to do a lot of alterations on the large size patterns to make them fit correctly. You have to pay more for a good fit that is not a cookie-cutter enlarged pattern.
 

bonnie1965

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Originally Posted by crittermom

But, with the Fashion Bug plus and all of those, they tend to be more expensive.
I want to have nice clothes---not the price.
Exactly! If you want nice clothes in larger sizes you have to go to the fancy boutiques. I cannot pay $50 for a shirt or $100 for pants. Sheesh!
 

MoochNNoodles

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I'm with ya too. To quote one of the ladies at church, 'Just cuz you can get it on you doesn't mean you should!' When those mini-pleated skirts came out, I recall seeing them in plus sizes and was like eww! I don't want to see me in them! It's like clothing manufacturers must think if they don't offer the same styles in bigger sizes they will offend us larger girls. I'm more offended that they would suggest I wear that pesonally!
 

kluchetta

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I have an acquaintance who is a plus size and she always looks great. She told me she shops at Dress Barn, I think. There's one at the Colorado Mills...
 

carolpetunia

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*standing ovation*


You are so absolutely right! The manufacturers seem to think the extra weight somehow obliterates our taste, so we'll wear anything.

Au contraire, mon frer! If I had money and a great figure, I'd know exactly how to use both!
 
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valanhb

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Hmmm, haven't tried Dress Barn, although frankly I've always been slightly offended by the name for plus size. You know, as in big as a barn?


I've been shopping more recently at Lane Bryant, and even though they do specialize in plus size the same issues are there though I will admit that it is less often than in the all-sizes stores.

Oh yeah, and another rant I have.
In the department stores, it seems they think that if you wear above a size 12, you must lounge around the house all day. I've tried shopping for business attire there, and it doesn't exist. Like all we do is sit around and eat bonbons all day!
 

dragoriana

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I am larger but i still have curves somewhat lol. I like jeans that fit nice and lowish cut top (not too revealing unless someone decides to stick coins down my bra and i have to reach in the grab them!..long story..) i want to still feel like a woman. I am so sick of seeing those sticks wearnig the SAAAME 'in fashion' clothes. They all look the same! I dont know about overseas but here it is fashionable to wear your ballet flats with knit dresses and legging and have your hair 2 feet higher than your hair in a boufant (sp?) and wear glasses twice as big as your head. I would look RIDICULOUS in those clothes! Although if i was that skinny...i still wouldnt wear it because only one out of 100 girls i cross are actually wearing their own thing *sighs* im so SICK of sheep!!
 

dragoriana

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Originally Posted by valanhb

Hmmm, haven't tried Dress Barn, although frankly I've always been slightly offended by the name for plus size. You know, as in big as a barn?


I've been shopping more recently at Lane Bryant, and even though they do specialize in plus size the same issues are there though I will admit that it is less often than in the all-sizes stores.

Oh yeah, and another rant I have.
In the department stores, it seems they think that if you wear above a size 12, you must lounge around the house all day. I've tried shopping for business attire there, and it doesn't exist. Like all we do is sit around and eat bonbons all day!
Same as a store here called 'big city chic' well i'm a chic..but im in the suburbs...and i'm cuddly...but i'm not a bl**dy big house! i can sit in cinema seats, i can walk through doors. hell look at the door we built on Charlies enclosure, my but fits through that! lol

Oh god i need more chocolate..
 

starryeyedtiger

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Just in a little side note- i'm not plus sized.....but i'd sure as heck appreciate it if SOMEONE would make pants that fit me!!!!!!!!
I'm 4'11.5'' I have NEVER found a pair of pants that aren't hanging off the floor on me! Blue Jeans are the worst! And dress pants- forget it!!! They ALWAYS have to be hemmed
I swear the people that make clothes don't have a clue as to what real women are shapped like. (we're not all as tall as super models).
 

katl8e

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crittermom

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I wish I could fit into a size 16!!!! Those days are long gone for me.
 

dragoriana

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Originally Posted by katl8e

I am a size 16 and I buy a lot of nice clothes from Newport News. Their styles and prices, in larger sizes are great. I just ordered this dress:
Wow i love that dress!! Did you get it in red or the other colours? I wonder if i could get away with something like that. I have a black one that does the crossover thing at the front, and i'm surprised it actually makes me look better!
 

missymotus

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Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I'm 4'11.5'' I have NEVER found a pair of pants that aren't hanging off the floor on me!
On the other end of the scale, I'd love a pair of pants that at least reach my ankles
Even the stores that do the longer length pants aren't quite long enough.
 
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