Just Kill Me Now....Fashion

I have to find some casual/dressy clothing to wear for a couple of different occasions this spring. Mind you, this is a nightmare in the making.

Let me set the stage. I'm 50 years old (today). I also carry around approximately 20 nasty extra pounds that really like me a lot, and don't want to leave me (especially my huge hoggin' breasticals and gut.)


Can someone please, PLEASE explain to me why fashion designers can possibly think that maternity shirts, in obscene colors and patterns, are a trendy fashion statement for old fat ladies

Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

I have to find some casual/dressy clothing to wear for a couple of different occasions this spring. Mind you, this is a nightmare in the making.

Let me set the stage. I'm 50 years old (today). I also carry around approximately 20 nasty extra pounds that really like me a lot, and don't want to leave me (especially my huge hoggin' breasticals and gut.)


Can someone please, PLEASE explain to me why fashion designers can possibly think that maternity shirts, in obscene colors and patterns, are a trendy fashion statement for old fat ladies

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I'm not sure what stores you have near you, but have you looked at Talbots? I was just on their website, & if you have an outlet near you, they have great prices, or you can order from their outlet online:
http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonlin...px?BID=&h=Home

I looked through their stuff & they have some great pieces on their outlet site for pretty reasonable!

And I know what you mean about the maternity type shirts - most of them are horrible for pregnant women and whoever else they try to make them for. Why do they think we pregnant women want to be pregnant & wear large prints?! Yeah, because THAT makes anyone feel good

Oh, and happy birthday!

Lol are you looking for solid colors? Which stores have you been to, maybe knowing what styles you prefer we can help guide you to the right places.. I know exactly what you mean though. I've seen some disasterous clothes, I go shopping with my mom a lot who is 47 and also has 15-20 extra pounds and honestly sometimes I am left with no way to help or encourage her because of how terrible most of the clothes that are sold are.. Sometimes there will be the perfect style but it will be in some ridiculous color that no one in their right mind would wear or the opposite. I dunno what these people are thinking making these clothes. But with lots of patience you can find some nice clothes! And I think where you shop is so important. I've been to stores where not a single piece of clothing will be any good, and then also in other stores where everything I try on, I have to buy!

I sometimes go shopping with my MIL who wears some plus sizes. She always manages to find very nice looking shirts - heck, most of the time there's prettier shirts in the plus sizes than there is in mine (Why does everything in my size need to overly bright colored, low cut, and short? Do they assume that because you can wear a small or medium that you have absolutely no modesty and want everything to hang out?!).

All I can suggest is that you try different stores. There are nicer clothes but you have to do a little hunting.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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As to your fashion needs.... My MIL is short and - generously endowed - and at 72, has those 20 extra pounds that love her. She works at and wears the clothes of (and looks great in them!) Coldwater Creek. Go to the website, http://www.coldwatercreek.com/ but just to see if there's a store anywhere near you, though with a little imagination you can make the site work. So much of the stuff doesn't look so attractive on the site, and everything they show is on skinny young models. But the women who wear it are generally in their 40s and up, and you can find beautiful pants or skirts (long or calf-length) with the elastic waste, so comfortable to wear - but lovely tops that are hip or thigh length to go over them and beautiful jackets. She always looks great even though she's not shaped like a model anymore.

Of course, I have fat thighs, and she ALWAYS sends me stuff that hangs RIGHT at the fat part.



Laurie

Have you tried Lane Bryant, Kellie Jo? While some of their clothing does fall into the maternity clothes category, they also have a lot of things that are great! I went shopping there a couple weeks ago and got 7 new work (office) shirts that I have received many compliments on Also, don't be afraid to wear bright colors, pair a bright top with dark pants, or the opposite, a little color is nice!

Try looking at them in petite sizes. Even in petite small they are still really ugly they are.

Coldwater Creek has really nice stuff.

I'd recommend looking at Chicos. Provided you fall into the 6-18 size range they have nice clothing that is marketed at someone with a 35year old plus figure.

Talbots and Monterey Bay are also good. Monterey Bay is only catalog or online though.

Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

Can someone please, PLEASE explain to me why fashion designers can possibly think that maternity shirts, in obscene colors and patterns, are a trendy fashion statement for old fat ladies

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OMG! I know! I'm heavy and I hate shopping for clothing. Everything is so shapeless and has the ugliest, large, bold patterns that look more like left over curtain material than it does material meant to make clothing! It's the reason I started to make my own clothing some years ago. I got away from it largely because I was off work and couldn't afford to buy material, but now that I'm back to work I want to start again.

Everyone here has already suggested the stores I was going to suggest. I think Lane Bryant is especially good, my future MIL shops there, I go with her. They have some very cool things.

I too was going to suggest Chico's and Talbots. And Coldwater Creek. The salesladies at these stores are usually pretty helpful.

I'm having the same problem, not so young, not so thin, with the added bonus that I can't afford to pay $50+ for a blouse. I looked at all those sites you guys have been recommending, but they're out of my price range.

Originally Posted by Misty8723

I'm having the same problem, not so young, not so thin, with the added bonus that I can't afford to pay $50+ for a blouse. I looked at all those sites you guys have been recommending, but they're out of my price range.

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Some of those places were pretty expensive, there was like $60 for a shirt offered on some I looked at which to me is expensive, but I dress casually and wear junior's clothes which are generally cheaper. I wear american eagle a lot or other similar clothes which is like no more than $30 for a shirt.. I guess you can try TJ Maxx sometimes you get lucky there and find awesome clothes but you have to do some digging and visit the ones around you frequently...

Originally Posted by Misty8723

I'm having the same problem, not so young, not so thin, with the added bonus that I can't afford to pay $50+ for a blouse. I looked at all those sites you guys have been recommending, but they're out of my price range.

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Did you click on the "Outlet" button at www.ColdwaterCreek.com? http://www.coldwatercreek.com/outlet.aspx There's 28 pages of stuff on sale for less than $20 - pants, tops, skirts, accessories - and a lot of it is really cute!!!!!!! Or once in the Outlet, you can search for stuff on sale in whatever size.

Laurie

I sometimes can find stuff at Kohl's - though I have noticed their plus sized stuff has gotten more frumpy-looking and is cheaply made.

Sounds like you have an "apple" build. That is hard to fit. I have a wedding in October and I am dreading having to go look for something to wear. The only advantage is that it is a Sunday luncheon ... not a big formal event.

QVC and HSN sometimes have cute things - if you do need something plus sized - I am making an assumption here - sorry if I am off course.

Also, found a company online called Vikki Vi - the stuff is basic and classic and can be dressed up or down with shoes, jewelry, etc. The material is that softer drapey stuff. I am thinking this is what I am going to do for this upcoming wedding.

ETA - Sydney's closet is nice. check online. Jeez - I bookmarked a bunch of sites, but they are on my laptop which I was using when my desktop crashed. If I have time to dig out more.. I will post back.