Clothing that fits our body types

[KValley]

I wanted to start a new thread on this topic in case there were other ideas out there from women who hadn't been reading this discussion on Kim's "interesting article in Health magazine" thread.

We who are non-ectomorphs (i.e. endo or meso morphs) have reported clothing success at Eddie Bauer, Land's End, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT. Any others? (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, review the above-mentioned thread http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)

I'd also like to know where you find comfortable lingerie, if you are, as my grandma used to say, "full-figured"?

And ecto-morphs, chime in with your clothing dilemmas!

Cheers,

Julie

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 04-13-2001).]

[Julia1Pin]

quote:
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Originally posted by kwormann:
I do pretty well until I go clothes shopping. To get tops to fit over my chest, they are way too big in the back or shoulders; dresses hang like maternity clothing since my tummy is much smaller than my chest, and to get pants to fit over my butt and hips, they are too long (I am 5'1").
The "short" of it....clothes shopping makes me feel fat and depressed!

Kim


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This describes me almost perfectly. I am 5'2", have long legs for my body though, have a 27inch waist, and wear a 32D. So, blouses spread (come apart) in the front and are way baggy in back, I have hips and theighs (which I'm working on to get rid of), and I always have extra material in the waist. Luckily, my DH's(in 2 weeks)mom is amazing at alterations, so after she works on clothes, they fit fine. But I do feel fat when I go and try on clothes.

Stores that are great - Max Studio, BCBG (expensive, but worth it!!!), DKNY, Ann Taylor usually.

[SusanMac]

I also shop a lot at Banana Republic and have pretty good luck there (my problem's on the bottom half, rather than the top half)

Julia1Pin -- congratulations on the upcoming wedding!!!! I'm sure you'll have lots of fun, romantic, newlywed nights making CL dinners together!

[mightyh]

I just wanted to give extra credit to Eddie Bauer and Lands End. I think they've come a long way lately--where they used to be kind of too outdoorsy/buttoned down to wear everywhere, they have really started offering some fun clothes which nod to the latest trends without being ***HIP AND TRENDY**** (i.e., you'll never wear them after this season).

I love Eddie Bauer's boot cut jeans--and this after I refused to wear any jeans for several years cause none looked good on me. Actually all their pants have been great for me--I got some really nice flat front wool pants this winter.

Lands End has awesome spandex/cotton tees that just look so much more pulled together than the regular cotton tee...

And I'll add another store--Talbots has great capris. Just ordered a few pairs and they arrived today and fit perfectly. I think the slim, side zip style is really slimming and flattering--as opposed to some of the capri styles that are really wide legged, bulky, and unflattering.

Can you tell I just did all my shopping online recently?? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[hlao23]

I'm an ecto-morph and generally feel very lucky clothing-wise. I think most clothes are designed for this body type (I'm also tall, which is nice except for finding pants that are long enough).

My biggest problem is that clothes can tend to hang on me. If something is not "fitted" it looks like I have absolutely no figure at all. I do have a figure, it's just very . . . subtle http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif. I HATE winter clothing because of this.

[Vanessa]

Have you guys noticed clothing sizes are off? The other day I bought 2 same tops (diff colors) one was way smaller than the other. It is so frustrating...When I ret to Penneys the lady did not believed me so I actually put one on top of the other on the counter and then she believed me.
I am 5'8 but long torso so I buy tall pants or long if not they don't reach my waist. On top I am a medium (usually) small breasted but I have long arms. Liz Claiborne usually has longer sleeves and Lands End and LLBean are good.I hate trying stuff at the store but with sizes going crazy I will have to take the time and try everything on...Wish the clothing industry would pay more attention. I used to work for a designer and we kept strict on quality control.

[kwormann]

I found some good things at Lerner New York today...I had some trouble with tops (they were too big in the shoulders to fit in the chest), but had pants and shorts fit!

ALso, I recommend body by Victoria bras for us large chested broads. They are expensive, but a clerk will measure you to see which size fits the best. They are very supportive and soft!
Kim

[BosunsWife]

Another place to buy large size lingerie is Lane Bryant. I know a lot of people that are larger (right now, me included, but working on that issue) that really like to wear lingerie that is not utilitarian. I love sexy lingerie. Lane Bryant has some beautiful lingerie (bras and panties). Unfortunately they don't have a store here in Hawaii and you can't shop online through their website. I'm headed to Washington State in the next 10 days and you know I will be hitting one of their stores.

I too like shopping for my clothes at Eddie Bauer and also at The Gap. I'm tall, and I guess you could say "thick" right now. Hmmm - maybe you could also say I'm built like a stump. God, I have to laugh some days or I just wouldn't make it with this diet thing! Or as my psychologist says "lifestyle change". 5' 10" and built like a tree.

All I can say is thank goodness they are finally making some stylish and good quality clothes in the larger sizes. For me larger means 16-18. Pass on any other good clothing lines for that size please!

[KValley]

Originally posted by kwormann:
ALso, I recommend body by Victoria bras for us large chested broads. They are expensive, but a clerk will measure you to see which size fits the best. They are very supportive and soft!
Kim

Kim - you read my mind. http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/otn/animals/kitty2.gif I never thought I would be a Victoria's Secret kind of girl, as the catalogs annoy the heck out of me, but their bras are all I will buy now - after how many years of searching? (I'm decidedly NOT small breasted)
I just stocked up last weekend at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody, GA. body by victoria is my choice, too- I splurged on the matching panties!

I've found some great things for pretty cheap at Lerner New York, too (wearing a pair of their jeans now as a matter of fact.

I've also had luck at Casual Corner - if you are petite (not me), I think they have a pretty good offering, as well.



[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 04-13-2001).]

[Gina O]

Just wanted to add my plug for Talbots... seems I can always find what I need, and it always fits great. Looking forward to getting a pair of those capri pants! Gina

[Julia1Pin]

REgarding bras - for the past 8 years I have been a faithful WACOAL wearer. The bras are about $50, but they last for years, and are very cute. I am a 32D and found that Victoria Secret bras STRETCH out way too much. You can buy Wacoal at Macys, Saks, Neiman, etc...

[food girl]

Does anyone make their own clothes? As I looked at a skirt at Banana Republic I thougt SURELY I could do this! It was $58 and it was just about a yard of fabric, lining and a zipper!

I have sewn some things like pajamas with success and now I am really motivated to try some skirts or simple tops. Does anyone have any favorite patterns that work well for endos?

Lisa

[SusieO]

Lisa:
It's been a while I have sewn my own clothes. Mostly skirts and dresses, nothing too complicated. Actually, I have the urge to go fabric store shopping right now. I don't have recommendations for body types, but I do recommend McCall's patterns for novices (of which I still consider myself one.) IMO, the best patterns are the "8 Looks" ones; they have the clearest instructions. I've had less luck with the patterns on the rack that are marked easy. It seems like they try to simplify the instructions too much. Sewing can be frustrating, but it can also be very gratifying. Good luck!

[JHolcomb]

I have a really tough time finding tops to fit me- I'm a 40 DD and have broad shoulders to boot, but the tops for "full figured" women are too big through the waist and make me look even bigger than I should. I can usually wear shirts from JCrew as long as they're not that stretch junk. Eddie Bauer tops fit too, but I usually want a different look (though their clothes are slightly hipper than they used to be). Forget the Express or Limited. I can't even get half of me in (though their pants fit).

Banana Republic is great for pants, and if you catch them on the right day, they have some great sale prices. Lane Bryant works for me sometimes because my legs are pretty muscular (bulky), but the waists of the pants are always too big.

[JHolcomb]

Originally posted by BosunsWife:
Hmmm - maybe you could also say I'm built like a stump.[/B]

HA! I just read that. Not to laugh at your dilemma, but my husband calls me "The Linebacker" (lovingly but still not what you want to hear on a fat day...) because I'm so broad and muscular.

[SandyM]

Another vote for Body by Victoria bras. I'm "full figured" on top, but I was never fitted for a bra. I wore a 42-C bra (Playtex was my brand of choice, for instance) for YEARS..... until someone recommended Body by Victoria at Victoria's Secret. I never thought at my size that I could find bras there.

I was fitted by an experienced salesperson, and found out that I was wearing the wrong size!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif The correct size for me is 36-D, and I have 7 of their bras. (Imagine my joy at losing 6" off my top!!! hehe)

I even merged into the "colorful" aspect, with bras and underwear (I also buy their cotton high-cut underwear). It used to be white cotton - dull dull dull. I just bought an eggplant-colored bra, a tiger-print, a coral color, and a black one. I also have a few white and off-white bras for those white-shirt days, but these make me feel really nice! And the colors of their underwear, especially now in the spring, are so neat!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[BosunsWife]

No offense taken JHolcolm. My DH used to call me the "Little Bull". More so because of my stubborn nature, not because of size. All I can say is thank goodness I'm tall or I'd really be in trouble. My dad always tells me I come from good European Peasant Stock (is that supposed to be consolation for my build?). DH (6'5") and I were talking the other day about how lucky our DD is to be growing up in this day and age. She is already over three feet (not yet two) so we know that she will be probably buying from the Tall racks. When I was growing up - 60's to 70's - tall sizes were few and far between. She will have so many more choices as to clothing and not feel like such an outcast.