Does anyone here like shopping for clothes? Or thinking something will fit and then it doesn't?
That happens to me all the time. There are many different brands that I would love to wear, such as lululemon, tna, billabong etc. How do you guys feel when this happens?
Motivation would be good also for those who are losing weight!

I love shopping for clothes but I have long ago decided not to let clothing be a motivating factor for me. I have bought so many goal outfits that my closet is full of clothes that dont fit me. I have to figure out what it is that will push my buttons to get me running til I've gone through every outfit in that closet. Once they are all too big I'll then go shopping for a whole new wardrobe.

I don't even know any of those brands. Are they designed more for teens and young women? Just curious because I don't know of them. My idea of clothes I want to wear..Prada,gucci...but I cant wear them because I can't afford them.

The only clothes that I "can't" wear are leather pants. I'd like to be its no longer the motivator it once was. Having cancer sorta changed that. Now its about having a healthy life and taking care of the body,so I can make the five year survival mark.

I usually get really excited when I set out to go shopping and then really disappointed when all the cute "regular sized" clothes don't fit and I have to check out the plus size clothes. I have the hardest time finding suitable plus sized clothing that appeals to me. Why can't they just make the same clothing but plus size?!? I am also really short which makes it much more difficult to find clothes that fit well.

Anyone have any suggestions for plus sized clothing stores or clothing lines that have attractive clothing? I am a teacher looking for some professional clothes!

My mom works at Coldwater Creek and she says that they have plus size clothes in petite. Which is what shorter women are supposed to wear. I think they may go up to 20 not sure though. Their clothes are tailored toward a more semi casual, professional look. Their not really my style as I am a jeans, t-shirt and crop pants kind of person. But if I still worked at the school I used to work for, I would.

Talbots is another really good store for that tailored professional look. There a little bit pricier on some of their stuff, but I actually think their of better quality. (shh..don't tell mom) I know how hard it is finding nice clothing for plus size, shorter women being 5.4' myself. Before I lost weight, I would just get a cheap pair of crop pants from walmart with an xxl tshirt and wear that all the time. Another great place this year that I discovered while shopping for a dress for a wedding,(haven't worn a dress in over 10 years) was Target, believe it or not. They actually have a really nice clothing line this year in regular and plus sizes that are really affordable. Have you tried some plus sizes in the petite size?

As an answer to this thread, yes I used to love shopping for clothes until I gained all that weight. I'm so excited this year to be able to wear my favorite jeans and stuff again. The funny thing is that I'm most excited about getting to wear a black tshirt with "The Beatles" on it in glitter that I bought right before I started to get really big. So I never got to wear it. I dug it up the other day and it's actually a little big now. So that is a great motivator. I try to remember that feeling whenever I get tempted to eat 3 or 4 donuts at once.

Ugh. Except there are some things that shouldn't be made in larger sizes. I was at an outdoor concert a few years ago, and the clothes obese women wore were deplorable. The only thing worse than seeing an obese woman in a halter top, is an obese woman in a white halter top. *shudders* Oh, and she was putting on mascara. Like mascara was gonna help that look.

Anyhow, I used to work for Macy's and pretty much bought my entire wardrobe there. Of course, I had the employee discount, but if you go on coupon days, you can get some really good deals, and most of their clothing comes in Women's Petites as well.

Now that my life is pretty casual, I buy clothing in 3 places: The Avenue, Land's End and Walmart. All 3 have good quality clothing at a reasonable price. Well, I only ever buy stuff at The Avenue and Land's End on sale. You can be smart casual without breaking your budget, and there's no excuse for looking like a slob.

I've also gotten some thing from catalogues like Just My Size and Silhouettes.

Personally, I think Coldwater Creek and Talbots are a bit matronly. And I have never liked Lane Bryant.

I don't waste my time wishing I could wear certain styles, it's too depressing. But I do look forward to going on a shopping spree some thin day!

Oh totally there with you on the halter top. I saw an obese woman last summer with a 1/2 shirt on a couple of rolls hanging down and to top off the look, the shirt said "Eat s***" Classy!

I do agree that CC and Talbots are a bit matronly. That's why I don't really shop there. It was good for having to dress up though and look professional in our school system. Loved that job, but really kind of hated having to dress like that everyday. Guess that's why I wear jeans and crops all the time now!

I forgot about the just my size. I do like those. I still wear the bras from JMS, as for some reason I didn't really lose the weight from that 'area'. I wish someone would design a wireless bra for a 38/40 D person that was stylish or pretty and sexy with matching panties. That's just impossible to find.

Au contraire!

post #44

OMG! Thank you!!!! I actually found one that almost fits all of my requirements! Full cup, pink, pretty and the most important, wireless. Here's the page, do you know anything about this brand?

Good find?

I have several by that brand - good fitting and comfortable. And you can even get these. I love that you can shop by size.

This one is my personal favorite, for an underwire. I have it in black. I may have to get the cocoa.

Yeah, I love wearing pretty bras and panties, but I just can't. Even losing weight didn't help!

Oops, wrong forum...



[notice for the humor impaired]
This was a joke!
[/notice for the humor impaired]

ROFL! I love starting the day with a smile!

Reminds me of a Van Halen show I went to. Pink Halter, Large Black Leather Skirt, Huge Back Tattoo, and when she leaned forward, Pink Polk-A-Dot Thong. Some images are just burned into my memory forever. Good for her going out and wanting to feel sexy, but there is a time when one has to realize they just can't pull it off.

I sometimes forget that there may be as men in a thread as there are women.

i hate clothes shopping, because everything, and I mean everything makes me look - lumpy, bumpy and down right dumpy. It's my own fault, I know. Some day, some day.

ETA: I obviously can't spell either.

Someday we'll have to take sockpuppet shopping.

Great, now someone will start a thread titled, "Where Are Alll the Corss-Dressers?"

I understand that not everyone here is overweight but I have realized today that I am not the only one issuing on this topic.

I called my Old Navy today actually to see if they had something I wanted in stock. They told me that they no longer carried Plus Size clothing in the store. So I called customer service and asked why...

The reason: To make more room in the store so we could carry our Full Line of "normal" clothes.

Now I understand that they may not have been making as much money on plus size as there "normal" line as they call it, but I have limited options! So, I can shop online, but this means we have to take a guess at what "might" look good and what "might" fit. Being over weight it is hard to find clothes but it’s even harder when you have no choices. So, now not only do we not get to shop in a store like a "normal" person we have to pay shipping and handling to be shunned.

Now I know I sound harsh and I'm sorry I'm still on the angry side but really what I am wanting here is this: Is it to much to ask that even one store per "area" or "district" carry plus size. That way we could at least have somewhere to go to try on clothes?

Even Wal-Mart is phasing out their plus size line. Why is there no where to go that is reasonably priced and trendy? Most clothing has flower prints, weird appliqués, or is just plain something my grandmother wouldn't even wear. I'm fat not blind.

For the record Yes, I am working on loosing weight but in the mean time I would like to look reasonable cute so my kids aren't embarrassed to be seen with me in public. I have put contact info at the bottom for some stores if you want to write and express your feelings. The more people who write they may just listen and give us something that isn't made out of old curtains.

Old Navy - custserv@oldnavy.com

Wal-Mart - http://walmartstores.com/contactus/feedback.aspx *Go to this site and fill out feedback page

Watch out VB I just might...*smirks*

As far as clothes,I find since I'm short that I dont worry so much on the length anymore but instead I find clothes that fit for my largest area's and I get the rest altered by a tailor. the tailor is a short persons very bestest friend. I've had tons of stuff shortened over the years,even jeans.

Indybeth, where did you hear that about Walmart????? They have tons of stuff on their website. Do you have a press release or other source?

EXACTLY!!! The plus sized clothing I normally find is so ugly that it looks like leftover upholstery! I do understand that being plus size, not everything in the "normal" clothing lines will look good on me. I'm not interested in a tube top...I would like a button down shirt that would close over my chest!

By the way, thanks for all of the suggestions for places to look! I wish it was as easy to find plus sized clothing as regular clothing, but I'll find them where I can.

Now doesn't that just frost your bananas? Considering the majority are now overweight, I'd say the plus size clothing is the "normal" clothing!

In all seriousness, though, it is extremely frustrating to buy clothing if you're a "person of size" in every city I've lived in. Always the same story, few stores carry anything you can get into and what you can, you wouldn't wanna! I find Catherine's has some cute styles mixed in with a lot of very matronly looks, you just have to be very patient to find them. Their clothes also tend to be pricey relative to the quality, but as that has been my only real option for the past several years, I deal. The thing that puzzles me most is why on earth the arms are so ridiculously long on most of the tops I try on - do they think our arms grow longer as we grow wider?

You read my mind! If two-thirds of Americans and half of Canadians are overweight and obese, what sense does it make to get rid of plus-sized clothing? Unless many of the 'regular' overweight people can fit into 'normal' larges. I honestly don't know why retailers are acting this way.

I do almost all of my shopping online. There's always Wal-mart, Target, and K-mart for stuff like socks and panties, and I go to Lane Bryant for bras most of the time, but when it comes to actual clothes, I order everything.

Because I work night shift in a residential rehab center, I can pretty much just dress comfortable. In the winter, that's sweat pants and company shirts, and in the summer, capris and company shirts.

At home its mostly flannel pj pants and thermal ls shirts. I'm always cold when I'm not up moving around, so I gotta be warm at home.

My "wardrobe" is boring. Nothing that I'd really want to wear if I was smaller, except for the flannel pj pants that I can wear all year round.

Some of the places I order from include Just My Size--JMS.com, WomanWithin.com <---used to be Land Bryant Catalog store, Silhouettes, Roamans (not much from there because most of their stuff is just UGLY but you can find some cute stuff sometimes), and Junonia for "sporty" type and travel type clothing.

Junonia is pretty expensive, but some of their stuff lasts forever. I have a pair of bike type shorts that I bought from there in 1999 and they still look brand new.

I'm a certified teacher looking for a position and I absolutely DREAD buying clothes for when I get a position. I hate dressing up most of the time, and I really hope I get to work in a school where we can be more business-casual. I like to get involved with what the students are doing, and I don't feel comfortable doing that if I'm afraid I'm going to mess up my clothing.

I REALLY wish I could just walk into a store and pick out whatever I wanted in my size. Oh well, one of these days...

Make it a great day!
~Christi

My two favorite stores for decent business-casual clothes (I'm a 29-year old size 24) are Fashion Bug and Avenue...Avenue I have to shop online since there's no stores near me, but they have some cute stuff...and you can't beat the sales at Fashion Bug! I do love the plus size section at the Macy's in my town, but they're just too too too expensive, and the clearance racks are usually full of stuff I wouldn't dream of wearing (although I have found a few gems!)

This is the first time in a LONG time that I can shop in the "regular" stores - my favorite is New York and Company. However, I am totally hating the "maternity" looking tops that are out there. A tall and really thin person can pull it off, but sheesh! I'm short and still have about 20 more pounds to go. I haven't come this far just to have someone ask when I'm "due". Give me my jeans and t-shirts and blazers.

The second coming of "smock" tops, I think they are calling them "swing tops" now (like the circa '76 "hip huggers" are now "low-rise") At this rate, the eighties seam-on-the-outside/leg warmer thing should be next...

My favorite tops are at Limited. They are their signature T's. They are kind of long, to help with the low rise jeans, and they fit really nicely. Fitted, but not TOO fitted. Kind of a thicker material too, so forgiving (so many materials are so thin this season you need a cami underneith...these are not that way). Come in many colors, although I usually tend to go with white or black.

Just a really cute, basic look with jeans, and so far these are my favorites at all the mall stores. The Gap has their basic T too,but it is too loose and too short, if you wear low rise pants.

The Limited is one of the stores I've always wanted to shop at - going to check it out this weekend! Thanks for the tip!!

You're welcome! I think they have two styles in their basic T. One has kind of a frilly type cuff sleeve, and a lower neckline I think.

The one I like is basic. No frills. The neck is a bit higher, which I love, because where I live the sun is very intense and I like to cover my chest (the place that has the most sun damage on my body, thanks to my younger, (more)foolish self).

They have them all over the store, where they can find room. Some on a table, and some are hanging up. Hope you like!

I hate Gap's T-shirts. They are often loose and short, as you described and get even worse after washing. At 5'8", it doesn't look too good if your top is short because it just ends up looking like you're wearing shrunken clothes.

Drives me nuts. If you saw the pic I posted earlier, under another thread, you can see I am wearing one. Of course my stomach is showing. Wouldn't mind in the younger days when I didn't care about looking (somewhat)classy, but I hate it now at my age. I mean, when you are younger it is okay, but not later...and not in most situations anyway no matter what your age!

I can't figure out why they don't get with the program. They do often sell longer, more fitted tops, but I think their classic shirts are made better than their trendier stuff. But I don't think that allowing the classic Ts to be longer and a bit more fitted is trendy. I think it is common sense!

I'm 23 and won't wear them anymore. They frustrate me too much! I'm also a bit of a pair shape so I have a very small waist compared to my hips and thighs and those boxy Ts do nothing for me, especially after I wash them. My fave Ts are the long ones (same as you described) made from the soft cotton. They're also amazing to work out in (at my gym I can't wear sleeveless tops) because they're not as thick as regular cotton - only drawback is if the colour is light they may be a bit see through.

Sounds like you have my ideal feminine figure that I wish I had. Tiny waist. I know just what you mean, though, with the boxy Ts, because they come straight down and so you don't see the indent from the waist.

Yeah, I love that soft cotton too! I don't understand though, about your gym. What do you have to wear? If I don't wear a tank I start to almost hyperventilate (I can be dramatic), because I feel so contrained and hot. Do you have to wear a 3/4 sleeve or something? Or am I misunderstanding?

My figure would be great if my boobs would magically grow

At my gym, I can't wear a tank top, sports bra or one of those long spandex tanks that look like sports bras but longer unless I'm wearing a T over it. It has to have a sleeve, even if its a short sleeve. It's a really stupid rule and it took a lot of getting used to. I used to go to Premier and they had no problems with the dress code, but this is a uni gym so they have different rules. For $10/year, I can't complain too much (although sometimes I really really want to)

Yeah, for $10 a year, I wouldn't complain about the dress code either!

I buy alot of Old Navy, if your local store doesnt have a good Plus size selection you can order off line and I also order from here online for really special stuff...
http://www.greatglam.com/cat_plus_size.cfm

We have a dress code at my gym, but it's only that you have to wear some sort of shirt - no sports bras only. For that, I'm thankful!

I wear long sleeves year-round. Call me crazy, but I hate air-conditioning! I'll wear a long sleeve tee even in August - here, in Alabama, when it can get over 100! I wear long sleeves to the gym every day. I'll wear 3/4 length sleeves, but I don't wear tanks or short sleeves. Everyone teases me about it, so it's OK!

Going shopping this weekend - hope to find some cute stuff!

Seriously? No tanks? I would go insane if I didn't have my huge collection of tank tops. Just plain, ribbed $4.00 walmart tanks. I have a stack of white, and then one in almost every color. I wear two layered usually and wear them all the time! From March all the way up to November. After that, it's just too cold. For years I could never find one that didn't gap at the armpit and show the bra. Finally walmart got some in a few years ago that fit perfect! I've tried on $40 tanks at top scale stores that didn't fit as well as walmarts. I know, I know, I'm crazy about tank tops.

Unfortunately my year is ending and I'm finishing Uni
In the summer I'll do my workouts outside but what will I do in the fall? Me so sad.


me too. I live in the great white north so tank tops are not only great in the summer but they make awesome layering pieces in the winter. I have tons of tanks but I always get a lot of use out of them pretty much all year.

I looked through the link you provided and all I could think about was how great of a model Brittany would make! She'd look damn fine modeling almost anything there.

I'm the same way when not working out. I live in Tucson, and it is so hot outside, but freezing inside anywhere you go! Drives me nuts. They go overboard on the AC. Sure, it feels good for the first two minutes when you walk in the door, but then it is so cold. The movies are the worst. I either wear long sleeves year round (also to block the sun), or else I wear short sleeves and bring along a light sweater. I have not worn shorts in years, other than the gym.

The gym is the one place that less is more for me. I just get so hot working out! I think I would go nuts with your dress code Malvina, but I also think if I could find a gym for $10 a year I'd go for it too and just live with it! I learn to deal! That's a great price.