Finding clothes (little rant)

So I was reading about people who are different sizes top v. bottom and whatnot. I have that problem but I also have the problem of different size waist v. hips or bust v. torso.

My waist is a size 12 but my hips would be a size 6. (I have no butt ) If it fits comfortably in the waist I'm swimming in the hips/butt region.

Shirts, if I get something that fits across the bust it looks like maternity clothes. If it fits nicely in my torso then it is obscenely tight across the bust. Forget anything button down.

Nothing fits! I look sloppy all the time. Anyone else running into this that has some suggestions on where to find some clothes that aren't going to make me crazy? Or should I just keep swimming until I'm done with the weight I want to lose and hope after losing another 40 lbs I fit into stuff better?

I am the same way.........size 12 waist but no butt or hips even at my heaviest nothing fit me correctly because a size 14/16 waist I was always swimming in the butt region hubby always says it looks like I have a load of poop in my pants lol. Its awful but most ppl tell me be so very glad you have no butt or hips. I always loved the curvy girl with the really tiny waist and nice large butt with big hips!

I dont know about losing more weight ifyou will have a nicer shaped bum bum. I think with toning and lots of exercise the better our bodies look no matter where we hide our weight.

the best fitting jeans on me are the bootcut styles. For some reason my butt doesnt swim nearly as much in those styles and the cut is almost perfect on me. No straight legs for me or skinny jeans ha ha. I wear button up shirts I just make sure they are more form fitting and not the real bulky type shirts.

Original Post by angiethe1_2005:

I dont know about losing more weight ifyou will have a nicer shaped bum bum. I think with toning and lots of exercise the better our bodies look no matter where we hide our weight.

Well my bum is in good shape, the only thing out of shape and where I carry ALL my weight (plus apparently the weight of several other people) is my stomach.

When I was younger I had HUGE thighs and a HUGE waist.  Nothing fit me right.  If it fit around my stomach it was too baggy at the bust and if it fit over my thighs, it fell down and exposed my ass crack.

This is why I took up sewing.  I learned how to make clothes that fit, in styles I wanted even though I had to live with a few adjustments, but in the end I found a cheaper alternative to dressing how I want.

Hint hint, nudge nudge. ;]

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

This is why I took up sewing.  I learned how to make clothes that fit, in styles I wanted even though I had to live with a few adjustments, but in the end I found a cheaper alternative to dressing how I want.

Funny you should say that because the reason I was posting is I went to put on a skirt I had made for myself this morning and it didn't fit! hahahahahaha

x__________o;;  Better start makin' some nice dresses then.

have you ever heard of torrids?

you should check it out. :)

You know what, I'm exactly the same. I find pants that fit perfectly in the waist, but they're way too long since I'm 5'1, and are extremely baggy everywhere other than my waist. It's horrible. The only pants that fit me everywhere are always tight in the waist. :(

I could never figure out how women managed without sewing machines.  I used to always have to take in my things, or my daughters, here and there.  I don't do a great job, I just grab the extra fabric and sew it in, but it works.

My problem now is that my sewing machine is really old and I have some sweats I just absolutely love, I just bought and I was afraid they'd be too big, but seemed ok in the store, now after wearing them, they are a little baggy.............but my sewing machine doesn't have a feature that does stretchy stitching.

cellulitedelight.......any ideas for me?  I can't afford to have anyone do it for me.  i wonder if I use a tiny zigzag stitch if that would work.

I struggle with the same issue (hipless wonder)  and as I lost weight I kept losing the weight in my hips, butt and thighs, but my gut looked 5 months pregnant. It was soooo stubborn! My lower half practically disappeared before my waist finally started slimming down.

I am now  on maintenance, at 5'0" tall and 107 lbs, and in a size 0 (down from a size 6). While it is a lot easier now to find pants, I *still* essentially have the same issue, because these are my proportions: I still have a 0.8 ratio. Better than 0.9 or worse, but still not what clothing manufacturers seem to design for.

So I have to be very very picky and try on a lot of clothes - but I do find stuff. For example in certain brands like Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, and Banana Republic, they will offer pants in various styles - some are best for pears, others for apples - these are cut slimmer in the hips.

I skip anything with horrible muffin top (too tight), but if there's just a smidge of muffin going on, it is easily hidden with the right shirt. I have found it helps to start with a cami layer, one that has stretch.... it smooths out any trouble areas. This works if it's not a huge gut you're trying to smooth out! But a little jiggle can be easily contained.

A few thoughts:

1) I only did cardio and did no weight training this time (I have reasons for not doing so, long story). I think when you only do cardio or only diet, you tend to shrink down to a smaller version of your exact same self. However, in the past I have done weight training and I can say that weights really do reshape your body!!! So if you don't want to just shrink down into a smaller version with same proportions, add weight training.

The thing is, what I found is that the weights didn't necessarily shrink my waistline all that much; what it did was give more shape to my butt and thighs. Nice shape! Just enough to give the *appearance* of a slimmer waistline, and fill out  the pants just a bit better. Weights would never give me a pear shape... it's more like hourglass, the "aerobic instructor" balanced proportion look.

2) Jeans are going to be the toughest item to find. I have nearly given up on them. With one exception: DNKY Soho jeans. They have stretch. They are built for thicker waist and narrow hips. They have a higher rise to "lock and load" you. They are ooohhhhh so comfy!! They work really really well... I encourage you to try them!!!!

3) Another good brand to try for pants is Tahari. Either Elie Tahari (very expensive, high end) or the Tahari you can find in TJ Maxx and Marshall's. I don't know what it is about these pants, but they fit very nice for those of us with our build! I can no longer fit in them anymore, but I lived in them while at a higher weight and while losing.  

4) In the meantime, wear SKIRTS!!!

I practically lived in skirts while I was losing the weight (except for when I was wearing exercise clothes, LOL). Skirts are far more forgiving than pants, easier to fit, last longer as you lose weight (they just slip down lower and lower on your waist!), and what's more, the basic A-line style adds some bulk to your hips to make them seem better proportioned.

The top part... we had a thread on that recently and I replied with some fashion tips. The most important idea is this: buy the top that fits your chest. Then take it to the tailor. Tops are very VERY easy to take in at the waist. Actually, often easier than a hem! If you can sew, you can do this yourself in minutes and without much skill.

Edit for one final thought: I'm not sure this came across, but the idea here is, if you want the illusion of a slimmer waist, it's easiest to choose fashions that fill out your hips and make them seem more proportionate.

nothing fits me. correctly. ever.  I ccan fit in children's clothing...except they're too short in the length (arms & legs).  I can fit in juniors clothing lengthwise...except they're too big int he waits, butt, chest... I hate it lots.

Original Post by jenmcc:

1) So if you don't want to just shrink down into a smaller version with same proportions, add weight training.

4) In the meantime, wear SKIRTS!!!

Tops are very VERY easy to take in at the waist. Actually, often easier than a hem! If you can sew, you can do this yourself in minutes and without much skill.

I have 2 pairs of jeans that I love that have stretch - one by Lucky and one is Grane (wearing them now). They're not cheap though and I'm a jeans girl. Work clothes are really what i struggle with because it's harder to find fabrics that are as sturdy as denim that still look tailored. Skirts are a good idea, but I have huge scars on both knees so I tend to be a little self conscious and long skirts are no good on me because I'm too short to pull them off and look professional.

I guess you're right on the tops though, I just hate buying a 2XL and then taking the time to sew in the sides. I'm lazy, I want to wear something off the rack dammit!!!

Very good tip about the weight training to reshape though. Thanks!

Original Post by ohio45:

I can't afford to have anyone do it for me.  i wonder if I use a tiny zigzag stitch if that would work.

Yes a tiny zigzag stitch would work. Also if you stretch the material as you're sewing it you can usually get away with just using a straight stitch. All depends on how much stretch is in the fabric but regular old sweats you could totally work.

Original Post by xahhxitsxmex:

have you ever heard of torrids?

you should check it out. :)

I used to shop there, when I was younger. Now I tend to be a little more conservative than most of those styles are. 

Regarding Knee scars: the fashion now is to wear dark, opaque tights with your skirts! For work go with basic black, grey or dark brown (neutrals). For play, you can do any color and have fun with it. (just stay away from brights if your legs are heavy... but I'm betting you have great legs).

The general advice is to match your tights to your shoes. So if you wear a grey skirt with black pumps or boots, wear black tights. If you wear a tweed skirt with mauve shoes, go with mauve tights. If you wear a khaki skirt with brown pumps, wear brown tights. Etc.

Nude stockings are supposedly a huge "fashion don't" these days...  so you should be fine covering those scars (at least while it's still winter!)

As for long skirts, I agree, they look awful on me too. The best length for short people is right at the knee. OR, slightly above. OR, slightly below. You could try slightly below. You want it to hit at the narrow point below the knee and at the top of the calf. Just stay away from any skirt that hits at the wide part of your calf. Bad look on anyone!

I'm the opposite, if my jeans fit me good in the butt and hips then they are too big for my waist. I don't think I've ever had a pair of jeans fit me good.

missy81 - Have you tried a lower rise.  Not too low but below the belly button?  I have the same problem, my waist is way smaller than hips and thighs.  Before low rise, pants never fit me, now they are perfect.  

Now, if I could only get into a smaller size!