Lane Bryant needs to lose the TUNICS...and sell tops that are shorter in length and fit.

Original Post by: kelcas

I completely agree! I am 5 foot 1 and I think all clothes are made for tall people! Everything is too long!

LOL, I guess the grass is always greener... I'm 5'10" and have invested way too much money in pants that when I wash them once I can no longer wear them! I'm sure it's frustrating for you, but I would much rather have to take my pants up... Have you ever tried to add 3 inches to a pair of jeans? Tall girls can only shop in tall stores, but petite girls can shop in any store if they're good with a sewing machine ;o) My sister in law, being 8 inches shorter than I am, has benefited quite a bit from my shopping misfortunes, although, she still has to take them up. LOL

I am a size 16-18, depending on the cut/fit.  It has been very rare indeed that there is anything even remotely cute and comfortable for the plus size woman.  The reason I don't shop much is that it's discouraging and depressing to look through all that's out there and not be able to find something I can feel stylish in.   Most shirts/blouses hang straight like a tent.  I like to wear more form fitting shirts that make me appear to have somewhat of a shape, and it's very rare I find anything taylored looking.  I would shop much more if there were better things available.  To think that the pickings could be even slimmer?  Hmmm, what now?  Obviously since I am on calorie count, I am working toward losing inches, so it's not that I want clothes make me look better and just avoid losing weight.  I want to look as good as I can at all stages of my loss.  After dropping two sizes, I would love to have better fitting clothes, but just stick to wearing my older ones since I cannot find new ones that aren't frumpy.

The biggest issue I've had is when you're slightly too big for misses sizes but slightly too small for women's sizes.  It's seemed for a long time that there's a "missing" size between regular and plus sizes, especially if you're full busted.

And AMEN to two comments:

1. the tendency of so many of the styles this year to look like maternity clothes.  Since my "baby" is almost 30, I have NO desire to look pregnant again and they make me look FAT when I'm really not.

2. The tendency of so many clothes, especially blouses to have no shape whatsoever.  We watch "What Not to Wear" and try to find clothes that are flattering to where we are NOW and since very few of us have $5000 to spend on a new wardrobe, it's really a challenge.

One of the difficulties I have when I gain weight is that I am a size bigger in my top than in my bottom. Plus I have a long back length which means those so called women's sizes do not fit because they do not hit me in the most flatter place plus if there are darts which I like for a more fitted look the darts are in the wrong place. In addition to my health one of the reasons I am returning to a lower calorie healthier eating pattern is so I can get back into a 14 regular top or dress. When I am at the weight I can maintan easiest I can wear a 12. But I am broad shouldered and big boned. Not big busted.  Most of the time I have to buy separates. I also hate long skirts that fall half way down my calf and any skirts that have no defined waistline. They never fall in the right place. I am 5'7 so I wonder what women who are shorter than me do except alter their clothes.

 In general the ready to wear industry has fallen short of all my expectations from shoddy workmanship to overpriced "fashion fads."

My experience leads me to believe all plus size designers are only a size 6.  They seem to be under the impression that all plus sized women have added to the length of their arms, but not the girth and that my shoulders are as broad as a linebacker in pads.  They also seem to think all plus sized women have hips that require jodhpur type pant legs and that our ankles shrink.  Having lost 80 pounds to date (I won't tell you how long that took!  :o/)  I have relegated myself to taking clothes in rather than buying new.  I have yet to find a brand or store that sells clothes that I like or that fit. I'm really just a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl.  I'm not abnormally shaped (although my brain and mirror disagree) so you'd think I could find comfortable clothes.  I tend to shop Ross Dress for Less and TJMaxx, but everything is too young or too old and way too polyester for me since I was required to wear too much of that in my youth...(but great deals on bras).  I usually stick to Target as it is convenient, but they have scaled back their plus size selection and only carry things appropriate to 20 year olds. The quality at Walmart leaves a lot to be desired. Since I am still between being a normal XL and a 1X the dilemma continues....

Lucky Americans ! In Paris, France, most branded clothes don't even go to a size 12. And mind, you, this is not an American size 12 ! (imagine the clothes stopping at size 8).

Your worst nightmare, when you gain weight in Paris is : where to find decent clothes that fit... Well, you know what we, French girls, do ?

We don't gain the weight 'cause then, we can't wear the clothes !

But, if you DO gain the weight, like me, you move to Canada !

i live in the UK and have found some great web sites to by clothes that fit well and are fashionable try www.simplybe.co.uk there are a few shops that sell plus size and Tesco & asda have a good range of cheap seasonal clothes

Sign of the times, could be.  Americans are cutting back on just about everything these days it seems.  With steady unemployment rates and tightened budgets, maybe people are actually losing weight.  Food is a variable cost and people choose to spend what they will on food.  During my recent 3 month unemployment, I quit eating out, cooked all of my food and spent a couple hours a day working out and being active.  While I worked, I ate Subway daily, spent way too much on dinners out, didn't make time to exercise and in turn I gained a considerable amount of weight.  I'm not a plus size, but I wasnt fitting into my size 12 pants anymore.  Now, I can wear a 6 and I definitely watch what I spend on food and eating out.  Makes me wonder if I'm not the only one who has found the light in unemployment and these dismal economic times.  I don't think it's fair to single out one demographic group due to their size, but the overly available plus size options create an excuse for overweight individuals to stay overweight.  Let's face it, being fat isn't healthy.  So instead of sticking with a large size, maybe some could use this as a chance to slim down.

lol Frenchie!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I hardly buy any clothes at all when I'm fat.  I try to get hand-me-downs from friends and buy the occasional cheap pair of jeans from WalMart to tide me over until I can lose weight.  I dress TERRIBLY when I'm fat because I am convinced that I don't really look good in anything anyway.  BUT as soon as I start losing weight, bring on the credit cards!  Last time I was skinny, I bought two pairs of $150 jeans in a teeny tiny size. (Oh, Dear Lord, they may never fit me again!) I don't know why I have no qualms about spending stupid amounts of money on clothes when I'm skinny, but won't spend over $15 when I'm fat.  I do not love the diet roller coaster.  Hopefully, now that I'm done having babies, I can put the roller coaster to a stop.

Original Post by: Mary_RD

Original Post by: wantonfrolicking

Original Post by: meepbobeep

Look here:http://www.doublex.com/section/life/real-reason-ann-taylor-h ates-plus-sizes

and here:http://www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/003007.html

 

The above articles explain some of the practical difficulties, beyond the extra cost. If you're in one of the larger sizes, it makes more sense to buy your clothes online, and find a good tailor [or a clothes catalog that asks for tailoring measurements as opposed to the weird sizing system we have now].

"That might be a good thing, though, because it's better to try on clothes at home."

Why?!  Is it because since we're overweight we're supposed to feel uncomfortable shopping in public?  Or is it so we don't have to go out of the house at all?

Just because you're overweight doesn't make you anything but average, as was pointed out in the article.  There should not be any shame involved, and you should be able to act as a normal person would, enjoying shopping at malls and having fun with friends. 

I thought Calorie Count has been fairly body-positive, which is why I chose to join this community, but seeing lines like that make me wonder if it's run by some shamed ex-fat people. 

I wrote that line about trying on clothes at home.  I said it, and it applies to everyone, because when you're at home, the light is better, you can sit down to see if pants pull or gap, you can try the item with clothes in your wardrobe to see if it works, you can even bring it to the dressmaker to see if it's worth altering.  You can also take the purchase-decision out of the impulse category.  Calorie Count is body positive but every-body has some figure "flaw".  For instance, I am 4'11" and I can name the items that I have not had to hem - pants, skirts, coats, sleeves, name it - but so what? 

for the record, that's exactly how i read your statement to be. not as a negative, but as a convenience to the shopper for all of those reasons you stated. I can't tell you how many times i bought the "perfectly" matched red top and bottoms and got them home to find they were not the same shade of red after all, or that I couldn't remember if I had pants to match a cute top I had in mind, etc.

not to mention how confining the dressing room stalls are.

I find that I don't look good in any Plus size clothes anyway, they are made to make you look fatter than thinner.  Instead I am working on loosing weight and fitting into the smaller more cuter clothes. 

It has been so long since I have really went shopping for dress clothes that I wasn't even aware of this problem. I haven't been to Old Navy in over 2 years and at that time I was a size 14.  I have noticed that Walmarts exercise clothing isn't exactly what it should be.  The biggest size swish pants that they had was XXL.  I didn't try them on because I was sure that they would fit.   I figured that was like an 18-20.  I am an 18.   Guess what...they did not fit.  I could get them on but they were too tight in the thighs and butt area.  Their sweatpant selection was nill to none and there shirts just don;t make the grade.  The smallest just my size shirt is huge on me while the faded glory size 20 is too tight!  Mostly though I just rely on what I have  until I can get back into my 14's.  When I can wear a 12 then I will worry about shopping.

Unbelieveable...I just got home from clothes shopping. It was one of the most miserable experiences I've had in a while. Nothing I liked was in my size. And damn those 3 way mirrors!!!

2 years ago I was a size 22/24 (270 lbs) and I hated shopping. Nothing ever looked good on me. I'm just over half way to my goal, 55 lbs down and size 16, and I'm noticing a HUGE diffence. I find tons of clothes at Old Navy (online) Lane Bryant, and Avenue. Torrid is a little to sexy for my everyday wordrobe. I have a whole new wordrobe and I'm super happy with my options lately.

 I'm 5'8 and I think all the clothes are made for short people!  :)  (Actually, it looks like "average" is the poplular height.) 

Hey I am waiting until I am out of plus sizes to shop for myself...My reward to myself...

Lane Bryant has always worked best for me.  Cute clothes for fun, business clothes for work, and if you learn how to work the combination of coupons, RealWomen's Dollars, and their clearance sales, you can walk out of there with $500 worth of clothes for about $150.  If you only do this twice a year, that's a pretty reasonable wardrobe budget.

I lost 88 pounds last year and went from a plus size 26-28 to a size 16.  Though I still have more to lose, I have already noticed how much easier it is to find cloths that I like that fit me well.  I have always been a Macy's and Nordstrom shopper and will be dissapointed if they no longer have the ability to carry cloths by the designers I like. 

I recently noticed how much the plus size market has been impacted by the financial crisis however while shopping at Macy's.  There is almost no one shopping, and huge sales with so many out of season clothes remaining on the racks, more than usual. 

However, it seems to me that clothing is truly over priced at full retail, I only shop when I can purchase at deep discount sales prices.  Perhaps a small adjustment in retail priceing would encourage more women to shop.  Seems like such an absurd game, the clothes start out extremly overpriced, then when they are no longer in season wind up discounted to a more reasonable price, eventually available at ridiculously low prices... 

This is Carolyn - not Lane.  I find this post rather judgemental.  Yes, you've lost weight but its not easy for most.  I used to weigh 256 lbs. and finally had to take drastic measures to lose weight - weight loss surgery.  I'm now at 135 lbs. but I am really careful not to judge others still carrying extra weight.  I know that the last 50-60 lbs. o fweight gain for me (which took me out of 1X and into 2-3X clothing) was due to medication for depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia pain.  My metabolism was shot and I was in so much pain that exercise was not an option for me.  It is discouraging to think that someone who has herself lost weight, would say the industry is making a positive step in getting people to lose weight. By making them feel rotten about themselves?  It is NOT up to the industry to make sure I, or anyone else, lose weight.  This is a free country and people are allowed to be overweight if they so choose, and sometimes, even if they DON'T choose.  I don't want the government or the industry to tell me what I can and cannot eat and when I was overweight, I wanted to wear cute clothes.  Feeling better about one's self is better than losing weight.

I so agree with your post.  I lost 80 pounds and I'm now a size 18.  I'm proud of what I've accomplished and I've done the best I can with what I have.  All women deserve to have well made, nice clothing regardless of size.

I understand how hard it can be to find appealing clothes in plus sizes, especially for a stylin' girl like myself. c: Although I no longer fit into my old, bigger clothes, the years I spent as a plus-sizer have helped me to find all the greatest shops. try torrid.com for younger, more hip apparel; if you're into the whole goth/emo/punk scene (or even just like to wear black sometimes--it is slimming), hot topic actually has some nice stuff in larger sizes that isn't ridiculously expensive.

I don't think cutting production of larger clothes will be an incentive for people to lose weight--it will probably just make their self-esteem plummet. Unfortunately for the growing overweight population, actions like this by clothing industries only reinforces the FALSE idea that being overweight means being unhealthy. While obesity has been linked to many diseases, including cancer, AN OVERWEIGHT PERSON CAN BE MORE HEALTHY THAN A NORMAL WEIGHT PERSON.

The lack of nice clothing will not make anybody lose weight. I mean, seriously, if a person won't do it for their own health, why would they do it for nice clothes?

I have been overweight for many years, and it wasn't until 6 months ago that I decided I was ready to do the work that it takes to lose the weight.  (I've lost 37 1/2 lbs and 30 inches since Feb 24, 09!) We have to be ready, mentally, before we can do anything about our weight issues.  And we have to be ready to exercise, which obviously is not a favorite thing for most of us.   

I think that plus size clothing will always be available online, because businesses know that they will sell.  I highly doubt that there's some big secret mission to make plus size clothing hard to find, so that the world will lose weight.  I think it's just the sign of the times.  Sales are down, so stores are going to keep things in stock that sell regularly.  It makes sense to me. 

Let us not forget the women that must try clothes on at home. In my case being unable to go into a store to look around  and try on without assistance because of a disablility that limits me. I need someone to go with me to assist me with getting my wheelchair loaded, unloaded plus help me in the stores. I don't want to always impose on the one person that will do that for me. I went from a plus size girl (before plus sizes were even produced for sale in stores) to a plus size woman. The smallest I have been was a 14 which looks like a 10 to 12 on me. No matter my size my body it is always in proportion making it easy to pull something off the rack in my size and not having to alter it in any way. The decline in production of plus sizes is not something I can understand. The high end dress salons is understandable. The women that can afford these clothes can also afford any type of help they need to loose weight. The rest of us depend on the plus sizes. I am currently on a weight loss program due to my health and have droped from a 26/28 size to 20/22 with more to go. The only choices I have to purchase plus size clothes in my city is LaneBryant or fashion bug. I also can find something in Walmart sometimes for wearing at home.

oh well, good news ladies with tight budgets, walmart still has their plus size line and it is pretty cute this year.  If the big budget stores don't want our bussiness oh well. In the last few years, I haven't liked much of what they had to offer anyway. luckily calorie count has worked for me and now I am in size 16/18.(down from highest size of 26/28 and 30/32 ) I am getting my clothes at resales and yard sales because that is the only place where I can find the designs I like. Plus I am saving tons, at only a dollar or two each at a yard sales.  Many people don't realize that alot of those yard sale clothes still have new tags on them. people buy them on sale and never wear, most of my things I buy are like new.... I have also noticed that at the resale where I take my like new) clothes plus size that most of them aren't selling like they used to.  maybe alot more people are losing weight.( but it could be that they are cutting back because of economy and spending on family, because it is probably the mothers etc that are these sizes and need to spend all their cash on their families.....

 I wish they would realize that not all plus size ladies are tall. I work for Walmart and have noticed our plus size section is getting smaller.

I read all the comments from tall people who find that clothing sizes are too short for them.  Also all of the very thin, small people who can't get a good fit.  But I'm pretty much average, meaning that many more women are close to my height, and none of us can ever buy a pair of pants that is not too long.  Can you imagine a 5' 4" or shorter woman with a 31" inseam?  It doesn't occur in nature, so why make the pants that long?  I've been shortening them myself and took to heart the suggestion to find a good seamstress.

Yesterday I called around to find out how much it costs to shorten a pair of pants.  I was shocked to discover that the local tailors want $8 to $12 A LEG.  I also have been asking my friends about this and they all have the same problem.  The least one of them paid to have a pair shortened was $15.  I guess I'm lucky I know how to use a needle and thread.

I'm a senior citizen living on a fixed income.  I'm still losing weight and don't expect to be wearing a size 16 for much longer.  Why should I invest $30 to $40 for a pair of pants, then pay up to $24 more to alter them?  One solution I've come up with is to buy in thrift and consignment shops.  Most of the size 16 petite pants there have already been shortened by someone else. 

This discussion has been enlightening - it's a great topic.

I absolutely love Lane Bryant, but they cost way too much for me. Lane Bryant's clothes are a hipper and younger style as opposed to a Catherine's or even Avenue. I like Avenue sometimes, when the clothing is younger. Over all I think that by stores cutting out plus size lines altogether is not a smart move at all, if they think they aren't making money now, wait until women can't spend money even if they wanted to because they no longer offer what they need/want.

Im slightly offended by the commenters who are saying they are basically glad comapnies are turning their backs on plus size shoppers.  Their reason for saying this that it should serve as incentive to lose weight.

Am I the only one who see the arse-backwardness of these statements.  When someone is trying to lose weight in a healthy way (in order to ensure that they don't gain back twice as much in half the time it took them to lose it), it takes some time.  What the hell are we supposed to wear in the meantime?  If a person goes from a size 24 they don't wake up the next day a size 4.  Weight loss is a journey and before you reach your goal you need clothing.  As much as I would like to walk around naked, the law says I can't.  I started my weight loss journey at a 18/20, sometimes 22.  I barely have clothes that fit me now...baggy jeans that were not meant to be baggy are not cute.  What am I to do?  Keep wearing the clothing that is OBVIOUSLY way to big until I can shop in a store for "normal" people?  No thank you!  My money is just as good as the next guy and I should be able to buy clothing that fits me.

I never said I was glad. I was trying to put a positive spin on a situation that will be very frustrating for some. Look for the silver lining in the things you cannot control, or do something about the situation instead of being a victim. Boycott stores/companies that refuse to sell your size except by catalog and only buy in store. Or you could make your own clothes. Write letters. Start an activist group.

No one said you don't have the right to buy clothes that fit you. They haven't stopped making the sizes, just scaling back and reserving the sizes for online so they can make more MONEY.  They save money and you foot the bill for shipping most of the time. No one is targetting you because of your weight. It's about cost. I'm no expert, but extra fabric probably costs extra to ship. Not to mention the majority of america is overweight, so they must be saving a lot this way.

I know I'm being very blunt here, but if I used your logic(that I have the right to buy clothes that fit me) and got mad that not every store carries my size in a long, I would be a very unhappy person. It's frustrating for me to shop for clothes and shoes. Do you know how ugly shoes are in women's 10.5? Or how supid it looks when I sit down and my pants rise and you can see ankle and even my shin? I have to shop around whether I like it or not. Or I can order through the catalog. Isn't MY money just as good as anyone else's? Just like for you, the answer is YES. I just make the best of it and take my money where I am accomodated. If you do the same the companies who "turned their back on you" will pay the price and probably see the error of their ways. Or, they will just bring back the sizes when the recession is over.

I just want you to know, fayeonherway, that I wasn't trying to put you down in any way. Sorry if that seemed snippy. I totally get your feelings(as I explained, I've always been a frustrated shopper) and how totally unfair it is that when you go down a size you can't celebrate when you shop and instead must hunt for the size you fought so hard to get to. I just think it's incredibly silly to take it personally. Companies have never been able to accomodate everyone adequately. We all have our crosses to bare; height, width, proportional frustrations. Being plus size is common, unlike my height problem. You can do something about it! How exciting is that?! Companies love you and your money, and having you pay for shipping and special ordering is their scheme to get more of it during tough times. Some of them are fighting to stay in business. Make it backfire on them! Meanwhile, try to make the best of it. There is always a silver lining somewhere.

Our local K-Mart no longer has the sizes from 1X to 3X - tee shirts...they have tons of small sizes...I had been buying tees there for years...and it's the only store in town...XL is not cut the same as 1X - I have a large bust and XL is too tight.  The comment that it costs 10% more to produce larger sizes is moot because they CHARGE 10% more for the larger sizes...I'm sure the clothing industry is trying to send a message to us "fatties" - to lose weight in order to fit into their clothes.  They might be cutting off their noses to spite their faces since the "average" woman is not a movie star or model.  I also find it frustrating to find that most 1X's (when you can find one)  have short, short sleeves...and let's face it, when you get older, your upper arms are not toned like Madonnas are.  I can recall the time that I wore a size 13, and the clothes were always too short through the waist.  The waist would hit me under the armpits.  Sizing has changed over the years...I think today's size 10 was once a 12 or 14...The clothing manufacturers don't want to change their patterns, so we will still have to make do.  At least there are a few stores that carry sizes over XL - there were none when I was young.

Original Post by: lindseyabbott

I think it's good that they won't be selling large clothes anymore. Perhaps it will encourage overweight people to become healthier and lose weight.

There are people who are at an ideal weight and still cannot fit into these small sizes. Are you going to tell a person who is big framed "too bad your genetics just don't fit our ideal?" Please!

Another good place to find wonderful buys on plus size or ANY size clothes is at the local Goodwill Stores.  I have found designer clothes, bags, shoes, etc. for very little money.  Also, I have seen clothes there with the tags still on them. 

I agree with the folks here that say no one should be judgemental about overweight people.  I live with a member of the "food police" and it can be extremely stressful.  People who have been thin all of their lives really have no idea how easy it is to put on weight and how hard it is to lose the weight.  A lot of people think that overweight people are lazy.  That is hardly the case!  Most of the overweight people I know work very hard and take very little time for themselves.  When we don't take time for ourselves, we don't excercise or eat the way we should.

AND...How about plus size pantyhose??  I'm 5'3" and I need at least a queen size pantyhose.  My legs aren't any longer because I'm fat!  If my legs were THAT long I wouldn't BE fat!!  They bag at the Knees and ankles.  If you get them to fit your leg length they roll down from the top when you sit down!  AAGGHH

Frankly, I hadn't been shopping seriously in such a long time that I didn't notice there was such a cutback. I would sometimes go to Old Navy or somewhere that I used to shop at a lot and I noticed my size was gone or that the clothes had shrunk..... but being a bit naive, I just thought they were out. I'm sad that they feel it neccesary to scale back. I can see the predicament, slow economy, have to cut somewhere. At the same time as a plus size woman, I get really depressed when I go clothes shopping and take 15 things into the dressing room and come out with 1 or none.

I would have to agree that them scaling back the plus size is not a motivator to lose weight. I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember and I don't love clothes enough to kick my food addiction. I think it's sad that some of us see it as a motivator. If that's the idea I am sure I can sneak a peek at my friends wardrobe to get psyched about dropping the lbs! A good motivator is support not a sexy clothing line geared toward someone half my size.

I had some good luck with Gordmans for plus size clothing. They have good prices and are mostly meant for a younger crowd. I'm glad I don't need business suits yet because I know how hard it is to find just some nice dress pants that fit me well, it must be devestating to find a whole suit. I have legs and a butt that are much smaller than my waist so if I find one thats a comfortable fit they look sloppy in my legs and behind.

The fact that so many people care about this issue enough to write about it means there is a problem and something can be done about it. Numbers means power for the people. Don't get gloomy.... get active in the community! I like the ideas of writing letters, boycotting ect.... If your passionate about the issue use that passion toward something!

Oh, and about the pantyhose... I totally agree. I finally gave up wearing them because I hated when they rolled down. Now if I wear dress pants I just wear trouser socks, like knee highs. They work great for me. I'm not sure what I would do if I had something shorter than knee length though!!

Original Post by: bochnewich

Another good place to find wonderful buys on plus size or ANY size clothes is at the local Goodwill Stores.  I have found designer clothes, bags, shoes, etc. for very little money.  Also, I have seen clothes there with the tags still on them. 

I agree with the folks here that say no one should be judgemental about overweight people.  I live with a member of the "food police" and it can be extremely stressful.  People who have been thin all of their lives really have no idea how easy it is to put on weight and how hard it is to lose the weight.  A lot of people think that overweight people are lazy.  That is hardly the case!  Most of the overweight people I know work very hard and take very little time for themselves.  When we don't take time for ourselves, we don't excercise or eat the way we should.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

When I was young (20's) I was the ideal weight for someone of my build; big bones, but slim. After having my babies, gaining with each one, my body changed so much I am hardly the "hot babe" I was then, lol...but my children were totally worth every pound, and I would never fault them.

Seriously, tho', working all these years as a SAHM & putting others before myself in all things was not a good way to keep up with my own needs, to be sure...but now that they are all grown, I can totally devote my time to my weight, which is exactly what I intend to do!

...which is the same as to say that, even tho' I abhor prejudice against us larger women, I am so excited to be finally on the road to a size closer to what I used to wear...hopefully, without an "X" in it!!

And nobody here should ever be made to feel (by retailers, manufacturers, or and of their ilk) that we are any less beautiful or worthy than they are!

They need to stop using buttons down the front of clothes, no weird kittens and crap printed on the front, longer waists because I don't want my belly showing. Not all body shapes are full butt and/or full belly. I have to have my pants hiked up higher than needed. We are all not short.

Nbu..

My response was directed to several commenters

I view this entire thing (scaling back on plus sizes) in the same light as making fun of someone who is fat in order to encourage them to lose weight.  It doesn't have a great outcome.  Yes I can find clothing online BUT I shouldn't have to.  I shouldn't have to pay for shipping on top of the fact that I am paying more for the same exact dress only because it has an X in it's size.  I really don't see anything positive about this scenario.  We're not good enough to shop in your stores but they'll take double our money online.  I am pretty sure I read about petitions being started regarding this.  Only time will tell if anything will come of it.

I had already noticed that the stores in my area have drastically reduced the amount of plus size clothes.  I had been down in weight enough to wear regular size 18 but unfortunately had a relapse, so now I'm in 18W.  The selection stinks.  I think that it's rather sooo frustrating, especially if you need a dress for a special occasion, to have to either pay a fortune or buy something you don't even care for just to get it in your size.  I'm in the category of too old for the younger styles, but also hate the moo-moo style or fuddy duddy look.  I think everyone is too young for that look!  Most stores also only have sports clothes, no dress clothes especially dresses that aren't too young or too old.

Well this idea that if the stores don't carry the plus sizes it will force us plus size ladys to loose weight. I happen to be of the mind that if someone is trying to force me to do something then I will be less likely to do so. Loosing weight is a personal choice not something that can be forced. A doctor can tell a person that if they don't loose weight they won't live much longer and still some people choose to disregard that and do nothing for their own personal reasons. The stores that keeps their plus sizes will find that they will have to increase their stock because they will be picking up a lot more business from us. If I find a store that seems to act as though they really care about me as a person and want to please me plus have the product that I need I will be one of their best customers ever. I just hope the stores that do carry our clothes don't take advantage of the situation become greedy and increase their prices because they know that plus sizes are hard to find in the stores. If I am at the proper weight set by my doctor, I will still be in plus sizes because I am of medium to large frame. If I lost enough to wear only the non plus sizes, I would not be healthy. When I was in my thirty's I got down to 133 pounds and could wear a 9/10 jean. Everybody told me I looked sick and I did. That was the one and only time I could wear a bikini. Once I gained 20 pounds I did look a lot better. I am sure all of you can relate to the fact that when I was at 133 I still felt fat. I was self-conscious and thought that my stomache was huge. I do know how to sew and can make anything I can buy except jeans. I may have to go back to that. In the 70's I made all of my clothes and would make my baby daughter clothes to match mine. If you can't sew, you can find someone that can and pay them to make your clothes. With the economy the way it is people that can sew would love to make a little money doing so. Look for the older individual that sews instead of the taylors which charge so much money unless you can afford them. We need to start writing letters contesting this decision about plus sizes. Can anyone let us know who do we write to? It makes me so mad because we plus size people have been ostracized by the industry and beautiful people and this is like another slap in the face.

I would like to comment on how vanity sizing has skewed things. Weren't sizes 0 and 00 created to motivate sales? Also, if you compare vintage clothing sizes to contemporary sizes, it's interesting to note that a size 10 from the 1950s is smaller than today's 10 -- closer to a size 6.

Original Post by: smlouis14

Lucky Americans ! In Paris, France, most branded clothes don't even go to a size 12. And mind, you, this is not an American size 12 ! (imagine the clothes stopping at size 8).

Your worst nightmare, when you gain weight in Paris is : where to find decent clothes that fit... Well, you know what we, French girls, do ?

We don't gain the weight 'cause then, we can't wear the clothes !

But, if you DO gain the weight, like me, you move to Canada !

Your comment literally made me gasp.  That's so terrible!  I'm very sorry.

Land's End has become my favorite internet/catalogue go to place to buy pants because they will hem to length. (At 5'2" I have shorten almost everthing.) They are also the supplier of 95 % of my husband's and son's shirts because these guys at 6'4" have a problem easily getting ones with long enough sleeves. Basic casual clothes to office appropriate including some large sizes, in quality fabrics at reasonable prices. Use their measurement chart to get the right size, (they are not into "vanity" sizing). However, once you figure out what size number works for you, it remains consistent throughout their clothing for years. They now have boutiques in Sears store, which means you can see the clothes and try them on for fit, then order from the much wider selection on line (and get the custom inseam length), but should you decide that for whatever reason you are not happy with your mail order purcase, you can return it at Sears. Even in Canada.

I'm from Canada and you can't even buy a lot of clothes on line from cute American stores because for some reason it's hard to ship textiles across the border. Then, you get nailed with a ton of duty besides. Go to Fex Ex and try to ship a hard drive and a t-shirt. See which is harder. My parents live in the States so I get all my online stuff shipped to them, but then I have to shlep it all back with me on the plane.

My actual goal with my weight loss is to get out of the plus sized stores because there are just so many less cute options out there. I am a size 16/18 right now so there are some stores that carry those sizes, but not a lot. Nerts to that, I say!!!!

Ulla Popkin used to have stores but I think is now just catalgue sales. For those who are closer to 5'& like me their sizes are more true and the designs more upscale than Walmart and the ilk. Who in the hell wants to buy clothes at Walmart unless it is just cheap bum around the house stuff?

I  HATE womens clothes sizes... I just get like 3 sizes and pick the best one! I tend to get a size bigger cuz things with spandex that fit great tend to shrink. I have always been notorious for buying maternity shirts! I have a very large bust and carry my weight in my belly and have along torso. It makes it so your shirts dont pinch around the middle and they are longer too! woohoo! I don't care what the size/brand/department they are! Its all about the fit!

i thought curvy women were sexy? :-(