Question:
High Fashion Clothing?!?!?
Why do clothing makers assume that if you are size 16 or larger that you want to wear things with big flowers or seed packets on them? I am 23 years old...I don't want to wear clothes with vegetables or animals on them! — BeckyT (posted on June 24, 2003)
June 24, 2003
You might try these sites: www.zafteen.com www.torrid.com and
www.alight.com
— TMF
June 24, 2003
Hi there! Your question made me laugh out loud, especially the part about
seed packets!!! How about the animal prints??!!! I already FEEL like a
cow, I don't need to LOOK like one too! I guess the only answer to your
question is that the industry is WAY behind the times! If you want
something that is over size 16 but doesn't look like you raided your
grandma's closet at age 23, try Roamans.com and/or jessicalondon.com. They
have some fairly hip stuff there, a little better than Lane Bryant. Yes,
you will find your fair share of flower prints there too, but I just logged
onto jessicalondon.com and they have some pretty hip shirts, ya know,
flared sleeves, nice cuts, etc. And WHY would anyone make shirts for fat
people with horizontal stripes! I just don't understand that! Also,
oldnavy.com has some "fuller-figure favorites" (don't ya just
love that phrase!) from sizes XXL to 20W. Their clothes are pretty nice.
— beeda
June 24, 2003
Ahh! My favorite subject! I agree! What's the deal? It's like if you're
over a certain size you're not supposed to have any fashion sense. I often
wonder what exactly are they thinking about when they pick out that fabric.
— ZZ S.
June 24, 2003
Rebecca, I am a clothes horse myself and sometimes I get that same
feeling!! There is a store called The Avenue that has some pretty cool
clothes in plus sizes from dress to casual!! you might check it out along
with the others.
— Tammy D.
June 24, 2003
For younger fashiion try: www.torrid.com or www.dehlia.com
Torrid is for plus sizes and Dehlia's is a junior catalog that started
carrying alot of plus sizes. I also noticed at Walmart the other day they
have young styles in size 17, 19 and 23...I have never seen these sizes
before but they were certainly "larger", in the junior section-
— ~~Stacie~~
June 24, 2003
There is also an online store called sizeappeal.com very young,sexy
clothes.JcPenney also had started carrying a plus jr line and another
favorite online shop is alight.com its a little pricey but they have
designer stuff like FUBU jeans in plus sizes.Im 37 and dont want to wear
seed packets either so I feel your pain!
— Lisa F.
June 24, 2003
Here are some of the stores I like on-line (I agree it is hard to find
clothes that look great) <BR><BR>
http://www.ullapopken.com/ <BR>
http://www.junonia.com/profiles/index.html <BR>
http://www.landsend.com <BR>
http://www.silhouettes.com <BR>
http://store.yahoo.com/realsize/index.html <BR>
http://www.bigbadbeautiful.com/index.html <BR>
http://www.justmysize.com/ <BR>
Hope these help.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 24, 2003
I am 50 and I feel the same way!!! The most annoying person in the world to
me is that woman on QVC who wears a head band and sells QUACKER clothes.
They are very ugly and she is so annoying! Sorry for all that love them
but they have big animals on them and tacky stuff. My opinion.
— Mylou52
June 24, 2003
I just looked at www.qvc.com to see if I got the name right and it is
QUACKER FACTORY. The clothes are so tacky with big zebra stripes and
strawberries and yes, seed packets!!!!lol! That describes them perfectly.
The clothes may be ok for some people but that woman that sells them on QVC
is just outrageous. I don't understand why she wants to appear that way
because even though she is MO she could be attractive if she didn't wear
that headband and those gaudy clothes. Anyone else find her annoying? God
forgive me if she has a reason for being that way and if there is a reason,
other than just being outrageous, could someone let me know so I won't turn
the channel every time she is on? Thanks! I don't like to judge anyone
but I just can't help myself on this one. I find her insulting to
beautiful MO woman every where because she seems to take advantage of our
lack of tasteful, classic choices in clothes by offering these horrible
mu-mu type of clothes to large size women. Ewwwwwwwww.
— Mylou52
June 24, 2003
I am sure that there is a gardening earthmother out there somewhere who
LOVES her seedpacket shirt. I personally have always loved loud bright
colors and prints. Or as I tell people when I am wearing my multi-colored
madras seersucker pants, "Nothing makes a fat girl happier than plaid
pants!" But that's me. I also dig big hats with feathers and
flowers. If you want to wear somber classic clothes, more power to you.
But don't feel you have the badge of being the fashion police for those of
us who are big enough to wear our clothes instead of our clothes wearing
us!
— merri B.
June 24, 2003
Excuse me, Merri. Didn't mean to offend. I said "my opinion and that
these clothes were ok for some people." Some people are more
flamboyant than others but that doesn't give YOU the right to flame us
either. To each his own. Wear your plaid madras pants with pride if that
is what suits you.
— Mylou52
June 24, 2003
I wanted to add that Tommy Hilfiger has added a plus size line to his
clothing. From sizes 14W-24W. If the pocket book can handle it. But its
always nice to treat ourselves. Good luck!!
— Heather B.
June 24, 2003
Rebecca, your question made me laugh out loud!! When I was 16 (oy, more
than 20 years ago), EVERYTHING that Lane Bryant and Roamans had had those
big ugly flowers on them! I especially love the BATHING SUITS with the big
flowers. Soooooo fugly! Every store/web site that has been suggested
below is good. I especially like The Avenue, Lane Bryant (now that I'm
older, it seems that they've gone the other way and cater to younger
tastes), and Nordstrom's has beautiful plus-size clothes (though pricey).
Merri, if you like the seed packets and plaids, you go, Girl! Wear 'em
with pride!
— Joyce C.
June 24, 2003
Oh forgot my other favorite Ashley Stewart gorgeous clothes
— Lisa F.
June 24, 2003
well, there's also: elizabeth (the larger side of liz claibourne), jones
ny, le suit (business and dress suits - up to size 24w). i've found all
these at macy's women's dept. also, many liz claibourne stores in malls
have an elizabeth section, and in the outlet malls, jones ny will
frequently have more than one location...
— tuxedoll
June 24, 2003
<thwak>....i forgot!! there's also emme!! i've seen her clothes in
lord & taylor...and she has a website as well...
— tuxedoll
June 24, 2003
OMG! Lol. Your question is so funny!I'm 2 as well, and I get so
disenchanted with the lack of cute, decent clothing for MO women. I mean,
honestly. I don't want to walk around, looking like a botanical garden. I
went to check out that Quacker Factory stuff on qvc.com. Can we say ugly??
They have a shirt on there with a whale on it. Now, I don't know if it is
just me, but doesn't that seem a little insulting? Why would anyone MO want
to wear a shirt with a whale on it? And it wasn't even a pretty whale. It
was tacky looking. Luckily, some of the stores online has picked up the
fact that there is a market for youthful clothing for young women of size,
and have met the need for that market. To close this post with a laugh, I
will say this. When I shop for clothing, if I ever see anything I think my
grandmother would want to borrow for herself, I do not buy it. Lol Hugs to
all, and have a great day!
— Lisa S.
June 24, 2003
I am 23, rather. Lol
— Lisa S.
June 24, 2003
Merri you make me smile! I always wore the dark "make you look
slimmer" clothes from teen to today. 60 lbs later went shopping for
the first time in years where I could use the plain old plus size section
of chain stores instead of a specialty shop. Anyhow, I found that I did
buy some of the drab which I hardly ever wear but I LOVE my new bright
colors and wearing something with a print or at least an applique (sp?) on
it. Heck I even raided the night tops for some of my "young
cool" looks for tops - some of my favorites! OH and FYI I'm 30
(almost 31). But Merri, yes I'm with you. Not everything needs to be navy
& black when you feel good about yourself and don't mind standing out!
You go girl, although I don't think I could wear print pants still - now
I'm a jeans girl!
— Shelly S.
June 24, 2003
There used to be a bit by a guy comedian who was MO and he used to talk
about the very same thing. He said "Ok, I know I'm fat, but do I have
to dress like a clown too?"
LOL. For me, there was only Liz Claiborne at Macys or Filenes (when I
lived on the east coast). All of my over 16 clothes were Liz and now that
I'm below a 16, I continue to buy her stuff in the regular departments.
She makes great "generic" clothing, meaning polos or khakis that
any one of any age can wear (and no vegetables!!). You can get good deals
when there are sales and I find that the quality is superior to most other
clothes (even the top end designers) and hold up well so that they wind up
being less expensive in the long run. I had 2 pair of Lizsport khakis that
I LIVED in prior to surgery when I didn't want to buy any more clothes and
they were all tht fit. After surgery they were still in such good shape, I
gave them away rather than just toss them. My second favorite designer is
Jones New York. Their clothes also held up well and looked good.
— susanje
June 24, 2003
I didn't mean that flamboyant is bad. I own plenty of plaid and/or
"flamboyant" things. In fact, when I was in high school (size
20) I had an awesome pair of plaid tights that I wore with a corduroy skirt
and platforms. However, there are times when a girl NEEDS a decent,
professional looking outfit that isn't tacky. That is SO hard to find. I
agree about Lane Bryant...they do have some nice things, but you can't get
out of there with one outfit for under a hundred million dollars!!
Sometimes I marvel at some of the things that Lane Bryant comes up with,
though. I saw several belly shirts in there the last time. That may be
fine for some other people, but...for me, I don't like looking at my big
belly, so why should I make other people look at it!!! :) I didn't mean
to upset anyone about the flowery clothes, just stating my opinion!!!!
— BeckyT
June 24, 2003
Okay, and what is up with the plus-sized shirts with spandex in them??? Did
I ask for something that would cling and accentuate my rolls of flab???
That aside, I always seemed to find something I could wear to work,
resonably priced, in the catalogue. Before I lost weight, I did a lot of
catalogue ordering - less trauma than going out and actually having to try
on stuff that wouldn't fit.
— koogy
June 24, 2003
I think you mistated your question. You actually wanted to know where you
can find cute clothes you can afford!!! I understand. When I was 23 (24
years ago), large size clothes weren't available and now there are lots of
choices BUT we pay a premium. I shop the clearance racks (ever notice all
the size 14s left over at Lane Bryant - do they really think size 14 people
are going to shop there?). My personal favorite on line is BigonBatik.com
but I only buy on sale - wish I could afford more. MakingitBigonline.com is
also nice but expensive and it's not exactly "hip". Now that I've
lost 140 pounds, I have more options. I bought a $5.00 t-shirt at Wal-mart
Yahoo!!! I bought pantyhose at Walgreens. I bought underwear at Costco!!!
I'm so thrilled. (My 21 yo DD thinks I'm nuts "Oh wow, you can shop at
Walmart." Sigh. Best of luck finding clothes. Have you considered
sewing? Slow but effective.
— Sunny S.
June 25, 2003
Has anyone tried that plus size model on lanebryant.com??? Yeah..her size
might be accurate...but where are her ROLLS?!!??!!?
— kathy B.
June 25, 2003
Regarding plus size clothes with spandex in them, or really any size
clothes with spandex...that 10% or 20% spandex is for better movement of
the clothes, and less bagging (as with 100% cotton). Just because there's
spandex in the fabric, it doesn't mean we wear the item tight, or in a size
too small. Now 100% spandex in plus sizes, that's another story. Probably
not the most flattering fabric for plus sizes. I personally LOVE to see
10-20% spandex on the tag because I know the clothes will move with me, and
I won't get "knees" in my cotton pants after wearing them for 10
minutes. That little bit of spandex helps clothes keep their shape after
washing as well. Just my humble opinion. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
June 25, 2003
I am 28, so almost too old for young and high fashion clothing (LOL), but I
found the greatest store that actually has cool clothing. It is called
Torrid and it's like Old Navy/Rave for plus-sized girls. Go to torrid.com
and see if there is a store near you.
— Kristen S.
June 25, 2003
Lane Bryant Rocks!...and so does Torrid...I hate the Moomoo junk I find in
departments stores and I REFUSE to wear clothes with Puppies and Teddy
Bears on them ....who the heck wants to look like a giant 2 year old???
Lane Bryant can get pricey at 45.00 for a shirt but they have great
clearnces ...AND if you go to Ross you can find there stuff on the racks
for like $8.00-$20.00 bucks!
— E. V.
June 25, 2003
Fashion Bug Plus has nice trendy things but also their share of dresses
designed by The Ringling Bros. Because I am a 4-5x extended-plus, I had a
hard time finding a bathing suit this year. I had to choose between the
blue with yellow Pepperidge Farm Goldfish all over it, or the McDonald's
Purple Grimace suit. Guess I'll be walking down the beach holding a
McMilkshake.....LOL (I chose purple).
— Mea A.
June 25, 2003
Hi, Im 4 months post-op and can't wait to buy a new wardrobe. Im a home
shopping network person and they have very nice clothes on there from top
designers, Randolph duke,Kathy Levine,etc...nice stuff and they are
reasonable. I also like Tommy Hilfiger women, jones new york...I think we
have come a long way from back in the days. Im 34 and im very fashionable.
— sexysag37
June 27, 2003
Also, Ralph Lauren makes beautiful high quality clothing in larger sizes.
You can find them at Nordstroms Rack (the Nordstroms outlet store). Also, I
have purchased 5 or 6 pairs of RL wool pants on Ebay - size 18w - and paid
between 10 to 30 dollars for brand new with tags on pants. Ebay is really a
great resource if you're confident of your size (since there are no
returns) - I've loved just about everything I've purchased.
— Sheridan J.
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