Women Only - Musings of a Former Fashion Diva (buying, daughter, pregnant)

[Gretchen B]

I thought about posting this under the Fashion & Beauty Forum, but those looked to be really serious discussions about fashion and makeup. And I mostly just want to vent my frustration with the fashion industry. So thanks for letting me wail about my last shopping trip, trying to find a decent pair of jeans and a pair of khakis.

Okay, I admit it. I’m not 25 anymore and I no longer tip the scale at 114 lbs, either. But I still want to look my best. I watch “What Not to Wear” faithfully and try to follow Clinton and Stacie’s advice about how to “pick clothes that will flatter my body type”.

So WHY can’t I find ANYTHING that looks good on me! Is it these few extra pounds I’m packing, or is the fashion industry out to sabotage my “look”? Here’s just a few of my pet peeves:

Pants with back pockets. Come on, now. When was the last time you gals put your wallet in your back pants pocket? Do designers really think we want to draw attention to our backside? Plus, I love it when the pocket lining gets kind of crinkly – makes us look like we’ve got a major case of cellulite. NOT a pretty picture.

Shirts with tight little sleeves. Very flattering on my Size 2 daughter. Not so flattering on me, when my arm starts turning blue because of the tourniquet effect.

Belly shirts and low-rise jeans. The only women wearing these are the women that shouldn’t. Do they really think the muffin that somebody poked their finger in looks good hanging over the top of the jeans that must have taken an hour to “slip into”? While I’m not into this “look” right now, I am reserving it for the finale of Biggest Loser when I’m svelte and fit again.

Stretch jeans. Is the addition of spandex to a pair of jeans so that they’ll “hug my curves” really necessary? Stacie and Clinton tell me I should look for straight-legged trouser jeans that float past my “trouble spots”. Anybody EVER seen a pair of those kind of jeans??? If so, please DM me – I’ve been looking for a pair for the past 6 years.

Am I alone on this, or do other women think that designers “just don’t understand us”?

[findinghope]

i think anytime you see clothes in a store, they look like only a 16 yr old girl can wear them, or you have to shop where a pair of pants is $200.
look past the fads. everything right now is "empire" waisted--shirts, dresses. i cant wear any of them without looking pregnant, so i just dont wear it even if that i the style.
i try to find stuff that you cant really tell what year it is.
i empathise--beleive me

[nomoresnow]

I'm with you, ladies.

I love Stacey and Clinton, too, but their clothes are priced way out of my range. Maybe that's why I can't find any of the things they suggest like the trousers that "glide" over the trouble spots. Honey, I'm 5'3" of trouble spots.

[country pride]

Not that I've put on any extra pounds or anything (and not to brag either, but getting to a point here) a lot of times, no matter what size we are, those gypsy skirts with a comfortable blouse always works. I know how you feel about some if the clothing thats out on the market these days, a person cant walk into a store without seeing all that 'juvinile' stuff. Shirts that pretty much advertise sex, glamour and/or anger. 'Baby', 'Delicious', 'Sexy', 'Im Hot', 'My Boyfriend Doesnt Know Im Wearing This', 'Wet n Wild', or pictures of skulls.....youve probably seen it all.
What ever happened to simple, decent clothing for all ages. And we wonder why rape, child porn and teen pregnancy is so high these days. Maybe in a small way, what they wear is 'inviting' to some pervert?? Meanwhile, those of us who try to keep that 'conservative' look, and you can still look good doing so, cant find anything that suits us.

[agreatlife]

Originally Posted by findinghope

... everything right now is "empire" waisted--shirts, dresses. i cant wear any of them without looking pregnant ...

Even skinny kids look pregnant in empire waist clothes. What a ridiculous fashion idea IMO.

[Miss Blue]

I sympathize girls. I hate shopping for clothes..I need summer clothes, badly..So I went shopping..Did I just saunter into Penneys and pick out a few really nice outfits that hid my upper arms, that hid my knees, that hid my scrawny neck, and saggy tush...Nope..Not this year either!!! So ,this summer looks like I will continue to wear three quarter sleeved blouses over my tees and my capris that come just below my knees...I did find three pairs of summer shoes and a purse that really look beautiful on my body

[Janipoo]

I can't stand that the shirts aren't long enough and when you sit your back is showing. Or they are too form fitting.

I hate buying clothes anymore. Either I feel like a whale or some middle aged woman trying to be 16 again.

[nomoresnow]

Yeh, and who says we have to look like Granny Grunt with the mu-mu's???

[Gretchen B]

blue62 - I hear you. I, too, have decided that a nice "shoe wardrobe" might give me some style confidence, since I've practically given up on finding clothes that will make me look chic, sophisticated, and totally put together.

I like the idea of a "purse wardrobe", too. Unfortunately, I'm not a "purse person". Once I find one that has all the necessary pockets and cubbies that fit all the paraphanalia, then that poor purse never gets a break til I look down at it's worn strap and stained leather and suddenly realize I should have put it out of it's misery months ago. . . . But I do like the shoe idea. I can concentrate on my toes, which are really quite nice looking for summer sandals. . . . Maybe everyone will notice what great feet I have and won't notice the frump above.

[VillageLife]

I need to put things somewhere,not those back pockets,but they should design something in front of you. maybe a little pocket inside where the belt line is.
They should design some practical pants
I was never skinny and my legs are short.I can't wear those skinny pants. I usally take a long time until I find something.