Size Matters
No, I’m not talking about THAT. Jeez, get your mind out of the gutter.
I’m talking about clothing sizing. And how *annoying* it is. It’s hard enough to find clothes that fit, but when you have roadblocks all throughout your shopping travels, it’s nearly impossible. Things like: clothing manufacturers not adhering to a global sizing standard, items being available in straight (and even petite) size that don’t exist in plus sizes, or one of my biggest pet peeves, clothing that gets taller/longer as the sizes go up.
According to Livestrong.com, the average height of non-Hispanic white women is 5’4.” And here’s a shocking fact: as we gain weight, we do not also get TALLER. We get WIDER. But in my search for Sizing that Works for Me, I keep finding lines that get taller as they get larger. Melissa McCarthy’s plus line is very “tall.” Target’s Ava & Viv does this. So does Lane Bryant. I was excited to try something from the new Target line, A New Day, but guess what? Same fit issue as Ava & Viv. As I sized up to accommodate my hips/belly (my largest part), the item length stretched down towards my knees and the sleeves were absolutely ridiculous! UGH!!!
So, imagine my delight in coming across Loft’s (soon to be released) plus size collection. First I tried a swing dress – my go-to default style. Very good. THEN I got brave and tried a more straight cut dress (shown) and BAM! Not only were the measurements hip-friendly, the proportions stayed true to an average height woman (I happen to be 5’3″ so am just below average height) – the shoulders were not swallowing my upper body, the sleeves were a good length, and the dress length itself was good.
I. Am. So. Pleased. THANK YOU, LOFT. I understand their plus-size line will go live in early 2018…but they did a small release to Gwynnie Bee and that is how I was able to try several pieces.
I now have several companies/designers that I know I can buy from, and as long as I stick to certain styles, items will fit. That sounds simple but it was a long time coming and a LOT of trial and error. Avenue tends to fit a wider, shorter body. Old Navy Plus can get a couple inches long in larger sizes, but the shoulders fit well and you can always have the length shortened. Asos Curve items *usually* fit a shorter, wider silhouette (though I’ve had the occasional ridiculous outlier there). And now Loft. I am grateful for these baby steps designers/manufacturers are taking in the fashion world. I do long for a day when everything I see in a straight size will also be available in a plus size, but til then…things are better than they *were,* by FAR.
PS: if your brain is still thinking about sex, maybe take a look at a recent post by Shelbee On The Edge, she wrote about “The Midlife Sex Conundrom.”
I’m happily linking up with #iwillwearwhatilike
What I Wore:
- LOFT Ornate Floral Shirtdress, size 24-26, via GwynnieBee
- Old Navy black duster-length cardigan, size 2x
- Payless shoes
- Vintage headscarf
Julia @ When The Girls Rule
Oh good! I didn’t know Loft was adding a plus line. Their pants are ridiculously skinny (even their largest size) and usually their tops have zero stretch. However, just this fall, I’ve started finding a better cut and even bought a top in MEDIUM! So, how interesting that average white woman is 5’4″. You’d think from fashion that it was 5’7″ or 8″. What the hell? How have they been able to get away with this for so long? Oh, I get it. We kept quiet and thought we were the problem, not them. Hmmmm, well, those days are over (aren’t they Harvey Weinstein and others). Yeah, sorry, I’ve had a glass of wine this evening!
Nancy
Hahaha, I wasn t even thinking about That! I am eating my breakfast! And the link at the end made me laugh too! But it is fantastic that designers design bigger sizes too. I worked in a womenswear store and we always told the SEO s to buy bigger sizes. It took years before they finally did.
Fashion Schlub
I mean if 14 is the average size of American women, why is it so hard to FIND size 14? And I’m CONSIDERABLY larger than a 14. There are very few (relatively speaking) stores that carry my size…and EVEN fewer with even larger sizes. It’s very frustrating.
Thanks for rooting for us bigger sizes though 🙂
Iris Smale
I’m not a plus size, but it’s not just plus sizes that are a pain to shop for. I can wear a small, medium or large – depending. It’s really frustrating to try and shop, so I feel your pain.
Leo
Love it
adrienne49plus
Great post. I highly recommend Eloquii’s special line, Viola (I believe that’s correct). It’s a sub-collection specifically for women who are widest in the hips area. This may help. I have many of their dresses in size 14 (I am tall, with a wide back but fairly small-chested) so my challenges are a bit different. Hope this helps!
Fashion Schlub
I don’t think I knew about Eloqui’s Viola line – I will definitely check that out, thanks!
Bettye
Ngumabi
Shopping should be easy for everyone. I’m glad Loft is making that happen.