Plus Sized Clothing

[thyme4change]

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

[emma1420]

Aug 26, 2015 9:05:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

I'm 5'3" and only my doctor and I know my weight  I am at the upper end of a healthy BMI.  I am actually about 10lbs lighter than I was in high school. 

I do think a lot of this is brand specific.  I find the cheaper brands tend to be more vanity sized that the higher priced ones.  And it is possible that the cut of the clothing now is contributing to the difference.  But, to me I still see a pretty significant difference in clothing sizes over the last 20 years.  But, I also don't shop at better quality stores where there is probably less of this sort of thing. 

[yogiii]

So if you are 10 lbs lighter than HS, but your shorts from HS don't fit, either your shape has changed or you have lost muscle?  Maybe if you shape changed, and the cut of the clothes changed in the same direction that explains it?

[midjd]

Aug 26, 2015 9:05:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

I am 5'2" and am like you -- 90% of my clothes are a S, 4, or 6. I have several pair of sz 4 jeans from HS/early college (10+ years old) and they still fit, so at least Gap hasn't changed their sizing much. 

I have owned only a couple of size 0-1 clothes, and this was in HS when I weighed <90 lbs. I would be surprised if someone my current size and build could wear anything that small, vanity sizing or not. (And does this really work on people? If I tried on a 0 and it fit I would assume it was mislabeled, not that I had lost weight.)

Most of my clothes are purchased at TJ Maxx, Target, and the Gap outlet. The Target stuff seems to run a bit larger than the rest, but maybe a size at most.

[zibazinski]

I weighed less after first child was born but my body shape changed. There went juniors sizes.

[swamp]

still waiting for comments about everyone who wears plus sizes are lazy fat fucks who don't need attractive clothes.............

[swamp]

Aug 26, 2015 10:49:26 GMT -5 midjd said:

Aug 26, 2015 10:30:47 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I weighed less after first child was born but my body shape changed. There went juniors sizes.

Same here. It makes me mad -- I had a c-section, there was no reason for my hips to get wider. DD wasn't even down there!

well, if you look at it that way, there was no reason for my feet to get bigger either, lol.

[zibazinski]

Aug 26, 2015 10:32:26 GMT -5 swamp said:

still waiting for comments about everyone who wears plus sizes are lazy fat fucks who don't need attractive clothes.............

Has that happened here? I don't remember it

[zibazinski]

Aug 26, 2015 10:54:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

Aug 26, 2015 10:49:26 GMT -5 midjd said:

Same here. It makes me mad -- I had a c-section, there was no reason for my hips to get wider. DD wasn't even down there!

well, if you look at it that way, there was no reason for my feet to get bigger either, lol.

My girlfriend had that happen. Her shoe collection rivaled Imelda Marcos. All had to go.

[swamp]

Aug 26, 2015 10:55:00 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Aug 26, 2015 10:32:26 GMT -5 swamp said:

still waiting for comments about everyone who wears plus sizes are lazy fat fucks who don't need attractive clothes.............

Has that happened here? I don't remember it

yes. 

[swamp]

Aug 26, 2015 10:56:02 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Aug 26, 2015 10:54:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

well, if you look at it that way, there was no reason for my feet to get bigger either, lol.

My girlfriend had that happen. Her shoe collection rivaled Imelda Marcos. All had to go.

It wasn't the shoes that were my problem. I was going through a frumpy phase and I was happy to get new shoes.

It was sneakers, rollerblades, ice skates, ski boots, golf shoes, work boots. They're all expensive.

[The Captain]

Aug 26, 2015 10:54:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

Aug 26, 2015 10:49:26 GMT -5 midjd said:

Same here. It makes me mad -- I had a c-section, there was no reason for my hips to get wider. DD wasn't even down there!

well, if you look at it that way, there was no reason for my feet to get bigger either, lol.

Actually this happened to me as well.  Isn't there something about the female body's ligaments loosening pre birth to get ready for the main event?

My feet went up a full size after DD was born.

[teen persuasion]

Aug 26, 2015 9:05:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

I'm 5'5" and probably 105 lbs.  I think I was 110 in HS, and 95 in college, but I've been in the 100-105 range primarily, unless pregnant.

[zibazinski]

Aug 26, 2015 11:59:12 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Aug 26, 2015 9:05:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

I'm 5'5" and probably 105 lbs.  I think I was 110 in HS, and 95 in college, but I've been in the 100-105 range primarily, unless pregnant.

May I say, with all love, how I hate you.

[whoami]

Aug 26, 2015 10:32:26 GMT -5 swamp said:

still waiting for comments about everyone who wears plus sizes are lazy fat fucks who don't need attractive clothes.............

I'm 5' 11', an alleged "skinny minny" and there aren't clothes in the stores for me either, despite the fact that its "me" (albeit a few more pounds) sashaying down the catwalk.  

[whoami]

Aug 26, 2015 9:39:50 GMT -5 emma1420 said:

Aug 26, 2015 9:05:14 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Even in high school in the mid-80's, I was a 7.  I was about 10 pounds lighter than I am now - so maybe sizes shifted a little - maybe that would be 5 now - but an 8 becomes a zero??  I try to escape my own anecdotal experience when people tell me stuff, because the world is far more than how I see it - but I can't get my brain wrapped around this.  Why would you go from an 8/10 to a 0/2 without changing weight, and I haven't changed weight and I haven't changed sizes.  The only way I can frame that out to make any sense is to say that you did a dramatic brand shift.

Can I ask what your height and weight is?  

I'm 5'3" and only my doctor and I know my weight  I am at the upper end of a healthy BMI.  I am actually about 10lbs lighter than I was in high school. 

I do think a lot of this is brand specific.  I find the cheaper brands tend to be more vanity sized that the higher priced ones.  And it is possible that the cut of the clothing now is contributing to the difference.  But, to me I still see a pretty significant difference in clothing sizes over the last 20 years.  But, I also don't shop at better quality stores where there is probably less of this sort of thing. 

Im wearing the same size I did in HS and I am 30lbs heavier than I was back then.  I weighed 116 at 5' 11". 

[flamingo]

I'm with thyme4change on the sizes the pants in my closet. I have a range of 3 sizes in my closet, and it's been that way for as long as I can remember (the size goes down the more spandex they put in the pants ). My shirts, however, are another story. I've gone from primarily medium/large to xsmall/small. I'm about the same weight I was in high school, so either my shirts are now vanity sized, or, what is much more likely, I'm more comfortable with how I look and I'm buying things to fit. Also, I have more muscle now, so I could be carrying my weight differently. I just want things to fit me properly. I'm not overly concerned with what size the tag says. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

I feel your pain. I am the same size and I do my bra shopping about once every 5 years or when the hooks are falling off. I wear sports bras for work so I save my pretty 42Cs for the rest of the time. Seeing as I'm usually asleep, they're lasting awhile.

I hate Kohls. I go to Lady Grace, don't know if you have them there but they carry my size so I'm thrilled.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Aug 26, 2015 14:29:21 GMT -5 @empressspunkles said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

I feel your pain. I am the same size and I do my bra shopping about once every 5 years or when the hooks are falling off. I wear sports bras for work so I save my pretty 42Cs for the rest of the time. Seeing as I'm usually asleep, they're lasting awhile.

I hate Kohls. I go to Lady Grace, don't know if you have them there but they carry my size so I'm thrilled.

My bras were in pretty ratty shape - there was at least 1 nursing bra and a couple of bras I bought while pregnant because I needed something bigger.  And I had $120 in Kohl's cash from outfitting the kids for school so Kohl's was where I was buying bras. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Aug 26, 2015 14:35:44 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:29:21 GMT -5 @empressspunkles said:

I feel your pain. I am the same size and I do my bra shopping about once every 5 years or when the hooks are falling off. I wear sports bras for work so I save my pretty 42Cs for the rest of the time. Seeing as I'm usually asleep, they're lasting awhile.

I hate Kohls. I go to Lady Grace, don't know if you have them there but they carry my size so I'm thrilled.

My bras were in pretty ratty shape - there was at least 1 nursing bra and a couple of bras I bought while pregnant because I needed something bigger.  And I had $120 in Kohl's cash from outfitting the kids for school so Kohl's was where I was buying bras. 

That's the only thing I still buy at Lane Bryant. You can find pretty colors there.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2015 12:38:40 GMT -5 whoami said:

I'm 5' 11', an alleged "skinny minny" and there aren't clothes in the stores for me either, despite the fact that its "me" (albeit a few more pounds) sashaying down the catwalk.  

I'm a 34A or B, depending on the brand, and I have a real problem finding bras I like. Between the increasing poundage of the population and the wonders of surgical enhancement, stores seem to be stocking a lot more 42DDs than 34As. I like my breasts- they're enough to be curvy but don't interfere with exercise or require industrial-strength lingerie. I think I'm in the minority now.

[The Captain]

Aug 26, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

(  Torrid - you're welcome!)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I'm a 34A or B, depending on the brand, and I have a real problem finding bras I like.

Hell, I think most would settle for bras that FIT.  Liking them comes secondary.

[emma1420]

Aug 26, 2015 15:05:16 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I'm a 34A or B, depending on the brand, and I have a real problem finding bras I like.

Hell, I think most would settle for bras that FIT.  Liking them comes secondary.

Ditto.  I'm a 34G.  Which is almost impossible to find outside of places like Nordstrom and specialty shops.  I really don't understand why most realtors stop their sizing at a 40 or 42DD.  I think it's like 80-90% of women are in the wrong sized bra anyway, and it's probably because most stores only seem to carry bands from 32-34 to a 42-44 and they only carry cup sizes up to a DD (sometimes a DDD if you are lucky).  If there were more sizing options, I suspect more women would be wearing bras that fit them, rather than trying to fit into a bra that isn't sized appropriately for them.

[chiver78]

Aug 26, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

Kohl's carries Vanity Fair, which comes in 42C (I'm a 42C) in a lot of different styles and colors. try online...? your Kohl's cash should work online too. last time I bought any bras, I came away with bright purple and fuschia ones in the mix.

[Opti]

Aug 26, 2015 8:55:30 GMT -5 emma1420 said:

I believe vanity sizing is rampant in the cheaper brands (Kohls, Penny's, Old Navy, etc.).   Depending on the cut I wear a 2-6.  I have a couple pairs of shorts from high school that were a size 10.  I can barely squeeze into them.   

In terms of the plus size stuff, I don't think the issue is putting in a different area of the store, I do think it's an issue that the plus size department tends to be far smaller with far less choice.  Additionally, I hate that outside of places like Lane Bryant and a few other places plus sized clothes tend to be cut badly.  I have a good friend who is a size 22/24 and anytime we go shopping I'm always appalled at the lack of choices that she has for cute clothes.  And that the choices she does have are cut poorly, and that there is such a huge difference between two sizes, that she can't just go up or down a size to see if the next size fits a little better.

As for workout gear, I love runningwarehouse's clearance section.  You can get some great stuff cheap, and they also carry larger sizes.

Is it vanity sizing or a cut issue? I don't shop Penny's or Old Navy now so I have no idea how their clothing lines are sized. I'm in Kohl's once in a while but mostly for other brands unless I get some of their tops on sale. Most basics, and various lines within a department store are cut wide so they can fit a large variety of types. I used to love that Land's End had three distinct cuts for their t-shirts. The fullest, I do not wear, and the one that was in the middle is now the only other choice. Because of the cut, I wore my usual size in the shaped fit, probably would need to go down one for the full and definitely would need to go up a size for the former fitted one. Even with that, I think the fitted cut just suits me better so  only order that.

My experience, FWIW.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2015 14:59:22 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Aug 26, 2015 12:38:40 GMT -5 whoami said:

I'm 5' 11', an alleged "skinny minny" and there aren't clothes in the stores for me either, despite the fact that its "me" (albeit a few more pounds) sashaying down the catwalk.  

I'm a 34A or B, depending on the brand, and I have a real problem finding bras I like. Between the increasing poundage of the population and the wonders of surgical enhancement, stores seem to be stocking a lot more 42DDs than 34As. I like my breasts- they're enough to be curvy but don't interfere with exercise or require industrial-strength lingerie. I think I'm in the minority now.

I am a 32B and don't have any problems, but I buy mostly from VS.  I like them mostly because they are organized.  Sign shows what sizes a particular bra comes in, then go to the appropriate drawer.  BTW I like my breasts too!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 26, 2015 15:37:28 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:26:19 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I'm not overly concerned with the sizes I'm in but damnit, I do not want to measure my bust, attempt to determine my bra size and then have to spend 45 minutes trying on bras before finding the size I am.  Which happened last week at Kohl's.  I'm a 42 C now and by golly there where more options for 42DD than the 42 C.  I gave up after finding 5 bras and a stunning number of signs that basically said 40 C was as high as was carried in store and I think online too.  I now have 1 black, 2 beige-y, 1 white and 1 extremely pale pink.  Because apparently us larger busted women don't like brightly colored bras. 

Kohl's carries Vanity Fair, which comes in 42C (I'm a 42C) in a lot of different styles and colors. try online...? your Kohl's cash should work online too. last time I bought any bras, I came away with bright purple and fuschia ones in the mix.

My biggest problem (I range between a 40-42C) is finding the freaking C cup.  If I want a 40-42, I can easily find D, DD and sometimes DDD but C seems to be as scarce as hen's teeth.  

A couple weeks ago, I was at the outlet mall and they had a whole wall of the style I prefer.  Not one freaking 42C to be had!  There had to be hundreds of bras to choose from.  Sales clerk even went into the back to check.  Nope, nada.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 26, 2015 15:56:04 GMT -5 pooks said:

Aug 26, 2015 14:59:22 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I'm a 34A or B, depending on the brand, and I have a real problem finding bras I like. Between the increasing poundage of the population and the wonders of surgical enhancement, stores seem to be stocking a lot more 42DDs than 34As. I like my breasts- they're enough to be curvy but don't interfere with exercise or require industrial-strength lingerie. I think I'm in the minority now.

I am a 32B and don't have any problems, but I buy mostly from VS.  I like them mostly because they are organized.  Sign shows what sizes a particular bra comes in, then go to the appropriate drawer.  BTW I like my breasts too!

Victoria's Secret only goes up to size 40 and they very rarely carry that in stores, you have to order it online.