D.B.
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Hi mamas. About 2 years ago (just after my youngest was born) I went through some terrible depression. I lost all of the baby weight plus some. By Christmas time, people were telling me I was too thin and I finally got on some depression meds. In the last year, I got back to my normal weight......and kept going. I'm now up to a size 16. And I have no idea how to dress this new body! Most of the inches gained has been on my upper thighs and across my backside. When I buy pants or skirts in a 16, they are still slightly big in the waist. And with all of this wonderous stretch fabric, within two hours I'm pulling and tugging to keep my ahem, crevice, from showing.
So my question is, what's the best way to dress my new body? I'm a 16 down bottom and probably a 12 or 14 up top. I'm not sure if I'm a 16W or not. I'm not sure where to shop or in which department. Can I shop at Lane Bryant? (Love their clothes) I tried looking at a particular chain store and didn't get much help from the staff there. So I gave up on asking. How do I know which department - Misses or Women's? What's your favorite store to shop at for my size?
Thanks in advance!
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Alrighty, you're in my area of expertise now. You are the classic pear shape. Google that and find ideas. but here are mine. Play up your new ample bosum, play down your new hips and thighs. Black yoga pants are great for this. You can get them long or capri and they are tight enough up top to hold you in, but flowy enough to balance you out. You dont want those tight capris that accentuate your big areas by tapering down to a tight leg. That makes big girls look like a spinning top. Dark monotone on bottom, color and pattern up top. Go with low cut, flowy tops that cover your arms and bring attention to your cleavage - wear a tank top for modesty. You want to creat a focal point, not a traffic jam! Wear long necklaces that sit in your cleaveage to elongate you. For jeans - the darker the better and boot cut are most flattering on this body shape. You'll need to buy your shirts a little longer to cover new tummy, but ones that still fit can be worn if you layer over a longer tank top. Now is the time to wear big chunky rings, bangles, layers of necklaces, go for the accesories to give the eye a flashy place to focus rather than onthings you aren't as proud of.
For stores -
Lane Bryant is very expensive. I would just buy the major staples there, like good slacks, unless you find soemthing on clearance. I'm assuming you dont plan to stay a 16 so no reason to invest major money in clothes you are working to get out of.
Other more affordable options are
For work clothes - Cato
For date night clothes - Dots
For Dresses and cute tops -Ross & Marshalls
For something flashy - CitiTrends
Look for a plus sized resale shop in your area. We have one here and it is great!
If I were you I would go to Lane Bryant and try things on... sometime when you have a lot of time and no pressure, so you can just relax and play. Also, check out eshakti.com -- for just a small fee ($7.50 I believe) they will customize what you order to your measurements and style preferences. I ordered a dress from them recently and it fit perfectly.
Layne Bryant will be your new best friend. The clothes start at a size 14 up through I believe 26 or 28. They're made to fit a curvy figure, but there are several different lines to meet which type of curves you have (wider hips, smaller waist or curvy all over, etc.). They are cut better than say, department store plus-sized clothes which are just wider, but not necessarily tailored to fit a curvy figure. They are a bit pricey, but you can catch them on sales, and sign up for coupons in your email where it's kind of the more you spend the more you save type sales.
Another option for you may be Cato's if you have them in your area. They're owned by Layne Bryant but much less expensive as well as Fashion Bug but I don't like their stuff. Cato's stuff isn't quite as well made, but it's also a fraction of the price. When I'm doing big shopping I go to LB's, but if I just need, say a top to go out this Friday night I'll swing by Cato's.
As many have said - Lane Bryant also at any size a good tailor is your best friend. Very few "off the rack" clothes are made to fit real bodies, so once you find some styles/clothes you like don't shy away if the waist is too large, find a seamstress and have them alter it to fit your body.
It not only helps with overall appearance of the clothes, but how they stay in place and fit you!
I LOVE Lane Bryant!!! They have pants and jeans called right fit. They are amazing. They have circle, square or triangle. I am the square because I carry all my weight in my belly and have trim legs and hips. Here is a link to the right fit and they will definitely help you in the store. http://www.lanebryant.com/content.jsp?pageName=RightFit&
Best of Luck!!!
Take your measurements (bust, waist, hips, etc) and check sizing charts to see what sizes would work for you.
Low rise pants look horrible on anyone who isn't about 15 lbs under weight.
I'll be glad when that trend bite the dust again (it wasn't pretty in the 60's either).
These are my favorites:
I agree with COldwater Creek, too. I like Kohl's, but if you (like me) creep up to an 18 it is MUCH harder to find clothes. I have also found some things at Old Navy.
I feel for you!
Love Layne Bryant! I'm petite, but they always have the cutest stuff. Don't hesitate to ask an employee about how to dress your body... they will know the best. I might be small, but I have heck of a time trying to find pants that fit my 'skinny fat' (all this extra skin from 3 pregnancies)... I literally have to wear a pants size larger to accommodate, then I look ridiculous because I have no butt. I finally went into JC Pennys or Macys or somewhere and cried to a salesgirl, who happened to know EXACTLY what I meant, had been there herself, and taught me all the tricks for emphasizing the good stuff, and dressing down the bad. ASK SOMEONE!! I bet you'll feel much better once you do :)
You dress the same way you would at size 8 or 6. Just with less 'cute' options. You say your a 16 yet within an hour your pulling your pants up.
1. Don't wear elastic stretch pants. Buy real pants with zippers and buttons.
2. Buy 2 fashionable belts
3. Go to Lane Bryant and try a 14W. If the clothes there are too big, then you aren't a W.
4. Go to Fashion Bug or Dress Barn. They have Women and Misses Sizes in one store. Start on one side and see what fits, if nothing, move to the other side.
M.
Yes you can shop lane bryant, they have sizes starting at 12. Torrid is also a good option. Old Navy has stuff online (up to size 30) Macys, Sears & JCPennys also have some nice stuff in the womans section.
My one piece of advise it to buy stuff that fits in your problem areas (thighs/butt) and alter the areas that don't (the waist). If you buy a good pair of pants, another $10 at the tailor will not only make your pants look great on you but will make you feel great, too cause you look great.
A-lines are great for you. And any shirts that accentuate the top.
i have the same issues as far as the waist. my hips are a lot wider than my waist. i'd say i was a 14 or 16 waist and my hips and thighs make me about an 18...it is so frustrating. i hate to go clothes shopping simply because it takes forever to find clothes that fit nicely and look good too, without having everything look like it would be hip for an 80 year old. kohls has a nicer selection of both misses and womens, i'd check both because it really depends on the designer. i look forward to the advice as well
