Plus Size Pretty and Sexy

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

You know, while I was out in Phoenix, one thing that struck my cuz and I both was the fact that there was nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing out there in womens clothing, plus size 1x-4x, that was pretty or sexily made. I am a 1x, and she is a 2-3x, depending on who makes the clothes. Everything made either looked like a moo-moo, or was very plain. or just flat out ugly, or just out of sight unaffordable. Even in the swim suits, it was almost impossible to find something that was cut low to the waist. Now I am not talking about putting a plus size gal in a bkiini, mind you, but the fact that there was just nothing out there simply appalled me and my cuz.

Society has pushed on all of us to be THIN, no doubt, it is plastered everywhere in ads and so forth. And while I realize that healthwise, it would be better to drop the weight (I could stand to lose at least 50lbs myself), that isn't the real reason or the issue at stake here for this post. What I am wondering, since I can sew like a fiend, is if I can pull off setting up a plus size shop with AFFORDABLE, sweet, demure, vampishly sexy but tasteful clothing, swimsuits, pajamas and so forth for those of us not so fortunate to have slim figures?. We still have feelings of wanting to appear sexy, or feminine, some of us are ok with being a little bigger, but want that same pretty look as they make in the smaller sizes. And we have to still get dressed every day. Who really wants to look like a cow in a tent dress with HUGE flowers or prints...

I would love to hear from not only the plus size gals, but the smaller ones as well. Ideas, suggestions, anything is welcome, but please, no hurtful comments.  I have seen some ready made patterns that are nice, and with a bit of alteration, could be made BIG and BEAUTIFUL. I know that if me and cuz were frustrated with clothing shopping, there have to be others as well.

[CraftedRoots]

Sorry, I'm on the other end of the scale where everything nice is too big. Most clothing stores don't have my size--average height, but skinny. The "petites" section is often pitiful, or messily merged with the "misses" section, and seems to be overlooked, because there's nothing stylish in it. Also, if you're my size, going to the thrift store is a nightmare. I don't know how many times I've pulled out the most adorable outfit and it was a size 8 or 10 (seriously, those are the only sizes that seem to have any cute clothes ). I used to be size 9ish after I had my first child, but after my second child I've finally shrunk down to a teenage size again. And to make matters worse, I actually have curves now, and you KNOW they don't think about curves when they craft petite clothing!!

So yeah, I can feel your pain, even if it's a different kind of pain. Haha

I really can't wait to get a sewing machine, so I can just make my OWN clothes; most stores don't have anything that's really me anyway.

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Sorry, I'm on the other end of the scale where everything nice is too big. Most clothing stores don't have my size--average height, but skinny. The "petites" section is often pitiful, or messily merged with the "misses" section, and seems to be overlooked, because there's nothing stylish in it. Also, if you're my size, going to the thrift store is a nightmare. I don't know how many times I've pulled out the most adorable outfit and it was a size 8 or 10 (seriously, those are the only sizes that seem to have any cute clothes ). I used to be size 9ish after I had my first child, but after my second child I've finally shrunk down to a teenage size again. And to make matters worse, I actually have curves now, and you KNOW they don't think about curves when they craft petite clothing!!

So yeah, I can feel your pain, even if it's a different kind of pain. Haha

I really can't wait to get a sewing machine, so I can just make my OWN clothes; most stores don't have anything that's really me anyway. :-P

Do you sew? That can be remedied too, like I am wondering if I can remedy this, and make it worth my while.  Ooops, sorry, missed your last comment! Maybe you can take care of THAT end of the spectrum then!

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Crafted-I have also found that "petite" only means that it is cut shorter, to fit shorter waisted people, or shorter in length, as in pants or skirts.

[JewelrybyNaLa]

Well, I'm not a plus size, but I am 5'11", and that comes with its own set of fashion challenges.

It's always made me very angry when I would see plus size "fashions" in hideous prints or loud colors and little else. What are fashion designers thinking anyway?

Personally, I think they're mostly a bunch of snobby, nazi dictators, trying to force women into their tiny idea of what's cool this minute and making sure their  wardrobes are out of date tomorrow.

I say go for it, sis! Bring us back to the days when women's curves were celebrated and thought of as beautiful. Make some pretty things for pretty women!! 

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Thanks Sis. I wouldn't steer totally away from the gathered or "tent look" in tops due to largely varying bust sizes, but it would be tasteful, and not to flatter an elderly woman. They cater to that as well in the bigger sizes. I would love to do an off one shoulder top, with a large flounce, or ruffle, loose or form fitting around the waist (BUT NO WAISTBAND OR HORIZONTAL SEAMS), and in some fabulous gorgette or free flowing fabric. Or a sleeveless poets blouse with large flowing ruffles down the center or around the collar, or even off to one side. I would love to cut a swimsuit all the way down to the waist in the back with some ties maybe to keep larger busts from falling out. 

I have all kinds of ideas floating around in this head, but haven't been out fabric shopping in a LONG time. It may not be viable to keep it affordable, not sure yet. I will have to make a trip to Tallahassee, Panama City, or Dothan to get to some fabric shops and just even see what is available.

I might be nearing up on 53, but I still feel sometimes like I am 33, and want to dress like that too. I tend to stick with classic instead of trendy styles, so it would definitely be a challenge.

[BitsyCreations]

I'm not plus size, but I'm close and it's hard for me to find tops that are flattering that don't look like maternity tops!! It drives me absolutely insane to put something on & then think "Oh but if I wear this, people will be wondering when the baby is due."
Just because I've had children & have a little 'mama tummy' doesn't mean I want to look pregnant for the rest of my life.

I doubt this is helpful at all, but that's my 2 cents! I wish you luck in your endeavor to make all women pleased with what they're wearing!

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

I'm not plus size, but I'm close and it's hard for me to find tops that are flattering that don't look like maternity tops!! It drives me absolutely insane to put something on & then think "Oh but if I wear this, people will be wondering when the baby is due."
Just because I've had children & have a little 'mama tummy' doesn't mean I want to look pregnant for the rest of my life.

I doubt this is helpful at all, but that's my 2 cents! I wish you luck in your endeavor to make all women pleased with what they're wearing!

Actually, it is very helpful. I have had well meaning people ask me the same question, and I have never had children, just the tummy. All of the experts say to fit your figure, not hide it. That's sorta difficult to do when you are pear or football shaped, LOL! This is exactly the type of input I am looking for, so thank you Bitsy!

[MakinTheBestOfIt]

Have to laugh at NaLa only  because I am tall and thin and supposedly the "right" size but all I find is too short or patterns made for 15 year olds.  Now, I am all for color and even showing some skin, but I am NOT 15 and don't want to dress like them. 

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Have to laugh at NaLa only  because I am tall and thin and supposedly the "right" size but all I find is too short or patterns made for 15 year olds.  Now, I am all for color and even showing some skin, but I am NOT 15 and don't want to dress like them.

Exactly, which is why I would steer away from the trendy stuff. I don't know about anyone else, but my budget doesn't allow for changing my wardrobe with the wind...so to speak...so I tend to look more at classic designs, and would add some flair.

Nala hit the nail right on the head with her statement about the snooty designers. I had to laugh too though, to see her actually put into words what I was thinking. 

[trusk4u]

I just got through browsing both "Lane Bryant", "Lands End" and "Fashion Bug". I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed. I want to know WHO wears this stuff? I usually do pretty well with Lands End, but they insist on tapered legs for their plus size trousers and jeans and that is just wrong. I do have to say I like their polos. I've owned a lot of them over the years and they wear well. Good thing I'm a basic kinda girl. I just may have to go through my patterns and see what I can come up with.
I am watching to see what you come up with.

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Thanks Teresa! I still need to get out and do some fabric shopping, but my stuff will most likely be very femmy, soft, and classic.

The tapered legs don't bother me as much as the "baggyness" in the crotch area. When I purchase slacks or jeans to fit around the waist, I absolutely REFUSE to have a bunch of fabric wadded in my lap because they didn't bother to make them to fit, and I won't buy them. That is what happens alot with mass prodiced clothing, and it drives me insane.

[JewelrybyNaLa]

Okay girls, don't get me started on tapered leg pants.

I've got legs up to my neck, but even my legs look cut off and squatty in pants that are bigger on the top than on the bottom and end at the ankle. That style helps no body type.

When designers brought back the boot cut and the flair, they finally got something right. Pants that flair out a bit on the bottom or are the same width from the top of the thigh to the bottom of the heel help women look long and sleek while hiding any "problem areas" they might have.

I believe the fact that the boot cut/flair has been around for so long speaks to the fact that women know they look better in them, and designers had no choice but to oblige and keep making them ...
Girl Power, Baby!! 

[CraftedRoots]

When designers brought back the boot cut and the flair, they finally got something right.

Sooooooooo true!!

[jewelrybyjanelle50]

Okay girls, don't get me started on tapered leg pants.

I've got legs up to my neck, but even my legs look cut off and squatty in pants that are bigger on the top than on the bottom and end at the ankle. That style helps no body type.

When designers brought back the boot cut and the flair, they finally got something right. Pants that flair out a bit on the bottom or are the same width from the top of the thigh to the bottom of the heel help women look long and sleek while hiding any "problem areas" they might have.

I believe the fact that the boot cut/flair has been around for so long speaks to the fact that women know they look better in them, and designers had no choice but to oblige and keep making them ...
Girl Power, Baby!! 

I agree too!