Plus Size Challenges - I want to hear from you!
By Carmetaf
@Carmetaf (309)
United States
February 29, 2008 5:51pm CST
Last week I was at the JC Penny closest to my home. I know that their bigger stores and catalogs have a lot more to offer, but I don't have the Time to drive 1 hour to the next store and try stuff on. I don't like ordering from the catalog and so I'm pretty stuck.
For Valentine's day my hubby got me a $50 gift card for JC P. He agreed to watch the kids for a little while so I could go to JCP and pick something out.
I was really sad to find that all the plus size (above a size 14) clothing was mostly matronly knits or button up striped shirts or denim.
Maybe JCP does demographic research and found that plus sized women in Central VT love to wear over priced Granny gag gift clothing? Fuzzy sweaters with bird houses and puppy dogs are cute on old ladies and young kids, but I'm almost 30! I want to dress my age in clothing that fits. I am sad that I am not the "right size" and am missing out on fashions that make me feel like a work of art. I love the gorgeous blouses out on the market right now, with the empire waist that is more figure flattering. Why can't they put those in the Central vt Jcp? They carried tons from a size med-Lg but I tried on the lg and felt like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy. Ya know the scene where he puts on his co-star's jacket and says "BIG MAN IN LITTLE COAT!" haha.
So I left JCP with a loss of self esteem and a bag of underwear. SIGH! I am glad I'm on the way to losing some weight to get into a size L!!
4 people like this
12 responses
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
1 Mar 08
Not all that sellable, please. With the obesity epidemic people are always talking about? I know every plus size woman wants to look like a granny. Thank the Goddess for Lane Bryant, they are the only store that designs plus size clothes for women. Thats why I only buy clothes there, although Romans.com makes some nice things too. Every one else just adds material to skinny clothes so that it doesn't fit our curves. I think its a consipiracy to make us hate our bodies so we will conform.
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
3 Mar 08
aw thanks! I sure wish I could afford to go to school of design and learn all their is to know. I always watch shows like Project Runway and wish they had more plus size challenges.
I do notice when they have heavier clients their minds are boggled. I didn't see any design in the plus size or normal size gals that I liked.
@isabeliever (164)
• United States
3 Mar 08
I feel your pain! I have the added challenge of being tall and plus size. Clothing manufacturers seem to think all tall women wear a size 4!!!
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
4 Mar 08
Ouch! I received some VERY nice size 24 W pants that were WAY too long this past Christmas. I have gone down a few sizes and probably won't wear them. The tags are still on! They are like $100 + brand new. I don't know many plus size tall gals around here, so I'll probably put them up on e-bay or trade them at the trift store for store credit. (so I can get thrift clothes as I'm losing weight)
@isabeliever (164)
• United States
4 Mar 08
Yes - for me, lots of places place a 33-34" inseam at the 'tall' end. My legs are two inches longer than that.
You can always hem...but you can't make things longer! Thankfully, I'm now down to an 18 and can order pants from the regular rather than Women's section. Gives me way more selection.
Hallelujah!
Have you tried alight.com for fashionable plus sizes at a reasonable price?
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
1 Mar 08
I know you don't like catalogues but you are a young woman and should look terrific regardless of your size.
There is a website called plussizepro.com. It is a listing of different plus size stores. Maybe there is one in your area.
Also I know Old Navy has plus size items where I live.
I would also urge you to look at the websites of LandsEnd and Colwatercreek. They have very stylish clothes in all sizes. Best of luck.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
1 Mar 08
Here in Canada I have to go to either Additionelle or Penningtons, the former if you have a shape, the latter if you are straight down. They are more expensive, but I find if I go to the regular sized shops they are not cut right. I know how you feel. The regular department stores think that once you reach a certain size you lose your sense of color or taste. I suppose you could order them from a catalogue that specializes in large sizes. Maybe you could write to J.C. Pennies and see when they will put fashionable clothes in your size. I hate missing out on the latest fashions too.
@castratton (139)
• United States
1 Mar 08
I feel your pain. The weird thing is that JCP catalog has some nice plaus size stuff, why don't they have it in the store? The only actual store I go to is Lane Bryant, but they are expensive so I don't go often. In fact its probably been over a year since I've bought any new clothes. Its just not as fun as it was when I could walk into any store and pick something out. Good luck with your weightloss and enjoy the regular size clothes a little for all of us who can't.
@castratton (139)
• United States
1 Mar 08
I know what you mean and pretty much agree. But I have taken a chance on JCP catalog a few times and 80% of the time am happy with them. And they make returns pretty easy since you can go into the catalog center at the local store. But your right about the models and that does make things difficult. I feel bad for people who are very very large they only have catalogs to shop out of.
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
1 Mar 08
Thanks! I don't have a Lane Bryant around here, JCP is expensive enough. I was all psyched after watching Oprah's makeover show last week. They said a lot of those cool outfits came from JCP, Kohl's and Nieman Marcus. I just can't afford those places normally but thought "what the hay?" and nope, nada, nothing my size at the local. I hesitate to shop online because all the "PLUS" fashions are still modeled by skinny chix. LOL
@Iapetus (1)
• United States
1 Mar 08
Some other people have mentioned Lane Bryant, and I agree. I almost cried when I went in there the first time, because I could find so many things that I liked and that fit me well. That was back when I was 16. (I'm 22 now) I didn't necessarily want to wear what every other girl was wearing, but I certainly didn't want to look 16 going on 60.
Another good store is Avenue, and also Dress Barn.
I've also been lucky and many of the resale shops in my area have clothes in my size. The trick is knowing how to hunt for them! It isn't always easy, and I can almost never go on a shopping spree there, but my wardrobe isn't lacking anymore for clothes that fit me well.
I've been told that JCPenny and Sears do carry plus sizes, but they always sell out quickly. I don't know if that's true or not, but I've solved my personal problem by never shopping there. I try to buy from Lane Bryant only when I find cute things on sale/clearance, or when I get gift cards there.
I need to lose weight too. While I love Lane Bryant, I'd love to have more selection in the stores I can shop at!
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
1 Mar 08
You are right, the new empire waist is flattering on most anyone. I have a friend who has lost lots of weight in the last two years (70-100 lbs.) I am sure she still wears a XL, and her hubby got her a red, black,and white one for Valentine's Day. It looks terrific on her. Stick to your weight loss plan, and let the new underwear be uplifting. How about a gorgeous nighty? Or do they think women in Vt. do not wear those either? My sister in law is a toothpick, and she prefers denim and t shirts when she is not working, and she lives in NH. I still am a girly girl, I want a few pretties now and then. Keep us posted on your weight loss. Hugs to ya.
@Carmetaf (309)
• United States
1 Mar 08
Thanks for commenting! I have found a few good pieces for spring/summer at a Kohls in NH. I have an empire waisted layered tank in a flattering color/pattern. It was on sale for $19! It has a tie front. To match, I bought a light colored capri. If I am on goal for weight loss, hopefully it won't fit this spring. I want to sell all my nice plus on e-bay when I go down a few sizes. :)
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
1 Mar 08
Plus size clothing are not that sellable maybe. We have a hard time getting plus size clothes for my mom everytime there is an occasion that we want her to wear something nice...few plus size on swimwear and bras as well on most stores here where I am at.Wish they could get more of it so we can buy something for mom.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
30 Nov 08
I am actually noticing this kind of thing more and more. I used to buy really nice plus sized clothing but the only thing that I can really buy anymore that doesn't look grandmother-ish is jeans. All the shirts look like something a grandmother would wear while the junior's section is full of clothing for size 2 girls and it actually IS stylish. I guess they are sending the message that skinny girls get to look nice, big girls don't. And, you have to be skinny when you're a teen or you're not worth anything.
I've found that there really is no in between when it comes to plus sized clothing. And sadly we bigger women kind of have to settle because we have to be clothed when we emerge in public after all.
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
1 Mar 08
I have a problem when it comes to looking for really good clothes here in the Philippines. I need some plus size clothes but very few stores, most are surplus stores, offer plus size clothings. It's really disappointing that I can't get into most of the clothes sold here in our country. Here, expect the L or the XL or even the XXL to be just like sizes 6, 8 and 10 respectively... I need something between 10 and 12. So you could just imagine how frustrating it is to shop in most stores here.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Jun 08
carmetaf why dont you try Lane bryant as they have all
sorts of styles and come in plus sizes too. I have had
good luck there myself. do at least give them a try.
@MissOrlz (51)
• Ireland
29 Feb 08
Oh! You're preachin to the choir here!!!! Went into town today, I was feelin down so I was planning a MASSIVE shopping spree.. I ended up spending most of the money on things for my house..... I look at all these GORGEOUS dresses and think, if I wore that people would just ask me when I'm due... (which has happened on TWO occasions)....
So I came home, feeling worse than when I started.... Jeans are the worst, I think I'll just have to start buying maternity clothes ;) LOL
