Looking Good, Feeling Great - What to wear? Who's designing these clothes anyway?

So, here I am, a year later, and have lost 75 pounds. Got rid of most of my fattest clothes because they really looked ridiculous on me now (who'd have thought there was really that much difference between a size 30 and a 20?!)

BUT

now I've been browsing the stores trying to find some warmer stuff for fall and winter and the only things I see are retro '70's stuff, smock tops, fitted tops with much larger bust areas than I can fill:(, and leggings:yikes:! What's with the ugly clothes out there? I look like an apple standing on toothpicks (not to mention very preggo) if I wear leggings with a smock top like they're showing. And, I refuse to wear a padded bra like one salesperson recommended:p.

So, where can someone find nice,conservative (not low-cut tops), PRETTY clothing for a reasonable price. I've tried Kohl's, Fashion Bug, Walmart, Target, Kmart(yes, I even went there), Shopko, Younkers, Sears, and JCPenney already. Not much else in our area, but if anyone has any suggestions for on-line shopping, I'd really appreciate it!

Maybe I should mention I'm almost 47, so I'm not ready for my grandma's wardrobe, but also not into the teen stuff, either:)

Ronnie, first off congrats on your loss!!! Have you tried Avenue? They are pretty cheap imo (a lot cheaper than Lane Bryant)and I think there clothes are cute...not too froo froo but comfortable and you can shop online if there is not one near you. There is also CAtherines (they are a little pricier but you never know what you might find). Lastly I always check ebay, I just type in the brand I am looking for then you can narrow by size. (this is where I go to try and find the elusive navy Houston pant that Lane Bryant does not make anymore..LOL) Well hope this helps, happy shopping and good luck.;)

Do you have a Lane Bryants anywhere nearby? Also, I love Coldwater Creek and Chicos. I know they are $$$ but maybe just invest in a couple of pieces that are of good quality since you are still losing.

OMG--I so agree, SO AGREE with you on the smocked top (flair just beneath breasts) and legging looking. PREGGO! So preggo looking! I have yet to see ONE woman that outfit looks good on--goes double for those ridiculous tops.

I hear you on the clothing , on my way down I bought most of my clothes at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers and Consignment Shops, You can often find new clothing at these stores. It does take some searching, though. When I had to pay retail I found good success ( reasonably good, that is ) at Avenue, Fashion Bug (dependong on the store) and Sears. I could find clothes at these store that you wouldn't mind appearing in public. Some stores that sell clothing for larger women have designers that obviously hate women.

No kidding on the smock tops. NOW, 180 pounds ago, I would have LOVED to have had that style in fashion...but now, I kind of want to show off my figure, not hide it. When I was 300 pounds the skin tight t-shirts and low rider jeans were totally in style, as if anyone over 110 pounds really looked good in that style. UGH. HATE IT.

Ronni I am so with you on all this retro stuff. I can't stand any of it. I think it looks terrible on most everyone. If the 70's and 80's stuff is so popular, when is the Yuppie look going to come back in? Penny loafers, (I have some ;)), cardigans, pinstriped oxford shirts...wool skirts and boot? I loved that look. :) Modest, flattering, and it looked nice...of course this is my opinion...LOL

Well I don't know what you mean about the leggings and long tops. I love them and they're very fashionable right now. But of course you have to be careful about trends because they don't work for everybody. You have to be really aware of your body shape (apple, inverted triangle, pear, rectangle, or hourglass) and buy clothes that will fit that shape. It CAN be difficult for an apple shape (large waistline, slim hips, skinny legs) to wear leggings and tunics but it's not impossible.

Have you ever tried doing a Macy's by appointment? They have a store appointed stylist that will listen to what you're looking for and will pull items for you to try on. I used the service once because i was looking for a dress for a wedding but she was very helpful in showing me how certain cuts of dresses were or were not flattering on me - I had no clue before. It's a free service, you just have to buy something I think.

It's good to venture out beyond your comfort zone, that's how we grow as individuals. I feel quite the opposite of you, now that I'm losing weight I'm super excited to participate in trends that I couldn't before. I've never been conservative but I'm never going back to comfort clothes again - bring on the leggings!!!

Wanna, I think we are discussing the tops that are the smocked ones--fitted across the bust and flairing just below--not "long" ones. Think Mimi Maternity window, and you will understand the style we are discussing. My shape is hourglass and yep, I definitely look preggo wearing them. I have a couple of teency friends and yep, even they look preggo too!

ETA: I think leggings (with the right top) can look nice if a woman has a gorgeous body.

I did buy a pair of black leggings and am working up the courage to wear them! I am loving shopping these days. At 47, I think that most people know that I am not preggo so I don't mind the smock tops within reason--I don't want to look like I'm 12! DD22 sometimes tries to tell me that I really can wear some of these trends when I so cannot. Today I'm wearing Express boot cut jeans, from the Salvation Army $3, a long sleeve crew neck tee, Kohl's $9, a long navy short-sleeved cardigan from the Limited $16 clearance and loafers. I think I look pretty cute.

I like The Territory Ahead, LL Bean, Cabela's, and Soft surroundings to name a few. You should be able to find them all online.

As for leggings and smock tops, YUCK. Being quite busty, smock tops make me look pregnant and never fit right. Besides, reminding me too much of maternity clothes. Leggings, to me are just fancy long underwear.

Macy's is my favorite place to shop and they always have awesome sales.

Lori-I looooved the 80's oxford shirts, skirts, and cardigans! I keep waiting for those styles to come back:crossed:

Thanks for some ideas--going to do some on-line browsing right now:lol:

Well I don't know what you mean about the leggings and long tops. I love them and they're very fashionable right now. ...I feel quite the opposite of you, now that I'm losing weight I'm super excited to participate in trends that I couldn't before. I've never been conservative but I'm never going back to comfort clothes again - bring on the leggings!!!

This.

ITA! I can't get enough of the trendy clothes! I now have a small waist and I adore tops that gather just under the boobs. They make folks look lean and long, IMO. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE leggings! I love wearing them under the super short dresses they have out now. I couldn't be happier with today's fashion.

Having said that, try TJ Maxx. They have lots of classic clothing there. :D

I am in love with leggings and ankle boots. I also own a pair of leg warmers! Yes, I do. Bring back the 80s! :o

Actually, I'm not usually a trendy gal, but I did just buy the most amazing, versatile sweater dress. I wore it alone, plan to wear it with leggings, over jeans, with a belt.

For classic pieces, I shop Banana Republic. You may also want to consider Chicos. I know your body is changing and it's expensive to buy higher-end clothing, but you can always have it tailored. I tailor most of my clothes anyway, because I'm short and nothing ever fits *quite* right.

Ooo yes I'm really excited about sweater dresses, bought 2 already and waiting for the weather to take a downward chill so I can wear them. It's just so much fun wearing clothes now, I'm having a great time accessorizing with belts, leggings, fitted shirts, straight leg pants, and bits of trendy clothing here and there. These are all things I didn't think I deserved to wear before because I didn't want to call attention to myself. I'm all about attention now!

Ooo yes I'm really excited about sweater dresses, bought 2 already and waiting for the weather to take a downward chill so I can wear them. It's just so much fun wearing clothes now, I'm having a great time accessorizing with belts, leggings, fitted shirts, straight leg pants, and bits of trendy clothing here and there. These are all things I didn't think I deserved to wear before because I didn't want to call attention to myself. I'm all about attention now!
Yes, I'm totally psyched about this fall's fashion!

I bought my sweater dress at french connection (fcuk). I haven't tried on anything from there in probably 10 years, because it used to be so tiny. But, I was inspired by a woman working there in a sweater dress who is not a small girl. But, she was rocking the sweater dress. And, if she can do it, then I can do it! I went in and tried it on and loved it. It's one with a thick elastic band around the bottom, so I can hike it up and show off my legs, which are my best feature. Used to be my boobs, but pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss and gravity have taken their toll. :dizzy:

Oh lucky you! I can't wait to fit into clothes from fcuk! I'm waiting to get out of my size 14's first and then I plan to walk into all the boutiques I was too scared to walk into before. I felt like everybody was looking at me thinking "what's the fat girl doing here looking at size 0's? Lane Bryant is THAT way fatso!"

Sadly enough I remember back when I was merely an overweight teenager, couldn't have been larger than a size 12. We were shopping in a european city and I remember walking into a boutiqe and the salesclerk immediately came up to me and said "we don't have anything here that will fit you."

I shop New York and Company on line.I loooove their clothes and prices!!

I'm all about attention now!

ME TOO! :hug:

Oh, and I've had my eye on this sweater dress from Victoria's Secret. It's on sale. I *could* get it but I want to buy it and 2 other dresses. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Why can't I afford everything??!

Darn this clothes addiction!

This.

ITA! I can't get enough of the trendy clothes! I now have a small waist and I adore tops that gather just under the boobs.

And I hate those tops because they don't fit me, LOL. There is never enough room in the boob area; the line that is supposed to go under the bust cuts right across the center of my boobs. Same goes for the tops that have "pockets" for your boobs to supposedly fit in. If I do get them to fit, it looks like I'm trying to hide something (like a baby belly, maybe) under the voluminous, billowy bottom part of the shirt.

I also can't really wear oxford shirts because in order to get them to button around the girls, they have to be huge everywhere else (shoulders, waist, etc). So I stick with sweaters, knit tops, and anything stretchy that's cut in a t-shirt style. Hopefully as I continue to lose, I'll lose a little more in the bust and be able to wear some different styles.

As for leggings--forget it. My butt and thighs are too big for that and I just look like I did when I was so chubby that I couldn't find jeans to fit. I guess I have a personal negative association with leggings! Even if they did fit, I would feel like I needed to have a "Flashdance" t-shirt and headband to go with them.

I wear a lot of stuff from Lands End. Cute sweaters and pants, but I've always been a twinset and pearls kind of gal.

And I hate those tops because they don't fit me, LOL. There is never enough room in the boob area; the line that is supposed to go under the bust cuts right across the center of my boobs. Same goes for the tops that have "pockets" for your boobs to supposedly fit in. If I do get them to fit, it looks like I'm trying to hide something (like a baby belly, maybe) under the voluminous, billowy bottom part of the shirt.

I also can't really wear oxford shirts because in order to get them to button around the girls, they have to be huge everywhere else (shoulders, waist, etc). So I stick with sweaters, knit tops, and anything stretchy that's cut in a t-shirt style. Hopefully as I continue to lose, I'll lose a little more in the bust and be able to wear some different styles.

As for leggings--forget it. My butt and thighs are too big for that and I just look like I did when I was so chubby that I couldn't find jeans to fit. I guess I have a personal negative association with leggings! Even if they did fit, I would feel like I needed to have a "Flashdance" t-shirt and headband to go with them.

LOL!! Your post made me laugh!!

I understand about the boobs being too big for "those" shirts. I have pretty big boobs actually. I went to get sized at Nordstroms and ended up buying these expensive but wonderful bras! They make such a huge difference for me and how shirts fit. I just wish they weren't so pricey...

LOL!! Your post made me laugh!!

I understand about the boobs being too big for "those" shirts. I have pretty big boobs actually. I went to get sized at Nordstroms and ended up buying these expensive but wonderful bras! They make such a huge difference for me and how shirts fit. I just wish they weren't so pricey...

Yea I have a very large bust myself (36DDD) that will hopefully shrink with my waistline. There are so many clothes I can't wear because of it especially suits and button down shirts... they make me feel so fat and unfeminine! I have small shoulders and a small waist so in order for my tops to fit they have have to look huge in the arms and then I tailor them. What a drag! I agree that empire waisted clothing is not for us big breasted gals.

Yea I have a very large bust myself (36DDD) that will hopefully shrink with my waistline. There are so many clothes I can't wear because of it especially suits and button down shirts... they make me feel so fat and unfeminine! I have small shoulders and a small waist so in order for my tops to fit they have have to look huge in the arms and then I tailor them. What a drag! I agree that empire waisted clothing is not for us big breasted gals.

My last bra was a 36F, which I think is either the same or comparable to a 36DDD so I totally feel your pain. I buy good bras from Nordstrom, but as I heard on TV the other night, you can't put 10 pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag. So it's unlikely that we'll get to wear the empire waisted stuff as long as we've got 10 pounds of sugar on top! LOL.

My last bra was a 36F, which I think is either the same or comparable to a 36DDD so I totally feel your pain. I buy good bras from Nordstrom, but as I heard on TV the other night, you can't put 10 pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag. So it's unlikely that we'll get to wear the empire waisted stuff as long as we've got 10 pounds of sugar on top! LOL.

I never skimp on my bras and have been wearing minimizer bras for years. They're very costly but they make a world of difference.

As I've lost weight, my bras have gotten smaller too. I was a 40DD and am currently a 36D. That's something to look forward to ladies! I found that even though my cup size is only slightly smaller and my chest measurement is smaller that my boobs look smaller overall. Also, I've discovered those minimizer sucker-upper camis--love them! They make my boobs look smaller and lifted (lol). And I can fit into shirts that I cannot without them.

I'm seriously jealous of all you boob ladies! :)

I went from a 46DD to a 34A...:( (and that would consist of a bunch of skin...LOL) The boobs are the 2nd thing on my agenda to fix some day.

I'm not done losing, so it's possble that I'll be right there with ya in little-booby land, Lori Bell. Although I think I was still a D even when I was a thin teenager. But remember that I'm 5'11", so a D on me isn't as impressive as a D on someone who is a lot shorter.

Losermom: I have one of those sucker-up camis but it really smashes my girls flat and gives them a weird shape. I've worn it when I need my gut to look/be smaller, but I am not crazy about what it does to the girls.

Wannabeskinny: I used to wear minimizers years ago but they also give me a funny shape, like my boobs are under my armpits or something. I don't have access to good bras here (I have to drive to the Seattle area, 2.5 hours away), so maybe I was just buying cheap, bad minimizers? My current bras are spendy but they give a nice shape and are supportive. They're not minimizers, though.

So at what point do your boobs shrink? Because I started at a 42DDD and Now I'm wearing a 38DDD (and the band is getting loose) I really cannot wait for the cup size to go down so I can wear normal bras. Also a giant rack is fine when you are wearing plus size clothes, but now that I am in smaller sizes everything is so tight in the chest area. It's irritating.

As for trends...I wish I could wear more of them. But trends have always been for the skinny. So I'm just happy when I can buy the next size down in jeans and t shirts(at least I get to buy fitted t shirts now instead of the ugly boxy ones)

Lori Bell, I hear you on the loose skin boobs. I'm pretty sure that mine are all loose skin they are so deflated. My friends are shocked that I'm still a D they look so much smaller. I think they look more like a C than a D.

Windchime, I think I'm wearing a sucker-upper in my avatar photo. Personally I like how it pulls my girls up and kind of flattens them. I think it's a matter of personal taste.

Mikayla, my boobs only started to shrink in the last 20 lbs lost and I'm pretty close to goal, BYMMV.

Mikayla,

I started a 40DD. I am now a big 34A, very small 34B. I noticed I went down when I got to about 195. Then it was literally, DOWNhill from there. It was very worth it though and at the moment I am very much still considering implants. Maybe it's just me, but when I see my profile my chest looks mannish--especially in workout bra and outfit.

I am so busting myself here!

OMG! Cannot believe what I bought today!!!

LEGGINGS--AaaaAAACK!

In self-defense, I must add--I bought dress like piece that is really gorgeous fall colored print--it is long sleeve--but the kind of sleeve you can kind of bunch up towards the elbow. I also am wearing a wide belt over the piece to get rid of any thoughts from others that I *might* be pregnant.

So, my point. Never say never.

I am so busting myself here!

OMG! Cannot believe what I bought today!!!

LEGGINGS--AaaaAAACK!

In self-defense, I must add--I bought dress like piece that is really gorgeous fall colored print--it is long sleeve--but the kind of sleeve you can kind of bunch up towards the elbow. I also am wearing a wide belt over the piece to get rid of any thoughts from others that I *might* be pregnant.

So, my point. Never say never.

I know exactly what you mean!!! When I bought my first pair of leggings, I was grumbling to myself about these designers and fashionistas apparently not growing up or through the 80's like the rest of us.... hehe ;) I don't know about you, but I DEFINITELY swore never to wear another set of leggings back then..... *sigh* Guess THAT'S one promise I couldn't keep!

Stupid revolving fashion door....

The leggings may be good for India too--I could see myself in a plethora of outfits there--long and flowing with the leggings underneath. Plus, if I jump on the back of a scooter, I will completely covered!

btw..we are going back in June '10.