[dstalksalot]

I am hoping you chicks can help a girl out.
I have been CC for about 3 months now and have lost 20 pounds and a set of sizes. Another 10 pounds and I will be heading out of the plus sizes. WOOT. I am having a body crisis or something since nothing fits right any more and I am having anxiety over it.
Anyway, I was doing some searching on how to dress my shape type and punched in my numbers (47,39,49) to one of those calculators and I guess I am a pear shape.
I thought previously before the weight gain and children I was a short wasted hourglass but perhaps not???? I have never been thin, but I guess I am surprised because I am a 38 H and figured I was an hourglass. Some of the pear clothing rules will not work for me since my bust is so large, but maybe I just need to try more things and see.
Maybe it is a matter of loosing more weight and getting more of a waste back? Or getting a better fitting bra? ( my new one is coming in the mail as I speak). Can you change shapes as you gain or loose or have kids?
I am trying to find used clothing cheaply as I go and need to rely on basic rules and get the bare minimum. I am just feeling like I look awful!

[juliana77]

I think body shapes aren't so set in stone. If you have narrow shoulders, then you would be a pear. If they are wider, I'd say you are an hourglass. I am technically a pear based on measurements, but to my eyes I look more like an hourglass. Try different things, see what you like!

[sontaikle]

For you I would follow the "rules" of an hourglass shape but yes any busty shape can be a challenge to dress! Enjoy being able to find clothes that allow for a bust at the moment though, as once you get into the regular sizes it actually gets quite difficult!

For a busty woman, you want to emphasize your waist as much as you can. If you buy something and only allow for your bust it can make you look bigger. Try using belts or tops that are cinched in the waist. Stretchy material also works well because it can stretch over a large bust.

A well-fitting bra may solve many of your problems though, you can easily look 10lbs lighter just from that! See what happens when your new one comes in the mail

And yes, your shape can change with weight loss. I was a pear before I lost weight, but now I am a top hourglass (current measurements are 37-25-34.5). I remember in high school being a size bigger in pants than I was in tops...now it's the opposite!

[berryblondeboys]

If you are short waisted and with big boobs, belts might not be a great idea unless they are really thin belts. This Is the case for me, a thick belt would mean a belt right under my boobs, or at least appearing as so.

Just try on different clothes, go have fun and experiment.

Every body is different. I have very broad shoulders, so I can wear some things my sister, who has a very similar shape to mine, cannot. There is so much more to shape than bust-waist-hip ratio.

Sontaikle I'm noticing what you at talking about with the bust becoming a bigger issue as I drop sizes. I'm beginning to run into problems with the bust being too small for the rest of the body in dresses unless its a stretchy material. What a pain in the butt.

[runningfromfat]

I can soooooo relate. I made a post about somthing similar awhile back. If I put my measurements to any calculator it claims that I'm a banana. From the front view I sure look like one too! I don't have much in the way of hips and my waist is completely straight up and down. However, from the side I look much more like an S shape (I wear a 28HH/J and need Levi's Supreme Curve ID jeans to fit my butt!).

I think most of those calculators are pretty stupid honestly because the female body is WAY too complex to be defined by 4 different body types. I'd advocate dressing for each individual part of your body. I made about post about different waist shapes here. And I keep meaning to write up something about different hip/butt shapes too but haven't got around to it.

Some hourglass advice works well for me, some doesn't. I don't have a nipped in waist so that part ignore but I DO need to buy dress/tops with my bust in mind. If you need help in that area (and places to shop) check out my resources page. There are brands that make tops/shirts by bust size (BiuBiu, AJ Rumina, Pepperberry amongst others). Also, look into Levi's Curve Idea jeans (or PZI, which I've heard good things about). I'm all for saving money as you lose weight so look for sales, watch ebay etc. BiuBiu's tops are really pretty reasonably priced and AJ Rumina isn't too bad either. Pepperberry can be expensive, though, because it's coming from the UK. Both Levi's and PZI have great deals on their websites.

[runningfromfat]

Sontaikle and berryblondeboys- yep to having more of a problem dressing the chest as you lose but you have both heard me complain about that a ton already.

[Munchy]

I'm an hourglass shape too, and I find that clothes that have a seam under the bust or some kind of cinching at the waist work better for me. I like wrap or faux-wrap styles in shirts and dresses. They seem to just nip in enough to be flattering without looking overly clingy, and they can take you through a lot of sizes without looking sloppy.

[dstalksalot]

Thanks ladies for your comments and suggestions.

I tried the belt thing this week and you guys are right, that does not work for my short torso. I wish it worked for me as I love that look.

Munchy the wrap suggestion is a good one. I always need camis under those type of shirt to prevent cleavage. Does any one have camis shape wear suggestion for coverage that covers the girls with out having a seam line through the middle. I like the ones with lace at the bottom.

Thank you runner for your clothing store suggestions. That is a God send! I never thought to seek out special stores. AJ Ruminas clearance looks good. I have about 1 inch in my waste before I can fit into the large size. Large seems small though as I am just on the edge of plus size. I may have to call or write for fitting suggestions. BiuBiu looks good too aside from shipping and exchange rate. I hate being so close to normal sizes. The BiuBiu sizing is confusing.

[runningfromfat]

Originally Posted by dstalksalot

Thank you runner for your clothing store suggestions. That is a God send! I never thought to seek out special stores. AJ Ruminas clearance looks good. I have about 1 inch in my waste before I can fit into the large size. Large seems small though as I am just on the edge of plus size. I may have to call or write for fitting suggestions. BiuBiu looks good too aside from shipping and exchange rate. I hate being so close to normal sizes. The BiuBiu sizing is confusing.

I found that AJ Rumina runs slightly small (I bought the size medium tops when I was at the high end size medium and they were certainly wearable but I think they looked better once I got to the middle of the size range). I did some reviews here and here and I'm going to do a follow-up review soon now that they fit a lot better.

As for Biubiu sizes... they definitely fit plus-size figures! Have you heard of the blog Fullerfigurefullerbust? She's done a TON of reviews on BiuBiu shirts/dress and she's a size UK 16-20 (depends on the brands) and everything looks absolutely gorgeous on her. There's also a biubiu blog where women list their measurements and show pictures of how the clothes fit on them (you can also like their facebook page to see the same).

But always feel free to ask them for fitting advice. I did the same before I bought from AJ Rumina and they were very helpful. It did take a couple of days for them to respond just so you know.

ETA: If you sign up for an account with BiuBiu they automatically convert everything to your local currency and you can see the shipping rates that way.

[Munchy]

Originally Posted by dstalksalot

Munchy the wrap suggestion is a good one. I always need camis under those type of shirt to prevent cleavage. Does any one have camis shape wear suggestion for coverage that covers the girls with out having a seam line through the middle. I like the ones with lace at the bottom.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this target cami and so does one of my busty coworkers.

I've started wearing bandeau tops, especially in the summer, and I even got my mom wearing them.

[dstalksalot]

great prices Munchy

[pamatga]

Originally Posted by dstalksalot

I am hoping you chicks can help a girl out.
I have been CC for about 3 months now and have lost 20 pounds and a set of sizes. Another 10 pounds and I will be heading out of the plus sizes. WOOT. I am having a body crisis or something since nothing fits right any more and I am having anxiety over it.
Anyway, I was doing some searching on how to dress my shape type and punched in my numbers (47,39,49) to one of those calculators and I guess I am a pear shape.
I thought previously before the weight gain and children I was a short wasted hourglass but perhaps not???? I have never been thin, but I guess I am surprised because I am a 38 H and figured I was an hourglass. Some of the pear clothing rules will not work for me since my bust is so large, but maybe I just need to try more things and see.
Maybe it is a matter of loosing more weight and getting more of a waste back? Or getting a better fitting bra? ( my new one is coming in the mail as I speak). Can you change shapes as you gain or loose or have kids?
I am trying to find used clothing cheaply as I go and need to rely on basic rules and get the bare minimum. I am just feeling like I look awful!

I am 5'7" and my present measurements corresponding to yours are 50 1/2"-48"-55 1/2" (B-W-H). I have always thought of myself as a short waisted hourglass figure type as well. I understand your frustration with trying to get clothes that fit you while you are on the "way down the scales". I also am a mother so I understand how childbearing changes your figure. I gained several inches in my bust that never went away for one thing.

Yes, a really good (read: expensive) bra will do wonders. I strongly recommend anything by Glamorise. As a company and brand, they have been around for ages and they are the best bra under $50. You can buy them in Just My Size catalog or website along with other Plus size websites.

In the past year, I have also discovered Danskin Now activewear. You can either go on their website or Wal-mart's website to purchase them. Wal-mart often has free or .97 cents shipping. The reason why I love Danskin Now is that although they have Plus sizes they are not disproportionately bigger when you order the larger sizes like many larger sizes are; which only make you dumpy and frumpy (who needs that?) They also seem to have some spandex within the woven fabric so they will seem a little more form fitting but if you are working out you will appreciate that even more because, after all, don't you want all of your hard work to show?
Also, the Danskin Now activewear line is relatively inexpensive but well made and withstand multiple washings without stretching out. You can buy individual pieces for under $20 each.

Right now, I wear a pair of black Danskin Now boot cut pants with everything. It fits well without being too baggy or tight (my problem since my weight is mostly through my middle and my legs are toned). One of my favorite "running around" outfits this winter is those black pants, a black hoodie and a red sleeveless puffy vest (I live in GA and the winters are mild). I have red knit gloves to finish my "out and about" wear.

Now, is the time to have fun with accessories as well since they will carry you further than moving through a lot of sizes as you slim down. I treat myself with a new pair of shoes, something for my hair or some new make-up.

Another thing that I did last year: I just cut off any pants that I was wearing during the winter for shorts in the spring/summer. It saved me a lot and I knew they already fit.

Hit the sales as the winter clothes are reduced. Try to get "trans-seasonal" clothes in lighter colors. What I also did was either shorten the sleeves or cut the sleeves off entirely (my arms are toned from lifting weights). This way, I stretched my winter wardrobe right through summer. Make sure your scissors is sharp then you don't even have to hem the darker colors.

Hope this helps.

Great job on the working out goals and weight loss so far.

Pam