This is a rant thread....

I'm hoping that this thread doesn't offend anyone, but I'M TIRED OF ALL THE FAT GIRL CLOTHES!!!!

I'm tired of clothes for those of us sized 14 - 28 that have....

• Huge Prints
• Tank tops
• fluffy bottoms
• flowers
• ANYTHING with faux animal print
• short torsos (to not cover the rolls)
• 100% cotton (guaranteed shrinkage)

This is what sparked my rant:
My friend and I decided spur of the moment to go out last weekend. I live a pretty good distance from her and decided that I would go to the mall and attempt to find a "going out" outfit instead of returning home to find something to wear. I went to a number of stores, who all had the standard "fat girl tops" --- tank tops with huge, unappealing prints and asymmetrical bottoms -- which I have a whole closet of, and frankly, I AM TIRED OF SEEING. This is an example of one of the tops I am referring to:

http://www.swakdesigns.com/p-163-mia.aspx


So of course I go to the "normal folks" side of the store, and I see a number of cute tops I'd like to wear only if they came in a 1x.

Any one else feeling the same way I do? I do accept my accountability in this, I could get beyond this if I could just "stick to my diet and exercise regimen" -- and lose enough weight to get back on the "normal" folks side of the store. Sometimes that's easier said than done. In the meantime, I'm still buying 1x's, and tired of looking at clothes that look the same way.

I've found a few stores online that sell nice clothes for big girls, but I hate when I'm in a situation -- spur of the moment, such as last weekend, and can't find anything, because for some reason, a lot of designers assume that all of us like big prints on a tank top.

I do understand and they forgot to put a top on that shirt. Since when does everyone want their cousins to hang out for all to see. I get real tired of that. I have found a store down around Columbus that has some real real nice clothes. They are more than I want to spend on something I am only going to wear for a couple of months but at least they were nice clothes for those of us over a size 16.

It does suck. They are slowly making better stores with clothes. Sarah Jessica Parker has new store that is cute. Sometimes I go to torrid...but that's kind of goth for me.

I will say you are lucky. When I was in High School (14 years ago), fat clothes were old lady clothes. It really sucked. Then plus size stores started making clothes more attractive but for the past few years, I've noticed that the clothes are just crazy, exposing stuff that shouldn't be exposed.

I am lucky now though that plus size clothes are too big for me and regular sizes fit nicely. Also, winter is coming so I'd hope they'd stop trying to expose everything

That top actually isn't that bad. It is advertised as a "fun, 60's print". But I do know what you mean.

I went shopping for a halloween costume this past week at one of those halloween shops. All the costumes they had in plus size were awful. I was thinking of being something like a sexy witch....ha! The witch costume was a floor length dress, long sleeved with a button up collar to the neck. I was so pissed.

Why not try torrid? they are pretty pricey but they've got some cute things. I love old navy tops necause their sizes do run a bit big.

Finding attractive plus sized clothing is difficult, especially on the fly. That is why I keep reserves in my car. One top/jeans and a pair of shoes. Stores like Layne Bryant are usually good. They cater to all taste ranges. Some people would like that shirt that you displayed. Not my taste personally, but some might.

I hate that I'm really a true sie 15 HA HA 16 is too big and 14 is too small. I have a long torrso too so that doesn't help. I am constantly pulling my tops down all the time.

I know I know stick to the diet and exercise ~ I will continue to chant it

Hi, I am size 14-16 and I totally agree,
why can't they make the exact same shirt as in the juniors or misses, but in a XL?? Is it really that hard? OMG, that shirt you showed was so not right, for anysize. I know for work they have all this cute professional clothes in misses section, but in petitte's it is all grandma clothes, and the plus sizes are crazy long on me, and those styles are all mimi-styles!?!?!?

I've often wondered why companies are not taking advantage of us larger size folks in America. I mean, if you think about it, with America being largely obese these days, they are actually limiting themselves to a small market for profit by not having clothes available in a larger size. I've been wondering when they were going to get around to opening that market up.....

good question on the pettite's ? It really is the grandma section isn't it. I find it so hard to jump from dept to dept. One is too big and one is too small.

I understand your frustration. I have been fat probably a lot longer than you. I have been fat for about 25 years although I am hoping this will be the last two that I will remain fat.

Now, about clothes! I am a clothes horse! To give you an idea, I have a walk-in closet and another closet full of my clothes. Not to mention clothes in space bags under my bed. It take some sleuthing but there are more and more clothes out there that are bigger sizes of the same fashions that a size 4 wears. In fact, let me tell you a story. Back in 1992, I went into Marshalls in a big city and I bought a beautiful designer suit for work (I worked as a para legal at the time). Well, I wore it to work one day and my supervisor who was a size 4 (WET! with two lifesavers on!) showed up with the same exact suit on. The look on her face was so PRICELESS I will never forget that. It went from shock to anger in three seconds.

You may have to do some looking but once you find a store, patronize it a lot, give them ideas of what you would like to see or what you don't like that they have on their racks, etc. If you get pro-active, the buyer will listen especially if you tell them that you have several friends who will also buy at their store.

A lot has changed since then but most Malls in cities larger than 70,000 should have sizes up to 3X. Even Wal-mart and Target has jumped on the bandwagon. The bottom line for them is the $$$$. They would sell clothes for camels if camels came in and spent money. Both one hump and two humps! (yes, camels come in both sizes).

Last minute anything isn't a good idea period but I hope you don't give up and find what you are looking for. I still love to dress fashionable and I am sure I am much older than you. I can't wait to see what is the "latest" trend.

Don't give up. I always had to look nice when I was working so I had to find clothes no matter what size I was and I can tell you I have never worn any thing that I wouldn't have worn if I were a size 6(which I used to be).

Here's to happy shopping days ahead!

P.S. Although that retro 60s is not for every one, I do think it is cute but again you have to carry it with the right attitude. No attitude, it wouldn't work.

I absolutely love Torrid's clothes, they are one of the stores that seems to be getting it right. Unfortunately, that day, Torrid was on the other side of town - a one hour drive away - and I didn't have that kind of time.

I just wish other designers would realize the money there is to be made in the big girls market - we all don't want to be walking wallpaper prints!!!!

Starduchess, you make a good point. I should start keeping a "spare set" of clothes in the car when I need to go out or something.

And sorry if this offends anyone, but Wal-Mart, Target, and Lane Bryant are usually some of the prime offenders of my rant. I must admit, though, Lane Bryant has done a great job with the revamp of their jeans. And I do love their accessories.

I have only been overweight a few years, and up until last year didn't know of anyplace to buy plus size clothing than walmart and zellers. I have smaller legs, so the clothes would just hang on me, never looked right.

I hate plus size clothing. Very little do I ever feel attractive in. My biggest rant would be the 3/4 length skirts. I am 5'5" and want to wear skirts that are just above the knee. I find 3/4 length skirts make me look and feel dowdy and old. Totally sucks!

I soo look forward to shopping in the same stores as my mom and sister! I really like some of the regular sized clothing...

I buy clothes in the juniors plus size at goody's. They have good looking decent fashionable things in as big as a 3x. Sizes for those run just like women's: I am 2x in women's and I am 2x in juniors plus at goody's. Just an idea for you. Great for buying summer shorts, capris, etc.

As a side note, those fashion stores like American Eagle make clothes way too skinny. I picked up a shirt (shopping for my daughter who is a size 6) that said large and I swear it looked like it was made for a toddler!

Now my problem with clothes is I can never find long pants and sleeves are rarely long enough. I look like I'm waiting for a flood. The smaller I get the harder time I have finding pants that come in longs! anyhoo....I looked at that halter top and I must say it is hideous! Why do they think everyone looks good in an empire waist? I have a short torso and long legs my hips go up to the top of my belly button so those empire waistes make me look huge! I don't see why they have to do that with those prints for bigger sizes I don't think they'd be flattering on anyone. why not just make the top a solid color? I think they're more flattering than crazy prints.