After 3 years and about 30 pounds, I've finally dropped from 14s to 12s!

Now for the awkward part. 12s fit great in the seat and thighs, but are quite loose in the waist. 10s still don't even come up over my thighs yet, so I'm relying on belts.

There's only so much you can do with belts, though. I get tired of them, and sometimes they are just right when standing, but constricting when sitting. Or, the opposite: Just right when sitting, but too loose standing.

I saw some pictures of people using scarves or something similar instead of a belt, but I'm not sure if I'm good enough at knots to do that. Anyone have any clever ideas for a substitute for traditional belts?

well you could try to use safety pins to clip on the sides and then to cover the slight bulge of material loop the scarf....so its not the scarf keeping them up, but the pins

this always is my case no matter what size I am because my waist is way smaller than my hips and butt. I try and get lower cut jeans because if they sit on my hips, they are a little better fitting. But I also have resorted to sewing darts in at the waist to take them in. Ussually in the back I'l just pinch it where it feels good and pin it then sew one seam on the sewing machine. that way I dont' get that bunchy belt took.
Good luck and good job on the loss.

Mmm just a thought, but have you tried a different designer? Every different brand of jeans fits differently and even one brand has many different styles. I'm sure you could find something that looks great.

I have the same problem . . . my waist is much smaller than my hips and butt, so the waistlines always hang off. I hate belts because usually the waist hangs off a LOT, so the loops of fabric on the pants stick out from under the belt. I also usually buy low-waist jeans because they tend to work better. I have one pair of capris that came with a scarf-belt, and all I do is tie it in a double knot (nothing fancy) and it works pretty well. I also had a couple elastic belts that I found in my mom's closet years ago (I think they were leftovers from the 70's! ) which I found were much better, since they stretch when you sit down so you are always comfortable.

You can also get most pants tailored if you don't sew yourself. I don't know how much it would cost . . . I need to get like three pairs of pants hemmed, but I keep putting it off! Maybe it's because I know if I had a sewing machine I could do it myself, but alas, no sewing machine in my apartment!

I've tried a couple of different brands. I think it's just my build. I have a sewing machine, but I'm nervous about expirementing with darts. There's no going back, and my work probably would look haphazzard. I'm sure if I kept looking I'll find a good brand, but I'm hesitant to put much money into clothes, since I have every intention of dropping another size eventually

Low-waist pants emphasize my belly more than I'm comfortable with. It's the part of me I'm most self consious about. I like the idea of an elastic belt, though. I'll have to look for one. It might mean the resale shops, but so be it

Betani-

Congrats on dropping a size...it's an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Have you tried a smaller size at Old Navy...I find they work best for me. Their sizes run a bit big so a smaller size there actually fits really well. And try the low rise, it should hit around your belly button and actually helps to disguise the waist area. The last pair I bought were low rise and they look better on me (they make me look skinnier) than any other pair I've owned recently.

I live in NW Indiana too...maybe we could buddy up?

Let me know!

I haven't tried anything from Old Navy yet. I think I'll venture out there next paycheck.

As for the low-rise pants, I might try them for at home or going out, but I think they have been challenged in the dress code at work. I'm sure that I could be modest about it, but there are some younger staff members who aren't, and they may be ruining it for everyone.

Where in NWIN are you? I'm in Valpo.

Betani-

Hi again! I'm in Wheatfield, about 20 miles south of Valpo on 49.

About the low rise jeans. My belly never shows b/c I wear my shirts to about the top of my hips, so it's always covered. The low rise on the jeans just camoflages the belly area. But I can understand how one person can ruin the dress code for all.

Keep in touch...we could be great buddies!

Hey! Just wanted add something about your pants doing that.. it's designers! I know SO many people with that same problem, I also have the same problem. I pretty much refuse to buy things that don't fit properly, so I'm stuck with 3 pairs of work pants. I also shop at Old Navy.. but I find their dress pants fit one size smaller, so I'm normally an 18, but in their dress pants I have to go up to a 20.

-Aimee

If you can actually get a sewing machine (or try by hand), you don't necessarily have to cut the fabric first, you can just fold it in and sew a few stitches. Then try them on and check the fit. If it looks good, then go ahead and cut. Or - if it doesn't fit - you can easily remove the stitches (with one of those stitch puller thingies). If you sew just a few and have to remove them, any pants damage would be negligible. Like my father always says, measure twice and cut once.

I was going to suggest old navy as well. I'm in the same situation, I've got hips and a butt, and so if I get pants too big they're totally drooping at the waist. I don't have that problem with Old Navy jeans. Get low rise (not ultra low rise), and they're high enough to be comfortable with the belly, but low enough to fit the top of your hips!

Betani, by any chance are you an "apple" shape? I have the same problem getting pants that fit proportionately. (sometimes when I find pants that fit right in the waist they ride up in the crack - sorry if TMI)

A friend of mine who worked briefly in the apparel manufacturing business told me that even sizes are for pears and odds are for apples. I've never heard this before, but it could be true. I have usually found that odds fit me better, but that they are difficult to find outside of the juniors dept.

I currently live in Europe and their sizes are different here, so I am having better luck (sometimes!) The stuff here isn't as "full figured". I have noticed that Old Navy items do have a decent fit when you can decide which size is right!!

Just my 2 cents worth. Anyone else have experiences or suggestions to add?

I don't think I'm an apple. If I were to guess, I would say I'm a plump hourglass, as I have two pot bellies (one on top and one on bottom) divided by a noticably slimmer (by comparison) waist. Hips are full, and bust is semi-full. I wear baggy clothes because anything remotely fitted looks weird.

Now that I think about it, I think I'm morphing from hourglass to pear, since my bust is getting smaller faster than anything else. I'm visiting my folks this weekend, and there is an Old Navy nearby, so I think I'll recruit my mom to go size shopping with me.