Hello! This is my very first post here, but I have enjoyed reading for a while. I have struggled with weight about 11 years and this time I hope to go down, down, down and stay there!
I am looking for advice on jeans! I am very pear shaped---waist smaller and my booty and hips huge. I have put even more weight on recently so size-wise I am hoping to be about a 22 very soon as I am losing with WW and exercise. When I try them on, if I find a pair I can stuff below my waist in, the waist in just waaay too big. I believe jeans with some elastic waist as part of the waist would be good---or you know how they do the adjustable waists in kids clothes. I so want a comfy pair of jeans that fit my pear shape and are a little stretchy. Any advice? Thanks so so much! Marcie
I don't know if they still do but Old Navy (which sells up to size 26 online and in some stories) had a fit called "curvy." I had a pair and the waist was actually too small for me when it fit my hips and thighs and I'm slightly pear shaped. I'd try a pair of those. Good luck!
I have the opposite problem. My waist is a bigger size than my legs. So the pant legs always look really baggy which makes me look bigger and sloppy. I am having a real hard time finding any jeans that look at all decent. I am just at a loss. I have to get my booty down to the Gap this week and try on EVERY type of jean they have. I live in jeans and don't want to look like a slob.
When I was bigger I worn LB jeans and they fit in the waist but were always waaay too big for my leg size, so those might be the ones for you. I think that most pants and jeans geared towards the plus-size woman is for the pear-shape, much to my past chagrin.
Charlotte, I have the same problem as you and I discovered a great pair of jeans when I went to a consignment store. For a long time I couldn't find any brand identifier (no tags anywhere), but then I noticed that the button said Abercrombie and Fitch. I have no idea how much those jeans would have cost new, but they're the best fitting pair of jeans I've had.
Don't shy away from the lower cut jeans either. I fought them tooth and nail forever because I just assumed I was way to fat for them. My sister finally forced me to try on a pair of bootcut, lowrise jeans and they were the best fit I'd had in a long time. Since your waist is smaller, jeans or pants that sit below the waist line will accentuate it while the wider boot cut will even you out from the hip down. Something cut high and sitting on your waist is going to highlight the area you most want to camoflauge - the lower tummy, hip area. Avoid anything tapered at the ankle but some of the fuller cut straightleg jeans may work if you don't care for bootcuts. I don't mind them now but when I was heavier I didn't like wearing the stretch denim. I felt it was too clingy and made my "bumps" much more obvious - but that is really personal opinion.
As for brands, I agree that A&F are a good fit, but I also love J.Crew and Seven.
I buy the mid rise jeans from Old Navy. My waist is much smaller than my hips and those jeans and cords rest on the hips so it's all good! If you're canadian, it's a problem because our Old Navy stores don't carry them. I have to go to North Dakota to get them- I have to go soon because my curent ones ARE TOOOOOO BIG!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!
My problem is finding jeans that are LONG enough and BIG enough. Finally I struck gold at Fashion Bug of all places. I bought a pair of L.A. Blues wilshire in 28T and 28T stretch (the stretch are way too big, but really comfy). They are relatively inexpensive - about $25 a pair. I'm not pear shaped, but I find the jeans fit my waist well and are fairly roomy in butt and hips - maybe that will help you out.
I'm not plus sized any more, but I have the exact same proportions as ever. My waist is about 2 sizes smaller than my hips. So I totally feel your pain! My husband just forwarded me an intriguing link from a store that custom makes jeans and slacks to your exact measurements. I'm going to be trying them out soon. 3fc hates us to post links, but you can search on makeyourownjeans and find them easily enough. Their customer feedback looks promising and the price seems very reasonable. My fingers are crossed anyway.