Do others struggle to get clothes that really 'fit them well'?

Spirogyra

I'm relatively tall but thin. Larger sizes (16) have the length, but are usually much wider than is required. I suppose trousers are easier, 14 is usually fine. But on top, this is a repeated 'problem'.

Do others just accept similar problems? do they exist for others?.

Have bought a few dresses to be altered but can't do this for 'day to day items' very often.
Thanks
S

Day Lewin

Hardly anything is the shape of me. 5ft 4ish, broad shoulders, long arms, apple tummy, trim bottom. size 14-16.

Things like shirts, blouses, never fit - if they are right for arms and shoulders, they are huge over chest. Skirts and trousers very difficult round that "waist". But dresses easier because the 16 size is just flowy over the midsection.

Being willing to wear either men's or women's, that helps for the upper storey.
Elastic is my friend for the lower half.

miezekatze

I often think that most brands make clothes that would fit a thin person with even proportions and average height well, and everything outside of that is just an afterthought. I'm usually a size 16 and my main problem area is my tummy. Buying tops, dresses or shirts that fit well is a nightmare. If it looks well on my shoulders etc it's too tight over my boobs and tum, if it fits well in my tummy area it's huge on my shoulders. Jeans are often ridiculous too, some brands only seem to make the waist bigger for larger sizes, not considering that a larger person might also have bigger thighs and a bigger bum. And why are our trouser legs longer?!

Spirogyra

I'm a 14 waistline and width above it, but tall, so need 16 for length, but it's wide and makes me look 'big', repeatedly...... yes anyone outside average proportions.....

afkasurfjunkie

Spirogyra wrote: »

I'm a 14 waistline and width above it, but tall, so need 16 for length, but it's wide and makes me look 'big', repeatedly...... yes anyone outside average proportions.....

Similar size here. But I look for clothes that come with longer lengths available. Next have a big range. Lots of high street stores have longer length items on their website. I find gap and topshop good too. Oasis often do some of their dresses in a longer length. If I wear fitted tops I wear looser bottoms and vice Versa. It balances out my proportions better.

Parchment

I find it very hard to get trousers that fit me well. Im tall and kind of ruler shaped - it sounds ideal but its hard to dress.

I loathe trying jeans/trousers on.

Airyfairy12

Im fairly small and find buying clothes a nightmare! Dresses are either strapless, backless, practically frontless or bellyless. Why is it so hard to find a nice going out dress that allows me to wear a bra and doesn't expose half my torso? im not sexy nor do I want to try to be. Pants will fit on the legs but have a huge waist band that I spend my time trying to stop from slipping down, jumpers and t shirts are wide, shapeless, frumpy and often too short.

whatever76

For those over 35 - this resonated with me !
https://www.the-pool.com/fashion/fashion-honestly/2017/20/sali-hughes-on-the-british-high-street-dressing-women-over-35

Stheno

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

Similar size here. But I look for clothes that come with longer lengths available. Next have a big range. Lots of high street stores have longer length items on their website. I find gap and topshop good too. Oasis often do some of their dresses in a longer length. If I wear fitted tops I wear looser bottoms and vice Versa. It balances out my proportions better.

Parchment wrote: »

I find it very hard to get trousers that fit me well. Im tall and kind of ruler shaped - it sounds ideal but its hard to dress.

I loathe trying jeans/trousers on.

I'm 5 foot eight, but have a 34 inside leg, which is half of my height, and what I refer to as ape arms as they almost hit the ground.

I'm also a size six to eight and longer lengths are hard to find in that size in high street brands. Chest wise I'm a g cup but a small one at a 30/32

What I do is keep an eye on the likes of Kildare Village for sale events, and I've managed to build up a decent enough wardrobe of trousers from the likes of LK Bennet, Jaeger, and Hobbs for work, where I've picked stuff up at 70% discount, and I then get the hems dropped with a false hem for trousers I'm going to wear with heels.

Almost all of my trousers and jeans need to be taken in at the waist.

This year I happened in on the tail end of the BT sale and picked up a few pairs of jeans in my size (well not really, allegedgly they were 24/26 waist and I tried them on chancing it) that were down from 300 to 50 euro, and they fit.

If you are an irregular size, I'd recommend finding someone who will alter your clothes, shopping in higher end places during sale time, and then using high street options for colour etc.

FOr me tops aren't an issue as they will almost always fit, but arm length is.

I also find that buying the more expensive brands in the likes of outlets pays back in yards, I've two pairs of armani jeans I bought almost nine years ago which I am only now contemplating throwing out.

Next Topshop Gap longer lengths here tend to stop at 33 inches or even 32 which is useless if you have a longer leg and want to wear anything that won't be flapping around your ankle.

I've jeans that are 38 inside leg to accomodate very high heels.

Parchment

Stheno wrote: »

I'm 5 foot eight, but have a 34 inside leg, which is half of my height, and what I refer to as ape arms as they almost hit the ground.

I'm also a size six to eight and longer lengths are hard to find in that size in high street brands. Chest wise I'm a g cup but a small one at a 30/32

What I do is keep an eye on the likes of Kildare Village for sale events, and I've managed to build up a decent enough wardrobe of trousers from the likes of LK Bennet, Jaeger, and Hobbs for work, where I've picked stuff up at 70% discount, and I then get the hems dropped with a false hem for trousers I'm going to wear with heels.

Almost all of my trousers and jeans need to be taken in at the waist.

This year I happened in on the tail end of the BT sale and picked up a few pairs of jeans in my size (well not really, allegedgly they were 24/26 waist and I tried them on chancing it) that were down from 300 to 50 euro, and they fit.

If you are an irregular size, I'd recommend finding someone who will alter your clothes, shopping in higher end places during sale time, and then using high street options for colour etc.

FOr me tops aren't an issue as they will almost always fit, but arm length is.

I also find that buying the more expensive brands in the likes of outlets pays back in yards, I've two pairs of armani jeans I bought almost nine years ago which I am only now contemplating throwing out.

Next Topshop Gap longer lengths here tend to stop at 33 inches or even 32 which is useless if you have a longer leg and want to wear anything that won't be flapping around your ankle.

I've jeans that are 38 inside leg to accomodate very high heels.

Funny you mention Kildare Village - i got a pair of Levis there with a 36 inside leg! they are glorious.

meeeeh

whatever76 wrote: »

For those over 35 - this resonated with me !
https://www.the-pool.com/fashion/fashion-honestly/2017/20/sali-hughes-on-the-british-high-street-dressing-women-over-35

Funny enough I actually find it easier to find proper fitting stuff at 39 than I did at 19. I am size 10/12 since ever but a bit heavier. My waist now matches the size of thighs so jeans that I can pull over my backside actually fit my waist and I don't have extra 5 inch of material to take in. Clothing I buy is more grown up and I might prefer different brands but I find high street ok for me. I don't think women over 35 are this homogeneous group that all look or want the same things. I hate shaping underwear and overly restrictive clothing so a lot of stuff author is looking for wouldn't be for me at all. But I am sure here experience resonates with many others.

LimeFruitGum

I have similar dimensions. I rely on Wallis a lot for work clothes, but how many times do I have to see the same kind of floral dress in there?
All my t-shirts are from the men's department. Women's t-shirts have a narrower back and the material is flimsier than the male t shirts. I am in jumpers and jeans mostly. Or a long cardi over a vest top/t shirt.

I would love to get a smart wrap dress, but I have never found one that did not expose my bra cups or didn't make me look like a sack of spuds. I have been thinking of getting 1 or 2 made, but I haven't followed up on it.

This Fat Girl Runs

When I go clothes shopping I usually end up pissed off and sometimes crying.

I'm 5 foot 7, size 20 on the bottom and 18 on the top.

Shirts are hard to find, especially long sleeved ones as the sleeves are always too short.
And shirts that fit me around the bust and shoulders don't fit me around the hips
Jeans are difficult too because anything that fits around my thighs and hips gapes at the waist.
A lot of shops don't even bother selling long length jeans, I usually have to order them online.
Skirts and dresses are a no go (until recently. See my other post in the forum) because they always look funny around my hips.

I usually dress in jeans, a shirt and a cover up. I'm lucky we have such a casual dress code at work!

Personally, I hate clothes shopping. Especially because I love clothes, and a well put together outfit is so satisfying. I love looking at red carpet fashion, race dresses etc. If I see someone on the street in a fab outfit I will stop and compliment them. My best friend jokes that I'm her personal shopper as I can spot the perfect outfit for her a mile away.

I'm just not so good at finding the perfect outfit for me. Darn my lumpy, disporoportionate figure! I would love to be able to wear the kinds of clothes I want to, I'm just not the right body type for it.

rainbow kirby

5'5", size 14, big boobs, muscular legs and a bit of a mum tum. I hate clothes shopping these days tbh - nothing looks right and I'm further restricted by the fact that I'm still breastfeeding my 14 month old son so I need to be able to feed in everything.

Stheno

LimeFruitGum wrote: »

I have similar dimensions. I rely on Wallis a lot for work clothes, but how many times do I have to see the same kind of floral dress in there?
All my t-shirts are from the men's department. Women's t-shirts have a narrower back and the material is flimsier than the male t shirts. I am in jumpers and jeans mostly. Or a long cardi over a vest top/t shirt.

I would love to get a smart wrap dress, but I have never found one that did not expose my bra cups or didn't make me look like a sack of spuds. I have been thinking of getting 1 or 2 made, but I haven't followed up on it.

Try phase eight online in debenhams for wrap dresses or carraig donn