Tall, skinny chicks: why can't we find clothes that fit us?

[pink-o]

So they have craploads of supermodels flouncing down the runways, they show these skinny women with legs to their armpits, or torsos that don't quit wearing all the latest fashions. Reality check: good luck finding something in the Real World that fits. Walk into any store, you see "Women's" sizes or (my personal favorite) Petites. You'd think a store like Macy's or Nordstrom's would have off-the-rack for tall women in Size 2, 4, or 6, right? Are there really so few of us out there?

(BTW, yes, I know there are sites online for us. But so many of them cost 50 percent more than the store, and obviously, impulse buying is right out. Don't expect a solution, just ranting!!)

[WinkyDink]

1. It's the Universe trying to even the playing field? Heh.

[quakerboy]

2. So here is what I have gleaned from this and other postings

Tall skinny women cannot find clothing in store. Short small women cannot find clothing in stores. Obese women cannot find clothing in stores. And finally average American sized women cannot find clothing in stores.

What the hell are these stores selling, and who are they selling it too?

[pink-o]

3. That, Quaker, is the 64 million dollar question!

I'm convinced this is how it works: Women go into clothing stores, grab a cookie-cutter garment from the rack, with an arbitrary size on it (I can find anything from Size 2 to Size 8 WTF??) try it on, then becry their own failings when it doesn't fit. Whereas men go into a tailor's shop, try on a skeleton of the garment to be, then get it fitted to THEIR bodies, not the other way around. Just more marketing to make women feel like freaks so they spend more money trying to "fix" themselves.

And I notice that even off-the-rack men's clothes are somewhat proportionate. Like a waist-length measurement in pants, or a neck measurement with dress shirts. I've taken to dressing in reverse drag: buying stuff in the guy's department, and taking in seams to fit my long torso. Then guess what? I take it to the dry cleaner and it costs less than a woman's shirt to clean!!!

Oh, and also for the ladies: men's swim trunks are the best kept secret out there! Not only do they look cute worn with a bikini top, but the mesh inside is awesome and comfy--and it's somewhat butt-lifting. The guys have way better clothes than we do!

[quakerboy]

6. I dont know

Its been a while since i did much of anything in store, but I have always found mens sizes to vary quite dramatically from brand to brand. Or sometimes within a brand. I recently purchased 2 identical shirts. Same manufacturer, same size, same ad. One fits and the other does not. I find it interesting that you like mens trunks. I hate them with a passion. That mesh totally does not work with my .. junk or anything else.

I find your general premise as to why clothing is so dysfunctional interesting as well. On the one hand, it seems to make sense. On the other, everything is made so crapily these days that part of me is content to blame it on that.

I learned long ago that I wasn't going to look "good" no matter what I did, or how much I spent. I doubt that even a personal tailor, a valet, and my own personal laundromat could bring me up to social par. That lesson learned, I said screw it. I will wear what I want. I call it Bahama hobo, and it keeps me legal to walk the streets, even in full daylight, which is what is required of me.

[surrealAmerican]

34. I agree completely about the swim trunks.

Especially for those of us who live near a beach. Women's bathing suit bottoms get ruined in the sand very quickly. Men's trunks are much more durable, and, if you're relatively small, you can fit a boy's size, which are usually quite reasonably priced.

[whistler162]

7. Fantasy of course.... where a size 10 woman thinks she can lose

enough wait in time to fit into a size 2 dress and buys it!

[pink-o]

8. That's my point: she then spends more money on weight-loss suppliments

and "stimulates" the economy. If she were happy being a Size 10, she'd tell the effed-up marketing con-artists to go straight to hell and not give a shit about a stupid label!

In another life, I'm gonna open a women's tailor shop, we're gonna go in and buy the skeleton clothes, come back in 24 hours and have those clothes made to order!!!! The industry is sexist and insulting!!!

[Captain Hilts]

30. But the numbers '10' and '2' do not stand for something concrete. They have no meaning. nt

[Captain Hilts]

15. A lot of crappy, stretchy stuff that doesn't fit anyone. nt

[tigereye]

17. exactly - you hit the nail right on the head

someone is selling stuff no one wants to buy! :rofl: Ah, life is hilarious, isn't it?

[Beaverhausen]

4. How tall are you?

Most women have a hard time finding clothes. Our bodies are all so different. But I have to be honest and say that I find it hard to believe a thin woman has trouble finding clothes.

[pink-o]

5. I'm 6'1"

...and I weigh 142 pounds. I don't have extra-long legs, my inseam is about 35". But my torso is really long: most women's shirts and jackets have buttons that start way too high on me, tight armpits or tapered waists that hit me at my ribcage. If something is belted, I leave it on the rack, unless I'm into a lot of work to alter it.

I think the larger the size, the longer the length. But it's assumed a small size belongs on a petite woman. I still contend it's because the Market Economy wants us all to feel self-conscious about something. People who're happy with themselves don't spend as much money!

edited for a typo

[Mopar151]

29. My sweetie is a BBW, about 5'6

And she has the same issue with length of blouses/tops. And her Plus-size catalogs are full of skinny models, whose sizes are not even in the catalog. There are magazines full of large, lovely ladies posing naked, many of whom could model clothes well. I don't get it, either.
I shop from the big & tall catalog - at least they had the smarts to get some football players to model their stuff.

[meow2u3]

33. I'm a BBW with a long torso and short legs

My solution: buy tall sizes so your pants can go up to your waist, and then either roll up your pant legs (for jeans) or sew the hems on your pant legs so they don't get dragged all over the floor.

[Iggo]

9. Because we want you to be naked.

Sorry.

[pink-o]

10. LOL!!!

I better not reveal my age then! (**cough** 55 **cough**)

[MilesColtrane]

24. Age is not a factor for those of us who admire lithe amazons.

[Iggo]

45. Well said, friend.

[pink-o]

47. Aw, shucks!

:blush:

[Skittles]

11. aw come on

I can easily find pants sizes 2 and 4 but finding them not six inches too long for my 5'4" is quite a feat :mad:

[pink-o]

12. Pant length isn't my biggest problem

the rise on them is usually too short for a long torso though! And my 5'1" friend buys cute jeans and cargoes in EVERY store's PETITE section. There is not a TALL section in any retailer I've ever been to.

[Skittles]

13. ooh, I have opposite problem

rise too long

[Captain Hilts]

16. Me too, that's why I usually buy pants in the men's dept. nt

[Skittles]

18. I find better luck in Junior's

:D

[Maine-ah]

27. lol, me too

28" inseam. I'm 4'11" tall and 115lbs. I wear a 4 in petites, but I can't find petite clothing in my area.

[Skittles]

19. dup

[RobinA]

20. Seriously?

I'm 5'7" and I have a pants length problem. I need AT LEAST a 32" and more if I want to wear a heel. I'm usually looking at 30"

[surrealAmerican]

35. I'm the same height as you, and ...

... yes, this has become a problem lately. You used to be able to count on an "average" inseam of 32 inches, and a "tall" inseam of 34". Some manufacturers, I guess to cut costs, have taken an inch or two off of that. It's too bad. 34" was just about perfect for me.

[Silver Swan]

42. And I am 5'6"

But "short" jeans still tend to drag on the floor. But "petites" are too short in the rise.

But 45 years ago when I was young, nearly all jeans were too short for even my short legs. At least, there has been some improvement in available women's sizes.

[elehhhhna]

39. victoria secret catalogue has 36" inseam pants & jeans.

Penney's has Levi's longs to IIRC 35", as well as pants, and less pricey than VS

[tigereye]

14. hell we "average" sized women can't find clothes, either

but I sympathize if you have to pay more. Often when I go to the stores, things I like (I hate boring, dowdy clothes that someone seems to think middle aged women like myself should wear) are always in size 2,4 and 6.

[Iggo]

21. Now that I've really read the OP, instead of just the subject line...

...you're right. Nothing but tall, skinny chicks struttin up and down the runways.

That's just not fair.

[debbierlus]

22. Actually, there are so few of you out there - like 2% of all women

That is why you constantly hear such protest of the use of tall skinny models as the female ideal because it represents such a small percentage of actual women.

[old mark]

23. Tall, thin guys have similar problems. My brother is 6'3", about 160 pounds.

Built like Abe Lincoln. Has terrible trouble finding shirts with long enough sleeves and tails, pants that fit, etc.
He wears some outrageous shoe size, like a 14 1/2 extra wide, and when he actually finds shoes that he likes buys several pairs because he may not find any more in his size for a long time.

I ususlly only have a problem with suits. I am built like a fullback - 5'8", 210 pounds, and 48" chest- like a hairless gorilla.


mark

[dugaresa]

25. try being a woman with a true hour glass figure

i have never been able to find pants that fit properly, all must be tailored for more money.

and the moron who invented the low rider needs to be strung up and beaten.

[Captain Hilts]

28. Only 15% of women have the hour glass shape. YES! The low rider inventor should be shot.

I'm surprised you can't find clothes to fit. Everything - pants, dresses, whatever - pinch in at the waist, and I do not.

[dugaresa]

51. i have a 19th century figure

my waist pinches in far too much in relation to my hips and top.

so the only pants that fit my hips result in waistlines that have enough room for a 10lb sack of potatoes.

[AwakeAtLast]

31. +100

Hour-glass shaped person here, too! :hi:

[GoCubsGo]

37. Me, too!

And, a high-waisted one, at that. And, like RobinA, I'm around 5'7", with a 32" inseam. My body is a fashion nightmare! Oh well. At least it's a relatively healthy nightmare. :-)

[distantearlywarning]

Amen, sister!

I am one of those with an hourglass figure also - skinny, fat and in-between I always have that shape.

And from size 2 to size 16 (about a 12 right now), no pants ever fit me. Ever. Either the waist fits and the butt is way too small, or the butt fits, and the waist is about 4 inches too big.

And don't get me started on low-rise anything. Low-rise is the fucking devil for hourglass-type women. Low-rise looks cute on tiny, skinny girls who are built like pre-adolescent boys. On me, low-rise shows the entire world my underwear, and not in the good way.

[dugaresa]

53. i am actually going to start to sew pants and skirts again because

i hate the fashions today.

[distantearlywarning]

40. Amen, sister!

I am one of those with an hourglass figure also - skinny, fat and in-between I always have that shape.

And from size 2 to size 16 (about a 12 right now), no pants ever fit me. Ever. Either the waist fits and the butt is way too small, or the butt fits, and the waist is about 4 inches too big.

And don't get me started on low-rise anything. Low-rise is the fucking devil for hourglass-type women. Low-rise looks cute on tiny, skinny girls who are built like pre-adolescent boys. On me, low-rise shows the entire world my underwear, and not in the good way.

[Bucky]

26. Hell, it's Christmas! Why not just wear a Snuggie everywhere you go?! Awesome!

And if that's too big for you, get a friend to share one and let this be your new look:

[meow2u3]

32. Get outta here! I wish I had your problem!

I'm plus-sized. The "women's" section are for us fat ladies.

On a more serious note, it's tough for people at both extremes--too heavy and too skinny--to get decent-looking, decent-fitting clothes.

[Taitertots]

36. The hot chicks are complaining

Try finding clothes that look good being a paunchy, average height man. If you are tall and skinny you don't need to worry about clothes because the body under them makes up for it.

[DarkTirade]

38. Almost no one can find things off the shelf that fit them.

Because human beings don't come in standard sizes.

[crim son]

41. I have to shop for pants in juniors.

It's not that I'm so teeny but I don't have big hips and a big behind. I have long legs and a short torso but size eleven juniors usually is long enough, these days, anyway. Whenever styles change I have to look elsewhere. Growing up there wasn't anything available with long enough arms, then suddenly it was fashionable to wear long sleeves that passed the knuckles and voila, I can buy tops again.

[cherish44]

43. I don't know call the design houses I guess

All those runway models are tall skinny girls so apparently that's the ideal. :)

[Flaxbee]

44. J.Crew has women's tall clothes, both online and in stores...

not a huge selection of "tall" in stores, but still... surf their site and see if they have anything you like.... then maybe you'll know more of your selection options when you go into a store.

Banana Republic (and their related companies Gap and Old Navy) also have "tall" sizes. You can probably easily find pants to fit there, but with a long torso, it may be harder to find sweaters, blazers, etc. Much of the "tall" items are geared toward long legs, not long torsos.

[pink-o]

46. I've found a few online sites that work for me...but as I said, you can't shop

spontaneously. And sites like Penney's and Newport News start at Size 6--it's just assumed you're not gonna be any smaller.

Old Navy/Gap has been pretty good to me, re pants and blazers. But I waited 2 months for delivery--that's too damn long! I'm just ranting cuz I wanna go into a store, find the rack that has tall clothes, try 'em on and walk out with a shopping bag! Petites and Pluses can do it--why can't we???

But even beyond that: the way women's clothes are marketed is sexist and insulting. Obviously from the replies on this thread, no woman can walk into a store and find something that fits them well, because the cookie-cutter garments don't take into account our different shapes and sizes. It's a silent condemnation against non-conformity--and one that men, not having the same decorative role in society, don't have to deal with.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've also been a size 18, back when I was in my 30s. I used to shop at Lane Bryant, and never had the problem with clothes fitting me that I do now. I don't think being thin or large ever defined me as a person, I just think it's every woman's right to shop without feeling bad about their size--either vertical or horizontal! It just seems ironic that the "supermodels" are all my size, but there's nothing for us in the real world!

[jmm]

48. Women's clothes are made for styles not bodies.

Our clothes have a long history of being made to alter, not flatter, us which is why damn near every woman has a problem finding clothes that fit right without searching all over and paying a small fortune.

[Captain Hilts]

50. They're made for decoration, not for wearing. They're poorly made with too much polyester jersey

material.

[dysfunctional press]

49. it's not any easier for tall skinny guys.

in college, my jean size was 31/38- and i could actually buy jeans in that size.

my dimensions have changed some...38/36- but there seem to be a lot less range of sizes available anywhere anymore.

[applegrove]

52. I was a tall size twelve on a trip to Italy one time. Our bus tour had a formal dinner

one night so another tall size 12 girl and I decided to shop in Florence for nice dresses. Do you think we could find anything in a size 12? Nope. Everything was smaller than that. And to make it worse every store owner we ran into as we walked into their store looked at us in horror. I wanted to say "I am not a monster...I am a human being" (or whatever the elephant man used to say). Seems women in Italy are different sizes than girls from Canada and New Zealand.

Seriously people are different sizes in different parts of a country. I once tried to buy something at Mountain Equipment Co op in Halifax, Nova Scotia (think Nova Scotian farmgirls of German/Scottish descent). The manager of the store apologized because the XL was too small for me. She said sizing was done in Vancouver British Columbia where they have a huge Canadian Asian population so the sizing is skewed towards smaller women - sizes 4, 6, 8 and such.

You could always go to Vancouver!!

[pink-o]

54. Oh, Italians are tiny! Especially the further south you go. The average man is 5'8"

in Naples, I bet!

But check this out: I lived in Europe in the 70s and everyone was small. Women were all 5'4" and weighed 100 pounds. That's when I learned to use a sewing machine, because I really would have needed to go naked if I'd depended on pret a porte!!!

Anyway, those days are gone. I bet if you went back to Firenze you could find plenty of Size 12 garments now! All the Europeans, even Italians and French, are bigger these days! I just got back from the Netherlands, tall heaven, where I blew out my bank account in Utrecht. (BTW, there's a street in that town of only shoe stores...okay, ladies, get your tongues back in your heads!!)

[OhioChick]

55. I hear you...

Being tall and thin, I usually have to shop in the juniors dept and hope I can find a size 0 or 2 in jeans that are long enough.

[pink-o]

56. Yeah, Junior's sizes fit me better...

But then, they're not age-appropriate. Not that I wanna go around looking like Grandma, but not too many things are more revolting than a middle-aged woman in teenybop clothes. Or a very tall woman in a micro mini skirt. Gaak! Too much flesh, she not so pretty!

[salin]

57. Feel your pain

from the other end... short, not petite but not large... size ten ...far too long; petite a bit too small... for nice clothes - always have to be tailored (go normal size and alter to height). Guessing that many, of different sizes, have the same problem. Rant away!