What are the Biggest Fitting Challenges for women’s clothing? In particular, what are the biggest fitting challenges for the Above Average Sized Ladies? No puns intended, this is a very serious look at many people’s dissatisfaction with what is currently available for them.
So What’s the Problem?
Let’s take a look at this problem without our rosy colored glasses and face facts. I am not going to write about shaming our bodies, but I am going to write about realities! I am a woman of larger size and have been for years. I am also healthy in mind, body and spirit. Oh I have a few aches and pains, but they are not related to weight or size. I digress, back to the subject. I have been in the fashion industry for over 35 years and have seen my share of regular, petit and over sized ladies in that time. The other demographic was the very tall ladies, who also had many difficulties finding clothing that was made for their proportions. All age groups fit into this area, of problems with size.
What can you do to change this problem and make it go away? I am going to make some suggestions for you and your friends, who may find themselves in this particular situation.
I will begin with hints and suggestions for those ladies who are working and need good clothing for your jobs. These suggestions are for you, but feel free to use these guidelines, even if you are not working out of the home on a daily basis!
First, invest in clothing that has more than one function. Buy those trousers that fit your biggest parts well and if you can afford it, buy two pair. If not, start with one pair. Buy a skirt that you are comfortable with and that flatters all of your curves. Again if you can afford two, great. If not, buy one good skirt that fits your biggest part. Find someone who knows how to sew or take a course in sewing to become familiar with how these clothing pieces are made. If the waist needs to be nipped in, it can be done. With these two pieces and several different blouses or shirts, you can have a wardrobe for the whole week. These two basic pieces of your wardrobe, should be well made, fit well or be altered to fit well and be classics. Buy the best! If it is well made, then it will last you for a long time. Trendy clothing that is fashionable now can be bought at lesser quality, because chances are you will only be wearing those for one season and then move on to the next trend. Longevity in this type of clothing is not an issue. If it lasts a year, that is good enough. Your classics will last you for several years. That’s where you should spend your money.
A Sewing machine is a must have in every household. If you split a seam, it’s a quick fix with a sewing machine handy. If you only use it once in a while it will be worth the cost of having it there. When your clothes need a quick mend, do it right away.
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If you love your clothes and have a little bit of spunk and time to learn, then making some of your own clothes is a possibility. Taking apart a favorite blouse or pair of pants to use as a pattern is a great way to make something you know will fit. If you need some extra resources to learn how to customize your own clothing, these two books would be a great start.
Power Sewing Toolbox 2 (Tips & Techniques Not Found In Patterns)
The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting
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Making your Good Clothes Last!
Get into the habit of changing out of your work clothes when you get home, hang them up so that they keep their shape and will be ready to be worn again with a new top or shirt.
What other issues should be addressed?
The other mistake that ladies with over sized bodies make is to not spend the time to wear the right undergarments. If you are a larger lady, your curves need to be properly accommodated. In other words, if your bra size is more than “DD” you need to find specialty bras to fit your extra curves. Stuffing your breasts into a bra that is too small, is just going to make anything that your put on, look wrong! We want to celebrate our curves, not make them look like mounds and mounds with extra puffs all over. I am sure that you have seen this fashion faux pas and it is not at all flattering.
Go to a store that specializes in Plus Sized Ladies Wear and if they have a bra fitter, take the time to talk to her. Even if there is a small fee for this service, it will be an investment in your looking your best. If you start with the right foundations, you will always look better than if you don’t. The other alternative is to read about bra and bra fitting, so that you can do this for yourself. One word of caution, don’t fool yourself, if you are not sure, then get the opinion of a professional bra fitter.
Do It Yourself Bra Fitting: a rough and ready guide from a professional bra fitter
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