I was skimming through a couple of catalogs before I recycled them, and I remember my mother complaining about whoever designed "fashions" for larger sizes. She used to say they chose colors, patterns and styles with the idea of shaming people into losing weight.

Some of the companies aren't too bad, but the others? Who buys this stuff? It doesn't look good on the size 10 models! Does somebody sit there and think, "Mom wears a 4X...she'd look GREAT in a pumpkin orange pant set with giant lime green palm trees! Oh, and let's add eyelets, laces, and a fake tank top!"

I agree! those magazines are HORRIBLE! you see a size 4 model wearing an out fit and its misleading! You get it home and say..."oh!" yeah, on a size 22 woman it looks totally different and I think its the same as "bait and switch" Even tho I am a 14, I see what I am wearing on a size 4 and its not the same as it is on me!

And what is with all the LOUD patterns?! We need to be covered in LARGE flowers, zebra or leopard patterns, and the patterns are just awful! truly as if a tent maker just chose random patterns and flung them out there. I want PLAIN clothes, no patterns. I want candy pink, or rose colored fabric. Not everything has to be black or brown please.

You have to work very hard to find tasteful fashion that not only looks good, but feels good on you. Too many times I put on a shirt that is ok, only to find that it pinches under the arms, the V in the neck slits way to low, or the length of the shirt only hits my belly button, not my hips.

move over two isles and see all the double zero stuff. the seams match, the patterns match. They are cute, and sweet. Makes you want to scream at the toddler sized woman trying it on to "eat a sandwich!" A size double zero doesn't look good on a full grown woman. IMHO.

It has been my experience that certain geographical areas --mostly tropical-- and certain ethnic large women like these hot colors and bold patterns. I have seen totally different clothes in local Lane Bryant stores, depending on the neighborhoods in which they are found.

In fact some of the same ethnic women, who were not plus size
gravitate to the hot colors where I live in Michigan!

It is all a matter of culture and taste I think.

And now, with the young styles being loud, tight and form fitting...E-GADS!! There is no respect for the motherly, grandmotherly, matronly figures or tastes...(was going to say "anymore", but there "never" has been).

I'm glad I don't have to "dress-up to go out to dinner, party or for work anymore. Because, everyone is looking at me, you know, and the next morn, I'm shamefully written up in the society page..

I know the horrors of which you speak Blessings....Been thin - been fat - been there!!

I'm 51.....and shop for comfort and ease of wearing now. That doesn't mean I want to look like I'm 90. But I certainly don't want to look like I'm trying to be 25 again, either.

It's so difficult to find the happy medium. I'll admit.......I don't "dress up" much anymore but to me, putting on a nice pair of pants, a pretty top and wearing a tiny bit of makeup is "dressing up". If folks realized how much energy that takes out of me they'd think I was dressing for the Oscar's!

I agree with Sally.....I'm relieved I don't have to get dressed to go out every day.

P.S. I've found that the Denim & Co. line on QVC has some excellent clothing choices. In fact, almost all of my clothes are from that line. Especially their pull on pants. They don't look or fit like pull on pants but they offer comfort and ease without looking like you shopped in the geriatric department.

I am one of those plus sizes. I can find jeans but dresses and blouses are a different story. So I stick with jeans and Old Navy shirts, from the mens department. What I hate is that a size 14 is considered in the plus size.

Lands End and LL Bean know how to do plus sizes.

Can you physically shop at Lands end? If I buy plus size I have to actually try it on..

I don't know where the actual stores are, but if you go to their website I'm sure there's a store locator.

i can't shop in stores anymore. and it's too tiring to try clothes on.

i shop online, mostly from QVC, and have been very happy with them.
the downfall is twofold. they can be a bit more expensive, and to send things back you have to pay shipping.

but, i get some nice clothes that wear and fit well.