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.

I'm in sunny Florida, and the only people who wear those loud prints are tourists on the beach.

I've tried the catalog bit too. I must be proportioned screwy. Not to mention short. So if I want pants especially I have to try on. And that may be several items, because a size ? Is not the same from mfg to mfg.

I can buy pants and tops separately but not as a set. Because I'm one size on top and another on the bottom. I'm not sure what or who these clothing mfgs use as a size model but it's not very accurate. I've noticed that the better something is made the smaller a size I can wear. But....the more it costs. So I just cut the tags out as soon as I get home!

I am 5'4" and not proportioned like most women. I have a long waist and short legs (29) and am severely flat chested unless I decide to wear my prostheses (which are heavy and hot) and I dont always feel like it. God bless the NH winter for a sweater can hide a lot.

Most shirts hit me across the mid, not across the hip. Most V necks tend to scoop way to low for a double mastectomy girl. Most pants fit great in the hips but dig in at the waist. Mens pants are awesome! they are what they say they are. a 36/30 is a 36/30 all day long. in women's pants a 14 can be a 20 or as low as an 8. It depends on the maker, the country of origin, and the cut. you MUST try things on. I get so upset when I see something so cute on the hanger, and then I get to the dressing room with MY size, and its about 4 sizes too small. UGH! and lets not start on the lighting in there.

Lands end is hooked up with sears, but they dont have plus sizes in most of their stores. Target has XXXL but its the same size that a Medium used to be. When did they change the size standards? I drag out the biggest sweater they have and its so tight you can see my ribs move when I breathe! is that a youth thing? I cannot buy matching stuff. I have to buy the pants separate from the top. JCP does ok, but has a teeny section for plus size. Kohls has a plus size area, but it too is teeny and its filled with clearance items that eat half their room.

If the USA average sized woman is a 14/16 where is everyone getting their clothes from?! I just want a pair of pants that fits and I want a shirt that doesnt show my tummy.

[QUOTE=Deijbo
If the USA average sized woman is a 14/16 where is everyone getting their clothes from?! I just want a pair of pants that fits and I want a shirt that doesnt show my tummy.[/QUOTE]

I want to know that, too!

ANN (size 8 to 12 depending on crazy sizing)