Frustrated shopper

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Frustrated shopper
18
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:01pm

If you've read my other post, it's obvious why today is a somewhat zoned out day for me at work...and it's also freezing (ok, not freezing, but considering I haven't dug out any of my winter scarves/coats/sweaters it was this morning), so I'm browsing winter coats and came across one from Sarah Jessica Parker's new line.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:09pm

I think it's a problem with women's clothing in general. Nothing is sized the same from store to store, so you could wear up to four different sizes depending on where you shop. Oh, and apparently the perfect leg length is 31" ( I have a 34" inseam), and nothing comes unhemmed, so you either have to chop it if you're short or not wear pants if you're taller than average. Oh, and if you do happen to be tall, designers assume you must also be at least a size 10. Argh. Do you know how many years I spent wearing floodwaters? I think someone my height started the capri trend because she was just sick of her pants being too short.


I hate shopping for that reason. So frustrating.

(BTW - if you have a Forever 21 near you, they have tons of smaller stuff. It would be perfect for you. I can buy tops there, but pants will never happen - they are all size zero and low rise). :)


--


edited for a typo, {blush}




Edited 10/15/2007 2:06 pm ET by tallgirlcolo

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:36pm

I think we all have different shopping issues....I can't find a button-down shirt that fits. Either I have to get it too big so that I'm swimming in it or put safety pins between the buttons.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:43pm
Actually, I had major shoe issues until ballet flats hit the scene. Before that, four-inch heels and mega-platforms were all I could find, and I really don't need that extra height (not to mention the pain). :)

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 1:55pm

I actually held the very same complaints as you for a long time. I felt excluded from many stores and brands I would have loved to used, all because I was too small. It made me feel like I was standing in line at the amusement park, and got turned away because I was too short. That stuff shouldn't happen when you're an adult.


But even now that I'm bigger, clothes shopping is still a huge pain in the butt. Like tallgirl said, sizes are anything but consistent, and trying on just about anything for me is like a little lesson in pain, loss and humility! The best thing to do is just find one brand or one store that works and stick with it, but if they have a season of crappy clothes, that sucks, and it can also be a little expensive, since I usually like just picking stuff up at various sales.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2006
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 2:04pm

Ditto Tallgirl!! I'm also a 34" inseam and I have the hardest time finding pants to fit. They are either too short or the designers are making them for giants.


ROFL about the capri trend starting because of a tall person. I LIVE in capri's!!


Amie

Amie


We are the architects of our own character~unsknown

Amie Choiniere Office Manager~Mom~Domestic Goddess~Student~Wine Lover~Girlfriend~Gardener~Decorator~Vinyl Wall Lettering Queen!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 2:07pm

I agree, we all have our issues...it was just her "normal America" comment that got to me...I'm normal, just because I'm a size 0 doesn't mean I'm some 5'11", 110 pound model.


Anyway, the one good thing about being small is that there isn't much trial and error.

Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 2:12pm

My friend who is about your size is a big fan of Charlotte Russe.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 2:17pm

>>it was just her "normal America" comment that got to me...<<

You know, that's been getting to me a lot lately as well. The "real women have curves" idea. I have always been naturally thin and lanky -- not very curvy. I have a shape, I have a chest, but I will never have the Salma Hayek body. I'm just not made that way.

I hate the trend that tries to define what "real" or "normal" is in terms of looks - we're all different, and we're ALL normal. We all should be able to shop and find things that actually fit regardless of if

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 3:05pm

I'm a healthy 5 feet two inches tall and weigh about 105 pounds. I also have curves! I've noticed for the last couple years when I buy xs clothes, they are much bigger than they used to be. Now, it is hard to find clothes that fit me nicely. Charlotte ruse is a good store as far as sizing goes, but it's hit or miss finding clothes there that look mature. I usually shop in the juniors department in order to find form-fitting clothes...Juniors dept at Marshalls, TJMAxx, Ross and Target all have decent mature looking clothes that are sized right for petite women, but you have to sift through to find them. I go there for the $deals. From what I remember, Rich's or Macy's has decent mature looking clothes in juniors dept, too, but higher priced. There is one brand of pants I've seen at all those stores I like a lot, Bayer..they come in small size/short leg but also allow for curves, and look cute, not frumpy. I refuse to shop in the designated "petite" section in most department stores because those clothes look so frumpy. I can't really shop at old navy anymore..their pants and shirts are generally too big for me, but I can still buy jeans there. Gap has okay sizing still, but I can rarely find clothes I like there that don't say GAP all over them..lol. Banana Republic xs are slightly too big..I'm actually having one banana republic shirt vertically altered right now so I don't look pregnant. It's frustrating not being able to find my size and then having to pay more $ to alter clothes.

I never have an issue finding shoes, though! Even at a 5.5 and 6, I shop online at zappos and have an amazing shoe collection!! :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2006
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 4:05pm

I actually have a size 7 foot, so I'm good.

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