What do you want to do that you couldn't do before the sleeve?

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

That is so true Susan. It's ridiculous how ugly the plus sized clothing is. There is one store that has a nice plus size section. It's fashion bug. I liked their clothes better than Lame Bryant.

[MacMadame 81]

My question has always been, if they say the majority of Americans are overweight, why are the plus size departments so small and filled with really unattractive clothes?

Because the majority of people aren't in plus size clothes. You can be in the overweight BMI range and not be in plus sizes. I was still in the obese range when I got out of plus sizes.

Anyone who is outside of the median, is going to have a harder time. That's just life. I got when I was MO and now I've got it now that I'm a normal weight. Do you know how few stores carry anything smaller than a four and, even if they carry it, it's just a few items that sell out fast?!

But I accept that because I'm short, I can't buy pants in every store, and I have to go to specialty stores to get variety in my sizes. I understand that most people are a lot taller than me (and therefore bigger). I don't like it, but it's life.

But to maximize my chances, I do try to shop in parts of town where there are more, shorter people. That helps. For example, the Macy's closest to me has no jeans in a size 2 or smaller. But the Macy's in the next town over does. Same store, same lines, but the stock is different.

The other issue is that there are more variations of shapes when people get larger. Some people have all their extra weight in their middle, but their arms and legs are normal. But some have really big arms and legs because their extra weight is more spaced out. Others have all their extra weight in their butt.

So now you have to design a garmet that is going to fit them all. Well, it can't be done. If the arms are big enough for the one with huge arms, the outfit will look ridiculous on someone with relatively skinny arms. Or, if the arms and neckholes look good on the person who looks like an apple with sticks, they won't fit the person whose weight is more all over. And the one with it all in the middle needs more room in the chest area but only a little more in the butt but the bottom heavy one needs more in the butt.

Yeah, you get variations in the "regular" sizes but it's not as great. When you only have 0-10 excess pounds, the differences in where it can go aren't quite so drastic.

Designers (in general) really don't like designing for plus sizes because of these issues (it costs them more, for one thing). So then you aren't getting the really talented people addressing our needs. Maybe the clothes are graded (sized up) via some lame CAD program that makes bad assumptions instead of by a talented pattern maker who knows how to adjust for real people.

Which makes it all worse.

The other thing is, each manufacturer and each line has a target market it's aimed for and is sized to fit. But this information is NOT made readily apparent. So you have to do a lot of trial and error. For example, VegasAngel says Plus Size clothing assumes you're short. But I used to bitch that they assumed you were an Amazon. This is because I was shopping at Lane Giant and their clothes are targeted to the big all over including tall. I bet VegasAngel shops where I should have shopped, if only I'd know about it! :thumbup1:

I've been reading about sizing on a fashion industry blog and it's been VERY eye-openning. I don't necessarily agree with their POV, but it's still interesting to see why the world works like it does.

Edited July 29, 2009 by MacMadame

[DownInSocal 12]

And ALWAYS right next to the maternity department. I agree with Susan ... and for some reason, they think all fat people are short ... I'm 5'8-1/2" and oftentimes have a difficult time finding pants long enough. Hopefully before too long I won't have to worry about that any longer.

:ohmy:

I am short (5'3) and have always assumed they think all plus size people are Amazon. I can't find a pair of pants to save my life. All my pants are hemmed at least 5 inches.

[MacMadame 81]

And I'm 5'1" and can wear petites just fine. But I know people who are 5'3" and the same pants are too long....

What can you do?

[Malaika 50]

Well I'm 5'8-1/2" and most of the height is in my legs. I am very short waisted.

[cyates 1]

Hmm, the subject kind of digressed, so I'm back to goals :-).

I want:

*To have a baby

*To go skydiving

*To be able to fly without the seatbelt extender (goal reached on 5 out of 6 planes this last vacation)

*To not be the hottest, sweatiest person in every physical activity

*To stand out in a room and not stand out in a room all at the same time

*To not be offered the front seat because I am the fattest person in the car

*To not be told "you have such a pretty face"

*To have my husband tell me I am beautiful

*To be the person I feel I am inside

[MacMadame 81]

*To have my husband tell me I am beautiful

He should be doing that now!!

DO you want us to come over there and kick him in the butt until he does? :ohmy:

[cyates 1]

He should be doing that now!!

DO you want us to come over there and kick him in the butt until he does? :cool0:

Yeah, he needs a little a$$kicking now and then. Don't get me wrong, he's been very supportive of this journey. Even when I was thinner, I don't really think he thought I was beautiful - at least, he never said so. I think he just thought I'd be a good wife. Little did he know - haha. :biggrin0:

[*susan* 1,709]

That's it, we are all heading over there, with Mac leading the way, to kick his butt.

I bet he does think you are beautiful. Some men just aren't very good at expressing those things.

[Lachelle 0]

Let me give you words of ENCOURAGEMENT here! I had my VGS on 11/11/08. Made it thru it with flying colors, BUT I contract C Diff (which is highly contagious) to come in my hospital room you had to wear a mask and gloves.. with all the wretching my stomach leaked with infected my internal organs. I was in hospital 42 days (almost CROAKED!). Only 32 days after leaving hospital I had GALLBLADDER surgery.

I have lost 148 lbs. WAS 321 lbs. And boy have I had FUN since I got my strength back. I have been on a cruise and got to dress up in that little black dress for the captain's dinner, rode all the rides I could get on at Six Flags, I am now buying size 10's, and I have been golfing.

You too! will get there. I feel like I was so deprived from all those things when I was 321 lbs. (I am 5'2"). I can walk without hassling after 3 steps, my back don't hurt anymore and I my children (22,20, and 15) can't believe I can keep up with them now. My daughters can go shopping now without worry about me.

And if you have lost the weight and still don't feel good about yourself all I can say is "I am so sorry, BABY you need to LIVE, LIVE, LIVE !" You get out of life the attitude you put in it..... MY ATTITUDE IS BANGING AND I LOVE IT ! KEEP ON KEEPING ON ! YOU WILL I PROMISE GET THERE !

:thumbup1:

[Chancie 65]

I've accomplished alot of my "goals" already!

* Get HEALTHY- BP is normal, cholestol normal-

Sugar-normal!

* Be able to wear pants with a button and a zipper- NOT stretch pants!

* Be able to cross my legs

* fit in a booth at a restraunt

* Be able to tie my shoes like a "normal" person

* Be able to fit in a lawn chair

( and not think I'm gonna break it:blushing:)

* Be able to walk and talk at the same time and

not get so winded

* Be able to clean my house in one day, and not

have to stop every 15 minutes for a break

* I can pull my car seat up and my belly doesn't

touch the steering wheel!

* I don't get up 5 times a night to go pee!!

New Goals-

* Be a size 14 ( or smaller)

* Wear sexy lingerie ( matching bra and panties )

( Not big Bloomers!! )

* Stop Smoking

* Get to "ONEderland"

* Make "Goal" by Dec. ( drastic... but am hoping )

I know ther is alot more... just what came to mind...

[Malaika 50]

Welcome Lachelle and thanks for the words of encouragement -- you definitely have to have a positive attitude - good out - good in is what I always say. I can't wait to lose all my weight and achieve new goals and buy a size 10 ... heck I'd be happy with a 12~ Thanks for sharing and keep on posting - we look forward to your words of wisdom and suggestions!

[Ruthi 60]

I want to fit into a size 8 again.

I want to be able to dry myself after my shower without paying extra attention to all of the folds. The area under the girls is ok

[DownInSocal 12]

The area under the girls never seems to dry does it? I wander around nakee waiting for it to dry in the morning and it still is not dry.

[Ky.hen 5]

I agree with alot of what everyone else has said, but I would like to polish my own toenails or put a bandaide on my sore toe. I would like to have more room on my lap for my grandchildren to sit. I would like to make some quilts out of my fat clothes. I would like to feel a little chill so I could put on one of those cute little sweaters. I would like to wear some sexy little shoes in a size 7 instead of a 7 1/2 extra wide. I would like to have a watch without putting in an extra link for width. I would like to wear a regular size necklas on a skinny neck. I want to see my collar bone again.