Why dont stores realize there are petite fat woman out here?

[Mkrop]

Well yesterday was not fun. I need a dress for an upcoming wedding and I went shopping yesterday along with the rest of the world since it was rainy here. I went to every store in the mall and no one carries petite dresses and everything is so open. I am not a prude but I just feel my arms are chunky so I am not crazy about sleevelss and I am short so regular dresses look like gowns on me. I went into Macys and ask the sales person where the petite dresses were and she just laughed. She said I think we have one in the petite section which I bought, havent tried it on for DH yet) and then said you can just try the ones in other section and hope they arent too long! or ge them tailored, like I have that kind of time and money!

Ahhhh I dream of being a normal height......

 

[Christine]

I know you think the fashion industry is targeting just you, but really, they are not!!

I am 5'7" and not overweight. I can't find any dresses EITHER. Dresses are a scarce commodity these days and if you do find one, it will usually NOT have sleeves, be low-cut, or not have back! I have not bought much in the way of dresses in YEARS.

You may have more luck shopping through the Coldwater Creek catalog. They have more dresses than anyone, they are cut somewhat full, and they do offer some things in petites. However, being a taller person, I find that even their long stuff isn't long enough for me. But their clothes do seem to be more conservatively cut.

I've also seen some okay stuff at J.C. Penney's.

You might also want to try separates. Like a nice linen skirt (they are big now) with a 3/4 sleeve blouse over top. This is what I look for for my work clothes.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

For the same reason that they don't realize that all tall women are NOT fat. They make for normal people and anyone else oh well.

 

[shortbun]

Try Talbots Petite. I know what you mean. I took my 77 yo Mom out shopping yesterday. We went to Chico's, Ann Taylor and one other nice woman's store. All dresses and nice tops were sleeveless. WTH? My Mother said she was headed to Target where the regular people shop, lol! I'm thinking there will be loads of sleeveless items on the sale racks too.

 

[MushyMushy]

I often have the same problem and I'm not even a "petite" height! Everything I try to buy is way too long.

I agree with you on the sleeveless thing too. I'll see the prettiest blouses or dresses and refuse to buy them because they don't have sleeves, or the sleeves are too short. Things like that just aren't flattering on most fat women.

 

[Christine]

IThings like that just aren't flattering on most fat women.

Nor are they flattering on most women past 40 unless you work your arms out all the time.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

My upper arms are the one area that I'm always trying to work on. I hate sleeveless and the tight cap sleeves. I heard one fashion advisor say that cap sleeves are flattering on everyone He obviously hadn't seen me.

I'm soooo looking forward to a year when all dresses aren't sleeveless.


Rachel

 

[bicker]

It is interesting. I've been extremely obese. I've been thinner than average. And now I'm pretty-much in-between. And I always find cases where there are items available for sale in EVERY size EXCEPT MINE!

 

[Mkrop]

Nor are they flattering on most women past 40 unless you work your arms out all the time.

Yeah but I see them wearing them all the time and I think is it just me, should I get over the fact that my arms wiggle too much to be sleeveless. My DBF laughs and says when I start talking like this I make it sound like I am 700 lbs and that I should just wear this stuff. Yeah her with her perfect body (well except for now that she is 7 months pregnant )

I am 38, 5'2" and ususally a size 14. But my body is so mushy and out of shape, and with the kids I just cant seem to get to the gym, I did real good b4 our Disney trip now with them out of school. Ugh

Sorry for the pity party, I am just frustrated and DBF wonders why I hate shopping!

 

[Laura]

I hear you! I generally avoid dresses and go for separates, but dressy tops can be too skimpy too.

A few years ago I was getting married and looking for wedding dresses. Sooo many of them were sleeveless or even totally strapless. It seems like almost every wedding gown nowadays is strapless--what's up with that?

 

[MushyMushy]

It is interesting. I've been extremely obese. I've been thinner than average. And now I'm pretty-much in-between. And I always find cases where there are items available for sale in EVERY size EXCEPT MINE!

Must be some kind of Murphy's law.

 

[swilphil]

Kohl's has a good petite section, but I'm not sure how many dresses. I had a terrible time finding dresses in the spring. Talbot's, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor Loft are your best bet, but many of them are sleeveless.

 

[PatsMom]

JC Penney catalog has some women's petite sizes. That's where I head when I have to buy something. I hate buying clothes. Dresses I just wear too long usually or try to find a style that can be hemmed fairly easily. Pants are horrendous when you are "short and squat" as I sometimes describe myself. Fortunately I work with a wonderful woman who will hem for me. But when you buy regular length pants, even hemmed, they just don't fit right. They are too long between the waistband and crotch. I guess there just aren't enough overweight short women around for the manufacturer's to make a ton of clothes for us. I have found that I have better luck on line and/or in a catalog in finding my size. I guess it really isn't profitable to take up floor space in a store!

 

[Hannathy]

They don't realize there are actual petite petite's out there either! I wear a 2-4 and the last time I tried to buy a dress for my DD's confirmation I asked the clerk "do they really think there are a lot of 5'10" size 2's walking around off the runway". Everything dragged on the floor.

Do you have a Dress Barn near you? They actually have quite a few nice dresses and they aren't all aimed at 16 or 82. And the price is reasonable.

 

[Mkrop]

Kohl's has a good petite section, but I'm not sure how many dresses. I had a terrible time finding dresses in the spring. Talbot's, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor Loft are your best bet, but many of them are sleeveless.

I usually luck out at AT and Loft but yesterday in the mall all Loft had was sleveless. I tried them just tosee but the 14s were too big (woohoo) and they were out of 12s but I still dont think I could do sleveless so it didnt really matter. I did not get to try AT bc that is in the opposite direction but when I looked online they were all sleveless but maybe I will run down b4 this wedding.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I would love to see some petite sizes that aren't designed for 85 or 16 year olds. Everytime I go shopping I either have to buy something that I should have worn to the prom or to a funeral.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Don't you know? It is the JOB of the fashion industry to make women feel fat and ugly so they will all go on WW, Jenny Craig, Nutrasystem and join Curves, Bally's and all those places. I think there is some collusion going on....

I HATE clothes shopping and have hated it since I passed 40. I avoid it like the plague. If you're not 5'7" and 125 pounds you may as well hang it up. I'm 5' 4", overweight, but not obese (unless they've changed the grid again!) and nothing I ever try on looks good on me. Thank God I have a job where I can wear Dockers and polos or I'd be dead.

 

[Mkrop]

BTW this is the dress I did get in the petite section, Sunday night evening wedding ceremony outside, reception inside.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=236243&CategoryID=19265

 

[Mkrop]

Don't you know? It is the JOB of the fashion industry to make women feel fat and ugly so they will all go on WW, Jenny Craig, Nutrasystem and join Curves, Bally's and all those places. I think there is some collusion going on....

.

Just like the weather people and the milk and bread industry. Ok you need to be in a snow state to appreciate that one

 

[Fitswimmer]

Just like the weather people and the milk and bread industry. Ok you need to be in a snow state to appreciate that one

Oh yes! I always wonder what those people DO with all that milk and bread and eggs. French toast for a week??