When a NSV is not a NSV
40andFindingFitness
Posts: 497 Member
While shopping for the holidays I realized I am now purchasing L & XL shirts and 16 pants. A friend told me I was out of plus sizes but I told her that she was wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't plus size considered 14 and up?
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Im not sure with US sizes. In uk its 16 up i think. Well done though. Its a victory neverthless0
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14 is considered plus size by "industry" standards as far as models and plus size stores, but the actual clothing in most reasonably priced stores goes up to 18 and XL in Women's and starts at 16W-18W or 1X in Plus Sizes... Some ladies can wear a 16W but not an 18, due to certain parts of the cut. If your size 16 has no letters with it, I believe that is officially not plus sized... Of course one brand's 14 is another brand's 8, so who the heck really knows. Either way, if you don't have to go to the special section, I call it a WIN!0
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I think it varies by brand and store. The last store I went to i couldn't find a single 14 in the plus department. Almost started to panic until someone pointed out they were in the regular department. I just have to try on everything these days.0
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I checked a few stores online and many had missed up to 18 and plus sizes starting at 16. So according to those stores you can be a 16 and be regular or plus at the same time. Bizarre. I wish stores would all follow the same size chart because it can get confusing. Anyway thanks to you lovely ladies I'll take it as a NSV and keep pushing.0
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*misses not missed0
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The differences in the two size 16 tends to be in the cut - different crotch depths and thigh widths, if I remember correctly. The "plus size" versions tend to think of people as "short little fat girls" so to speak, whereas the "traditional" 16 is seen more as taller and natural figure...basically, traditional is cut more for a younger figure (no childbearing hips, etc.) and plus size is cut for a mature figure (extra years, disproportioned weight distribution, etc.). That is kind of a way to think of it...
And hell, the fashion industry thinks women are so vain that they need that ego boost no matter what. Maybe we need to start a petition to get standardized sizing the same way men's pants are measured in inches...period. I just know most women don't want to have to face the reality of their size on a daily basis, hence the reason that we "hide" behind what a number represents... Sad, but true.0 -
Then they go and throw "juniors" sizes into the mix too. Those are usually the odd number sizes but do we really need three different sizes? Vanity sizing is a big thing. I tried on a pair of jeans in a 12 that when I lay them on top of a 16 from another brand are almost the exact same measurements. I agree with your "short little fat girls" theory. We don't have many stores to choose from in our area but all the plus size stuff is drab and overly full cut like they are trying to hide the fat people in the background. I know there is nice stuff out there but I just don't have the money or the courage to order online.
Even men's sizes aren't consistent between the brands. My husband tried on a 38 in one brand and had to go to a 42 in a different brand...any guesses which ones he bought? Men can be just as bad about the vanity thing.0 -
That is so crazy. Just so everyone knows, the "short little fat girls" phrase is one my fiance affectionately uses when he tells me how much he loves my curves and assets. LOL It has become a total inside joke, and I meant absolutely no disrespect to anyone.
Okay, that said, I'm totally laughing, Wennim, at your husband and the vanity sizing thing. But usually for me, from everything to man parts to power tools to clothing, bigger is supposed to be better, but I'm betting he went with the 38's to match his trim figure.
LOL!
Yes, I think we need to demand standard sizing. While it may make someone feel better to "finally fit into a size 12" or whatever, it is equally as demoralizing to the woman who has struggled so hard to find that she thought she was a size 14, but she was in the vanity brand, so she's really a size 18-20 in most of the other brands. That would crush someone whose self esteem was still in the fragile stage. However, if there were industry standards, we could all have a realistic set of expectations. I know there will be different cuts and all kinds of variations, but seriously? I'd rather be able to go by the same size in everything rather than have to try on 400 pairs, get so frustrated I want to punch things, then leave with NOTHING because I can't remember what the heck fit! Even worse, right now I'm at that stage where if it is comfortable sitting down, it is almost falling off standing up. But if it fits standing up, it almost cuts off circulation sitting down. Despite the progress marker of not HAVING to have elastic waistbands anymore, I'm almost willing to go back to them to eliminate this issue...
Argh...got me on a roll, you did! I imagine this discussion could take YEARS...
As far as online stores, I know Lane Bryant has good quality merchandise, and I've been told Torrid is very good for larger figures. Avenue, Cato's, etc. should be decent, also. All should have measuring charts to show actual numbers of what size goes with what waist/hips, etc. I've bought at most of these in store, but not online too much. If you watch for clearance and sales, stack with coupons (you can usually sign up for a newsletter for free), you can get some really great deals. One year I got a ton of Lane Bryant shirts for like $3.50 per shirt... Good luck!!!0 -
With you on the sitting down standing up thing. My size 20 skinny jeans (and I'm aware skinny is a relative term at my size) are completely baggy in the *kitten* and thighs but my 18s don't do up so I suspect I'm a '19'. And it's all about your body make up too. I'm 2lb heavier than my sis but a size heavier because I carry mine round my waist and hips so it's harder to get jeans on whereas my sister carries all hers in her legs (literally. We compared measurements and I was higher on most by a cpl inches here and there but she's got an extra six and a half inches per thigh to me) meaning as long as she's got the cut right can wear smaller jeans. I also don't tolerate tight clothes well and have my c sec overhang so I'm resigned to the bigger trousers whereas my sis is happy to shoehorn her jeans on0
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I'm glad I wasn't the only one confused. I also see juniors plus and wondered about those sizes as well but I wouldn't wear most of what I see in the juniors section anyway (too tight, too short, etc.). I need a cheat sheet just to shop. What's funny is I never used to go into the dressing room because I'd grab my plus sized top or bottoms, check out and everything fit. Now I'll have to go into the dressing room because nothing seems to add up. And let's not forget vanity sizes that will have you thinking you've lost your mind. Oh the lies these tags tell.
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »That is so crazy. Just so everyone knows, the "short little fat girls" phrase is one my fiance affectionately uses when he tells me how much he loves my curves and assets. LOL It has become a total inside joke, and I meant absolutely no disrespect to anyone.
I thought you were talking about me since I AM a short little fat girl. lmao0 -
I'm in the Short Little Fat Girl club, too. And I bet even if I got back to like 150 or something, he would still call me that because I'm mostly T&A...lol. I'm 5'4" and rocking the 250 or so I am right now... Last time I was below 200 was about 14-15 years ago. I was 200 on the dot checking into the hospital at 9 months pregnant, in labor with my daughter! LOL
As for jeans fit, even as large as I am, when people do body shape analysis, I get hourglass shape because I have a large bust line, I pinch in at the waist, and have what is called here in the states a "ghetto bootie." I have the stretched out belly overhang too, though I didn't have a c-section, I carried my daughter almost entirely externally... I looked like a had a beach ball under my skin... It was great other than the backaches and horrendous stretch marks. LMAO!
I don't think I shopped in Juniors when I was one... I think Juniors is supposed to be the younger look/cuts, Misses is the slightly more mature but still youthful stuff, and Women is the 30-something types. Of course Junior Plus would be for the hip heavy girls, and Women's Plus is self explanatory. I don't think Misses has a Plus version I've seen anywhere - guess they figure you can find something in one of the other areas!!
Oh, and Wennim - Cato's has cuter stuff for larger ladies for really reasonably priced, if you're wanting to feel sassy without breaking the bank. I LOVELOVELOVE catching their clearance. They even have the sassy undergarments, too - and on clearance those things can be $1 for lower half and $3-$5 for upper half! 0 -
I'm on their site right now with 6 things in my cart already. I've been slowly updating my wardrobe with items that actually fit. I've been walking around baggy for too long. Time for another donation bag.0
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Lol, I am 5'4" too.
How did I not know about Cato's? I just spent half hour on the site. Since I bought a couple of things in my new size now I can't stand wearing the bigger baggy ones so I need to redo my closet. I could only find the shape wear on the site though no underwear. Since I have gone from a 46 G to a 38 DD I want cute fun underthings instead of the standard white, black or nude of the larger sizes.
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Find a local store!!! That is the best way. They have lacy and skimpy things...and solid/sturdy matching upper things... I've gotten an ensemble for less than $10!!0
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Shoot there aren't even any in my state. Guess I will continue on my quest for fancy underthings.
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If you wanna pm your sizes (they run up to size 12 in bottoms, normal sizes in tops), I can keep an eye out... I would say a size twelve fits similar to briefs from like fruit of the loom in about a 12... Tops, the side bands are narrower (you know, where side boobs hang out...lol), so I still don't like them, as I haven't trimmed up there are they cut, you know...sizes are reasonable if you are in knowing your size.0
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I am 5-3 and 223 so another short fat girl (uk size 20 here). Mind you I was 5-3 and 270 so I know what I prefer! I carry in my hips and belly with an awful overhang meaning even though I am same weight as my sis shes 1-2 sizes smaller as I simply cant 'fold' my belly into anything smaller yet. Ive got very little flab relatively on my legs and arms though. They are big (26.5in thighs and 15in arms) but are pretty much solid. Id love to be able to afford to have my tummy whipped off but pipe dreams0
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I was 5'4" and between 335-350, so I've got you beat. If you go to my profile, the picture of me in the green t-shirt is the largest photographic evidence I've found...0
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I will look when not on phone later. On my profile is a collage of me at 19-4 is and then one I made at 16-11 so 2.5 stone down. Am going to do more at 15-4 when I'm 4 stone down too. Sent my best bud a selfie last night and she said she can see a different just since seeing her end oct/start nov0
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Spent the weekend shopping and I'm excited that I'll be wearing clothes that actually fit (for now). I even got a compliment yesterday from a family member who told me that my thighs look at lot slimmer. LOL They had no idea what was lurking under my baggy clothes. I suggest shopping for sizes that fit when you're down more than two sizes. I was still wearing 22s and taking them in. Ugh.0
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