Clothing suggestions... help, nothing fits me!

Julie7741
Julie7741 Posts: 93 Member
in Motivation and Support
I have NO pants. I am a teacher. School starts next week and I have zero long pants that fit me. I have lost 45 pounds, and have gone from an 18 to something between a 10 and 12...

I am uncomfortable in my own body- weird. You would think I would be happy, but I am used to baggy clothes and am kind of miserable trying to find things that fit right.

I tried to go shopping a few days ago, looking for slacks that would be work appropriate. Nothing fits right! I have short legs, but am not "petite". 10 regulars fit in the hips, waist, etc., but are about 4 inches too long. Petites are too tight in the waist and hips, even a size 12. It was a complete disaster. I found 1 pair of pants that fit.

I guess I will have to have clothing altered. Has anyone else had clothing struggles? Any suggestions? Ugh. I hate shopping!

Thanks- I appreciate any suggestions. Brands that might fit well, etc.

Julie
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Replies

  • melindadunston
    melindadunston Posts: 157
    Getting pants hemmed should be fairly cheap. Do you know anyone that would do it for you for cheap. That would be my best suggestion.
  • jamiem1102
    jamiem1102 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Do they have to be pants? While you're losing weight, it might be easier to get dresses, because even if you lose more weight, you can make a dress look like it fits by wearing a belt. :)

    I REALLY hate pant shopping too, so I avoid it if I can. Good luck!
  • AJ_Pete
    AJ_Pete Posts: 863 Member
    Maxi dresses and cardigans. Maxi dresses.... and cardigans.
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    There are a lot of thrift shops in my town and even a couple of consignment stores. I hope you can find some pants there! You can buy them for 2-10 dollars a pair of pants then if you need to, take to the tailor to alter for 10-15 bucks.
  • KrazyAsianNic
    KrazyAsianNic Posts: 1,227 Member
    I have the same problem with pants, they fit nice everywhere but length. I just hem them myself.
  • kathleennf
    kathleennf Posts: 606 Member
    One time I saw an article that referenced a website where you could put in your measurements and it would tell you what size would fit you depending on the brand. Problem is I have looked for it since and can't find it. Anyone? I need to do some shopping soon too!
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    Buy the 10 regulars that fit fine. Hemming is very easy. If you don't know someone who can sew for you check with dry cleaners, they often can do or have someone who does alterations. Since it is just a hem it will be cheap and quick. I have seen a lot of home seamstresses charge $3-$8 per pair depending on where you are at. You could try Craigslist and post in gigs. I periodically cruise through there and see if there is anything I can do. Assuming a standard hem with no decorations or strange shape going on I would charge $5 per pair.
  • macsgirl526
    macsgirl526 Posts: 80
    I am short. 5'1 to be exact.Its hard for me to find stuff that fits right length wise. I wear lots of capris. Can you wear them? You can dress them up pretty easily. Good luck!!
  • Laura8603
    Laura8603 Posts: 590 Member
    Find a big thrift store. Tons of different brands there. I started going to Goodwill when I was losing and still go there now. I always find great clothing at great prices.
  • junipuni
    junipuni Posts: 264 Member
    I have had this problem before as well. I'm 5'4" and just barely too "tall" for petites. At least, I find them to be too short for my liking. The best route that I have gone is to find pants where you can get them in different lengths - short, medium, tall. Typically, the short works pretty well for me.
  • rmartin72
    rmartin72 Posts: 1,085 Member
    A lot of the dry cleaners do alertations
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Hemming is easy. Fold to the right length, pin in place, iron, stitch, and cut off the excess.
  • gigibenton
    gigibenton Posts: 123 Member
    Hem tape...the fusible type that you apply with an iron is easy and holds up well. I use it all the time.
  • kathleennf
    kathleennf Posts: 606 Member
    http://whatsmysize.com/clothing/
  • Artemis726
    Artemis726 Posts: 587 Member
    Buy what fits around the waist and hem. I have also had more success with low rise styles and wearing heeled boots/shoes. :) congrats on your loss!
  • skcastro
    skcastro Posts: 13 Member
    Hemming is your new BFF. I'm short and a size 12/13 and I ALWAYs have to get my pants hemmed. Its a pain in the *kitten* but you have to do it if you want to look nice. Also if your good with a need and thread you can always stitch the pants inside. (I do it!!! Shhh lol)
  • JAGgirl47
    JAGgirl47 Posts: 70 Member
    There are a lot of thrift shops in my town and even a couple of consignment stores. I hope you can find some pants there! You can buy them for 2-10 dollars a pair of pants then if you need to, take to the tailor to alter for 10-15 bucks.
    I have found the thrift stores are great because on one rack you'll find a variety of cuts and brands, whereas your typical store carries it's favorite brands. Thrift stores help me identify the designers that have a cut that fit me well, so I always have the option of getting it "new" somewhere else, but for replenishing the wardrobe fast, this is the way to go.
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    I am pear shaped and short and find that Old Navy has fold over waistband jersey skirts that fit well and you can adjust the length by folding over the waist. Also Gap often fits me and Athleta (which is pricey but watch for sales) has pants with an inner drawstring tie so there's no gape in the back.
  • Uxorial
    Uxorial Posts: 38
    It you are in Canada, two stores, Ricki's and Reitmans have a number of styles and they are smallish stores so the staff is willing to help.

    I often throw myself on the mercy of the sales person and explain my problem. They know the cut of what they have in stock and can help you avoid frustration.
  • otrlynn
    otrlynn Posts: 273 Member
    You might want to try Lands End slacks. Some large Sears stores carry Land's End clothing (so that you can try it on). Otherwise, their telephone operators are quite helpful. Most styles of their pants can be ordered in whatever length you want (hemming is free). Although I think that their quality has decreased a bit in recent years, they do stand by their products and freely make refunds or exchanges as requested. www.landsend.com

    Also, try to stick with black or neutral colors until you hit your final size. No one will know that you are alternating between your three pairs of black slacks, or have a half dozen different ones.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I have NO pants. I am a teacher. School starts next week and I have zero long pants that fit me. I have lost 45 pounds, and have gone from an 18 to something between a 10 and 12...

    I am uncomfortable in my own body- weird. You would think I would be happy, but I am used to baggy clothes and am kind of miserable trying to find things that fit right.

    I tried to go shopping a few days ago, looking for slacks that would be work appropriate. Nothing fits right! I have short legs, but am not "petite". 10 regulars fit in the hips, waist, etc., but are about 4 inches too long. Petites are too tight in the waist and hips, even a size 12. It was a complete disaster. I found 1 pair of pants that fit.

    I guess I will have to have clothing altered. Has anyone else had clothing struggles? Any suggestions? Ugh. I hate shopping!

    Thanks- I appreciate any suggestions. Brands that might fit well, etc.

    Julie

    story of my life. I have to wear judo pants to work out in 'cause regular workout pants, or even yoga pants are miles too long. I had one pair of yoga pants, and I had to cut 8 inches off to make them mid-calf length!

    It is a rare occurrence for me to find jeans that don't need to be rolled up--sometimes even petite jeans have to be rolled once!
  • velloxal
    velloxal Posts: 78 Member
    I am opposite I have long legs.:bigsmile:

    Target, KMart and Millers have 3 pants sizes - long fit, medium fit and short fit,:bigsmile: you will have to check it on the price tag.
    You should ask other shops as well about those pants sizes.

    Good luck:happy:
  • Julie7741
    Julie7741 Posts: 93 Member
    Thank you to everyone...
    Several great ideas :)


    My Grandma called tonight and said she has a 30% off at Kohl's... Dockers have always fit well before. So, I'm hoping for some luck there. If not, I'm going to buy some 10 regulars and have them hemmed. I've got 15 lbs to go, so I'm hoping I might not lose a whole lot more from my legs and behind. I've been doing lots of cycling, and have built up some muscle in my legs. So, I'm thinking my pants size might not change much more. I don't care what size I end up- I'll be glad to quit buying clothes. I hate pants shopping. The only thing worse is swimwear :)
  • kmb7923
    kmb7923 Posts: 9 Member
    I am short and have found that Ann Taylor petite sizes tend to run a little larger than most other brands. I can usually buy just one size larger in Petites than in their regular sizes.
  • doneatfour
    doneatfour Posts: 120 Member
    Are you talking about: sizes.darkgreener.com? Bust, waist and hip measurements return sizes for some popular stores.
  • doneatfour
    doneatfour Posts: 120 Member
    Oops. My response (sizes.darkgreener.com) was for this:
    One time I saw an article that referenced a website where you could put in your measurements and it would tell you what size would fit you depending on the brand. Problem is I have looked for it since and can't find it. Anyone? I need to do some shopping soon too!
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    Most dry cleaners shops do shortening of pants for about $10 or less.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    getting your pant tailored at a dry cleaners is so cheap and easy it's ridiculous.

    just go try on some pants that fit and buy them try them on with the type shoes you'd wear and use a piece of tape, or pin or staple the location where you need the pants hemmed. take them to a dry cleaner and pick up after a few days. you can get several pants done for relatively cheap
  • paint_it_black
    paint_it_black Posts: 208 Member
    Hem tape...the fusible type that you apply with an iron is easy and holds up well. I use it all the time.

    This, this and this again. If you're new to hemming this stuff is super forgiving, you can wet and heat it again to remove it. Also using hair straighteners instead of an iron when its on a short seam like a sleeve or trouser leg is much easier.
  • misslou7
    misslou7 Posts: 42 Member
    Do what I do - skirts, tights and boots. I'm an hourglass shape so standard sizes never fit me properly and skirts are much more flattering on my thighs :smile:

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