tznius, youthful, plus sized clothing? what styles?

amother ↓

Thu, Aug 27 2009, 12:18 am

I'm newly postpartum, and still very large. Long term, I'm working on losing the weight, but short term, I am quite large (size 18-20?).

So, just had baby, and just went back to school with people much younger. I am 30, but my face/sheital look a few years younger. I'm really embarrassed about my clothing. I usually wear a long sleeved t-shirt and a long black skirt. Do you have any ideas for styles that would be flattering?

I don't look good in the long white shirt with a colorful t-shirt on top look.

Any ideas? weblinks? friends who dress well that you reommend I speak with??
thanks

Imaonwheels

Thu, Aug 27 2009, 1:05 am

I used to be too large to choose, tent was the only style available and only in black. Now that I am closer to where you are now I am starting to develop a style again. I am surely older but do not agree to dress old.

Here is some of what I do:
Straight skirt, base top and sleeveless to mid thigh over. The sleeveless is not baggy but not clingy. These I generally wear to work.
3/4 polo or button down that is not snug and the right length
Fuller, ankle length skirt with tunic . Not the old style tunics that date you but rather what is in here now

this idea but not in those colors for me, this I wear around the yishuv, casual outings
For every day and working around the house I have these paper thin but not sheer hooded tees that look like layers with 3/4 sleeves and a "useful" plain skirt.

A lot can be done by choosing colors that are not black/navy/brown. I have chosen turquoise as my color but I wear others as well. The color done creatively with neutrals (black, white, grey, brown) can really be beautiful. I have a beach brite turquoise cami that I wear over a white or black base with a skir that matches the base.

Experiment with skirt lengths and fabrics. The tight just past the knee so popular even among overweight frum Anglos does not look young on us, it looks cheap or ridiculous. A 3/4 or ankle length is so much more flattering.

Avoid the moo moo look of the 60s.

I have now started buying tops that can be worn alone. winter will be easier as sweaters and knits come in so many flattering styles and colors.

A lot depends on your shape and how busty you are. All large women are not created equal. Are you generally straight but have xtra in front or behind or are you wide on the hips/backside? You don't have to tell uss. Just to be awawre that if you are generally straight more skirts will flatter you and if you are wide it is best to avoid clingy skirts that show every bump. The more busty you are the more an over will flatter you. Plain t's are probably not your best bet.

I second landsend

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Aug 27 2009, 11:34 am

if you want Hamptons, then Lands End or J Crew. I've had decent luck at Jessica London online and they have decently "trendy w/o being too trendy" type clothes. I tend to shy away from the trapeze tops or the ones with the seam under the bustline. They might be attractive, but I always look pregnant.

I find oxford shirts open with a nice layered shirt underneath and a straight but longish skirt to be the best look for me unless I'm just hanging out, in which case I have a longish black and longish brown flippy skirt I wear with the long sleeve tee with short-sleeve over it look. I've added some corals, pinks and purples to vary the black and white thing.

Good luck. You can also try ebay, but make sure you know your measurements -- I find it's better to measure a piece of clothing that fits me well, rather than try to use my body measurements.

↑ amother ↓

Thu, Aug 27 2009, 12:45 pm

Lands End sounds like what you're looking for.

Lane Bryant is very into trends and you can get some cute tznius stuff there, but you have to know your body. I find that I have a big bust and stomach, but no behind and I"m shorter, so some of the clothes don't fit as they should.

Look for structured clothing. Jackets look good, and old navy has jackets that if you buy the XXL, will fit you. I am an 18 - with a 40DDD, and the XLs fit me (depending on the style) so try there. Go for shorter skirts.

I love oldnavy because they're relatively cheap (much cheaper than land's end) and if you'll IYH lose it, it's better to spend less. On the other side, depending on what you buy depends on whether spending the extra is worth it.

Check this out:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=5585

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....17002

oldnavy is also good because you can sort of still fit into their "regular" sizes at 18 &20.

good luck and let us know what you found!

↑ amother ↓

Fri, Aug 28 2009, 2:23 am

op here:
Thanks for all of your ideas. I'm going to "go shopping" sometime next week (probably at 3 am).

I think hamptons wasn't exactly what I meant. I just mean nice, but not overly formal. Yeshivish style is often too fancy for me, but I try to keep that level of tsnious.

In case anyone has more ideas, I'll answer some questions. I'm more hourglass, except my large stomach. I am 5'7", my chest is not large considering (36D), my shoulders are broad, my lower half is large, my legs are really not nice looking. I only wear long skirts.

I do prefer to wear clothes from regular lines, for this reason :
http://www.doublex.com/section.....sizes

Thanks again!!

pomegranate

Fri, Aug 28 2009, 9:10 am

amother wrote:

I don't get the oxford shirt thing? do both shirts have collars? does only one have long sleeves? thanks.

↑ PinkFridge

Fri, Aug 28 2009, 9:30 am

I do prefer to wear clothes from regular lines, for this reason :
http://www.doublex.com/section.....sizes

Thanks again!![/quote]

That article explains why I can walk into KMart (which believe it or not usually has a few cute pieces or more a season; even Oprah features the occasional item in "slumming" fashion spreads) and see entirely different items in plus sizes. When I really liked the regular stuff and can't always get into extra large Sad

↑ amother

Fri, Aug 28 2009, 4:12 pm

amother wrote:

Does anyone have any ideas for me?
I'm a 34B( about a 12) and a size 16 on bottom. Pear shaped Exploding anger

I have a hard time finding skirts that are right for me and would love any guidance that you kind ladies
could give me.
thanks in advance