For women only ....

[Deleted]

...lads, if you've opened this thread please go away now !

Fellow (?) female boarders - am I the only 40+ woman who can't find anything to wear? Trawled the shops yesterday looking for a pair of jeans that didn't come half-way down my bum, making me feel very uncomfortable when bending over, or that were so skinny-legged the circulation in my calves was being cut off. Fruitless search! Ditto the search for T-shirts that actually cover my tummy. Is it just me? Or is there a conspiracy against women of a certain age, forcing us either to dress unbecomingly like our teenage daughters or like somebody from the Royle Family? ... right, rant over ...

[4pygmies]

A FATBAGS clothing line for middle aged women who've actually had children and/or love gardening and aren't worried about it? Eco friendly and made to fit women with child bearing hips, waists (what's one of them?) and who've been overcome by the dictates of gravity! Absolutely no mention of looking sexy, being smart, sending out "messages" and ideal for shopping/weightlifting for the average household, walking the dog, baking/ painting/playing with small persons, made to fit without the use of safety pins, belts etc at all times of the month and never likely to be "cool" ever. (And not all brown, black, beige.....with horrid flowery patterns the size of China all over them). And PROPER POCKETS! I think FATBAGS would make a fortune!


Oh and REALLY washable.......

[piggingardener]

Oh CC - how very right you are!

Being of somewhat larger proportions as well as being middle aged I know exactly what you mean. I've resorted to buying mens tee shirts and altering them, and there's a lot to be said for the elasticated waist IMO.

I need to buy a nice top for my company's Christmas do, Lord only knows where I'll get anything suitable. Sigh!

AND - sizes are getting smaller - no they really are. Some of my older clothes which I still wear and are comfy, are one or two sizes smaller than the sizes now - a conspiracy methinks!!

[piggingardener]

4pygmies - Put me down for a catalogue NOW!!!!

[Chuckles]

Oh CC tell me about it I get in a tiz as a nearly 49 yr old with these low waisted and skinny legged jeans. Been there done that as they say . I do have some low wasted ones that are stretchy and feel quite comfy if you wear a belt, but I do wear a longer top to keep me old back warm

I recently found some nice jeans in Wallis, boot leg, slight stretch and nice fit all round for me anyway, had to get a brown pair and a black pair coz they fitted soooooooo nice ;D ;D.

Don't lose heart CC keep looking

[Deleted]

Me too, please - I think FATBAGS would make a fortune! PG, you're dead right about sizes getting smaller ... oh well, at least we don't live in the States where they have size 0 (I kid you not ... zero!!!) ... cheers ...

[sleepysunday]

I feel a bit naughty, but I've read this thread all the way through

hehehehehe ;D

[Plocket]

So when's this FATBAGS catalogue going to be launched then???

Good luck with your jeans search CC!!!

[4pygmies]

Just in case Sir Alan or any other enterprising businessman looking for a new business is reading this FATBAGS is a non profit making organisation. (But it was my acronym and I'm open for any discussions about becoming the first short fat clothing millionairess in Norfolk............PM's addressed to 4pygmies will be completely confidential).

[Plocket]

Erm... could you make it for the not so short ladies too??? ;D

[sweetleaf]

I had to be talked out of buying a pair of maternity jeans from Dotty P`s by my daughter, it made sense to me to have a pair that fit whatever the time of the month ....go ahead, laugh, but I may sneak back and get them anyway!

[magrich]

I admit it...........I read in a magazine that high waisted trousers were coming back in style and got really excited..........then found that what they meant by high waisted was under the bust.

it really does seem top be almost impossible to buy clothes that actually cover you up. Trousers stop inches below the waist, tops stop inches above.

If like me, you are not only well endowed in years, but also in body it is soul destroying trying to buy clothes. Please put me on your mailing list when the catalogue comes out.

Just one other wish...having tried some of the catalogues 'for the discerning 'etcc could you possibly make them affordable.

[Cheerypeabrain]

It's the same here..I go into the average high street stores and walk around tutting when I look at the badly made blouses and skirts...The sizes ARE getting smaller PG..I think it's to do with where they are made....I used to rely on good old M&S, Monsoon and Next...but not any more...there's no standardisation...in M&S I seem to have ballooned up to a MINOURMOUS size..in Next the skirts and trousers I buy are always 2 sizes smaller than the tops...and I certainly aint top heavy!
My niece keeps dragging me away from the 'Dash' section...'Nooooooooo'...and the 'Classics' dept of M&S because at least the stuff's relativelty well made (ooh look A HEM!!) and comfy looking . The only clothes I like now I can't afford.....

Even if I was thinner I wouldn't like the clothing on offer at the moment. My wardrobe nowadays consists largely of black, long sleeved woolly jumpers (M&S machine wash and tumble dry) denim skirts in various guises (straight, flared, long, shortish) the odd lined on-the-knee smart skirt, or jeans. Flat shoes (ecco) and black woolly tights. I've been wearing this stuff for YEARS and can't think of owt else that I'd be comfy in....sigh....

[Cheerypeabrain]

AND I can't be doing with all the frills they're sticking everywhere at the moment so Monsoon's off my list now too....

[sweetleaf]

I forgot to mention jumpers with arms that are so short that if I wear them I look like a chimpanzee, I used to rely on a knitting service but last time I rang her I got the discontinued tone
I cant knit for toffee...anyone want a jumper shaped fishing net?

[Plocket]

Trousers UNDER THE BUST?? OMG what a horrendous thought!!!

[Plocket]

sweetleaf said:

I forgot to mention jumpers with arms that are so short that if I wear them I look like a chimpanzee

We should get together Sweetleaf - I always find that sleeves are too long!!!

[Cheerypeabrain]

Trousers UNDER THE BUST?? OMG what a horrendous thought!!!

I think my old Dad's wearing those already..... ;D
(NAUGHTY CPB!! sorry Dad)

[sweetleaf]

I always say that I was born deformed, short body- long arms and legs, to get a jumper with arms as long as mine I have to go up 3 sizes and end up wearing a sack!
Handy in shops though, and I always help out shorter people ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

I bought some nice jeans from Cotton Trader the other day that fit on my waist - I don't like hipsters, did those when I was a teenager. ;D

Here is a link to a company I use from time to time - you can tell them what length you would like your trouser/jeans or buy them to hem up yourself.

www.landsend.co.uk/page/home

It is an American company with American sizes BTW

[Juliet]

plocket said:

Erm... could you make it for the not so short ladies too??? ;D

Could you also make it for short but not so fat ladies who also want trousers which reach their waists (I have slim hips & hipsters just fall down ), with pockets they can fit useful things in? In colours other than khaki and pale pink?

Actually, I've recently bought a few things from this company: www.bonprixsecure.com/uk/home.htm?id=181546924445289448-0-448de3c1 & been quite pleased with them - the trousers are not all hipsters and a lot of them do have pockets and a lot of the tops cover your bum & they have sensible fleeces & cardis which also have pockets & the clothes don't all look as though they are designed for either fashion victim teenagers or my great-grandmother. They are also very cheap, so you can wear them to garden in, though some of them say to machine wash at 30. And if you don't want sexy, don't look at the underwear (they are a French company!)! The only problem is the customer services aren't great & they take 2 weeks to get stuff to you & about 6 weeks to process returns if you want a refund for anything.

I've also bought things from Cotton Traders but don't like that you have to pay postage both ways - for both delivery & returns - don't mind paying for delivery if I'm ordering a reasonable amount of stuff but if something doesn't fit I think they should pay for the return - Cotton Traders expect you to pay & to take out parcel insurance as well!

[Deleted]

Fortunately there is a Cotton Traders shop in my local town

[Juliet]

Ah - well, that would be alright - I liked the clothes I got from them. But I'd forgotten when I posted that it was possible to buy clothes in shops <doh> - I do nearly all my shopping online now.

[Chuckles]

I get so frustrated with sizes I'm a 12/14 top and a 14/16 bottom. However I find that across different brands the sizes vary so much. Can't wear slim leg trousers or high legged boots, I call my legs "The Mighty Oaks" ;D. And as for sleeves, why are they so tight . I look at other people and think I'm no different to the average woman on the street so who do these clothes fit

I like to shop for bargains at a large outlet in Grantham every now and again www.boundarymill.co.uk/V3/home.html another one I go to in Nottingham is www.tkmaxx.co.uk/storelocator/find.asp, have to say you need patience in both these stores, don't go if you are particularly looking for something.

[Deleted]

So you've been to Downtown Garden Centre then BusyBee? ;D

[piggingardener]

sweetleaf said:

I always say that I was born deformed, short body- long arms and legs, to get a jumper with arms as long as mine I have to go up 3 sizes and end up wearing a sack!
Handy in shops though, and I always help out shorter people ;D ;D ;D

Buy mens jumpers Sweetleaf, the arms are much longer!!

[isabella]

Tights are the bane of my life - it doesn't matter that there is a size chart on the back of the package - I have tried large, extra large ,extra extra large but do they fit -NO!

I am 5'7" and usually a size 20 - so am on the very cuddly side!!

If tights have 1 seam up one side and 2 seams the other they fit me - if only 1 seam up each side -no chance!!

M&S have only one seam!

Sainsbury's used to have a size ' fuller figure' - perfect! Can I get them now? No!

Can someone settle an argument I have with my sister - she says the 2 seams go to the front - I say to the back ( for my big bum)( am I allowed to say that?)

Well,rant over - thanks for listening! Best Wishes Pam

[Plocket]

Oh I refuse to wear tights Isabella - they MUST have been designed by men!!! And two seams go to the BACK!

Have you tried looking in Evans Isabella? www.evans.ltd.uk/promostores/Evans/index.html?make_live=yes&promo=

[Juliet]

I gave up on tights years ago (along with bras) - am allergic to nylon so I just can't wear them. I buy long skirts & long socks to go with them - or trousers.

Oh - and as I recall, even if you're generally a size 12 with a small enough bum to wear pants in size 8-10, it's still impossible to find a pair of tights which aren't uncomfortably tight ... what kind of sadist is manufacturing these things?!

[Juliet]

Ah, I think you've answered my question Plocket