I previously was obese, got sick, lost a huge amount of weight, now sitting at the lower end of normal BMI but not underweight … and I can’t find small enough clothes.
I don’t want to talk to my friends about this because it sort of seems like boasting and I’m actually really uncomfortable with this whole different size thing (I got sick … I didn’t show amazing willpower and do exercise … I don’t recommend it … if I could have looked like this years ago I would have done it … I didn’t get a choice). I’ve now maintained my weight for 4 months without losing anymore (both the doctors and I are relieved).
I’m in Australia which adds to the issue (clothes are expensive here and we have less range) and I need a complete new set of clothes (my old t-shirts look like dresses). I bought some stuff online from Old Navy in petite XS … and they’re baggy and still too big! One poloshirt I got was small enough. I’m short as well which doesn’t help with sizing. I still have curves (I’m not a skeleton and still have a tubby stomach … I don’t feel like I’m smaller than many other women I see) … I have bought a couple of bits of children’s sized clothes but the shapes are wrong.
I’ve had my entire life not being able to walk into a normal store and buy things because I was over size 14 … now I’m littler I thought the problem would be gone but now I’m trying on the smallest things in the shops (size 6 Aust - so 4 USA?) and they fall off! I’m late 30’s and fairly sedate in my clothing choices … I can find expensive brand clothes online / in store that are smaller. I don’t have lots of spare money to buy fancy clothes and just need basics (summer is coming … I might need a pair of shorts?!) … and who knows … I may be obese again in a couple of months?!
Where do small women buy clothes?! I’m not ridiculously skinny?!?!?!
Oh … and whilst we’re on the topic of sizing … why is underwear oddly sized? I have no issue with that!!! I’m wearing size 10 (size 8 USA) underwear mostly … so why is the clothing so different?
Any resale shops by you? That’s my go-to for basics, pants, capris, skirts, shorts, tops and sweaters. I’ve even found a couple amazing winter coats on lucky trips. I understand it can depend on your area whether the resale shops are any good, but the city where I am they’re great. Any online review sites like Yelp there, where you can search for any nearby that might have what you need and are decent to shop at? They usually have fitting booths so you can make sure stuff fits. Some even allow returning. Different stores size things differently, so a resale shop with many different brands can also help you get an idea of what size fits you in what brand.
No matter what you do, for shopping online you HAVE to take your measurements and use their size charts. Not the ones on large marketing sites like Amazon, but the charts for the brands you’re looking at. When I do that, what I get always fits, and it’s often NOT a size I would have ordered without using their chart.
Basically you het wine and snacks and invite as many people as possible- the more the merrier so tell people to bring friends- and people can bring unwanted clothing in good condition. It works best when there are no rules: any size, any season: any style. As long as there are no tips or stains. Everyone can bring as much or as little as they like, and take as much or as little as they like. It always balances out. Anything left at the end can be donated.
I hope your health is now better/stable. What are your bust/waist/hip measurements, and your height?
Also - what’s your budget (e.g. what are you willing to spend on a pair of trousers, a skirt, a shirt, a plain top) and what style are you shopping for (e.g. casual, business, fancy wear)?
Hey, hey, I feel your pain. Sometimes I have similar issues. Just keep looking, it’s all you can do.
Of course I’m Not afraid to shop in the boys department. Sometimes the clothes fit great and they are always a bargain. I just bought a great pair of pants, boys size 16, perfect fit, (I don even have to hem them!), for $10. Hard to beat!
Can you shop in a department store and head over to a juniors’ plus section?
The proportions might still be off because the clothes might be shorter than you want, but maybe if you’re too small to fit in women’s clothes, too big for regular juniors’ clothes, maybe that’s a solution?
Once upon a time when I got really smaller and had no money for the change in wardrobe, I got clothes out of the kids’ sections. Don’t know if that would work for you, but it was a boon for me.
My first thought is to try another store or a thrift store.
You mentioned Old Navy, and they run waaay too big, really into vanity sizing. Similar with Gap, and less so with Banana Republic. But Old Navy, yes, it will run huge.
This sounds good. I was going to suggest looking into clothes from SE Asia.
Superdry sell some really nice clothes that go down to really small sizes.
I’ve been really small before (but not that short), and encountered the same problems with you re children’s clothing - cheap, cute, but either really high-necked or had words like “juicy” on the trousers - which had no hips - and were obviously kids’ clothing. Boys’ clothing is better than women’s, though, at least for things like hoodies and jumpers.
I hadn’t thought about Asian retailers but that makes a lot of sense!! Not sure about my curves though?!
Here in Australia petite sizing is pretty rare, they just don’t carry the range. I’ve been looking for cheap basics - t-shirts, shorts, pants … work clothes seem to be a bit easier (skirts seem easiest to find but pants less so) but I’m spending more on work clothes so going to better brands.
The children’s clothes I’ve bought have the issue of not accounting for a much smaller waist to hip … so they are straight and fit over my hips but are loose around the waist and then slip down!
<b>KarlGrenze</b> I was feeling a bit stupid ordering XS petite from Old Navy, as I said, I’m a bit uncomfortable with this whole body thing and ordering the smallest size available seemed like a stupid delusional thing to do (but knowing that USA sizes run bigger than Aust anyway) but was very shocked that they actually were too big - and hence the question about where smaller people buy clothes! If a mass retailer like that doesn’t have clothes that are small enough?!!!