# Who on earth is designing the clothes for women these days?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [May 1, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386 "2018-05-01T03:21:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/41 "2018-05-04T04:38:52Z")

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Went shopping at Fred Meyer (Kroger’s for those not in the PNW) and took some photos for illustrative purposes.

Doesn’t everyone want one of [these?](http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l601/lkoski49/IMG_20180503_140427_zpshot8ynsd.jpg)

I especially loved [this one.](http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l601/lkoski49/IMG_20180503_140359_zpsi89frydu.jpg)

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**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/42 "2018-05-04T04:41:40Z")

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And I’m not letting ShopKo off the hook. Check out [this one.](http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l601/lkoski49/IMG_20180503_145225_zpstdcutmpl.jpg)

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**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/43 "2018-05-04T04:58:46Z")

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> [@Kimstu](#):
>
> 😕 😕 Tank tops work just fine for home sewing with knit fabrics. Sweaters are better knit or crocheted fully fashioned right from the yarn IMHO, but they can be sewn from knit fabric too.

Don’t you need a serger for knits? Or will a zig-zag stitch work? Just a technical question since I made a shirt 40 years ago, proved I could do it, and never had a desire to make another.

Wife was an avid knitter and crocheter, but as I’m a guy my deepest-held belief is that a machine is always the better choice. I shopped for one once but she knew that I would get bored before I finished the first section so she said no. ☹

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/44 "2018-05-04T06:14:31Z")

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Most machines have a stretch stitch for knits. I never had much luck sewing knits, as in t-shirt type fabric. You don’t have to have a serger, but they are fun as heck to use, until time to rethread the thing. Mine came with a video to watch to thread it. The dvd player got shit canned a while ago, so I don’t know if I can rethread it now.

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**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/45 "2018-05-05T12:55:39Z")

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BTW Does anyone have any opinion on those women’s clothing ads that I keep seeing on my Facebook? Modlilly, Zulilly, Lillylilly whatever? The clothing looks amazing, but I understand they’re photoshopping their clothing onto other ads, and the reviews are hideous. Any one ever buy from them? I saw a woman in a store the other day wearing something I’d seen and dammit, I should have asked her.

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**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/46 "2018-05-05T13:18:15Z")

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> [@DummyGladHands](#):
>
> BTW Does anyone have any opinion on those women’s clothing ads that I keep seeing on my Facebook? Modlilly, Zulilly, Lillylilly whatever? The clothing looks amazing, but I understand they’re photoshopping their clothing onto other ads, and the reviews are hideous. Any one ever buy from them? I saw a woman in a store the other day wearing something I’d seen and dammit, I should have asked her.

I ordered a tunic-type top from them once. It took over a month to receive, as it was shipped directly from China. The reviews I read about the item said it tended to run small, so I ordered one size up from normal (an L instead of an M). Couldn’t even get the thing over my head when it arrived, it was so small.

Terrible sizing and inaccurate color depictions are two of the most common complaints about them. Believe those reviews. I’m not going to order anything from them again.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/47 "2018-05-05T16:34:28Z")

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> [@pohjonen](#):
>
> That is a problem. For some of us, bras are strictly functional and utilitarian rather than decorative. But it is so difficult to find them with the built-in flying buttresses.

Amen! Even if I wanted to show off my bra… which I don’t… they don’t make the frilly lacy cute bras in my size. Of course the lace would have to be chain mail to be supportive enough, but still.

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**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/48 "2018-05-05T18:06:28Z")

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**Dr. Girlfriend:** _snort_ 🙂

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**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/49 "2018-05-05T18:08:41Z")

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> [@romansperson](#):
>
> I ordered a tunic-type top from them once. It took over a month to receive, as it was shipped directly from China. The reviews I read about the item said it tended to run small, so I ordered one size up from normal (an L instead of an M). Couldn’t even get the thing over my head when it arrived, it was so small.
> 
> Terrible sizing and inaccurate color depictions are two of the most common complaints about them. Believe those reviews. I’m not going to order anything from them again.

If that’s Dresslily, yeah, their sizing is for teensy tiny Chinese women. Not even an XXL will fit me. I’m not fat; I’m just a giant by their standards.

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**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/50 "2018-05-05T20:28:11Z")

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> [@pohjonen](#):
>
> **Dr. Girlfriend:** _snort_ 🙂

What is this? Are you laughing at a screen name?

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**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/51 "2018-05-05T20:35:42Z")

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> [@DummyGladHands](#):
>
> What is this? Are you laughing at a screen name?

No, I was laughing at her chain nail joke about bra reinforcement and forgot to quote her. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/52 "2018-05-05T22:35:19Z")

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Even with men’s fashions, things can get [problematic](https://youtu.be/MbDubmfFUqc?t=1110).

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**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/53 "2018-05-06T00:06:59Z")

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> [@Maastricht](#):
>
> If that’s Dresslily, yeah, their sizing is for teensy tiny Chinese women. Not even an XXL will fit me. I’m not fat; I’m just a giant by their standards.

I ordered from Zulily - don’t know if they are owned by the same company or not (the names make it seem like it’s all the same place), but sure sounds like the same problem!

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**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/54 "2018-05-06T00:51:36Z")

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> [@dropzone](#):
>
> Are the lumpy ta-tas you mentioned because the cup size is far too small so their boobs are muffin-topping their way out so they look like they have four breasts? 'Cuz I’ve seen that. :eek: FTR, I spend too much of my life at Walmart.

That’s exactly what I am talking about. If you have muffin top on your boob your bra cup is too small. Can’t you see you look like you have 4 tits? Also, sports bras and camisoles with those shelf-type reinforcement things inside only succeed in smashing by breasts together into one suffocating uniboob. I don’t have huge breasts, but damn my cleavage needs to breathe. I believe comfort, style, affordability and support are achievable for your rack if you just put some effort and thought into it.

And for those of you who said most women wear the wrong size bra, you are absolutely correct, but all the quality control issues and lack of uniformity in sizing is also the problem. Nobody wants to have to spend 2 hours trying on bras, but in my experience it is necessary.

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**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/55 "2018-05-06T01:11:35Z")

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> [@Kimstu](#):
>
> 😕 😕 Tank tops work just fine for home sewing with knit fabrics. Sweaters are better knit or crocheted fully fashioned right from the yarn IMHO, but they can be sewn from knit fabric too.

Yes, you are right, but I don’t have a serger or a way to make the bias binding on the neck and armholes lay flat and look nice. I’ve tried knits on the stretch stitch of my machine and I try my best not to pull the fabric, but I still get wavy seams. I probably just need more practice. I’d be willing to tackle tanks, but sweaters and knitting are not an avenue I can go down.

The main area I agree with the OP is the difficulty in finding classic well made pieces for those of us who are 40+ who want somewhat modest, fresh, tasteful style in pretty colors. I feel like everything is made for twentysomethings and seventysomethings with a gigantic wasteland of gaudy and tacky in between.

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**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/56 "2018-05-06T01:12:52Z")

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> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#):
>
> And for those of you who said most women wear the wrong size bra, you are absolutely correct, but all the quality control issues and lack of uniformity in sizing is also the problem. Nobody wants to have to spend 2 hours trying on bras, but in my experience it is necessary.

I understand that’s the reason Victoria’s Secret … nope, apparently they suck for size consistency. And looking at bra ads on a Saturday night feels too much like high school. I’ll find something better to do.

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/57 "2018-05-06T01:31:15Z")

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Victoria’s secret is: you’re buying for the men, not your boobs. They make their ads and catalogues suspiciously men’s magazine-like. That and I ain’t paying $24.99 for a pair of panties that have exactly 3 inches of fabric in them. Nudity is cheaper.

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**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/58 "2018-05-06T02:07:37Z")

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> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> Victoria’s secret is: you’re buying for the men, not your boobs. They make their ads and catalogues suspiciously men’s magazine-like. That and I ain’t paying $24.99 for a pair of panties that have exactly 3 inches of fabric in them. Nudity is cheaper.

Like everything else, the quality of VS has gone way down. Back in the late 80s-early 90s, they used to have really nice quality with a sumptuous feel that didn’t have such a stripper vibe to everything. This was pre-PINK, which is marketed to teeney boppers and da club crowd.

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/59 "2018-05-06T02:36:08Z")

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I discovered the Pink crap due to my teen (18 now). When she was 13 the in-crowd at her school were all wearing it. She just begged and begged for it. I finally gave in to a hoodie and yoga pants. She was a tiny thing but they had xxsmalls that fit her. The next month the school had an addendum to the dress code, no Pink items allowed (along with other things that were disruptive). That fixed that problem for me. Now I see they have a stand alone teen store in some places.

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**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/60 "2018-05-06T03:29:31Z")

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> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#):
>
> And for those of you who said most women wear the wrong size bra, you are absolutely correct, but all the quality control issues and lack of uniformity in sizing is also the problem. Nobody wants to have to spend 2 hours trying on bras, but in my experience it is necessary.

It doesn’t hurt, however, to have some vague idea what size you should be wearing. We’ve had this discussion on other boards, and some women have said things like “I though I was a 34D and I’m actually a 36G” and in some cases, getting a properly fitted bra made all their interest in breast augmentation (reduce, increase, lift, etc.) disappear.

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