# Who on earth is designing the clothes for women these days? **URL:** \ **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:** 11\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/81 "2018-05-09T02:30:46Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > I have a 45yo colleague who dresses in the stripper mode. She doesn’t wear a bra and if her shirts were cut any lower or a bit more sheer you’d see nips. She often complains about students not respecting her (hmmm, here’s a clothing tip for you). She was actually spoken to about her clothing after a male student complained that it was inappropriate dress. > > I taught with a fellow grad student in the same program. She wore dominatrix stuff to teach and accessorize with a whip and handcuffs hanging from her belt. She also had some difficulties with student respect (maybe she should have whipped 'm into shape �� > > Gawd, I’ve become such an old biddy! That reminds me of the woman I saw several times when I worked at the hospital (I’m not sure what her job title was; IIRC she was some kind of big-shot consultant) for whom it was hard to take her seriously because of her appearance. Even though she was probably about 50 years old, she dressed in a way more suitable for a 1980s MTV video than the corporate boardroom - leather suit with a micromini skirt, spike heels that looked nearly impossible to walk in, extremely low-cut blouses (usually see-through and in patterns like leopard) and a fake tan that was so dark, the first time I saw her, I thought she was black, and no, she wasn’t. ---
**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 9, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/82 "2018-05-09T03:01:02Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > As a DD-cup, which isn’t as impressive as most people seem to think it is, non-underwire bras are hard to find, and I don’t like those things either. However, some women really swear by them. I would cut those suckers out of there. You may need the support though. They could make them out of plastic at this point. Seems like that would feel better. I am tactile-y challenged so things have to 'feel ’ right for me to wear it, at all. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/83 "2018-05-09T16:33:00Z")
I don’t think women’s clothing is intended to fit anyone. I was going to say anyone but a runway model, but those are professionally tailored to their bodies backstage. My complaints is that if I want something to fit part of my body, it’s enormous on the other. Shirts are a great example. If I want something to fit my boobs, which are quite generous, I look like a tube because it’s huge around my waist. Likewise, if I want something to fit my thighs, I need to expect to have plumber’s butt. And don’t get me started on how things fit after kids. I go to try things on and see in fluorescent lighting every single part of me that I hated, only now with extra lumps where there didn’t used to be lumps. Also, god forbid you be a generous-breasted woman who wants to work out. Holy fuckbeans, that’s a pain in the ass. “Here, this sports bra with no underwire and 10 mm wide straps is perfect for larger breasted women wanting to do high-impact exercise like running.” Yes, perfect for me to have to hold onto the girls while I run, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/84 "2018-05-11T05:03:59Z")
If you are trying to buy cheap clothes from Aliexpress or Wish, you have to consult the Asian size chart. The good news is the measurements actually are accurate. The bad news is, you can forget long sleeves. If you are over 5’5" it isn’t happening. I’m honestly amazed that any retail store still has a petite department though. If I were petite I’d have a stunning wardrobe for about $200 per year. As for bras, I’m not going to tell you my size, but suffice it to say that if you have spent two hours trying on bras you are one of the lucky ones. A Doper introduced me to [DecentExposures](https://decentexposures.com/) bras and I’ll never go back. I have a few pretty lacy things in case I ever go on a date again, but for the vast majority of the time, these are the bomb. Imagine a really thick cotton tank top with gathers in just the right spot and a thick elastic around under the rack for support. They are so comfortable, and for $50-ish you get a hand-made fit-to-measure bra. The first one is a little bit trial and error, but if you measure carefully they will do the rest. And once you get it right you just order what you need when you need it and the perfect bra arrives a couple of weeks later. They are not push-up bras, but if you get the straps the right length and the cup sizing right, you’ll look great. My only caveat is don’t get the hooked ones. Get the ones that go over your head. The hooks dig. Now, can we talk about tunics and kurtas? What is it with the anatomically correct patterns? Why is there always a paisley or a flower centered right on genitals? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/85 "2018-05-11T07:32:50Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Well, hon, I feel you. I am tall and skinny. Sounds nice, right? Nope. I am not gonna wear what a teen wears. I don’t need no Abercrombie and Fitch. I want normal jeans and normal tops. They don’t need to be distressed or faded or cut open or frayed. I have a bunch that got that way from wearing out. They need to be longer. I don’t like clothes anyway so I am not impressed at what I see. I damn sure don’t like the price. > ( the song is cute) I can only imagine what you must be going through, seeing as how wretched/wrecked/distressed jeans for women seem to be back in vogue. **pohjonen** , hilarious rewrite! Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/86 "2018-05-11T07:43:01Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Well, hon, I feel you. I am tall and skinny. Sounds nice, right? Nope. I am not gonna wear what a teen wears. I don’t need no Abercrombie and Fitch. I want normal jeans and normal tops. They don’t need to be distressed or faded or cut open or frayed. I have a bunch that got that way from wearing out. They need to be longer. I don’t like clothes anyway so I am not impressed at what I see. I damn sure don’t like the price. > ( the song is cute) You might find Express a good place to shop. As one who is thinner than most guys I find their men’s department much better than any other place I’ve bought clothes in. I don’t know anything about the women’s clothes, but they’re anything like the men’s they should have some reasonably “standard” type jeans that aren’t super low rise and in an ordinary dark rinse. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/87 "2018-05-11T13:13:14Z")
I’m about ready to give up and embrace a full-on “Three’s Company” Mrs. Roper style. A variety of home-made muu-muus and big plastic jewelry. That should make Board meetings more interesting. I can’t be certain, but pretty sure sparkly gold thong sandals will replace pumps my only work footwear (bye-bye bunions). ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/88 "2018-05-11T21:28:55Z")
I really despise the bare shoulder/long sleeve top thing, and the ‘My pants were attacked by a rabid honey badger.’ jeans look. I don’t have much trouble with size, as I’ve figured out which brands work for my shape and shop there almost exclusively. I would never try to buy pants at Aritzia, for example, as they’re designed for someone with a much different body shape than me (tops there are fine though). ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/89 "2018-05-11T21:30:21Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > I’m about ready to give up and embrace a full-on “Three’s Company” Mrs. Roper style. A variety of home-made muu-muus and big plastic jewelry. That should make Board meetings more interesting. I can’t be certain, but pretty sure sparkly gold thong sandals will replace pumps my only work footwear (bye-bye bunions). I am somewhat anxiously awaiting my 60s, so I can wear a variety of loud, flowery caftans unironically. ---
**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 12, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/90 "2018-05-12T01:44:46Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I really despise the bare shoulder/long sleeve top thing, and the ‘My pants were attacked by a rabid honey badger.’ jeans look. Great remark about the jeans. I’ve never understood wanting clothes that are pre-worn-out. And charging a premium for them, at that. I tried selling my old chevy as pre-faded and pre-dented, but no one found it appealing. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386/91 "2018-05-19T00:23:47Z")
I honestly think that we’ve improved a bit. You can now find plus-size tee shirts and pants that look like the rest of the women’s department. It’s better than when clothing designers seemed convinced that overweight women were best served by wearing clothes that made them look like floral couches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-on-earth-is-designing-the-clothes-for-women-these-days/813386.md?page=4)