Jeans woes
Jul. 18th, 2007 01:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
valis2I'm going to attempt a regular entry, but I kind of feel like I'm taking cover under a table and shouting nonsense at someone across the room under another table while air raid sirens wail in the distance.
Most of you know I am a big girl. I shop at Lane Bryant. I buy nearly all of my clothes from them. I generally like their clothing, except for their weird obsession with replicating every single current fashion trend for big girls...sometimes they're just not meant for big girls, I'm sorry to say. I will never wear a tube top, for example.
Anyway, I usually like their jeans. Every two years or so they bring out a new line of their signature jeans, and they usually make a few crazy pairs on the side, as well. Last year, for example, they had a lot of ripped jeans, jeans with embroidery, and jeans with rhinestones. While I do not want to sparkle, I did appreciate the embroidered jeans, and I always love patterned jeans.
Their new signature line has debuted. They've completely overhauled everything...even the sizes. These jeans are sized 1 to 8. You have to be measured for them. Measuring involves a single waist measurement, which is translated into 1 to 8, and then you choose a color; yellow for straight waist through hip, red for slight curve from waist to hip, and blue for big curve from waist to hip. I was sized at 2 (or maybe 1, she thought), and I picked blue.
I tried on a few pairs, and 2 was definitely the size for me. I might have fit into size 1, except for a problem which I feel is rather insane; the zippers are just over half the size of a regular zipper. Why is this a problem? Well, I am trying on the blue pairs for a reason; I have a big, curvy ass. I literally could not get the 1 over my ass. The 2 was a real struggle, though when I finally zipped them up they looked fabulous. I have never had a pair of jeans fit so beautifully; there was no gap at the waistband!! I have never had that happen before. I always have to wear a belt. With these jeans I wouldn't have to.
I bought three pairs, and the fun manager who works there seemed stressed; I inquired, and she responded that she had to sell 53 pairs that day in order to meet plan. Well, I remember that sort of pressure from Waldenhell, and I commiserated. At least she was three pairs closer.
Well, that night I tried them on at home, and suddenly became distinctly aware of the other problem that a short zipper contributes to.
They ride up in front.
Whoa, Nelly, do they ride up in front. On the lighter-colored pair it was incredibly noticeable and extremely unflattering. On the darker-colored pairs it wasn't as noticeable, but it was very uncomfortable. I would have been rubbed raw within hours. No, thanks.
I returned them, and it was a bit embarrassing to explain why. I always feel guilty returning things, anyway, and I rarely do, but really, the truth is that I hadn't paid any attention to the front; the rear view is usually the more difficult of the two.
Even sadder, they have no other jeans available. No decorated jeans whatsoever. Everything is extremely plain and in the new sizes; they have some plain jeans left over in the regular sizing system, but I already have similar jeans and don't need more. I want fun jeans, with embroidery and patterns and stuff.
*growls*
Edit: I might not have been clear here. These are actually NOT low-rise jeans. The zipper is half the length, and the rest is just a seam. Seriously, I love low-rise jeans. They're so much more comfortable. But these new jeans aren't low-rise; they just have a half-size zipper, which is totally confusing.
Most of you know I am a big girl. I shop at Lane Bryant. I buy nearly all of my clothes from them. I generally like their clothing, except for their weird obsession with replicating every single current fashion trend for big girls...sometimes they're just not meant for big girls, I'm sorry to say. I will never wear a tube top, for example.
Anyway, I usually like their jeans. Every two years or so they bring out a new line of their signature jeans, and they usually make a few crazy pairs on the side, as well. Last year, for example, they had a lot of ripped jeans, jeans with embroidery, and jeans with rhinestones. While I do not want to sparkle, I did appreciate the embroidered jeans, and I always love patterned jeans.
Their new signature line has debuted. They've completely overhauled everything...even the sizes. These jeans are sized 1 to 8. You have to be measured for them. Measuring involves a single waist measurement, which is translated into 1 to 8, and then you choose a color; yellow for straight waist through hip, red for slight curve from waist to hip, and blue for big curve from waist to hip. I was sized at 2 (or maybe 1, she thought), and I picked blue.
I tried on a few pairs, and 2 was definitely the size for me. I might have fit into size 1, except for a problem which I feel is rather insane; the zippers are just over half the size of a regular zipper. Why is this a problem? Well, I am trying on the blue pairs for a reason; I have a big, curvy ass. I literally could not get the 1 over my ass. The 2 was a real struggle, though when I finally zipped them up they looked fabulous. I have never had a pair of jeans fit so beautifully; there was no gap at the waistband!! I have never had that happen before. I always have to wear a belt. With these jeans I wouldn't have to.
I bought three pairs, and the fun manager who works there seemed stressed; I inquired, and she responded that she had to sell 53 pairs that day in order to meet plan. Well, I remember that sort of pressure from Waldenhell, and I commiserated. At least she was three pairs closer.
Well, that night I tried them on at home, and suddenly became distinctly aware of the other problem that a short zipper contributes to.
They ride up in front.
Whoa, Nelly, do they ride up in front. On the lighter-colored pair it was incredibly noticeable and extremely unflattering. On the darker-colored pairs it wasn't as noticeable, but it was very uncomfortable. I would have been rubbed raw within hours. No, thanks.
I returned them, and it was a bit embarrassing to explain why. I always feel guilty returning things, anyway, and I rarely do, but really, the truth is that I hadn't paid any attention to the front; the rear view is usually the more difficult of the two.
Even sadder, they have no other jeans available. No decorated jeans whatsoever. Everything is extremely plain and in the new sizes; they have some plain jeans left over in the regular sizing system, but I already have similar jeans and don't need more. I want fun jeans, with embroidery and patterns and stuff.
*growls*
Edit: I might not have been clear here. These are actually NOT low-rise jeans. The zipper is half the length, and the rest is just a seam. Seriously, I love low-rise jeans. They're so much more comfortable. But these new jeans aren't low-rise; they just have a half-size zipper, which is totally confusing.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-18 06:49 pm (UTC)I gain weight around my belly, so that is where I have to get jeans a size larger and then the thighs and butt are too roomy! I like the mid waist jeans, but they always move down to my hips anyway. If I had low-rise jeans, they end up on my butt and that is really not attractive. lol I never wear a belt, because they always dig in too far and make me very unhappy.
I've also looked at Avenue, and nothing they have really works for me price-wise or style-wise. What I wear most of the time is a combo of Lane Bryant, Kohl's, Target camis, and some old Old Navy work pants (I've had them for at least 3-4 years now and worn them 2-3 times a week, and they're still holding strong!). I get pretty much all of my stuff on sale or clearance, because who can afford a $35 t-shirt? *scoff*
I love a lot of Lane Bryant things, but some things like tube tops and booty shorts are not for bigger girls.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-18 07:09 pm (UTC)It's just one measurement, around the waist. And what's bizarre is that my sister, who wears two sizes smaller than me in jeans, measured higher than me. This is a completely different sizing system than the traditional sizing system; it's more...fit your waist, and then adjust for the size differential between the waist/hips.
I actually approve entirely, but the problem is the zipper length!
I've also looked at Avenue, and nothing they have really works for me price-wise or style-wise.
Yeah, I've never bought anything there. I've never found anything I liked enough to buy.
Kohl's frustrates the hell out of me, because I love some of their clothes (Apt 9 rocks) but almost NONE of them are available in the plus section, which is full of really unflattering clothes. Tents and giant sweaters and horrid pants, oh my! I have found lots of cute things in their regular women section, but they're always just too small.
I love a lot of Lane Bryant things, but some things like tube tops and booty shorts are not for bigger girls.
I once received a postcard from LB showing a fantastically cute shirt. It was red, with a muted paisley print, an Empire-style ribbing right under the bust, and a cute square neckline and short sleeves.
I'd never done this before, but I actually got right in the car and drove directly there, because it was so cute that I knew it would sell out immediately.
So I find it, and it's made from that stupid cheapo thin cottony see-through material they love to inflict upon us, and I still was going to buy it.
UNTIL I TURNED IT AROUND.
It was backless. There was a little tiny string to tie the back together.
I nearly lost it in the store. Seriously. My bra strap--and I always buy all of my bras from LB, too--is at least 2 1/2 inches wide. The string? Maybe 1/4 inch wide. How the fuck is ANYONE supposed to wear this without a bra?
This was also just after they filled a quarter of the store (not kidding) with HALTER TOPS. A few months later, and their clearance section was STUFFED with those very same halter tops, of course.
Thank god they've started to get it together in the past few years, and they've started to put together more realistic clothing, but even so, I still find things there that would not look flattering on big girls.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-18 08:03 pm (UTC)Ooh, I see! I just tried the sizing thing online and it looks pretty cool (I think I'm yellow 2). I may have to go by and see if they look good. Too bad the zippers are so short, though. :(
I am just at the top end of the Kohl's size range in misses. Or at least I was when I bought these stretch courdoroys a year or more ago! At that time, they were just a little loose and now they're a little snug. But usually the tops fit me fine, if they're knit and they have XL or XXL. Old Navy is bad about poor fits, so I have't bought things there in ages. But I can amazingly still fit into those old pants I have, and they are not going until they fall apart. Kohl's plus size section is sad. Luckily, there's not one near my house so I only go there when I visit my parents sometimes. I guess that's how I save money on clothes, by not shopping for them. lol
I once received a postcard from LB showing a fantastically cute shirt. It was red, with a muted paisley print, an Empire-style ribbing right under the bust, and a cute square neckline and short sleeves.
That shirt sounds so cute, except the back!! My bra straps are also that wide and I really can't go without the bra. Are you just not supposed to care that your bra is showing, or let your breasts just wander around? I can't believe they sold that in a plus size store. Sometimes I think they just don't get it. We can be sexy without having to give up bras or self-respect and can look good in more fabric.
However, I love their kimono tops. LOVE them. they always have lots of things that look awful on me, but I yearn to wear. Like this top. Totally wrong color (I don't wear white, bad for fair skin, or red, bad for red hair) and the neckline and sleeves would make me look ridiculous. But damn, it's so cute!!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-18 09:55 pm (UTC)It is really cool, and I'm pretty excited about it; I've never had jeans that fit my ass AND my waist before!
In fact, I just went to Torrid and bought two pairs of jeans, but had to say no to the awesome pinstripe pants because they fit my butt, but the waistband was gaping like crazy. Even with a belt it would have been difficult.
That shirt sounds so cute, except the back!!
It was ADORABLE, and it had little flouncy sleeves, and it was so cute and casual...argh! I'm still not over it, and it's been years.
And that kimono top rocks!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-19 01:36 am (UTC)Yeah, their tops are so cute. Sometimes I wish I looked better in some colors/trends. That top would never go on me, but the kimono/tunic ones definitely seem to work out.
I love pinstripe pants! Maybe they'll make some in the new size line at LB soon. That would be awesome, if the zippers are right. lol