Shopping For Women’s Clothing: How To Find the Best Clothing Fit From Plus To Petite
Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2006
by Tammy Sweet
Sweet Chic
Most individuals are aware that there is big money in the retail women’s clothing industry. Why? Because the majority of women like to shop. Women love to buy something nice that makes them look good and feel good when they wear it. However, becoming a women’s clothing retailer has taught me quite a bit concerning how women feel about the marketed clothing that is offered to them.
Hearing the small comments from women as they come through my boutique has opened my eyes to how hard it actually is to find clothes that fit our personality, our lifestyle, and even our size. I am actually amazed that the women’s clothing industry can do so well, because all women are shaped so uniquely and different. It literally seems impossible for a manufacturer to make an article of clothing that would work for everyone.
Concerning women’s clothing, a size 12 is not always a size 12. This goes for any size. Even the different lines in my boutique are very different. After my inventory orders began arriving, I found out that one particular vendor makes clothes that are slightly larger than the size shown on the tag. Another one of my vendors makes clothes that are actually 2 sizes smaller than what the tags show. This makes things so difficult for women when shopping. Sometimes it helps when a particular store becomes known for whether or not they carry petite clothing, regular clothing, or plus clothing. For example, bebe and Forever 21 are known for having very petite sizes. I also have two lines in my boutique that are for very petite women. Dance in Paris and Taheri manufacture clothes that are only for the petite woman. You can view these items online at www.sweet-chic.net/petite.
Not only do sizes vary from one manufacturer to the next, but also, every woman who is a size 12 might not be able to wear the same article of clothing, simply because our body shapes vary so much from person to person. One woman who is a size 12 might have larger hips and a smaller waist. However, another woman who is a size 12, might have small hips and a larger waist. I have no backside. Therefore, if I get a pant that fits in my waist, I risk the fact that I will have this mass of material hanging from the back of my waist, being that there is no curve back there to hold it up! However, I have a friend who has a perfectly shaped backside. She and I wear the same “size" clothing. Her issue is different than mine. If she finds a pant that fits her backside, the pant waist is very loose and open on her.
Some women come through my shop that are tall, some have long legs, and some have a short waist line. I hear things like, “I am so in-between sizes," or “These are too long/short for me." The point is, every woman is so different that it is very difficult to find clothes that really fit our bodies. Men’s pants come sized with waist and leg measurements, making it so easy to find pants that fit them well. Most men can pick up a pair of pants for themselves at any clothing store and take it home without trying it on to see if it fits. Unfortunately, this is not the case for women.
For women, we must become somewhat like the clothing archaeologist. We are always digging and investigating clothing shops in search of that Holy Grail of clothing, that brand that we know will always fit us well. For individuals with a small backside, like myself, I have found that pants from Express have the ability to make me look like I have more than I’ve got! For some reason, they are able to make pants that help that issue. Their pants can be fairly tight fitting, but the sales associates there usually work very hard to find what will work best for you.
For the plus sized woman, I am hearing that it is increasingly difficult to find unique clothing. Many of the vendors at a clothing market for small boutique owners, like myself, will only go up to a size 14. Everyone knows that Lane Bryant is known for their plus sized line, but some plus sized women also want something very different than what is offered at the classic department store. I have found a few boutiques that do sell plus sizes online. I know, I know. The old shipping, handling and return deal makes everyone frown. However, you could try contacting the boutique via phone or e-mail to see if they might offer free shipping for any of their merchandise. Some small boutique owners are simply ready to make a sale, and covering the shipping might be worth it for them. It never hurts to ask. Some will also send a return label in case you would like to make a return. Plus, even if you have to pay for shipping, sometimes it’s just worth a little extra money to have something that you know is cute, eye-catching and like nothing anyone else around you might have. Instead of buying 2 or 3 articles of clothing that you just think are “okay", spend more money on one outfit that is stunning and the talk of the occasion! Isn’t it nice to hear everyone say, “Where did you get that?"
Unfortunately, my boutique does not carry plus sizes, and my inventory is largely for the petite woman. However, I have a pair of embellished jeans in a size 14 that are one of the first things everyone notices when they come into my shop. I also have some tops that would fit up to a size 14. You can view these items at www.sweet-chic.net/regular.
I have listed below some plus sized websites that I think have some unique items.
http://www.monifc.com/
http://www.daphne1.com/catalog.php
http://www.bodaciousboutique.com/bodstore/index.php
In closing, although I have mentioned some places you might be able to shop for “your fit", the perfect fit for you may still be difficult to find. If that be the case, there is one other way to achieve it. I have found many cute outfits that didn’t fit me exactly right. However, the outfit was so unique, and so striking, that I just had to have it. Thus, I made my purchase, and made the fit “perfect" for me by taking it to my tailor. Using a good tailor can make such a difference in an outfit. I know, this means more money. But remember, if you had your choice of having 2 or 3 articles of clothing that are just “okay" or one smashing outfit, which would you choose? I know that most everyone is on a budget. If that be the case for you, make yourself wait to buy one outfit a month, or only one every other month. But whatever you do, make it worth the money, even if you have to wait a little longer between outfits. It’s worth the wait and the extra money to walk into a room, and have everyone raving about how great you look.
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