https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:56:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380507 Wed, 22 Oct 2014 00:49:16 +0000 lee 1380507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks everyone for all the great ideas!! i was thinking j. jill too. i'll investigate and we could certainly spend some time online shopping.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380330 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:43:12 +0000 Suz 1380330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tulle, you hit it again! My mother layers silk tanks under everything and doesn't wear a bra any more. After the surgery she really doesn't have to (she had cancer a few years ago). So this adds warmth. She likes the Land's End tanks in silk. I also get her others with slightly lower necklines and thinner straps so she can wear ones that don't show.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380318 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:36:01 +0000 tulle 1380318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Suz.&nbsp; I didn't realize that you live in Canada--so many interesting Canadian women in YLF! </p> <p>Lee, a couple more ideas:&nbsp; there is a pretty Mariner Dress (sturdy cotton knit, navy stripes on emerald or rose) on sale at LL Bean now--Regular sizes only.&nbsp; Also, think about sweater sets (a comfortable, pulled-together look that provides warmth &amp; a little added bulk,) and other layering tricks like sleeveless tanks or shells under almost everything.&nbsp; These can even take the place of bras if your Mom is small-busted and finding bra fastening difficult. Camisoles from comfy lines like Cuddleduds &amp; Hanro&nbsp; (check Garnet Hill) are useful this way, too.&nbsp; Again, good luck.&nbsp; Our mothers deserve to look their best in spite of age and infirmity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380260 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:39:58 +0000 Gigi 1380260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another place to maybe try is J. Jill petites. J. Jill's clothing is very comfortable and has a fluid fit. It is also very simple in design.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380255 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:34:28 +0000 sarah 1380255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>a few thoughts:</p> <p>There are lots of high-quality, non-frumpy pull-on pants out there (think hi-end track pants) - from JCrew, Banana Republic, even Athleta, not to mention Nordstrom's.</p> <p>Choosing the appropriate sized in knitwear can ensure that&nbsp;it's not too body-con, and not too unstructured.</p> <p>Layering with jackets and cardis could offer structure and are easy to take on and off.</p> <p>Good luck and how wonderful that you're helping her. My dad also has Parkinson's, so I know a bit of what you're going through. (He's not so interested in fashion however ; ) &nbsp;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380064 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:16:11 +0000 Suz 1380064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tulle, what a fabulous answer. I would have written many of the same things.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have found most success shopping for my mother in two ways: 1. Getting her into a boutique with a chair where we can bring her things to try. 2. Ordering for her online. I often find success with Land's End. You would think she'd be sized out, but she is a little bit taller (probably around 5'4" now, down from 5'6") and because of those shoulders she needs a larger size than it might appear, at least in wovens. She likes the LE pull on pants for at home wear. And I have got her some nice sweaters and pullover tops with jewel or crew necklines or closed-in cowls, as well.&nbsp;</p> <p>It's definitely trial and error, which is why I like ordering from a place with easy returns (not so simple for us in Canada). This allows her to take her time and try things on with her other things at home.&nbsp;</p> <p>I really wish there were a line of clothes for women in similar circumstances. They must be legion!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1380058 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:06:57 +0000 christieanne 1380058@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a lot of customers in similar circumstances. Petites often works for them but so does the juniors dept for slimmer bottoms. The longer tunic over slim pants is a great and chic option. A pull on sleek ponte pant would be a great essential for her - easy. You might look online at Lands end petites.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379959 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 05:55:47 +0000 tulle 1379959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lee, my 86-year-old mother has almost identical issues:&nbsp; Parkinson's, weight loss, square shoulders, small hips, loss of stature (She used to be 5'3", but is now closer to 5'.) And like Suz's mum, mine also has hands severely crippled by arthritis, so clothes must be super easy--no zippers or buttons.&nbsp; At the same time, she is someone with an absolutely spot-on sense of her personal style (sharply tailored,) and she wants to look good, especially on the rare occasions that she goes out.&nbsp; I have often wondered why no enterprising designer has addressed the problems of the physically disabled who still want to be chic!&nbsp; An easy-to-put-on-&amp;-off clothing line would be a real boon.&nbsp; As it is, we have to hunt and peck for items here and there.&nbsp; The last time I visited her, I took my mother shopping.&nbsp; We were lucky to find some good knit polo shirts &amp; a cardigan in a Talbot Petites department, but our best results came from enlisting the help of the clever and compassionate owner of a small boutique.&nbsp; This sort of shop and service is hard to find these days, so it was wonderful that, with my mother comfortably seated in the dressing room, we could bring in things that looked great and worked for her:&nbsp; a cropped jacket without fastenings; a stretchy sleeveless shell with pleating in the front that added a bit of drape and volume; 2 pairs of cleverly designed narrow pants in a stretch fabric, with stitched creases and flat elastic waistbands, that looked like tailored trousers. (I'll try to find the name of the brand if I can.) Because of her sturdy bone structure, medium petites work better than extra-small regulars, which tend to be too long and too narrow in the shoulders.&nbsp; She likes cashmere cardigans, worn open over pull-on tops, for their light weight, beauty and warmth, and prefers pants to skirts outdoors because they cover her spindly legs and don't draw attention to her shoes (another difficult item) but at home she will often wear loose t-shirt dresses in thicker knits.&nbsp; I have seen some similar dresses recently made of sweatshirt material that might work if they are not too heavy.&nbsp; I wish I could simply direct you to a website, but unfortunately, you may need to seek out versatile pieces your mother likes.&nbsp; Definitely check out petites (Talbots, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic all have provided some nice dressier things, and Lands End petites are good for pull-on pants and fleece jackets) and concentrate on flattering colors--so important against aging skin.&nbsp; I wish you and your mother the best of luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379892 Tue, 21 Oct 2014 02:51:14 +0000 Suz 1379892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mum is similar and has similar dressing challenges because she is visually impaired, has arthritis in her hands, and had breast cancer (with surgery) so is even slimmer up top. Plus the square shoulders.&nbsp;</p> <p>I can't weigh in just now but will try to come back to this thread with some thoughts and ideas. You are such a terrific daughter to take such good care of her.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379760 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:51:49 +0000 Mia 1379760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mom is super slim and just a little shorter than your mom&nbsp;and we have had good success with Talbots Petites. &nbsp; My mom is sized out of the regular stuff, just too big!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379756 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:48:35 +0000 lee 1379756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks for your suggestions and ideas! the main problem is finding some good items/styles that fit her aesthetic,&nbsp;are flattering and are relatively easy to get on; and sort of re sizing as a small (which would fit her torso) doesn't always get past her shoulders).&nbsp;a lot of the stuff she tried on was unflattering (too body con for such a thin person). she hasn't liked body con clothing heretofore but if a tunic or longish flowy top + sweater&nbsp;was over it she might go for it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379713 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:24:44 +0000 rabbit 1379713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have similar issues with helping my mom shop, she is very underweight due to health problems. &nbsp; When we went on a hunt together she liked wearing slim or skinny&nbsp;neutral&nbsp;colored&nbsp;pants with layers up top since she tends to get cold, so long button-up woven tops (chambray, and both flowy and flannel-y fabrications in her colors) that she could wear open or buttoned over an underlayer, and which had structure at the collar and cuffs. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>She also liked cocoon cardigans in neutral colors, such as the one below (in a smaller size), which she wears over a variety of tops. &nbsp; All these things added a bit of structure and/or&nbsp;volume up top but didn't feel bulky or heavy to her, and were easy for her to get on and off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379710 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:23:09 +0000 Gigi 1379710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lee, is the main problem finding a style of clothing that works (for instance, long cardis, ruffled tops, patterned tops, etc.), or is it finding clothes that actually fit her body (i.e., are you having problems with the clothes in the stores all being too big)? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379705 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:15:10 +0000 Marmee 1379705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm. &nbsp;Glad you asked. &nbsp;;)&nbsp;What about Eileen Fisher Petites? &nbsp;Also, I have a long sleeved Puella&nbsp;dress from Anthro, similar to <a rel="nofollow">this</a>&nbsp;tunic and the shape hides my lack of hips. &nbsp;Will she do a long open&nbsp;cardi and jeans? &nbsp;Or tunics and leggings? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothes-for-the-super-skinny#post-1379700 Mon, 20 Oct 2014 20:46:50 +0000 lee 1379700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>my 70something mother is 5'4" with relatively broad shoulders&nbsp;and is super skinny/underweight (she has parksinsons and was skinny to begin with). we've been going shopping together and i'm noticing that it's kinda challenging finding things that look good on her and wondered if you all have ideas. &nbsp; yesterday she bought a fleecy cream colored pullover with gray trim, and a black w/dusty apricot polka dots&nbsp;fitted sleeveless cotton dress with darts and a full skirt, which bulks her up nicely. i was thinking embellished tops would help camouflage her skinny torso, but she is a relatively minimalist, non frou frou dresser (think eileen fisher and&nbsp;calvin klein though not super avant garde). horizontal stripes.&nbsp;she is particularly interested in dresses and cardigans right now, and anything she gets&nbsp;needs to be&nbsp;easy to get on and off. if this has already been covered, can someone send me some links? thanks!</p>