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I give up

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

So I ordered these Re/done Levi jeans from Barneys. They take old jeans & refashion them pair by pair, each one is different. They're hard to find. I was inspired by the street style post by Lisa from fashion week.
One, they were far more distressed than example pic, they had a rip in one knee. I wanted faded but not holey.
Two, more critical, I ordered a size 30, and could get nowhere close to buttoning them up. 31 is sold out everywhere.
So back they go.
I had high hopes for them & envisioned many outfits. Sigh.
In other news I've been selling off & giving away a good chunk of my closet.

Barneys New York

High-Waist Skinny Crop Jeans

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Top Pick

2

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Mochi

Veteran

I'm sorry! Those jeans are very cool. I see why you fell for them.

Sal

Veteran

It seems crazy to me that you are battling to buy jeans/clothes in your size. I am similar (NZ 12-14, US 8-10, Jeans 30-32 in my closet ) and consider myself a very average shape and size. I know some designers skew small, but I really don't get why they are excluding a large number of customers when retail is struggling (may be different in the US but posts from the forum seem to show constant sales, and several closures).

It seems mad to me but what do I know!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

That's too bad, Anna. I love the ones pictured too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So frustrating! I'm sorry, Anna -- those do look cool.

I hear you on the size thing. I know my weight is up a little bit, but are sizes getting smaller? I have tried on dresses in the last week that are size 10 and are still too tight, but meanwhile in my closet there are 6s and 8s that are still OK. It gets depressing.

catgirl

Veteran

I found an older j. crew skirt in size 2 that fit me at consignment - meanwhile, I can't fit into a current size 6 in the store. It's just stupid.

Anonymous

Sizes these days are bizzare! It's not you, it's retail

rachylou

Veteran

That's majorly aggravating. Phoo.

Sal

Veteran

Sizing is crazy - I know we have the freedom to move up and down to get the fit we like. In reality this does not always work for me - I need the fit in the shoulders and back to be good otherwise I look either squeezed in or shapeless, neither of them very appealing.

In the last year I have bought sizes 10-14 here in NZ and sizes Medium to Extra Large. I am not a NZ size 10 - I am too tall and my shoulders and frame are too broad....likewise I don't see myself as an Extra Large, this gives no options to people who need bigger sizes than me.

Luckily I have found a couple of brands that seem to fit me well - I am delighted with my black crop pants fit in the waist, butt and leg (no easy feat). Go Witchery!! But I think my tastes are relatively mainstream - if you are seeking more cutting edge looks you are more restricted.

K. Period.

Veteran

I am extremely sympathetic. Extremely. Very very. Levis never work for me, but I love the way that I envision them looking. How's that for fashion fantasy? I envision them looking like that photo. Instead they look like some picture of my grandmother from the '40s, but in the frumpy way, not the attractive way. And I never fit the size that I feel like I should. Never. Sigh. Also, don't forget that Levis shrink to fit have always continued to shrink and shrink and shrink, only limited by the dimensions of their dedicated wearer. So a size 30 is very likely not a size 30. Double sigh.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great jeans Anna. I would love them in my wardrobe. I have given up ordering online. I have no idea what size I am. I mean I know what size I am. I look at myself and that is what I am. But I have all kinds of sizes in my wardrobe.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone.
Honestly I just need to face the fact that my 20 lb weight gain in the last two years has sized me out of what I used to buy.
And with my life right now, the best I can do is try to not gain anymore.

Tanya

Veteran

I am sorry to hear that the jeans did not work out.
The sizing is completely crazy these days, so I would blame all the issues on the retailers, not on your body. Whenever you post a WIW I always took how amazing you look.

Aida

Veteran

Booo, sorry to hear that Anna. If you think the 31s will work may as well keep an eye out for them, they do look cool. At least there will be plenty of good hiking weather soon *hugs*

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rotten luck. Perhaps they will come back into stock in a 31?

I just went shopping with size 8/10 and 10/12 clients who are your height, Anna. They looked AMAZING in these. They sized down to a 29 and 30 respectively, actually. You might like to try them too.

Banana Republic

Medium Wash Crop Flare

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14

Banana Republic

Resin Wash Crop Flare

Sale

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40

catgirl

Veteran

Just another thought - I see cool old Levis at the thrift stores all the time. May be worth picking up a cheap pair and having them tailored altered you wish. In fact, I may do that myself if I ever have time to drag out the sewing machine.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I saw those banana republic jeans in store a few weeks ago, they're low rise. I want high rise. Thanks though.
Una the thrifting idea is great, but unfortunately I don't have time to sort through racks of jeans.

Windchime

Veteran

Sigh. The mid-life weight gain is just awful, isn't it? It's so easy to put it on and incredibly difficult to take off.

I had high hopes for a fab denim skirt which arrived today. I tried it on, but it was tight through the hips. So back it goes. And the next larger size is gone. It's a bummer. A few years ago, the same size would have totally been too big for me.

So I really get your frustration and discouragement. But don't give up!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

High rise pants of any sort are too difficult because it's hard to find something that matches both waist and hips and everyone's ratios there are so different. That's one thing that makes the low rise easier for me. I think the idea of tailoring your own is good if you have any facility with sewing. I myself purchased a sewing machine, broke it within three days, returned it and have completely given up.

Kari

Veteran

Anna, it's sad to say but when I gained weight a few years ago with insane stress at my then-job (and with 2.5 years at an even MORE stressful job and with mega depression, it was all I could do to maintain and not get worse!) I had an EASIER time finding clothes when I was solidly in smaller plus sizes (14, 16) and occasionally a large straight size than when I was on the cusp, straight sizes too small and pluses too big (12-14.) No, I do NOT suggest this as a strategy at all, just an observation!) The market was more limited but at least I had a better idea of what choices I had and brands to avoid. In the designer market, the sizes skew smaller to begin with so the cutoff point happens at a smaller size. And, well, maybe this explains why I've splurged for well made, statement accessories that fit regardless of my body size/shape.
I'm so sorry you've found this so frustrating. I truly sympathize even though I don't share all of the same struggles. I wish fashion could be one of the things that makes you feel happy and not stressed.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I do not have your fashion forward style, Anna, but, as a size 14, I share much of your shopping difficulty. One of my pet peeves is the fact that, when you move from the 10-12 (and higher), instead of 1" difference between sizes, you have 1.5", and sometimes 2". It can make it hard to find the right fit. I've also found two things recently:

1. Companies seem to be "reversing" the vanity sizing, which was, frankly, working for me.

2. Manufacturers are making the same garment in different fabrics, with no regard for difference in the stretch and weight of the fibers. So, the same jeans in two washes will have sharply divergent fits. Ugh.

Levis, which were my favorite jeans last year, are now prime exhibits of annoying thing #1, and annoying thing #2. And I'm not buying their "designer" line. Mind you, I still have fine fitting older Levis in my closet!

Do you have any boutiques which might have SA's that would be helpful? Or an SA at a better department store?

One last thing: I've been following this blog: http://the12ishstyle.com/category/fashion/

She's actually a friend of Man Repeller. A little too edgy for me sometimes, but certainly not for you, and she does good reviews.

Jen W

I'm not sure if subscription services suit you, or how these skew style-wise based on the information you submit, but a friend of mine has started a subscription service and has just started carrying up to 3x this month. I'm in their focus group they've just started (a cusp size 10-14 depending on the brand). https://lostblvd.cratejoy.com Gina is pretty active on their Facebook page if you have questions.

Totally empathize with the difficulty of weight gain. If you find something high waisted that works for you, please post it. I'm interested in trying the crop trend, but a higher waist feels better on my long torso.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Anna, your post made me Google bespoke denim and the first hit was 3x1, with whom you can apparently book an appointment in NYC. I know you're in Seattle, but this might be an option worth pursuing.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

I have a pair of vintage 505's 36 x 30 12" inseam you can have if you want them to take to a tailor to make smaller--pm me

Jaime

Etsy has a lot of these vintage levis for a LOT cheaper than Barneys.