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Purchasing/ Dressing Challenges - suggestions welcome!

Krista

Veteran

Hello everyone,
As I absorb the wisdom of the forum more and more, I find I am becoming very picky about how well my clothes fit after years of just accepting whatever I could find.

I've discovered that my body has some fit challenges and the companies/brands I have frequented over the years do not have what I am looking for. Perhaps you have some suggestions?

These are the challenges I find:

Pants:
- petite fit is perfect in the rise but too short in the length
- regular fit (depending on style) is too long in the rise but is always too long in the length
- my general size in pants is 14-16 and availability is limited in petites fit in these sizes (not so much in the US, but definitely in Canada)

Skirts:
- petites fit is perfect, but my size, 14-16, is not always found

Toppers:
- petites fit is perfect, but I'm super busty, so I usually need an XL. Petite sizes do not always go this high (again, the US vs Canada issue)

I am thinking that there are retailers I haven't yet considered and I would love to hear your ideas. Thank you in advance!

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from JR

DonnaF

Veteran

Hi, Krista;
I'm sorry I don't know what all is available in Canada or if you can make an annual shopping pilgrimage to the U.S.

For the pants, I think your best bet would be to buy pants with big enough bottom hems to let down.

As to sizes: Have you tried/can you get J. Jill, Lands End, Coldwater Creek, and/or Eileen Fisher? They all carry Petites and run big -- enough so that I tend to be sized out at the opposite end, and believe me, I am not all that small as a P2/4 at most stores. Oh, and Talbots carries a wide variety of sizes. They all sell online, and their styles are pretty classic. Target also sells Petites online and has XL, XXL, and XXXL!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

For basics, I can recommend Land's End. My Mom buys their clothes online from Vancouver, BC and the service is very good. She does have to pay duty, but Land's End charges for it at the time of the order, so there are no surprises such as there might be with UPS or what have you.

She usually waits for a good sale, and I think I remember her saying that the customs/duties were only around $2 or $3 per item, which isn't a big deal when they are having one of those 40% off everything sales. In addition, when Land's End and Land's End Canvas offers free shipping, the free shipping *also* applies to Canadian orders.

Furthermore, while my Mom hasn't had to return anything, I did happen to notice that there is a Canadian address for returns to Land's End catalogue/online orders. This helps a bit too - although I don't know if the 'return' shipping is free - probably not. Thing is - since they do have a reasonable time-frame for returns (I think it's 90 days, but double-check to be sure), it should be ok to return Land's End items to their Canadian returns depot/address via a less-expensive shipping method.

Hope this helps!
PS - they have a lot of petites and petite plus items. Again, most are basics, but my Mom (plus sized, but not petite) has been very happy with their items and their service, without being dinged by huge shipping and/or customs charges.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I just wanted to add that the first time my Mom ordered from Land's End US online site it was last fall, during the so-called "Black Friday" sales (US Thanksgiving). She got a very good discount, and shipping was free to Canada. The duty as I said wasn't horrendous at all...very reasonable actually, and since then she has placed at least another four or five orders from them. She's very pleased.

Hint: order something - to guage fit....then plan to order around the US Thanksgiving holiday for a bunch more stuff once you have an idea of what fits or doesn't fit you in this brand. Also, the brand does run a bit large-ish, so keep this in mind. For reference, I am 5' 6" tall and around 155 lbs, and a medium sized knit top (breton-style striped knit long sleeved tee of sorts) ended up being too big on me, so *size down* for sure.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I echo Donna's store recommendations and would also add Talbots which has petites and petite plus. Lands' End is also great especially for basics, and for most of their pants they will hem to whatever inseam you want with no additional charge.

I'm also not sure what brands you have available to you, but are there any plus-only stores that go down to a 14?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Krista - as petite in the 12-14 size range, I hear your pain! Have you tried Cleo? I buy quite a bit from their petite line which, if memory serves correct, go up to size 18. Their petite pants are now two inches longer then they used to be. I'm 5'1" and used to be able to buy their petite pants and wear with heels without shortening them. Now, even with heels, I have to get their trousers hemmed. This might work in your favour. They also carry great skirts and dresses in the petite range.I think it would be worth checking out.

I can vouch from Land's End in terms of ease of ordering. It's fairly inexpensive for duty and return shipping is a flat rate (around $8) and very easy. I ordered a petite puffer coat from them and was very happy with both the service and the product.

Krista

Veteran

Thank you, everyone, for the replies - you've given me some great places to start.

Laura, VC, Donna - sounds like Talbot's, Land's End and others are good suggestions. I will check them out for sure!

Shannon - Cleo definitely works for me for toppers and skirts but I am in between lengths/fits for most of their pants. The great part is that I have isolated what items of theirs work for me, so all is not lost.

Thanks again, everyone!

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm not a petite, but I think that some of the other Canadian women have mentioned Laura Petites as an option as well.

Also you might want to occasionally venture into some of the higher end stores to try on some things. As Donna mentioned, Eileen Fisher's sizing is pretty generous and you'd probably have no problems finding a fit in her line of petites. The vanity sizing in some of the higher-end lines can be an advantage at times. If you hit the sales, prices can be quite reasonable.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm sorry, Krista

You are spot on! A size 14P and 16P are THE hardest sizes to find in the US too. And it's a popular body dimension actually. I hope others chime in with suggestions too.

Krista

Veteran

Thank you Gaylene and Angie!

Gaylene - I will aim to look at the higher end retailers; I am willing to pay a fair amount for an item I love, so thank you for the suggestion to be aware of the sales (I definitely can't pay full price, but I have yet to meet a sale I didn't like!).

Angie - no need to apologize! I'm actually grateful to the forum for helping me make this realization about my body and what I need in clothing to dress and feel good about myself. For too many years, I believed there was something wrong with me and my shape. It's also quite liberating to hear that my sizes are actually quite popular! Now it can just be a mission of mine to find the brands that work and make them look fab.

Thank you again xo

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The pleasure is all mine, sweet Krista.

How can your body be wrong? That's absurd and I'm glad that you believe that too! It's the clothes that are wrong if they don't fit. Always.

Know that from what I've seen, you have great style. And I love your cheeky hair do. xo

MsMary

Veteran

Krista, I was your size for a long time and I had decent luck at Talbots. Their petites go up to 16P and although many of their clothes are cut for a pretty pear I still had pretty good luck with them!

Freckles

Veteran

Krista at the Jones NY factory outlet nearby they have a large petites section and the sizes go past yours. I'm sorry I'm not a petite so have no idea how they fit. The styles on some items may be a bit matronly but if you have a want for some classics they might be worth checking out.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried Reitmans? They also have an online store, so if you don't find what you like in store, they can order it in. I am not sure if they have 16P, but I think they do carry 14P.

Also, I echo Shannon in suggesting Cleo - although they run big.

Krista

Veteran

MaryK - thanks for the extra vote on Talbots! I'll be sure to check them out.

Freckles - good call on JNY. I had forgotten about them!

Lyn - Reitmans is a good option, as well. I'm not a fan of the quality of their fall/winter stuff, but they are a go-to location for summer wear. Thank you!

Angie - thank you again. I appreciate it so much

JR

Veteran

Wish I could help more. :o(

I've been finding the same thing: I'm getting pickier. Good thing too, LOL! And I am also beginning to understand my fit issues better too, although I am nowhere near having figured out how to deal with them all.