Tops, Bottoms, and Pinup Clothing

Hey guys!

First quesiton: while browsing sites, I saw a lot of women talk about wearing a bigger size tops than they do bottom and vice versa. I'm wondering how they can tell if the size is bigger or smaller since tops and bottoms tend to be sized differently, at least where I live. Tops usually go by S, M, L, and so on while bottoms are numbered.

I wear a size 6 to 8 pants depending on the store/brand and size medium top. Would that be the equivalent of wearing the same size top and bottom? Hopefully my question makes sense and isn't too silly. This would normally be the kind of thing I'd search on my own, but I'm not even sure how to google it.

My second question (because I don't want to make multiple posts in one day), do you guys think an apple body shape would look good in pinup style or rockabilly clothing? I absolutely adore the look and what to browse a few stores in my hometown later on this month, but I don't want to waste my time if I'm going to end up hating the way I look in everything. Here are some examples:

11 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Hi G! As for your first question, in the US small is usually 4-6 and medium 8-10, so you sound like you're about the same size on bottom and top. Another way to tell is by how dresses typically fit - eg, for me a sheath dress that fits from the ribcage up could nearly always use taking in in the waist and hip, and I reliably wear a size bigger on top in numbered sizes.

As for your second question ... I hate to be a downer but it seems to me like that pin-up style on an apple body type would be really hard to make work. That style is all about emphasizing the waist, and the clothes are usually cut for hourglass body types.

But if you want to see if you can make it work for yourself, can you try a similar silhouette with things you have in your closet? How about a fitted top, tucked into a full or A-line skirt that sits at your natural waist?

trekkiegirl

Have you considered wearing a functional corset? Not the kind you get at Fredericks, but an actual steel boned custom made one. It would be an investment for sure, but would change the way you wear clothes forever.

gesturepoke

Active Member

I figured it might be the same size top and bottom but wasn't sure. At least now I know. Thank you! The times I have trouble with dresses tend to be around my rib cage or bust. It's annoying when it happens. I'll think everything's going great as I'm pulling it up, then get to my boobs and it's downhill from there.

I don't have anything in my wardrobe I could use to test the look, but I used to have a cute, A-line halter dress when I was in art school. It was similar to this but red with a white flower pattern. I was 30 lbs heavier back then and had a big belly, but I still liked the way I looked in it. I figured if I liked the way I looked in that dress back then, I might like wearing the pinup style clothing.

Tr3kkie, I never thought about wearing corsets before. It's something to think about. Are they as hard to breathe in as they look?

A good corset should not inhibit breathing AT ALL. If it does, you're wearing it wrong. The first few times you wear one it might feel strange, even a bit uncomfortable, but I find the sensation very pleasant. It's almost like a constant hug lol

The trick is to start with lacing it only to where you are comfortable and once you get used to that, tighten it gradually.

A hug? Lol, I'll have to try one at some point, then. I've considered wearing any kind of shapewear before.

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