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what are your most difficult items to find?

always trying

Veteran

I am usually fortunate to find pants and jeans that fit well. Footwear is generally ok if I stick to lace ups, buckles, zippers, that stay on my feet. Heel slipping is sometimes a problem though in boots, and the little bunion on left foot can be problematic. But when it comes to jackets I just discovered I have real issues. Many of the jackets of all kinds in my closet do not really fit well,, sleeves too long -too wide in the middle, etc. too long or too short mostly are the problems. Jacket fitting is a problem because I am bigger busted and have linebacker shoulders. Yesterday I went shopping for an inexpensive lined lighter weight casual jacket I need for a trip. It was frustrating-what I would like to find is a field type jacket with lining. One of my most perfect casual jackets I have is a navy Caslon but it is unlined. I would like something a little warmer for this trip since jackets do not get too much wear in my climate other than my fleece and really casual stuff like hoodies. I do not want to spend too much on something that will spend most of its life in the closet.

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33 replies

Latest reply was from gradfashionista

RobinF

Veteran

My most difficult items are definitely pants. Large waist, narrow-ish hips and petite make it very difficult. Luckily I can do some alterations like hem and sometimes I can narrow the hips so that helps. I know what you mean about jackets, they are hit or miss for me but I don't really consider them hard to fit, more that I am pretty picky.

DonnaF

Veteran

Footwear. No question. I have ridiculously hard to fit fussy feet and I like funky/edgy shoes. Trying to decide if I should keep the Dansko oxfords because they scream conservative. When temps go down I will try them with outfits against my old shoes to see if they would be an acceptable alternative.

Dansko Livie Wingtip Oxford

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Aquamarine

Veteran

Like DonnaF, it's always been footwear.

Sisi

Veteran

Summer dresses: I want natural fabric, modest neckline, knee-length, color that I like, fluid in the right way, practical but dressy. In a word, impossible.

Also, woolen pullovers: true wool, modest neckline, not cropped, simple, no embellishments, color that I like.

I understand that the right jacket is also difficult to find. Jackets have been one of my most frequent shopping mistakes.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Definitely pants and wide calf boots.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm just the opposite -- I find amazing jackets that fit me well left and right, but have a much harder time with pants and jeans, and even harder with dresses. I am clinging to my well-fitting dresses because it's so hard to find ones that fit me well, are flattering, are long enough, and work with my style.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Seems that a simple leather navy jeans belt with gold hardware is a HEWI for me. Can't find one anywhere. I don't want skinny belts or embellished or embossed, just nice clean style. Last one I got about 2 years ago and it's reaching it's end.

Christina F.

Veteran

I need a trench coat but I'm pear shaped so the fit is tough. I finally settled for one, but after a couple of wears I realized I hated because the waist is too low and the top too large for me. I need a skirted trench coat, possibly in a petite size, to replace it.

Ginger

Veteran

texstyle, have you tried Poshmark for belts? I found a patent black belt in a particular size and width to replace one that's definitely bitten the bust. I haven't seen anything like it in store in years but there's a lot to choose from on Poshmark.

Bijou

Veteran

I would love a jumpsuit but I have yet to find one that fits me. It is really strange because I can buy dresses off the rack with a perfect fit - but I am yet to find that elusive jumpsuit!

Sara L.

Veteran

I can't find brown dressy knee high boots for a narrow calf for a reasonable price. I can't afford to spend $400-500 dollars and that seems to be the price point for narrow calf boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Comfortable and fab looking footwear that goes the distance.

cindysmith

Veteran

Part of me wants to say ARCH SUPPORT, but that's not my hardest item to find even though it is difficult.

No, my real trouble is non-knit long sleeve anything. And just writing about it? without an epic bleepfest of the most original spanish&English jumble of profanity any of you will ever come across (with a small bit of Finnish ugly words thrown in for flavor)? Is hard, y'all. Because I have so much love & respect for members here, it's taking a lot of braining to make the words go (without resorting to curse words in multiple languages).

If it is woven and goes on my top half, it's just a miserable experience trying on woven long sleeve items. Shirts, jackets, coats, whatever. If it isn't my chest, it's my arms. Anything with buttons probably gaps across my chest unless I size up to plus sizes, and I had this problem long before I gained this weight because of muscles in my shoulders and back. IF it fits across the chest without pulling/gapping, it is going to be ridiculously huge around my abdomen or heinously tight on my upper arms (or both). I have literally tried 3 sizes larger and STILL felt sleeves cutting off circulation to my hands. Sleeve length is a problem, too. Most non-tall long sleeves just feel too short (be they knit or woven), and I'm not even tall for heaven's sake! This means I LOOOOOOOVE me some extended sleeves.

I gave up on shopping for woven garments for my upper half about a decade ago because it's just too frustrating. If I can find something that works, it's going to need some many alterations that it's stupid. If the alterations are possible (which is questionable because then you're completely remaking the garment), they're so expensive that I'm not even going there.

So I'd say woven long-sleeved jackets, shirts, coats, blouses, and etcetera that actually fit are so hard to find that I will not be shopping for any of them unless it is the last available option. I had to buy a new winter coat a couple of years ago, and that was a soul-sucking experience that I am not eager to repeat. I am praying to the shopping gods & goddesses that thestate coats I bought still fit in spite of the weight gain because I do NOT want to have to take money from the house budget just to go and be demoralized by the experience of shopping for a new winter coat.

Thistle

Veteran

Comfortable, fashionable, footwear.

Dianna

Veteran

Pants and jeans, definitely. Pear shape, round butt, big thighs, and long rise make it hard for me to find a pair that fits well. Also, dresses that define the waist, since usually the waist of the dress is higher than my natural waist. It is way easier to find tops and jackets, and sack dresses.

BrieN

Veteran

Dresses that fit my semi-petite, short-waisted, round-middled, busty self. Followed closely by fall and winter clothing not made of wool, cashmere or acrylic (skin sensitivities)

Joy

Veteran

Boots and booties and ankle strap flats that fit well on narrow calves and ankles but are not a small size.
Pants other than jeans that do not bag in the back ( no hips).
Sweater dresses that are in a color rather than a neutral, have sleeves and are about 40 inches from shoulder to hem.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Jeans and dresses, similar to Janet. For dresses, I am picky about length, style, colour and fabric. For jeans, everything seems to be too tight.

Dianna

Veteran

Oh, I forgot! I am having trouble finding tall boots this year. It had not been an issue before, but changes in body weight and shape, and in boots shape are making it difficult to find a flattering pair. I have low to medium volume feet, narrow ankles (8 inches), and 15.25 inches calves. Most boots are too straight to fit me well. Either they are not wide enough for my calves or my ankles swim in them.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Fitted dresses - being a larger size on bottom always makes them a challenge. And tall boots - they're usually too short, and too tight in the calves.

gryffin

Veteran

The perfect little black dress. You know. It's the one one everyone's list. The ever versatile, elegant, chameleon that you can wear everywhere. Does it exist. Perfect design-the fabric is cheap or too casual, too dressy, too casual, too memorable, too body con, too heavy, too light, too low cut.... where is it?!!! I look and look but it eludes me.

Secondary hewis, dressy flats w arch support, dressy boots w arch support. The perfect shoes would go with the perfect LBD.

Sal

Veteran

Well cut perfecting fitting trousers......my issues can be pinching sagging gaping pulling....length, fabric etc..

jill58

Veteran

Pants/jeans. I hate trying them on and settle too easily.

Gigi

Veteran

Leather jacket. I've been looking for a leather jacket for some years now. The problem is that I really need a small-size petite one, without too much hardware. Most of the jackets are too big (I have small shoulders and a small bust) or else are too "rough" looking.

Knee-high boots are pretty much impossible, because I have 12" calves and also need a short shaft. I'll probably end up having a custom pair made or else splurge for a pair of Stuart Weitzman OTKs and not worry about the short shaft. In winter, the extra shaft height actually keeps me warm.

Dresses, if not fit-and-flare type, are also tough, since I'm a size or two bigger on bottom than on top. So if I want something that isn't fit-and-flare, I'll have to have alts done. I'd love a jumpsuit, but that is tough for the same reason as a dress.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Another with a vote for dresses- they are usually too short for my liking.
And leather jackets- I love the idea but they always seem too zippy and tough on me.

Anonymous

Footwear. Definitely footwear.

Adela

Footwear to wear with skirts, specially pencil skirts- my feet are very fussy, wide at the front and narrow at the heel. And dresses. Then tops, specially shorter and fitted.

viva

Veteran

It used to be dresses but I've had more luck there the last couple of years. So, my HEWI has to be closed-toe, non-bootie work appropriate footwear that can be worn for hours and has style. I think maybe this really doesn't exist.

anchie

Veteran

Dresses that have waist at the right place and are long enough. And tops that are not sweaters.

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