What is your biggest fit challenge? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is your biggest fit challenge?

Kyle

Veteran

What is your biggest fit challenge and how have you addressed it?
Have you avoided it (example, wearing skirts in lieu of pants)? Have you settled? Given up? Have you persevered and found a solution?
I experienced this recently with a boot situation where I had basically given up and then found something that actually met all my criteria. This caused me to think it can be worth persevering when faced with a difficult fit challenge. How about you?

Body Type

51 replies

Latest reply was from umayama

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Pencil skirts. I'm a pear and I know it's possible if it's straight enough rather than tapered in, but I know I might have to have the waist taken in and I know I'd have to devote hours of my life to trying on until I find the right thing so I've given up for the moment.

I did find a sheath dress that worked recently, though, and that has similar fit issues so perhaps I should just persevere!

Tanya

Veteran

I have a similar issue with very skinny calves Kyle, and I know how frustrating ti can be.

However, my biggest fit issue is my waist, which is relatively smaller than the rest of my body. Now I know that it is a good thing, but nevertheless it creates a lot of fitting problems. Most of my bottoms, pants and jeans especially, need to be taken in at the waist, so i always have to mentally add the alteration price to the final item cost. I also do it sometimes for woven tops. So voluminous, or knitted, or wrap tops ( or dresses) are really useful for me. Sheath dresses are the worst for me to fit, even tough I absolutely love them, I only have one. Since I have a fairly long torso too, the too wide waist of the dress tends to hit me much higher then it is supposed to, and the alteration end up being too complicated and not worth it.

marianna

Veteran

My feet. They're big and the majority of shoe manufacturers don't make my size. So I am forced to settle. I can only shop at Nordstrom (no other brick and mortar store sells my size) and although Nordies has a nice selection, it's still small compared to all the other options out there. So I wear what I can find in my size and it can be extremely frustrating at times.

Kristine

Veteran

Probably my biggest issue as a rectangle is that if pants or jeans fit in the waist they're too big in the hips. And of course if they fit through the hips they're too small in the waist. A lot of pants are designed with hourglasses in mind.

I get around it by looking for slim cuts, but sometimes I just have to wear pants a little tight in the waist. It seems like manufacturers are paying more attention, I've noticed Levis and now Target have different fits for different shapes now.

Becky

Veteran

I can only pick one? Here's my laundry list:

Extra-wide (but small) feet. Thank goodness for Zappos or I'd be going barefoot. I'm still irritated that I can't wear many of the stylish shoes/boots others do because most choices in my size/width are in black only or are orthopedic looking. I keep an eye on currently available options, and jump on any possibilities before they're sold out in my size/width!

Wide shoulders. Try, try, and try again is what I'm learning. There *are* some styles out there that work, so don't give up too soon.

Short arms. Frustrating for knits that can't be altered, but at least many items can be shortened (for a price).

Short legs. See above.

Smaller waist + larger bum. Pants are *much* harder to fit than skirts. Although my lifestyle is quite casual currently, I find myself adding more skirts.

OK, I think that's my gripe list. I'm actually pretty happy with my body, I just wish I could have everything tailor-made!

April

Veteran

Biggest clothing fit challenge: having shoulders that are wider than would normally be proportionate to my size, so that any jacket or woven shirt that fits in the shoulder has to be taken in elsewhere. Annoying.

Biggest footwear fit challenge: without a doubt, the narrow-calf boot issue.

Ljubica

My biggest issue is usually my height. Hems are short, and so are sleeves, and the whole thing looks as it belonged to my daughter. Many times when I try on a dress which looks 'normal' on a smaller woman I end up looking totally age inapropriate, because of its shortness.
I have had a few dresses made to solve that problem and it has proved to be a good strategy.

catgirl

Veteran

Like Becky: do I have to pick just one?

1) lack of defined waist
2) lack of height
3) bust size - although I'm probably "proportionate", my issues with showing cleavage (on me, not necessarily on others) make it difficult to find tops I like sometimes

Kate

Veteran

I have problems with woven tops. I have a short neck, so most collars are out and so are crew necks and boat necks. I have inverted triangle tendencies, so cap sleeves and any ruffled sleeves are out. I'm short waisted, so I have to be sure that the smallest part of the shirt lines up with my smallest point, rather than hitting too low on my tummy. Finally, finding a woven shirt that fits right for my shoulders, breasts, and waist has been tricky. I've found some decent ones over the years, but most I need to add a belt to, and generally I just stick to knits.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Flat shoes are my biggest fit problem. I have pretty much given up on them. Ballet flats and other flat shoes are just not comfortable for me except Converse. Last year, I went from booties/boots straight into sandals with long pants. This year I may add some heeled clogs to help bridge the gap.

Maya

Veteran

It's a tossup between my bust and my feet.

I would say probably my bust wins out though, because with perseverance I *can* find shoes that work. My bust, by contrast, is something that troubles me each and every day, in terms of both fit and comfort. Literally every other part of my body, from my narrow face down to my size 6 feet, is very small. But my bust is just huge in comparison. Aside from the fit issues, it is uncomfortable and definitely affects my posture, which in turn affects my sense of confidence and polish. I don't know anyone else my size who has a bust as big as mine and it makes me feel like a freak.

Also, I have had the privilege of meeting many YLFers in person, and one thing I get told consistently is that I am much smaller in person than I appear in my pictures. I'm sure my chest size is the culprit in making me look larger than I am in my pictures. When I first started posting, I was told I looked like a forum member who was a size or two bigger, and while it didn't trouble me at all (she was very stylish and fab), it did perplex me.

As far as fit goes, anything fitted is a challenge. Most of my fitted clothes show some tension lines around the bust, and inevitably button gaping is frequently a problem. While I do embrace voluminous styles, I know they aren't as flattering on me as they would be if I had a smaller bust. It also interferes with my style persona and being able to wear the styles I like to their maximum potential. I were a B or C cup, I would probably be able to wear just about anything I wanted.

Ultimately I choose to just ignore it and dress how I want--within reason. I'd rather wear what I want and have it be a 7 or 8 than wear clothes and styles I don't like and be a 10. I try to do a little give and take: If I surrender my waist in a sack dress, I still keep the neckline fairly low (within my comfort level) and the hem nice and high. If I wear something fitted, I allow myself to wear a higher neckline and keep the hem lower.

catgirl

Veteran

Maya, as you know, I had a breast reduction, and although it made a huge difference in how I felt, most people just thought I'd lost some weight. I was shocked at how many people didn't notice a difference - and these are people who would say something, not hold back from politeness. I can only think that because the rest of me was so small, people actually DIDN'T notice my chest as much somehow - like an optical illusion. It was really more about ME, my eyes, and my issues with dressing and pain.

The other (surprising) thing is that my fashion tastes have not changed, even though I can probably wear more styles now. It's just easier to find things that fit. I think my eyes still see me as huge.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hi! What a great question. Well, I THINK I am an hourglass but like rectangle Kristine my biggest problem is that if pants fit in the rear, they are going to be too tight in the waist. I routinely stretch the waist of my jeans overnight after washing them to accommodate this problem. I stuff boxes and towels inside the waist area to do the stretching!

I am looking forward to being an Active member so I can post questions and pictures and get advice from all of you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*sigh*

Feet. By far, my feet.

And then:

Being "outsized" with US clothing when the smallest size is still too big and there is nowhere else for me to go - and I can't wear petites, nor do I want to wear junior clothing. I know it's hard to believe but it's a reality. Designer wear is definitely cut smaller and so are European brands so I have the best luck with those fits.

And last but not least:

My skin and wool. Not friends

Anchi

(website)

I have a few major fit issues too.

My biggest, worst challenge, the one that sometimes has me literally in tears, is my ginormous (proportion-wise) bustline. I'm 5'4" and my bra size is 36 DDD (sometimes DD). Dresses and tops that fit perfectly elsewhere come to a screeching halt at my chest. I have to pay $$$ for flattering sweaters because most of the basic ones in stores look awful on me. But now that they're coming out with flared sweaters I was finally able to get them for the first time in over a decade!

My other challenge is something that makes me angry ... because it's really not my or any other woman's fault: being 5'4" and having to deal with jeans that all seem to have 33" to 35" hemlines. And none of the Petite sizes in jeans are made in the cool new styles, just in the basic, "boring" styles. The problem with this is that I'm forced to take new pairs of jeans to get hemmed by the tailor, but only if they're skinny or straight legs. I can't hem flared legs without the line getting unalterably distorted. I always find myself asking, "Why on earth can't they make these jeans in a variety of lengths?!"

Also, I have a particular problem right now and that's finding reasonably-priced maternity pants and jeans. I'm living in my $30 pair from Target because everything else is ridiculously overpriced. I'm sorry, but I don't want to pay more than $30 (and even *that's* pushing it) for a pair of pants I'll only wear for a few months. Fortunately this is not a long-term problem, but for the time being it is a very, very frustrating one.

Lisa

Veteran

Fit issues. Story of my life.

-My hips, are what make me a pear and make fitting trousers and pencil skirts almost impossible. Even jeans, are not my friends. I often have to wear a belt, and find them annoying to wear every day to keep my pants tucked at the waist but able to fit the hips. I do get items altered, but have had times when that won't work because it requires taking in too much fabric. Even at a lighter weight, I still had fit issues in the hip area. And I'd love to wear some skirts or trousers or cargo pants, really anything instead of jeans everyday, but nothing ever works out, or after a day of no success I give up. You do get worn down trying, and trying and trying with no winners to take home.

-My bum, in close proximity to my hips, I can hide the bum in jeans the best but a tailored trouser, oh boy. I get worn down before I can find an even halfway acceptable fit for work outfits.

-Trouser length, I'm short and petite is usually too short for heels, or trousers are too tall for my highest heels. I do get things hemmed, but even a blind hem, you have to fuddle with the extra fabric that's kept in place so you can keep the original hem. And if a jean has a big flare, it's gone after my jeans are hemmed to my height.

-Dresses are not too easy either. Many skim the body closely and then we get back to hugging the whole bum hip area again.

fathenry

Veteran

Muffin top! Wearing a cami under pretty much everything has helped.

Tricia

Veteran

Mine are my lack of height - just about everything has to be hemmed - and my bust. Like Maya and Una, the rest of me is very small, especially my waist now that I've lost weight, but my bust is disproportionately large. It has gotten better now that I'm a year or so post-nursing and lost some weight, but it's still irritating.

shelley24

it's amazing how different we all are, no wonder we have trouble finding perfect fit. I have always sewed my own clothes, usually for economy but it certainly helps for fit. If you can find a friend or friendly sewer to help it's not difficult to alter most of garments.
My personal fit problem is my forever changing pear shape- from smaller to bigger, depending on the time of month or my fitness or dietary changes. Even a pound difference can make certain pants or skirts off limits. So finding pants that fit me from waist to thigh is the challenge and most difficult to alter.
My feet which happen to be different sizes, need orthotics and are beyond alteration are the piece of apparel I spend the most on because I never know when I'll next find a pair that fit and be able to afford. Add to that I now have a "low heel, close toe, non-slip" shoe requirement at work!

NK

(website)

Normally I'd say my large rear, but I think I'm actually coming to peace with it after all these years and learning to work around it.

Right now, it's my short wide calves. I want a flattering pair of cognac boots so badly, but I'm giving up hope. If I can find a pair of boots that actually fit, they don't usually LOOK like I want them to.

And really, that's only a seasonal problem, because in a few more weeks I'll be over the idea until next fall and winter.

Joy

Veteran

Your replies have brought several of mine to mind. The biggest in clothing is finding fab age-apporpriate clothing that's small enough and doesn't cost a fortune. Most petite tops don't fit well and bottoms are too short. My son says to come to Tokyo to shop. I've given up on many brands.
Footwear, the problem is small calves for flat/low-heeled boots and stylish low-heeled
footwear in general. My feet are large (7.5-8) for my height (now 5'3" I'm shrinking!) so I dread the return of long pointy shoes that make my feet look huge.

Tara

(website)

Veteran

My biggest ones are my bust and my hips/thighs.

Woven fitted shirts are a definite challenge as they fit in the waist but are too small across the bust. One size bigger is often too big in the waist (I have a 28 inch waist and a 36 inch bust).

I usually buy the more fitted size, and just wear a cami underneath the shirt leaving the top one or two buttons undone.

And of course, the bane of many womens' lives: dress pants. The rise is often too low on the more modern, fitted versions, the ones with higher rises are too "matronly" looking with hardly any shape (they don't shape around the hips and bottom, just hang there or look baggy), and the sizing is all weird. I can vary from a size 10 (US size 6) to a size 14 (US size 10) in dress pants.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I have trouble fitting bras. Usually I settle, since my bra size isn't manufactured by very many brands and is frumptasic and overpriced when it is. (28DDD). I end up wearing the next size up (30DD) on the last hook, but it means they don't last as long since I can't ratchet them down with the stretch out in the band.

I also have chubby thighs. When I've been running they are less of a problem. I wanted a pair of OTK boots, but the ones I've tried wont' fit around the bottom part of my thigh, so I've just given up trying to find a pair. I also am very wary of pants/jeans because even styles that are "wide leg" sometimes are too tight for me to even pull onto my thighs. I prefer a wide leg or something with stretch, or I size up and have them tailored.

Christie

I think my biggest fit challenge must be less common, since I don't think anyone else has posted it. After having kids, my ribcage is wide (making woven garments hard to fit) and long (hardly any space between high hip and ribs, making my waistline kind of thick. Sizing up in dresses or blouses is an option, but then I'm swimming in the bustline and under-arms, because my bust is small-to-average.

taylor

Veteran

My 10 inch calves and over all narrow frame,
Like Angie sized out....00's and 00p is my only option...I know it seems like a non issue. but honestly it is a pain for small framed humans to find clothes that fit. Alterations are a way of life for me.

I can only imagine what it may be like for those much smaller than me...and there are plenty with tiny feet 5 or smaller:(

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Narrow calves and wide large 81/2 to 9 feet. Boots and heels are very hard to find.
Other than that I can usually buy off the rack.

Elly

Veteran

I have a couple problems:

1) Long arms! I have to wear tall tops, and very few retailers carry them, despite carrying long sizes in pants, ect. The obvious solution would be wearing short or 3/4 sleeves, which is what I did growing up. Now I live somewhere cold, and have circulation problems and I cannot get by without AT LEAST two full-sleeved layers on my arms. Americans are constantly getting taller-- everything that should be made in petite should also be made in tall!!!!!!!

2) Hip-to-waist-to-bust ratio! I am a very curvy hourglass with a 13-14" difference between my waist and bust. Most women's clothes are not cut for that. I still struggle to find skirts/dress slacks/dresses that work. Tops are the worst, because I am a pretty big person except for my waist and if things don't fit in the waist, I just look BIG. I used to struggle with jeans, but now I wear the modern cut jeans from the Western Wear store. I say this all the time, but if you have booty and a thin waist and want a mid-rise bootcut jean it is the place to go. They also come in inch by inch inseam increments, so little ladies can get their 28 or 29 and I can get my 35 and all the really tall ladies can have their 38's and 40's.

3) My feet. I have high arches that have to have arch support. They just don't make shoes with enough for me. I can't add an orthotic to most things though, because the shoes aren't DEEP enough. I don't have wide feet, and can't just buy wide shoes or a larger size because I need vertical space in the shoe, not the other way or else my feet slide side to side.

Megan

Anchi, have you checked out Paige Premium denim jeans in petites? They have lots of styles available that aren't the boring basics

Like Angie and Taylor, being sized out of clothes is probably my biggest issue. The other thing that makes me hard to fit is having an extremely short shoulder to bust length- it makes tops and bras a huge pain. I also have quite an hourglass shape in that my waist is quite a bit smaller than my hips- pants almost always need to be taken in and my tailor is expensive!

On the postive side, my curvy girl tush and slim thighs means jeans pretty much always work out great

Isabel

Veteran

Sleeve length and waist vs. hip proportion. I find that Ann Taylor and Loft are pretty good for my sleeve length....or I just "scruch" up the sleeves. As for the waist to hip ratio, I have almost every pair of pants taken in at the waist.

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