Good idea ... yes, get the pants you know she likes and find a pretty topper. She will be comfortable in familiar pants and will feel pretty and festive with a fancy topper.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/.....at=product

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/.....at=product

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/.....at=product

All XL petites.

http://www.chicos.com/store/br.....#038;size=

What about this jacket with the ink Travlers pant and tank?

You could easily shorten the jacket sleeves and length, if needed.

Angie, yay! At least I'm not completely off base in my thinking. Keep u posted.

Christie-thanks:)

Annagby-wow-those are all beautiful options, never thought if trying Neiman Marcus! Going to show these to Mom. Thanks so much

Kiki - Well you picked the same jacket the SA suggested when I phoned the store today. This looks like it might be perfect. They actually have the pants tank and jacket at the local store so I'm picking these pieces up tomorrow. Keep your fingers X'd for us! Thanks so much!

She is the same size as my m-i-l. All pants must be pull up and down now that she is almost 90. Appleseeds has that size as does Talbots. Pants are more likely to pull on at Appleseeds, but Talbots often has something special in a top, cardigan or jacket. Unlike Chico's Travelers, Appleseeds pants usually have some comfortable structure. That may not be a plus, but it could help minimize the issues she is sensitive about currently. If you know Travelers work, that is a huge plus now. Good luck. Comfort rules. Sometimes I find ankle pants are a better length for her. They fit like full length pants, but don't trip her.

Good luck, Carole. She is lucky to have your support.

Thinking of you Carole, and wishing you the best of luck. Here’s
hoping the Chicos outfit will work. Either way, I am totally sure that you can
find something lovely.

My sister and I now do all the clothes shopping for our 92 year-old mum, who suffers with back pain and cannot shop for clothes at all. Over the last year we have had to replace her entire wardrobe since she lost weight after a long hospitalization. At first we bought her a lot of misses that we had to return (poor mum was so patient!), but now that we understand her body shape, we can zoom in on what works for her, so nearly everything we buy now for her gets a “yes”. She tries on at home where we can see how things go with the rest of her wardrobe, and we make sure that we do not spend too long and tire her out, (we will leave some items to test out on another day). I feel we have now put together a fab coordinated wardrobe for her which she likes to wear. It is so satisfying to help her out this way. YLF rules!

When I go near the shops now I always have in the back of my mind what is the next item my mum could do with, in case I spot something likely.( We try to experiment with other designers a bit, so her wardrobe doesn’t look too uniform). I have tried mum’s clothes on myself, so I can put on a possible purchase for mum in the fitting room and know whether it will work or not. I sometimes take around with me a shirt of hers for sizing reference. (BTW, all her tops and pants need the hems taken up - and sometimes the sleeves as wel - because she is petite, but this is easier than searching for the “perfect” fit - which doesn’t exist anyway.)

In case the pants you ordered don’t work out, here’s what I found browsing “plus size evening pants”. I‘m not sure if the fabric of these would be too revealing of your mother’s leg shape; you may also need to watch for potential sitting/standing trip issues with the
wide leg styles).

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....Type=PDPZ1

http://www.onestopplus.com/clo.....38;ppos=71

http://www.onestopplus.com/clo.....8;ppos=134

Re her shoes: there are some dressier “support shoes” which might work for your mum -- in patent and metallic leathers,or with buckle trim, which look smarter and less casual or work-like . My mother and I both have problems with shoe fitting (between us we have wide feet, orthotics, bunions and misshapen toes and toenails), so I have had to wear the dressier products of the following “comfort” brands - Munro, Ara, Waldlaufer. To my surprise, my mother has become a devoted fan of Ecco, as they work for her toe problems. The shop below has an easy-to-read selection of stylish support shoes - great for seeing what is out there right now all in one place.

https://www.petersheppard.com......geNumber=3

Ziera (New Zealand) are another stylish as well as a very comfy "support"
shoe brand.

http://zierashoes.com/Shoes/Orthotics

And finally, some elder inspiration- my #1 favourite for dressy senior style –85 year-old Queen Fabiola of Belgium (don’t you love that name?) Queen Fab uses a wheelchair most of the time these days but she has never given up on style, (check out the hair :)!) and she wears a lot of formal pants. I know your mum will look fab on the big day too.

Carole - just a couple of others to throw into the mix.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ni.....tegoryid=0

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ci.....tualcatego

Eliza-Thanks so much for the Appleseeds recommendation. I checked out the website and there are some great options here. I had never heard of this company and am so excited to have another resource for Mom!

Lyrebirdgully- Wow! Thank you so much. You have linked to some fantastic pant set options and at Macy's which is so handy for me to shop on line and in store. I can't wait to see how these might work out. One Stop is another new to me brand/store and am looking forward to perusing the site. The shoe suggestions are fantastic as well and I guess it's time to just embrace online shopping to allow for the wider selection this will offer. Going through this process is definitely educating me on what will and won't work for Mom and like you, I am already planning and purchasing things that are building a functional capsule from which she can dress most days. The inspiration photos are a testament to the fact that one can be stylish at any age or station in life, although her cute little frame seems like a dream to dress! A million thanks for your help.

Sarah-Gorgeous topper options-thank you so much.

You ladies are the best for your help. This is really making me feel so much more confident that Mom is going to look FAB for this wedding. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Just did a google search for "formal pants suits for plus petite" and this came up:

http://after5formals.com/eveningpantssuits.aspx

Something like 30+ pages of formal pants outfits and they all come in a very wide range of sizes. Never shopped here so have no idea as to their service/quality, but thought I'd pop it in here to add to your ever-growing list of options to try

Apparently - these all come in a kazillion colours, and every size (plus, plus petites, misses, women's etc.).

There was a huge listing for pants outfits, and you will have to scroll though like crazy to find something you like, but keep in mind - lots of colours and apparently - any/all sizes you might need. Each of these outfits below comes in at least ten different colours.