(no subject)

[tree_talking]

annechen67 linked to this brilliant essay, which I wholeheartedly agree with.

For the reasons stated herein, my main goal is to learn to design and make my own clothing. I already need to do serious alteration (not that it ever actually happens; I usually end up wearing it ill-fitting) to just about everything I buy. I'm short, small-boned, and overweight. My body type has never been in style.

What do you think? I'm really quite interested in clothes, how people think about them, and what sorts of issues women have with them. Feel free to discuss. Pass the link on if you agree.

Comments

[silveraspen]

I think that the women's fashion industry is something that could very easily give me hives. I am tired of shoddy workmanship, even on things that carry a ridiculously high price tag -- right now I'm thinking of a coat, which I had to resew all the buttons for.

I am in possession of the (stereotypical?) "hourglass figure," and it has always, always, ALWAYS been difficult to find clothing that fits. Shirts don't button or they gap, being cut on a square and not any sort of curve; jeans or pants that fit my length of leg and hip measurement also have about 2-3 inches of excess material in the waist. (Exception: low-rise jeans, which fit across my hips well, and so I wear them instead and deal with the other issues related to that cut).

It's wearying. Extremely.

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me with the hourglass figure as well. I also am in the possession of a ridiculously large chest, which it is impossible to find bras to fit in regular stores. I haven't had a bra that really fits me in years. I just can't afford it!

I've also noticed something, as the sizes are "vanity reduced"--women are getting fatter as the sizes get sized up. In Supersize Me someone made the observation as well that in cultures where the ideal is very thin, the women conversely battle with weight more. I haven't looked at any of the statistics on this, but it's an interesting concept.

I myself have had the curious sensation of "overeating because I want so desperately to lose weight."

[h311ybean]

I think it would be wonderful to learn how to make your own clothes. I'd like to learn that myself - or at least how to customize what I already have so it fits better.

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

*nods* I like the idea, myself. Even if stuff didn't fit me crappily, I'd still like the idea.

Another thing that annoys me is the Stepford Wife sameness of everything in the stores. :)

I have a long standing love affair with fabric.

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

I really have problems. I'm short, large boned and overweight. My hips are not that big. It's a real pain. The worst part of all is that there's a real lack of style for people my age. It's either women trying to look younger and dressing slutty or I wear clothes my mom would like. (I mean other than suits/ work clothes) Please design clothes for normal people from 30-50 because there's not much out there for us.

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

God, yes. I mean, I love some of the cute clothes intended for twenty-somethings, but...they'd look ridiculous on me.

Another reason for making my own clothes, I guess. More variety and more interesting things I can do with them.

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

I really like ethnic clothes. I love this one catalogue that one of my lj friends pointed out: http://www.marketplaceindia.org/mp33/default.asp

[shellebelle93.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that looks wonderful! I'll have to check them out. :)

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

I have the opposite problem. They'll be too small in the waist and fit in the hips and thighs or be okay in the waist and baggy in the hips and thighs.

[sharkbait.livejournal.com]

That definitely hit about every problem I have with clothing. It amazes me that in college, I thought a size 13 was "fat" and that size jean is equal to about an 8 now! I can wear from a 14 to an 18 depending on brand, but I couldnt get one leg into one of those old size 13s from the late 70's/early 80's.

And as a big chested woman, I want nice shirts! They dont have to fall down like a maternity top after coming over my breats either, Im tired of trying things on that look that way! I havent owned a button up shirt in years because of it.

[rowanberries.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, POCKETS.

Yes. We wants them. It's not the main reason I hate going out, but it's a big one. You're going out with friends for a drink, maybe to dance, what do you need? Keys, money and probably your phone. And you keep these where? Little handbags can sod off, I want clothes with pockets!

And the point about clothing wearing out is such a good one. It's why I live in jeans that are too big by shop standards - one, the sizes are so ridiculous I don't actually know my size, and two, pocketses.

I quite like casual dresses, but I need my pockets, oh yes.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

I read this over on Annechen's; it's the reason I buy from Deva Lifewear. Cotton AND pockets AND fitting comfortably, since I'm as likely to crawl under a car or climb a tree for eccentric reasons in whatever I'm wearing as sit still and reset passwords.

That ethnic link reminded me of a site I found once which had Hindu women's clothing (the trousers, tunic, scarves) in gorgeous fabrics completely customised to your measurements for ridiculously cheap prices. It was on my old harddrive, I'll have to see if I can find it again.