Fashion vs bodyshape

[Karen2005]

Does anyone else get fed up with not being able to buy clothes that suit your body-shape because that particular cut isn't in fashion?

I'm looking for a simple, black, knee-length skirt for work. However, because I am a very definite pear-shape, it really has to be A-line. All I can find in the shops though are straight up-and-down pencil skirts (in order to get them to fit around my hips, the waist is far too big), or the style which pleats out from the hips which doesn't do anything for me either.

Can anyone recommend shops which do A-line cuts???

[bednobs]

try the shopping section ... the people in there are usually a fabulous help!

[dot.hawkes]

British women are notoriously pearshaped lol, you need a pencil skirt to flatter and define your curves. Plenty about and they look really eficient and neat too.

[Karen2005]

Cheers Bednobs - I've posted a question in Shopping too.

[petes_dragon]

yaaay!! it's not just me!

I'm a pear shape too and pencil skirts look REALLY awful on me, so I always wear a-line styles too - how hard is it to find one at the mo - impossible!!!

A xXx

[dot.hawkes]

my answer has vanished from here but it is in my profile

[Hellion]

I totally agree with you, my other bug bear is colour. I look best in autumn colours and rich blues and greens. This year everything seems to be red and black. I hardly ever wear black since I was voted the 'person I'd least like to meet in a dark alley' at a conference because my appearance was 'witchy and intimidating' lol!
I've found more classic styles in unlikely places, my Mum got me into checking in Bon Marche, which she calls the 'crumblies' shop, but you can often get some good classic styles in there.

[Eve]

I have cleavage issues!!! I'm a size 14, petite and curvy with a 36G cleavage. it's a a nightmare finding pretty party dresses and such as can't wear strapless, halter neck, backless, too revealing, anything with a "boob line" etc...

A nightmare finding things for work too as blouses have to be big enough to encompass my cleavage but without looking like a tent elsewhere.

Trying not to look tarty can be an issue too, people are sometimes like "put em away" but i'd like to know where i'm supposed to put them not being able to deflate them at will and all haha ;)

Thank goodness for lycra is all I can say :)

[Karen2005]

Thanks everyone. It's tricky being a woman sometimes isn't it! I'm glad it's not just me that thinks it's impossible to get A-line skirts at the moment. I did see a lovely one in Mexx recently - black with a red flower detail on it, but they'd run out my my size...

I'm lucky in the sense that I've got a smaller bust (but I'd love to be more in proportion!) so I don't have "top" issues, but it must be very frustrating for you, Jenna. Why can't manufacturers make flattering clothes which are available all the time. It makes a mockery of the Trinny and Susannah type programmes - we know what suits us, the problem is finding it in the shops!

I'll check out Bon Marche - I've walked past it lots of times but it might be the answer.

[Pippa68]

I am with you on the boob line thing, Jenna!

I like those boho swingy tops..you know those smock things. However I wore one once thinking it may flatter my shape and hide my tummy. The next door neighbour asked me if I was pregnant, so I gave the top to my skinny cousin..:o(

[Eve]

Awwww Pippa, bless! i know the feeling hon and have made the same mistake myself!

I think 99% of my wardrobe includes black (slimming) lycra!!!

I think I need a personal shopper, maybe I can go and pay Dot a vist in Debenhams and get some beautiful shoes to aid as a distraction!

[spicebiscuit]

Surprising solution... I'm a pear, too -waist size 6, hips size 12. I wear a pencil-skirt several sizes too big and let it sit lower down on my hips. Perhaps try it and see? It's very flattering!

[partyanimal]

Jenna, I'm only a man but petite & 14 dont seem to go together,
Do like the sound of 36Gs, LOL , is that the reason for 14?

[Pippa68]

Petite can mean short in height, partyanimal...

I can't see 36Gs fitting into a size 14 though ~ I am 36 FF and have to wear size 16 tops :o(

[partyanimal]

Ta for clearing that up for me Pippa!

[Carakeel]

Hiya Jenna, same size as you on the cleavage side of things, but 14/16 in trousers etc. Impossible to buy a dress that fits properly, impossible to buy pyjamas etc unless mix & match, as with the size differences, something is always going to be the wrong size! Drives me potty sometimes! But then again, my partner says he loves every inch of me and that makes me feel a lot better! :o) xx