After three surgeries (shattered leg and back in an accident) and ugly drugs, I'm heavier than I've ever been. I can finally work out and have always been a vegetarian, but it's taking time to lose the weight.
Before you look down your nose (and that's what you were doing), consider possible reasons for needing plus-size clothes.
If the "plus sized" options are not appealing for the overweight customer, one might come to the conclusion that he or she should simply lose the weight to fit into clothes they prefer. The concept of an obese person actually being as healthy or healthier than someone with averag bodyfat percentages is a myth, just like the notion that someone is "naturally" a size 16. Sure, we all have different bone structures, some larger and some smaller, and we all have different metabolic rates predisposing us toward greater percentages of macronutrients stored in lipid form but genetic predisposition toward carrying a few percentages more bodyfat is not an excuse to walk around morbidly obese. Not only does (morbid) obesity vastly limit one's ability to function but it poses a huge health risk and an exponentially greater chance of early death onset by cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, etc. Even those who genuinely suffer from hypothyroidism do not have an excuse to sit on the couch all day and eat excess calories, in fact, they have more of a reason to exercise and pay attention to diet. Losing weight is not rocket science, and the #1 reason that people do not get around to doing it is sheer laziness. Exercise more and eat less is all it takes. Changing your own body is a much healthier and realistic plan of action than complaining about the clothing options marketed towards those that are actively killing themselves.
Don't assume larger people are fatter people. I an overweight now, but when I was younger I was normal weight. I am 5'9" woman with broad shoulders and long arms and legs. I had to start making some of my clothes in high school (normal weight 130-140 pounds) because I could not find blouses and dresses to fit me. Waists on dresses were too high, sleeves too short, shoulders too small. I wore men's jeans which I could buy by waist size and inseam length. In college, I wore mem's clothes, jeans, flannel shirts, even men's socks (I have large feet). I wear a size 10.5 shoe, which no one makes because the half sizes stop at size 10. So for years I have jammed my feet in to size 10 shoe, but recently starting wearing size 11.
As I got older, I gained weight, then it was easier for me to fit in the women's plus size clothes, although pants too short are still a problem. If I lost weight, I would be back to the same old problems. I still sew some clothes and alter some store bought clothes.
I think it hard for manufacturers to make plus size clothes for all overweight women, because when people gain weight they gain size in different areas depending where their fat cells are. For example, all my excess weight is around my middle. Other women gain it in their hips, thighs, breasts, or arms etc. Most of the plus size clothes are too large for me in the armholes and thighs. Sewing is time consuming, but can be rewarding in getting things to fit. Or maybe you can have a dressmaker or seamstress make you some good looking, well fitting clothes.
I don't understand the comments about feeling self conscious about shopping in "Plus Size" area. I am happy to have all the bigger sizes easy for me to find in a separate area or store and not have to wade through lots of other sizes of clothes to find what I need. If you are self conscious about your weight, being seen in "Plus Size" area of store is the least of your problems. People can just look at you anywhere and see how big you are and judge you. For some reason, even thought I am now 100 lbs overweight, mentally I still think of myself as thin, so the body image does not bother me as much. I get jolted into reality however, when trying on clothes in the fitting room with a mirror!
I see a lot of hate on this internet forum for obese and drastically overweight people, mainly based on the mistaken assumption that these people are lazy. That's a vile lie. The real cause of obesity is genetics and thyroid conditions, of which people can't control. 90% of obese people are obese because of this.
I think this forum should collectively apologize to the obese community for the continuance and propagation of the myth of laziness causing obesity. What you have done is shame those who don't deserve it. When you see someone in walmart in a rascal who is obese, it's likely because of a genetic problem rather than work ethic. Just because they continue to eat unhealthy foods doesn't mean its the cause: rather, they have resigned themselves to their genetic fate (which isn't their fault) and are enjoying what they can.
My daughter has a genetic condition that predisposes her to obesity, so that's why she gets to ride in the carriage even though she could walk. I know she is genetically predisposed to obesity, even if modern science doesn't (the doctor said her thyroid was "fine" and everything was normal when she was young, but obviously this doctor is very old fashioned and doesn't understand). We realized she was disposed to obesity genetically because she constantly wanted sweets, candies and fats, and in our household we give our children what they want as otherwise would be to ideologically shackle them. Therefore as she only likes sweets and fats for every meal we can conclude that her obesity is genetic, no matter what the doctors say (I have seen several doctors who say it my fault and my wifes that she is obese, and that the tests show no disposition towards obesity, but that is obviously cold and false.)
I am able to buy pants and shorts in "normal sizes" but due to no fault of my own other than genetics I have DDD breasts. Shopping for tops and dresses almost always leaves me near tears.
This was a great article!!
I remember the day I 'grew' out of a size 14 and realized that I needed to move to the other part of the store. Then I realized that making smaller clothes bigger wasn't the same as making bigger clothes that fit nicely. It takes extra effort to shop, that's for sure and I'm not a 'shopper.' One store, CJ Banks, offers an X size which is a size smaller than 1X and is perfect.
"Wow... You really don't "get it" do you Greg? Clueless and arrogant.
Oh, I get it, Mr/Ms nameless Guest! I get it very well.
I completely understand how demand driven markets work. I lived in an Eastern European socialist country for 19 years of my life, I know what it's like when government plans decide on manufacturing quotas and prices instead of market demand. I lived through it when you had to wait 8 years in line to be able to buy a car. I experienced empty shelves in stores because there was nothing to buy. I went to school in outfits that were the exact replica of my class mates' outfit because that is all the stores had. You people just don't get it how good we have it.
I also get how people get fat and what it takes to revert it. I actually didn't get that for 15+ years living in a fat body until 5 months ago when I really started to get it and made a change!
I think I have the right to be arrogant about it because I want to blame someone for my fatness! I want to blame our society for letting me become what I became over 15 years by providing me with abundant crap food choices for pennies. I want to blame society for letting me buy 3XL pants and shirts that fit me giving me no incentive to lose any of it. But guess what? The only person I could blame for my fatness was me. I became fat because I ate crap and did nothing about it.
And I finally turned it around 5 moths ago and now I'm starting to face the other end of the spectrum. I'm still 177lbs at 22% body fat! I'm still overweight! And I'm buying Meidum size clothes! I'm only one step away from Small and I'm not even in the normal range of fat percentage, a measurement that is not set up by society but by medical standards! How will I shop for clothes once I'm down to normal? I don't know and I don't care. I'll just make do. Maybe start shopping in Europe. But I certainly won't lobby the internet for petitioning manufacturers for smaller clothes.
And now there are people here lobbying for even bigger clothes? I was OBESE! And I could buy clothes just fine without ever having to set foot in a big and tall store. Just how big are these people? I was OBESE for crying out loud! OBESE is XXL-XXXL. If you run out of Xs maybe it's time to reconsider yourself and take a look in the mirror.
Lay the verbal abuse on these scum. To hell with the "he's a person with bills etc." These firms engage in deceptive trickery, and deserve all the abuse that comes their way. This is the only form of pressure that will work if enough people use it.
Good point on the other side of the equation. I have this same exact problem when shopping for clothes. I am on the smaller side for an adult male and it is an exercise in pain-assery to find clothes that actually fit me that look halfway decent as well.
I am a small person (size 4) and I get disgusted looks and weird comments from people who assume I get to wear whatever I want. Newsflash: The most common size to find are mediums and size 6 to 12.
I do not intend to grow into these sizes and probably couldn't do it if I tried. But I would appreciate it if larger people would stop making rude comments about how easy I have it.
I understand your need and the difficulty to shop for your size (my mom is plus-sized) so please be so kind as to recognize that you are not the only ones. Yes, my mom identified with my struggle as well as hers.
"Its about giving people who are fat all of the options for clothing that thin people have. This is a basic right and has nothing to do with health or anything else."
- Catering
Is this really what our society has come to? Others should not only feel obligated, but be required to make clothing for you? When people speak of a growing entitlement mentality in our society, I couldn't have thought of a better example than the quote above. Come on people! Regardless of whether you are talking about plus-sized clothing or the newest infomercial product, if you see a void in the marketplace, either do something about it or stop complaining. It is no one's responsibility but your own. I congratulate all those commentors who have taken it upon themselves to find a way to meet their own needs that were not being met in the marketplace.
There are people who are naturally overweight...God given and nothing they can do about it. Now, I know some people use this as an excuse and I am not saying that it is ok to be unhealthy and fat...but it is TRUE that they are people who are heavier set, who happen to be healthy, who must deal with the social standands that are FORCED upon them.
Women have a tougher role than men when it comes to what is socially acceptable with appearance.
And I am not some overweight, bleeding heart feminist either...its the truth.
I actually mostly agree with Greg despite his harshness. I think time would be better spent informing yourself on how to exercise and eat right for health instead of this. It seems lately since Gabby won the oscar everyone is praising to accept yourself as an overweight person when in fact that is not the direction that we need to be taking.
I've heard that dome houses don't need ACs, is it true? We live in a house with lots of windows and plants outdoors so AC is really just a luxury for us.
My favorite articles are the ones about Making Extra Cash. Not only do they have useful information, they also inspire me to go out and find opportunities to make a few extra bucks. For example, this Monday, I am going to participate in a psychology experiment for 1 hour that pays $20. It might not seem like much money to some, but to me, a poor student, it seems like a huge amount.
Lisa, I can make my own computer but can't sew my own clothes. Making your own computer is a one time thing, 6 hours of work will last me 2-3 years. Sewing my own clothing? Not so much.
Katherine - some online stores that have plus-size clothing (of various quality and styles)in addition to lane bryant: old navy, avenue, jessica london, one stop plus, ebay, torrid, j.jill, womanwithin, roaman's, alight, junonia, target, talbot's, ashley stewart, igigi, b and lu, kiyonna, catherine's, fashion bug, ulla popken.
I see all this from a different angle. When did we as Americans abdicate our responsibility to do things for ourselves? Why in fact are we complaining about the market, as if that was the only way to solve the problem? I have the exact same problem, I feel that womens clothes especially plus size clothes are poorly made, expensive and crap. I no longer support a market that is not supporting me. I sew most of my own clothes. My clothes cost much less, fit well and are very well made.
Now I know this won't work for every problem, obviously if I cant find a computer with features I like, I cannot go out and make my own, but it certainly works in this situation. If you dont want to take the time to learn to sew or you have no interest, find a local seamstress, it will be much more affordable and you will get exactly what you want, made to fit you.
Think about learning to sew, it isnt anywhere near as hard as you think and it can be very, very rewarding.
This is not about "catering" to people who wear plus-sizes in clothes. Its about giving people who are fat all of the options for clothing that thin people have. This is a basic right and has nothing to do with health or anything else.
Do you really want to make an argument that basically states that people don't "deserve" clothes because you think they are too fat? This is completely bigoted and judgmental, despite your initial comment of having "nothing against plus size people." Get real dude, people need clothes no matter what their size, and they deserve to be treated respectfully no matter what.
After three surgeries (shattered leg and back in an accident) and ugly drugs, I'm heavier than I've ever been. I can finally work out and have always been a vegetarian, but it's taking time to lose the weight.
Before you look down your nose (and that's what you were doing), consider possible reasons for needing plus-size clothes.
I've lost 25 pounds so far. Could you do that?
If the "plus sized" options are not appealing for the overweight customer, one might come to the conclusion that he or she should simply lose the weight to fit into clothes they prefer. The concept of an obese person actually being as healthy or healthier than someone with averag bodyfat percentages is a myth, just like the notion that someone is "naturally" a size 16. Sure, we all have different bone structures, some larger and some smaller, and we all have different metabolic rates predisposing us toward greater percentages of macronutrients stored in lipid form but genetic predisposition toward carrying a few percentages more bodyfat is not an excuse to walk around morbidly obese. Not only does (morbid) obesity vastly limit one's ability to function but it poses a huge health risk and an exponentially greater chance of early death onset by cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, etc. Even those who genuinely suffer from hypothyroidism do not have an excuse to sit on the couch all day and eat excess calories, in fact, they have more of a reason to exercise and pay attention to diet. Losing weight is not rocket science, and the #1 reason that people do not get around to doing it is sheer laziness. Exercise more and eat less is all it takes. Changing your own body is a much healthier and realistic plan of action than complaining about the clothing options marketed towards those that are actively killing themselves.
Don't assume larger people are fatter people. I an overweight now, but when I was younger I was normal weight. I am 5'9" woman with broad shoulders and long arms and legs. I had to start making some of my clothes in high school (normal weight 130-140 pounds) because I could not find blouses and dresses to fit me. Waists on dresses were too high, sleeves too short, shoulders too small. I wore men's jeans which I could buy by waist size and inseam length. In college, I wore mem's clothes, jeans, flannel shirts, even men's socks (I have large feet). I wear a size 10.5 shoe, which no one makes because the half sizes stop at size 10. So for years I have jammed my feet in to size 10 shoe, but recently starting wearing size 11.
As I got older, I gained weight, then it was easier for me to fit in the women's plus size clothes, although pants too short are still a problem. If I lost weight, I would be back to the same old problems. I still sew some clothes and alter some store bought clothes.
I think it hard for manufacturers to make plus size clothes for all overweight women, because when people gain weight they gain size in different areas depending where their fat cells are. For example, all my excess weight is around my middle. Other women gain it in their hips, thighs, breasts, or arms etc. Most of the plus size clothes are too large for me in the armholes and thighs. Sewing is time consuming, but can be rewarding in getting things to fit. Or maybe you can have a dressmaker or seamstress make you some good looking, well fitting clothes.
I don't understand the comments about feeling self conscious about shopping in "Plus Size" area. I am happy to have all the bigger sizes easy for me to find in a separate area or store and not have to wade through lots of other sizes of clothes to find what I need. If you are self conscious about your weight, being seen in "Plus Size" area of store is the least of your problems. People can just look at you anywhere and see how big you are and judge you. For some reason, even thought I am now 100 lbs overweight, mentally I still think of myself as thin, so the body image does not bother me as much. I get jolted into reality however, when trying on clothes in the fitting room with a mirror!
I see a lot of hate on this internet forum for obese and drastically overweight people, mainly based on the mistaken assumption that these people are lazy. That's a vile lie. The real cause of obesity is genetics and thyroid conditions, of which people can't control. 90% of obese people are obese because of this.
I think this forum should collectively apologize to the obese community for the continuance and propagation of the myth of laziness causing obesity. What you have done is shame those who don't deserve it. When you see someone in walmart in a rascal who is obese, it's likely because of a genetic problem rather than work ethic. Just because they continue to eat unhealthy foods doesn't mean its the cause: rather, they have resigned themselves to their genetic fate (which isn't their fault) and are enjoying what they can.
My daughter has a genetic condition that predisposes her to obesity, so that's why she gets to ride in the carriage even though she could walk. I know she is genetically predisposed to obesity, even if modern science doesn't (the doctor said her thyroid was "fine" and everything was normal when she was young, but obviously this doctor is very old fashioned and doesn't understand). We realized she was disposed to obesity genetically because she constantly wanted sweets, candies and fats, and in our household we give our children what they want as otherwise would be to ideologically shackle them. Therefore as she only likes sweets and fats for every meal we can conclude that her obesity is genetic, no matter what the doctors say (I have seen several doctors who say it my fault and my wifes that she is obese, and that the tests show no disposition towards obesity, but that is obviously cold and false.)
Greg, Some people have to take steroids or other medication. It causes them to gain weight no matter what they eat. Really.
I am able to buy pants and shorts in "normal sizes" but due to no fault of my own other than genetics I have DDD breasts. Shopping for tops and dresses almost always leaves me near tears.
I have 66% body fat but I love shopping
This was a great article!!
I remember the day I 'grew' out of a size 14 and realized that I needed to move to the other part of the store. Then I realized that making smaller clothes bigger wasn't the same as making bigger clothes that fit nicely. It takes extra effort to shop, that's for sure and I'm not a 'shopper.' One store, CJ Banks, offers an X size which is a size smaller than 1X and is perfect.
"Wow... You really don't "get it" do you Greg? Clueless and arrogant.
Oh, I get it, Mr/Ms nameless Guest! I get it very well.
I completely understand how demand driven markets work. I lived in an Eastern European socialist country for 19 years of my life, I know what it's like when government plans decide on manufacturing quotas and prices instead of market demand. I lived through it when you had to wait 8 years in line to be able to buy a car. I experienced empty shelves in stores because there was nothing to buy. I went to school in outfits that were the exact replica of my class mates' outfit because that is all the stores had. You people just don't get it how good we have it.
I also get how people get fat and what it takes to revert it. I actually didn't get that for 15+ years living in a fat body until 5 months ago when I really started to get it and made a change!
I think I have the right to be arrogant about it because I want to blame someone for my fatness! I want to blame our society for letting me become what I became over 15 years by providing me with abundant crap food choices for pennies. I want to blame society for letting me buy 3XL pants and shirts that fit me giving me no incentive to lose any of it. But guess what? The only person I could blame for my fatness was me. I became fat because I ate crap and did nothing about it.
And I finally turned it around 5 moths ago and now I'm starting to face the other end of the spectrum. I'm still 177lbs at 22% body fat! I'm still overweight! And I'm buying Meidum size clothes! I'm only one step away from Small and I'm not even in the normal range of fat percentage, a measurement that is not set up by society but by medical standards! How will I shop for clothes once I'm down to normal? I don't know and I don't care. I'll just make do. Maybe start shopping in Europe. But I certainly won't lobby the internet for petitioning manufacturers for smaller clothes.
And now there are people here lobbying for even bigger clothes? I was OBESE! And I could buy clothes just fine without ever having to set foot in a big and tall store. Just how big are these people? I was OBESE for crying out loud! OBESE is XXL-XXXL. If you run out of Xs maybe it's time to reconsider yourself and take a look in the mirror.
Just shines through in most comment threads, doesn't it.
I've gotten a lot of free samples from your daily deals, thanks!
Ifi
Lay the verbal abuse on these scum. To hell with the "he's a person with bills etc." These firms engage in deceptive trickery, and deserve all the abuse that comes their way. This is the only form of pressure that will work if enough people use it.
Elizabeth,
Good point on the other side of the equation. I have this same exact problem when shopping for clothes. I am on the smaller side for an adult male and it is an exercise in pain-assery to find clothes that actually fit me that look halfway decent as well.
I am a small person (size 4) and I get disgusted looks and weird comments from people who assume I get to wear whatever I want. Newsflash: The most common size to find are mediums and size 6 to 12.
I do not intend to grow into these sizes and probably couldn't do it if I tried. But I would appreciate it if larger people would stop making rude comments about how easy I have it.
I understand your need and the difficulty to shop for your size (my mom is plus-sized) so please be so kind as to recognize that you are not the only ones. Yes, my mom identified with my struggle as well as hers.
"Its about giving people who are fat all of the options for clothing that thin people have. This is a basic right and has nothing to do with health or anything else."
- Catering
Is this really what our society has come to? Others should not only feel obligated, but be required to make clothing for you? When people speak of a growing entitlement mentality in our society, I couldn't have thought of a better example than the quote above. Come on people! Regardless of whether you are talking about plus-sized clothing or the newest infomercial product, if you see a void in the marketplace, either do something about it or stop complaining. It is no one's responsibility but your own. I congratulate all those commentors who have taken it upon themselves to find a way to meet their own needs that were not being met in the marketplace.
There are people who are naturally overweight...God given and nothing they can do about it. Now, I know some people use this as an excuse and I am not saying that it is ok to be unhealthy and fat...but it is TRUE that they are people who are heavier set, who happen to be healthy, who must deal with the social standands that are FORCED upon them.
Women have a tougher role than men when it comes to what is socially acceptable with appearance.
And I am not some overweight, bleeding heart feminist either...its the truth.
Are these comments moderated at all? Why are many of them left here? Logging off...
I actually mostly agree with Greg despite his harshness. I think time would be better spent informing yourself on how to exercise and eat right for health instead of this. It seems lately since Gabby won the oscar everyone is praising to accept yourself as an overweight person when in fact that is not the direction that we need to be taking.
I've heard that dome houses don't need ACs, is it true? We live in a house with lots of windows and plants outdoors so AC is really just a luxury for us.
My favorite articles are the ones about Making Extra Cash. Not only do they have useful information, they also inspire me to go out and find opportunities to make a few extra bucks. For example, this Monday, I am going to participate in a psychology experiment for 1 hour that pays $20. It might not seem like much money to some, but to me, a poor student, it seems like a huge amount.
Guess what? Not all larger people are inactive, eat poorly, or have health problems.
I eat right, I exercise regularly and I will NEVER be less than a size 12 unless I starve myself.
Thin does not equal healthy. "Large" doesn't necessarily equal unhealthy or obese.
Lisa, I can make my own computer but can't sew my own clothes. Making your own computer is a one time thing, 6 hours of work will last me 2-3 years. Sewing my own clothing? Not so much.
Katherine - some online stores that have plus-size clothing (of various quality and styles)in addition to lane bryant: old navy, avenue, jessica london, one stop plus, ebay, torrid, j.jill, womanwithin, roaman's, alight, junonia, target, talbot's, ashley stewart, igigi, b and lu, kiyonna, catherine's, fashion bug, ulla popken.
I see all this from a different angle. When did we as Americans abdicate our responsibility to do things for ourselves? Why in fact are we complaining about the market, as if that was the only way to solve the problem? I have the exact same problem, I feel that womens clothes especially plus size clothes are poorly made, expensive and crap. I no longer support a market that is not supporting me. I sew most of my own clothes. My clothes cost much less, fit well and are very well made.
Now I know this won't work for every problem, obviously if I cant find a computer with features I like, I cannot go out and make my own, but it certainly works in this situation. If you dont want to take the time to learn to sew or you have no interest, find a local seamstress, it will be much more affordable and you will get exactly what you want, made to fit you.
Think about learning to sew, it isnt anywhere near as hard as you think and it can be very, very rewarding.
This is not about "catering" to people who wear plus-sizes in clothes. Its about giving people who are fat all of the options for clothing that thin people have. This is a basic right and has nothing to do with health or anything else.
Do you really want to make an argument that basically states that people don't "deserve" clothes because you think they are too fat? This is completely bigoted and judgmental, despite your initial comment of having "nothing against plus size people." Get real dude, people need clothes no matter what their size, and they deserve to be treated respectfully no matter what.