Everything's designed for apples and I'm a pear!

[snoggle]

What are the brands and styles which are cut for someone who carries their flab on their bottom and legs?

In order to get things to fit on my thighs they are enormous round my (by comparison) smaller waist. I am a bit overweight but can't even work out what size I am since the proportions of everything I try on is so wrong. I am fed up of eveythibg being styled for people with nice legs but need their tums disguising; I need to hide my lumpy pins but have an ok top half. (Or will have in a few weeks when post-natal tum goes down.....and I will be ready to buy some new things!)

Any ideas?

I'm with you on this OP. When I look at how stores measure their sizing I would have a 4 or 5 size gap between my waist and thigh/hip. 5 years ago I was smaller. My thigh/hip was a size 12, and with the trend for lowered waists waist on trousers this was manageable. But now I'm 2 stones heavier, and most of this has gone to my thigh/hip area and it's very rare that I can find things that fit. I have to say that while I do plan to lose a little weight I think my over all shape is actually somewhat flattering, very curvy, (up until about 5 years ago I was a bit of a bean pole - then blossomed into a 12 and was happy to have some shape) and I'm annoyed that my main reason for losing weight is to fit into store bought clothes. (and because I fear for my knees!)

So why have all the shops decided that the apple shape is the one to style for? Are there more big tums than big bums out there? Or can you just cut more patterns per metre of that shape?

Somebody must be designing for us mustn't they? Who are they? (Or is this a gap in the market?!)

As a pear I stay away from skinnies - evil things and stick to straight leg amd bootcut, not trendy at the mo but works for my shape. The pencil skirt is made for us though and is everywhere.
Tops, I try to stick to fitted waists or waist belts.

I feel your pain! I'm a16/18 hourglass and my waist is very small compared to my hips and thighs. I have to get size 18 trousers that I hold up with a belt because they're way too big on the waist

And most clothes in plus size ranges seem to think everyone is an apple body shape and wants baggy tops with the elastic at the bottom. Some of us actually want people to see we HAVE a waist, not cover it up and make us look even bigger!! Rage.

Yes, I don't want shapeless tops! I want longer-line shirts with a waist, or smart wraps.

I agree re pencil skirts flattering the waist and bottom , but my legs are really not good- dumpy, wide-calved, fat knees and thighs. So I tend to avoid skirts

Jummblebee, I loath elasticated bottomed tops! It's so uncomfortable, and because I have a waist the elastic band creeps to that point and I look like I'm showing off my lower belly - which is not something I like to do!

I would really like to invest in some nice wide but thin material belts that create a nice waistline while being comfortable.

So where do you shop for trousers? I have some from banana republic, some French connection and some... I forget, will look later. And I tend to buy shapes that taper in at the ankle or are ankle high. Although this might emphasise my shape it feels more feminine to me.