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Original poster

Whatever happened to waists?

111 replies

Billydessert · 07/03/2018 09:44

Is anyone else fed up of all the waistless clothes out there? It seems that fashion is stuck in a boxy, baggy time warp and showing no signs of coming out of it soon. I am pear shaped (of course!) and I seem to spend my life pulling up jeans that are virtually the same width at the hips as they are on the waist; and trying to avoid square shaped tops that make me look like a sack of spuds. And don't get me started on all those bloomin boyfriend coats out there. If I want man shaped clothes I'll go to a mens wear shop!
Is it too much to ask for clothes that are shaped to fit the female form?
Phew! Glad I've got that off my (prominent/booby/woman's) chest.

Anyone have any brand suggestions?

OP posts:
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7
rightknockered · 07/03/2018 13:54

Well, I've just taken delivery of the Whistles tube skirts, and I love them. The fabric is good enough for me, the black is very black, and the stripey one is fab, so keeping them both obviously. Also a stripey cotton wrap top, which is will probably wear with everything, but may need to layer a vest/cami under it for modesty. But I'm quite pleased.

rightknockered · 07/03/2018 13:57

I think the way around this is to wear skirts/trousers/jeans with tops tucked in. I'm now on the look out for more wrap tops. Will check out Oasis, thank you to the previous poster who mentioned them.

rightknockered · 07/03/2018 13:58

Also very pleased with all the wedge heels I've seen. Definitely going to buy more than one pair.

snawdays · 07/03/2018 14:08

yes my mum used to say 'you look like a sack of spuds tied in the middle' charmingly to the unstructured dresses with fabric belts. They are quite comfy though...

thefirstmrsdewinter · 07/03/2018 14:17

Yes, I'm with you. It's an unfashionable shape (shame that, because I can't change it). It requires more fitting, more stitching and cutting and darting.

In a fit of longing for a style boost I bought a bunch of stuff, cotton tees mainly, from Asos. I started with 12s (I'm somewhere between a 12 and 14 on top) and some were so big I think I'd need an 8 to get anywhere near a fit that doesn't completely swamp me, but I suspect the proportions would be off in a smaller size (waist too big, bust too small). Some of these tops were meant to be slouchy or oversized but others were said to fit to size. Well they were all massive.

I think this is why I find shopping so demoralising: the odds are against me. If the waist fits the bum is too small. If the bum fits, the waist and bust are too big. Usually the whole thing is just slack in most places and if I size down it's still slack except for the one place it cuts/binds/chafes.

If you're willowy, or even just a straight 'athletic' shape, you can sling something over your head and as long as you've got it approximately right (ie it's not so big that it falls off but not so small that it won't go on) it gives the right look.

k1yx · 07/03/2018 14:19

I'd second Onynx's suggestion of Joe Browns. I just ordered loads from them, expecting to have to return most of it because of boxiness, but it's all good quality and all suits my pear shape

rightknockered · 07/03/2018 14:46

I have broad shoulders and hip/thighs that are difficult to fit. As far as I'm concerned I don't have large breasts, 28F - which isn't big at all, but retailers seem unable to cope with my little curves. I have to put up with looking like a narrow rectangle, sometimes belted in the middle.
I can wear tighter clothes, but it draws too much unwanted attention.
I agree about t-shirts. I buy cheaper ones just because I'm always disappointed.
Wrap tops are bloody brilliant though.

Original poster
Billydessert · 07/03/2018 15:37

Thanks for all the responses and tips!

I have a few dresses with the tie on the waist and find its helps to thread the belt as normal but pull it back round and tie at the back. So no belt at the front. This also helps when the waist part is 3 inches too high. What is that all about!?

The best jeans I've found recently are by Long Tall Sally, their high rise sculpt ones. The quality of the denim isn't grear but they do stay up. Also, at 5'6" I'm not actually their target customer but I think because they're aimed at taller people the crotch to waist measurement is much longer. Meaning my bum actually fits in to them Grin

OP posts:
Piccolino2 · 07/03/2018 16:06

Yes, this is a huge problem for me!
I’m a pear size 10 and find it so difficult to buy anything as I really need some structure at the waist. Winter was bad enough but I did eventually find some jumpers that sort of worked. I’m now looking at spring/summer clothes and finding anything which is decent quality with a waist is almost impossible! Got my eye on a few things at Kettlewell (wrap top, peplum top) but will keep an eye on this thread for inspiration.

picklemepopcorn · 07/03/2018 16:40

My peo0le! I've just been out with a friend who has pushed me into waisted tops, which I avoid due to my generous bum. We were trying to find high rise straight/wide leg jeans. No can do. High rise skinnies by the bushel, but that isn't great on a pear.

PinPon · 07/03/2018 16:50

I’m with you on this! One of the things that I have found very useful is getting clothes adjusted by a tailor. So, if I find a pair of trousers that fits on the hips and around the bottom, I’ll usually need the waist altered so it will fit nicely rather than gaping. Not usually too expensive to end up with clothes that fit.

PinPon · 07/03/2018 16:52

Still on the hunt for a little black jacket that fits and flatters though... All ideas welcomed! Jackets are more difficult to alter than trousers.

youcantelleverybody · 07/03/2018 16:54

I have the opposite problem but have you guys tried Warehouse? Or as a pp said, Oasis.

picklemepopcorn · 07/03/2018 17:38

I do put darts in the waist of my jeans, at the back. I always cover that anyway, so my cack handed sewing doesn't matter!

Just searched wide/straight legged high waist trousers, nothing. Nada. Zilch.

GlitterGlue · 07/03/2018 18:36

I hear you! I'm sure most of it is because boxy sacks are cheaper to make than anything fitted.

Original poster
Billydessert · 07/03/2018 18:43

Having trousers adjusted is a good idea.

@picklemepopcorn how do you go about doing it yourself? Do you cut one big triangle from the middle of the waist band?

There seems to be a trend of size 10s on here, I'm a 10 as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
Billydessert · 07/03/2018 19:25

YY to boxy clothes being cheap to make. I reckon you're on to something there!

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 07/03/2018 20:41

Just pinch the fabric at the small of your back and estimate how much smaller you want it to be. If you are getting a double thickness of three inches, then you want two small darts, each a double thickness of 1.5 inches. Do you see what I mean? Pin the top of the triangles, take the jeans off and stitch. You'll end up with the waist band six inches smaller, as you'll lost three inches at each pleat.

I don't remove the fabric because I'll put weight on and need to let them out again.

50sQueen · 07/03/2018 20:49

Luckily I like 50s repro clothes- think pencil skirts, pencil dresses, high waisted trousers. Check out top vintage, vivien of holloway, collectif. Boden have some high waisted sailor jeans as do m&s high waisted jeans .

FizzyFeet · 07/03/2018 20:52

Oh, this is me too! I like a bit of structure and tailoring and look really dumpy in boxy clothes. I've been experimenting with retro online retailers - the Seamstress of Bloomsbury has come up trumps for blouses and dresses look good too. Nicely cut, with darts, and nice buttons/ details. Not the cheapest but made in Britain. Wish they did knitwear and trousers - still struggling a bit with those. Had a couple of nice slash neck tops from Dancing Days too. Will be following for more inspiration!

50sQueen · 07/03/2018 21:00

House of foxy too.
I'd forgot about seamstress of Bloomsbury going to have a look now.

MikeUniformMike · 07/03/2018 22:00

Levi's do curved jeans. I have Gap and Levi's jeans and I find them comfortable and flattering. The Gap ones need a belt.

MikeUniformMike · 07/03/2018 22:02

I think that M&S do jeans with a decent rise in different styles.

Original poster
Billydessert · 07/03/2018 22:44

@rightknockered so glad you've had a success.

Thanks @pickle I think I understand what you're saying. I've got a pair of jeans I can experiment with as they're just sitting in the wardrobe otherwise.

That's interesting @mikeuniformmike for some reason I thought Levis had stopped doing the curved jeans. I did have some years ago, curve ID I think it was called. Definitely going to check them out anyway.

Not heard of most of those retro brands so will take a look, thanks all

OP posts:
beardybeardy · 08/03/2018 00:44

I've found my people!
I always have this problem, can't wear anything loose as I look like a whale but the intentional bodycon skin tight stuff makes me look all Jessica rabbit which is good for the hubby but I look like I'm desperately trying to look slutty otherwise.
I always get my mum yo nip things in at the waist, I'll have to learn to do it myself one day