Style problems I hate.

[Gettingbysomehow]

I hate...shops that size their clothing 12/14 and 16/18.
The first is too small and the 2nd is massive.
Also one size fits all. I beg to differ, one size fits nobody.
Any pet hates?

For those with the waist/hip issue, I've found that Phase Eight goes in most at the waist. I've got a 13" difference and it's plagued me all my life (except when I was slightly underweight and I was a standard size 8, but I'm not doing that again)

Oh, and dresses with no opening and fastening apart from a teeny tiny button with an elastic loop on the back of the neckline. Drives me mad that I can't wear it without getting my DH to fasten it for me. I was away on business and took such a dress last week, and had to fasten the button first before putting it on, then had to wrangle it over my head, with great difficulty.

and, I’ve ranted before but petite women are short - a 10 petite should measure the same as regular but with shorter legs -
The torso is usually cut for a shorter person. I'm not petite (but not much taller) and the distances between bust, waist and hip won't be right on me.

this is definitely a thing, when i lost weight the sleeves in smaller sizes were all too short for me!! The body length in tops is often shorter in smaller sizes too, like someone who's a size 10 can't be over 5ft 2!!

Places that make all trousers and maxidresses/skirts SUPER long. I'm sure I used to be able to get maxidresses and they'd just go to my ankles and probably be a tad shorter on average height people (I'm 5ft 1) The last few years I have had to literally have 6+ inches taken off long skirts to make them wearable.

Mind you, I do like the continuing trend for slightly cropped trousers, as I can wear them as normal length withour adjustment. But appreciate it must be annoying as hell for ordinary height women who hate having cold ankles!

When shops ONLY do exactly what is fashionable at that minute, so if you want anything else you are stone outta luck - like times I've wanted long or short skirts, but everywhere only does midi lengths that look shit on me.

I’ve noticed a very subtle change in the shape of vest tops this season, they are all very slightly cutaway round the shoulders so they a) don’t cover my bra straps and b) they show that fleshy little bulge that I affectionately term my armpit fat that I’m really self conscious of. I’d like a nice thick shoulder on a vest top please.

Yes why is petite stuff so ‘Principles 1993’ type stuff!?

I liked it back in the day (90s) when each shop had its own personality - all the way through from Top Shop to Laura Ashley!

And the days when if you spent more, you got better quality. Now I am able to spend a bit more, but high end stuff just as likely to shrink/bobble/go misshapen as cheaper stuff.

Honorable exception for Falke tights.

Tops and dresses that look normal online, but arrive with weird puffed shoulders! My shoulders are my broadest bit, so puffy shoulders make me look massive, despite being slim. I always go back and re-examine the online photos and there is no sign of shoulder puffs. Why?? (Maybe my massive shoulders make them puffy. Is that even possible?)

Would love to know where you find this happening. As a long waisted woman with hips, I find the opposite is true. Everything I try on these days is designed for apple shapes with no waist or hips at all!

another one - jumpsuits that do up at the back. If I’m not going to be able to go to the loo without assistance, I’m not buying it. I don’t understand why shops are still selling the design, other women must be buying them, do you all have bladders of steel?

Totally agree with this and never used to be an issue when dresses were cut from larger panels of fabric. Yet another issue from manufacturers cutting costs.

I also agree. Or at least wish they would do a 10/12

Every pair of shorts/trousers has pockets. I hate pockets! They sit really strangely, never lie flat & accentuate my hips.
Summer dresses all seem to have a waistline that sits just under my chest. Why?!?
Dresses & tops that have straps so thin that your bra shows.
All jeans seems to be ridiculously high waisted, even the ones sold as mid-rise.
Every thing in white/light colours seem to be see-through. Or, going back to the pocket issue, has a huge piece of very visible material for the pocket.
Gaping at the back of jeans.
I used to have a few pairs of low wedge sandals, I loved them. However, now wedges all seem to be so high, or with platform soles.
Basically, I only ever find something I truly love, and looks great on me, once in a blue moon! I am forever returning clothing because of the poor design & fit.

M&S have fairly recently decided to see their Women’s socks in size 3-5
or 6-8.
I’m between a 5 and a 6 depending on size of product,which should I go for ?????
I thought M&S socks used to be size 3-8.

Yes definitely, places like woolovers and La Redoute do this weird sizing

Dresses with elastic at the waist. It’s the lazy cheap option instead of using darts and usually results in unsightly gathering.

Yes I hate this. Also that in women's sizes an 8 is smaller than a men's 8! I can usually fit a men's 8 but need a women's 9 .... and there usually isn't a 9

AND if there actually is a 9, a trainer or boot that looks cute in a size 5 or whatever they've used in the photo, will have different proportions and look like a stupid canoe. Just make it the same proportions, my feet are bigger all round not just stretched!

This doesn’t work for me as I need the shorter torso. I’m 5’2” so buy petite where I can but my legs are long so a ‘normal’ length fits. My longer legs aren’t in proportion to my short body.

Giant long legs on trousers. It restricts you to styles that won't be ruined by cutting a huge chunk off. Where are all these 7ft tall women they seem to be made for? (slight exaggeration there I know). One size fits all hats where you need a head the size of a grapefruit to get them on.

Formal style blouses that are one button too low to wear to work because the minute you have to lean over a colleague's desk they get much more view than they bargained for!

@Unbeleevable I have the opposite issue with shoes. I take an E fitting and everything in the shops is narrow. Also, in shops that size tends to be very utilitarian or grannyish. Unless you order online (fit minefield) it's really hard to get nice shoes above a D fitting.

The fact that the vast majority of affordable bikinis are still sold by dress size, and as a set .... as opposed to by bra size and pant size as separates (unless you go to one of the premium and very expensive brands).

And as a soon to be mother of the groom looking for an appropriate but not frumpy 'occasion' dress suitable for a very hot location, this idea that summer dresses = backless (and so low that even a so-called backless bra wouldn't do the job) and/or cut out at the side has frustrated me beyond words. Beautiful from the front .... completely impractical unless you're flat chested and can dispense with a bra. Honestly probably a good 2/3 of such dresses seem to be designed that way currently.

And related to the above, and online shopping, retailers who don't provide photos of said garment from all angles so you know what you're getting - or not, as the case may be. Meaning you potentially waste your time - and theirs - by taking a chance on ordering something which may not be right.

Similarly, retailers whose online photos are way off kilter colour wise compared to the item in real life. Appreciate this isn't an exact science but have often found stark differences ... maybe due to light conditions if photos taken in a sunny location for example.

And bloody supermarkets who sell clothes getting rid of their changing rooms. I don't care about your refund policy ... I care about having to spend extra money on a range of sizes and colours to find something that suits, and the time and hassle involved in returning stuff.

Elasticated waists on everything and 1-2% elastane in everything to reduce online returns.

Filters that don't differentiate between cotton fabric and cotton jersey. At least I’m getting better at spotting the jersey items when I see the photo…

Viscose trousers, skirts and dresses. Hangs like a limp dishrag, no structure whatsoever.

Deep v-necks that reveal my nipples. Forgiveable on styles that particularly suit larger breasted women, but not on shift dresses with spaghetti straps.

Women’s shirts, knitwear and fleeces/hoodies ALWAYS being thinner than the male equivalent. Why? I’ve yet to meet a bloke who feels the cold like I do.

The ‘shrink and pink’ phenomenon in running shoes. Women's feet are a different shape and we’re generally lighter and less powerful, but usually there are only aesthetic difference between male and female versions.

Yes! Bought a three pack of bras from M&S - all the same size, all on the same hanger, all the same style. Two fit but the in the third I feel like I’ve been trussed up by Beezlebub himself.