New fashion trend: skin is out?
This article in the paper got me thinking – basically, it says retailers are more likely to listen to customer’s requests for clothing design now, because of the declining economy. Retailers are working hard NOT to turn off any potential customer. And apparently, those customers are requesting… more coverage?
People are asking for “…a decent supply of sleeved shirts or prom dresses that show more fabric than skin.”
“People want to be more comfortable and more covered.”
vs. 
Hmm, I guess I’ll buy that. I don’t want to see my coworkers walking around in a Britney Spears-esque outfit flashing their reproductive organs, and I HAVE seen my fair share of slutty prom dresses! But I can appreciate some muscular legs, a nice neckline or bare arms (apparently, a lot of people are appreciating Michelle Obama’s!) when displayed appropriately.
What would you ask for if the retailers would listen?
I would ask for pants that are the right size at my hips, but not too tight in the butt. And button-down tops that don’t gap because of my (once, *sniff sniff*) mammoth sized breasts. Oh yeah, and how about some longer tops? Thankfully, they’ve picked up on that last one, but the others…?
Themocracy
I want more TALL clothing, dagnabbit! I’m sick of buying pants and having them look like capris, and trying on a dress that should go down below my knees and ending up with something that looks almost like a miniskirt on me. I’m not 10 feet tall, for crying out loud! Lots of women aren’t 4’10!
*ahem* Sorry. I’m irked that I can’t find any tall clothing out here. The stores simply don’t carry them. Even Sears, and the Gap, and all those stores got rid of their tall sizes out here about a year ago. It’s depressing.
I have the opposite problem…I’m so short that it’s hard to find pants that aren’t two feet longer than I need them to be =) I also have a good-sized rack, so it’s hard to find things that don’t look too revealing.
Personally, I hate shopping for clothes and only do it when absolutely necessary…but that’s a trait my husband loves =)
I personally find a lot of tshirts too long but I am short and big chested. More than anything though I’d like retailers to figure out that there are a LOT of chubby girls who want cute fashionable clothes IN A STORE not just on line.
More tall clothing! And tall does NOT mean a 33″ inseam. It would be great to walk into regular stores and find 36″ inseam jeans in at least a couple styles.
Also, can’t we have half sizes? They have them for shoes, why not jeans? I’m tired of 2″ differences between sizes, because sometimes I really do just need something a smidge larger or smaller.
I second you on the pants – I hate choosing between fitting at the hips/waist and looking like I’m a stuffed sausage!
And empire waisted tops that allow for boobage – enough with the empire waist appearing mid-boob thankyouverymuch!
And I second Jenn on the 1/2 sizes.
*sigh*
Can you tell I went clothes shopping this weekend?
Kyra – I am not that tall, but I even can’t buy the “regular” size sometimes. And the “tall” is too tall. 🙁 I just end up getting everything tailored.
Amy @ Passages to the Past – We are TOO similar! I dread clothes shopping too. Unless I am in a really, really goofy mood. Maybe you need to move where Kyra lives to get all the short pants? Ha ha ha 😛
sizzle – What a good point! It is so hard to look at something online and know if it will look good on you… it’s even hard to do that IN THE STORE!!! I think the clothes are worth the space – they should have them there, and not in the back of the store, hidden.
Jenn – Half sizes! Brilliant! That would help so much, especially since sizes vary so much from brand to brand.
Gemfit – Stuffed Sausage. Hee hee. It’s unfortunate that that description is so dead on. Did you have any success this weekend? Obviously not with the empire waist – I’ve kind of noticed that. I keep pulling it down, but then I am revealing too much on top!
I am glad to hear this–I hope the trend continues into the time when I have a teenage daughter, because I am an old fuddy-duddy who thinks teenage girls dressed for prom these days look like high end prostitutes! (my cousin’s prom date was so scantily clad that my aunt gave her a wrap to cover up her cleavage)
I want more companies to cater to apple shapes. It seems like everyone is aware of the pear, the hour glass, and the shortie. But it’s real hard to find even fashion articles catered to what to wear when you’re an apple.
Oh yeah, and we seriously need to find a suitable (heh, pun) replacement for the tankini!!
I would like stylish high waist pants, one that does not highlight the unslightly pooch and are not at all “mom jeans”.
*haha* Just reading through these comments gives me a LITTLE sympathy for clothing designers – we ARE all sooo different! Nobody is built the same. It’s really a wonder that mass-produced clothing works for anyone!
For me, I find that most shirts are made TOO LONG and TOO NARROW. I’m far too hippy to have these shirts coming down to my crotch, clinging to every curve (and bump on my jeans, I hate that look). And even if I tuck them in, they go below my butt and that drives me crazy.
Also, someone should tell these retailers that just because you’re a little heavier doesn’t mean you also have gorilla-length arms. Don’t they realize that carrying extra fat doesn’t mean all of your limbs grow too? If that were the case, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal because we’d all by 6.7 by now! *haha*
Hey, that was fun! I enjoy a good rant from time to time. 🙂
put me down for exactly what Amy said. I’m so tired of spending a bundle on decent pants and then having to get it hemmed like 4 inches.
i would ask for more “short” clothing. i’m 5’1″ and pants never fit me right! even the “short” styles.
Size women’s pants like they do men’s: WITH MEASUREMENTS! Multiple waist and length sizes.
I end up buying men’s ‘cuz nothing is ever long enough. Or it is, but then the waist is huge.
Also, get rid of 3/4 length sleeved anything. Drives me freakin’ crazy.
Better colors- I usually like men’s options and hate the mostly pastels of women’s.
More shoes in 9.5. Not quite so bad now…when I was growing up, most styles stopped having half sizes at 9, but still not much to choose from.
I’m gonna go back to a blog I made recently and make a request of the actual stores–better lighting in the fitting rooms!
And also, on behalf of my tall friends, my petite friends and my plus-size friends, more options for those who aren’t “average” and also more consistency in women’s sizes. They are totally arbitrary and nothing is worse than trying to figure out your size at a new store.
Thanks for the comments on my blog! Good luck on your half marathon! I’ll start following your blog now. 🙂
Decent shorts. I hate wearing shorts because they’re too snug in the thighs and make me look gross.
I am with you on the hips/butt fit of pants, and also on the gaps in button down shirts. I would request more pants for tall gals, I’m 5’10 and most pants are too short for me!
catching a glimpse of the other comments, Kyra you’re on point we need more tall options. I actually don’t fit that category entirely but still people are getting taller. and just because people are getting wider doesn’t mean that stores should continue to increase the sizes, I have a size 2 skirt ~ I AM NOT THAT DANG SKINNY!!! I don’t have a problem with my size or seeing a larger number. That one is an extreme example but the majority of my clothes have a number smaller than what I think it should be. and since I’m ranting about clothes, smaller sizes are not without curves ~ I HAVE A BOOTY it may be smaller but still.
okay, on to the topic at hand. I think that things did get a little out of control, especially with clothes geared toward the people who probably don’t have to pay for them (anyone in school still) but I hope that we don’t go all the way to the other end of the spectrum. I love my body and wearing clothes that flatter me, not trying to hide it under layer upon layer. thankfully my days of dressing like a boy are over and I’d really hate to see androgyny make a come back.
I’d like to see stores order sizes according to what actually sells. It seems like stores buy sizes in the exact opposite proportion as they exist in the real population that they serve, leaving the sale rack is filled with 0’s and 2’s.
diane – I wonder how long the “trend” will stick around 😉 I never get those articles that talk about body shape. I have no idea what I am. But I have noticed that some magazines only cover a few… and the other ones cover a few more, but not the same ones… what a headache!
Christina – All the ones I see have silly buttons… like the ones Jessica Simpson had on. Oh wait, she had a weird belt on. Well, even skinny girls can look bad in high waisted pants if they’re done wrong!
Sarah – We should be a little easier on them, right? Maybe the manufacturers should all just stick to one body type! 🙂 Even then, they are different! I HATE the shirt stretched over jeans look. Then you have all these little annoying lumps on your shirt. Boo!
Gina (Mannyed) – Isn’t it a pain in the ass to take them to the tailor? Gosh. We might as well go back to the Middle Ages and all have custom made clothes!
marissa – It sounds like a lot of people agree! I am surprised this demand is not met!
claire – My husband is always laughing trying to figure out the women’s sizing. Compared to men’s, it makes NO SENSE at all.
Cheryl – What is even AVERAGE? That is what I want to know. I don’t think THAT person exists 😉
Lindsay – Thanks for stopping by, and following. Hopefully you won’t get bored with all of my non-running posts 😉
Etta – GOOD ONE! I second that. I want them a bit loose, but not TOO casual 😉
Amanda – Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I am going to be on the lookout for taller pants now. This is another demand I am surprised is not met!
DeAnne – Wait? So small people aren’t just pencil thin? 😉 Hee hee. I would hate it if bodies were 100% covered too. Like I said, it can be done tastefully.
Jen – I hate hate HATE that! I can never find the size 12 I need! I guess that really is “average”!
I would ask for more 3/4 or right over the elbow lightweight shirts that are not peasent style. I really really hate my arms so I don’t wear sleaveless or even short sleeve shirts unless they go over my elbow. Problem is not alot of choices out there for the longer sleeves during summer.
Felicia – That’s a good idea – something 3/4 length that doesn’t look all hippy-ish!