Clothing Questions

[Dia Minha]

I need help. I am shopping for some t-shirts. I have been wearing men’s t-shirts, because they are the only ones I can find that are long enough. However, they just are not very feminine. RAR pointed me to Downeast Basics. They have t-shirts that are long enough. The problem is that they are made to stretch to fit. When you wear something that stretches to fit, it accents every little fat roll. I tried on the largest size and just do not like the way it looks. I know I’m doing good with my exercise and I’m doing better with my eating, but I’m not where I want to be and these t-shirts show it.

So I have two questions. First of all, is it ok for someone my size and shape to wear t-shirts that are fitted and show fat rolls? I have seen women and girls my size and larger wearing them and they look good. I just don’t like the way they look on me. I guess there is a possibility I’m just being hard on myself. Or it could just be that I am shaped differently. Most women with a belly, just have a belly. I have two, divided by a waist. Thus, the term “rolls” Second, if I can’t wear fitted Ts and I don’t want to wear men’s any more, where can I find women’s t-shirts that are longer, but are not “stretch to fit”?

It just seems like they do not exist. A fitted t-shirt that does not cling and is long enough, doesn’t seem like asking too much. I can’t be the only one out there with this problem. Help!

[bookworm]

I know Old Navy used to carry all kinds, from the fitted stretch tee to the "perfect" tee in many colors. I love Old Navy, but haven't had a clothing budget in so long, I don't know what they carry now. I'm usually a few years behind styles because I shop at DI.

As for styles for women with (a-hem) rolls, I wear what I feel comfortable in. If my arms don't have free movement, or if my rolls or (a-hem again) cleavage are showing, I won't wear it. I think you need to go shopping around lots of places and try on lots of things- I'm sure if you have the budget you could find things at Dillard's or even Kohl's probably.

Good luck!

[PhillyGirl]

If you want the length of the downeast shirts (which I love) but not the tightness of them then I would just use them as layering. That is what I do. So you can buy some of the slightly shorter shirts but that are cute and feminine and then just throw on a downeast shirt underneath. What is nice about putting them underneath is they kind of hold you in a bit to make you look smaller. Anyway, this is something that I do and maybe it will solve your problem.

[Meticulous madness]

I agree with Phillygirl. Layer, layer, layer.

It is VERY hard to find feminine shirts these days, without the "frightening tight" look. My guess is that the style will change soon enough (fingers crossed).

I haven't had much luck finding larger (but still somewhat fitted) summer clothing for a long time! Maybe you could try Ross. It's very hit and miss, though. I got a couple of cute "funky" tees there a few months ago. Then when I went back to get a few more for an up-coming vacation, of course there wasn't anything. Murphy's Law.

Anyway, back to the layering...I know it becomes a little hotter in the summer time, but you can find some really great under-tanks, or cap sleeve stuff.

Good luck to you!

[natickgirl]

I've found some great T's at Target. If you bypass the teeny-bopper, skin-tight shirts & short shorts section and go to the more "mature" misses or women's section, you can find some decent T's. I usually get them on sale. Some are thick, 100% cotton, others are thinner, or a cotton-poly blend.

I go for the layering, too....but mostly because I have no (ahem) cleavage, so I have to wear a tank or another T underneath any v-neck shirts. Of course, I also like the extra length underneath shorter shirts.

Above all, be comfortable!

[Erudite]

I've never been much of a shopper, so I do a lot of catalog browsing. I don't buy much, but I do do a lot of browsing. I did just buy a really cute peasant kind of knit blouse from roamans.com. It was winter wear though, but they have all their spring and summer stuff in the catalogs. womanwithin.com also has some decent stuff (along with a whole lot for your Grandma...doesn't it bug you how the larger sized stuff in stores is mostly stuff you wouldn't want your Grandma to wear anymore??). Go on their websites and get their catalogs for free. Or just browse their websites. Their clothes tend to be generously sized, but I've found their knits tend to shrink a bit so you want the generosity in the sizing. And they are really good prices too...if you know Chadwicks...it's the same family of retailers, so it's all good prices, not top quality as a result, but reasonable.