Hi! I’m Knuti, and I’m fat. Not "plump" or "slightly padded", but better upholstered than most sofas.
I have been my whole life. I was also dieting my whole life. Losing weight, then gaining back more than I lost til I hit 332 pounds.
As if that wasn’t enough, I’m TALL. Trying to find socially acceptable, non UGLY clothes for my 5’10”tall and wide frame has always been a nearly impossible challenge.
There have always been stores with clothes that went all the way around me, but clothes that fit me the way they fit the 5’3” model they were designed for didn’t exist until recently.
In addition, I have a size 10EEE foot. Even wide men's shoes had to be stretched!
These days I own COMFORTABLE heels. Gold, "platinum", red (did I mention that I’m a singer/songwriter?) No "Oscars night entrance heels yet, but I'm NOT giving up.
When I perform it may be in country belle clothes, cute bluejeans or a formal gown. Now I have all of the above, with and without beading and sequins.
I’m sharing 15 years of sources with you.
All of this material is copywritten. Please respect that and don’t copy it.
Be beautiful.
Knuti
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To place an online order, you need
1. This article, for the online addresses of the companies and your first idea of what they sell.
For catalogue purchases, you can call the number on the front and they’ll send you catalogues. You won’t have access to all the online deals, but it’s better than trying to find what you want in most local stores.
2. A tape measure, to take your bust, waist,hip, inseam, torso length, so you can tell what size to purchase tops and trousers, and waist to knee, mid-shin, ankle, floor, or wherever else you want your skirt hems to stop. Make sure you hold the tape only as tioght as you want your tightest clothes to fit.
3. Access to an online computer. (libraries have them, if you don’t)
Paper and pen or a comp file to list what you found at what site, so you can compare, then choose your best value
4. A phone to place your order or ask questions about the merchandise (although the clerks may only have the same catalogue listing you have)
5. An email address & phone number (so they can contact you if there’s a problem)
6. A home or mailing address (porch or PO box) where mail can be left safely, should you not be at home when it’s delivered)
7. A file folder to keep orders and receipts. After you place your online order, you can print a receipt listing your purchases and the prices you paid. You'll need to check your oder to make sure that you received everything you paid for.
You should also check the price you paid vs. what the receipt shows the final charge was. Just like shopping at the mall, sometimes they don’t give you the sale price. Check it, and if something’s wrong, call the phone contact number and get it fixed.
File the receipt, with corrections, to compare to your shipment, and help you keep track of your sources. If you don’t, two years from now, when your cat sharpens its claws on your favorite blouse, you won’t be able to dig out the receipt to remind you where you bought it. That means you won’t be able to reorder it. That means a permanent strain on your relationship with a fuzzy friend. Tragic.
So keep the receipt..
Fight impulse buying!
Once you find an article you like, you may want to put it in your shopping cart, then check other sources to see if you can beat the price. The best stores let you know if they’re likely to sell out quickly.
Personally, I do my shopping, wait a few days to see if I still think I need it. Sometimes I look in my closet and just can’t justify one more black tee shirt.
The point is that impulse shopping is even more of an issue online. The money isn’t visible. You don’t even use the credit card swipe, but the DEBT IS REAL, so be careful and if you have them send 3 sizes so you can see which fits and the just send the extras back, SEND them back. DO NOT put it off, or you’ll be stuck with useless clutter and a HUGE bill.
USE COUPONS and DISCOUNT CODES!
Before you purchase, Google the store name with the word “coupons”. for example: simplybe coupons. Google will show a list of stores pretending to have coupons for the Simply Be store. Many don’t. They’re just trying to get you to sign up, so they can sell your email address to spammers. Others are competing stores selling items similar to those at Simply Be, trying to divert you to their sites. They’re hoping you’ll get distracted and buy from them.
Mixed in are real coupon sites, like Retailmenot, where shoppers like us share coupon discount codes. This could mean 50% off your highest priced item, or free shipping, or 20% off your entire order.
You write down the coupon code, then return to your store to shop. When you go to CHECKOUT, enter it in the box usually found below your list of purchases. The box is usually marked “Promotions”. You would think they’d call it “coupon codes. “ but no.
If the coupon has expired (some only last hours!) you try again at the coupon sites, pay full price, or wait til later. I’ve left things in my cart for weeks, waiting for a reasonable sale. Some items sell out and are no longer available, but the ones I purchase will fit into my budget.
You can cut back on how much you have to return by thinking about these questions.
Why even consider buying items from sites that don’t list their length, don’t specify fabrics and care , or require hand washing (How much hand-washing do you have time to do? Do you like the way it looks, hanging in your apartment as it dries?) or dry cleaning? (Over the life of the garment, it costs a LOT in errand time and cash, not to mention exposing you to toxic, environmental pollutants.).
To receive your order you need:
1. Your receipt file and copy of the order so you can check off the items as they arrive. Surprise ! I’ve had single orders that arrived in as many as six post-bags, over a period of months., You NEED your paperwork or comp file.
Again,make sure all items are included and you aren’t being charged for anything not yet received, and the prices match the ones on your receipt
2. Time to try it on and, if necessary, return it for refund, credit, or the next size
3. Packing tape, a scissors &/or tape cutter to open boxes and bags neatly and the to reclose boxes you’re returning and repair any rips in the plastic or carboard.
4. Access to a printer, to print free return lables. If they make a mistake and send you the wrong item, the wrong size, extra items, items marked “Size 28” that are actually “Size 4” THEY need to pay the return postage. If the clerk says no,(the clerk should know better) keep asking for supervisors until you find one that knows the company policy.,
For unknown reasons, most companies print receipts and mailing labels with color ink. It’s fine to copy them in black and white. Black and white is fine. Don’t pay for color printing.
5. A location (on your computer, or in a notebook) to keep the file with copies of your orders.
Highlight the order date and if it doesn’t arrive within two weeks and you haven’t received email notification of a problem, call or email and find out what’s wrong.
This file is important for another reason. You need to know if you’re over-shopping. It’s very easy to spend more on “great deals” than you can afford. If you can afford to spend a fortune on clothes you don’t actually wear, with these receipts you can make more room in your closet by donating it to a thrift store for a full tax deduction, or get the best possible price at a consignment store.
RETURNS
Some online stores accept returns of items you just don’t want for as little as 11 days after purchase, so try your items on as soon as they arrive and if they need to go back (and many will!) send them within a day or two.
Try calling the company to ask if they’ll email you a free return label (to glue over their mailing label on the box the items came in). Some companies do this only when asked. Some do it for new customers. Some do it for everyone. Appreciate them for that.
However, if the item is poorly made or flawed (and flaws INCLUDE wrong size, cheap fabric, or not looking like the catalogue photo) put it and all the packing materials (plastic bags, cardboard, bubble wrap, etc) back into the original box and mail them to the company’s returns department within 2 days. If it’s their mistake they should pay postage.
By the way, Roamans return policy is amazing. For the first 90 (NOT 30) days after you paid for your item, they’ll refund the money to your card, Even after 3 years they’ll give you store credit if you return items in unused condition, with packaging and tags. This could be a boon if you’re not totally organized and tend to toss things aside (til later, when there’s time.”
Alterations:
It’s the perfect dress but would REALLY look better at you knee, not at your ankle. The jacket’s lovely, but too boxy to show off you curves. Often clothes need nips and tucks.
You will need to have items altered. If you’re lucky, you can do that yourself. If not, you have to find a good alterations person and include the cost in your budget.
If your item is washable, make sure you launder it a few times before you hem it or take it in, since most fabrics shrink or stretch slightly after the first few washings.
Return: Anything that isn’t what the ad promised in looks, workmanship, fit, color and materials.
Anything that doesn’t make you look cuter than usual.
Anything that isn’t comfortable.
Anything that does not wear well, without getting saggy, baggy or hopelessly stretched out.
Anything that doesn’t launder well, when you’ve followed the label directions.
Clothing
I currently own clothing in sizes 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. All of them fit me the same way. Clothing and shoe sizes aren’t standardized very well, so EXPECT that you’ll have to send things back and try the next size, the same way you would in a shop, trying things on. This adds to the cost. I recommend watching for free shipping promotions.
ALWAYS check every site for their sizes and measurements. I’m currently a Catherines 24 blouse and 22 skirt, a Redcats 26 (top and bottom), etc. I own clothes ranging from size Large to 3x, and every piece fits me the same way. So even if you “know” your size, check, and check every time, because they keep changing!
The good news is that this sort of mental challenge ,may delay the onset of Alzheimers! (for more details on that, see the Dr Oz website)
Measurements:
Remember: if it fits the model in the catalogue and she’s 5’3” but you’re 4’7” or 6’ tall, it’s going to look very different on you! Each supplier has an ideal model height. For instance, the Redcats stores: Woman Within, Roamans, Jessica London, etc, tend to use models who are apparently about 5’4”, with 28 inch long torsos. That means that their mini-dresses may be your (4’10”) work clothes, or (6’0”) average blouse length.
Write down your measurements. Stand while you’re measured. around the widest part of your Bust, waist, & hips. Then measure from your bra strap from the highest point on your shoulder, over your breast (while wearing whatever bra or non-bra you‘d be likely to use under this sort of garment) to the bend of your hip/thigh. That‘s your front torso length. Anything longer than that will fit like a tunic. Shorter tops will look like blouses.
For instance, My torso is 32”, so the 28” “tunics” that go to the knees of Redcats models (average torso appears to be 26-28”) are short blouses on me.
Unless you like flirting with your UPS pickup guy, don’t even bother with any item that has a description that omits the shoulder to hem length on tops; inseam length on pants, capris, shorts; fabric content & care instructions (dry cleaning means you’ll have to pay for that garment every time you wear it, PLUS polluting the environment needlessly.
ONLINE STORES
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These are stores I’ve tracked purchases from. The items were delivered and of reasonable quality.
Avenue.com (Redcats,One Stop) a Redcats Group member, apparently related to the Avenue (brick and mortar) Stores.
Ashro.com 1800 865 9442 Lots of fat store clothing is bland and even boring. Ashro breaks the mold.
They market to gorgeous black women, and have great dress-up and date clothes,
hot Easter Sunday church lady outfits, dressy mother of the bride outfits! There are a few very
attractive “ethnic” African clothes. (Why aren’t Paris fashions called “ethnic”?) I like them because they look good on my plus size figure and they tend to be cotton and comfy-looking.
The ladies’ headdresses would be a great chemotherapy option!
Also wigs, although I’ve never bought one from them..
I usually find very good prices and lots of fun looks that are hard to find in large sizes!
Catalog Favorites.com glamour and novelty jewelry, funny T-shirts, jewelry, apparently anything they saw and said ooo!
Catherine.com Pear shaped? Good news! Many of Catherines selections are geared toward large thighs and proportionately small waists. Scanning their site this morning was a revelation! The skirts fit their models around the waist, then bagged around the thigh area.
This bodes well for those of us who need that cut!
The bad news was that prices are high. A polyester A-line skirt is listed “on clearance” for over $50.
A simple cotton kurta blouse (usually around $36retail, is over $40 in “clearance”.
Moral: Shop carefully!
CasualLivingusa.com 1800 843 1881 Yuppie casual. Office wear.
Chadwicks.com 1800 525 6650 Yuppie casual.
Chicos.com sizes 0-22 Market to a younger, thinner crowd, but some fun items.
Coldwater Creek professional class work and casual clothes. Beware of dry clean only, but they DO have some very flattering styles., especially if you’re 5’1’-5’6” I’m 5’9”, so all I buy is skirts and scarves.
DevaLifeWear.com 1800 222 8024 “cottage industry seamstresses make a living wage working from home” making this cotton “lifewear” SML XL, 2x, 3x in basic shapes (not tailored) in varying weights of cotton weaves and knits. Very plain , but ideal if you want quality basics to bead or build a look. For fall 2011 they also have pirate shirts and some Ren Faire or Celtic Pride-appropriate shirts.
Fashion Bug
Igigi.com Sexy clothes cut to celebrate (not hide) the full figure. Weddings, formals, cocktails and work wear, Service address is in SF! These are cut to show your best curves.
JustMySize.com bras 38A-58J clothing 14W-40W
JMS has LOTS of non-tailored, cotton and cotton blend knit T’s shirts, jackets and skirts. I also like their in-house jeans. These clothes are NOT SEXY, but very simple and comfy, at reasonable prices. They occasionally have some good sales.
LaneBryant.com (now separated from “Woman Within”) seems to aim at a short skirt demographic.
I was looking at jeans and they didn’t list inseam length on the info, I went on to the “fit” sheet and came up empty. No fit sheet! Just an empty page. downloaded.
MiBplus size.com (Making It Big) models are a variety of large sizes, so you can see how clothes would look on you! Lots of cottons & linens Cotton tunic, untailored for $79 normal to super-sizes, nice styles.Embroidery,
Navabi.us.com Theorectically, they have sizes 12-28. I spent 15 minutes in their clearance section and didn’t find anything over a 24 in stock. Great looking hot weather clothing in cool, natural, lightweight fabrics.
You may want to tell your skinny friends who have hot flashes?
NorthStyle.com 1 800 336 5666 Sizes 4-24, some 26-28s, yuppie casual & conservative
office.clothes.
Lots of polyester, very few 30” or longer tunics
July 27 ’11, went through entire plus size clearance. Most items didn’t go above size 18. The two items I looked at that seemed promising were out of stock, but still listed! Bought nothing.
OneStop.com is a TIMESAVER! One location where you can check out the selections from all of the Redcats (large size catalogue) companies, plus Ulla Popken and Igigi. They also have their own coupons and sales, so check and see whether the best price is at the direct website (like Igigi, or whether you can get a better deal at One Stop. Note: One Stop has a club for frequent shoppers that gives you $2.99 shipping on any order!)
Be aware that promotions, coupons and sales don’t always apply to non Redcats products.)
Redcats companies include:
Roamans.com
Woman Within.com
JessicaLondon.com
Kingsize.com 1800 846 1600
Pyramid Collection.com Glamour collection, including some Ren Faire & Halloween clothes, chic vampire, Goth, glamour, velvet full length capes definite “Look at Me clothes! Some up
to 3x. Also jewelry, real sterling silver and stones.
Roaman’s.com (Redcats Group) Work & sports clothes, dress-up. Few even moderately low necklines, which means that on taller girls, necklines look too small.
Just remember, the models in the photo’s are 5’2-ish, with short torsos and 30” inseams.
More cotton than other Redcats. Some great looking embroidered jeans and very feminine ruffly tops,
UllaPopken.com Clothing sized for 5’8” women, inseams usually 30-31”, LOTS of long 30-36” blouses,
Lots of natural fibers, compared to other sites. Clothing ranges from yuppie to bohemian and
hippy-chic, usually some nice embroidered sleeves, bodices and necklines, usually beaded or
grometted peces available. Almost always great buys on clearance.
Simply Be.com (UK), Clothing sized for 28” torso, 30” inseam
“young” conservative looks
July 27’11 went through entire clearance section. Actually found 6 skirts in my size (24)
at very good prices. Good quality. As of May 2013 I'm still wearing them.
October'11 Bought 5 pairs of flashy, sassy Oscar Red Carpet HIGH heels in, get this! size 10 EEE! So excited! Until they arrived.
My often measured foot IS a size 10EEE. These shoes were 3/4 inch too narrow. That's it's own subject.
Moral: Their heels aren't even close to true to width. Four pairs of the offending heels were from Viva La Diva. On behalf of Divas everywhere, I'm offended.
Soft Surroundings.com Nice, sexy descriptions of “silk-blend, curve-loving “ $128 fishermen’s sweaters. They have knits and soft wovens. Some of these could be worn to an office. Enjoyable reading and whqat appears to be nice, pricey casual wear, but only up to size 24. Lots of long tops (32”, 34”) but Tall girls, beware! One of the photos has what appears to be a moderately low (no cleavage) neckline, and it drapes halfway down the thigh on a model in who must be under 5 feet tall, since the caption says the shirt is 30” long. On a tall gall, that wouldn’t cover your bottom, much less drape below the hips..
Sonsi.com This is Lane Bryant merchandise displayed in a magazine/catalogue format. Medium size models, (not twigs, but only slightly upholstered) Some nice shapes, a few teen-friendly items. Some very very matronly styles. Not dependable about including lengths on dresses and formal gowns, or whether the item can be washed or dry-cleaned. I’m guessing most of these floor length Spring Prom and mother-of the Bride gowns would hit me mid-calf? But that’s just a guess. And if they don’t SAY an item can be cleaned, be wary!
Southwest Indian Foundation 800 504 2723 They sell long cotton skirts, matching or coordinated knit cotton tops, well made and very washable,from $29 to $79, in perfect colors for coordinating with your Southwestern look blouses and Native American Jewelry. This company is a fundraiser for Catholic missionary work with Native Americans. I don’t know if the products are made in America, but the quality is good. I can’t vouch for the jewelry prices (not an expert)
Talbots.com sizes 12-24, Not my favorite, but they get points for hiring large sized models (size 18-ish).. Lots of polyester priced over $100.
They don’t put the length on tops, so unless you know the model personally, you can’t guess whether
she’s 5’2” or 6’2”.
Men’s Clothing
Ladies! It’s easier to find bigshirts, long turtlenecks and tees in Men’s and Men’s Tall sizes! Just be aware that shoulders and pants fronts may be oversized for you. As always, compare your measurements to the size charts and be aware that men’s clothes are often cut to be really REALLY loose on skinny guy legs, which means it’s a good bet they’ll skim over your thighs! .
There is no better place to find “boyfriend” sweaters, shirts, etc, than men’s catalogues!
KingSize.com One of the Redcats Group. Always check for coupons and sales both directly and through One-Stop.com, the Redcats outlet, and BCO.com, BargainCenterOutlet, the Redcats clearance site.
Usually good customer service. Lots of pants styles that offer to trim them to the inseam length you specify.
SimplyBe.com (UK) up to 5x
Wide Shoes up to EEE
FIT:
Your toes, especially your little and big toes, should not be bending in half or sideways to accommodate a badly designed or too-small shoe.
Your toes should point forward and be straight, not crunched up and deformed .by shoes that don’t offer a comfortable toe-box.
If a salesperson can see the outlines of your toes pressing against the leather and doesn’t advise you to try a larger size or wider width, you should feel free to leave immediately, without a polite farewell.
Bunions are not a sign of old age. They’re nearly always the result of shoes bending your big toe sideways in order to fit pointed toe shoes, over a long enough period of time that the bones have bent, popped out of position and painfully deformed your foot.
Many companies claim EEE width Some brands, call themselves WW. They come up as eligible when you look up EEE sizes. Most are only a D. Some, like Hush Puppies are perhaps E, but.be ready to send back pretenders QUICKLY.
If you don’t have pointed feet, don’t buy pointed shoes. The best thing you can do for your balance and foot health os find a shoe that’s as wide as you foot and as nearly the same shape as possible.
BE READY TO SEND SHOES BACK. Sizes are NOT standard! You sise 6D foot may find a perfect home ib a 6EE or a 6 C! It’s mostly luck.
Redcats Group (catalogues include shoes and often-overpriced purses)
Most of their WW or Xwide shoes are nearly same as D width, even though they claim EE
Footsmart.com has good outlet prices, carries Propet. I’ve never has any service problems with them
Hotterusa.com (UK)1866 378 7811 up to EEE width in a few styles, but rarely in any color other than black and brown. This site is a heartbreaker, because lots of these shoes look really pretty and comfy, in reds, blues, purples and even yellow! Then Poof! The ones in your size (if any) are only in brown. Cute comfort shoes: walkers, mary janes, sandals, lots of padding, support.
Maryland Square.com shoes etc
OnlineShoes.com carries Propet and a few other brands up to 4E. They also have more 2E styles than anyone else I've tried. Their prices seem the same.
ShoeMall.com has several views of each shoe, so you know whether the shape of the sole matches the shape of your foot,, how wide the heel is, how well-supported your foot will be.
They also print consumer reviews of shoes that will let you know if you need to buy one size up or down to accommodate your needs to the idiosyncracies of the manufacturers ideas of sizing.
Zappos.com has FREE SHIPPING both ways, until you have a hoe that fits! This will save you a lot!
My order arrived in 4 days (standared delivery, which was included in the cost). 3 pairs of shoes, bought half price or less on clearance. I was very surprised that the Propet “Seville”boots in 4E fit. Usually Propet’s 2E fit exactly this way. Really cute and comfy! So does this mean that Propet has chaned sizing again?
I also got a pair of sandals and a pair of heels from David Tate. Cute, but not as comfy in patent leather that rubs on the edges, even though the fit is good. I’ll be gluing a soft lining along those edges. (sigh) It must be great to have normal size everything and not have to learn how to adjust shoes and clothes with linings, darts, etc.
Best Shoe brands (in my opinion) with cute, well made styles for EE-EEE feet Sometimes you MAY find a non -orthopedic 4E
Dress Shoes: David Tate,
Sandals Propet
Lingerie
Nightgowns, sleep shirts, etc at All catalogues, but Redcats Group prices, especially in clearance and BCO outlet can land you a polyester (very silky charmeuse) sexy nightgown for little as $16.
Lady Grace.com has the best assortment of body smoothers, shapers and cast iron girdles I’ve found so far. Even better, they have a variety of parts, so, while ladies with average torso lengths can buy an all in one-piece “shaper” (including bra, midriff/back whittler and girdle) the petites and long torso gals can buy the pieces separately, for a custom fit.
Some pieces are practical and compress your skin to get rid of creases, rolls and bounce.
Others are just to cover your skin so your clothes don’t stick when you get hot and sweaty dancing. READ the descriptions and be prepared to send things back for other sizes.
Bras Bras fit you based on
Chest band This is the measurement that you get when you measure around your chest,keeping the tape even with the ground and touching the chest wall directly below your breast. When you read “44 D” the 44 is this measurement, in inches. The D is the cup size.
The chest band ties the cups together and around you. In a well engineered, properly fitting full cup or balconnette bra, the band will stay in place, with or without bra straps.
CUP SIZE
Projection (how far your breasts sticks out from your chest wall when NOT being smooshed by an inhumane bra.) You don’t want a bra that folds your breasts inside the cup. They should lie, full length in the cup without being squeezed or folded)
Breast Circumference How the bra sits cup encircles the base of the breast. The entire breast needs to be in the cup or you’ll the edges of the cup (top, band and side) shouldn’t press dents into your skin or leave red marks or bulges in your clothing that you don’t want.
Breast balance
Normal people have one breast smaller than the other. A little smaller, a LOT smaller, depending on your luck. This isn’t weird, no matter how much you’ve been teased.
Nipples are placed pretty much anywhere on the breast, high, medium or low, left right, whatever.
Breasts may look like deflated balloons, hanging flat against your midriff..
As long as you’ve seen a gynecologist and know it’s only a cosmetic problem, that’s all it is.
If you’ve bought into the Playboy image of what you should look like and if your poor self image is affecting your life, you should consider surgery. You too can have lovely, slightly scarred breasts that match.
Be aware though, there are risks, and NOT just of losing the ability to breast feed. I’ve received complaints of post surgical nerve damage (permanent) causing these wonderfully sensitive playthings to become permanently numb. That would mean that you’d use them to attract someone who wants to touch them while you’re getting bored.
If, on the other hand, you’ve either decided that would be stupid, or just read enough books on Advanced Sexual Technique that the men in your life don’t even notice anything but the sensations you cause in them, then the Cosmetic Problems of breast balance can be dealt with easily, usually with padding.
UK vs European vs US cup sizes.
Remember to check the size comparisons (UK & European vs USA) my J- cup is anr H in England. On the reviews, women who like the bra will tell you if ( and where ) the bra ypur considering tends to run large or small. I’ve often be advised to buy an extra size up or down.
READ toe consumer reviews! Like everything else, bra sizes claim to be standard and AREN’T. In the reviews previous buyers tell you whether you need to buy a cup or band size up or down. Also good tips on comfort and durability.
Cup size and fit and side stays (they must NOT dig into your skin) are the only real issues.)
Your bra should NOT compress or fold your breasts.
Even after the 10th laundering, your bra should not pull away from your chest. The center of the bra should lie flat agaist the breastbone and there shouldn’t be any digging, ANYWHERE. If your bra digs, it doesn’t fit.
Bravissimo.com UK many gorgeous, sexy, practical, sturdy bras up to N cup size
Figleaves.com carry Panache bras I found a 20% off sale!
HerRoom.com Almost as good as Bravissimo, but not as many bras combining sexy&sturdy.
SimplyBe.com UK. Gorgeous styles, more cotton blend bras than any other carrier. Routine 20% off sales. Several styles Up to J cups.
