<p>I have a t-shirt from South Africa that has leather tabs on it. I just toss it in the washer and it’s fine. Maybe fake leather? I have no idea. I just figured there was no way I was dry-cleaning a t-shirt so I’d see what happened.</p>
<p>I didn’t read all the posts. I’m 5’8" and 148, having lost 20# last year and have kept it off 1+ years. (Did get to 143 for college reunion last fall and now hoping to get back there for HS reunion in 3 weeks). I needed all new pants for my new body (my first world problem) and found Banana Republic had the best fit. I have long legs, but a short rise (navel to crotch), so the lower waisted styles are perfect. When I was heavier, I liked Talbots pants, as they were more generous in the butt & thighs. </p>
<p>Gap has also been my goto place for pants at most weight levels. They have a curvy fit that worked well when I was heavier. There’s another fit (name escaping me) that I wear now. </p>
<p>Never have like Ann Taylor pants. </p>
<p>I have a funny story … about gym shorts. About 10 years ago I had lost some weight at the work fitness center and was feeling pretty good. Then one time in the changing room I had the hardest time pulling on my navy shorts. It was like stuffing sausage. I looked at the size, and it said “10-12”. Phew… I figured out I had accidentally grabbed DS’s boy-sized shorty PJ bottoms. </p>
<p>I just decided to return the last pair of Talbot’s pants I bought. Too tight over the tummy, and my other pants still fit so these are just cut differently. Makes me sad because Talbot’s was my go-to for dress pants and they have changed the fabrics as well as the style. I used to get dress pants at Old Navy but they don’t seem to carry them anymore. </p>
<p>LOL colorado_mom…</p>
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<p>Nope. Not at all. Quite the reverse. </p>
<p>I’m more or less an apple, with a thicker torso and slim hims and legs. Chicos pant don’t fit me AT ALL. If they go around my waist, they bulge wildly like Little Dutch Boy pants around my hips and thighs. This is true of virtually ALL pants, BTW.</p>
<p>I’m so glad I found this thread! I’m a 5’5 pear with a long torso. I’ve just about given up wearing pants. Unfortunately, I have a trip coming up that requires jeans and slacks. I found one pair of slacks (Ann Taylor curvy) to fit, but still no jeans. I too hate stretch! There is nothing comfortable or attractive about material clinging to my thighs. Going to check out some of the other brands mentioned here. Thanks! </p>
<p>Really wish that skinny jeans would go out of style! </p>
<p>“Really wish that skinny jeans would go out of style!”</p>
<p>Why? Because you do not like others to have options that work better for their body types? AFIK, trouser jeans and “boyfriend” jeans have not been displaced by skinny jeans. </p>
<p>^Wow. It was just an off-hand comment. I wish I could wear skinny jeans and no, I don’t begrudge others having choices. I would just like to have more choices too. My frustration stems from the fact that there are not a lot of big department stores where I live and most stores stock the hottest trends…skinny jeans. I have online options, but when you’re hard to fit that means ordering lots of items and returning most. I can order a size 4 dress and 80% of the time it fits. I can order size 4, 6 and 8 jeans and 99% of the time none of them fit. It would be nice to have more options available to just try on in the store. </p>
<p>I suggest you check out JJill. They have several different types of pants, some of which work well for me. You might also look at Banana Republic.</p>
<p>I think J Jill has low quality stuff. I would recommend Limited or Banana. Limited ALWAYS has coupons and deals and practically gives things away. I buy a lot of my work outfits there. </p>
<p>As a pear, the fashion emphasis on skinny jeans and pants as well as pencil skirts has made my choices limited. Throw in a long torso and disproportionately short legs (with calves!) and choices narrow (ha!) even more.
At a lower weight, one of Banana Republic’s styles fit me best. At Nordstrom, Paige skyline was also a great style.
While JJill quality varies, it is possible for the average size woman to find something that fits.
At least I can get straight leg pants hemmed. Boot cut is awkward when the “knee” hits well below my knee.
I do not like NYDJ at all. I wish Nordstrom carried something else besides them and Jag in a petite-size, non-premium denim. </p>
<p>I have a few things from JJill, notably pants. I have one pair of linen pants and one pair of black jersey, and I have been wearing them for several years on a <em>very</em> frequent basis–each is my go-to item for their seasons–and they have held up beautifully. So I can’t agree with low quality. Their clothes ARE generally unconstructed and casual, so if you are looking for tailoring you aren’t likely to find it there.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I’ve always associated The Limited with junky clothes. 
Admittedly, I haven’t entered one in decades. </p>
<p>Consolation, their pants and shirts are quite nice. The stuff your see through the glass store front… could be sequin covered junk. </p>
<p>Even for men, slacks can be hard to fit. I still remember the Christmas when S was going to do a summer internship and I bought him 12 pairs of pants. Only one sort of fit (not even well). Ended up returning all of them. It is awfully frustrating trying to find clothing that fits well, at any price. It’s tougher when stores stock the trendiest items rather than classic items that stay in fashion most of the time.</p>
<p>I fluctuate between being happy I have things that fit and trying to buy more when I find them because I never know whether they will continue to make things that fit me properly. It’s frustrating.</p>
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<p>Well, I’m a lawyer and always get complimented on my clothes, and a lot of them come from Limited. I also shop JCrew and Nordstrom. </p>
<p>The Limited has a lot of good career wear. Kind of like Banana Republic but a little more colorful! They also send GREAT coupons - and frequently! Good sales as well! </p>
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<p>@zeebamom I <em>so</em> know what you mean! I have shortish legs also, and in addition to my other woes, the knees do not hit me in the right place. I’ve found that I can find petites in pants that are the right proportion, legwise. But then I have to watch out that the rise isn’t too short. Oy, vey!</p>
<p>I’ll have to go into The Limited and check it out. I remember it as cheap teen wear. Obviously out of date. :)</p>
<p>Consolation, I think you are thinking about Express! The Limited is geared towards 20-30 professional crowd (they do carry a lot of trendy pieces and place the trendiest stuff by the windows). That said, plenty of pants and shirts found at Express are of professional enough quality. </p>
<p>We all have different bodies; some bodies are more “standard” than the others. This is what I liked about WNTW: the hosts did not try to change the person to fit into clothes, that was not their job. Instead, they always emphasized the importance of good fit that can be achieved via a few simple alterations. For pants, their advice was always to find the style you like and to try on the size that fits the widest part of the body, then to alter the rest (usually adjusting the hem and taking in waist) </p>