<p>Fendrock, I was always in that situation when I was younger. As much as it stunk, I simply could never go out in public without a bra, so there were always things I couldn’t wear. That’s still the case for young ladies today, unfortunately.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I have not managed to get my daughter to see that there are some things that she would be better off not wearing.</p>
<p>I do insist on shopping with her, though.</p>
<p>Finding a bathing suit that was acceptable to both of us was a nightmare.</p>
<p>Zoosermom (and anyone else small needing professional clothing), I swear by Talbots, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, and Armani. I can always find lovely clothing for business that fits appropriately, and doesn’t need much, if any, tailoring. </p>
<p>I have to wear skirts ranging from a size 2 - 6, and jackets size 6 - 10, owing to years of working out or something. Small waist but huge thighs, so pants are very, very difficult - if they fit through the thighs, the waist is six inches too big, but I love those four options for business clothing, and always find terrific stuff that I really like, and that looks awesome, and, the clothing holds well too - if I’m having an 18 hour day the clothing looks as terrific at the end of it as it does at the start, even if the person in the clothing looks like a disaster lol :)</p>
<p>fendrock my sympathy goes out to you. I hated those years when mine insisted on wearing things that did not flatter her. The worst was junior high when she had a hard time understanding why her friend could wear a top that I didn’t want her to wear. By 16 she began to realize that though she was petite in those type of tops she needed to try on a medium. It is amazing how much better they looked when it wasn’t skin tight. I also would covertly suggest the round neck tank for her to try on. On my D we found it looked better then a V. Or suggest the layering of several tanks.
Luckily now that she is a little older she has discovered on her own that certain types of tanks look better on her. The loose fluid type that can be found at Urban Outfitters. Or tanks of a different fabric such as satin or silk that hang more then cling.
She did say that she realizes now that the clothes she wore weren’t the best but felt that we were right to let her go through it and discover it on her own.
Bathing suits! I cring at the thought. Between the tops and the bottoms that tie at the side. What a nightmare. One that I am now having the pleasure of experiencing with the 12 yr old.</p>
<p>mom60, thanks for posting.</p>
<p>It’s been difficult, because it seems that they do insist on defining their own style. On the other hand, I feel responsible for making sure she doesn’t wear something that is truly inappropriate.</p>
<p>It would be so much simpler if she just wanted to dye her hair blue.</p>
<p>My daughter isn’t 16 yet, so perhaps she, too, will “grow out” of this phase.</p>
<p>For guys, look at the preppie lines: Brooks Brothers comes to mind, where there are lots of dressy clothes sized for younger bodies, found in youth sizing. [Tall, lean women buy youth sizes 18-20, to get the longer sleeves needed, without the bulk found in men’s smalls.]</p>
<p>my main problem is buying dresses- i normally wear a size 0 or 2 in clothes, but for fancy dresses, i cant get anything less than a 6 to fit over my chest…and then the dress is about 6 inches too long!</p>
<p>This seems apropos, from today’s NYT (from an article about how Land’s End sells women’s swimsuits):</p>
<p>
[quote]
…an analysis of 6,300 women’s bodies released this year by North Carolina State University…found that only 8 percent [of women] had the hourglass shape that has been the basis for women’s clothing sizes for decades. Most women surveyed were pear-shaped or “rectangular,” meaning their bust and hips were about the same size and their waists were not much narrower.
[quote/]
</p>
<p>I have a horrible time finding those cute tank tops that fit! 99% of the time the bottom is about 4 inches too short, and i’m spilling out of the top. When they’re long enough and have enough room in the chest it looks like a maternity top everywhere else. Yuck.</p>
<p>With the fashionable new ‘skinny jeans’ coming out, it shouldn’t be too hard to find tighter, small sizes. Abercrombie’s kid line is known for having affordable jeans that often fit the exceptionally petite females - yes it is a kids store, but the clothes are often as cute as - if not cuter than - those in the adult store. Not to mention the fact that they are about $30 cheaper…</p>
<p>I have to say this thread is really helpful and I’ve saved a number of posts.</p>
<p>S is one of the 29/30 or 30/30 guys. We’ve done fine once we discovered Gap Online. But it is great to know of other resources in case one day he does become a fashionista and need more options.</p>
<p>And - have you tried to find a men’s Small tee-shirt?!??
Combined with his criteria that it has to have some sort of slogan/design but it can’t be too big, can’t be too this, can’t be too that, can’t be a designer advertisement etc. Grrr.</p>
<p>to whoever posted about steve and barrys, they usually have good sizes on things too, however I don’t find their jeans very comfortable. I don’t like the way they are cut. (I’m very picky when it comes to pants)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips–glad we’re not the only family having trouble finding clothes that fit our kids. So far, my daughter has been easier to fit; she’s 5’2" & about 100 pounds.</p>
<p>I do have two pairs of Docker’s black slacks for son that we purchased from Macy’s (before they stopped carrying these smaller sizes) for marching band & he’s worn a few times in the fall that he can bring to college at USC (they’re pretty loose, but passable with a good belt). We don’t have a Nordstrom’s in HI, nor a Pennys (had one but it closed). Also, no Steve & Barry’s (tho did visit one in Buffalo NY last summer), no Kohl’s, no Lucky’s, no Express, no Aeropostle. Really do appreciate all the ideas & experiences everyone has had. Once we KNOW what size he wears for sure, it will be more comfortable ordering on-line, but not while we really aren’t sure.</p>
<p>I agree that it is important to be aware of any eating disorders & issues. In our case, my kids have ALWAYS been at about 5-10% for weight from birth through now & their pediatrician has been following them closely. They love to eat & eat well. My hubby & I are thin, as are most of our relatives (my brother was 140 pounds & 6’3" when he graduated from HS, tho now 30+ years later, he’s filled out considerably, my mom is 106 pounds, which she’s been most of her life & 5’5"). </p>
<p>Will check out Sears, Old Navy, Banana Republic & Gap, just to see if they have anything suitable. He’s not fond of jeans (has rarely ever worn them), but who knows–that may change.</p>
<p>I have known folks who have had the heartache of finding a 32DD & 32D that fit–it is a challenge. One tip for less endowed, petite young ladies, they have a very good selection of lingerine at Walmart (fashionable, comfortable & inexpensive). We were pleasantly surprised–30A & similar is otherwise sometimes tough to come by.</p>
<p>Wow! This thread is great!
I’m “petite” (5’2", 120 lbs.), but unlike most short girls, I have a butt and short legs (27-inch inseam). I haven’t bought a pair of jeans that has fit like I wanted them to in YEARS! I do have good luck finding khakis at the Gap, though.</p>
<p>my goodness… finding a 32 B is difficult… i can’t imagine a 32D! </p>
<p>my little sister is going through a growth spurt. She is nearly 5 foot and barely 70 lbs (she’s only 11). Luckily, with the trend of long shorts and long tops, my mom has been able to find her clothes. The main problem is she outgrows them within 2 weeks!</p>
<p>Since we are looking for the impossible. Try male 6’5 1/2" and 150 lbs. Finding clothes, especially shirts, for my husband is near impossible. All the “big and tall” men’s stores should really be called “tall and huge” stores. None of the shirts are for tall, skinny dudes! He has some shirts from LLBean that are tall mediums - but really, he need xtra-tall smalls. If any of you know where we can find shirts for skinny dudes, let me know. (He usually wears a 15 1/2" x 36 sleeve shirt - but would fit a 14 1/2 x 36", if we could ever find one!)</p>
<p>Wow, my mom had enough trouble keeping clothes on my brother when he was 6’3" & 140 pounds. I’m sure finding clothes that fits your hubby is a real challenge sounds like you might need to have clothing custom made, or at least an excellent tailor that alters well.</p>
<p>My 13-year-old stepsister weighs 70-75 pounds soaking wet, and although I’m not sure of her height (4’11’?), she’s a string bean. My stepmother tried to order her Gap girls’ size 12 pants, but in ‘slims,’ so the company had to ship the only two pairs they could find in stock in stores to us and end point. I don’t know what she’ll do when she gets too tall for girls sizes because she doesn’t seem to be growing out anytime soon. </p>
<p>My problem with clothes is that it’s so hard to find shirts that are long enough for my long waist–it’s a real challenge. </p>
<p>Also, in Argentina the clothing models are much smaller than in the States, so any of you who wear a US size 8 or over would have a difficult time here. The biggest size in most stores is usually somewhere between (what would be) US sizes 6 and 8 (maybe sometimes a 10), so if you need one size up you’re out of luck. In the US an 8 is in the <em>middle</em> of the size range stores offer! What a difference…</p>
<p>KK06 and HelloKiki- I’m 5’2" and 118-120 pounds (very muscluar through legs from distance running). Believe me, I know what both of you are going through with pants!!! </p>
<p>Fortunately, I’ve found some success in the last few years. Now I don’t need to shop for jeans anymore! Here’s what I’ve found:
-Abercrombie kids: I wear size 16 out of this store. Yes, the pants are about an inch or two too long. Since they’re slim through thighs- they’re my most flattering pair in terms of legs.
-Lucky Brand: Probably my best fitting pair of jeans ever, especially that they go by waist and length (short, regular, long). I had to have this pair tailored since I was between short and regular.
-Levi’s: Most will do and also pretty flattering on me.</p>
<p>JCrew’s okay- just not fitted very well around the butt area… LOL GAP also works. </p>
<p>For some reason AE fits very badly… I don’t know why! </p>
<p>In terms of professional clothing- I always get Express Editor’s Pants since they fit well but I have to hem them anyway. Fortunately, I’m not going out to work world for a while so I’m not too concerned :)</p>
<p>hollister, at least for girls, has their small sizes down to 00 which is TINY. i weigh about 110 pounds and wear a 3. i’d assume they make small sizes for guys as well. plus, if he is going to LA, it will be stylish. they’re relatively cheap, and there’s always belts. and dont listen to the people who think they are anorexic. if it isnt hard enough being naturally skinny, people have to go and make a big deal out of it too.</p>
<p>Yeah, my D has worn some Gap 12 slims & now has graduated to 14 slims & 16 slims. She has to watch tho, since some of them fit differently (some are too snug and/or too short, tho the sizes are the same–probably different company making them for Gap). It is a challenge–she’s 5’2" & about 100 pounds (also soaking wet).</p>
<p>Son is “used to” wearing everything VERY baggy, but I’m going to scout about & see what I can buy him in HI so we don’t have to scour all the CA shops for his size (he hates clothes shopping anyway). Will see about boys sizes in 18 slim or so–good idea–thanks! Have never ventured into Abercrombie, tho we do have a store.</p>