I’ve been a size 18 for several years. About 5 years ago, I was actually a 20 (pushing 22, but we won’t talk about that) and I joined WW and the gym and lost quite a bit of weight. I’m a fairly muscular hourglass figure and I actually have to gain/lose quite a bit of weight to change clothing sizes. I’ve read you lose a dress size every 13lbs of weightloss. It takes about double that to work for me. Which is one reason I tend to give up so quickly because there is no quick gratification. I have to maintain my diet for a minimum of 2.5 months in order to see any real clothing size results and that sucks big time.
This past spring, I actually managed to get into a size 16 for a while. Then I fell off the diet wagon and into the beer and burger wagon and that went to hell. I can still wear them (thank the jeans gods for added stretch) but they are a little snug. And they’re also capri. Since we’re entering the cold, wet months, I need jeans that go to my feet. So I picked up a cheap pair of 18s the other day. Just to get me through the next few months.
Sigh.
Because I’m an hourglass, the 18s are a size too big in the waist. But because I have a big ass and thick, muscular thighs, the 18s fit–for about 4 hours. Then (because of the awesome added stretch) they start to sag. It’s not pretty. It’s not stylish. Tim Gunn would not approve.
But the 16s are too tight. Sure they fit in the waist, but my thighs look like sausage casings stuffed to overflowing.
This sucks. I hate it. I can’t comfortably fit into a 16 but 18 sure as hell doesn’t fit. And sadly, the 16s won’t fit for at least another month (thick thighs suck…)This is exactly why I wear yoga pants.
Am I alone in my size dilemma? Or do you have other issues with the weight/size ratio?
I’ve got the hourglass issue a bit too! I’ve started wearing Old Navy’s sweetheart jeans during my weight loss transition. Because they’re loser in the thighs and hips. I started at pushing 20 over a year ago and have just recently hit a 12. I mean it’s probably only one pair of pants 12, lol, but it’s still fun!
Hmm why does my pic show up there? How do I change it (that’s me at a 20!)
log in at Gravatar.com and change your pic! 🙂
I can’t believe you were a size 20 when I met you. You and I are a lot alike I think. People never believe how big I am when I tell them. I hide my weight well. which isn’t a good thing when trying to lose. LOL
I totally hear ya. I just did the dreaded jeans shopping the other day. I’m short and curvy. I have to buy the petite or short length for all pairs of pants. I’ve got an hourglass figure, with hips and a butt, which means that inevitably, if I find pants that fit over my a$$, they are GINORMOUS in the waist.
Right now I’m somewhere between a 10 and a 12…but neither works. The 10 was really too tight through my thighs and hips for my comfort level (yet, they were still too big in the waist!) and the 12 was huge. Not so much huge in the a$$/thighs, but ginormous in the waist. And WAY too long.
I have to say, though, that the Seven jeans (at TJ Maxx, so way discounted! I love that store!) in size 10 would actually have worked, but for the fact that they were out of the short length. So I could have gotten them, except for the extra 6 inches of fabric at the bottom. Not so cute. They did have the short length in the 12’s, but they were huge, especially in the waist. We’re talking about 4 extra inches. Again, not so cute.
I ultimately found a pair of Code Bleu, which is not a brand I’d ever heard of, but for some reason, they fit perfectly! In fact, I’m wearing them right now. Of course, I’m sure that the stretch part will probably start to sag in, oh, about 3 more hours or so.
Again, not so cute, but what can you do? (Other than wear skirts and dresses all the time, which is my normal MO.)
One of the reasons I never wear jeans is because I have to buy them 1-2 sizes bigger than anything else! I just can’t do it. Size does matter!
I think a lot of women have this problem. Don’t jean designer realize we don’t find that back gap sexy?
I’ve found that Lee makes a cut specifically designed to fit this problem. I have a pair of white pants by them that fit like a dream. Try Walmart or Kohls for the jeans.
Kitteh, It’s Lee jeans that I’m wearing. They are supposed to solve this problem but this pair doesn’t.
I’ve found that lane bryant makes jeans that do fit better. I have a pair of capris but since i’m on a very tight budget, I can’t really buy another pair of jeans from them right now. Sigh.
Are there any Lane Bryant outlets near you? I mean, I have several pair of their “Right Fit” jeans that I bought last summer and I’m very pleased with them (even though we have almost EXACTLY the same size and issue)!
Also, I found a pair of Lee jeans at Walmart that fit relatively well, but they do tend to sag a bit as the day goes on. (And I don’t even have the benefit of a dryer to shrink ’em up a little, like you do in the US… Waaah!) With a belt and a flowy top or knit sweater, you can’t tell, though.
Hmmm… The only thing I have left to suggest is taking whatever pair of jeans fits you best, measuring it out flat and then going to the store with a measuring tape to check out several styles. Sometimes, a pair you least expect to work will fit well. (The hubby and I used this method to buy jeans for someone else – they fit her perfectly when we brought them back to her.)
Not much help, am I? Sorry!
Ciao!
I have the baby belly 🙁 Totally opposite problem but still have trouble getting jeans that fit right. I’ve got an old pair of Old Navy Weekender jeans that are kinda big in the thigh and wide legged–very comfy. Sadly ON quit making them.
I hate, hate, hate sizing. Especially dresses. I’m always bigger on top than on bottom.
My advice would be get the bigger pair and take them to a good tailor. I do that and it’s not as expensive as you would think.
OMG – this is exactly my problem between an 18 and 20 – waist way too big, ass and thighs too tight. The back of my pants are always gapping.
How I envy you between the 16 and 18. I SOOOOOOO wish I was there.
I’m following your running – as soon as my knee is healed (knee surgery three weeks ago) I’ll be out there on the road with you!!!
And what exactly is “petite” about a size 20??????
I haven’t bought a pair of jeans in years. Even those with stretch tend to get tight around the waist and belly when I sit down. And when I sit, I want to be comfortable. So I have stretchy black pants that I wear all the time. I dress them down with t-shirts and up with blouses and jackets. I can wear sneakers or heels with them. And most of all, they’re totally comfortable.
Plus, I’ve gotten them from Chicos and HSN. At Chicos, I wear size 3, but at HSN, I wear a L. Gotta like that.
Hey
Definitely go to Lane Bryant…have ALWAYS had the same problem as you with any pants, huge gap in the waist. Lane Bryant now has the “right fit” jeans. They are color coded, if your pants are always too big in the waist and gap, but fit decent everywhere else, get the Blue Right Fit. You can read about it at the Lane Bryant website. They truly do fit right…why did it take sooooo long for someone to design these and WHY in the hell aren’t ALL their pants, shorts, capris fitted this way…never the less there not–don’t understand that!
Seriously, try the Blue Right Fit–let me know, I think you’ll be pleased!
Brandon
This is exactly why I have so many pairs of shoes, coats, and purses! My high-heeled, red patent leather platforms will never betray me.
The scale vs. size changes is the same for me…20+ pounds before I change sizes in clothes…sigh. I always think of it like letting air out of a tire…a little smaller but the same exact shape!
I totally feel your pain. I too have the size 16/18 saggy butt problem. Sometimes I have to shop in the womens department rarely the regular department. Sigh. Its my own fault I never stick with a diet. I’ve been on WW forever. Currently 1 year and I’ve lost 4 pounds. Yay me. So far with the running 1 1/5 pounds but I’m still going to weigh ins.
I think most women with curves have that problem. There’s a fashion standard model body type, which very few real women can maintain.
Bought my last pair of jeans 2 years ago (I think, perhaps more) and I had to buy two sizes larger to fit my thighs. I probably didn’t need two sizes; I just don’t want my thighs to look like wrapped sausages!
Oh, it’s real, I know!