I avidly watch BBC America's and TLC's "What Not to Wear" TV shows. I listen to their advice and try to follow it when I am looking for clothes for myself.

Yesterday, my DH and I went down to Chicago. We spent a good part of the day along Michigan Ave, which is called "Chicago's Magnificent Mile". I told my DH that I was curious to see if Chicago had a couple of stores I had heard mention on BBC's version of the show. One was "Marks and Spencer" and the other was "French Connection". I never found the first store, but I did find "French Connection" I looked around at the clothing. I think it is meant for a person younger than 50. I looked at sizes on a fitted jacket. The largest size was a 10. Even if I lose weight down to my goal, I don't think I'll get into a 10. (although I do think a 10 now is larger than the size 10 wedding dress I wore 30 years ago when I weighed 126 pounds). I also saw $110 pair of pants. (I got mine for $15 on sale)

I will say it was interesting to go in there, as I hear about it on TV a lot. I think the store originates from the UK.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Along the same lines of your subject line, I don't think I'll ever be small enough to wear anything from the Victoria's Secret store. I mean, I looked at the bras and lingerie and my left boob wouldn't fit into a whole bra. Not now, not ever.

Yeesh.

So I always go across the mall and into Lane Bryant and I hate it. I'm sick of these 36DD's (yet it's better than the 60DD's I used to wear).

Sorry for griping.

April
352 / 202 / 180
5'10", large frame, size 13 shoe
www.geocities.com/aprilreinhardt

April,

With bras as expensive as they are, as I am transitioning, I bought some jog bras instead of expensive ones. It gives me support and are not too expensive. I used to wear a 42DD(I think that's what it was)

I haven't looked at VS or LB.

Have your feet gotten samller as you have lost weight? I think mine have.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

The jog bras are a great idea! I have done the same thing and it really works!

As I have been transitioning, I have found local thrift stores an excellent source for my new 'temporary' wardrobe.

Izzy

Ilse

Yeah, the stores featured on What Not to Wear are all British. Marks and Spencer opened up several branches in the US but I heard that they closed all but a few. Same with Laura Ashley.

We never miss Susannah and Trinny and I'm amused that the show goes out in the US. It was controversial here because they are so rude about people's choices.

French Connection is probably more for the younger ones. I prefer Monsoon, now that I can fit into some of their larger sizes (yay!). It's mostly ethnic/floaty.

ROFLOL about the bra, April!!! I GAZE wistfully at the wispy concoctions in Figura and long for the day I don't have to heave myself into boulder holders. Assuming that day comes.....
Clare

I'm not afflicted with the large breast problem, but I have had the problem of them getting too big around. Since I sew, I take a small tuck in the back on each side of the hooks to take up the around measurrement of those that still fit in the cups... it certainly helps to cut the cost of buying new.

As for things I will never wear .... two piece swim suits.......hip hugger pants, to name a couple. Let me tell you, as someone that is about a size 10, those things are not made for a 50 year old body.

Judy

180/145.5/138
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

Clare,

I think it's funny people think Susannah and Trinny are unkind. Yes they are to a certain extent, but I have seem them seem pretty gentle with people too. The man on TLC's "What not to Wear" they had last year seemed to try to be cutting and unkind to the people through the whole show. They replaced him with another, who doesn't seem quite so "H-ll-bent" on cutting the person who is being made over down. I like watching the shows. I wish there more of them.

I did decide that when I am thinner and actually buying nice bras, I want lacy, pretty ones. I never had bras like that. I figure with a pretty one, even if the straps show, (and they always seem to), it's not so bad, as the bra is attractive. But, that shopping is probably a year in the future. Jog bras in the mean time.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

I wanted to ask about shoes.

On this show, they tend to encourage the ladies to get pointy-toed, high heel shoes. And high heeled leg-hugging boots.

I have arthritis in both knees. The last thing I would be buying is any kind of high heel shoe. I don't know of an attractive alternative for people like me. I am most likely to wear sport type shoes. Or, more manly-looking tie dress shoes. I have some really low-heeled pumps, but don't wear them. They are at least 10 years old.

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Clare, BBC America is in partnership with an American channel - TLC; they're all part of the Discovery Network (www.discovery.com). BBC America seems to be a proving ground for them...if a show gets a good American response, they do a US version - this has happened with Changing Rooms, Faking It, and WNTW so far. Who knows what's next...maybe a version of Bargain Hunt with our own cad?

Ilse: regarding shoes, you can find low-heeled versions of just about everything. The secret, though, is finding something that doesn't make your legs look short and stunted.

Emelia

"We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, Irish writer
294/208/174 since 25-Nov-01

Ilse, great topic!

Marks and Spence: I've only seen M&S in Canada (Vancouver); but I loved shopping there years ago. One of my first great milestones on this WOE was getting back into my Marks and Spence 100% cotton (no stretch) blue jeans! If you've ever driven up to Canada, you may have noticed the favorable exchange rate makes your $$$ go a ~lot~ further in Canada. And, generally speaking, I think (whispering) manufactured quality is higher in Canada. Of course, the people are nicer, too.

Re: bras - my favorite bra for the shape it gives under clothing it gives is the Bali Flowers bra. It's not terribly expensive, but it takes a good 10-years off your silhoette - and, no bouncy, jouncy! It lasts for ever and "works" much better than the pricier Wacoals, etc.

Judi!!! Great idea about taking a tuck in the back to extend the life of a bra as you lose weight. I'm getting out the sewing kit today!

Heels: I've never managed high heels very well. Even when I was young, I didn't like the way my cheeks jiggled when I walked in high heels and I also tended to have that forward leaning, "Tower of Pisa" look. I figured those two factors pretty much cancelled out any glamour points I might have gotten from the shoes. Luckily for me, heels were not terribly fashionable when I was a young woman, so I didn't feel too deprived.

I mostly wear low-heel shoes by BeautiFeel, Easy Spirit or Rockport. Due to a foot injury, I need a well-built last to support the arch in my left foot. Spenco makes a line of soft innersoles arch supports that make a huge difference in comfort. I like the ones with the black bottoms over the hard yellow-bottom version.

General: Coldwater Creek has a line of attractive clothing that is well designed for 'mature' figures and tastes. Some of their stuff is very reasonably priced while other things are pricey. The fabric quality varies widely, but it's consistently good in their higher priced lines. They started out as a mailorder catalog, but now they have brick-and-mortar stores, too. There is an "outlet mall" on their website.
http://www.coldwatercreek.com

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

my personal theory on bras is why spend that much on something NO ONE is ever going to see, and the only person that might see it only wants to take it off you? =P

my favorite bras are two that i paid 3 dollars each for at a discount store. ive had them for 5 years and wouldnt replace them if you paid me =P they are SO comfortable. i was sad when they were getting almost too loose to wear anymore, but with pregnancy, now its the other way around and they are just about too small. now im lookin for bras that are bigger than i needed 40 lbs ago. what irony.

Erin
atkins since 12/2/02
preggo and lcing!

Erin,

I think my thought on buying nice, pretty bras when the time comes will be a part of feeling good about myself. It will add to a feeling special that I think is important.

When I watch the WNTW shows, none of the people think that clothes are particularly important, except maybe the young girl from Florida who was a real a--. But, when the people got the new clothes, hair and make-up, you could see that their confidence was greater, they felt sexier, and had a better self-image.

I know, I cannot stand wearing really baggy slacks and tops anymore. It makes me feel fatter than I am. I have a pile of clothes I have to get rid off soon!!!

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Ilse,

RE: Shoes - You may want to try what I like to call "Euro Chic." Brands like Clarks and Born make shoes that are stylishly ugly (I promise - there is such a thing) and REALLY comfortable. I'm a stiletto junky, but my mom is committed to Clarks and she often pulls together a really clean, flowy Chico's/J. Jill type look. My old manager (with a lot of health problems) was also a Clarks faithful and always looked great. I think even though the shoes are flat and a little clunky, they have enough personality to complement a lot of looks. I think they're about $60/pair on sale, but you can get a lot of wear out of them.

Ilse, I'm 40 and have knees that are headed the same way as my mom's (hers have both been replaced) and I never wear high heels except for special occasions where I know I'll be sitting alot. I also won't wear pointy toes ever! That, and the fact that I like feminine shoes that aren't clunky looking and wear a size 8C really kept this shoeaholic's choices limited for a long time until I discovered the Maryland Square catalog. They have wonderful shoes and the most recent catalog that I got has several styles that sound like what you'd go for. I think they have a website if you want to check them out.

Understand completely what you say about pretty bras, they do make you feel lovely. My big gripe these days is that now that I'm a 38B, I can't hardly find that size in VS and other brands unless you are talking a basic bra.

Esther

Good support and fit in a bra is VITAL. It not only helps relieve pressure off the muscles in the chest and back, it provides a good shape. It's amazing how much more shapely I am in a good bra that fits.

Emelia

"We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, Irish writer
294/208/174 since 25-Nov-01