Plus Size Vintage

~Psycho Sue~ · Aug 18, 2010

lareine said:
Most bigger girls have bigger busts, making halter necks difficult or impossible to wear (big bras rarely come with configurable straps).

As a big girl myself, I want my dresses to have:
- wide straps or sleeves, so that I can cover my bra straps
- no high necklines (makes my bosom look like a pillow)
- a shaped waist to show that I am not actually huge everywhere
- fabric that drapes and skims rather than clings
- nothing too tight on my lower half, because I just look top-heavy unless there's fabric flowing down below to balance things out

This is from a plus-size hourglass perspective. Apple or pear girls may have conflicting advice!

VERY AWESOME ADVICE

I also like to add that not every big girl wants to wear shirt dresses or sheath dresses. If you are pear shaped the belt causes fabric to bunch above your bum.

Mrs Cleaver · Aug 20, 2010

These dresses from etsy both have bigger busts & waists,i think they're both very pretty

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53761174/1950s-gingham-dress

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53761174/1950s-gingham-dress

I really wanted to buy the 2nd one but it is too big & i'm not up to the task of taking it in .

laylers · Aug 28, 2010

lareine said:
Most bigger girls have bigger busts, making halter necks difficult or impossible to wear (big bras rarely come with configurable straps).

As a big girl myself, I want my dresses to have:
- wide straps or sleeves, so that I can cover my bra straps
- no high necklines (makes my bosom look like a pillow)
- a shaped waist to show that I am not actually huge everywhere
- fabric that drapes and skims rather than clings
- nothing too tight on my lower half, because I just look top-heavy unless there's fabric flowing down below to balance things out

This is from a plus-size hourglass perspective. Apple or pear girls may have conflicting advice!

I have to kindly disagree about halter tops. The right undergarments and the right cut are fine. I have a great strapless/convertible bra (although I pretty much just use it strapless) that I got from Lane Bryant. As long as the back is a little higher and the neckline isn't super plunging, I find it to be a very flattering cut. I like my curvy shoulders and showing a little non-roll back.

I totally agree with you about the wide straps on other tops, though.

Pencil skirts are universal and a slight a-line for some girls.

I am a big fan of darts and seaming. And a well placed belt can help define a waist.

lareine · Aug 28, 2010

laylers said:
I have to kindly disagree about halter tops. The right undergarments and the right cut are fine. I have a great strapless/convertible bra (although I pretty much just use it strapless) that I got from Lane Bryant.

You must have a smaller chest than I do. I have never, ever seen a convertible bra in my size, nor a strapless one, nor a long-line one. I buy my bras from Bravissimo and they don't stock them, anyway, and if they don't them I am stumped as to who would. Perhaps Rigby and Peller, who make undergarments for the Queen, could custom make something for me if I could afford it lol

Of course if you're just a bit busty and can buy bras from high street shops like Lane Bryant that do actually fit, go for it. I wish I was that lucky...

GoddessMama · Aug 29, 2010

Yup Layne Bryant. I am a 42 DD and they have mine there and it was on the smaller size of their size ranges. They have many sizes bigger than mine.

laylers · Aug 29, 2010

I am a 44-46 DD, and they have them in nude and black. I like the nude, because then it doesn't show under lighter fabrics.

Also, ladies: If they don't have something in your band size, but cup size, a bra extender from a sewing/fabric store is a godsend. It's just a simple piece of fabric with hooks and eyes, like on the back of your bra and can be bought for however many hooks you need.

lareine · Aug 29, 2010

My problem is in the other direction -- I have a small band relative to cup size. It's very difficult to get something that will contain the girls but that isn't swinging loosely around my ribcage

I count myself lucky that Bravissimo will ship internationally, because I've never seen anything in my size (in any style) in a high street shop here. Sigh.

Lady Day · Aug 29, 2010

You should get fitted for a bra. Im a 38I thats pretty big considering the band size. Id get 40s and 42s and wonder why I was drooping so much. Now I know.

I can never stress to women enough, get freggin' fitted for a bra, your life will change!

LD

lareine · Aug 29, 2010

Absolutely, yes, getting a good bra that fits properly will take pounds and years off us bigger gals. I used to wear bras that were maybe four inches too big around the back, because I didn't know any better and I thought I had to go bigger all over rather than just in front. When I finally got something in the right size I looked at least two sizes smaller, the girs were hoiked back to where they should be, and I had a waistline again.

If the bit between the cups is not flat against your breastbone then your bra is probably the wrong size. Ditto if you can slip more than a couple of fingers between the band and your back.

laylers · Aug 29, 2010

lareine said:
Absolutely, yes, getting a good bra that fits properly will take pounds and years off us bigger gals. I used to wear bras that were maybe four inches too big around the back, because I didn't know any better and I thought I had to go bigger all over rather than just in front. When I finally got something in the right size I looked at least two sizes smaller, the girs were hoiked back to where they should be, and I had a waistline again.

If the bit between the cups is not flat against your breastbone then your bra is probably the wrong size. Ditto if you can slip more than a couple of fingers between the band and your back.

Have you tried Frederick's of Hollywood? They ship international and have a good selection of small band/larger cup sizes.

lareine · Aug 29, 2010

laylers said:
Have you tried Frederick's of Hollywood? They ship international and have a good selection of small band/larger cup sizes.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just checked their site, but they don't appear to sell anything higher than an F cup which is nowhere near big enough for me. They might be useful for other people browsing this, though

~Psycho Sue~ · Sep 22, 2010

laylers said:
I am a 44-46 DD, and they have them in nude and black. I like the nude, because then it doesn't show under lighter fabrics.

Also, ladies: If they don't have something in your band size, but cup size, a bra extender from a sewing/fabric store is a godsend. It's just a simple piece of fabric with hooks and eyes, like on the back of your bra and can be bought for however many hooks you need.

i bought one of those but they only have 3 hooks and the Lane Bryant Bras have 4 to 5 hooks on most bras. The left over hook digs into my back :eusa_doh:

MissElainey · Sep 22, 2010

I've seen some sizes larger than G on a few of the types sold at Just My Size (jms.com, I believe). And check a sewing store's online stock, I know I've seen bra extenders in Jo-Ann's for 5 hooks.

swinggal · Oct 5, 2010

Ladies,this AMAZING 30s pattern is on ebay. I WISH it were in my size! Some lucky lady should get this!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250706151194&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:AU:1123

Lady Day · Oct 5, 2010

SSsssshhhhhh! I was watching that one

LD

palespider · Nov 7, 2010

Bettie page is now making some dresses in 4x which kinda equals 16/18. though they dont have the numbers up yet on their size chart.

Mr_D. · Dec 12, 2010

vintage clothing for plus sized women?

Pardon the intrusion ladies. I am just standing outside the powder room door asking this question.

My wife is a plus sized woman and was wondering what some plus sized vintage clothing would look like and where to find some?

Thanks

Puzzicato · Dec 12, 2010

There is loads of information in this thread http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?12614-Plus-Size-Vintage What sort of era does your wife like to wear? http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com does some really nice plus-sized stuff, although I find that their plus sizes run pretty small.

lolly_loisides · Dec 12, 2010

Some Stop Staring! & Betty Page dresses go up to a 46" bust. Maybe your wife could consider made to measure, I purchased from Time Machine vintage & was pleased with the workmanship

Mr_D. · Dec 12, 2010

Puzzicato said:
There is loads of information in this thread What sort of era does your wife like to wear? http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com does some really nice plus-sized stuff, although I find that their plus sizes run pretty small.

I guess that depends on what she can find.

We live on a very tight budget so buying "made to measure" is not an option.

Thanks for the links.

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