Long skirts as a necessity

redshira said:

Hello, I'm new here - I've been reading for a few weeks and just joined. I've always loved the style and manners of the WW2 era, but recently it's become something of an obsession for me!
I have a pretty big problem, though: apart from being plus-sized, which makes finding accurate clothing almost impossible anyway (I figured I'd just stick to wearing as much tailored stuff as possible until I learn to make my own clothes properly), I have lipoedema of the legs. This means I absolutely cannot wear any skirts shorter than ankle-length, as my legs are disproportionately large and somewhat misshapen, and also I can't wear dresses, as I am so much bigger on the bottom half. This is completely at odds with the style of the period, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to be as accurate as possible while still only being able to wear ankle-length skirts (and flat shoes, and no short sleeves)?

Click to expand...

Miss Neecerie said:

First of all Welcome!

Secondly, I think we have a freind in common...over in LJ land anyhow...*waves at the freind of Miss Alice aka Interlock"

On the skirt length issue, if you are willing to go a bit more 30's, something like

could be lengthened without it being too far off the original.

or

Just a few ideas, but I am by no means an expert.

Click to expand...

Paisley said:

I think shoulderpads would balance your shoulders with your hips.

Would pants not work for you--even palazzo pants?

Click to expand...

Lady Day said:

Well welcome!

First off there are a number of plus size gals (raises her hand ) on this board, so finding solutions relating to size wont be a big deal at all. The skirt MN put up is super cute! Id also reccomend a staple of waist lenght fitted jackets. They can help preportion the length of the skirt if that is a concern for you.

Modest heels (no more than 2.5") would work wonders for that look as well. Are you set on the WWII Era, or willing to expand? Oh boy! This is gonna be fun!!

Well Ill see you around, and also when you DO get into sewin' poke your nose in the Sewing FAQ thread. Great stuff in there!

LD

Click to expand...

redshira said:

Shoulderpads would work, except that my head is pretty small and my body too large for it, really - I have various fun and interesting endocrine disorders which made my body double in size, while my face is pretty much the same as it was before everything went wrong. So I'd not want to do anything to make any part of my body look bigger, if you see what I mean. I can't wear any form of trousers, because my legs are so huge that even if some were to be made that would fit (think 23-inch calves, 34-inch thighs), I wouldn't want to wear them because they'd only show how big my legs are. It's not so much my hips (though they're large too) as the tops of my thighs. I'm sorry to sound so awkward, and thank you for the suggestions.

Click to expand...

Hi! Welcome. Okay, I am a big girl. Much bigger than average sized or normal. See the little picture to the left, that's me! (my thyroid went kaput about a year and a half ago). I have 22 inch calves and 30 inch thighs so, you can wear trousers, I do ALL OF THE TIME. You can wear skirts too. My big legs and I go walking out the door many a day in all sort of fashions. I think longer pencil skirts (with a kick pleat in back) will work well for you. Also, a little longer than calf length circle skirts if you like that. When wearing trousers, to make you feel a bit more comfortable, maybe you can wear a pantsliner or long leg brief, this will give you a feeling of solidity and make a great foundation for your garments.

I good trouser to wear are that style made so popular by Ms. Hepburn, long and wide. If the leg is wide from the top of the thigh, this will not bring so much attention to the size of your bottom half. Personally, I like to accentuate that portion of me, but, that's just me.

Click to expand...