Shapes & Sizes

I'm honestly comfortable in my own skin. Like most people, there are things I would love to change about my appearance, but overall, I'm pretty satisfied. Are there areas that should be more toned or weight to lose? Sure but there are only so many hours in the day and I love food. And I know those of you who call me skinny-mini are grinding your teeth, but give me a moment.

Mich loves shopping and she seems to enjoy telling me what colors to wear, what accessories match, and what styles are most flattering. I would never wear bold pinks, straight line skirts, heels, or blue polish if it wasn't for her. Yes Mich, I started wearing the Birchbox polish and it was Clinique bonus last week and I went with the greens. Who knew? I know, you did. Mich has always encouraged me to go bold.

Someone recently told me that following her divorce, she threw out all her cotton bras and panties and bought only satin and lace. I'm way too practical for that but I have recently bought some items at Victoria's Secret because what gal doesn't want to feel sexy! 

The problem I've run into, which is a problem I have with shopping in general, is most clothing doesn't fit correctly or the store lacks my size. My body shape can best be described as an exaggerated pear. I am long and thin at the top. My waist varies due to issues with my vitamin absorption, but is tiny in comparison to the curviness of my hips and thighs. Why do I wear skirts and not dresses or pants? Everything I buy has to be adjusted. To fit my hips and thighs, the waist or top gapes. It's very frustrating!

Not that I'm going to reveal my bra size, but you'd be surprised. Victoria's Secret typically only carries one item in the store in my size, otherwise everything else has to be ordered online. And if purchasing a nightie or combo outfit, let the games begin. According to their standards, women are stacked at the top and tiny from the waist down and I'm the exact opposite.

To make a long, long, long story short, I had to exchange something that was ordered because the original item didn't fit. I was annoyed with the Glenbrook people so I went to Jefferson Pointe. Ladies, if you are seeking expert advice on lingerie or an ego boost, visit Zach at the JP store. Nothing makes a gal feel good then having a young handsome man discuss your curves, make suggestions, and discuss what turns a man on. Whoever hired him was brilliant!

He asked me why I selected the item I was returning, what about it made me feel sexy, and why the item wasn't working for me. Why wasn't it working? Apparently to fit very tightly around my hips though it was supposed to flow, it was two sizes too large in the top. 

Did you know that if your size isn't available, then you can possibly substitute with a sister size? Smaller band, larger cup. The things you learn. Unfortunately, as I had to explain to Zach after my failed attempt at what would have been seductive perfection, the problem with a smaller band is it's tight, which maybe I could live with, but it also pushes more than just the cleavage up, which I won't live with. Seriously, this was a straight-shooter conversation. I tried on some other items in the vain hope, but nothing worked. When you wear a petite on top and much larger on the bottom, even separates don't work well.

Seriously the dude deserves a raise! As I gave up, there was a knock on the dressing room door and I was handed this outfit that I would never have selected. Did I mention a raise? It had all the elements I had mentioned earlier plus the one that was inferred, but never clearly stated, I like my comfort. It was a Mich moment, I could hear her commentary though this was one of those rare shopping expeditions when I did not send her a pic to ask her advice. Yes, if I'm unsure of something, I send a selfie and ask Mich. Don't make fun because I recall other's indecision leading to the extra shoes in my hotel room and someone driving to my house in a dress with the tag still attached. I knew what Mich would say. It was so not me, yet it was perfect for me. It looked sexy and made me feel sexy which was the whole point of this exercise.

As you can see, it takes all shapes and sizes. In the end, we all have similar issues when shopping and the same insecurities when standing in the dressing room. Out of curiosity, would any of you throw out your cottons and replace them with all satin and lace? Do you experiment with trying new things? And do you get tired of what passes for acceptable measurements? Just a FYI ... according to some store labels, I'm an XL. I refuse to shop at these places. Why can't women's clothing be sized in the same manner as men's, i.e. using our measurements? It would lead to a more precise fit.