One Fat Anecdote
As I’ve said before, I’ve gained a lot of weight in the last few years. Most of my wardrobe comes from when I was about 40 pounds lighter, so it doesn’t fit all that well. In particular, many of my shirts no longer cover the lower half of my belly.
Unfortunately, most of the “XL” shirts I’ve tried on cover my belly, but the arms are too long.
Today, I went clothes shopping, and tried on ten different shirts at the big Goodwill store and only found two that fit okay. Only one was the soft flannel shirt I’ve been pining for.
After this disappointment, I decided to go shop for new merchandise. Where to go to find clothing that will fit my pear shaped body?
For the first time in my life I entered a “plus size” clothing store. Or, as they call them in the world of men’s wear, a “big and tall” shop.
Sort of like walking into an “Overeaters Anonymous” meeting for the first time, but since they want your money, they’re even more supportive.
“Hi, I’m looking for some long-sleeve casual shirts!” I explained to the clerk lady my problem with sleeve-length versus belly coverage. She asked if I’d ever shopped at Casual Male XL before, and I said no.
“I don’t think we’re going to have anything to fit you!” she proclaimed. “Even our 1XL is sized very generously.”
What a wonderful compliment! I am not yet large enough to belong in the Plus Size store!
Err…but…wait a minute…. my goal was to buy clothing here.
Eventually, I tried on a few shirts and voila! An XL shirt that would hang below my belt but not past my wrists. I bought three.
Great success.
I find XLT is great way to cover a belly. I believe the T stands for tall. But the extra fabric is nice and the shirt will stay tucked in when you lift your arms.
um…… :groovy:
I’m 5’2″ so clothing shopping for me can be a nightmare, unless I can find clothes in a petite size….which doesn’t happen all the time. Tops often look like dresses on me and sleeves often fall way below my wrists. Jeans drag the floor and the butt falls way below where my actual butt is. 🙄
Congratulations on finding some clothes that fit. I know what a challenge it can be! 😛
I know about weight gain, as bad as I hate it. It doesn’t seem to want to come off. I can find close to fit…that is not too bad of a problem, I can handle the legs being a bit too long. But to have a nurse that over weighs me by about 75- 100 pounds tell me my fat index is too high just doesn’t seem right. LOL
I am fighting this battle of weight gain daily since it started affecting the mitral valve prolapse I have.
My husband blames the medicine I was on for the weight gain. Weight gain was a side effect but Gracious, it did not say puff up like a hot air balloon in a year…LOL .
I stopped taking all medications about a year ago.
I am glad you found some shirts that fit.
My husband keeps accusing me of shrinking his shirts. He hasn’t quite gotten the idea even when he buys a new t-shirt, that he needs a bigger size than he used to wear.
I have a huge problem finding things that fit. I’m rather large in the boob department and long in the body and legs. I can find shirts at the Good Will, but forget about pants that are long enough. Even at the regular stores I have a hard time finding my size that is long enough.
My oldest son is 6’4″ and wears a size 15 shoe. That is someone who really has a hard time finding clothes that fit.
Great story Joko! If you eat regular American diet, try “Eating Right for your Blood-type”. Many people lost weight(Not perfectly skinny) and feel great. I am a Type A so naturally a farmer blood-type and Vegetarian is best for me. I am doing raw foods mostly now and feel so good. I even get up before my rooster now feeling energetic! ITS THE BOMB. But its what my body wants and I am happy with. We all have to make our own decision what we can eat and works. I chose to do allot of outdoor activities and animal rescue and farming so I need to eat right to get around. I MISS REAL MILKSHAKES, CORNDOGS, CHEESE&CHILLY FRIESSSSS, AND PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it was getting where I couldn’t swallow and stopped digesting my food, on medicines and having heart issues and the cancer. They where getting ready to cut me open! I will never go back!
Thanks for the laugh and so glad you found some shirt that are comfortable!
Kudos Joko, on finding the right shirt. I have the same problem you know, a big belly and regular size everywhere else, so finding the right fit in a shirt is a challenge I face too. I don’t know if you have done this too, but when I shop I seem to be in denial that I’ve gained more weight, and with the thought that I will be losing weight soon I have bought shirts that were a slightly too close of a fit, rather than waste money busing plus-sized shirts I won’t need when I go on my diet. Trouble is, that diet never seems to happen and I’ve gotten bigger still, so the regular sized shirts don’t fit me anyway. D’oh!