Plus size jeans - help!

[jennylou]

Okay, so earlier this week I spent quite a bit of time hunting for a pair of jeans that flattered me - or at least didn't look horrible. I even asked help from an employee. I went to Lane Bryant and tried on about 15 pairs of jeans (different styles and sizes). My biggest complaint about jeans is the dreaded back gap. So, the employee suggested a style and went and brought me some. I thought that they were too tight, but she said they would stretch out in the belly area and throughout the leg. When I went up a size, it looked like I had a, um, extra part down there ;). So, I went back down to the smaller size. I don't have any back gap. Her and a random shopper convinced me these look good. So, I bought them.

Now I put them on today and think, no way is this flattering! See here for a picture of what I mean. (http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKx gXPJo%3F87KR6xqpxQQQ0xQJPxG0GxQQQ0QJPG0GPo0qpfVtB% 3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPJo%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,332,442) (please ignore the dirty mirror - I didn't realize it was so bad, my DH did some drywall work while I was oot last month, so it shouldn't surprise me!).

So, I guess I need to take them back, which means not one jean fits my body type right in that store and most others that I have looked in. :(

So, why'd she tell me that looked good. :( :( Crazy girl. The ones that went up to my boobs would have been better, I think.

[Rose]

What about getting a pair that fits in most places altered? On the show What not to wear, they mention that sometimes pants & jeans still need to be altered and may never fit everyone perfectly.

[jennylou]

Hmmm, that's an idea Rose, my problem is the best fit in leg and crotch area went nearly to my boobs. I'm not thinking that can be fixed. :(

[LeslieR]

Ugh, I hate shopping for jeans. I have never found that perfect pair that hides everything it should and accentuates everything else.:p My bff swears by Levis 515's, but I think they only go up to size 16 (so, basically, I've never tried them because sadly I have not been a 16 in years). What about The Avenue? Or also, I think Target has something where you can order jeans online specifically for your measurements. I don't know who makes them, but I remember there was a thread on Parenting about it ages ago.

[bookworm]

LB jeans do not fit me at all--they are just proportioned differently than I am. Have you tried Macy's or another department store? My favorite pair of jeans is from (the now departed) Filene's.

I agree altering is a good idea, but I'm not sure how well it works when it's something other than "take in the waist." For me, once they fit in the waist the crotch and butt are pretty much down to my knees. Sigh. I miss my waist.

[amorey]

MeJeans.com (http://mejeans.com/index.asp) lets you order jeans custom made to your measurements. I haven’t tried them, but I plan after I lose a little extra weight I put on.

[Adaya]

I find the best jeans at Walmart of all places. Their Faded Glory brand works really well for me. Plus the price is alright with me!

Another brand called Jeanstar works soooo well for me. I found them at Macy's earlier in the year on clearance for $18 and then went to another one and found another pair on the clearance rack for $10. They have like 2% spandex and they give a little after a few wears. I LOVE THEM!!

So I went on a hunt for them on the internet and typed Jeanstar into google and found them on HSN.com and a few other places. HSN has quite a variety and their prices are good, but I like to try on jeans as I have "some junk in my trunk" and thunder thighs from hell, but now that I have 2 pairs, I may just get brave and place an order.

[JayJay]

I second the suggestion for Wal-Mart jeans...I sometimes find good ones there!

Do you have a Cato? Or is that a Nebraska thing?! :o

[tgr68]

I findt hat the George brand at Walmart fits me well.

[ee_chick]

Levis has plus sized jeans, in multiple lengths, even. I haven't tried them yet, but my best friend swears by them.

Here's the link (http://www.us.levi.com/lsco/levi/dept/l_sp_dept.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743053186 16&bmUID=1166071559578)

[Katy]

I was going to suggest the What Not to Wear alteration tip as well. I've also heard good things about Walmart for plus-sized jeans (who knew!)

And my last ITA is for Levis. I think you might be pleasantly surprised. My suggestion is to shoot for a "below the natural waist" style to avoid that below-the-boob thing.

[smellycatsgirl]

I have to also say that Walmart jeans fit me the best. I have the back gap problem and they are always too long so I take them to a tailor to have them fixed.

[jennylou]

Thanks ladies. I really, really try not to shop at Walmart. I find that our local Walmart is filled with very rude people, who randomly throw things in the aisles, who do not move when others are trying to pass, etc. And then there's that whole low wage issue that I stress over.

I will have to look into Levis. I know that they didn't fit me when I was younger (still go the back gap), but I'm willing to give it a shot. :)

[maxandmolly]

Lane Bryant now carries Seven jeans-I snagged a pair originally $89.50 for $25, and they are my most favorite jeans EVER. I have practically no waist, no hips, am just thick all the way down in one straight line, so I rarely, if ever, buy women's jeans. But my Seven jeans are perfect.
I had a pair of Faded Glory jeans given to me when a co-worker's daughter shrunk out of them before she even wore them. They fit really well, too, and I assumed it was just a fluke-I mean, I never find anything at W-M!

[jennylou]

maxandmolly - thanks, but I tried on every.single.style of jeans at LB. :( Now, they did say they could special order a pair like the ones with the waist to my boobs, that has a slightly lower waist line, so I might have them do that for me.

[DallasLady]

I am an 18W and I also have luck with Walmart jeans. I have recently tried JCPenney's brand, St. Johns Bay, and I really like them a lot.

[jennylou]

Thanks Dallaslady - I'll check out the St John's Bay next time I'm at the mall.

I can't belive you all have such good luck with Walmart jeans - that makes me so sad, since now I want to go try some on, but at the same point, I try not to support Walmart. But, if that's all that fits, I suppose I'll have to.

I did find a pair of Rt 66 jeans at Kmart last year - but would you believe that this year I went and they are totally cut different. :( I guess I should stock up when I find something that works, at the same time, I hate to do that b/c I'd like to lose some weight.

[Goodies]

My local malls have plus size trendy stores and they carry a brand called Retro..They fit and look so cute. If you can find them I suggest you give them a try, they run about $22 a pair.

[MES in Chicago]

I posted the same issue in the Plus Sized thread a few weeks ago. Finally after trying everywhere I tried my Mom's suggestion. QVC, of all places. I "made" a pair of personalize jeans I will be getting in January and 1 pair of these bootcut jeans...

http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/a/13/a45113.001?

I have to say, they rock. Only a slight, very slight waist issue and I have a big butt and large legs. Perfect fit. And cheap $26! I loved them so much I have bought 2 more pairs since. And if they don't work you can return them easily.

[kwsu44]

I second QVC for good plus size jeans. (I'm an 18W).

I've also had great luck with Talbot's women and the INC line at Macy's.

[LyLMyssChaos]

I just wanted to chime in that Fashion Bug carries JeanStar as well and this weekend 12/14-12/17 they are having a Buy One, Get One Free sale on sweaters, denim, tops, corduroy, seperates, etc. This includes clearance items as well.

[Adaya]

I just wanted to chime in that Fashion Bug carries JeanStar as well and this weekend 12/14-12/17 they are having a Buy One, Get One Free sale on sweaters, denim, tops, corduroy, seperates, etc. This includes clearance items as well.

Hey, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing. Now I have to see if there's a Fashion Bug either here in Atlanta or in Tallahassee where DH lives.

[Surftraitor]

Maybe give Old Navy a try. They carry an entire Plus size assortment. Not ALL stores have a Plus department, but they are available online as well. I plan the merchandise for ON at their corporate office. I know they've done a lot of fit research on the Plus woman.

[maxandmolly]

Maybe give Old Navy a try. They carry an entire Plus size assortment. Not ALL stores have a Plus department, but they are available online as well. I plan the merchandise for ON at their corporate office. I know they've done a lot of fit research on the Plus woman.

NONE of their jeans fit me! But their shorts and skirts do. :confused: Is it that my shape is that different than the average plus size woman?

[MES in Chicago]

I used to love ON especially the Boy Cut for Plus sized. Since they stopped carrying that fit none of this years cuts fit me. I ordered every single one of them and they were all a miss. Plus my new favorite QVC jeans are even cheaper! Yah for me!

[sparkle&shine]

I have to also recommend Fashion Bug! They have a good assortment of jeans even in short for me! I only buy when they are having a sale though since there is almost always one going on.

[kwsu44]

The ON plus size jeans don't fit me either.

[PG-rated]

My current jeans are Old Navy bootcut, so maybe give them a try anyway. Personally, I hate the Faded Glory jeans - they're total mom jeans on me. I have a pair that my mom passed on to me, and I wear them only on laundry day.

[PurpleRose]

I'm technically a plus-size, at a 16, but I find that regular misses sizes fit me better than "plus-sized" clothing. Before I lost some weight, I was around a 20 or 22 and found that the junior plus sized jeans at Goody's fit me well. I think my favorite brand was LEI. I also found cute jeans at Alloy.com, but I felt they had terrible customer service.

Right now I like Gap and Old Navy jeans the best. Gap goes to size 20 online, and ON carries up to size 18 or 20 in the store (and plus size online). HTH!

[Suzlywoozly]

I have the hardest time finding jeans that fit me. I fell in love with Jag Jeans from Nordstrom. They are kind of expensive, but totally worth it! I know you can order them on their website and they have free shipping right now.

[smellycatsgirl]

ON jeans don't work for me anymore. I used to love their bootcut jeans, but they cahnged the cut and now they don't fit anymore. Where we live I have a lack of places I can go for jeans; so Walmart is about the only choice I have. I will have to try out QVC now that I see that so many people like them.

[jennylou]

I just wanted to update, I went back to LB and tried on some more jeans. Either they had just gotten new ones, or I didn't see them and they weren't offered on last week's trip. Anyways, I did find a pair that worked out well. :) They have a regular waste, but also a drawstring in them - PERFECT for fixing the back gap. :D

[MrsSmith]

Hey Jenny,

I like the jeans at Talbots. They go up to a 20 in misses and start at a 12 in the womens section. They also have petite, which may work better for preventing the 'extra part' in the crotch.

Also, I got some awesome jeans from home shopping network. You can get them online at HSN.com. The brand name is Diane Gilman. They vary in price and style, but I've had some success with them.

[jennylou]

Here are the jeans (http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/pagebuilder/lane_bryant_product_zoom?item=8720963) that I found, bought and love. :)

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies! I did try the JcPenney (St John's Bay) brand, but they didn't work out for me.

[Katy]

Jenny those are cute! I used to have a pair of drawstring jeans. I loved them and wore them to pieces (really, they started falling apart). I liked the way they would lay with heels.

[PurpleRose]

Those are really cute jeans, jennylou! I can't believe they're drawstring. Glad you found some jeans you love!

[MrsSmith]

Those jeans look so comfy!

[jennylou]

mrssmith - they are super comfy! I love them. :) If I wasn't trying to lose weight, I'd go buy another pair in my size. Since I am trying to lose weight, I'll wait a few weeks and see if I can't buy the size smaller. :D

[tgal]

I didn't see another plus size thread, so I thought I would announce it here.

Treza outlet is going out of business on April 15th. Right now everything is 50% off already reduced prices. I scored on Jones New York merchandise. Most of the stuff is mom friendly, but they have a lot of business attire.

[jennylou]

tgal, you can find the plus size thread here. (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443)