in article , Cheryl Perkins at
wrote on 11/27/04 7:51AM:

wrote:

LOL. No, I just get the look of pity because many clothes in my size
are of the "Enormous Flower Print Making You Look Like A Sofa" variety.

OK, in fairness, many plus-size clothing companies do make decent-looking
clothes, even Teenybopper-Slut clothes. At least it's not all navy blue
polyester anymore! But for some inexplicable reason, some of these designers
insist on making large women look like canvases for some demented floral
painter!

Ooooh, I want to rant about large clothing! I like loose, comfortable
practical clothing made in natural fabrics that can be machine washed and
dried, and are cheap. Well, I can eliminate the 'cheap' requirement,
because it's hard to get this stuff at any price around here. I
also like plain colours or nice, small prints. No cutesy animals,
no sofa-sized flowers. Walmart sells cotton slacks that fit me, but if I
were much bigger, they wouldn't. A chain that I've sometimes found decent
casual stuff in closed one of their two local branches. Another has one
branch here, but only some of their casual stuff suits me. Their 'office'
attire is invariably made from artificial fabrics and don't wear well. I
bought one outfit that was supposedly machine washable, and it didn't
stand up well at all. They've all got skimpy seam allowances and just
don't look well made. I did get a 'go for interview' outfit there, but I
don't wear it regularly because it's polyester and makes me want to
scratch myself. I've started sewing again, but I need more time.

And I have a couple friends who rave over the bargains they get at
secondhand stores. Well, in my experience, if it's hard to find nice new
clothes in large sizes, it's impossible to find nice secondhand clothes. I
think when large women find something they like, they wear it until it
falls to pieces. I know I do! G

Next up: Risks to life and limb: Women's shoes made with soles that slip
on the surfaces found most often in offices and homes; pink and white
running shoes that show every bit of dirt, and winter boots that leak,
aren't that warm, and have such smooth soles that they certainly don't
appear to be intended for use when walking.

I got an Ariat winter riding boot last year that is TOPS. Comfortable, warm
and insulated, don't leak. I'm telling you paddock boots and such beat
regular winter boots all hollow and are high quality. I recommend them for
anyone. I have these http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1930294/c/11.html, but
there are tons of kinds and they are really great.