Work Clothes For Thin Women

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone who answered this question seriously. I've been looking for this advice for a while now. I'm a skinny adult who doesn't have a lot of money to buy designer brands. I'm 5'6'' 115 lbs and a very narrow/flat chested frame. NOTHING is cut for me anymore. Ten years ago I had no problem finding clothing off the rack. Now I can shop for hours and find one or two pieces that are almost flattering. It's incredibly frustrating. Now I have some ideas to work with!

[Anonymous]

Hey I understand you here! Underneath my arms measures 27 inches, chest is 31 inches, and my waist is 21 inches; so I have a slim, long torso. It's hard to a shirt that's not too wide, but long enough. I either have to special order shirts, strapless dresses and bras or hem ones from the store. Express has an XXS option which is really nice!

[Anonymous]

You can literally find anything online. I googled shopping for thin women and this came up. I am 5'5 and 92 lbs on a good day. In looking for suits I did check at Banana republic and would not recommend it. The petites fit around the waist, but are 2 inches short, and regulars don't come in a 00, so their 0's are huge in the legs and looser than preferred in the waist.

I am glad though, to have stumbled onto this forum and gotten some ideas to check out next, even though this forum was started a couple years ago!

Also, just to put it out there. All you women saying how disgusting it is for us to be so thin, and saying things are easier for us, and just complaining, adding nothing beneficial to this feed, - Shame on you. Are we in high school still? From what I understand we are all adults and should treat each other with respect despite our body size and types.
If you were larger and looking for shopping tips, none of us naturally thin people would saw gross 200 lbs.

[Anonymous]

The funny thing is, I used to be a size 4-5 and now I'm a size 0 long thanks to stores trying to make women feel better about themselves. 0 long doesn't always work either thanks to my lack of hips. So whoever you are out there making comments abouthow the industry caters to people like me, please post elsewhere because you have no idea what you're talking about. American Eagle 00 long is about all I can find for jeans that are consistently ok. Old Navy longs don't seem to cut it.

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'7" and 108 lbs and googled this for some ideas. I have a double problem because I have wide shoulders 17" across, and long arms and legs and slim hips. While Theory is narrow enough in the waist and hips and thighs etc, the jackets are not long enough in the arms nor are they long enough. Tahari is great. Brooks Brothers, J Crew, Banana, LL Bean, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Lafeyette, Land's End, and most department store brands, even Ralph Lauren, are cut for the general population, and are just for those that are long and lean and need a tailored cut. They all have wide torso's and narrow shoulders and short arms...and gaps of poof, where meat should be in the pants? even on top of the thighs???... a NIGHTMARE... those 3 brands I mentioned are great, unless you go couture, Armani, Michael Kors, Versace...

[Anonymous]

Meant to write those brands are NOT for those who need are long and lean and need a tailored fit.

[Anonymous]

I confess I didn't read all the posts, but at 5'7 and 115 Banana's size 0 is too bulky for me. J Crew may be a good fit for you, in the leaner cuts. Also, try bending the rules and going with a blouse that fits a bit too big, but belt it (as long as the arm and neck holes are right, and the length is appropriate, you can still get some flair in there. GL!

[Anonymous]

if you are closer to canada sizes run smaller. best luck would be to find the closest fit and have a good tailor at hand. good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm having the same problem as the OP. I'm 5'5" and average 95lbs with no real boobs, no butt, and no desire to wear "short shorts" or skirts that bare my bottom when I actually sit down in a chair in them. Otherwise, sure I'll go buy the smallest juniors clothes I can find, but that isn't suitable for a 37yr old woman in the workplace that really doesn't want to attract attention. I just don't want to look like I'm wearing a sack or my older sister's hand-me-down pants. Know what I mean? There seems to be a lot of bitter women out here, or there were in the first few pages of posts. I can only assume they thought the OP was flaunting her size in an attempt to make others jealous? The fashion industry, in the US anyway, does NOT make clothes for skinny, professional women, that don't want to spend several $100 on a pair of slacks, or a blouse, etc. If you've got curves, God bless you, I'm jealous of anyone with a B or C cup chest and an @ss, but not everyone has those curves and for those that don't, there is no major department store to go to. 00 is too big for me in most brands. 00-US anyway, I've been told I need to go to Europe and try 00 over there... which goes back to, I don't think I should have to spend $100s to get a pair of slacks that fit...

I guess the alternative is to learn to sew!

Good luck everyone...and happy shopping.

[Anonymous]

I am also a thin woman, and I can tell you - don't waste your time going to Ann Taylor or Banana Republic. I am 5'3" and 90 pounds and their clothes fall off of me. I have had some luck with 00 at Express. Found some pants at Armani Exchange. Also, H&M seems to be okay, but not great quality. European brands are much more likely to work for me than American. Also Nordstrom, the designer brands are sometimes smaller. Other than that, just suck it up and start becoming a regular at the tailors - can be expensive, but at least your clothes will fit. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

I have had three children, and I am still at my weight in jr high! Thank god! I have found my people! I am 5'7, 104 lbs and can not find a wind suit long enough!!! Everything looks like highwaters!!

[Anonymous]

I have had three children, and I am still at my weight in jr high! Thank god! I have found my people! I am 5'7, 104 lbs and can not find a wind suit long enough!!! Everything looks like highwaters!!

[Anonymous]

You guys have got to be joking about the fashion industry catering to us!! Im 5'3 and thin...always have been!! Im 34 years old and i was told at even Laura Petites that i am "too thin"!!! The only store that consistenty carried my size is Le Chateau! ...and even there my boyfriend tried buying me a nice coat and the xxs fit me like a potatoe sack!!

[Anonymous]

Marciano- by Guess!!! I finally found decent black pants that flatter my skinny legs and butt- super expensive, but they have sales on line occasionally.

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'5" and average about 110lbs. I've been buying from The Limited, Express, New York & Company, and Ann Taylor LOFT (regular Ann Taylor store seems to run a bit too big). I'm going to try J Crew next time I hit the mall.

After my last attempts at 2 popular department stores, I've decided to give up on them for good. Juniors sizes fit best, but their styles are not what I want. If they ever add a scrawney womens department, maybe I'll try department stores again.


For anyone in disbelief in our difficulties, consider this:
- Those skinny long-legged models advertising jeans are not wearing something off the rack... even if that's what they're advertising. They wear jeans custom-made to fit them. I think that should be considered false advertising, but whatever.
- Take a closer look at the store mannequins. The garments on them are almost always the smallest size AND gathered and pinned in the back.