The story below was a Shorty Story sent to me back in 2006, before Shorty Stories became a blog. If you're interested in sharing your story in this format, please feel free to email us!
In my younger years, it was a lot easier in some ways. I had very little money, so I was unable to spend much on clothes at all! I was a normal, healthy weight, and I lived at home with my parents. My mother was a seamstress, so alterations were not an issue. At first.
As I got older, I moved out of home, got a job, put on a lot of weight and started to buy my own clothes. Or at least, I tried to buy clothes. Aside from the self-esteem side of things, it's extremely difficult for me to buy clothes.
Clothes ranges outside the "average" range sizing is fairly limited in Australia to begin with. There are extremely few petite lines here, and those that do exist do not cater to plus-size petites. As you can imagine, the few plus size ranges we have are designed as if short, plus-size women don't exist. Add to that the fact that I am a G-cup and you have one complete clothing nightmare.
So, in order to find something that fits, I have to look for 3/4 length pants and tops or prepare to have alterations or rolled-up sleeves. Skirts are sometimes possible, depending on the type. Dresses, jackets and suits? Forget about it. The nightmarish ordeal of searching for bras or swimwear? I'd rather not go there.
If I find something that has enough fabric to fit around me, that I can pull down over my chest or up over my knees it's always, ALWAYS, too long.
Stylish clothes? I dimly remember having the chance to look stylish in the late 80s when my mum made my clothes from scratch. The last time I looked remotely stylish was probably around 1991. And since I now live 1000s of miles from my mother, (and I can't do anything more complex than sewing on a button) unless I am prepared to pay big dollars for custom-made clothing, I have to take what I can get.
It seems strange that the fashion industry does not want to acknowledge women like me exist, let alone take our money. Let me state that thought more clearly for the fashion industry readers: if you make clothes that fit us: WE. WILL. GIVE. YOU. MONEY! OK?!
I find it hard enough to find something, anything that will fit. Looking good is sadly optional. The message from all corners is "don't show your face around here until you lose weight" (or somehow magically grow taller.)
To walk through a fashion district of wall-to-wall clothing stores and know that 95% or more of the tens of thousands of garments will not even have enough fabric to fit around my bulk (let alone look nice!) is a soul-destroying experience.
So, that's my story.
If you need me, I'll be the short, fat one in the corner with the decidedly unstylish outfit with the rolled up sleeves and too-long pants dragging on the floor...
-Sophie, 5'3"
