Excuse me, ma'am, but it doesn't fit. Even without seeing you, I feel comfortable saying it because most women wear clothes that don't fit. Usually they're too small, but sometimes too big. I, myself, sometimes wear things too big. If you happen to be built like me, very petite, you know it's hard to find clothes that fit.
So many women wear clothing that's a couple of sizes too small. As a result, it bunches up at the waist because it can't go over the hips. This is not attractive, and it doesn't make them look thinner. In fact, it makes them look heavier. A jacket that’s too tight becomes much more flattering when it’s let out so it fits over the hips. Or, better yet, try to buy it in the right size in the beginning.
If you’re wearing pants, you should be able to breathe. I know it's expensive, but you may have to buy pants to fit your hips and then bring them to the tailor to take in the waist. (And don’t let people see the outline of your panties.)
Unfortunately, having things altered can be very expensive. No one knows that better than I. There are many things that no matter how beautiful they are and how much I love them, I just leave them on the hangers and won't buy them. A dress or skirt with a beautiful hemline can only be shortened by taking off the waist, shortening it, and then putting the waist back on. This is a very big job and you'll pay a lot to have it done. You'll have to decide whether it's worth it.
I remember buying an expensive suit that was too big. I had it taken in. The tailor took it in too much. The skirt was then too tight across the hips, so I took it to someone else to be let out. You guessed it: The second tailor let it out too much. Finally, I gave it to charity and vowed I'd be more careful in the future.
If something has to be shortened, make up your mind to have it shortened or do it yourself immediately. Otherwise, you'll wear it and never really be happy.
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and the owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity firm in New York City. She can be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com.
