Being Small Is a Huge Problem for Her
Dear Fashion Police: I read the letter about the jeans being made only in small sizes. A problem for some, I’m sure.
We all have our own “fashion cross” to bear. Did you ever try buying nightgowns, slips, blouses and sweaters in size 2 or 4 without having them cost out of range? In recent years, clothing such as jackets, dresses, etc., have become available in these small sizes, but even then I often have to order a petite size, which will almost inevitably be too short, since I’m 5 foot 6. I’m not trying to be “high fashion,” and I’m not young, but I do like stylish clothes. I do not want to appear as Bo Peep or a waif in her too-large clothes. So you see, you can be too small. Too rich--well, that’s another story!
--SHOULDN’T BE A SIN TO BE THIN
Dear Thin: The fact that many women wish they had your problem is little consolation, we’re sure. But you’re right--everyone does have a fashion cross to bear. Few of us have supermodel bodies on which almost every piece of clothing looks fantastic. So we are forced to find ways to make clothes work.
That can be as simple as buying tops and bottoms in different
sizes or as complicated and costly as having items custom-made.
While your situation sounds frustrating, it doesn’t seem insurmountable. Check out the juniors section of a department store, where clothes are generally cut for smaller figures. Not all fashions made for teens and young women are unsophisticated and trendy--some are quite chic.
If stores don’t have what you want, try catalogs. There are many that cater to different sizes.
And if any of you out there with figures similar to Thin have found some great resources, please let us know.
*
Dear Fashion Police: We have a major problem with one of our co-workers, who insists his personal appearance is his business. He entertains our affluent clients while having a scraggly growth on his face, shoulder-length hair, Swiss cheese T-shirts and flowered sweat pants that always ride low on his butt.
Our clients love his work, but our boss is up in arms and wants us all to wear uniforms that will make us look like pet groomers. What can we do?
--NEAT NONCONFORMIST
Dear Noncon: First off, let’s not put down pet groomers, even if some do have to wear icky uniforms.
Second, it doesn’t sound as if the clients are making any noise about what this guy looks like, since you say they love his work. So the turmoil is all from within.
You might talk to your boss about setting up a companywide dress code. Now don’t flip out--we’re not talking about ties and button-down shirts or pantyhose and white pumps. Get input from co-workers about what they think is appropriate for your business and clients, then put your heads together and come up with some guidelines that everyone can live with.
This should appease your boss and get his mind off of uniforms. Your flowered sweat-panted colleague will probably loathe the notion of a dress code, but remind him that he’ll still have the weekends to revert back to his natural state.
* When reporting or preventing a fashion crime, write to Fashion Police, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-0732. Submissions cannot be returned. No telephone inquiries, please.
