Michelle

Small, senior and looking for help


By Rita Sirignano, For The Calgary Herald
August 3, 2010



Dear Rita:

I am almost 80 and wear a size 2 (when they are not too large for me). That may sound like I am a bit of a freak -- surely it seems clothing manufacturers think so. But really, I am a quite normal-looking, silver haired lady, five feet tall and 90 pounds. My size has not altered in many years, except for an inch or two added on hips and stomach, and I am still able to wear clothes bought five to 15 years ago.

Since this spring, I have tried on, among other items, several pairs of pants, size 2, and all have been too large. These were from Laura Petites, Talbot's and Cleo. I have shopped at Gap, Banana Republic, etc., where smaller sizes are available, but the garments are made for ages 17 to perhaps 47 -- low-rise bottoms, sleeveless tops, crop tops, plunging necklines -- all of which do nothing for a person my age.

Most 75 and up women do not have lovely forearms, shapely legs and attractive feet! Due to foot and leg problems, I am restricted, except for the dressiest occasions, to comfortable lace-up shoes, so long pants are a must. I prefer long sleeved shirts or blouses.

I have now reached the desperation stage, as everything in my wardrobe is badly showing its age. I have come to hate shopping, and bristle at the "helpful" suggestions I sometimes receive from salespeople, such as "try the children's department," and the one I really love, "you will just have to eat more!"

My husband keeps telling me that I can't be the only tiny senior in Calgary. So, my question is: Where is it possible to find age-appropriate clothing for very small, very senior, women?

-- Lin

Dear Lin:

Thank you so much for your letter, which so wonderfully describes the frustration most of us have experienced at one time or another while shopping -- no matter our age or individual "figure problems."

It also illustrates the fact that just because a woman reaches eligibility for membership at the Kerby Centre doesn't mean she wants to roll over, don a pair of sweatpants 24/7, and give up being stylish. Nor does she want to dress like her granddaughter. (Believe me, women half your age lament the dearth of sleeves on dresses.)

One of the reasons you are having trouble finding clothes that fit properly is the fault of size inflation, a.k.a. "vanity sizing." As the population of North America grows fatter by the year, the numerical size of the clothing we wear has gotten smaller while at the same time the actual garments get larger. Back in the day, Marilyn Monroe supposedly wore a size 14. It's said that by today's standards, she'd wear a 6. One seller of vintage clothing on eBay says she's determined "the size of a pre-1980s garment is roughly six dress sizes larger." You are actually being penalized for keeping your figure!

Sadly, I have no easy answer for you. As one older, petite and style-conscious friend I consulted said, "It's a perennial challenge," adding, "stores where seniors tend to shop operate on the assumption that all older women are thick through the middle and broad in the shoulders."

Among her suggestions: Zara at Chinook Centre (because it originates in Europe, the clothing is cut quite small; indeed I find an extra large at Zara corresponds to a Gap medium) and Aritzia. Though Aritzia's demographic is trendy teens and 20-somethings, they also cut small and she has found some classic pieces there. Online, you might try Land's End, which does carry petite size 00.

Of course, the more expensive the clothing, the better the cut; Holt Renfrew has a number of lines that run small, such as Theory and Diane Von Furstenberg. But in the end, you just might just have to find a good tailor or seamstress.

Readers, if you have any suggestions for Lin, please write.

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