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My 88-year-old mother needs new clothes. It is impossible to find clothes that fit her due to her shape. She has very narrow shoulders and gets much wider as you progress downwards to her waist and hip area and stomach. If I buy a blouse/tee that fits her narrow shoulders, it is like a sausage casing on her chest, abdomen and hips. If I get the garment to be big enough to fit across her abdomen and hips, the shoulders and area under the arms are huge!


Does anyone else have this problem? If so, are there particular brands that are designed to fit this "pear-shaped" body? She is only 5'3" tall and has a short torso which also makes fit more difficult. We recently took all her slacks/jeans to have them taken up in the waist and shortened because she had to buy a bigger size to accommodate her hips. I don't really want to have to alter her tops, too, which only adds to the purchase price.

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Raising hand - pear shaped here... like, how in the world did that happen, as I use to be quite thin but thanks to Mother Nature, she had other ideas. Then I see actresses my age on TV, like Candice Bergen in "Murphy Brown", we have the same body type.

I have been purchasing my clothes from an on-line store called National [www.shopnational.com] and their styles do work for me, nice quality material, and reasonably priced :)

Also had purchased the same clothes for my Mom over the years. When Mom went into long-term-care, I found items that were easy for the Aides to get on and off.

As for slacks, I had to give up wearing blue jeans, jeans would make me look like the letter P. So now I wear slip-on corduroy pants from Lands End, size Petite. They are much more comfortable, and warmer in winter. The elastic waist is so very comfortable :) Funny, it was my Mom who got me started on these corduroy pants.
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My mom is the same! She is horrible pear-shaped and on top of that wants the pants to go over her belly and make it up to her waist. :(
I think she has tried these and they fit - Chic Classic Collection Women's Plus Cotton Pull-on Pant with Elastic Waist
and I have these saved too Woman Within Plus Size Petite Cotton Straight Leg Mockfly Jean

then to compound matters she also wants capris!! I am hot in the summer!

I just looked at the suggestion for Boscov and the pants there are really cute.

if you find anything better let me know!
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texasrdr22 Jan 2019
Thanks for the suggestions! I will check out Boscov online and also the other brands you mention. Mom buys the Gloria Vanderbilt jeans from Costco in a SHORT length but still has to have the waist taken in. Also, Alfred Dunner brand pants from Penney's in the pull-up style SHORT length seem to work for her.
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Hi there!
I sincerely understand your predicament!
I have a smaller waist, and a much larger bust than usually goes with my size. I love to sew... And have to alter necklines and waists on clothes I purchase or sew.

Do you have any crafty friends that sew? They could easily teach you how to do a simple dart in neckline or waistline, if you feel inclined to do it and you have a sewing machine. Or, you could ask them to do it for a reasonable price. (and bribery always works! Lol!)
Another tip... Check out woman within website/catalog. They have generously sized clothes that are decently priced.

Hope this helps-
Sparkles ✨
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texasrdr22 Jan 2019
I really wish I could sew! We have recently used a local alterations lady to take up Mom's pants, so I will ask her today about taking in the shoulders. Maybe the new "swing" style tops might fit at the bottom and we can adjust the shoulder/neckline area.
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texasrdr22 - it may be easier if you buy clothes that fit her bottom, and have the top taken in to fit her shoulders. Most dry cleaners offer clothes alteration. If it's an easy fix, it should cost $5-$10 a piece.
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texasrdr22 Jan 2019
Thanks, polarbear. I think that is probably what we will end up doing. We recently have found a talented 88-year-old alterations lady who has hemmed and adjusted the waist on several pair of Mom's pants. I will ask her about altering the tops. I think that is probably the best (and only) solution for this challenge.
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You are lucky that tunic style tops are in fashion now! Look for ones that fit the shoulders but flare out over the hips. Can she wear "yoga" style pants that stretch and don't need taken up? Not leggings, but the boot cut kind? I find these work well.. as well as nice cut "fleece" pants, I get mom's at Boscov and she loves them, but my Mom is tiny. I do see lots of options in the larger size area. I also have ample hips, and I am short. Remember to look in the petit department so the length is correct. Goggle "pear shaped body clothes",, you may get lucky
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texasrdr22 Jan 2019
Thanks for the advice, pamzimmrrt! Even the tunic styles swallow her at the top when large enough to cover the middle and hips. Her middle is not all that oversize. It is just that she has such sloping shoulders. I love yoga pants but we have to have pockets in which to carry the ever-present tissues! I have googled "pear-shaped body" and the solutions don't really suit an 88-year-old for the most part. I mean, plunging necklines? Really?
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