<p>They have those things out on the internet, but it always produces a 21 year old version of myself. If you could on the virtual model sag the chest abit, flatten out the rear and add a 53 year old stomach, then the “virtual me” would look like the real me. The tape measure numbers are fine, it’s just how it’s put together at 53 that is different. If I bought padded rear end, stomach squishing Spanx and a bra that really hoisted the girls three or four inches I might get away with it, but who the heck wants to walk around with all that oppresive undergear??? I’m cool with my body, what I really, really hate is my neck. I can tell the age of a woman just by looking at her neck. I pointed that out to my husband and he thought I was nuts and he’s mad at me now because he says he agrees and it has caused him to look at necks, something he had never, ever thought about before. If I wear a turtleneck I look 10 years younger than I am.</p>
<p>Yeah…necks are a good indicator…and hands too. Break out the long gloves!
There’s a lady on the news …can’t remember her name… but I always think…wow, she should be wearing a turtleneck. Also those nice long fringe scarfs, double folded and tied around the neck look good for older necks.<br>
One other thing…I try to find celebrities who have similar bodies to mine and see what they wear. Michele, for example, has bigger hips than I do (and a smaller waist) but she’s tall with big feet…and I love watching what she wears and stealing some ideas. I wonder what her shoe size is…</p>
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<p>Such a pity that Princess Diana is gone…not that I resemble her in any way, but she was around our age and it would have been nice to have seen what she chose to wear as she approached fifty.</p>
<p>For years I wore bangs. Di was the only lovely prominent woman who wore bangs. I admit that I got my hair cut like hers quite often…it always looked really nice.</p>
<p>I guess I am one of the only apples. 
I have very thin legs, small hips and thighs and flat rear but huge boobs and a nice round belly thanks to menapause (ok…and lack of exercise and too much cooking and drinking wine). I have a terrible time finding tops. Was always “busty” even when I was a size 6 and now it is even worse. Clothes shopping has been a nightmare the past few years. Love Seven jeans though!</p>
<p>NM, have you thought of having a reduction? I know it can be a complex issue. MIL had breast cancer and after the reconstruction, went from a 42FFF to a C cup. Even though the rest of us thought she’d be relieved to rid of 7 1/2 lbs of breast (what they removed), we found out that being huge had been a very strong component of her feminine identity…she complained about the weight and finding clothes, but deep down she really liked always having the largest ones in the room (perhaps in the state?)</p>
<p>I think I’m a Goblet with shorter legs, or a Brick with smaller shoulders. Or something.</p>
<p>missypie…yes, thought about it when younger but now…hmmm…guess I just don’t know if it’s worth the $$$ at my age. I wear regular size pants/jeans but hate having to buy plus sized tops! Wish I knew where to find cute fashionable ones!</p>
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<p>Wherever Dolly Parton shops? Do you think she has all of her tops custom made? They are always ample enough at the top, but then use darting and seaming to taper down to show how tiny the rest of her is. Do you think anyone manfactures those in real life? They should. I’ve always felt sorry for my female law partners who are very well endowed when they have to wear a a suit…to get the jacket to close, it is usually huge on the rest of them, adding the appearance of pounds that aren’t really there.</p>
<p>I’m sure that every stitch Dolly wears is tailored just for her.</p>
<p>Yeah, wouldn’t it be cool to have a personal shopper and tailor?
For those of us who don’t fit off the rack clothes, it really is frustrating. And limiting.
Anyway, I do go to a lady down the street who alters my clothes. Takes out the hems on the pants and jackets. Her prices are reasonable. Usually, the expensive brands have good hems. If I was in a law firm, I’d bring her my suits, rather than let them hang big on me! You know, for men, tailoring a suit is expected. It’s time women had the same expectation.</p>
<p>Yeah, women are used to absorbing the message that they are the “wrong” size and shape. WHich is one reason why I think so many women love shoe shopping. It’s one of the few items that can actually be purchased to fit!</p>
<p>^^^
not a happy shoe shopper here. Size went from 10 to 11 after pregnancy…:(</p>
<p>I have duck feet, short and wide. I enjoy handbag shopping.</p>
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<p>I went from a B width to a D width after pregnancy. But for zappos.com, I would own no shoes. Seriously, I can go into Nordstrom and ask what they have in an 8D and they’ll bring out a pair of Easy spirit trainers and a pair of SAS sandals. It does cut down on temptation because I can walk by the shoe department of any store without stopping.</p>
<p>I just read that we should be putting Retin-A on our hands, necks and chests. I think I will start with the hands. Not a bad idea.</p>
<p>Note to self: pick up more Retin-A on next Mexican vacation! ;)</p>
<p>“I just read that we should be putting Retin-A on our hands, necks and chests.”</p>
<p>Not to take after you, MOWC, but this kind of advice makes me crazy. I read it as “drug and cosmetic companies say that you should spend a lot of money trying to look younger than you really are, because it’s shameful for a woman to look her age.” Then they sell you sunscreens to protect the skin that is made more fragile by the Retin-A, and THEN they sell you vitamin D supplements because you aren’t making any of your own.</p>
<p>^^ Yeah, I get that part, too. However, I DO think Retin-A is probably the single best thing you can do to have younger, more resilient skin. I don’t mind the help, as long as it works (which it does). I get more upset by all the cr*p that is pushed that is worthless.</p>
<p>Is there any place that I can buy retin a (like Renova) on the internet?</p>
<p>I don’t wear sunscreen as much as I should ( but I still have a Vitamin D deficiency and have to take big doses), but I exfoliate and lubricate ( sounds kinda kinky, doesn’t it?)- don’t use Retin A- but I do use progesterone cream. ( I have a deficiency there too)</p>
<p>But yeah- the neck :p, besides the wearing of the boots that comes with fall- the mufflers and scarves are a thumbs up as well.</p>
<p>I also have a hard time buying off the rack- junior sizes fit me better- I am not quite petite ( although my height would indicate that), because my legs are long for my height- but that also means my waist is practically under my chin.</p>
<p>I don’t know where my short arms came from- but at least the 3/4 lenght sleeves aren’t too bad although I don’t like them and I suppose it is better than having long arms and not being able to find sleeves long enough.</p>
<p>About ten years ago I had a breast reduction when my naturopath mentioned it-my ins paid for it and it has made clothes shopping so much easier. Even though I had told the Dr I didn’t want to have to wear a bra ever again :), she left enough on so that I am still a D-DD! ( depending on time of month)
I don’t know * what?* those women do who get breast implants, you can’t find clothes that fit!</p>
<p>I have noticed though, that in some of my favorite television shows, even when the character is " professional", there is so much cleavage. They look fine, but in real life I don’t think it would work because frankly- men seem * really* distracted by any cleavage at all. </p>
<p>I do appreciate being able to wear real clothes in my real life. Boots- jeans- tshirts and fleece- even though when I have to get dressed up- I am stymied for a bit.</p>