Hips run in my family. Big hips. Disproportionately big hips. The kind that should belong to someone 3 sizes bigger than you but are stuck on either side of YOUR butt. When I tell people I have big hips, they always say, "No you don't!" They're just trying to be nice. Or they're confused by the fact that my body is, overall, on the smaller side. And when I tell them that I seriously have to buy pants 2 or 3 sizes bigger than the rest of my body should wear, they say they can't tell. And that's good, because I've taken dressing for my hippie shape to a near art form after all these years. It's hard to disguise a 32" 26" 42" figure! No lycra. No cotton jersey (MOM). No tapered legs. All of those say "Hey, check out how gargantuon my hips are." I want my clothes to say, "Look over here, away from the hips." Luckily (not for her) God blessed me with a sister who can understand my pain. Though we're not alike in many ways, and the rest of our bodies are pretty different, we both share the curse of the Polster hips. Jennie's method of hiding the hips is distraction: Patterns, pretty fabrics, decolletage (my favorite thing she says is that she wears a swim suit that shows a lot of cleavage so people don't notice her hips and butt). I don't have that luxury, if you know what I mean. So I go with the "dress to your shape" method. So I thought I'd share a tip for those of you with some junk in the trunk (or in the saddle bags, as the case may be):
1) Express Jeans. They now carry several different fits of jeans at Express. My favorite is the
Eva. It's not super low rise (which is good if you wear magic underwear), it's roomier through the hips, and it comes in both a boot leg and "fit and flare" leg. I'd go with the fit and flare. It makes use of the distraction tactic--more attention to the legs, less attention to the hips. It also has 3 lengths of inseams, so short and tall girls can wear them. $59. Not the cheapest, but not outrageous either.
2) Charlotte Russe Jeans. Similar to Express, Charlotte Russe has a bunch of fits too. They use a precious stone theme to indicate the various styles (ruby, lapis, opal, etc.). I was confused at first by the descriptions "ultra low rise" and "super low rise" because I actually don't like low rise much at all. But in reality, the super low rise (which is the higher rise of the two) is a good height. No hanging your laundry out, but not 1980's either. So I went with the
Pebble. The medium wash is worn in and soft, and it looks like you're wearing your boyfriend's jeans (which is impossible for a girl with hips to do. But they create that illusion). $29.
So there you go. If you're blessed with good birthing hips and find your trips to buy jeans a total nightmare like mine usually are, try these little gems and see what you think. And pass it around. We hippie women need all the tips we can get.
1) Express Jeans. They now carry several different fits of jeans at Express. My favorite is the Eva. It's not super low rise (which is good if you wear magic underwear), it's roomier through the hips, and it comes in both a boot leg and "fit and flare" leg. I'd go with the fit and flare. It makes use of the distraction tactic--more attention to the legs, less attention to the hips. It also has 3 lengths of inseams, so short and tall girls can wear them. $59. Not the cheapest, but not outrageous either.
11 comments:
Why have you been keeping this valuable info to yourself???
Fantastic tips! And once I get to my ideal size I will be allllll over this. Right now I am loving the Gap Long and Leans - not because I *am* long and lean - but they make me look like it. :)
I am of the opinion that you don't have oversized hips. You didn't growing up that I remember. But if you so, I'd much rather have that problem then my problem. Since you say you have it, I'll believe you as you don't lie.. but yours must be on the smaller side of the problem... I rememeber a girl is high school who was very thin but had huge hips... and you are so not like that.
And I'm sure you'd understand once I lose the weight, I hope I don't have that problem.
I didn't know you finally tried out the Charlotte Russe jeans. Aren't they wondeeeeful for moms??
My friend just showed me your blog because I too have hips. Have you ever tried 'Curvy' from the Gap? They are about $69 but are well worth it.
Glad you found something that works for you and doesn't show your Gs when you sit or bend over. Way to go!!
okay, i can't wear charlotte russe ANYTHING because it's only for 14 year old girls, so i'm just sayin' your hips aren't ANYWHERE as big as you think they are.
plus i've seen you up close and personal and i thought you were abfab.
i love any jeans with lycra in them so that it stretches over all this junk.
p.s. i wish you would have named this post "whatcha goin' do with all that junk? all that junk inside that trunk?"
I guess the grass is always greener. I have straight, almost boy shape hips. Yes, I can wear slim cut pants in either an 8 or a 10, but I need an XL shirt! I feel like it makes me look fatter than I really am to have such a large upper body. I've always wanted a "pear" shape. LOL
And BTW - I think you always look good.
I am built the exact same way. Hips galore and not much on top to balance it out. I have never ever loved a pair of pants I have owned because if they fit in the hips they gap at the waist. But when I have my shape back I will try these out.
I too have disproportionately bigger hips. Pre-baby I wore a size small shirt, but size 8 pants. All in the hips! I could not agree more about the Express jeans, they have been my favorites for years. I'll have to try the Charlotte Russe ones too, thanks for the tip!
I am curvy too. Well, when im not carrying around 40 extra lbs of baby weight. When I was thinner I had hips. Those pants are great, I need to keep that in mind for when I get my body back.
Post a Comment