BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Body Image Body Image article reminds me that I don't belong.

Hi all. A few months ago, I was invited to a cabi party. I watched a 45 minute presentation displaying some lovely, practical, versatile (though pricey) clothing that is sold through home parties like baskets and kitchen gadgets. Then everyone began browsing the clothes and trying things on. I am 5'7" tall, 48 years old, and I am a size 16 W or 16-18 womens. To my embarrassment, there was nothing there that fit me. Their largest size was snug on me. The other women kept asking me what I was going to try on next. I could not wait to get the heck out of there! Today I received another invitation for one of these parties. (The nice lady who invited me is very slim and blonde and drives past me every day on her motor-scooter when I'm out walking.) I decided to do some checking to find out if the clothing came in my size. If so, I would ask the hostess for the name of the Cabi rep so I could ask her to bring a few things in my size. If the clothing is all too small for me, I would politely decline. I came upon an article at this site "The Voice of Women" by a "Body Imagae Editor." She was very complimentary about these parties, and how the clothes look great on everyone, even someone she described as "pear-shaped," and recommended these Cabi parties and products if you want to feel self-confident and beautiful. Yikes! Shouldn't she have added ".. unless you are larger than regular 0-16 sizes, in which case you are a total reject and the hostess obviously sent you the invitation by accident"? Why would a body image editor on a site that is supposedly the voice of women write this article? I had just returned from my usual daily 3-mile walk and doing my volunteer shift as a Hospice patient companion and I was feeling fine about myself. Now I have just been reminded by a body image editor that I don't fit in. Thanks for the help, lady! Now that I know that Cabi is not designed for women over a regular 0-16, and knowing I am a bit larger than that, I will reply to the hostess that I already have plans. I'll be at the gym, trying to "fit in."

Here's Linda's original article: Cabi - Clothes For Every Shape and Size

She does say in the article.


I'm emailing her to let her know how unhappy you were with her recommendation. But as women we all must be aware that there is going to be a limit on every clothing line we look at.

My hindrance is my horrid upper arms. I can find clothes that fit perfectly everywhere else, but cannot get a jacket or some dresses on because my upper arms are so big.

Never let a clothing line get you down. It is made the way that particular designer has seen her problems - which probably addresses a lot of other women's problems. If i were to ever design a cothing line, I would go for lots of butterflr and bell sleeves, LOL!

Just kindly bow out of the next party, and hostess a party yourself that has stuff YOU like (I love jewelry so love the Premier jewelry parties - it doesn't matter what size you are when BLING is involved!)

always keep faith in yourself, though. Clothing fads come and go - you don't.

I'll bet those jeans won't look good on ME either! And I "fit" in between 0-16!

My body shape is weird. I'm shaped like a chicken. My legs and thighs are thin and bony, but my belly is round and fat. If jeans fit my tummy, then they are baggy on my butt and my legs. If they fit my legs, then the waist won't zip and button.

Fitting in isn't always about sheer size!!! I don't "fit" in either!!!

As I've gotten older, I've lost my butt. I look in the mirror and wonder where it went. Pretty soon, my butt will look like two dried apricots. And my belly will be round still.

Michelle is right. We shouldn't let a clothing line determine how we feel about ourselves. Clothes are manufactured to fit the average person. I realize that this is where tailors and seamstresses come in handy. My sister always has to have her clothes altered because she is so short. I'll have to start having my pants altered so I don't look weird wearing clothes off the rack.

Cabi obviously fits women between 0-16. Not for you, no big deal. There are lots of other options. Go to the gym to get healthy and feel good, not to "fit in." Why should you feel bad about being larger than size 16? Size has nothing to do with beauty.

I know. I'm smaller than size 16 and I'm not beautiful at all. :P
There are so many large women who are absolutely gorgeous. Their round curves are so much prettier than bony butts and wrinkly skin.

Dear Michelle, Thanks for your kind response. I must say that when I was writing my post earlier today, I happened to see your photo on the forum. You are remarkably beautiful looking. And I didn't notice your arms (a body part I am very unhappy with on myself.) So, after reading your reply to me I looked more closely at the photo. All your parts that show in the photo look very nicely proportioned and your face is stunning. Your arms, from what I can tell in the photo, look fine.

That, my dear, is called "photo shop" LOL!

I'll try to find the one that I didn't touch up - but I am horribly embarrassed about my arms.



Ok this was from about a year before, but my arms have not changed that much. I just know how to cover them up, LOL!

LOL. I'm getting censored for writing b*tt. Ok, my rear!!! My belly and rear are fat. Legs skinny. Don't try to imagine this.

And Michelle, you are stunning.

thank you both of you -

this it completely OT

but you keep getting censored for b-u-t-t, and I keep getting censored for c-r-a-p. It look like we are totally cussing our heads of.

It reminds me of this litte game the "Morning Mash Up Crew" on Siruius hit 1 called "Bleep this" - it's is where they take a song and bleep out random words and it makes the song sound like this completely ditry version - when really it is perfectly G or PG rated normally. It is hilarious!

I'm very interested in this topic right now and have been reading quite a bit about it. Have any of you read Christopher Hopkins' "Staging Your Comeback"? I loved it. He drew me in right away with his sense of humor and memories of his home life that were so similar to mine. Then he moved on to the gist of the book and not once does he make me feel less of a person because my body doesn't perfectly fit our society's popular definition of beauty. It's targeted for women over 45, but everyone can benefit from much of his advice. He covers everything from head to toe in the book. It's a keeper.