It's Not Cute to Have Bat Wings

In the past year I have been on a quest to get healthier and get my body into super awesome shape. This is not because I feel like I have to conform to some societal expectation of beauty but because I know deep down inside that I am a badass. Yep, a true badass. I know I will never be taller than 5'4, thin, or have a natural tan. Instead, I have a athletic hourglass shape, super pale skin (we're talking translucent here), and have freckles dotting my face. Yet, while I may be a size 2-6 (depending on the brand), I still get SUPER frustrated clothes shopping. This is especially true now that I am trying to update my wardrobe with more mature and better fitting clothes. Here is a list of my dilemmas when shopping:

1) Why do designers think it is appropriate to give me wings? I am truly questioning how Dolman sweaters and the like became so popular. When I first tried on a Dolman top I thought I could turn into Rocky the flying squirrel. It also took away my amazing shape and made me look huge. I'm sure this may work on some people, but it is a no-go for me.

2) Related to above, why do most dresses and shirts look like burlap sacks with holes cut out for the head and the arms? I know that I could cinch some of these dresses with a belt, but, again, this still makes me look huge.

3) Related to point 1 and 2, why are designers trying to entice strangers to ask me if I am pregnant? This problem has been going on for awhile now and it usually seems to happen to girls that are not wafish but have some meat on their bones. Do I really need so much surplus fabric around my midsection to beg that old man in Walmart to ask me how far along I am? I didn't think so. This is similar a point that Leigh Newman points out (http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/19/living/oprah-rules-after-35/index.html?iref=obnetwork). Rule number 25 states: "There is only one clothing size. Yours. Baggy stuff makes your feel thin but look fat. Tight stuff is just plain painful." I agree. No baggy stuff. But the tight stuff is more problematic when you have big boobs. Which leads to another point...

4) Some girls naturally have big boobs, and unlike our man-made big boob counterparts, we do face a totally different set of dilemmas. For example, our boobs have spent years trying to sag to the floor, and we know that our boobs will only get bigger if we have kids. So, designers please take note because not only do I need more than a spaghetti strap to hide my bra strap, I also need more fabric/cup size in the bust. It is frustrating to find things off the rack that can accommodate a big bust and small waist. (On a side note, I am super happy to see a larger variety of bras for the D+ cup women. I finally can get colors.)

5) Knee-high boots need to have more than a 14-inch circumference. I'm athletic and short. My calves are freaking amazing but will never be smaller than 14.5 inches in circumference as the widest point. I don't dig short boots that make me look stumpy. I want tall boots with enough room for my leg not to look a sausage getting stuffed into a casing.

6) Some clothes need liners. I would like to see designers either include liners or have stores start selling a variety of liners for skirts and dresses. Modesty is always in. I don't need to flash my hot bod to just anyone.