How to find out whether a shape has touched another shape?

What are the best ways to find clothes that fit an atypical body shape?

• There probably isn't anything that can be called a "typical" body shape, but I think there are some women who are more able to find clothes that fit and flatter.* For the rest of us, it seems virtually impossible to find a particular size of clothes, especially pants, that fits thighs, hips, bottom, love handles, stomach, and waist. What can we do to fix this? Do we just need to develop a great relationship with our tailor (and how would I find this tailor)? Is there a reliable source for custom jeans? Is there a resource that can direct us to brands more likely to help? I, for one, am sick of jeans that gape in one place while they're overtight in another while they fit somewhere else perfectly. *(I'm assuming that clothing companies did their homework before sizing their lines and made sure that their sizes adequately address a significant amount of women.)

• Answer:

  Couture clothing designers don't design clothing for regular women, they design clothing for the 2%* *Need to know Statistics: The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds The average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women. Ergo, higher end designers basically design for a small percentage of (very lean) clientele. There is a disconnect in what is being designed by men and women, shown on the runway, manufactured for women, bought (the retail "buys") by men and women, and ultimately, purchased by us. And by the poor sales numbers, we are not getting what we want (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/business/retailers-post-sales-gains-but-discounts-hurt.html).  Retailers had to severely mark down merchandise to move it out, always the sign of bad buys and of course, the recession played a part. Women have been "classified" into four types of body shapes (according to Wikipedia), but years of dressing women tell me you are correct;  atypical is more typical.  So let's start with some fashion fallacies: 1. Pants are easy to find. True, pants are easy to find; they are everywhere.  They are, however, the most difficult piece of clothing to fit.  Especially jeans. In order for pants to look good on you, you have to find the most flattering pair for your body type (http://www.shopyourshape.com/). Make sure they fit at the waist, the hips, the crotch (oftentimes the crotch must be dropped because they're cut so short), the thighs.  Make sure they are well tailored to fit you.  Not only will they look good, they'll feel comfortable. Jeans are a difficult deal; like you, I've tried on lots of pairs (hundreds, even). Now I find a couple of things; first, any price range can work, whether they're $22 Old Navy or $300 Seven For All Mankind, just try them on.  Second, if the women's section doesn't work, try the men's, especially if you have narrow hips.  Sometimes I do this and get the waist nipped in; it's a lot more costly to get the crotch dropped because of the double seam, and the dye is often uneven. If you absolutely have to get custom jeans made, they make good ones: http://www.rogueterritory.com/custom-jeans/ 2. Skirts usually fit off-the-rack. Ehhh....women's bottom half's vary so greatly.  Wide hips/narrow waist, narrow hips/wide waist, wide hips/belly, tiny waist/large buttocks.... If you can find a quality skirt off-the-rack, buy it.  Even in the fanciest stores, we always assumed alterations as part of the business and never charged the customer.  Custom fit is rare. 3. Tailors are plentiful. Yep, and most of them will ruin your clothes. Most cleaners will have an alterations  person on site (or available), or there may be tailors in many areas of your city. A good tailor or seamstress, though, is difficult to find.  And if they are worth their salt they usually charge accordingly.  You can expect your couture, pret-a-porter, or just your regular good clothes to be well-treated and understood. I start by letting them alter a piece of clothing for me; if they do an amazing job, I'll entrust them (her or him, just one specific person and the same one ALWAYS). I'll continue to bring better and more complicated pieces (for example: first pants, then a jacket, then a suit, then a coat, the double faced cashmere, etc.).  It can take a while to earn that trust. A good way to find a couture-level tailor is to ask high-end boutiques who they send their garments to, or any French Laundry in town should have someone they know.  This has been a good intro in a few towns I've moved to. If you need more specific answers, please let me know.