On Jul 7, reerich136 wrote:

Hi Lee-Anne,

I'd like to know why all clothes are so short (tops). They do not suit every body it's so hard to buy clothes these days! I'm not that old, well I don't feel old but I don't want to dress like a 13 year old. Is the world running out of material? Or is it that it's cheaper for them to make?

I feel your pain, honestly I do. I'm forever tugging my singlet or tees down over my jeans in an effort to cover the dreaded muffin top - which is another story in itself. But to answer your question - no there is not a shortage of material in the world it is simply a direct result of the low-rise waist. While waist-bands dropped for a few years there, shirts didn't appear to lengthen in proportion to the new trend. This then coined a whole new term - "the muffin top" - where women's love handles, or those extra fleshy bits around the waist, spilled over the top of the waist-band.

It's not a great look unless you are 18 years old and a size 8 and even then it can look a bit try-hard, but it's even worse in winter when you want to keep warm.

Thankfully, waistlines are on the rise again so the problem should be eliminated and once again we should be able to tuck our shirts into our trousers with ease, and finally breathe out! But until you manage to get the higher waist-line happening, there are a few labels that have considered that not everyone has a shortened torso or wants to bare their mid section.

Basque at Myer is not only great for prices they also fit real women and take into consideration real bodies, so you should find their tops are longer and a bit more fitted. Sussan's shirts are generous, well priced and made from generally good quality fabrics - which is also a consideration as there is definitely a lot of shrinkage in the cheaper fabrics. Witchery also tends to be a bit longer in the cut of their shirts.

Steer clear of the younger stores and the really cheap and cheery "Made in China" shops that you find popping up everywhere these days. Because they literally tend to be "Made in China", the sizing is teeny weeny like themselves - so it stands to reason they will be smaller.

However if you currently have a few tops that are too good to throw out but too small to wear buy a stretch snug-fit singlet - you'll find them in all good lingerie departments or stores - and pop them underneath. They look great layered and you can get them in contrasting colours or in flesh, white and black. Actually you'll probably find these indispensable so they are well worth the purchase price.

Until next time!

Lee-Anne