Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with fit

Boot sizin'

little_c — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:54:35 -0800

How do I know if these boots are too small, or just need to stretch? I just bought a pair of knee high leather boots (these ones). They are a size 7, and I usually wear a size 7 or 7.5. Just tried them on (they came in the mail) and they are very tight around all parts of my foot - heel, top of the foot, sides, toes - and a little bit tight around the calf. Almost painfully tight around my foot.

I've never had a pair of real leather boots before. Should I exchange them for the size 7.5, or is this just what leather boots do?

Fitness level for body fat scale

jclovebrew — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:30:29 -0800

My body fat measuring scale requires me to give it parameters: Age, Height, Gender, and Fitness Level (1, 2, or 3). What should I enter for fitness level? The instructions just say something like "enter your fitness level on a scale from 1 to 3". Does anyone have a similar product and have a rule of thumb for this?

Good online workout plans?

internet!Hannah — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:20:09 -0800

I need some recommendations for free online workout programs I can work into my fitness plan! I've let myself go a bit the last year and I'm trying to get myself back in shape. However, I'm horrible at doing things without direction, so I was hoping for some recommendations for good workout plans that I can find online.

Right now I'm working on the 100 pushups program (as well as the 200 situps and 200 squats sister programs) as well as the couch-to-5k plan. These kinds of sites are absolutely perfect for me, all nice and laid out and easy to do without much preparation. Are there any other sites like these I should know about?

I'm mostly interested in finding some sort of mild weight training website, preferably something that could be done with minimal equipment (or, ideally, with a sandbag, since that's what I have on hand currently). I've got some pull-up bars handy, too, and a jumprope. I don't do well in the student gym, though.

For the record, I'm a college-age female, not horribly out of shape though slightly overweight, looking to lose 15 or so pounds and get my sixpack from two years ago back. I don't want to bulk up, though I do want to get toned.

I'd prefer only website recommendations, and free ones since I'm a starving college student, but I'm willing to take alternate suggestions if they are worth it. Thanks in advance!

It was easier being heavier.

esmerelda_jenkins — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:51:44 -0800

I'd like to buy some clothes online, but size charts are leading me astray. Is my measuring tape broken? I am haing a great deal of trouble matching my measurments to the sizes that fit me.

I recently misplaced some poundage; I'm doing okay finding clothes that fit, but I have to go into brick-and-mortar stores to try everything on. This is fine for the moment, but I'd like to be able to order clothes online, and know that I'm at least in the correct ballpark in terms of size.

Here's what's bugging me:
Knowing that sizes are wonky and all across the board from retailer to retailer, I'm just going by my current measurements(40[at the biggest part of my boobs]-32-39). According to the fit charts and sizing guides out there, I should be anywhere from a 12 to a 16, depending on the store and the cut. Now, having passed through 16, 14, 12, and 10 recently, I can tell you that my old clothes literally fall off me now, and when I try on the recommended sizes at the store, I am swimming in them as well.

Example:
I went to the Levi's store after checking their fit chart online, and was prepared to try on some 12s... huge. 10s- too big. 8s (29 waist) fit well-ish at the store, bought two pairs. When I wore them the next day, my co-worker suggested that I should have gotten one size smaller; during the course of the day, said pants expanded until they were basically falling down. I've had the same experience at other stores.

So here's the question(s):
As a small-boned 5'4", 150 pound, 40-32-39 chubby girl with an F/G cup size, how can I possibly be a size 6-8 in pants, and a S/M in shirts? Especially when all the fit charts tell me that I should be in clothes 2-5 sizes bigger? I understand (and don't really mind) the whole vanity-size thing, but shouldn't the fit charts go along with the ruse? Are there any retailers out there whose fit charts/size guides match the actual sizes of their clothes? Am I doing something really wrong measuring-wise? Will I ever be able to online-shop again?

How to fit a bicycle in my Civic?

ninotchka — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:09:39 -0800

Is it possible to fit an ordinary, adult-sized street bicycle into a 2007 Honda Civic? If so, how?

What modifications can a tailor make

ShootTheMoon — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:33:58 -0800

I have never been to a tailor before. What exactly can a tailor do? Extend, chop shorten, etc? What are good prices? I'm a big deal shopper, so my clothes are often purchased on a range of sizes, as I want to get the best deal. I have jeans that are too long, too tight on the waist, too short. Jacket arms that are too short and tight. Shirts that are too big on the shoulder. And about everything in between.

Could a tailor help me with these things? What else can a tailor typically accomplish? What kind of prices should I be looking for?

Tiny wide shoes?

debbie_ann — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:01:47 -0800

Do cute 5.5 wide shoes exist? I have little tiny 5.5 wide feet, and currently own only shoes from SAS. They are extremely comfortable but far from fashionable. Payless also makes my size, but they are too cheap to be worth it. Otherwise, as far as I know, wide shoes start around a 7. I tried buying bigger heels and stuffing the toes with wool, like a ballerina, but found my toes slipping out. I can also occasionally squeeze into a girls 3 (born) as children's shoes run slightly wider.

Is there any place that makes CUTE 5.5 wide shoes? I daydream about colorful heels and trendy ankle boots but would gladly settle for some nice well-fitting maryjanes & loafers.

Finding proper fit in catalog/online shopping

frobozz — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:37:21 -0800

Is there any way to come close to guaranteeing a proper fit when shopping for clothes online/in a catalog? I would like to be able to buy more clothes online - more bargains, more styles, more choice in general than local retailers, etc. Buying pants without first trying them on is usually ok. But nearly every shirt or sweater I've ordered online has been a dismal failure - one retailer's XS seems to be another's M, things blouse out in ways not shown in the photographs, etc. Since finding things that fit me in stores is time-consuming enough (I guess I don't have a very typical body-type), I guess I was optimistic to think sight-unseen shopping could work at all, but I'm wondering if there's any sort of trick or insider knowledge I should know before giving up on online shopping entirely.

My car is an attention whore.

houseofdanie — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:06:08 -0800

This is going to sound ridiculous, I think. I got a Honda Fit Sport in August and since then -- well, especially these last few months, with gas more expensive than ever (!) -- it's been grabbing me a lot of attention. If it's relevant for local etiquette reasons, I'm in the US, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. And the car is black, since "stealth" wasn't available as an option. People honk their horns and make the "roll down your window" gesture, they rap on my window when I'm parked, and they shout across streets and parking lots to ask me about it. This happened three times just today!

I love my car! I think it's great, and half the time, I'm so much more than happy to report on its mileage, exactly how many people and their tons of stuff it'll cart about, and how it'll fit in parking spots the size of an airplane bathroom. I do a nice job representin', I do believe. I love people, too, and it's never a bad idea to make a new friend. However...

The other half of the time, I just don't want to be a Honda spokeswoman. Sometimes I'm having a conversation already on my cell phone. Sometimes I'm preoccupied listening to an audio study guide or a lecture podcast, trying to nail something down before an exam. Sometimes I'm parked there in my pajamas with my hair unattractively piled on top of my head, waiting for my son to come out of somewhere. Sometimes I'm just feeling shy. When I'm by myself and a man wants me to roll down my window, it can make me anxious. I'm not a big snob, I promise. Just sometimes, it's a bad time.

I know there are other Fit owners here. How do you handle this? Are you always gracious and graceful? What do you do when it's seriously not convenient to have a long conversation with a total stranger? I'm sure there are several other types of cars that must garner such attention in these MPG-conscious times. What do folks do?

90 Days Of Pumping Iron

Spurious — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:59:32 -0800

How fit/strong/muscular/healthy can I get in 3 months? For a reason I will not go into, I want to get fit/strong/muscular/healthy etc... by September 4th. Needless to say it is a BIG reason.

I am a 175lb, 20-something male. I have a BMI of 25 (borderline of healthy and overweight). I do not get any exercise currently.

Realistically, if I go to the gym for 1.5-2 hours 4 days a week with 1-2 hours of soft cardio 3 days a week and ate right, just how fit/strong/muscular/healthy could I get in 3 months? (obviously without drugs)

Bonus Filter: Any tips on starting out?

Is It Possible To Create A Wii Fit Workout?

chrisalbon — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:09:57 -0800

Is It Possible To Create A Wii Fit Workout? I just got a Wii Fit and it is definitely fun. However, one annoying thing is that after every activity (like a Yoga Pose) I have to use the menu again to select another activity.

Is it possible to have the Wii Fit automatically start the next activity after the current one finishes?

Ideally I would just like to have a full 30 minute workout by linking a bunch of activities together.

Clothes make the me.

pseudostrabismus — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:13:54 -0800

Suggest a good tailor in Toronto? Looking to get some ladies' clothing altered to fit-
a semi-formal dress taken in, and darts put into women's dress shirts.

Seeking a reasonably-priced tailor in Toronto, ideally on the TTC line.
(although fat lot of good that'd be this week, stupid strike!)
Thanks in advance!

How do I find dress shirts that will fit me and stay tucked in?

jeffderek — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:46:03 -0800

How do I find dress shirts that will fit me and stay tucked in? I'm very much a tshirt and jeans kind of guy, but I work in government and I have to wear dress shirts or sweaters and khakis or dress pants. I've been doing this for a few years now but I'm having trouble looking "good." I buy nice clothes from Banana Republic/Gap etc, but its still not working for me.

I get up and down all the time in my job, and by about noon if I'm wearing a sweater, its several inches above the line of my pants and the undershirt is showing. If I'm wearing a dress shirt, at least part of it is untucked, and the undershirt is entirely untucked and up inside the dress shirt bunched around my stomach.

From the top of wear my pants sit (above my hips) to my armpit is 14 inches. From the top of my pants to the point on the back of my neck is 20 inches. I'm 5'8", 170lbs, and wear medium shirts. I tried a few large shirts but I just end up swimming inside of them.

Do I just have a long Torso? Do I not know how to wear shirts appropriately? Do I need a tighter belt? If I have a long torso, where do I find shirts that will do what I want?

Do I just suck it up?

repoman — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:58:19 -0800

Currently, I am 39 years old. Everybody seems to think I look fit & trim. I do exercise 4-5 times a week with cardio and weights and when I look in the mirror, I am generally pleased. So the question is why, when I let my self completely relax, I still have this gut? Is there some inner muscle I need to be working (my core), or is it a product of age? Do most people walk around subconsiously holding in their stomachs?

Like I said, it is only when I let myself completely relax in a standing position. Potbelly city man! Please tell me this is normal. Thanks.

"professional" jeans for a programmer

amtho — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:37:05 -0800

Calling all jeans experts -- tailored/neat/professional-looking jeans for a guy: custom? tapered leg? brand? other advice? I want to show him off! My delightful man has just worn out three pairs of jeans simultaneously! Oh, golden fashion opportunity! As I write this, he is at the mall, doubtless picking up yet another pair of slightly-baggy Levi's. I'd like to do better.

We are both mid-30s. I read some earlier threads (no pun intended) on jeans here, and based on such advice, we looked at some Diesels and other jeans at Nordstrom. Shouldn't have been surprised to discover that we are Not That Trendy.

Very fashionable jeans are probably out of the question. Even I am not comfortable with the uneven thigh-highlighting fading that seems to be part of all "modern" jeans; he likes the waist essentially at his waist, thank you very much, and boot cut just looks ridiculous to us; none of this would go with the rest of the wardrobe anyway. Still, I'm hoping to achieve subtle fit and quality improvements to this wardrobe staple.

He wears jeans every single day. He works as a programmer, so it's OK, but I think it's reasonable to try for jeans that look more... tailored? fitted? neat? But not too obviously out of line with the general programmer aesthetic.

Sooooooo... With his permission, I'm currently working up some custom jeans on the LandsEnd.com site. Going for the indigo color with the contrasting stitching, though I wish they wouldn't have contrasting stitching. Lighter colors have matching stitching, but I think the dark blue would be good.

He wanted the fifth "coin" pocket. Fine.

He wants straight leg rather than tapered. I can kind of understand this; I found an earlier AskMe thread that indicated that tapered was out. But based on a few images I've seen, straight leg looks baggy and sloppy to me, and he's a skinny guy! We usually get 31" waist and 32" inseam.

Other info: He's also become a recent CrossFit.com addict, and his thighs, while generally skinny (though he's always been fit), seem to be getting bigger.

He pretty much refuses to consider wearing other types of pants (especially khakis). Maybe corduroys sometime. But we're focusing on jeans now.

Can anyone recommend jeans that fit well and look "professional" [I'm hoping you can infer the actual meaning of "professional" from the above description]. Interested in your color recommendations, brands, style details (straight vs. tapered), and so forth.

If you think this is not achievable, I'd be interested in one or two comments to that effect, but I'd still like to do the best we can.

Fitting vintage dresses

ch1x0r — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:00:05 -0800

Two questions about wearing vintage dresses: 1) How the hell do I deal with the zipper by myself? and 2) What does a small-chested woman do in a dress cut for someone wearing a bullet bra? On a whim I've bought a few vintage dresses, mostly from the 50s. Now that I have them, I need to make them wearable. The biggest problem, even for those that fit perfectly, is the zipper. Am I really supposed to always have someone around to help me get in and out of the dress? If not, is there some sort of contraption I can buy or create out of say, a paperclip that I can use to zip and unzip myself?
For the dresses that don't fit, the problem is always in the chest. I am small-chested, and even with my most outrageously cup-size-enhancing bra, I am not going to fill out a dress cut for someone wearing a bullet bra. Should I just give up and get them altered? Any other suggestions for making them wear better without alteration? Is this at least an easy alteration to have done? My current experience with alteration is basically limited to pant hems.

Does the Fit fit?

4ster — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:00:55 -0800

I am thinking of buying a Honda Fit, and I'm afraid I'm making a mistake. I am thinking about buying a new car. Currently, I own a 1999 Ford Escort with 125,000 miles on it that runs fine. My wife has a 2003 Ford Windstar that has about 92,000 (but only 50K on the transmission because it had to be replaced). We also have an elementary-aged child, and may adopt another in the future.

The Fit seems perfect. It is small and relatively inexpensive for a Honda. It has all that cool flippy seat stuff for creating room, and it has a hatchback, which I love.

The best out-the-door price (sans trade-in) I have been able to negotiate (online) is around $17,200. There are no incentives. Everyone (at least in central VA) is selling them at or slightly over MSRP because they can.

Here is the crux of my question:

1. I really hate the idea of buying a new car. I usually buy used, but of course, the last time, I got a lemon with a bad transmission (the one time I don't get the extended warranty).

2. I'm 6 feet tall. The Fit has much more room than the Escort, but its still a subcompact. I'm in my car a lot (alone) at work (I'm a pastor). Yet we need a car that the whole family can be comfy in, so we don't put all the miles on her car. I have driven the Fit, and for one person, it feels fine. I am just not sure about 3 or 4 in it at once.

3. At $17,000, I most likely can't afford an extended warranty, so I would really be trusting that Honda reliability.

What do you think? Am I getting to little car for that money? Fits sound so great, and get fantastic reviews, fly of dealers lots, and they start under $14,000, but they sure don't end there.

I hate buying cars, so any advice is appreciated.

No Thanks, I Don't Want Short Shorts

rossination — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:59:45 -0800

Need help finding non-short shorts for tall guys. I am 6' 4" with long legs -- I wear a 38x34 -- 40x36 (depending on the brand or time of day... I haven't measured myself lately). With the unreasonably hot weather in Seattle these past few weeks, I have found myself in need of a pair of shorts.

I want to get some casual-looking shorts like these, but I'm having a hard time finding any that are long enough, as they're always sold by the waist size and nothing else. In the past, I have gotten overly large shorts (42s, for instance) to get something with more length, and worn them with a belt. This looks pretty terrible.

Really, I'm looking for something that, when I'm standing up, will hit at my knee -- not above it. I'm not a real skinny guy either, so short shorts look especially goofy with my rather stocky legs.

So far I have tried: American Eagle (too short, also I didn't really like the designs and going inside the store makes me throw up) and Gap (too short). Anyone have any suggestions for places I might look? I just don't want, you know, these.

Dizzy Kitty

ottereroticist — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:04:58 -0800

Strange Cat Behavior Filter: My beloved old cat had what looked like a transient dizzy spell last night. What could have caused it? Last night my 14-year-old cat was sitting peacefully on the couch with me, when he suddenly started circling his head as though he was following a fly. I thought that's all it was, until he tried to get up and was weaving and lurching all over the place.

He wasn't jerking or spasming; instead, it looked like he was dizzy and couldn't get his balance. When I put my hands on him he was still, but then started moving in that weird way again. He seemed distressed but not in pain. Pupils were equal size, somewhat dilated.

He got up from the couch and wobbled toward the stairs, which he climbed with some unsteadiness. By the time he got to the top his movements were returning to normal. Total time elapsed was maybe five minutes. He's seemed fine ever since: eating and drinking normally, no other weird spells.

He's in excellent health except for hyperthyroid and a little bit of kidney trouble, for which he has been recently seen by a vet. Yes, I will take him to the vet if anything else funny happens.

Have you ever seen anything like this, or can you think what might have caused it?

Online Shoe Purchase, Help

MNDZ — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 10:37:34 -0800

I am considering the online purchase of some Le Coq Sportif shoes. Undortunately there is no where in Santa Fe where i can try some on first, so I can find my size. For instance, I wear an 11 in new balances but a 10 in mephistos. Are there any websites that compare shoe fit by brand? Or does anyone have info on the fit of Le Coq Sportif? thanks

Where can I find an comfortable alternative to New Balance sneakers?

jason's_planet — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 09:15:10 -0800

Where can I find wide-width casual shoes in New York? I'm looking for alternatives to New Balance. My best-fitting pair of shoes at the moment is a 9.5/4E pair of New Balance sneaks. I love the fit of New Balance. I do not love the style of New Balance. I think their shoes are a little dowdy and dorky-lookin', to be perfectly frank with you. I'd like to find an alternative to that brand that is equally comfortable but more stylin'.

Sooooo . . . can anyone recommend a store or manufacturer that I can rely on to provide wide-width sneakers that are both comfortable and stylish? Or wide-width shoes in general, such as I would wear at the office?

Why is my shoe rolling off?

Marky — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 21:01:56 -0800

My shoe is rolling off... I'm having a problem with one pair of shoes. The right shoe is always trying to roll inward, so I'm walking on the right edge. I haven't had this problem with other shoes. They are a nice pair of New Balance, only about six months old. It's kind of a pain to have to kick the instep every few minutes, is there a fix? I really don't want to trash them.

How to find 'short' arch supports?

Wild_Eep — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 08:45:13 -0800

Where can I find arch supports for running shoes which *don't* extend back to the heel? I've looked at WalMart, Target, and 3 shoe stores. None had what I was looking for. I found many variations on a design which includes a portion which lives under the heel. When I tried them, my heel would slide out of the shoe. (I'm abnormally picky about shoe/heel fit.)

I remember 15 years ago I bought some nike running shoes which came with red foam inserts and some double-sided tape. They were sort-of teardrop shape and fit directly under the insole. The shoes I've seen recently don't include anything of the sort, no matter the brand.

For my last pair of sneakers, I resorted to trial and error, building my own out of some craft foam.

I'd prefer a retail store, but I'm willing to consider buying online.

Pants for pear shapes?

initapplette — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 10:16:34 -0800

Pants for pear shapes? [more inside] I'm size 12/14, pear shaped (heavier in the hips and thighs than in the waist) and looking for any style of pants (jeans, casual,dress, etc.) and/or shorts that fit well. For far too long I've put up with crotch sag from pants made for apple shapes (heavier around the middle). My ideal would be something that sits just below the belly button, is slightly larger in the thighs but not baggy, and that has a close but not tight fit. I'm in the Boston area but will happily shop online.

Athletic Shoes

@homer — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 19:22:28 -0800

I wear a 13 6E in whatever goofy sizing New Balance uses. I need something wider and I can't find anything out there. Does anyone make anything above a 6E width or am I screwed? Would moving up to a 14 6E give me some extra width?