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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Being told that as a size 18 I can’t wear certain clothes

546 replies

isaidmaybeyoure · 06/07/2026 11:09

I do appreciate that when posting canvassing for opinions on outfits etc., you will get all sorts of responses.

But I have been told a few times now that as a size 18, I should cover up and not expose too much skin, basically purely because of my size.

AIBU to think this isn’t okay? I have as much a right to get my shoulders out as any other size!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
NightsUnderPinkSkies · 06/07/2026 12:14

isaidmaybeyoure · 06/07/2026 12:11

“Which dress is suitable for a wedding?”

”you can’t wear a halterneck because you’re a size 18. Too much flesh”

But that is their opinion. You do understand you can still actually wear the halterneck if you want to right despite username123 saying you can’t, right?

Why are you taking random peoples opinions so seriously and personally?

JacquesHarlow · 06/07/2026 12:14

I am slightly uncomfortable with saying this, because I realise there's a lot of emotions around weight:

NO ONE should be made to feel ashamed about their body or weight.

However, there's a fascinating militant movement on Mumsnet of people who are above average BMI, who want to shout to everyone that they are fabulous and that any criticism of anything is pig ignorance, despite them starting a topic inviting people to critique a look, outfit, or even asking for advice about their weight.

I think the body positive movement is fantastic in terms of self esteem. I have of course however fallen foul many a time in my workplace, in so called 'friendship' groups, of people who believe that a tall woman in their mid-40s who runs every week shouldn't be a healthy size 10 , that I "need meat on my bones", that I "need to eat a burger", that "aren't you the lucky one" etc

Many people who self proclaim as size 12 to 20 on here do not countenance any feedback whatsoever, and are so very quick to verbally slap anyone down who wants to talk objectively.

Its why I completely steer clear of any discussions about weight any more. I realise of course that I am now in the "undesirable" camp, but it fascinates me how the sightlines have changes, we can't see anything the same way any more and it has to be a collective rejection of former aesthetics.

TheBrunswick · 06/07/2026 12:14

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:13

I can handle it, it doesn’t upset me.

I think it’s tacky, gross, unstylish, vulgar.

Are you Queen Victoria?

isaidmaybeyoure · 06/07/2026 12:13

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:13

I can handle it, it doesn’t upset me.

I think it’s tacky, gross, unstylish, vulgar.

Can I just check, is this all shoulders? Or just some?

OP posts:
Darragon · 06/07/2026 12:13

ehb102 · 06/07/2026 11:44

I'm a size 26 and have analysed this kind of thing. The trouble is that a large amount of visible flesh on a woman is viewed as an obscenity. My arms pre surgery were the size of some women's torsos - I have lipoedema. To say I am disgusting and should be covered up is a type of ableism. Bodies are different. Women with large bodies deserve to be comfortable too.

I thought lipoedema only affected thighs and bum? That’s what posters were saying in a thread a few days ago raising awareness of the condition.

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:13

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 06/07/2026 12:10

If you can’t handle seeing someone shoulders that’s a you problem and you should just stay home in case someone has their arms out and it upsets you

I can handle it, it doesn’t upset me.

I think it’s tacky, gross, unstylish, vulgar.

HiZev · 06/07/2026 12:12

I don't really understand why anyone would seek fashion advice on here really.

My huge revelation (which didn't happen until my 40s) was to completely reject the idea of flattering (when used to mean making you look smaller). I dress in a much more interesting and stylish way now I've finally trained myself out of the message I've received all my life about shrinking myself. I'm not overweight but I'm very short and basically always look quite stocky especially as I lift weights. I've stopped fighting my body on this.

I love how the young women in my office dress with little regard to trying to look slimmer.

isaidmaybeyoure · 06/07/2026 12:11

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:07

This thread is ridiculous.

’ I asked for opinions and got some I didn’t want to hear! ‘

’ ignore them!’

for the record, I don’t want to see masses of flesh on display unless I’ve consented.

“Which dress is suitable for a wedding?”

”you can’t wear a halterneck because you’re a size 18. Too much flesh”

OP posts:
Deepstone · 06/07/2026 12:10

The thing that always puts me off the idea of halternecks is how to manage a bra with them.

But if you’ve got yourself a solution for that, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t wear one.

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 06/07/2026 12:10

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:07

This thread is ridiculous.

’ I asked for opinions and got some I didn’t want to hear! ‘

’ ignore them!’

for the record, I don’t want to see masses of flesh on display unless I’ve consented.

If you can’t handle seeing someone shoulders that’s a you problem and you should just stay home in case someone has their arms out and it upsets you

Paramaribo2025 · 06/07/2026 12:09

Wear whatever you want.

Please ignore the fashion nazis.

Hotandpointy · 06/07/2026 12:08

With the heat we’ve been having, I say, just be grateful I’m wearing any clothes at all!
I’m a size 18 and I’m living in shorts and vest tops, I have fat arms but they’d still be fat if I put a cardigan on. 🤷🏻‍♀️

5128gap · 06/07/2026 12:08

You've been told this on MN? I'm surprised tbh as by far the most commonly expressed view is wear what you like, that larger bodies are nothing to be ashamed of and that slim doesn't equal attractive. Sometimes on S&B people specifically ask for covering clothes, floaty, sleeves etc, and sometimes people say THEY as a larger woman prefer to cover up. But I've genuinely not seen anyone advising another woman they 'should' on here.
Not quite as Liberal when it comes to older woman unfortunately, but that's another matter.

BroadGLoser · 06/07/2026 12:07

This thread is ridiculous.

’ I asked for opinions and got some I didn’t want to hear! ‘

’ ignore them!’

for the record, I don’t want to see masses of flesh on display unless I’ve consented.

Boiledbeetle · 06/07/2026 12:06

randomchap · 06/07/2026 11:14

Wear what you want.

Unless it's crocs, they can bugger off

😱

I look very stylish in my Crocs!

Being told that as a size 18 I can’t wear certain clothes
Being told that as a size 18 I can’t wear certain clothes
Bridesmaidorexfriend · 06/07/2026 12:06

Honestly I wouldn’t bother posting about something related to weight on mumsnet. People take absolute joy in telling you how much they hate fat people and how disgusting they look. Anonymous forums really bring out the worst in people

isaidmaybeyoure · 06/07/2026 12:05

Seeline · 06/07/2026 11:59

To be fair, the OP asked which style of dress was suitable for the occasion she was going to. She didn't mention her size. Another poster decided that her size was relevant. I don't think it is. The OP had already made her decision on the options - she was happy wearing either.

Yeah this is also true. I didn’t mention my size till someone made a horrid comment about the model.

OP posts:
DaisyChain505 · 06/07/2026 12:04

People will say that you shouldn’t wear a certain length of skirt if you have long legs.

People will say that you shouldn’t wear a certain type of top if you have a big boobs.

and the same goes for if you have a larger frame all round. Some items of clothing just won’t flatter your figure as much as others.

NightsUnderPinkSkies · 06/07/2026 12:04

You are asking for opinions and then moaning about getting opinions. 🙄

Either don’t ask for opinions or learn to ignore ones you don’t like.

Personally I think excess fat looks unattractive, no one looks good with it, but your purpose in life isn’t to look good for random people, so wear whatever you like. People will have thoughts and opinions, you can’t change that.

SwanRivers · 06/07/2026 12:04

Having read the other thread now, I can see that you received a very small amount of opinions that were along the lines of a halter neck wouldn't suit you because you're overweight.

It's not an opinion I share, but if you're going to involve internet strangers in your clothing choices, you won't like every opinion shared.

If you're happy with whichever dress you choose, that's all that matters.

KrazyKatty · 06/07/2026 12:03

Anyone with any understanding of clothes knows it’s body shape that relevant, not size!

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 06/07/2026 12:00

innominate · 06/07/2026 11:31

@isaidmaybeyoure can you post the picture of you in the halter neck and we’ll give you honest opinions?

Why on earth would she want that? If I ask do you like this dress I’m not asking for you to critique my body. Just say if you like the dress on not

Seeline · 06/07/2026 11:59

To be fair, the OP asked which style of dress was suitable for the occasion she was going to. She didn't mention her size. Another poster decided that her size was relevant. I don't think it is. The OP had already made her decision on the options - she was happy wearing either.

dudsville · 06/07/2026 11:59

I think the key to internet use is to minimise emotional engagement with strangers who have been hurtful.

mondaytosunday · 06/07/2026 11:59

There are clothes that don’t suit a size 10. In fact my very slim and fit friend was wearing a sleeveless dress and I thought her arms looked too scrawny (we are in our 60s). But so what?
I won’t wear sleeveless tops as I don’t like how my arms look. But do I have the ‘right’ to wear them? Sure. No one should police what others wear (except for decency - a city or town is not the place for beach wear). But if you ask ‘do I look good in this’ then you are inviting comment, and some may tell you what they don’t find attractive- and this is true for super skinny people like the Osbournes.

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