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

So why ask for them, then?
Why go on an Internet forum and seek the opinions of others?

The bottom line is those posters told her what their opinions were because she asked for them.

They're not her friends, they're people who have no reason to lie.

I'm a size 14
I have big boobs
I won't wear a halterneck because they make them look even bigger than they are.

"Opinions are like ar*oles - everyone has one and they stink'.

Dear @isaidmaybeyoure - wear what makes you happy and sod everyone else ❤️

Opinions were sought and given.
What is the problem?

Nobody is saying she can't wear the dress.
Nobody's going to arrest her for it.
Nobody is giving her unsolicited advice.

I would not dream of going up to a size 20 woman wearing a skintight dress and saying 'God that dress doesn't suit you',
It would be rude.
But if she says, 'does this suit me?' and wants my genuine opinion I'm going to say no it does not.

The OP needs to get a grip.

OMG whoever said that isn't a friend! Wear what you want babe

I read it.

The OP had two dress choices, then added a third (the brown halter).

One poster said:

· 05/07/2026 13:01
Dress 2 is awful. The whole fit of it is just wrong although maybe that is the model as she looks very overweight and it just doesn’t suit her figure at all.
Dress 1 and the brown dress are ok, but I’d keep looking if I was you.

The OP said:

She’s a size 18 (the same as me!), she hardly looks very overweight, she looks gorgeous!

There was some back and forth about that comment about the model. Someone asked the OP what size she was, as sizes 4-14 were sold out in the brown halter. The OP said again that she was an 18. Someone then posted this:

· 05/07/2026 21:15
Now I’ve seen you’re a size 18, dress 1 would also be unsuitable. Too much flesh on show.

I was a size 12 for years then I had a c-section a couple of years ago, that and breastfeeding which makes me retain weight means I haven't lost any weight so I'm now a size 16, I still wear clothes I like and I'm comfortable in just in a bigger size I actually bought another top that I had when I was a size 12 in a bigger size because I like it so much and I don't care what anyone thinks, I don't think I look massively overweight just a bit chubby round the middle but I'm not bothered.

As long as it's not leggings 🤢 sorry but they look horrible on most people I'm a size10 and even I won't wear them they just show all the lumps that nobody wants to see

And I very much doubt on mumsnet either

I agree.
Why ask the opinions of others?
Because then you're inviting comments about how you look.

Which is a different thing entirely.

Best wear what you like, what you feel comfortable in, and what makes you feel good.

Over the years my weight has changed a lot, and obviously my age, and I just try to dress how I feel best for me. I’m slim enough to wear certain clothes - but I don’t because I’m not toned, my skin has naturally lost its youth, and I don’t want to look like mutton dressed as lamb.

Nothing to do with anyone else though - especially on a forum.

Nobody literally thinks that somebody else can't wear certain clothing, though.
There's no literal fashion police. 😁

The question should have been along the lines will I look OK from an aesthetic viewpoint?

I actually think the OP framed it in such a way that nobody would disagree because of course she can wear what she wants. That's not the point, though.

Sorry, unless a person is slim and toned that skintight dress is probably not going to look good.

Just trying to be real here.

This is not the same as saying that a size 20 person can't wear it!!

She's not really asking if she can wear certain stuff, is she? She's asking will. I look good and I can't lie: unless somebody is slim and toned with no bulges certain items are not going to look too good on them.

So no one in real life then?

So the thread gallery has me baffled.
Why had mumsnet started doing this, instead of leaving the pictures posted where they are with the thread??

If the item of clothing comes in that size then that means it was made to be worn. How ridiculous that anyone should think a size 18 can’t wear a size 18 dress! YANBU!!

It's not really the question to ask, though is it?
I mean of course you can wear whatever you want.
I'm not going to say you can't nor is anybody else!

The question really should be will I look OK in it.

To be fair not many people look good in skintight clothing for example.

YABU.

Very.

I’d love to have actually seen this thread imploring the op to cover up because she’s a size 18. Did anyone actually see it? Can’t they link?

Wear what you want!

Wear whatever you want and screw those who say you should do XXX because of your size

But that clearly and evidently not the consensus on this thread. The overwhelming majority have said wear what you wish and over weight doesn’t mean you can’t look lovely.

writing it’s the consensus does not make it so, we can all read the thread.

I don't think it's disgusting. Truly.

There are actually people who find nastiness a lot more unattractive.

I have friends who have battled with similar issues and I just see someone who is human with issues - like we all have.

Totally agree. I have lipoedema too so even at my size 6-8 skinniest I already had proportionally larger arms and legs. I’m now a size 16 with arms and legs at least a size bigger that I am incredibly self conscious about showing as society’s concensus ( as I’m also witnessing in this group) is that it’s disgusting to look at and should be covered. I hate the summer as I can never dress comfortably for the heat. Added to that it’s hard to find flattering clothes that fit both my arms and legs and my smaller, torso.

😂 I definitely think everyone is too hot to care in this heat! I started by wearing shorts to places where I knew I wouldn’t bump into anyone I knew - maybe worth a go? 😊

This is such a lovely uplifting message - thank you xx

Pleased you found your confidence too!!

It’s daft, I don’t pay attention to others really, so really I know people wouldn’t to me in a critical way either. Just years of being in your own head. The heat wave definitely made me care less, but beyond my legs I think people would more likely have noticed my sweat slicked hair stuck to my face that week 😂

I hope you manage to build your confidence up PloddingAlong21. I bet that you have always looked a lot lovelier than you thought. Congrats on the weight loss 😊

You could always pick a time to wear shorts when it’s for a short time and somewhere you won’t feel as self conscious, and build from there?

I’m wearing shorts this year for the first time in over a decade and it feels so cool and lovely! I struggled massively with my confidence but finally realised that no one else really notices or cares! My confidence has grown as the world didn’t end and no one pointed and laughed at me in my shorts. I really hope that you can start to feel more confident too xx