To think when you're fat you can't just 'chuck' clothes on?

[mumukahoney]

In the last year I have gained 3 1/2 stone, mainly due to a chronic health condition, bereavement and the resulting emotional eating.
I am desperately trying to lose it and also be kind to myself as to the reasons why I've gained it. So far I've lost half a stone through better eating (exercise is limited due to health condition.)
My DS is unwell so this morning so I had to take him for an early morning appointment. I quickly threw some clothes on (thinking I looked ok) but then caught sight of myself in the doctors window and I looked AWFUL.
Now I don't have huge self-esteem issues, I have a pretty face and a DH who isn't bothered by my side but I just looked terrible. I can make myself look nice with good clothes, make up, hair etc but when I was slim I could still look nice just throwing some clothes on.
Maybe it's just me but now I'm fat (and I am fat 3 1/2 stone on a 5ft 1 frame is a lot) I have to have time to look even good.
So AIBU to think you can look nice being fat but you have to have time to put yourself together well?!

Im v big and wear t shirt and jeans. Not really sure what else to wear to be honest.

I know it looks rubbish :(

I know what you mean.

2-3 years ago I [through similar reasons as yours] put on about 4 1/2 stone, I have since managed to lose most of the extra weight, but I noticed the same thing with dressing.

One of the things for me was, because it had been a fairly sudden timespan for the weight gain [4-6 months] I just didn't have many bigger sized clothes, I didn't want to buy loads of bigger clothes, mainly because of the expense, but also because I refused to accept that I would always be that size! so I had a limited pool of clothes I could wear. It became more about wearing what would fit, than what would look good.

'Clean eating' helped me lose the weight too [not that I knew of that term!] I just cut out as much processed food as possible and ate as much veg as I could instead of things like pasta, rice and bread. Lots of lean meat and fish too. It wasn't that time consuming to cook that way either, as I usually grilled the meat/fish and veg doesn't take long to cook anyway.

I lost 3 1/2 stone doing that and can now wear most of my old clothes again

Keep at it, you will get there.

YANBU. It'a probably partly age too, but definitely when I am slim it's very easy to throw things on and look a lot better than I do now at a couple of sizes bigger. It's proving to be good motivation at the moment, especially as winter approaches.

Yes, it is possible to buy better clothes for bigger sizes, but I previously got very overweight buying bigger clothes. Refusing to do it can force you to maintain or lose small amounts of weight before you get to 5 sizes bigger without noticing.

I@m fatter than I've ever been due to a health condition and I agree. I even can't be bothered to buy clothes because I'll just look rubbish in them. I've been dieting/exercising for a year now and put on weight! It seems that there is a medical reason but YADNBU!

I think there are bigger women who look amazing, but, as you say it takes time and effort to achieve that. A skinny waif is always going to look better in the clothes because they will hang better, not come up/down bunch bulge or anything else.

YANBU. I've gained a fair bit of weight over the past year or two and it is definitely harder to look halfway decent.

Though I agree with Sugar that it's partly about being fatter but partly (possibly mostly) about not having the right clothes.

I have a whole wardrobe of clothes for my old size - I am reluctant to go out and buy new clothes in a size or two bigger as I am still hoping to lose the weight (currently pg so not for a while!) so I carry on trying to make the old clothes look good which is never going to work is it

Can i just mention ASOS Curve and Very's So Fabulous range are the best I have found at being fashionable and well designed for bigger women but also not being ridiculously expensive (hello Simply B!).

I was a tall size 10 until my second baby age 40 where I've stuck at an unshiftable size 14-16 dress and 12 top.

I have learnt that a Boden or Joules dress, with a cropped 3/4 sleeve cardigan, and some pretty sandals, is sufficient for now until I lose weight.

That combo accentuates my slimmest bits (forearms and lower legs) and those dresses just seem to be cut right to fit my shape (pear rapidly morphing into apple).

Everything else just makes me feel fat.

Tbh, I am overweight and just throw things on. I prob look like shite most of the time!

I only own two categories of clothes, work clothes (tops, trousers) and normal clothes (jeans, t-shirts). I just chuck on a combo from the "work" or the "normal", depending whether I am going to work or not that day!

Although it is slightly lacking imagination it makes my life easier. As long as I have showered, washed my hair, cleaned my teeth and my clothes are clean, it will do!

Yup Ive never worn make up so cant compensate that way....

mumukahoney sorry, just saw your response to me. I did MFP and 5:2 but ate full fat throughout so I lost the six stones slowly but consistently. The key thing was discipline: don't give up, just keep going. I never gave up once. My appetite is much reduced now so I physically cannot overheat anymore so the six stones have stayed off. Good luck.

MrsFlorrick hello! I'm fine :) Now all the excess weight's gone, I'm onto new challenges - reading more quality fiction. So you're more likely to see me in the Adult Fiction section, especially the 50 books a year thread.

Bssh. My DC are still too young for me to have time for reading anything quality. The closest I get is a quick skim through The Times.

Glad to hear you're doing well. X

When I lost a lot if weight I used to feel really excited getting dressed each day.
Then I put some on and felt like a bag of old clothes.
I do think you need to spend more if you are bigger. Nicer fabrics and well cut clothes are more forgiving.
I've lost a bit lately due to being ill and I felt really chipper getting dressed today. I've not gone down a size but everything just hangs nicely and there's less bumps.

Oh yes, MrsF, I remember the tiredness well. I only have one DC and she's six now and just doesn't demand much from me these days, pretty contented to do her own thing, so once she's in bed by 7.30 I have the energy still to read all evening. Your time will come :)

I don't really get this. What clothes look good just thrown on anyone?
It's more about shape imo. Whether slim or big I look bad in a t shirt and skinny jeans because I'm very pear shaped. I see differently shaped big women wearing it and it suits them.
I think you are being silly op, dress for your shape and don't hate your body.

I'm a bit of a chucker on of clothes, and fat, and rarely look great. I rarely look awful either though, but I do lay my clothes out the night before, even the jeans and t-shirt combos for days plodding round the house (like today). I personally differ from a PP who said nothing 'fitted'. Fitted clothes work far better for me than looser stuff. We're all different, of course.

Anyway, I'm 13.5lbs lighter today than I was 7 weeks ago, thanks to Slimming World. A very agreeable option, for me. Just wanted to mention it.

itsbetterthanabox I don't hate my body but I don't like it because it's not my natural shape - I've got this way by eating too much and taking meds from being unwell I'm trying my best to undo all that. I am also pretty unhealthy at this weight.

I do dress for my current shape but it takes thought, which is why I said I can't just chuck clothes on anymore, as I could when I was a 10/12.

Cheese Congrats I'm looking forward to losing at stone

a stone not at!

Are you me OP? All you stylish vipers out there ... What looks good if you're short and plump?

OP - I think the sorts of clothes you are trying to just 'chuck on' are the problem, jeans, past about the age of 30, regardless of body shape, are hard to just chuck on with a top and look ok. They are actually an 'effort' item of clothing. You are still thinking about 'low effort' clothing for your old body shape and age.

Perhaps look for jersey dresses and thick tights. that requires no effort. (something like this )

Once you've got a new idea of what 'low effort but ok' dressing is, then having that in your wardrobe is easier.

marywestcott Thank you that dress is nice. I do have a few jersey dresses but they seem to cling in the wrong places and also a couple of them have a v neck which make me look too 'booby'
That does look like it would fit quite well though.
I think I probably do need an overhaul of my wardrobe, which is probably an element of it, but loathe to buy new clothes when I am hoping to lose weight!

Sorry got your name wrong

Shape and weight are different. You haven't changed shape the shape is just bigger now. Your still apple or hourglass or pear so dress accordingly whatever size it'll look good.
This thread isn't about health so not sure why that's relevant.

itsbetterthanabox I didn't realise there were strict guidelines as to what could and couldn't be discussed on a thread.
The reason I mentioned it was that you talked about 'hating' my body, as I said, I don't hate it but being this size does make me dislike it and that's not just vanity, a lot of it is to do with health too - hence the current weight loss push.