to be embarrassed to go shopping with boyfriend

[TooFatTooShop]

I'm slightly fat (just edged into 'overweight on NHS BMI chart). My boyfriend is convinced he wants to take me dress shopping because I love dresses. A nice gesture I know, but the thought of trying on dresses with him around makes me feel sick to my stomach. I'm not obese by any stretch of the imagination but I know his exes were stick thin (like, size 6).

How on earth do I tell him I don't want to go dress shopping with him, without sounding like a bitch?

How do I word this without him digging deeper?

He found a lovely dress that would really suit me and it's really nice BUT the discomfort involved in trying it on in the shop with him around outweighs the pleasure I'd get from the lovely dress.

Presumably he knows what shape you are? Then he doesn't care about labels and that's a good example.

But what a dull way to spend time....

Agghh, poor bloke, he has probably picked up the fact that the OP is a bit sensitive about being overweight and come up with a plan so that he can show her that he thinks she is lovely. It's pretty impressive that he has chosen a dress that the OP say she likes and would suit her.
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I'm a bit*  at all the comments saying its a weird and suspect thing to do.

Agree with this. FFS give the guy a break. I pick out clothes all the time for my BF and tell him he'd look nice in them. Shock horror - sometimes I even buy him clothes I think he'd look good in for my own enjoyment

"Most blokes wouldn't even know the significance of an Evans label."

This ^^

I have never met any man who is interested in clothes shopping. I often see bored looking men with their partners in Meadowhall waiting outside changing rooms. OH hates clothes shopping, but being the shape he is he needs to try clothes on. Mail order is a waste of time for him because everything ends up being sent back. After visiting two or three shops he hits the boredom wall and wants to go home.

Hidden yes I would see that as controlling too - what Bubs said.

Hidden yes I would see that as controlling too

TBH I agree! I find it a bit weird when women choose their partners clothes. I think it can be controlling too. I wouldn't dream of dressing my DH even though I don't much like his choice of clothing .

I don't see the problem or understand how people jump to he must be controlling.

I often go shopping with dh because he has very good taste and often picks things I wouldn't have the confidence to choose on my own.

Remember that his EXES were stick thin. Maybe that's why he's with you. Maybe he likes you as you are!

I have been with my DH for years and can honestly say, he has never once suggested dress shopping! Seems weird to me.

I don't think u can judge until u have seen the dress???
Also, I hate trying dresses on, feel claustrophobic in the changing rooms and hate seeing my body so close in the mirror. Why don't u just say the same? X

If it helps I get where you are coming from. I didn't want to admit that post pregnancy I had gone up a trouser size (although was larger than I suspect you are!) And he would pick put clothes in sale/buy for my birthday in wrong size. I would swap them but was embarrassed. I've now got back down and am pregnant again and it's probably less of a big deal this time round but I understand how you feel. Could you go and try it on before going shopping with him? Might give you more confidence to go back with him (he obviously doesn't need to know) is just what I would do...! X

He obviously likes you as you are, and thinks that you would look great in the dress. As other people have said he is with you now.

If it is something you think you would enjoy doing more if you were a bit slimmer, you could perhaps use that as motivation to lose some weight.

He's not with his ex he is with you. I'm not sure many men would really know what a woman's dress size meant anyway or actually care as they can see what you look like. But you don't have to go shopping with him if you don't want to so just say you prefer to shop alone or online.

Has it occurred to you that he may prefer women your size those who are size 6? And I say that as some one who buys a size 6.