Fat and fabulous

[highchairhell]

So I am fat. I like food too much to lose weight and after spending years of my life worrying about my waistline, I've had enough.

I want to look good this summer and see fabulous fat women all the time ... what is the secret to looking fat and fabulous?! Aibu to think that you can still look brilliant at 18 stone?! I just want fashion tips please, not judgement or weight loss advice! Thanks

highchairhell sorry if I missed it- did you manage to source some lovely clothes you will feel fabulous in?

My DM was anorexic and has osteoporosis and lots of health problems as a consequence. Mil (size 16) is very active and in great health, and she's 5 years older than DM. My (very thin) DM costs the NHS miles more than obese mil.
As saucy jack said, you are what you are. I'm also a size 16 btw.

So getting back to the clothes....

Op, there is a facebook group called Fuller Figure Fuller Wardrobe where people have lots of great recommendations. They also sell on clothes there. I'd highly recommend it. There are two women on there - Leanda and Dawn who look absolutely incredible in particular, if you want some inspiration. They post quite regularly including about things like shapewear. They are my style icons and I say that as a slimmish woman.

Also get on Instagram for lots of advice and how to be confident as a bigger woman too.

Also, the website Eat like a Normal Person has helped me a lot in stepping away from diet culture. It's always worth a read for anyone hovering who is stuck in a cycle of restricting and binging.

I haven’t been 18 stone but looking at pictures of people who are, I don’t think they’d have difficulty wiping their arse unless extremely short?? I think that’s a misrepresentation. I think Georgina Horne is 17 stone and 5’7 and she looks pretty fabulous. She posts quite intensive workout videos that make it quite clear she hasn’t got mobility problems etc. People can be overweight/obese and be active, fragrant and attractive. That doesn’t mean I’m saying it’s healthy, but one of the posts on here are somewhat hyperbolic.

Some of the posts, not one of the posts!

Captain - I was around 16.5 stone in this pic, no mobility issues at all

Ollivander I couldn’t do that at 10.5 stone or 16.5! (I’ve been both)

Ollivander84 thats brilliant, I've never been able to do that, that takes some strength.

Eww gross who is talking about mobility issues? I feel heavier when I walk but I can reach every part of my body, walk, run and jump and I get out of breath walking up lots of stairs but no more than the average person who is out of shape

I’ll always love my curvy body even though I feel too heavy at this moment. I’ll never want to be below 13 stone, that’s my peak attractiveness in my own eyes.

It´s one of these myths that is trundled out on MN whenever being overweight comes up that is meant to make fat people feel bad about themselves. According to this myth, all fat people have mobility issues, sweat endlessly, smell, can´ t move without getting breathless, have joint pain + + + Personally, these things don't describe anyone I know.

I'm a size 10 at the minute (lost three stone and three dress sizes last year) and always believed that when I lost the weight I'd a) be happier (load of shite, I'm still a miserable twat) and b) far less sweaty (also a load of shite, I'm just a sweaty, thinner version of myself).

The sweat thing is nonsense. Some people just sweat loads.

Also, at a size 10 I still get out of breath walking up loads of stairs (Ikea is a shit for it because the lifts are always full and it's 12 flights, the DCs run up and I have to take regular stops on my way up despite going to the gym 4 times a week). Fitness and a smaller dress size aren't the same thing.

Ollivander84 Ah, yes, those famous mobility issues that strike when you're overweight

I can't do that but I can bite my own toes

I am heavier than a lot of people posting here. It’s pretty disabling tbh and I am not proud of it. I’m trying to lose some weight for my health but the issues around obesity are complex. But while I am this size I don’t see what’s wrong with trying to look my best and improve my self esteem. If we can love ourselves a bit it might make looking after ourselves a bit easier.

all fat people have mobility issues, sweat endlessly, smell, can´ t move without getting breathless, have joint pain

I don’t sweat profusely or smell but the breathlessness and pains are definitely here now in my mid 40s and a very heavy weight. It crept up. I think when I was younger my age helped keep the other issues at bay. When I get up in the morning I feel like an old woman now. Determined to change though.

Once you get to morbidly obese then the odds of your knees or ankles going are pretty high. Just overweight - not so much.

I'm not obese or overweight but omg, the perimenopause and sweating! I think the amount I sweat is the reason my weight is under control (actually, I exercise a lot).

coffeecoffee not too long ago, I think it’s still in store!

Size 18 and only 5 foot tall, but I barely sweat at all and I definitely don’t smell! I work a full time job which is pretty physical as well as being a uni student and a single mum. I am constantly on the go and physically one of the strongest people at my work

Back to the OP, and looking fabulous, I always notice beautiful hair, no matter what size or shape a person is. Perhaps consider a new style and colour, OP.
Also, don't know if anyone has recommended it, but Simply Be has really nice stuff in plus sizes.

I get the feeling that most people who mouth off about the disadvantages of being fat, just don’t like the look of fat people, but dress it up as health concern and outrage about nhs costs. You’re kidding yourself mate, but no one else. You’re just prejudiced and have a hard time accepting that you might just be a low-key dickhead.

Also I believe that who have their own weight insecurities, who struggle with maintaining a low weight, project their own feelings of self loathing onto other heavier people and try their best to write the most hurtful things, packaged up as ‘straight talking.’ Just eat your Rivitas, stfu, and let us talk about dresses.

@raisin

A-fucking-men. As if any of the "but your HEALTH!!!" brigade could actually give a shit about the well being of strangers on the internet.

A-fucking-men. As if any of the "but your HEALTH!!!" brigade could actually give a shit about the well being of strangers on the internet

Yes, this.

Just eat your Rivitas, stfu, and let us talk about dresses.

100 percent.

@raisin too damn right.

Getting back to the OP's question - I think the key to dressing well and looking good is clothes that skim and/or fit properly, suit your height and proportions, and not slavishly following fashion and being determined to wear whatever everyone else is.

Take a look at clothes on Navabi, SimplyBe and Next Curve. Plus take a lot of care with make-up, always wear a smile.