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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I should be able to wear whatever I damn well want?!

318 replies

Zebby25 · 08/04/2019 09:52

I have no issue being told IABU if I am. So please flame away if I am being inconsiderate and a “bit of a bitch” as my husband seems to think!

DH and I have been together for 14 years, since we were 16. Married for 10 years. We have 3 children.
I had our DC between the ages 22 and 27. During this time I gained a lot of weight (to the tune of almost 7 stones... size 10 up to an 18). Bad habits, not enough exercise, not enough healthy food. Etc.
After I had DC3 I said I was really going to do it this time and lose all of the weight I had gained (much eye rolling from family and friends). And I did. I joined slimming world online, got a gym membership, swim pass, exercise DVDs, some cheap secondhand home equipment... and I worked my arse off for 2 years.
My SIL (husbands brothers wife) is in a similar position to me. Been with DH for almost as long as us, 3 kids, same age as me... she also gained a lot of weight in her 20s - not quite as much as me, but a significant amount.
We spend a lot of time together as couples because DH and his bro are best friends. This Saturday just gone SIL and I went clothes shopping - my dad gave me some money for my birthday and we are going out to celebrate my birthday this Friday, so I want a new outfit. I bought a black leather-look high-waisted mini skirt to wear with clothes I already have ( including black tights - Varicose veins won’t allow for bare legs 😂)
It’s a lovely skirt and I’m really excited to wear it. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve felt comfortable in something other than maternity leggings!
SIL has complained to her DH about this skirt and says she will feel “like a potato” if I wear that and she has to stand beside me all night, and has even threatened not to come out with us. OVER A SKIRT. 🙄
Her DH has spoken to my DH, and DH has told me I really ought to wear something else. Shock
My SIL has complained about her weight since she had her last baby 4 years ago. I asked her to join the gym with me. And she did, but always made an excuse not to come. I have let her borrow workout DVDs (she asked if she could, I didn’t force them on her) which she admits she hasn’t used. I told her about slimming world and she says she wouldn’t stick to it. She likes to eat and drink whatever she likes.
Well that’s absolutely fine, do that - but don’t then dictate to me what I’m allowed to wear because you feel bad about yourself?!
I have dragged myself out of bed 5 mornings a week 2 hours before everyone else to work out, shower and have breakfast before the day “started”. Meal prepped every Sunday. Learned the syns of every snack and meal going. Made fakeaways in place of takeaways. Turned down donuts with tears in my eyes. Been tee-bloody-total!....
I am now down to a size 8/10. Not at urgent risk of diabetes anymore. My knees and back don’t hurt anymore. I can get upstairs without being out of breath.
I have worked really f*ing hard to be healthy and it’s worked and I’m finally confident and happy with myself. And proud. I feel like my old self again - finally!
I should be able to wear my new skirt on MY birthday?!?!
DH says I can wear it “next time” we go out (which may not be for another 6 months knowing us!) and thinks I should spare SILs feelings because I know how it feels to be overweight and unconfident. Yes, I did, so I bloody well did something about it! I didn’t down pints of Stella and glasses of wine and takeaways every weekend! I exercised! I had self control! And it wasn’t easy by any means.

I’m sorry if I’m coming off as a bitch, I’m really not. But I’m a 30 year old woman who has worked extremely hard to better herself, I should be able to wear what i like without it causing a row with my husband and a family rift. Not because I’m a “show off” as hubby says, but because I’ve bloody earned it!
AIBU?? Am I being an inconsiderate bitch or am I right here?

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 08/04/2019 10:10

I bought a skirt like that - too soon in the weight loss process! The damn thing falls off me now Halo

As someone who knows EXACTLY what it means to both you and your SIL (I had a friend who lost a ton of weight before I did) - wear the skirt.

You can't fix her feelings. You absolute deserve to enjoy your own - I can't get enough of myself in the mirror these days, and after years of hiding, I won't deny myself it!

MrsMozartMkII · 08/04/2019 10:10

Enjoy your skirt lass!

Bloody well done to you in your health and fitness achievement.

Merryoldgoat · 08/04/2019 10:11

I’m a very fat person. Occasionally I feel like a potato. That’s my fucking problem.

Wear your skirt. If she doesn’t come then that’s her business.

And we’ll done you.

Merryoldgoat · 08/04/2019 10:12

*Well done, obviously

Pbelle · 08/04/2019 10:14

Wear the skirt, or wear anything that you darned well please! What is your SIL wearing, out of interest? Has she run anything she is considering wearing past you ffs? I can't quite get over the audacity of someone creating such a fuss and on your birthday too. She will get over it. You deserve to wear whatever you choose.

SavageBeauty73 · 08/04/2019 10:15

Bloody hell of course you should wear the skirt!!!

Well done! I'm starting today and I have 2 stone to lose and you have inspired me.

Gatehouse77 · 08/04/2019 10:16

Fantastic achievement by you and it's a shame that SIL can't see that this is about you celebrating the goal you've reached as wells your birthday, not her.

As a PP said, I'd be inclined to go out and buy something equally shapely and wear that. SIL can't have an input and, if needed, don't even tell/show DH until you're ready to go out.

YANBU

youarenotkiddingme · 08/04/2019 10:16

Wear the skirt.

You've done amazingly well to lose the weight and take control.

But people's shapers are people's shapes for all sorts of reasons.
I'm tall and apple shape. I feel fat and dumpy compared to a colleague of mine who's average height and mega slim.

I exercise 5 times a week and eat well.
She doesn't exercise and eats crap.

But how I feel next to her is about my self confidence and not about her. Same with your SIL.

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 08/04/2019 10:17

So nice to see someone get leaner & healthier the right way. Well done.

You might swerve this battle by not wearing the skirt, but the war will continue.

It's easier for her to moan at you than do the hard stuff. It's definitely not going to get easier for her.

I'm well fat, I never even think about what other people are wearing, I just want them happy & comfortable.

TheSerenDipitY · 08/04/2019 10:17

get one of those blow up sumo wrestler suits and wear that, you will be way bigger than her so she will feel like a twig Wink
wear the skirt or something even sexier!!!!

AuntieCJ · 08/04/2019 10:18

Wear the skirt. And your DH needs to give his head a wobble. Plonker.

Shoxfordian · 08/04/2019 10:20

Well done on your weight loss
Wear what you want, her insecurities aren't your problem

HoneyDragon · 08/04/2019 10:20

You only have two options

Wear the skirt

Or

Dh is buying you a better outfit for your birthday.

And you certainly are not being bitchy.

moomoomummy · 08/04/2019 10:20

If you can be the better person, I would have a chat with her before the weekend telling her that you will be wearing the outfit of your choice. all done in the nicest possible way . Well done. Get those legs on show

MadameDD · 08/04/2019 10:20

Wear the skirt and be proud! Are you sure it really suits you though or is just you'd like it to suit you?

Also on another point - maybe you should go out for a coffee with SIL and have a chat and tell her quietly about your weight loss, ask her if she's feeling ok etc - sounds like she's depressed. Maybe if you asked her - e.g. picked her up in the car, she'd come along with you to a gym class etc. I've often only done exercise classes when a friend has dragged me along!

I have a slight story based round this - school friend I grew up with lost a lot of weight - from size 22 to 10 with a gastric band. She's quite tall - 5 ft 7 and now wears shorter skirts etc. But last year she sickened me by taking a photo of a woman in a pub on a night out wearing what she thought was 'not suitable' - the woman was a bit curvy but what she was wearing was fine, showed cleavage but that was that. According to my friend, she or her friend should have told her it didn't look right etc. Yet for my friend - who's now thin with no loose skin courtesy of a flab removing operation (loose skin) from her SO etc now thinks she's the Gok Wan of the area!

ILoveAllRainbowsx · 08/04/2019 10:22

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Oliversmumsarmy · 08/04/2019 10:23

Wouldn’t wear the skirt.

I would wear something much more skimpy

I need to lose 7 stone but that is my problem not anyone else’s

HavelockVetinari · 08/04/2019 10:25

You have every right to wear the skirt, your SIL is being utterly ridiculous. It's YOUR birthday! If it was her birthday night out I'd say be kind and pick something else, but you deserve to look and feel amazing on your special occasion.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/04/2019 10:25

Well done on now looking great OP. Wear the skirt - her weight is not your problem.

IDrinkAndISewThings · 08/04/2019 10:26

Actually, could it be that she had another motivation here? You said you bought a new outfit with money you'd been gifted, do we think maybe that she was giving her husband the whole 'I'll feel fat and ugly next to her in that outfit' UNLESS I have something beautiful and new to wear myself, but that hint has fallen flat on its face? Could be a manipulation to get what she wants out of husband that's fallen on deaf ears

steppemum · 08/04/2019 10:26

I would wear the skirt.

or, go out an buy and almost identical item, and wear that and then say all innocent But I didn't wear the skirt! When she moans, look puzzled and say, but this fits, how can I wear one of my old baggy skirts, they dont fit??

outpinked · 08/04/2019 10:28

Well done for losing the weight! I know how amazing you feel, I did the same thing a few years ago after my DC. Of course you are proud of your achievement and want to show it off and you definitely should! Fuck sil, she needs to give her head a wobble and lose the weight herself so she doesn’t feel so insecure.

Wear it and enjoy yourself!

QueenAnneBoleyn · 08/04/2019 10:30

Well done OP for your achievement. Wine
Wear the skirt - it’s your birthday.
Who the hell do they think they are?! Hmm

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/04/2019 10:30

Wow it’s your birthday. Talk about controlling. She’ll have to stand next to you. Boo boo. Either wear the skirt or buy something very glam online, which your dh can pay for seeing as he didn’t stick up for you and tell his brother to eff off. I like the idea of a bodycon outfit. I’m a good 4 stone overweight btw and was your size for a long time, perhaps more like a 12 pre pregnancy. Now an 18.

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/04/2019 10:31

Boo hoo even!

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