To think you don’t have to be thin to look great.

[PerfectPeony2]

Following on from the thread about looking polished- I noticed a lot of people said that it’s about being slim, toned, a size 10.

No it’s not!! I hope that all the thousands of people reading Mumsnet won’t agree and feel bad about themselves. I used to be one of those people who would put off wearing nice clothes, going out and getting my hair done until I was ‘thin’. I’ve now accepted how I am. Bought clothes that fit, wear the makeup I like, get my hair/ nails done.

I would like to lose a bit of weight in the long term but it’s not a priority. Life is too short and I think you can look great and ‘polished’ whatever your size or shape.

Fuck spill! And is your username related?!

The hosts on Naked Beach manage to pull off looking good even without wearing clothes. They exude that glow that comes with self belief.

Aesthetics are very personal. I'm slim and generally think slim / thin looks good BUT recently went to a meeting where one of the other people was about the most polished woman I have ever met and she was very fat indeed. She looked amazing. Her clothes were absolutely right, good quality fabrics, nice colours, well-fitting. She was wearing good shoes, nice amount of subtle jewellery, nice watch. Hair cut, coloured and blow dried, full face of very well done make up, nails manicured. She'd obviously taken time and trouble with her appearance and looked tip top.

I'm thinking of things that stop you looking great. Someone's already mentioned grotty teeth, bad skin etc. "Dowager's hump" is another.

Fucking horrible post. People often can't help their teeth, skin or the deformities of their back. Nice to know you've decided they all stop people looking good. Personally I think nothing makes you look uglier than an ugly personality. It shows.

I’m not polished, probably a little scruffy but for me my weight is more important than my looks, I try and stay slim and fit, not to look good (though I feel I look better slim) but because it makes me feel physically fit and healthy. There are a lot of bigger women who are prettier than I will ever be, they take time to do their make up and chose nice outfits but that’s not me. I dress for comfort because I don’t really care what others think about how I look, I only care about what I think I look like.

Thin people generally don't look good. Slim people often do.
I don't think weight is the biggest factor in looking polished, grooming is.

Jez I wrote a lengthy post it disappeared, if it pops up, I'm not purposely repeating myself.
I agree OP, A person definitely does not need to be slim to look polished, cash helps, I always look much better with a head of highlights, nail polish and eyebrow shape.
I notice plenty of large lady's who look really well, it is about style, confidence, money, and a natural flare it, none of which are exclusive to being slim.
I am naturally messy and clumsy, even on my best groomed days, it is never perfect.

FuckItHurts

Sorry to derail the thread, but I’m gonna need that story 😂

Op you’re right. I’m overweight after my kids but I’ve never felt more sexy and confident as I do now. Everyone’s commented how good I look recently (slowly losing the weight with gym and healthy eating).

Thic is definitely a thing. Especially amongst black women. Never heard the term 'thick thighs'? It's a good thing! I'm thic and a size 14. I love my body and have never felt unattractive because I'm not a size 10.

I never look well dressed whatever my size. A few years ago I lost three stones and I actually think I looked better when I was a bit bigger.

I have seen beautifully polished overweight women, but I am not one of them. I'm too heavy, I eat too much junk food, and it makes me lethargic. I don't have the energy to spend loads of time grooming myself. I don't feel comfortable in a lot of clothes, especially jeans. I am on a health kick at the minute after a health scare. As I get older the possibility of getting cancer or having a heart attack due to my weight is becoming more likely. Looking a bit nicer will also be a massive bonus.

I’ve always looked polished but now I’ve lost the excess weight I look healthy now.

I don't think you necessarily need to be a certain size to look 'polished', but I think a lot of people's excess weight is due to poor lifestyle, which does show. When I was 10kg heavier it was lifestyle-based, and looking back, I looked really puffy, and carried weight on my face which didn't suit me. So I think quite often the weight / polished connection is due to carrying weight in the wrong places and it looking "wrong" on your frame, rather than to do with it being there or not.

That's within reason, of course. I do think there's a cut-off where it's very difficult to look polished; probably at the point that weight starts to affect your movement and posture.

you're still missing the point that a raised BMI means significantly worse health outcomes - and the higher the BMi, the worse those outcomes.

You’re talking in absolutes, and that isn’t how it works.

I can’t patronise, but you can. I’m overweight/borderline obese with zero health concerns. No diabetes, normal blood pressure, perfectly functioning liver etc. Had no issues conceiving or carrying a child. No joint pain, no blood clots.

I’m fit, despite the extra weight. I’m a vegetarian low-carber. Based on my last medical, the skinny person that eats bacon sandwiches has a greater risk of cancer than I do.

So 🖕🏻

Am slightly overweight at the mo but only a little. At my thinnest I looked great in clothes but guess what I look better out of clothes when a bit overweight.

I think part of the 'polished' look is related to weight- at least for me. It's rightly or wrongly a sign of health- overweight is not healthy. They 'look' I prefer looks best on size 12 max- hence why I don't buy or wear it. I don't believe I look as good or as well put together at current size as I did several sizes smaller.

My odds of being run over by a bus are probably even higher than any of those things happening. Genetic line is strong with most relatives dying well into their eighties with no major conditions.

You clearly think you’re superior. You seem to have little idea about health stats though. So sorry to burst your bubble.

Since having my daughter I’m a 12-14 and I’ve never felt more confident.

I’m on holiday right now and a lady who was a size 16-18 was wearing a black bikini by the pool and I think she looked amazing.

I’ve just wasted so much of my life waiting to be thin (and I was thin but thought I was fat). Turning down social events or not being in photos. We need positive role models and to live in the moment.

I just think it’s a shame that so women think you will only look good if you spend 100’s on clothes and carry no extra weight. It was a good thread with a lot of tips but also depressing!

I’m overweight/borderline obese with zero health concerns

Health and looks are both very different. I'm a bit overweight according to my BMI (size 14, but run marathons and am quite fit), but am extremely muscly and have big thighs. I have no health complaints but don't worry purely because I'm not fat. Just big.

You can be really very attractive and borderline obese at the same time but I have to agree with @Kennehora (though wouldn't have put it quite so bluntly!). Regardless of genetics, being close to obese isn't healthy and I would have health concerns about my future, even if healthy right now!

Anyway, sorry to derail. Yes, you can be big and beautiful! My aunt is obese and very polished. She's a makeup artist which likely helps. Her hair is immaculate and her wardrobe to die for.

I’ve just slipped down from an 18 to a 16 on my top half (I have J cup boobs to accommodate even after a 2.5 stone loss). Bottom half is 14-16. I’ve been an 8-10 previously and was miserable. I think 14-16 on top and 12-14 on the bottom is the right size for me.

You can be bigger a a knock out..... Or thin and dog rough

I think looking polished is more expensive when you’re larger. I have been an 8 and a 14 and found that when I was larger I had to spend more to get better quality fabrics and clothes that were lined so they didn’t cling. I couldn’t just pick up a fashionable pair of trousers in Zara or you could see my wobbly bits through them.
It was cheaper to lose weight!