To wear summer clothes even though I’m fat?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

I’m pretty big, not newsworthy big, but around a size 20.

In the past 10/15 years I have sweated my way through summer wearing jeans and leggings and keeping covered up, saving dresses (at the most) for holiday only. Never shorts, never skirts or anything near knee length.

This year, Dh has just persuaded me that I can’t go on living in clothes that quite frankly make me ill in this heat. So I’ve invested in some shorts and dresses and I’ve been wearing them this summer.

I’m well aware people will stare at my fat legs etc but at least I’m a bit cooler. And people probably stare at the crazy woman in jeans anyway!

What’s your view? Would you stare or judge an overweight person in summer clothes? It’s nothing too short, usually on or just below knee length. I’m quite fearful that people stare or think badly of me for being overweight.

AIBU to bear my legs as a size 20?

No way are you!
I was the same, so ashamed of what people would think, plus I have bad scarring on my legs. But my DH finally persuaded me, and boy, do I feel liberated, beautiful.
Like you say , people probably stared when you were in Jean's, in this heat...I wore jeans too.

I forgot to mention last night, OP that I was similar to you in that I wore black a lot and dark colours. Having bought into the idea it is slimming I found myself only wearing dark colours whatever the weather.

Now I wear all colours and feel really liberated. I get compliments on my clothes and it-s nice. But ultimately it's how you feel about yourself that counts.

I need to lose weight for my health and actually loving myself more makes it easier to try and eat more healthily. When I hid away in black I did not love my curvy body!

They're just legs, you get them out and be cool! A skirt is a perfectly normal thing to wear, shorts too. Everybody is too busy judging themselves to judge you. So go for it!

Introvertedbuthappy please share how you lost 4 or 5 dress sizes since January. O need to lose weight for my health. It sounds like you did a great job.

I love the fact this thread is so supportive.

Catchphrase "I used to be a size 22 and always covered up. I'm now a size 10 and I still cover up. I can't find the confidence no matter what size I am to wear what I want/am comfortable in, but I hope you do!"

Please note the bullet and brave going out in summer clothes. I'm a size 18 and I wear swimmer clothes. Last night I put on some short shorts (phone shorts) and a top to stand in the paddling pool. I do worry I might not look fab bit all my son was interested in was that I was in the paddling pool with him. Kids can sometimes be harsh critics! Well.mine certainly can be!

But I've grown in confidence over the years and I hope you will too.

pj shorts not phone shorts!

@Italiangreyhound I downloaded MyFitnessPal and stick religiously to no more than 1600 calories a day, save for special occasions. I also started at the gym and go on average 5 times a week and that has really helped both my self esteem and weight loss. I’ve also transferred my stress eating to exercising and if I’m stressed force myself to the gym. At least that way if I do decide to eat some ice cream then I know I’ve burnt off enough calories that it shouldn’t do some damage. Feel free to pm me if you like, it’s been a lot of work but now it’s my new lifestyle and I’m reaping the rewards it is just how it is now rather than needing a conscious effort.

YABU - nobody cares it's too hot.
Please stop caring & giving energy into what other people think.

I'm applauding your husband for convincing you to step into your summer clothes. Please give him a big hug and a kiss for giving you a massive confidence boost.

I'm a size 20 and I don't care what people think....I wear bright colours, short skirts, stripes everything I can get my hands on in my size that I like to wear. Some people like what I wear, others don't (and choose to tell me - how rude).

I quite often notice what other women are wearing if I'm out. Not to come up with some kind of mental critique of how they look but for good ideas on what seems to be working for them in keeping cool. I'll even ask them about items if they're in no more a hurry than I am going wherever.
Even in my "glory days" when I was 7 1/2 stone or less I don't think it ever crossed my mind to think nasty thoughts about anyone larger than me. I'd been a fat child so that probably played a part in that. Tbh when I eventually lost all the weight I still thought of myself as fat. Just wasn't something I could shake but learned to just shrug my shoulders over as I got older.
I'm in a bright red floral patterned cotton Phool midi skirt today(bought - brand new - from a local charity shop yesterday for £4) & a sleeveless white cotton tee shirt. Gloriously cool & rocking it.

I'm size 24 currently wearing shorts and sleeveless top. Just back from Tesco's- no one passed on at the sight of my fat legs :)

YABU. Nobody wants to see it.

YABU. Nobody wants to see it.

Speak for yourself. Most people are busy getting on with their own lives and have better things to occupy themselves with than the fact that an overweight person is wearing shorts. If it bothers you so much then don't look.

YABU. Nobody wants to see it

Good thing nobody gives a shit what you think.

If there is one thing we can learn from this thread is that it isn’t a case of nobody wants to see it. It is a case of nobody cares so wear what you want.

YABU. Nobody wants to see it.

Goady, much? 0/10.

Oh welcome to Mumsnet Lmaolol you goady dickhead of a troll!

I see loads of people size 18+ in summer clothes and it's never struck me as odd or inappropriate, and I've never heard anyone make any nasty comments about these people. Honestly, just wear what makes you feel happy, comfortable and confident. I can't think of anything worse then having to suffer the heat in jeans.

Wish I was as brave as you. I’m 11st10 and
a size 14. I was a lot bigger but since losing weight I hate my body. My arms I especially hate and I go through summer wearing a cardigan. Abroad I wear 3/4 sleeve kaftans. I just cannot bare to have my arms on show. I also wear 3/4 jeans to hide my awful legs :(
I’m not massive but I hate that I’m too afraid to wear summery clothes 😔

fiydwi so could you wear three-quarter linen/cotton trousers instead of jeans? Can you wear short sleeved cardigans rather than long?
I have found developing body confidence a long process, with ups and downs along the way. Tops that are loose about the stomach help me feel more confident.
Another thing that helps me is exercise- not because it changes my body particularly, if at all, just it makes me feel better about it.
This is the first yea I've worn vest tops. Too hot not to.

I've been the miserable fat one covering up in summer OP and all I ever got were comments about looking like i was too hot. I lost the weight in the end but spent most of the summers of my 20s absolutely miserable and wishing they would end. I regret that now because of course nobody cared that my chubby arms and legs were on display. I was also terminally single for the same reasons.

You have a husband who thinks you are great and is keen for you to be happy and confident. Yes lose the weight for your own health and comfort but please work on your self esteem and happiness too