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?

Honestly? Every time I do notice someone larger with shorts I think good for them, fuck me I wish I had their confidence.

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!

Wear what you like, better being comfortable and sweating less rather than caring what other people might think. I have just put on a thin jumpsuit which is a bit too short, shows all my wobbly bits but I don’t really care 🤣

There is a lady I see at school who I would guess is larger than you OP and who wears lovely summer clothes. The only judgement I have made is that she is a nice person as she always says hello and volunteers on all the school stands.

Don't sit sweltering because of a few narrow minded people who judge you for how you look, most people will neither notice or care!

This time last year I remember going to the beach with my dad and my children, it was a roasting hot day and at the time I was about a size 20/22 and wearing my usual uniform of black leggings with a shapeless dress and a black cardigan. I was so unbearably hot, and I really wasn't any less self conscious by being covered up, I was as red as a lobster and sweating buckets and I was the only idiot on the beach wearing so much! As I sat guarding all the bags, jealously watching while dad and the kids cooled off in the sea I noticed that the beach wasn't exactly full of perfect flawless model bodies. There were young people, old people, skinny people, fat people and everything inbetween. Mum tums and stretch marks, scars and skin conditions - all in their bikinis and enjoying themselves and seemingly not giving a fuck. This year I have lost weight but I'm still a size 16 (very chunky at 5ft1!) and I'm not going to spend another summer roasting alive in inappropriate clothes for the sake of what random strangers may or may not think of me. This year I've got summery dresses and sleeveless shirts and shorts and I'm so much more comfortable, no one has said anything. I have had a couple of the younger image-obsesssed mums at the school gates looking me up and down probably judging, but I don't give a rats ass now! Who are they to judge me? Everything about them is fake, from the colour of their skin and their hair to their eyelashes and all the poison injected into their lips and they're still a fucking long way from what I'd consider model material!!

A couple of people have said people will comment. They really won't!

Anyway...

I need some shorts that don't ride up when I walk, and make me do that funny little leg flick every now and again to make them shuffle back down my inner thigh. If you know, you know.

I know!

Absolutely wear what you feel comfortable in. Since I was about 11 years old, I've had a complete aversion to having bare arms, because I think they look fat. I'm an average size 12 but have always, always worn cardigans and cover-ups (even in my skinny 20s). This week it has been much too hot and so today I went out in a strappy dress, with no cardigan and it was amazing and so much cooler. I now can't believe that I've spent the last 35 years covering up, envying people of all sizes who don't.

I love this thread for the support - @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat just go for it. Be comfy, be cool, by God I'm an Aussie who has come from a desert town and I am feeling this heat!

Where what you want. Who cares what anyone else thinks and most people don't notice anyway!

Ah - should clarify that by saying I'm in one of the hottest parts of England right now

I live within a mile of west coast of Florida beaches, popular tourist destination as well as locals. I walk along th edge of the Gulf of Mexico for exercise, am there pretty often. People come in all sizes, shapes, colors and ages. If anyone is judging you on size, the problem is THEIRS - not yours! And don’t let it become yours. Go enjoy the sun.

The people who say they would only notice if people were covered up, just bear in mind that some people are covering up for reasons other than being uncomfortable with their size. I find it a bit annoying every time someone says to me aren’t you hot?! Yes, yes I am! Seriously, everyone should wear what they feel comfortable in and no one should feel the need to comment.

I'd be more likely to stare at someone wearing loads of clothes in this heat! It's roasting, summer clothes are for everyone. It's hot!

Jesus Christ you have as much right as anyone to wear shorts and summer clothes. Your weight is a private matter.

@Andy - oh go you!!! You look fab!

I'm also fat OP, size 20, but have (for the first summer ever) decided on the I-don't-give-a-fuck approach.

It's hot, I live in a tourist destination, I see bigger people than me in butt cheek hugging shorts and I see super slim people wearing padded coats - yes, in this heat! Every single day!

We all have our issues, but hey, it's summer, let's embrace being us and think of all the wonderful vitamin D which helps us feel fab! I'm not in the butt cheek shorts but am being daring (for me, previously of maxi dresses and long cardigans) to now in just knee length dresses and (horror of horrors) bearing my upper arms! At 47, for me, that is unthinkable! Hehehehe!!!!

But, bah, what the heck?! OP, deep breath and be fabulous! xx

I have found that well fitting clothes look good on everyone. When I wear things that dig in or show of rolls, it doesn't look great but clothes that actually fit well and don't cut into fat bits look ok. Wide leg linen trousers like M&S with a closer fitting top work well.

I’m a size 14 but very short so i look fairly huge at the moment. I wear what I wanna wear! I bought some “chub rub shorts” - hate the name but love the product - and I wear little summer dresses and feel fabulous. As in, I’m comfy in the heat. I probably don’t look fabulous but who honestly needs me to?

I’ve spent most of the day out and about, seen people of all ages and sizes in summer clothes and didn’t give any of them a second glance. The only person I took notice of was the sixtyish man I saw cycling up a steep hill in a full dark grey suit and tie outfit, how he wasn’t passing out from the heat I don’t know. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in.

I like the fact my vote was the 666th. Wear what you want. I do. If they say anything it's their problem not yours.

Just wear whatever you want! If people look at you and judge your body that says more about them than you!

I am going through this exact same dilemma right now to the point I am so uncomfortable but just can't get past the thought of what people will think of me so good on you if you are confident enough!

My mil is a large lady and always looks fabulous. She wears lovely skirts, cool looking sleeveless tunics, lovely colours. Lots of stuff I think from tkmaxx.
I think larger people can sometimes go for black thinking it makes them less visible but colour is far more attractive. Be positive op , wear whatever you actually think is nice.

Wear what you like! I’m a size 22 and wear linen trousers and very thin, cotton or linen tops with loose sleeves. I just feel more comfortable with a bit of coverage but that’s personal choice and advancing age! I applaud you - wear what you want!

@Tabitha005 oooh those baggy pants and the vests sound great, do you have any links please?

How big a size 20 are you?
I doubt I'd take a second glance at most women big.
Aren't most/a large proportion of UK women 16+?
So whose gonna care?

There is an outdoor market near me, one stall sell loose "Italian linen" tops and dresses in fabulous styles and colours. One size only but they fit me and I'm a size 18/20. Have my eye on a bright pink top so will go tomorrow and see if there's one there. Bought a couple last year from Seahouses and Amble.