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?

@billybagpuss

good lord, I'd cook in those! whatever floats your boat :-)

I'm a size 18/20 and I wear dresses and shorts. I wear a swimming costume on the beach. I don't give a stuff about what people think. Wear cool, comfortable clothes. I have found, by the way, that in this weather long floaty maxis work best. There is a reason why people in hot countries wear long flowing garments.

Of course YANBU to wear summer clothes. It's 30 degrees plus out there for much of the country!

Summer clothes doesn't have to equal lots of bare flesh, though. Fabrics, cut and colour have more to do with keeping cool. I'd hate to be wearing e.g. tight denim shorts and a polyester vest top in this heat, would much rather wear a floaty maxi skirt and a light cotton top with short sleeves. Less chance of sunburn too!

I was the same last year and a few before that , 19-20 and head to toe covered in black clothes

I’m a 10-12 this year and found myself doing it again until last week when I thought sod it!

Tbh I see people much bigger than me who’s legs look far better in shorts/dresses than mine ever will but it’s too hot and I’m sick of worrying about what other people think

Im about an 18/20 in clothes and have long decided life is too short to be hot! .Really no one will notice and there are lots of bigger people about!.I wear loose cotton trousers /tops/ and a few dresses(one I got in the charity shop was about £5.00).Also look on E bay for bargains lots of M & S / monsoon dresses there .Also have a couple of smocked top maxi dresses very cool .

Don't think I'd take a second glance, I'm overweight myself so who am I to judge (I don't enjoy wearing shorts or skirts but like a nice dress). Wear what you need to wear in this weather, those who judge would probably judge whatever you wear tbh

I would notice you far more if you were covered up in 36 degree weather. Also if it was making you very sweaty and red in the face or faint.

Someone who looks comfortable is always going to look better and be less noticeable than someone clearly uncomfortable and out of step with the weather.

Sorry O. I pressed yabu because I thought you were asking if you were bu for thinking you can't waer summery clothes!!!

Of course yanbu. I think anyone who judges an overweight person for trying to keep cool, is an absolute twat.

I'm a fatty - size 18. I must admit, I don't wear anything above the kneww either, but when I was a size 10 I didn't either.

But definitely sleeveless tops. I really like long wide leg pants too for work.

Maxi dresses (with cotton cycling shorts under) and them sleeveless 3/4 jumpsuits are dead comfy too.

If someone laughs at me (never have to my face), I couldn't give a flying fuck tbh. Its their problem. Not mine

A woman at my child's swimming lesson today was in jeans. Sat at pool side in jeans! Wtf! Wear a dress or skirt or shorts. No one cares about your fat. I'm more concerned of people passing out!!

My Nan and aunty are a size 20 and 24 and I always think dresses, nice fitting trousers and skirts look much nicer on them! There are so many lovely midi and maxi skirts and dresses out at the moment!

Well I’m a size 22-24 and currently chilling in soft shorts and a T-shirt. I’ve been in the house all day but will soon be going out and have no intention of changing. It’s 35 degrees and I don’t want heat stroke.

Wear whatever keeps you cool. No one will bat an eyelid. YABU to NOT wear summer clothes in this heat.

I don't think being fat is good in general. But your fatness, and how you choose to deal with it, or not, is none of my bloody business.

You don't owe the world looking a certain way, and not being offended is not a right (although why anyone would be offended by someone else's body is beyond me).

Yes, some people will probably stare. Sod them and be comfortable. Your own wellbeing comes first.

I'm a size 18-20 and I'm sat here in shorts t shirt and sandals. I went out this afternoon in the same but longer shorts. I'm not interested what people think, I've been swimming today, cycling and having a salad for tea.
Do whats best for yourself OP. Its too hot for jeans and leggings.

Loose linen dresses are the way to go.

Iv found flowing linen trousers and loose tunic cotton tops are the coolest thing at the moment and I dont get burnt

I live in north Devon. We get loads of holiday makers of all shapes and sizes. TBH you’d probably get way more looks in jeans this weather!

Wear what you want and look magnificent 💕

I like Maxi dresses in this heat (lashings of body lotion on the thighs seems to prevent chaffing).

And from my observation no one looks good in this heat - everyone seems to be wearing whatever they can use to cope with the heat best, and looks vaguely "cooked".

I would not judge a person who is a size 20 wearing summer dresses and clothes.

I do judge men who wear very small shorts, and anyone who shows underwear though. I have seen more underwear this week than at any branch of M+S.

I wish I could "Like" for the messages on here. I think@MUMsNet should add this as a feature. So many lovely responses! Which would make the OP feel really happy, esp with posts like thisl

(But I do think there should NOT be a DisLike option, as that will just encourage the trolls..).

@DrinkSangriaInThePark
I misread the title and pressed the wrong button.

I've a BMI of 44 and today and yesterday I wore a summer dress for the first time in years and felt great.
Loads of much bigger ladies wear shorts and little tops. Go for it

two to three stone overweight here. wearing knee length cotton dress and the ubiquitous chub rub shorts.

I'm big, I have a commando frock, loose and floaty, wonderful, though I do uncommando it if I go beyond the garden!

We have been at the beach today in the UK and there were all shapes and sizes of people all wearing summer clothes, yanbu! I am loving my cotton shorts this year they come to just over my knee but can be rolled up easily to adjust and are really comfortable and forgiving. I also bought a pair of those thin trousers the harem type ones I think they are but I just don't feel trendy enough to wear them!