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?

I hope yanbu cause I am too!

Wear what you feel comfortable in and what keeps you the most cool. I wouldn't judge one jot. I was out with a friend the other day who I would guess is around a size 16/18 and she was wearing shorts. The only thing I thought when I saw her was, "Fuck, why didn't I wear shorts?" I was in trousers because I hadn't shaved my legs and I was too lazy to sort it. While we were sat there sweltering I really wished I'd been as sensible as her! Fashion or comfort doesn't have a size limit OP. Wear what you want. Anyone who actually judges you for keeping cool in this weather is a twat.

I was in my local city today. It was 36 degrees there. I saw two women wearing opaque tights. Yes, I stared at them and not because of their shape or size.

I am large and have hideous batwings. I used to refuse to show them in the summer and was really uncomfy in long sleeves. Then I stopped giving a fuck a few years ago and bought sleeveless tops. You know what? No-one seems to notice them at all. I have also realised that they look much better with a slight tan than pasty white.

i’m a proper fatso (thanks, anti-psychotics and a broken thyroid!), and have dug out the £5 flying squirrel jumpsuit things from last year. i have got leggings underneath, because i don’t like feeling not-dressed (thanks, OCD!) but my arms are out.

it’s always a nightmare for me, regardless of fatness, as i am also covered in scars from self-harm and i don’t like inflicting that on other people. even at home, if one of the kids rocks up i put a jumper on.

actually, i hate the way i look so much that i don’t leave the house. i don’t even really go out in the garden. i can’t bear the thought of people looking at me and sneering or being horror-struck at my enormousness. i used to be a gym bunny, and a runner, but then my knees went, so the running stopped. and then i had a breakdown and have been on heavy meds ever since. add in arthritis and fucked thyroid and i feel like a bouncy castle.

ah, summer. what larks!

You should wear what you want to wear OP. I don't really understand why people think the only options are tiny shorts or jeans though. I am from the far north and have very pale skin so prefer to be covered up. But that means maxi skirts and dresses or wide legged linen trousers with broderie anglais tops. Not jeans and a jumper!

I'd think you were deeply odd if you were in leggings and a hoodie.

The coolest things to wear are loose floaty dresses or tops over linen trousers. It’s not necessary to expose lots of skin to be cool.

Ok, I am a "traditionally built" grandma -
My dgs asked me recently if I was fat because I had eaten a whole turkey
So- where I am it's been high 30's and for the last couple of days just over 40.
I wear comfortable clothes- if that means knee length leggings and a loose top, then so be it. Floaty frocks, Capri length trousers- shorts, floaty skirts, sun tops - just go for it.
No who matters gives a stuff.

If you were in my town, you would be one of many and no one would bat an eyelid

I’ve been much larger and have lost weight, but get wear you are coming from. When I was a size 26/28 I would wear cropped length floppy trousers to avoid getting my legs out.
I would raise an eyebrow at someone very large wearing tiny tiny shorts, but knee length type shorts, totally fine.

But then I would raise an eye at most post-teens wearing tiny shorts!

Honestly nobody cares, they will be too busy thinking about their own insecurities. Get your legs out lass

Don't give it another thought!wear what you are comfortable in.

We're on holiday in France at the moment and I've noticed that everyone, whatever their size, is wearing a bikini. You can guarantee anyone in a swimsuit or covered up with a sarong is British!

I'm a size 20 and feel self conscious but have realised I look at other people and think how nice they look/how confident they seem so I've been stripping off and not thinking about it!

Check out Bryony Gordon on Instagram, she is an inspiration.

I'm a size 20-22 and I've been wearing knee length shorts all week to work, I wouldn't worry about what people think

oh exWifebeginsat40 that makes me sad. :-(

I don't mean this in a horrible way but the size you are is the size you are regardless of what you're wearing. If you're a size 20 then people can see you're that size whether you're in jeans and a jumper or a summer dress...same goes if you are a size 8/10/12/14/16.

It is a bit of a shame that @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat has disappeared.. Please come back and read all these messages1

We're on holiday in France at the moment and I've noticed that everyone, whatever their size, is wearing a bikini. You can guarantee anyone in a swimsuit or covered up with a sarong is British!

This is so true. I holiday in Greece most years and this year, thanks to a couple of lovely and encouraging ladies on the S&B board, I wore my size 20 bikini without embarrassment along with everyone else.

(Curiously more one-pieces in a very Italian - i.e. locals - resort in, er, Italy.)

The only people I have given a second glance to today for what they're wearing were those wearing clothes too warm for the weather and visibly suffering for it.

Definitely ok! I wear shorts even though I have horrible varicose veins (thanks DTs) and fat knees. Far too hot to care what others think!

Oh my actual god!

These messages have made me cry! I had no idea I had so many replies and I come back to check and saw all these wonderful, encouraging messages. You’ve completely floored me, I don’t know what to say. Thank you I’ll think of something better to say in a minute!

Sure ! Why not. I see people wearing a lot less.

Wear what you want but make sure you wear the outfit well and remember; just because it fits, doesn’t always mean you have to wear it. (Example being seeing a larger lady today size 28/ 30 wearing hot pants that kept riding up her butt and she didn’t wax either so there was a view to see)

I'd rather see a larger lady in a summer dress than some of the fat, tattooed, topless men I've seen today!

@SunshineCake I am indeed. I'm about the same width when I turn sideways 😂 all of my weight is in my belly though and I have small boobs so I guess I'm more watch shaped rather than hour glass? 😂