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?

“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)“

Fuck me- she was fat and she had pubic hair! I’m amazed she was allowed out in daylight.

I don’t think having pubic hair is the point, Bertrand. And neither do you.

So if she'd waxed it would be ok?

I’m a 22 and I wear midi/knee length skirts and dresses and sometimes shorts. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever noticed anyone staring. I just think it’s just my body, it’s just what I look like, it’s really no big deal.

It’s still hard, but not because of anyone else!

There are some very lovely summer clothes in size 20.

my favourite

my second favourite

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/blue-ditsy-floral-maxi-dress-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/navy-tropical-print-maxi-dress-p

www.johnlewis.com/studio-8-ivanna-floral-dress-white-multi/p3445790?size=20

I could go on! I love big floral dresses and I think these look fab (I am a bigger size too!)

That last one is a bit short for me but but I am not very tall so probably would be longer on me!

Ha ha, I'll admit to being one of the 3% who voted YABU.

However, it's because I'm a size 20 but because of my thunder thighs and big belly, jeans and most trousers look ridiculous on me never mind shorts. So I like to wear skirts. But there is such little choice in skirts these days because everyone is brainwashed into wearing trousers or shorts no matter what people look like in them.

I've put on my hard hat ready for responses!

Op I am a size 20. I wore a pair of shorts and one of my husbands t-shirts today. I then went to the shop this evening as we needed a few things. I realised in the car I hadn't shaved my legs and I had probably 1/2 to inch long hair. Do you know what, I did not care.

Wear whatever you need to be comfortable (if that is possible in this heat) and don't give a rats about what anyone thinks

Gawd, wear what the hell you like!
Why would you suffer in sweltering clothes/ make yourself uncomfortable just because of what others may or may not think?!
Anyone judging (if they are at all) says nothing about you and everything about them and their issues!
I honestly wouldn't care what you wear.
Be you.

Well I'm a lumpy size 12/14 here on holidays in Italy and there are loads of plus size women in summer clothes and bikinis looking great so go for it

I’m likely to notice you in jeans in summer, I would think you were crazy!

I've just told everyone on the fat shaming thread to get a life, wear what you want, what makes you feel good & happy, stuff everyone else.

Wear what you want! Dont worry what others think.

I've been carrying a lot of extra weight this past few years, about a size 14/16 but at 4' 10" I'm fat and squat & at 63 it's sometimes hard to spot where my wrinkly skin ends & the crinkle cotton begins.
I don't wear shorts in this weather, simply to avoid sunburn or sitting on seats that make me sweat more & stick to them like supervelcro. I wear long skirts & dresses, well long on me, in light cotton fabrics or any of the natural fabrics. As other pps have mentioned they're really good at keeping you cool compared to the man-made ones.
I pretty much stopped looking in long length mirrors years ago. If I feel good I must look good is how I see it now.
Wear whatever keeps you cool

I had CBT years ago for social anxiety and one of my worries was that everyone would be staring at me thinking negative thoughts. My counsellor told me they most likely have no idea you even exist, they’re too busy worrying about work, kids, what they’re eating for tea etc.

It grounded me and humbled me a lot. People usually don’t give a fuck about strangers passing by.

I’ve also had CBT and that was one of the things that came out for me too. ‘You wouldn’t worry about what people thought of you if you realised how seldom they did!’

Quite often I’ll try to think back to what someone was wearing that day and usually I can’t, hopefully they pay as little notice to me too.

Thank you to those who said my DH is a gem, he is. My children are also getting older and they are really encouraging too. They want me to be happy and comfortable like them.

I wore a dress yesterday and experiencing a bit of thigh chafing this morning, so I’m wearing 3/4 lengths today. Hopefully it’s going to be a bit cooler.

I'm a 18 and feel like you, can I wear this because of my size. The thought of jeans is this weather makes me feel ill so yesterday I dug a black bardot tshirt dress out which ends somewhere between my knees and thighs.

Came down and straight away dp said it was too short. What I actually think he meant is you're too fat to wear something that short I'm sure he wouldnt feel the same is a nice young slim lady walking down the street wore something the same length. Normally I would think fuck it but when it starts at home i must admit I let it get to me and feel paranoid.

If people are judging you for being fat then they are wankers & why would you care what they think anyway op?

Enjoy your lovely summer dresses! 💃🏻

I have to be honest, what made me feel comfortable was weight loss surgery and losing 6 stone. The sad fact is, and it's a shitty fact, people do get a different impression of you when you are thin. I wish I had done this 15 years ago, it's not about how it looks, its about how it feels. For the first time in my life, food is not an obsession, shopping not a dreaded event. I can run and am performing so much better at work, polycystic ovaries have shriveled up and fucked off and down to 50mcg of thyroxine. There is nothing in my life which hasn't changed beyond my dreams, what people think is the least of it.

Well done @onioncrumble! It's good to hear how good it feels.

Im going to make a start on healthy eating when dp returns to work. I am so annoyed when I was pregnant I did really well only putting on about half a stone. Once dd arrived I have gone mad and eat nothing but crap. She is seven months old now though I have no more excuses and need to get cracking.

There was a student at my uni who was larger and wore short skirts and short shorts. I noticed it the first day and thought she was brave. Then realised i had a bloody cheek to think anyone's clothes choice was anything to do with me and gave my head a wobble. That was the last time I thought about it (til now obviously lol). Wear what you like when you like. Size, style, etc be dammed!

I like to maintain some kind of decorum even when it's hot but quite honestly in this heatwave I just thought fuck this shit and wore what the hell is wanted to. Yesterday's lively ensemble a see through kaftan and some shorts.
By the looks of it everyone in town is feeling the same way.

As long as they fit and you are not over exposed or unsupported (ie, thin straps, no bra) go ahead. Overdressed and sweaty is not a good look or healthy.

Op I'm the same as you in summer. I'm starting to realise now though, that I'm more noticeable for covering up. Believe it or not, I'm a size 10 and HATE my arms and legs so always have them covered. I actually have to pretend that I'm chilly and blame the air con in the office so that I don't have to show my arms and can wear long sleeves or a cardi. Fear of revealing parts of your body is very real, regardless of size and I envy people of all sizes who are comfortable in dressing appropriately for the heat. To me, they are putting their own wellbeing and comfort first rather than concerning themselves with what others might think. Writing this has been good for me actually, and made me think.thank you for starting this thread.

Wear what you like as long as you feel comfortable and private areas are covered.
I get that self conscious feeling though. Last summer I was a size 24 and covered up and felt miserable. Then I decided to lose weight and since January have lost over 4 stone. This summer I am a size 14/16 (I’m tall) and it has been so lovely to wear summer dresses and play suits etc. Next year it will be hopefully be even better.