To ask how to look classy when you’re overweight?

[OscarWildesCat]

I’ve posted about my weight before, I’m about 2 and a half stone overweight for my height, this is mainly boobs and hips/bum and I have a bit of a belly.
I think I dress well for my shape but I always feel frumpy and, well, fat. Any time I look at a woman and think she looks classy and expensive, she’s always thin. I tend to splurge on designer bags or shoes rather than clothing as I just think, what’s the point, it’ll look crap on me. What’s the secret?.
This is supposed to be light hearted musing btw.

I think invest some time. Order as expensive as you can afford, for some well fitted dresses. I think trousers or skirts are harder to pull off if you are overweight. Dresses have no tight middle but many will fit you and give a good silhouette. But order online from places with free returns and be absolutely ruthless trying stuff on. I’d say try on at least 20 items before deciding and get a friend to give you advice on the best outfit.

Also pick a woman your size you admire dress wise and look up what she wears.

@formerbabe

I'm like this op...i always manage to look slightly 'barmaid' if you see what I mean in certain outfits which would look classier on a slimmer woman.

I have literally no idea what this means but am really curious

Can you give an example?

Wear classic clothes, not necessarily fashionable

Not fussy

I'm about 2.5 stone heavier and a similar shape.

Wide legged, good quality trousers, brightly coloured with a plain smart T-shirt.

Dark demin straight leg jeans and a white wrap top

Plain, belted, none fussy dresses

I used to dress to try and look slim, I now dress with what suits me, even if it makes me look big (which I do anyway)

@TheMumblesofMumbledom

Of course you can do casual if you're overweight. It's about finding the right cut of jeans, the right neckline on a T-shirt with a decent fitting bra underneath. Look for a long line linen or similar cardigan that swishes and choose your footwear carefully. No one needs to look glammed up/smart all the time if you understand the basics of what works for you.

I wouldn't choose a long cardigan if you have a defined waist, in fact if you have a rack of doom I'd be wary of anything that swishes around them. Cropped cardigan with tucked in top will highlight your waist and help to avoid the dreaded uniboob. If you're an apple, though, long cardi will look terrific.

It's hard to say without seeing OP's shape. And there are always going to be things that shouldn't work yet somehow do. As a general rule, though, if you've got a waist then definitely use it.

I've 2 stone to lose but I carry it well... I still have an hourglass figure.. I wear a lot of wrap dresses/a line dresses with a v neck... I wear heels as much as practical... hair curled with tongs, full face of make up including red lipstick... I get told I look glamorous but honestly it's how I feel comfortable at this size!

I'm on a slim down over summer! When I was slimmer I could get away with more casual clothes!

Always get fitted for and wear the right type of bra.
If you wear dresses, buy a shapewear slip for smoother lines plus control top tights.
Don't buy cheap clothes. Go for more expensive fabrics that hang nicely.

All the people recommending shapewear... how do you use the toilet?? I have some that are actually really comfy and work well but are a pain to pull up and down and I pee A LOT! At work I also need to be quite fast with my bathroom breaks.

Agree with nearly everything.
The one thing I don't agree with are the gel nails. I just don't think they look classy.

I have a friend who would be considered, to put it medically, morbidly obese. But she always looks lovely! She seems to exclusively stick to fairly smart, tailored items. With either a statement necklace, or some fun earrings. Her make-up and hair is always lovely as well.

@OhTheRoses it’s shellac on short nails, I don’t do acrylics or extensions, I keep them short and usually nude but this week I’ve gone for bright red.

Shapewear - light control knickers and a slip works for me

Great thread

I weigh 12 stone so I'm about 2 stone over weight for my 5 4 height!! I cant wear Jean's or my legs look stuck together, so I live in dresses and skirts with black tights as my legs aren't perfect.. i like to dress feminine and get stuff that tucks in at the waist and floats out to give u a nice shape.. I do gave to try more than my slim mates who can just wear trainers and Jean's which I wish I could do.. but got to work with what u got.. nice hair makeup clothes well groomed etc.. and smell nice.. all helps

Decent foundation garments. You notice in old photos people might be overweight but everything was held in tightly. Girdles were just normal everyday wear.

My grandma made my size 8 mum wear one at 16.

I knew what your meant OscarWildesCat. I'm sorry but I still don't think gel/shellac are classy. You can always tell it's artificial. What's wrong with a nailfile and polish?

I always thought that LONG tops were the best, when actually shorter ones are much more flattering. High waisted jeans and skirts, normal length or cropped T-shirt's. It's like there's just less middle somehow.

I think you can do casual. I think too many overweight women try to look 'smart' by wearing cheap black work suits. Go for very dark straight legged jeans with a bit of stretch in them or navy chino, slight turn up at the ankles and wear a bit of a heel - wedge or chunky heel. Then well fitting top with some colour and/or statement jewellery.

I get exactly what was meant by ‘barmaid’ but I can’t really explain it - if you’ve got boobs you’ll know though, boobs and a bit overweight even more so 🙄

@Jumbogirl

I think nice jewellery, plus not being scared to show off a bit of cleavage and nice legs - not necessarily at the same time. I saw some pics recently of a very beautiful woman who would probably be classed as overweight but she was wearing a bustier type evening wear thing and looked just stunning. Also at the beach - a swimming costume plus those beach wrap things are gorgeous and good for body confidence.

I can't imagine anything worse than that. Nobody needs to have my breasts up in their face or see my arse hanging out of something, except DP (and he'd be happy whatever I wore).

Classy isn't 'look at my tits', classy is 'I have amazing ones under here'.

Hi, long time lurker here. Why is weight such a trigger for us? Don't be afraid to show some skin! And learn to love yourself as you are, lumps, bumps and all! I am on a weigh loss journey, currently 18st.

I genuinely love how I look, I always leave the house with my hair and makeup done and always wear clothes that are looser around my lower stomach. Take care of yourself no matter what size you are and learn to compliment yourself on the bits of you that you love right now. You will feel more confident, hold your head higher and walk taller.

We are all beautiful in our own way no matter what size we are.

The Kibbe style test worked well for me - helped me to move on from jeans and t-shirts which worked great as a size 8 but less so as a size 14

What do you mean by classy OP? I only ask as I have never really thought of overweight and classy as opposites...I could see more aksing how to avoid looking frumpy or how look really well dressed...is that what you mean?

Also, when it comes to the two and half stone, it's hard to know what you mean. When I am two and a half stone over the weight I look best at and feel comfortable at, I am actually not that much over the top end of the healthy bmi range for my height, less than half a stone over at most. On the other hand if I am two and half stone over the top end, things are bad. That may be because I have a small frame, there are some people whose ideal weight is probably nearer the top of their range to begin with. I only ask in case you are seeing yourself as much bigger than you are.

You look fab @Bumwart21!

I always loved the way Dawn French presented herself... she was a curvy lass for a long time... I too am finding myself struggling with Covid weight gain.. so am following this with interest ...