Business Smart-Casual is easier for slim people

[Fatandknowit]

Name changed for this one but I have been on here for donkey's years!

I'm fat and I know it. Size 20/22. I always have been bigger 16/18, but now I'm perimenopausal, I've utterly ballooned, but that is beside the point. I'm not after weight advice, I now fast 16hrs a day and am seeing slow but progressive loss so thanks but no thanks to comments on that part. This was for context.

I get so envious that slim people can throw on some baggy chino style trousers with turn ups, trainers and a shirt / sometimes even a tshirt and still look business-ready. If I do that, I look like I'm ready for a day on the couch or a trip to the supermarket - certainly not for office work.

I could get away with that if I had a blazer to finish it off, but Blazers look ridiculous on me as I have narrow shoulders but huge upper arms and bust. So if it fits the arms/body, it looks awful up top. I hate dresses because of my arthritic knees. Even tights/leggings don't hide swelling. I'm short (5'4"). Apron belly (new addition to the list), and a sticky out arse. Frankly, quite unattractive in most areas!

Perhaps it's an age thing? I am early 40s.

If I could whip on some wide leg pants that don't show cellulite or swelling through the material, I think I'd be that one step closer to being able to feel comfortable and smart enough for work. But I'd get stuck when it comes to top half.

I'm a Next black jeggings or formal trouser, loafers/boots, and a shirt person. But I 100% need a change. If I do change, will I then look too casual?

I guess my AIBU is:

Am I right that business smart/casual is easier for slimmer people to carry off?

Happy to hear what you wear if you're of a similar stature. I am also ready to hear that I'm nuts, or wrong, or whatever; I'm braced and ready - go for it.

I think most clothes are easier for slim people!

But in terms of business smart / casual (and I am your size but late 40s), I tend to go for midi dresses (hides everything I want hidden, and unlike maxi dresses I don’t trip over them) or wide legged cords and a jumper.

Congratulations on your weight loss. The main benefit will be to your health. Being able to find clothes you like is a bonus and will be an incentive to continue. There are fine knit jersey type jacket/structured cardigans with deep armholes raglan sleeves around which might work for you.

Yeah I don't think this is really a hot take? It's generally accepted that dressing and looking good is easier if you're slim.

What about a cotton shirt (Americans are calling them button-ups) and wide leg trousers and trainers? The trick is in the styling I think - make sure the sleeves are rolled, the tuck is right and you're wearing jewellery.

ETA - Ditch the jeggings. They're massively dated and don't look good on anyone, regardless of size.

Completely agree. Slim people seem to look more put together. I find wide legged smart trousers in a beigy/ neutral colour with trainers and t shirt are a good go to for me.

What about a cotton shirt (Americans are calling them button-ups)

Fine if they don’t gape. Which they always do (and you can only size up so much before it looks ridiculous).

Good point about the neutrals, if OP is sticking with black trousers it won't look as good. Even navy or grey would be better.

So wear more open but over a vest to cover cleavage?

Many things are easier for slim people than seriously overweight and obese people. Looking smart without a huge effort is only one of them.

I have plenty of overweight colleagues that look lovely and smart in dresses and long skirts, but that doesn’t help if you don’t like wearing them.

Jeggings don’t sound great. Keep the tailored trousers but in a relaxed leg and wear them with nice clean trainers. V neck thin jumpers are good and comfy too. Add a tshirt underneath in the v is too deep.

All clothes are easier for slim people!

My friend, who is not really into clothes, got a big promotion at work and realised she needed to start dressing a lot more 'professionally'.

She booked in a session with a stylist at a department store, which really helped her find things that suited her. Is that an option? Obviously there is expense, but she said it was good value given the lack of wastage.

Any style is easier for slim people, they also can wear whatever they like in the gym and look good, or wear old pyjamas and still look like they’ve jumped straight out of an M&S Christmas advert.

Absolutely. I was once told off for wearing jeans (skinny/jeggings) in the office when plenty of other smaller women did - they just looked way more casual on fatter me!

Dressing in general is easier for slim people.

Some great advice here, thank you for your thoughts. The jeggings are the Next ones that look like trousers, but thicker. Not skinny Jeans, or even jean-y at all really. But still, sound advice. The thought of wearing anything other than black on my bottom half scares me to death to be honest, but it sounds like I should probably take the plunge. Loving the suggestions and I am open to change.