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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Am I overthinking husband's comments about my appearance and clothes?

277 replies

Pennyola · 09/06/2023 00:27

My husband has made a few remarks about my appearance and clothes that have made me feel a bit uncomfortable. We haven't been married long and I just wanted to ask if I'm overthinking these things? -

  • He's talked about my sister being in great shape, and that it's great how she works out so much. (For comparison - I am a normal weight - but definitely not toned!)
  • He often says it's important in marriage to keep in shape and 'not let yourself go'. He says this a lot. He says it's not surprising if someone finds a partner less attractive after they put on a lot of weight.
  • He told me he doesn't like the jeans I wear, and thinks I look better in other things (he compliments me a lot when i wear skirts and dresses, or dress up). I didn't wear those jeans again, thinking maybe he had a point. (I found other jeans which he likes better).
  • He said that when I go to visit his family, he 'wants me looking my absolute best, wearing the very best coats'.
  • He has mentioned how women in his family look after their appearance - like his sister in law (who is very thin and exercises a lot) and his mum (a normal weight, buys a lot of nice clothes).
  • He compared these women to my mum, who in the past has struggled with her weight. He said she 'doesn't give a shit about her appearance. Look at my mum, then look at yours'. (he was saying this in the context of being critical of my mum about something else).
  • He has told me he thinks I need to buy better clothes, and that he doesn't like a jumper that I love wearing. He thinks it's unflattering (it's loose with drapey arms - but I think it's stylish!)

For context, I like putting outfits together and I do care about being well turned out. I like Zara and h&m.

I know it's ok to sometimes let a partner know your preferences when it comes to their style and appearance. But I have been feeling a bit uncomfortable. Am I being too sensitive?

If I have a baby and struggle to lose the baby weight, I'm worried he'll think I'm not 'putting the effort in'.

OP posts:
UndercoverCop · 09/06/2023 00:29

He sounds like a dick

bringincrazyback · 09/06/2023 00:31

He sounds horrible op. Like he's more interested in you as a trinket on his arm than you as a person. An ex of mine used to act in a similar way, he's an ex for a reason.

GarlicGrace · 09/06/2023 00:32

Did you know he was a superficial, misogynistic wanker when you married him?

Babygirlmum · 09/06/2023 00:32

@Pennyola no you are not being sensitive, you're husband is being slightly controlling, sounds a little narcissistic to, making a woman feel crap about themselves is one of the worst things a man can do in a relationship, maybe you should sit him down and tell him how you feel.

ShouldGoToBed · 09/06/2023 00:34

That sounds miserable op, sorry. Don’t have a baby with him.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/06/2023 00:43

What does he say about himself and men in his family?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/06/2023 00:44

Also does he really put a lot of effort into his own style and fashion? Did you used to and now stop? Not saying what he said is ok, but if style is a core value for him and it's not for you now I can see him questioning the change.

I think also it's important to differentiate what you can easily change (eg making an effort to look smart) vs what's natural with aging

Icanflyhigh · 09/06/2023 00:45

Absolutely not OK. Wear what YOU are comfortable in, not what he wants to see you in x

Mom2K · 09/06/2023 00:46

I was married to one of those. Key word: 'was

AtrociousCircumstance · 09/06/2023 00:47

He sounds sickening. What a controlling little fuckwit.

LTB

NurseEssie · 09/06/2023 00:47

Did you marry him for his amazing personality and kindness to others?

NurseEssie · 09/06/2023 00:48

(What a f creep leering after his SIL). If my BIL made comments like that about me I'd want to scrub myself in the shower)

AnyaMarx · 09/06/2023 00:50

If yku want to
Stay married you need to tell
Him to sod off and you'll eat what you like , he can think what he likes abkut yure family but be respectful and not so bloody rude , and if he's so superficial and shallow about weight - well he's just a shallow man.

What if he puts weight on ?
Or loses his hair ?
Does he expect you to leave him if that happens ?

I just can't be arsed with this type of rubbish these days which is probably why I'm single !

Ineedcoffee2021 · 09/06/2023 00:53

eww, he sounds horrible

not normal, not ok

TheoTheopolis23 · 09/06/2023 00:54

Look at my mum, then look at yours'. (he was saying this in the context of being critical of my mum about something else).

What a lovely person he sounds.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 09/06/2023 00:55

Take up running. And don't stop until you are very far away from him.

Aquamarine1029 · 09/06/2023 00:58

Don't delude yourself. All of this, the way he treats you and speaks to you, will get much, much worse.

Sashya · 09/06/2023 00:59

IMHO while he isn't necessarily wrong about it being important to make an effort while in a relationship and not just let yourself go after one is married - the style of his delivery AND timing is strange.
You are recently married. So - why make you into a project he needs to improve now? And what will it become with time?

What he is saying isn't very english - can it possibly be a cultural thing - where it's more acceptable to talk like that?

Pennyola · 09/06/2023 01:05

Hi @Sashya - he is British, so I don't think his delivery is due to cultural differences....

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 09/06/2023 01:08

He sounds awful

Lose him, then bump into him whilst looking amazing

Shivvy120 · 09/06/2023 01:18

Christ, sounds like my ex! He wants to keep you in tip top shape (his definition of what that means) so that he can show you off along with whatever else he prides himself on (car, house)… are you still allowed to talk about whatever you like around his family and friends or do you need to censor that too? SMH , men

ClairDeLaLune · 09/06/2023 01:19

What he said about your mum was disgusting, I would find that unforgivable. His other comments are dickish too. I would be seriously reconsidering the marriage. Sorry OP, I think you’ve got a misogynist there.

ClairDeLaLune · 09/06/2023 01:20

MistyGreenAndBlue · 09/06/2023 00:55

Take up running. And don't stop until you are very far away from him.

Nailed it, excellent response.

Hairday · 09/06/2023 01:24

If I have a baby

Thank god, you don't have kids! Don't get pregnant with him. You can still leave easily!

NotaCoolMum · 09/06/2023 01:25

Holy sh!t why on earth did you marry him?! 😨 he sounds like a bastard x