How should I dress for my size (am so in denial)?

[NoseyNooNoo]

In my head I am still the size 10-12 that I was many moons ago. I did a bit of shopping today and had the usual 'crikey moley' moment when I looked in the mirror and saw an old fat woman looking back at me in the mirror.

So, I'd say I'm a size 14. I couldn't bare to put the actual measurement up on here through shame. I am 5'7". I have quite a belly on me. I could be slimmer but I actually like eating so I'm going to have to accept that this is the body I'm going to have.

I've tried to work out what my shape is but the online things say I'm an apple/hourglass which is no help.

What I find trickiest is trousers. They make me look like a sack of potatoes. They always seem so low cut and/or give me a camel's foot IYKWIM.

Sorry about the ramble - I probably need a therapist more than fashion advice!

I think the best advice is buying clothes that fit. There are far too many people wearing a size too small because they are scared of their actual size. I cut labels out if they upset me

Oh yes, I wear the same old clothes all the time. I did buy some more jeans today - not great but they fitted. I hate shopping too.
Lavita - I do try to buy well fitting clothes. However, today I tried on a top with buttons across the chest which pulled a bit but there was no way in the world I could bear to buy a size 16. I still fool myself that I'm a 12-14, i can't accpet that I'm actually a 14-16!!

Any more ideas any one?

Lol..how I wish I was a 14-16! I'm an 18-20, but I think I'm the same shape as you, its all about the tum! Anyhow, what I have found is that, for this shape, jeans and a tshirt is the worst possible combination, cuts you all up in the wrong places,emphasises all the wrong bits! Sorry! Having said that, I live in jeans. But I always wear them with longer length empire line tunics/dresses. Fitted around the bust, then flaring out below to cover the tum, best length is just to the tops of the thigh, covers all sins. It means whats happening around the tpos of the jeans is less important too!

Do you have great legs/boobs to show off & distract?

Last Winter I lived in leggings/tunics/sweater dresses.

Intend to do the same this Winter!

And for as many as possible.

When I find something comfortable & that looks OK, I do it to death

Another big bellied lady here size 14/16 (sometimes 18 depending on the shop) who lives in leggings/jeggings, tunic tops, dresses, cardis.
team them with a great pair of shoes/boots and some nice accessories.
definately agree that jeans/tshirt combo is not the most flattering look for our body type

Oh dear, I live in jeans. Is it more that my top should end well below my waist or are jeans a total no-no? I don't know where to buy leggings and I've tried to various trousers with no success. As for my breasts and legs: my breasts are a nice size and shape but my chest is inexplicably pimply. My legs are good in silhouette but the back of my thighs down to my knees looks dreadful in the flesh. I'd look great in skinny jeans if I could find some that did not have such a low waist that I sport a muffin top.

Sinny jeans & a tunic top?

I find an Empire style makes my boobs look good & skims my tum.

Should be skinny, of course!

Agree with diddl - as an even fatter older version that you OP, empire line tunic tops are great for accentuating boobs and skimming the stomach. I look half decent in the right tops. I might see if I can post some examples in a minute.

I have just had a 30m square log cabin built in my garden as a personal gym so soon I will be slimmer than Kate Moss!

Jeans ain't a total no no but I personally find it hard to find a pair of jeans that look good cos of my big tum., ditto with trousers.
Leggings you can pretty much buy anywhere, next, Dorothy P's, ect I tend to buy mine at Asda only a fiver.
yes to skinny jeans if you have good legs I know what you mean about muffin top though, thats where jeggins come in handy, when you have a longer top/dress on over them you can't tell they are not jeans IYSWIM.
regarding pimply chest, do you exfoliate? find that helps.

I don't like the colour and material of this top but the basic empire line shape is good

Why not just lose a bit of weight, feel better and wear what you want? Rather than trying to sort the symptoms tackle the cause

you need the per una roma range of sit on waist jeans which are good for the fuller figure

hmc-

OP-I´m not a trouser person either, being 5ft & 55kgs

They never look right taken up, so if anything I have capri length to wear as a 3/4 on me, 3/4 as a 7/8..well, you get the idea!

I bike a lot & do find leggings great as they are not as restrictive as jeans.

Also, dresses & tights-similar look to tunics & leggings.

I also sometimes wear leggings with a dress as after wearing leggings & socks, I find tights feel horrible on my feet.

"Why not just lose a bit of weight, feel better and wear what you want? Rather than trying to sort the symptoms tackle the cause"

Oh god! - spoken like a slim person with no food issues. My friend comes out with tedious stuff like this too.

OP-do you exercise much?

I have recently started taking a brisk walk-about half an hour-as soon as I get up & I´m feeling a little more toned already!

hmc -sorry to be tedious!

I am NOT naturally a slim person and could VERY easily be an 18 if I put my mind to it.

But I don't get the whole 'I can't find anything that fits me- btw I'm 2 stone overweight' thing. That probably sounds very unsympathetic to folk with food issues (whatever that means). Still means tackling the cause is the answer long term, non?

Sorry, I'll let you carry on choosing clothes

I am size 12/14 and i feel similar to you op.But i do find it easier to dress in winter, as a really nice pair of boots and M&S cheap leggings with a tunic look good.
Reading the comments earlier i am guilty of taking too little exercise and feel much better[and tone up] if i do.Would anyone like to start a supportive S&B walking thread
to motivate us all[for those that need a little nudge}?

Try skinny jeans with a long top. I have lost aboout 3 and a half stone since having DC3 and now wear size 12. But my tummy is never going to be flat again. I was persuaded by Gok to try skinny jeans (in his book not in person sadly!), and was shocked to find how much they work. So wear them pretty much all the time with a long or wrap top.

Am chuckling at 'just lose a bit of weight'!

If it were really as simple as your post suggests cybil then there simply would be no people with weight issues (other than those with medical conditions) - as that isn't the case, and weight gain and weight loss is a complex issue for many people, I found your post ....unhelpful...

I know someone who has similar views to you, she too would say she could easily be size 18 but she avoids this terrible fate merely by the exercise of her sterling will power. She fails to acknowledge that she absolutely lacks will power and resolve in other areas of her life though (which I am too polite to point out to her)

"Am chuckling at 'just lose a bit of weight'!

Ah, you are much more mellow than me. I appear to be quite testy this evening

I'd love to have your willpower Cybill, unfortunately I love food. Simple as that really. And I don't think anyone here has said anything about "nothing fits me" more a case of what suits our body shape ie big belly. And for what its worth I used to be a size 10/12 before I had the DC but always had a bit of a tummy on me, and always had the same issues with jeans,so there!!