Is it possible to be stylish, smart etc whilst fat??!!

[friendlymum67]

Any tips please?? I am 5' 6 and realistically need to lose 3 stone but in the meantime how can I look smart for my part time work. Having been a SAHM for a no of years and living in jeans/leggings/long tops - I never feel smart enough for work

Yes, of course! What sort of style are you after? Budget?

Fatties can never look effortlessly stylish.

That plain jeans and a White shirt look that tall slimmies can throw on and look effortlessly lovely - never going to happen.

I'm fat and it takes a lot of effort to look presentable, never mind stylish. I always have to do my hair and make- up - there's no throwing the hair up in a messy chignon as that combined with chubbiness makes me look slovenly.

So yes to leggings and smart tunics, and wrap dresses and dark tights and well fitting calf length boots from Duo. Yes to largeish accessories and smart bags/scarves.

No to leisure wear, trainers, the no make up look, and padded coats.

eBay is your friend for stretch wrap dresses if you've no cash.

LFC, do you have any brands/ makes you would recommend for the wrap dresses, etc? I have Duo boots.

I bought a dress from White Company (black jersey) but I fear I may look pregnant.

Good advice, LFC. I would also add that you should invest in some good underwear.

Have a couple of wrap dresses but never really sure that they do anything for me?? On a fairly restricted budget unfortunately! Have bought a couple of jersey blazers that I really liked (on slim friends!) but they seem to make me look even more busty!!

Shamelessly marking place

I'm a busty 14 and have to be careful with jersey blazer. I have one that looks really flattering but another one that looks awful. I think you just have to keep trying them on until you find a colour and shape that suits your body.

There are a few different styles in h&m at the minute and in Matalan. They are reduced to £20 in matalan at the minute.

Try on colours you wouldn't normally wear. I tried a burgundy one on and was surprised at how nice it looked. Looked much better than a black one.

Scarves make an outfit look more interesting. I have a few plain jumper dresses from H&M that look nice with tights, boots and a pattern scarves. An smartish outfit with minimal effort.

I think a smart coat can make an outfit look smarter and more stylish. I'ce just got a cheap navy wool type (not wool but that sort of look!!) for £22. Loads of people have commented on it. Just chucked it on with a jumper and jeans and brown boots.

I think it's really really difficult

Agree with using scarves - always smartens me up and breaks up m/covers up my body without swamping with clothes. Plus if you get a couple of scarves that really suit your colouring / go really well with an outfit it makes all the difference.

I get tunics or dressed from Boden, phase eight, White company, wallis, monsoon - I get lots from eBay but because high street jersey is of very variable quality I only now buy brand new on eBay and not used. They go cheap, I get lots of 50-80 quid dresses for 20 or less.

I've got some rubbish jersey dresses that after a couple of washes look very well worn.

I go for mock wraps generally as they come undone (have huge 36J norks) - always v necks or low scoops. 3 quarter sleeves to show the skinny part of the body.

First things, first! Get yourself over to the bra fitting thread. Nothing is going to look good if you're wearing the wrong bra. The wrong bra will give you back fat, double boobs and clothes won't sit right.

OK. So to recap so far:

1. good bra, decent knickers (ie no VPL)
2. groomed (make up and brushed hair)
3. Mock wraps/ tunics
4. plain tops
5. scarfs
6. black tights/ Duo boots
7. good plain coat
8. bigger accessories
9. no slobby sports/ loungewear

not necessarily in that order.

Put threaded eyebrows on that list. Even with no make up, I think I look more groomed due to tidy eyebrows.

LJC - you seem to have got it sussed! Do you stick to black and plain?? How tall are you?

Definitely not!! I have 2 black dresses only and they're evening ones (and black is one of my colours).

Always print, always colour. Black does not disguise being overweight at all. Prints distract the eye. And bright colours make it look like you've made an effort, another problem with black is that unless you're careful and confident looking it will look like you want to disappear into the background.

I'm only 5ft tall and 14 stone so I REALLY have to try.

If you're tall then I'm sure what others are saying about coats is true but I never wear coats (unless I'm dog walking) as I look dreadful in them - I'm a long cardigan kind of girl instead with a nice scarf and gloves. Being huge of nork my boobs don't get cold anyway.

I have a very good friend who has always been fat, she is more then obese I'm not being horrible just stating fact. She has that extra belly that hangs to her thighs that's how big she is. BUT

She is so pretty and stylish, her hair and makeup is always done, nails and eyelashes are done. She's very very groomed and dresses really nice to. Her face is so so so pretty and I'm quite envious how pretty and together she always looks when out. She always wears bright colours, bright red lipstick green eyeshadow and it looks LUSH. So yes you can most def be fat and stylish.

Have you heard of the 'fatshion' community? May not be your thing, but these ladies are looking awesome. The Flickr stream would be a good starting point, whether you are interested in the politics of fatshion or not. There are women of all shapes and sizes here (who self identify as 'fat', of course).

A flickr set here:

www.flickr.com/groups/fatshionista/

I am much larger than you and agree with those who say it is harder to be stylish but possible with a bit of effort. I don't suit wrap dresses, can't figure out why but they just don't flatter me. I am better with tailored, classic styles or long tops/tunics with trousers/leggings.

Do the french thing and make sure your accessories are or look expensive. A plain outfit with good accessories can be stunning.

Yes you definitely can - tho it won't be effortless. Certainly like to think I am.

The advice from LFC is brilliant and I agree with it even though I am tall so can wear some things shorter people can't - nice coats, skinny jeans - but equally there are things which look good on shorter people that wouldn't on me.

But really have little to add. A great bra is vital - mine are Prima Donna. Good hair cut and colour. Groomed brows. Great does bags scarves jewellery.all willake you look stylish and all enjoyable!

Wow!! Thanks so much everyone for all your advice and ideas!! . Tea cakes thanks for the Flickr link - some interesting pics there. I guess the crux of it being that self confidence helps a lot, something I don't particularly have a lot of. However I am going to make a determined effort to try things that I wouldn't normally. I always wear make-up, hair reasonably ok apart from being fine and thin, eyebrows waxed and dyed, will try harder with nails!! Oh and try harder to lose weight!!

I would agree with those who say you can, definitely, but it takes more effort. I look horrific in casual wear. Jeans are ghastly, so are sports clothes. The "slung on with no effort look" just makes me look lazy.

I also find dresses much easier than trousers. And an excellent bra is absolutely essential - that means one that is not the size M&S fitted :)

Sorry for the hijack but does anyone know of any decent plus size fashion blogs? I follow a one called Messy Carla who's a 16 but she doesn't seem to post much about clothes or beauty these days.

Oh my goodness OP, not only can you be stylish, you can be very foxy.

My good friend is a size 14/16 and oozes la dolce vita. I went to the theatre with her about a year ago and I swear Damian Lewis was oggling her from the stage...

Ok ladies, sorry to sound really stupid, but could you link to some examples of tunics etc? I am so clueless. Whenever I tried tunic type things, I look like I'm in maternity wear, where am I going wrong?