Do I really have to be thin to wear certain things?

[applesandchairs]

I regularly wonder about this and I think from reading threads on here, I'll probably get mixed viewpoints!
It seems fairly well accepted that certain things look better on a thinner woman - for example we regularly see people on here saying they can't wear skinny jeans as their legs look like parsnips in them, that leather leggings make anyone over the size of 8 look like sausages in skins etc etc. I guess most of us live by these "rules" to an extent, in that we wouldn't necessarily wear something that we felt we looked awful in. However, I look at the models on ASOS Curve for an example, and they look great in bodycon dresses, skinny jeans etc. I suppose my question is this - honestly, if I am wearing skinny jeans or a tight dress and my figure is less than perfect, does it really matter? I am a size 12-14 and wear skinny jeans even though my thighs aren't really made for them, I have a bodycon dress but my hips and thighs are a bit wide, but my stomach is flat. I wear mini skirts but again, my thighs aren't my best feature. Am I getting away with this, or are people really judging me? I hope they're not judging me. My personal view point is that I wear what I want to wear, if I like a style and want to wear it, as long as I don't look hideous, I'll go for it. Is this ok or is it a mistake? I don't really want to have to wear straight leg jeans, or skirts to my knee etc etc just because I'm not a size 8. I want to wear fashion if I like it, I don't want to just wear what really really suits me and my body shape all the time, that would be boring. Or are people laughing at me??!! This is fairly lighthearted but sometimes I really do wonder.

Thanks jackie but I am def slim rather than thin!

I don't wear the same styles all the time... But I don't find myself thinking 'I'm bored of wearing clothes that suit me now I want to wear something that doesn't.'

Apples, I am 5ft 10" and for many years was a size 8-10. Yes, some things did look great on me, but many did not! I always looked better in tailored clothes and so couldn't wear the sloppy layer cool look that I thought was fab at the time. I also hated my skinny legs and was desperate to have proper thighs. I am now a size 12-14, so still slim ish for my height but not thin. I find clothes look loads better on me now. Not sure if is just how I feel about myself but my point is different body shapes do suit different clothes. I don't think many people can wear absolutely anything and look great. However, with your shape they is no reason why you shouldn't wear short or body on type of dresses.

Not everything is universally flattering whatever the size. Shape sometimes has more to do with it as does height.

I once posted here about whether to buy a pair of skinny biker leather trousers as I am over 40. N one was concerned about my age but more concerned that I we a size 12.
To which I say that at 5'11" I look a slim 12 bmi spot on 21 and all that. So actually nothing to do with size as such.
I am very straight up and down so a body con dress would look crap on me.

Agree that height also plays a big part. I'm slim. A size 6/8. But only 5ft.
I have to be careful with clothes as I risk looking like I've been in the dressing up box. However I dress to please ME. Wear what I like on ME. I do not let others dictate.

I'm far too thin. I'm only 7.5 stone and 5'4 but can't keep weight on atm. I've never been big, but not everything suits me. I can only wear flat shoes so that has an impact on how I dress. I have severe pain so some days can't wear jeans. I dress to suit myself, most days I think I look okay, some days I look really good.

I read that "frumpy" thread and tbh imo it was ridiculous. There were posters writing off complete brands, styles, cuts etc as "frumpy"! It might be on them, but on another person it can look pretty good.

Wear what you feel comfortable in OP. The way you carry yourself and your posture has a lot to do with how good you look.

No clothes don't look any better on thin people and there is nothing you shouldn't wear.
Being thin doesn't mean you have the 'perfect body'. Bodies are all different and no ones is better than anyone else's.
Wear what you look. I'm sure you look great. If people don't like it, and I'm sure people don't dislike it then they can F off!
You are more than your looks!

I think skinny jeans and some other items look nicer if you have more of a shape. I don't find scrawny bambi legs particularly attractive. I'd rather see a bit of muscle and shapely toned thighs and bottom.

For example I know i'll be in the minority here but I think Kate Middleton would look a lot better if she gained a stone or two.
(Of toned flesh and muscle not just pure fat.)

Good underwear is key I think
If your body looks smooth and curvy it's a better hanger.

I got some good advice recently. I was told to wear what makes me feel good. whether that follows trends is irrelevant. I have followed this advice and had more compliments than ever before. I feel really confident in a slightly edgy biker chick style. I think I walk differently, act more confidently and this makes people think I look good. I'm not thin by a long mile but keep getting told I look really good.

Of course you don't have to - you can wear what you like.

Do bear in mind that the models on ASOS Curve are models

Most size 8 people don't look like the "normal model size" models in the clothes, and most size 12-14 people won't look like the "Curve" models in the clothes either.

Skinhead you can't put on weight in flesh. It's muscle or fat. A couple of stone of just muscle would be very difficult to gain without body building.

Just wear what you like!

I'd love to be 5'10" and a size 8-10 but that's not going to happen, I'll always be 5'3" and have curves (I'm size 10-12 at the moment). Am I going to let that stop me from wearing what I like? No!

Pretty much the only thing I like but never wear because it doesn't suit my shape is wide leg trousers. I look much more in proportion wearing a skinny or straight cut. But then a lot of my favourite clothes fit into the categories people regularly define as frumpy on here (like a teal skirt with a pattern from White Stuff and coloured tights!). Anyway, I think life is too short to wear boring clothes so I wear what I want to.

Kate Middleton is a good example as I don't think she should put 2 stones on. She is fit and healthy with toned strong legs, what she doesn't have though is hips. That's down to shape and not weight. If she had wider hips on not such a boyish shape, she wouldn't look as thin. If she gained weight, she would still look straight up and down. I sometimes think she wears clothes that accentuate her 'no hips' and would look better if she cret the illusion of having more curves. Having said that, who cares, she is presumably happy and overall she's doing quite well isn't she!

Created not cret