Are you a slave to fashion, even if it doesn't suit you?

[thisthatntother]

Sat in a pub people watching last night and saw a very, very large woman wearing extremely short cut off denim shorts, black leggings and flip flops. She was quite pity, but her outfit made her legs look horrendously big and tree trunk like.

Shorts showcase the legs, so surely if your legs aren't your best feature - why have them on display? Why not emphasize an area that does looks good?
Don't people dress to suit their shape anymore?
Is it a case of ''well it's in fashion, I'm wearing it whether it suits me or not''.

The patterned harem pants that are in the shops don't do anybody any favors, large or slim. But loads are wearing them.

I know my views are probably old fashioned.
It's probably a good thing that people don't care how they look in things any more? Body confidence and the right to wear what you want without being judged - and all that?

There are blogs about body fascism that urge larger women to feel they can wear what they like even if it's deemed in the mainstream to be unflattering. It's not something I could easily imagine doing but at 5ft 10 and an 8/10 there are still many things I can't bring myself to wear as too unflattering so I do envy people who feel liberated enough to wear what they feel like.

I wear stuff I like and I feel comfortable in. My taste is definitely not for everyone - but I dress to please myself not anyone else.

No I pride myself on having my unique sense of fashion.

In answer to the original question: yes, I'm afraid so. I'll wear any old nonsense if I think it's trendy. I try to pick a version that suits me but my judgment is often clouded by the desire to look cool. I still look back in horror at my Carrie Bradshaw phase. Ditto the all black wannabe fashionista period of the early 2000s. You'd want to see my Camilla Skovgaard tractor soled silver stilettos. And my green ugg boots. The red mist takes me.

I do at least manage (just) to avoid looking like mutton, but it's a struggle. It was quite a wrench to put aside the small skirts when I reached an age at which they started to look a bit unseemly!

I try to wear what I think suits me rather than what's high fashion but 'what suits' is subjective.

I have the problem that I'm short and thin - size 6/8 in Topshop. I try to shop petite ranges to get a good fit. I like maxi dresses and harems but they do me no favours. Therefore I go with just above the knee dresses and slim chinos instead.

Well i totally agree with the OP. Why on earth would you wear something that highlights bits on you that are not your best feature? Most of us wouldn't. I have a horrible deflated balloon tummy with load of stretch marks. I most certainly would NOT wear a bikini. Maybe people would say, why not wear a bikini? I would say, i would frighten strangers and small babies. You need to be bloody honest with yourself. Yet i could argue, i have had children, they are scars from child birth but i couldnt convince myself that it would be ok to bare my stomach. I would be mortified.

I understand what the OP is saying, but from a personal perspective I feel that it's tricky to know what does look good over a certain size.

I usually go for loose-fitting/wide leg trousers and a fitted/long top, but it seems like that is wrong too! Maybe it's true that some of us just don't see what suits us (colours, styles etc)... I certainly feel that way.

On the other hand, just because I wouldn't wear hot pants and leggings doesn't mean I'd stop/criticise anyone else from doing so.

yes OP, your views are very old fashioned. Clothes should be fun and not just about covering your naked arse but as a way of expressing yourself.