Do you 'dress for your size/shape' or wear what you like?

[witsender]

I ask because I wear styles that I like, think I look cool, then catch a glimpse in a shop window and realise the the Hush style girlfriend jeans and sloppy jumper that look cool on a size 8 look a bit frumpy on a size 16.

But then think to myself that if I like the clothes, like how they look together, then maybe I am looking at myself with a more critical eye than others would.

According to my DH and friends I always look stylish and well put together, and am aware that at a 16 I am not as slim as I could be but equally I know I am not a heffalump either!

This just got me pondering really (I do overthink a wee bit) about whether I should be moderating my style somewhat or if actually people can look at clothes and think they go well together even on bigger than a size 10.

If that makes sense!

[TheNumberfaker]

I wear what I like, but no jeans for a normal day at work. Have to wear trousers/leggings of some kind though due to chafing.
As long as I don't look scruffy I don't really care tbh.

[Nepotism]

It's taken me 40 years to realise how important colour is. Now that I'm in my fifties no one is interested in my bum in skinnies but they still comment if a colour flatters me.

[museumum]

It takes me quite a while to admit that done things I love just don't suit me.
The worst thing is that I adore chunky knitwear but I just don't suit it 🙁
And on the other side I hate über feminine clothes. I've got a bust and waist and i know that classic ly I'd be advised to "show it off" but it's just not my personality so I don't.

[maxeffort0satisfaction]

I also believe that if you're fat, flat chested or short there is nothing that will change that. clothes are not magic.
your shape and your size is still there regardless of what clever tricks gok wan trinny and susannah may suggest.

[maxeffort0satisfaction]

its not just your body size its also the age, the look and the body shape which matters more In my opinion.

This idea that if you're young and thin you can carry off anything is very untrue and nostalgic.

I wear what I like but I only like it if I think it looks good on me.. and if there is something I like the look of and I'm not sure whether it will look good I just try it anyway.

even if its supposedly flattering for my shape and looks.. if I don't like it I don't like it. someone will always judge anyway so who cares..im the most important judge when it comes to my looks .. as long as I'm happy and comfortable in what I'm wearing I could not give two shits about others. I'm sure you don't like everything everyone wears either. its just life.. clothes are for function and fun so don't let it hold u back.

focus on what YOU think of YOU.

[IJustLostTheGame]

I dress for my shape.
I'm a norky size 10 so small straps, high necks, shirts, clinging tops and off the shoulder are off menu for me.
I love those things.


I avoid skinny jeans and wear wide legged trousers as they balances me out.
I do love love love wide legged trousers anyway though.

[ZootSuit]

superflyhigh thank you, those ones are gorgeous. I've ordered this one to test the water
m.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/grey-pleated-midi-skirt-_378401304?productFind=search

And sorry OP for hijacking your thread!

[Fuzzypeggy]

The other thing that bugs me is there seems to sometimes be this feeling that fashion is only for the very thin. And young probably too. I refuse not to wear fashionable clothes that I like just because I am a size 14. Truthfully all my clothes would probably look better on someone who is a size 10 but that's probably just because we see models of that size so we start to believe it. I won't stop wearing clothes or like fashion just because I am size 14. That's such a depressing thought, imagine a town where all the thin young things wear great clothes and everyone a bit bigger or older just wears straight leg jeans and a blazer. Not that there's anything wrong with that but you take my point. I won't be invisible because of my size.

[Fuzzypeggy]

I know exactly what you mean op. I am a size 14 at the moment, I put something on, think it looks fab on the mirror but then I catch myself in a window or a photo and I look massive. I've come to realise or convinced myself that I don't look massive. I wear a lot of different things and do like to follow fashion to an extent, my clothing choices are reasonably confident I would say. I think I M over critical of myself but it's hard to see that when most people I know are a size 10. However I refuse to wear boring sensible clothes that perhaps would suit my figure better. I like having fun with clothes so I do. Maybe I would look better in some indigo straight leg jeans but I would die or boredom
So I'm rocking khaki boyfriends with ripped knees today. Probably not that flattering on my bum but I generally don't care

[knowler]

I think it's a balance. I'm a size 18 (would prefer to be a 14-16 like I have been for most my adult life, but hey ho - concentrating on the positives about my bod which has produced 2 gorgeous boys) and I have 'adjusted' my style to flatter my larger self.

Generally, I still wear what I like, but I give it a bit more thought because, in my view, when you're on the larger side you can't just chuck on any old thing and have it suit you. Others may disagree, but I took a look at navabi (online plus size clothes) the other day, and could see how much of it had been designed with the larger body in mind.

Also, I don't think it's a question of covering up more (necessarily); just working out how you feel comfortable and like how you look. For example, I have a couple of 'bodycon' dresses, which are designed for larger sizes and they are incredibly flattering. They don't make me look 'thin' but that's not the aim - and i think this is a difficult concept that I struggled with for a while. It's about celebrating your good bits, rather than trying to look different to how you actually are.

[CatherineDeB]

I often wear any old stuff thrown together. I do try to buy or make stuff for with my shape in mind though.

I had a wake up call earlier. I finished making a dress and tried it on - didn't recognise myself . Which is good I suppose ..... with not so good elements. Imagine if I wore clothes that were that flattering every day .

Pear shape here.

[maggiethemagpie]

I'm an apple. I wear anything that doesn't require a waistline, so it won't dig in to what I refer to as my 'podge'

[Diddlydokey]

Yes and no. I have huge arms that are disproportionate to the rest of me but I refuse to wear long sleeved tops year round. I see women wearing cardigans at the gym and presume it is the same issue but I can't be THAT bothered by it.

[FlamingoFling]

I'm conscious of my shape - probably because I'm a lot bigger than I have been and so do do a lot of dressing to flatter.

For example I love a high waisted, full midi skirt with t shirt but look absolutely horrific so steer well clear

[SuperFlyHigh]

ZootSuit

These are ones from &otherstories - I have the darker colour and I wear it with a navy vest top. have to get largest size (42).

www.stories.com/gb/Ready-to-wear/Skirts/Shinjuku_Pleated_Mid_Skirt/590576-117331876.1

I also got this Whistles skirt from Ebay - get loads of compliments on it and wear with black vest top - the tops I wear aren't spagetti strap ones or low cut as I have norks (larger breasts!). In fact someone thought my &otherstories vest and skirt combo today was a dress, as I tuck in. I also accessorize with the colours, so navy earrings (small) and red beaded bracelet.

uk.pinterest.com/pin/371758144212902936/

PS - I'm 5 ft 4 and they look fine on me so should look fine on you too, just try. Maybe a heel if you want to be elegant or feel that way with them.

[Eminybob]

I definitely lack confidence to wear what I really want to. I am carrying a lot more weight than I used to, especially around my stomach and boobs, and do dress to cover myself up rather than just choosing something that I really like. So end up in tent like dresses and tops.

I have a friend who is bigger than me but wears gorgeous dresses, that although do cling, always flatter and she looks amazing. It's the confidence definitely.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I always hide what I don't want to show off (unless I'm sunbathing on holiday when I'll be in a swimsuit/bikini but so is everyone else)

My waist/middle is my downfall.
I like the bit above, the bit below.
Nobody wants to see my saggy middleaged belly.
I'm mid height (5'5" mid size (14 top/12 bottom) so I don't need to think "Am I too tall, too short, too big, too small" just too muffin top. But , it's a Work In Progress.

There are very very few 'In Fashion/Must Buy' that I think "Oh, I need that"

[ZootSuit]

superflyhigh where are you getting those style skirts from? I love the look and am also a size 12/14 but worried at 5'2" they might look silly on me. Would like to go and try on somewhere though!

[NattyGolfJerkin]

Like most people, I wear what I think works best with my shape/colouring/personality/whatever I'm doing. That's fine if those things are in fashion but is a pain in the bum if not. I won't buy an item just because it is the cut/colour whatever to be seen in, it needs to work with me, so finding stuff when the wrong shapes/colours/lengths are in season is a real ballache.

[Thefitfatty]

I'm with you cherries. I spent the last 4 years wearing maxi dresses because I thought I looked fat in everything I wore. Finally decided to stop thinking of myself as fat and started wearing what I want and what I feel comfortable in and it's been really great. :)

[charliethebear]

I mostly wear what I like, some things I know look terrible on me, like bodycon dresses, and I don't wear them, but thats mostly because I'm pear shaped so they just don't fit both around my waist and arse.
I dont dress to flatter my shape or wear things that I dont like even if I know they would probably really suit my body. I think I have a certain style and i dress to that and in my head I look great so then I have confidence. If I see photos I realise I dont look that good but I think I look stylish?

[JaceLancs]

I try to dress for my shape and size - hourglass currently size 16 although hoping to reduce that
Tend to wear classic fairly plain things, although more adventurous with dresses
I love bright colours though, and know what suits me eg I have a variety of Jewel coloured cashmere cardigans which I wear with white t shirt n jeans or with black trousers, plain dress etc for work

[SuperFlyHigh]

Right now I am liking mid calf or below calf length printed pleated skirts (chiffon type material), I'm a 12-14 but like the look and they're cool.

I won't wear and tried on yesterday in H&M jumpsuits that are mid calf, wide leg but obviously accentuate the fatter area - totally unflattering on me, but otherwise yes I wear what I want within reason.

[ilovecherries]

I've been reading a lot of plus size blogs recently, to try and get an idea about clothing possibilities/stockists etc. While most of them are written by women half my age (I'm 55), and a lot of them have a bit of a thing for 50's dresses, which don't ever be me, what has really impressed me is their body positive approach. I've learned a lot from them, (even though I won't ever wear a vintage dress!!)

[FinnegansCake]

Cherries is spot on, it's a matter of confidence.