What can I wear now I am shaped like a ball?

[loveka]

I have always been pear shaped. Whether a size 8 or a 14 (when I gave up smoking)

The perimenopause has turned me into a size 14 ball shape. I look properly fat (I am 5 foot 2)

I just don't know what to wear any more. I think long and straight looks best?

I love wearing dresses (tea dresses and I love a maxi)

I look exactly like my mum did at my age. She never did a stroke of exercise, drove everywhere and ate badly. I go to the gym 4 x a week and eat pretty healthily. But it seems genetics will always win out.

I wore wide linen trousers and a loose top today. When I saw my reflection in a sjop window I coild have cried...

Find the narrowest part of your body and emphasise that. Wide and loose = looking bigger and bigger..... the narrowest part is almost always the empire line (under the bust, above the waist).

Also you have to think about the silhouette you’re creating with your clothes. Tight top and loose bottoms, or vice versa (tighter bottom looser top will flatter your current figure most) looks best.

a ballgown? (sorry - on my third glass of wine) x

Have you got good legs? It’s most apple shapes best feature inc mine so in this weather I’ve been wearing shorts and tops that don’t cling to my belly.

Single colours if wearing seperates. Loads of v necked / kimono type dresses out at the moment. Avoid polyester like the plague- especially if ur menopausal. Invest- buy better but less. Forget the cheaper high street stores- disposable fashion is for the young. Get your colours done and stick to a "pallet".

Diet?

It’s the wide trousers that’s the problem - really don’t work on short and round (I speak from experience). Try straight legs and legging style but not too tight. Lots of lightweight summer print trousers in the shops at the moment which seem to suit my shape. I buy from short/petite ranges when available, or just take them up myself when not.

Loose tops can be good but if too voluminous can look like a ship in full sail. Look for gathering round the bust and neckline and tulip shapes.

I’ve just bought these, which work for me:

www.witt-international.co.uk/products/longline-pleat-amp-pocket-detail-top/_/A-D61697_12

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Geometric-Print-Longline-Shirt/133410249-Mono?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072WXX8PH/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Oh, and go up a size or 2 for your tops so that they skim the tummy bump. I wear size 14 trousers but size 18 tops.

Your body shape puts you at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes II and other ailments. In light of your age it seems a reasonable suggestion for longevity . . . the reason you are overweight is you eat too much. You know whatever you wear you will not look the best you can. I'm so sorry you took offence at what seemed a reasonable suggestion. You don't seem happy with the way you look, so change it.

Ignore pp. I am a post menopausal apple. I think slim leg trousers work best but still look fashionable. Straight legs don’t seem to work as well. Keep your top half simple. Nothing tight and clingy nor too flowy. I find shell tops in plain colours work best for me. If you want to wear patterns I find a fine longer length plain cardigan on top looks more slimming. I find if I am between sizes it is better to get the slightly bigger size as there won’t be any bulges. I reduced my carb intake slightly and it made a huge difference.

To paraphrase Churchill, jonbb, the OP can change the way she looks with new clothes, but you will always come across as judgemental and unpleasant.

I feel your pain. My waist has gone awol too. I tens to wear narrow trousers or jeans - rolled up in summer, tucked into boots in winter - and voluminous tops. I also like a dress and trouser combo.

I also try to draw the eye away from my body with striking shoes, interesting jewellery and bright lipstick.

And jonbb, we're not overweight, our shapes have changed with hormone changes - my size 8 friend no longer has a waist.

I am the same but taller 5’ 7”, size 14/16.

I am convinced I will never look good, no matter what I wear. I have read the recommendations on here but it never suits because I don’t like my legs, arms or anything. I have a good face lol.

A few weeks ago I tried the Elite diet and I definitely lost weight around my middle. A few special occasions meant the diet went to pot, but I’m getting back on it.

I’m on holiday at the moment and there are hardly any fat people. I feel enormous. All ages and heights, but mostly slim. This is middle aged women too. I’m determined I am going to lose weight as I’m sick to death of looking shit in everything I try on and feeling huge when I visit the continent.

What is the Elite diet?

I know just what you mean loveka. Over the years I’ve got used to dressing as a pear. Now I also have a large stomach, it’s really hard to find clothes that flatter everything.
I also tried the loose silhouette but realised I look like a walking teabag.

Ah, just googled it.

Nope, will give that a miss. I'd rather eat normal food which is as close to nature as it is intended.

I can’t find my photo to post the diet but it’s porridge or eggs for breakfast, chicken/fish with salad for lunch and chicken/salmon with green veg for tea. 2 litres of water a day. Snack of nuts, banana or apple. 0% fat yoghurt/blueberries as evening snack. It was definitely working after a week.

Vanilla - it is normal food, the only processed bit is the yoghurt. Must be a different thing you read.

I find maxi dresses look good with the waist band (ok it’s not a waist one, but you know what I mean), is under my boobs. It then skins over my tummy and arse. If you’ve got big boobs, even better as they stick out further than your tummy will. Wallis and monsoon are doing some nice ones

Do you have a good bra? Getting good uplift on boobs will give you a better shape.

Also consider trousers/skirt finishing just above ankle bone and a low wedge or platform shoe/sandal to balance.

the reason you are overweight is you eat too much

I wish that was the case. Last time I was on holiday someone (actually more than one) commented on how little I ate. I think they had taken one look at me and was waiting for a display of me shovelling food into my mouth. Which I obviously disappointed those with pre conceived ideas.

Just be aware when you hit a certain age whatever you eat puts weight on you and extreme diets end up being the only answer.

I had some success with juicing but with everything else going on in my life ATM I couldn't keep it up

I am living in these swing style vests <a class="break-all" href="https://direct.asda.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=Swing+vest&ccgid=10#direct.asda.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=Swing+vest&ccgid=10" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">direct.asda.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=Swing+vest&ccgid=10#direct.asda.com/george/clothing/10,default,sc.html?q=Swing+vest&ccgid=10

With a shrug or kimono top to cover the t ops of my arms, then just above knee length shorts or cropped trousers.

Have a look at Navabi. You can put your body shape into the filters, so it only shows stuff that would look good on you! I think it’s a german site. But stuff in £ and shipping and return costs reasonable.

I’m an hourglass (going to pot!) and I found several things in there that really suit me. Also google Madeleine -some of their clothes are good.

HTH.