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...

I also bought into the 'wide trousers, loose top' thing and nearly died when I saw my reflection in a shop window unexpectedly. I have trouble accepting that I'm not 5' 9" tall, but in fact a small round person. So now I keep to cigarette pants or straight legged ones. More material doesn't make you look slimmer, it just makes it worse, like a marquee in full sail (mixed metaphor I know). So long as I have something to cover my belly, like a longer-line shirt or t-shirt then I think i look better than when I wear smocky or billowy things.

My apologies jamesblonde - the thing I googled came up with shakes and processed meal replacement food bars. Your plan sounds excellent (makes a mental note to start it when I come back from holiday).

I am a similar height/build and also lost my waist after menopause. I find fitted things actually look more flattering than looser. I also prefer skinnies/jeggings to loose trousers.

I also found planking helpful. I do 3 minutes a day and 2 minutes side plank and over a period of about three months it hasn’t altered the shape of my middle but has firmed it up so it looks better.

Also have a look at the thread about harem style jump suits. I have bought a couple and find them very comfortable and surprisingly flattering (although they are the opposite of fitted).

Thanks,I will look at the suggestions!

I suppose what is 'interesting' about what the awful jobob, or whatever her name is, wrote is that that is what people think in real life. Hopefully she wouldn't say those things in real.life, but she thinks them about women like me.

Nothing has helped my new menopausal body. I do the plank, along with Pilates, Zumba, HIIT classes, cardio... all of which I did before and still do now. I am trying to come to terms with the changes to my body now, as fighting it just does no good! I don't want to hate myself for how I look, so that's why I asked for advice on clothes. Sadly I don't have the legs to go with the new shape.

As I said in my op, I now look exactly like my mum when she was my age. She went to keep fit in the village hall once in 1976, didn't like it, and did no exercise at all after that.

I am.a 4 times a week gym person, 10000 steps a day. I have always watched what I eat. And yet I look like exactly like she did.

Strangely, I have been away for 4 weeks and had no access or time for the gym. And I have lost a bit of weight.

I am going to look at jumpsuits now!

m&s slim leg trousers

In similar situation and I have bought three pairs of these in different colours. They have different lengths too.

Last winter I wore skinnies with boots for first time ever.

I’m only a bit heavier than I was but it all sits in different places

I was not judging you but if you are unhappy with the way you look, change it. Age and menopause aren't terribly significant unless you have a disability resulting in inability to exercise. To the person who said she doesnt eat much, weigh how much protein you are consuming because lack of protein can mean difficulty in getting weight off. A nutritionist/pt would help a lot. If you are overweight your diet is not working for you.

Seriously Jonbb, did you not hear the message loud and clear? She came on here asking about CLOTHES. She's a size 14- hardly a crime. I'd rather be 20 stone than be like you.

Guess what’s back in fashion?! BELTS! I’m so excited!
Honestly a lovely wide belt is so flattering. You can wear a nice loose dress, go up a size for comfort and then wear a good leather belt with matching bag. It gives structure, the illusion of a waist and a bit of style. It’s the only thing that suits me ( I’m the same height and shape , although I’m only a 14 in a select few shops. 16 is the more unforgiving ones). You can even get away with loose tops and loose trousers if you add the magic wide belt.

@Jonbb Enough now. Jog on. Your words are not wanted on this thread. Thank you and good night.

Chuffingnorah, that made me laugh.

I have been considering belts! I sometimes forget how my shape has changed, and got one of my belts out to try and it wouldn't go anywhere near me... I need to look at some. More shopping!

I tried tucking a top into a skirt yesterday. This was a big mistake.

Bugger off with your concern-trolling, Jonbb.

Jonbb, you are the worst kind of smug, hateful individual. Yeh, yeh, you've got all the answers haven't you??? I suggest you get off this thread as you've nothing to contribute. OP, I'm a size 20 apple and I like empire line or loose tops with straight jeans or light trousers. Nice painted toenails, lovely hair, sandals and jewellery!

I think the straight jean/trouser may be the way to go. All my life I have avoided this shape as a pear! It is having to rethink what suits me I suppose.

The thing I have that suits me most is a long maxi skirt with a very wide elasticated waistband. If I wear it with a camisole I look ok! So, yes, the more fitted look is best. Floaty (my all time favourite) now makes me look huge.

I also now suit shift dresses I think. I used to avoid them like the plague!

Yes the lose bottom, fitted top OR lose top, fitted bottom has helped me.

loveka have you tried the Next linen shift dress?
It’s meant to suit everyone. I haven’t tried it yet but if it managed to disguise my stomach, I can see it would be a good everyday dress.

Dare I say I have 4 of the Next shift dresses and they are very nice and flattering and 21Eu. A bargain. Will I be shot down?

Personally speaking, I don't think shift dresses ae good for apples (but by all means go ahead!). I have quite a tum and a shift dress is th emost unforgiving style (after the body con thing).

Ah but have you tried the Next shift dress Deathraystare?

Age and menopause aren't terribly significant unless you have a disability resulting in inability to exercise

I don't even know where to start with this so I'll just say in response: no, that is not true.

Op I know your pain. My shape has also changed. I do very much second the PPs who say fitted it better than floaty.

Only someone who hadn't gone through the menopause would say that it was irrelevant.

I must be really different to everyone else because I hate myself in fitted clothes, unless it's fitted trousers with a long loose top. Anything that fits only on the shoulders is my friend these days.

I’m a size 14 5 ft 3 Apple too. I love culottes, wide cropped trousers and anything with a elastic waistband. Recent buys have been Me & Em khaki maxi skirt and the cropped palazzo pants. H & m khaki tencel pull on trousers.I don’t know why I’m going through a khaki phase at the moment !?
M&S silk v neck top or linen t shirts ( because they don’t cling) are top layers.
I feel your pain on your changing shape. The only thing that’s helped me is the 16/8 diet, probiotics and reducing stress and improving sleep. One bad nights sleep causes my stomach to balloon.

Bluelady and Bitoutofpractice

You make assumptions and presume much.