Is it possible to look smart if you're fat?

[SuperEkstra]

I'm a size 20, and now have a big tummy, thighs, hips and bum. I'm 5'8". Up until 3 years ago I was a 10. I've ballooned in size. I need to look smart on occasion for work, is it even possible?

Yes but make sure it fits well irrespective if it say 18,20,22,24 on the label.
Many people SQUEEZE themselves in to clothes TOO small for them makes them look fatter than they are

Yes. I'm a size 22 and 5'9". I've had to present in court amongst other things for years.

Have a look at smart dresses (with jackets if you need them) rather than trouser suits.

I have several smart dark dresses, many can be worn with a white blouse underneath, all can be worn with a plain black short jacket if required.

I have knee high black boots as one footwear option, lots of flat shoes, some court shoes. Very thick black tights for court, colours for work if I can have fun with it.

TU at Sainsbury's are surprisingly good for these dresses, but most of mine are from Monsoon.

Yes of course

@SoddingWeddings Hi, can i ask what style jackets you wear?
Also for everyone, what style winter coat do you wear? I'm a 20 and really need a new coat, want to be warm but not look puffy

@SoddingWeddings exactly that! I'm an Expert Witness and need to not look like a horrid blob

Yes but I do think it takes more effort. (Have been big small and everything in between) You have height in your favour, I'm short and tend to look like a weeble in a suit. Go for the best quality you can afford and yes, ignore size labels go for what fits. Good luck.

Yes, I wear jersey dresses with tights and boots. The most important thing is to go for good quality thick jersey that skims over lumps and bumps rather than clinging.

I like Boden and Gap for quality and fit.

Oh and Snag tights because they don't roll down, sag at the crotch, gather at the knees and are long enough to actually go all the way to the top of my legs. Nothing less professional than having to hoick your tights up as you walk across the room

Yes, but as pp said it takes more thought. It depends on your shape - I'm still curvy, technically pear but with very big boobs too (it's just that my hips are very very big) so for me dresses with fuller skirts work very well, if i need a jacket i tend to wear something cropped length that finishes on the waist, left open. Separates are more challenging - skirts and nice (cashmere) sweaters can work but trousers are mostly a bust unless I make them myself. And good accessories are a must.

I actually find casual very difficult, more structured clothing suits me better. Jeans are my nemesis

Yes ofcourse.

A friend of mine is on the morbid obese scale but she looks absolutely stunning and smart.

How?

Hair in a nice colour and always styled
Wears beautiful (often extravagant but classy) big earrings
Pretty necklace always
Good make up, she esspecially loves nude lips
Clothes in her size in elegant colours. She esspecially looks good in longer dresses.

Good luck OP

I wear dresses like this: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/honor-ponte-dress-navy/sty-j0040-nav

Or this: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/anna-ottoman-dress-black/sty-j0697-blk?cat=C2_S2_G4

That kind of cut anyway.

Short fitted black jackets in this kind of styled - not usually with buttons unless they are single breasted and button under the bust:
www.monsoon.co.uk/juni-sustainable-cropped-smart-jacket-8423330122.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8fr7BRDSARIsAK0Qqr73gWn90Xt_iodszfs3c3oAvpLvvX_8lm576BHyUZ7MyF7yVEN994UaAgdlEALw_wcB

It makes me sad that you felt you had to ask this. I know lots of fat people, I’m the same size as you, but even others I know, are smart. Why wouldn’t they be able to look and dress smart? Before you were this size did you just think every fat person dressed slobber? Did you never meet fat people who were in fact dressed smart?! Just wear clothes that fit well, and do your hair and make up. The same rules apply regardless of size.

Dresses that are lined are also far better and less clingy. I wear "suck your belly in knickers" that come up to the bra and down to the knees so nothing jiggles.

Well fitting clothes, smart jewellery, clean looking make up, smart shiny hair and that's me ready for court!

Of course I WFH these days, not seen a courtroom in months....

Yes. It's all to do with you.

I failed to look smart at a size 20. I fail just as spectacularly now that I'm a size 8. Some people look good in a paper bag. I look shit in Chanel

My SiL is huge (think Dawn French before her weight loss) but is one of the best dressed people I know. Responsible, professional job, but has her own style which generally involves plenty of colour and texture. So yes, it is possible

A friend of mine is larger. She always looks absolutely impeccable. Polished and professional

Responsible, professional job, but has her own style which generally involves plenty of colour and texture

Actually I think this is important, having your own style. Whilst there are exceptions, for most larger women the generic smart trouser suit won't work well as there are so many places where it can fit badly. Pencil skirts are hideous on me unless they're custom made. Buttoned up blazers are similar. The "easy" smart clothes don't work for me and I have had to adapt my own look. I really struggled when I first needed corporate stuff. Thankfully it's toned down lot now and a proper suit is much less necessary.

When I was a size 20/22 my fave outfit was knee boots with riding stirrup style - stylish not actually for riding! (I actually got some from a charity shop that were from one of those bigger calf stores). I'd wear them over leggings and then wear shawls or poncho wrap style tops. I always felt this was smart for winter events. The wider boots balanced out the top half.

Pic attached to show the look. I also felt more confident that my lumps and bumps were well hidden!

I'm currently a 16 - 18 so not much smaller than you but definitely feel I can dress smart!!

Tbh there are size 8s and 10s that always look scruffy and cant seem to pull smart off. It's not the size.

Meh, not for me. Found it very difficult to look smart when I was bigger.

Everything needed to be perfect - hair, face, clothes need to be perfectly coordinated /hiding worst bits. It's easier slim

@AbstractDot , whilst that's a nice look, that's not what I mean! I mean that I frequently am called to give evidence in Court as an Expert Witness.

I guess maybe I mean 'Business Smart'?

It's the same old rules: wear what suits your shape, colourings and occasion in your measurement and alter if needed.

Yes. Wear tailored clothes that fit you neatly. I've found it offsets the seemingly universal assumption that overweight people got that way because we're slobs. Some sharp lines help. I find jersey a mistake when I want to look smart, though fab when I want to be comfy.

Karen Mullen have just launched a 'curve' range, I've bought a few bits and they are lovely quality and quite smart.

Sorry that was meant to say Millen