Sweaty and Bloated Fashion Disaster

[ForkedIt]

I’m looking for some help please.
My body is ‘ok’ (how to word it without sounding wanky?) I’m 10/12 not curvy, little bit of a tummy (2 babies, one c section).
Basically I bloat easily, I sweat constantly (even if I use medicated deodorant the sweat just find a different pore to escape from 🙄) and I have two young children, one breastfeeding.
I wear leggings and a sweatshirt most days. I feel lost. I like a casual style, don’t like fitted. Should I just lean into the athleisure look? Get good leggings? Expensive sweatshirts?

In hot weather I wear loose dungas with just a crop top and feel more put together - less sad looking and bit ‘cooler’ but I can’t find a way to transition it to colder weather.

Shoes I find easier as they just fit or don’t. To give an idea of the style I like, my favourite shoes are Nike Air Force 1 mid-tops and black DMs.

Any one able to offer any help? Or am I condemned?

Are you on any medication?

Only asking because I was a horribly sweaty person until I realised there were a couple of medications that were the culprit. I’m talking sweat running down my face and constantly spraying deodorant under my arms, even after using maximum strength stuff.

I’m happily sweat free these days. washing in soap rather than shower gel helped with the accompanying smell but adjusting the meds solved it.

Nope, no medication.
Ive always been like it so I think I need to work around the sweat rather than against it, if that makes sense.

I’m actually less sweaty in summer because there’s less fabric touching me. But I feel the cold so I can’t waft around in a floaty kaftan in November
My other option is to move to a warmer climate…

If you like dungarees would you consider a jumpsuit. I have this one from Lucy & Yak and it’s so comfortable yet I feel put together in it. It works well with trainers and boots and you can add a long sleeve t shirt or thin sweater under for warmth. Looks good with a few bits of jewellery and a bag. It’s so flattering and forgiving too.

I am still wearing dungarees. I have these which I wear with ankle boots, a uniqlo mock neck fleece top under and again I feel put together. They’re from run and fly and again are very forgiving and comfortable as well as thick cotton so they’re warm. They also do cord ones which I’ve not tried.

Both look good with either a long coat (I have a camel one) or a puffer jacket.

I actually have a pair of yaks which I love on the hanger but never reach for!
Part of the issue is that they are too short in the body for me so I need to look at selling them and buying a longer / larger size.
However, I also find that a thin long sleeved t shirt underneath makes me sooo sweaty - maybe because they tend to be quite tight?
Thank you for the coat advice! I’m never sure what sort of coat to wear over the top. Do you wear a short puffer? I have a max mara long puffer (was a gift) but not sure that would work…

I was looking at Uniqlo the other day and liked a lot of their stuff - I like the basic cut and colours. So you’ve definitely understood what I like!

I end up red and sweating too 🙄 it’s because I live in London and it somehow manages to be cool and humid at the same times. I just do thin layers now unless its genuinely cold and ignore the people who dress for the calendar not the actual temperature! I find this time of year is mild across most of the country tbh and only really feel cold on days when I’m out and about after Christmas. I save the big jumpers for sitting on the couch in my freezing cold Victorian flat!

Ha I don’t think I said anything helpful there. However H&M are great for cotton basics and have some nice long sleeve T-shirts in neutral colours - polyester tops are a no no for me!

ForkedIt. A long Puffer would look really good with dungarees or a jumpsuit. Even better than a short one I think.

I see what you mean about the long sleeve t underneath. Does even 100% cotton make you sweat? I can’t wear anything with stretch or polyester or any other sort of ester in as I also sweat so stick to all cotton. Definitely look at uniqlo . A lot of their tops do include material that might cause sweating issues though so look at what they are made of before you buy anything. Muji do a lot of natural fibres and have very simple, clean-lined clothes . How tall are you btw? If you are average height have you looked at Cos, Arket and Kin (John Lewis). You need a bit of height to wear their stuff I think but they have a lot of very simple , forgiving, comfortable clothes.

Anything like these? Sort of athleisure but a bit smarter?

I have the black hoodie and it’s 100% cotton and loose. It looks good with jeans or trousers or sweatpants and would work with leggings too. I have the small. At 10/12 you might need xs as they’re v oversized. But it’s so comfy and hides everything but without looking frumpy and unflattering.

What about something like the second look with donkey jacket and trousers but with a top that isn’t tucked in? It’s simple, smart, comfortable and could be dressed up or down easily.

@SierraJulietGolf - thank you so much. I love all of those things you’ve suggested. I’m 5’7 so think I would be just about tall enough to get away with the likes of COS.
I agree I need to audit my wardrobe for natural fibres, ironically I think a lot of the ‘basics’ going next to my skin are probably cheap polyesters and my nice natural fibre garments are being layered on top.

100% agree about natural fibres. I'm ok with synthetics in the middle of winter but any hint of warmth in the air, or hormonal rumblings and I'm roasting. Cotton layers are really cheap so that would be an easy switch to make.

For leggings- Decathlon does a good cotton legging, I think it's 100% or 99%. Also look at yoga pants. I wore mine to work the other day and someone told me they looked smart!

Mango has 99% cotton jeans. Also Monki.

I'm prone to sweat more than normal.

Seriously, ditch All your polyester, acrylic, nylon anything manmade. They are not breathable at all.

Cotton, linen, hemp base layer, wool top layer. Wool is breathable and enables your body to regulate it's temperature. Doesn't have to be chunky, you can get fine knits. Depending on your skin you could simply wear one wool layer eg Merino. Three quarter length rather than long sleeve can be helpful too. Cotton jeans and a slouchy fine knit v neck merino jumper would look great and I'm sure be more comfortable on the sweat front!

Not really Style and Beauty but I can't recomnend my wool duvet enough. Totally breathable. No more night sweats.

I'd definitely move towards natural fibres too, although I was looking at the Uniqlo Airism range in the summer (thinking camisole under tops to stop sweat transfer, as a quick dry absorbent layer) but I haven't tried them.

I’m tempted to get sweat pads for my armpits, only problem is that I would also need them for my back and other places!

re -sweat. try apple cider vinegar.mix 1/1 with water. (personally i do slam shot style cos-its not the nicest taste but pretty effective

@RudeAF

I end up red and sweating too 🙄 it’s because I live in London and it somehow manages to be cool and humid at the same times. I just do thin layers now unless its genuinely cold and ignore the people who dress for the calendar not the actual temperature! I find this time of year is mild across most of the country tbh and only really feel cold on days when I’m out and about after Christmas. I save the big jumpers for sitting on the couch in my freezing cold Victorian flat!

I think this by @RudeAF is key

It was 10' when I left the house this morning; 15' by lunchtime.

Layers in natural fibres works for me (I don't own any jumpers) as if I'm moving about it's easier to delayer a scarf/ cardi/ jacket.

But - and this really doesn't help the OP (sorry!) - it doesn't really make for a put-together look if I end up carrying the extra layers...

I have had success with one of those thinnish packable down jackets, Uniqlo do them. I can then stick it in my bag in case I need a layer in between my top and my smart wool coat.

5’7 is a good height to carry off Cos and Kin for sure.