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Original poster

Going to be fat in France

44 replies

doroda · 22/07/2023 10:36

Going on holiday next week to the Charente-Maritime in France. Feeling worried that everybody there is going to be slim and fabulous and that I'll stick out like an overweight English lump.

We haven't been abroad since before the pandemic. I put on a lot of weight over covid and although I've managed to lose a bit this year, I'm still firmly in the overweight BMI category and have never gone on holiday before like this. My stomach is the worst bit.

I've bought a lot of new dresses as they feel like the easiest thing to wear now...a mix mainly of midi and maxis, in a neutral palette that I'm hoping errs on the French side of simplicity. No patterns other than stripes or polka dots.

I think I just want some reassurance from people who've been to France that I won't be the only overweight person! I'm imagining the area being full of gorgeous Parisiens on their vacances and feeling dreadful in comparison.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/07/2023 13:54

Ah, you're just going to be wandering around in the pages of your Tricolore 2 textbook. It'll be fine.

Original poster
doroda · 22/07/2023 13:55

Tillypet · 22/07/2023 12:40

I'm in the same position and wiuld be very grateful if you could link to any of your new dresses...

Oh gosh they're not very exciting!

I've mostly got simple stuff from John Lewis like this, cotton/jersey with sleeves

You might like this at John Lewis:
www.johnlewis.com/and-or-bernie-cotton-jersey-dress/p6265801?s_share=jlappdroid

I know they're a bit tent like but they hide my tummy which is what I'm most conscious of.

OP posts:
SoberCurious2 · 22/07/2023 14:01

I used to live in France and there are overweight people there. I don't know why people think they are all stick thin. Statistically there are overweight people there. A fair number. There are overweight and obese people in every country in the world tbh.

https://www.statista.com/topics/10626/obesity-and-overweight-in-france/#topicOverview

Topic: Obesity and overweight in France

Discover all statistics and data on Obesity and overweight in France now on statista.com!

https://www.statista.com/topics/10626/obesity-and-overweight-in-france#topicOverview

Tillypet · 22/07/2023 14:09

doroda · 22/07/2023 13:55

Oh gosh they're not very exciting!

I've mostly got simple stuff from John Lewis like this, cotton/jersey with sleeves

You might like this at John Lewis:
www.johnlewis.com/and-or-bernie-cotton-jersey-dress/p6265801?s_share=jlappdroid

I know they're a bit tent like but they hide my tummy which is what I'm most conscious of.

Show quote history

Oh I love it!

Can't think why the model looks so grumpy!

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 22/07/2023 14:41

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/07/2023 13:54

Ah, you're just going to be wandering around in the pages of your Tricolore 2 textbook. It'll be fine.

Funny, I was just thinking about the Tricolore books reading this thread - everyone in those looked like a walking jumble sale!

PuppyMcPupFace · 22/07/2023 14:42

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 22/07/2023 12:09

I'm part Frog. Do not fall for the myth of the French woman, as pushed on Instagram and MN. In as much as she exists at all, she is confined to the posh bits of Paris - and even there, fashion is far more casual and similar to the UK than MN would have you believe.

In posh Paris and posh/wealthy bits of France (e.g. around Nice) , I'd say it's true that people tend to be slim. But that's a tiny bit of the country as a whole. In most of the country, you will see loads of people of all shapes, sizes and styles.

Or the Île de Ré in August!

I live in France and my various Parisian neighbours are petite, everyone else is normal !

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 22/07/2023 15:03

Or the Île de Ré in August!

Yes, how do they stay so thin, surrounded by fabulous seafood and ice cream? Bastards.

PuppyMcPupFace · 22/07/2023 15:10

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 22/07/2023 15:03

Or the Île de Ré in August!

Yes, how do they stay so thin, surrounded by fabulous seafood and ice cream? Bastards.

I'm thinking of moving there to see if it works for me Grin

IWishIWasABaller · 22/07/2023 15:16

God Im very fat indeed and never felt uncomfortable in France . I will say though that had I needed spare underwear or swimsuit I wouldn't have had a chance of finding something in the stores as all the clothes stopped at size 14-16 ! That was a few years ago though so might have changed now. Hope you have a great holiday

SweetSakura · 22/07/2023 15:17

You're still allowed to go on holiday and have a fabulous time whatever your size. I spent most of my life a size 8, currently a size 14-16 thanks to a heavy dose of steroids although starting to lose weight now I can drop my dose. I don't remember experiencing France any differently as a result. We are still allowed to have a lovely time on holiday Smile

Whattodo112222 · 22/07/2023 15:19

There's a huge homelessness problem in France, I really wouldn't be too worried you're going to somewhere ultra cosmopolitan. Overweight people exist everywhere. Go and have a fab time and stop worrying.

catmothertes1 · 22/07/2023 15:45

doroda · 22/07/2023 10:36

Going on holiday next week to the Charente-Maritime in France. Feeling worried that everybody there is going to be slim and fabulous and that I'll stick out like an overweight English lump.

We haven't been abroad since before the pandemic. I put on a lot of weight over covid and although I've managed to lose a bit this year, I'm still firmly in the overweight BMI category and have never gone on holiday before like this. My stomach is the worst bit.

I've bought a lot of new dresses as they feel like the easiest thing to wear now...a mix mainly of midi and maxis, in a neutral palette that I'm hoping errs on the French side of simplicity. No patterns other than stripes or polka dots.

I think I just want some reassurance from people who've been to France that I won't be the only overweight person! I'm imagining the area being full of gorgeous Parisiens on their vacances and feeling dreadful in comparison.

I'm from a seaside town in Charente-Maritime and can tell you it's not like St Tropez and full of rich,skinny women! The beach I go to is full of people of all shapes,sizes and ages. What will make you stick out like a Brit will not be your size but the fact you are hiding your body and sit on the beach fully clothed. Just go on holiday and enjoy yourself!

lovescats3 · 22/07/2023 15:54

Been to France it's all shapes and sizes, wear what you like and enjoy your holiday

SkaneTos · 22/07/2023 16:17

That dress in your link looks lovely!

Bon Voyage!

80s · 22/07/2023 16:17

Thanks OP now I am singing "I was fat ... in France ... in love" :D
If you don't like France, next time come over to the German Baltic Sea beaches. Lovely white sand and people are not just overweight, they are also naked and couldn't care what anyone looks like :)

Trees6 · 22/07/2023 16:20

The majority of French people aren’t super thin and stylish and they don’t sneer at overweight foreigners. If you were auditioning to walk for Chanel in fashion week it might be different, but you’re not. Enjoy your hol.

Themaghag · 22/07/2023 16:26

Please don't worry OP and don't let dissatisfaction about your figure spoil your holiday. Wear your lovely new clothes with pride and confidence and enjoy everything France has to offer. Have a great time!

HideTheCroissants · 22/07/2023 16:38

The Charente Maritime is full of Brits in the summer anyway! I am BMI 26 so not very overweight but definitely bigger than I’d like to be. I am usually the slimmest person at the gites complexes we stay in. There are larger French people too but I’d agree they are generally slimmer and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a truly fat French child.

The little town my family live in is very rural and no one seems to be fat there unless they are retired - then they become cuddly grandparents.

LadyBird1973 · 22/07/2023 16:51

@RitaFromThePitCanteen there should be a like button for your post!

Brits are too down on ourselves and too quick to think that other countries do everything better than we do! Britain has a reputation for valuing individual style and not having a narrow definition of beauty/elegance/fashion.

In the rich parts of big cities (wherever they are) you see a higher concentration of slim, expensively dressed people, but they are not representative of normal populations.

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