Do you wear what suits your shape or what you feel comfortable in...

[ISeeTrees]

That doesn't necessarily flatter your figure?

I'm in a bit of a clothing rut again and have been pondering this for a few days. According to all the online calculators, I have an hourglass shape. My hips and my bust are similar width and my waist is a bit smaller (something like 37-30-36 I think).

To this end, I "should" wear things that are fitted at my waist/accentuate it etc etc. but it all feels too close to my tummy which I'm still quite self conscious of. I tend naturally towards more flowy, A-line type designs that are loose basically from the bust down.

Looking objectively in the mirror I can see that the advice is right, and the waist fitting clothes suit my shape so much better and make me look less frumpy. But I can't get over the self consciousness. What do you do? A bit of both? Or is it a confidence thing?

Are you me?!!!!

I'm exactly the same . I bought some high waisted wide legs trousers like cotton/linen blend and I would naturally wear a top over my tummy not tucked in to hide my tummy. I then tucked the top in like it is fashionable to and I can see it looked more fashionable, in fact my dd said I look decent for a change! But I could see my belly was more obvious cos the top was tucked in! So do I go for the more fashion conscious look that makes me look fatter or the more comfortable hiding tummy look that makes me look less 'with it'!!

I was literally pondering this today when I drove to work!

Ha it was exactly this outfit combination that made me question it too @indianwoman. I tried them on with a cropped t shirt and even though there was maybe 2cm skin on show I couldn't bring myself to wear it out. Pity though because the trousers just don't have the same effect with a t-shirt over the top!

I don’t wear what anyone else suits my shape. I do take account of my shape when choosing what to wear, but if I love something, I’ll wear it.

But we’ve just had this thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5094038-do-you-dress-for-your-shape-ie-to-make-some-bits-look-smaller-etc?reply=135924835

Sorry @RandomersAssociation I don't hang out here often I'll have a look at that thread!

I know what you're saying @AnnieSnap I think I like to 'follow the rules' a bit, or at least think about it, just because I don't really have much clue about the different styles and shapes. So more a bit of guidance than someone telling me what I should wear iyswim?

@ISeeTrees I used to be more uncertain when I was younger. Being older is very freeing 🙂

Depends on the day for me.....which is probably the same as everybody else!
Some days you want to dress up and accentuate your figure and other days you just want to wear leggings and a massive t shirt!😃

Im abit paranoid about my middle too. Menopause means its 5ins wider then before and serious weight loss has left me with lots of loose skin. But I do try and wear things that are more fitted because Im trying to train my brain not to still see me as fat!