"She really shouldn't be wearing that..."
 

Warning: FA-themed stuff ahead...

Today I put on my size 12 Banana Republic shorts and a flowy top, tucked it in, and belted my shorts around my waist. Yes, I wore my shirt tucked in and my shorts belted around my waist, and yes, I'm a size 12. But fat people aren't supposed to do that, right? We have to wear pants that come up 3 inches below the navel and floaty tops that float away from the "problem areas", right?

WRONG. I hate fashion myths that say that fat people aren't supposed to wear certain kinds of clothing. Like skinny jeans. So what if straight-leg is more "flattering?" If I were a hipster I'd throw on my size 12 skinny jeans and rock them like anybody else, thank you very much. There was an era when we thought that skinny jeans made everybody look weird, anyway...it's all a MYTH that we perpetuate by buying into it.

What are some fashion myths about fat people that really get your goat?

Disclaimers: I'm not saying that I'm confident enough to pull off every look out there, or that every fat person should be, it just bugs me sometimes. Also, as a size 12, I'm probably better described as normal, not fat, but I think that to the MSM that perpetuate these myths, a size 12 is included in fat fashion taboos (and I recognize that size 12 is just a number, and encompasses many different bodies).

I think size 12 is seen by MANY as "fat" and I HATE that. I looked awesome as a size 12 (and forestroad, you look great).

One myth is that "fat people" - or anyone above a size 8 - can't wear a bikini. I have a long torso and big boobs - if I wear a one piece I look pregnant. So I wear a bikini and I'm comfortable in it (and some dude came up to me at the pool the other day and was like girl, you look GOOD) so there :p

Size 12 is not considered fat. Think size 20 or 22 if you are thinking fat. I am at goal and weigh 118 . I don't wear size 12 anymore but I wear straight leg jeans because I 'm short and they give me the look of being taller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUTJQIBI1oA i love this vid n its what ur saying in ur post

I hate every myth about swim wear and over weight people. Especially comments about how they should cover up on the beach or not be there at all:mad:

First of all, size 12 isn't fat.

Clothing rules really don't apply to specific people or body types in general, it's more like don't wear clothes that are too small for you. And it really depends on your body type, some thin people look horrible in skinny jeans. It's about finding what clothes look best on your body.

Thin women can look horrible in some clothes. And so can fat women, and they can also look amazing. So there really aren't a set of rules for everyone.

AT 149 you seriously are not FAT!!!

Wear what you feel comfy wearing & the **** with what people think you should be wearing or not be wearing! 'Nuff said...

I agree. I've seen morbidly obese people wearing tight clothes that do not fully cover all of their dangling fat rolls. While I admire the self-esteem involved, it's simply unsightly. Of course, I've seen skinny women dress in tight, skimpy clothes also, and they look like they should be on a street corner. IMO, if you're dressed in a way that you wouldn't be morbidly embarrassed for your boss or grandma to see, you're good to go.

First of all, glad to see there are so many out there who don't believe in fashion taboos :)

Second of all, didn't mean to imply I was "fat" in a negative sense...I was basically just using it as a descriptor for not skinny, and yes by some (but not most) ppl's standards, actually fat. To some people, I'm sure I'm skinny. It's all relative. In any event, it wasn't meant as a judgment or anything. Sorry if it offended :hug:

no i understand, at a size 8/10 i was the fattest girl in my sorority by a long shot, its true that at our age a size 12 is considered fat, i promise. that being said, if you can pull it off it doenst really matter what size you are, ive seen girls who arent 2s rock some really great styles and look like models while doing it, so go for it, belt that shirt

I've certainly said my share of "She really shouldn't be wearing that..." type comments before, but not because I think bigger people need to wear certain types of clothing. (And I feel bad for saying it anyway, but my mom and I get catty when we're together. :devil:)

Usually it's because someone wears something that just plain doesn't fit -- even skinny girls get a muffin top if they're wearing jeans that are two sizes too small. :p Other times it's a weird color combination (light pink shirt with dark pink pants - saw that yesterday) or a bad mix of patterns.

I do think there's something to be said for taking your body shape into account when choosing clothes. I'm probably on the borderline of "fat" but I have a huge stomach. If I wore a flowy shirt with an empire waist, I would certainly expect to overhear someone saying "did she LOOK in the MIRROR before she went out?" I guess that's a bad example because chances are, they'd just assume I'm pregnant, but hopefully my point makes sense.

You know, I think it should depend less on what size you actually as compared to what kind of styles look good on your body type.

I'm sorry but my body type is strange and not easy to find certain clothes and styles to go with it. And though there are bigger women out there than me, they might be able to pull off certain things better than me because of their body type.

So basically.... if you rock it, do so. If not... keep it off! Or, on a better note... if you feel comfortable in it... go for it!

I hate that people say overweight people shouldn't wear skinny jeans! I believed that until I put on a pair... so it would probably look better if I was smaller, so what! I hate feeling like I have to wear clothes that hide every inch of my body! And I dream of the day when I could be a size 12 again, so I don't think that's big either! Ah... to walk into a store and just grab something and know that I can fit it... it'll be great! (At least that's how it works in my dreams... remember, it's been a long time since I was that size!)

First of all, you are not fat - I weigh the same as you and am 3 inch shorter (and slowly stop feeling fat...)

I disagree with the notion that big girls should not show their knees. They can, in fact, be much more flattering than ankle- or calf-long skirts.

I seen this on Ruby and its true. Where floral prints are BIG florals. Just because I like floral prints does not mean I want 1 big flower going across my boobs.

Just because I am fat does not mean I dont have shape. I try clothes on and because its a plus size there is 0 shaping to the outfit, there are shapely fat people. Ugh

I don't even shop at the plus size stores except for comfy pants and a different shirt now and then. I am opting for t-shirts & jeans until I reach "regular store" clothes. It is irritating that I have to wear shirts that are not tailored at all.. I feel like my grandma looking at those clothes sometimes. I read an article on why that is so with plus size clothing and it makes sense. Because the overweight population is highly diverse regarding size and it costs more to manufacture plus sized clothing, the companies can fit more people into a particular size if they make a garment with a loose fitting style. It still makes me mad, but I understand why... it's all about the bottom line and money.

Blech.. I hate plus size clothing. They could at least give some regard to flattering styles. :mad:

As someone who is well above a size 20 or 22 that comment is really insulting. Just because your at 118 now doesnt give you the right to call anyone fat ever. OP was talking about herself, which I dont think a 12 is fat mor do I think OP is fat but I got her meaning she wasnt going to be held back b/c people thought she was too fat to wear things. Your post however just came across as rude and insulting to anyone in the sizes you mentioned or above. When will we stop belittling and insulting each other?

I am well above those sizes right now, too... but honestly, why does the word "fat" bother people so much? I'm FAT. Someone who is size 20 or 22 is likely FAT. FAT is not a bad word, just a descriptive one. It's the people around us and the feelings it invokes because of that who have made that word something that it is not. Seriously, let go of the hate.. it's just a word.

The word doesnt bother me its the fact she feels its okay to say anyone past size X is FAT. Its just rude to be so judgemental of people in a whole.
If you want to call your self Fat thats your right if your a size 2 or a size 22 or size 32 but why do we have to call other people fat?
Its an ugly word. I can think of a lot of "descriptive" words that you probably would not be okay with me calling you. Why did she have to put a number on it why not just say I dont think a size 12 is fat.
There was no need to call out everyone at or above a certain size and call them names.

Hey Looking: After re-reading my post there, I came across as a little blunt. Sorry about that. Sometimes I have to remember to choose my words wisely in forums on the 'net.. it doesn't always come across the way I intend.

I guess here, in this forum, I don't consider it an ugly word. There are so many positive people here that are working toward getting healthy, I guess I don't mind being called that here. It's what I am. However, there are people who use that word in an ugly way. I've been on the other end of the ugly use of the word at times, too. It just didn't seem to me that she was trying to use it in the ugly sense.

I apologize for any confusion! It is, indeed, an emotionally charged word.

BTW.. I wish I were where you are now! My first mini-goal is to be under the 300 mark. You are doing great - keep it up! :)

It's the context of a word, not the word itself. For example, I call myself "short." Now, if someone were to describe me to their friend, I would not by offended by having them say "Oh she's the short one that works at x". However, if someone were to say, "Hey, shorty!" that would earn a few choice four letter words back!

This is something I think about regularly because I love clothes and fashion and really feel that it's unfair that I'm 'not allowed' to wear certain things just because of my size. It was my birthday last week and I spent two months trying to find a dress that was black, knee length, not tight and would look good with a cover up, because I'm not allowed to show anything over the knee or my arms.

I have skinny jeans and cannot bring myself to wear them anywhere. LOL! I think I look utterly ridiculous.

I think everyone should wear what makes them feel good inside--it it happens to be big polka dots, floral patterns, all pink, whatever! Variety is the spice!

I love that video. That girl is amazing!

no one. NO ONE should wear skinny jeans. they are horrible on everyone. :)

I've never been one to follow fashion trends. I just wear what I what I like. I don't like skinny jeans because they make me look like an ice cream cone, but that's the way my body is and that's the way the jeans are.
When I would go shopping w/ a plus size friend, we'd find clothes I liked in the plus size dept that didn't fit me, and she'd find clothes she liked in the non plus size area. One has a longer dress, say calf or ankle lenght like I like and then on the other side it's the same dress but cut 'up to there'...

As for swimsuits, I've finally bought one after not wearing one or owning one for ten years. It's a comfort issue. I just don't have the confidence to wear it out in public, yet.

As someone said, it all depends on how it fits, not so much what it is. Whether I'm big or small, I'm still a pear.