I often wonder what this means. On any given day I can be found wearing a black long sleeve college logo sweater and dark semi loose jeans. I am about 175 pounds and am 5'1. Getting clothes to wear has become something that makes me sick to my stomach. Because I am not comfortable in anything. I mean unless its long sleeve, black and loose fitting. I am a walking depression and everyone around me thinks theres something wrong with me. I will see girls bigger then me and looking cute in nice clothes and think... "wow, I envy her." But there I am in my baggy black clothes again the next day.

Has anyone else struggled with this? Being as I am so short, everything shows when I wear clothes. I don't even feel like a girl anymore.

I wanted to let you know I feel your pain. The bulk of my weight is in my belly. I've always gained weight all over, never in one place like this, thanks to baby number 3. I am not comfortable in anything. Too loose I look pregnant; fits in the waist, to baggy in hips and butt; fits in the hips and butt, too tight in the waist. It is slowly getting better. Chin up, I predict soon you'll being looking and feeling great in everything!

i have the same problem. most days i wear a black unisex tshirt (sometimes i just steal my bfs shirts) and jeans. i can find other kinds of clothes to wear but for the most part i just dont feel like i make my clothes look good or vise versa. maybe find one or two outfits you like, or sort of like, and one day a week get dressed up. at least once a week break out of the sweatshirt and jeans mode!

and besides... for me id rather wear clothes too big and feel plain than clothes that are too small and feel like a muffin top! hehe

I know how you feel - it's sooo much easier and more comfy to throw on baggy casual clothes...but it wasn't until I started looking at pictures of myself in them that I realized, hey I might FEEL good but I don't LOOK so hot! I hate having to shop at plus-size stores but some of them are really coming around with making fashionable things that don't look like tents!

You might try this -- because you are fairly short you probably need clothes marked "petite" (which refers to the cut/length, etc., not size). Try just buying one or two pretty spring tops - you know the kinds that girls wear now - with your same jeans. If you don't like short sleeves, go with the 3-quarter at first - but don't get something too big! Larger sizes don't hide the fat - they make us look BIGGER, believe it or not. When I started buying clothes in my real size, I looked 10 pounds lighter and started getting compliments.

If you can get comfortable with that, move on to maybe a smaller jean that's more figure-hugging (but not tight or uncomfortable) - with a cute top.
You CAN find cute things - and not have to feel sick or depressed, or have others think you are. I'd bet my last dollar that you will receive compliments. You are a beautiful girl - you need to feel it too! Best of luck, hon

Rather than dressing for your SIZE...I think that what is most flattering, is dressing for your SHAPE.

You can have two women who wear a size 18, but they can be shaped differently. One might carry her weight more in the belly and love handle area...and the other might carry her weight more in her legs. They should dress differently, to flatter their individual figure.

You might want to take a good look at yourself, and write down your figure flaws, and then on the other side of the paper, write down your attributes. Yes, even plus sized women have attributes-they might have great cleavage/breasts, sexy muscular calves and ankles, or what have you. Take a good look at yourself, and play up the features that look good, while camoflauging the rest.

If you feel more comfortable in black, then that is fine...but rather than being in a unisex black t-shirt, a v-neck black top can look for flattering and feminine if you have a great bustline. A 3/4 length sleeve black top paired with a great bracelet can look more flattering if you have nice, small wrists and hands. You don't have to go too far out of your comfort zone...just a little at a time.

After that, think about adding color. Yes, black can be slimming, but color can flatter. I am a redhead-so I wear lots of black, any shade of green, and turquoise blue-because they bring out the colors in my hair. (Do you remember in art class in school, when you studied the color wheel? Colors have opposites on the wheel. The opposite of red is green...and the opposite of orange is blue-so green and blue compliment my hair color the most.)

If you are a dark brunette-a neutral hair color-you can get away with brights and jewel tones-like red, deep purple, royal blue, and other bright colors.

I agree with Aphil. Dress your shape. Have you seen the show "What Not to Wear"? They have a lot of good tips for dressing your shape (and size, and age).

People are incredulous when I tell them how much weight I have lost. The universal comment is - you were never THAT big! Yes, I was. But I was also a master of dressing to minimize my flaws and maximize my attributes.

I wholeheartedly believe that you can look good and feel good at any size or shape. But it takes a little research, a lot of observation and trial and error (dressing rooms are a must).

One suggestion. Start looking for people that are your size and shape. Note how they dress. Try on some similar items the next time you are at the mall. Keep trying until you find what works for you.

And - most importantly - how YOU feel about how you look in those clothes makes all the difference. I am convinced that the most important aspect of dressing your shape or size is your attitude about yourself. It absolutely comes through to others as much as the clothing does.

I feel the same way. I wear a uniform at work, so on my days off I just want to dress comfortable. You'll always find me in jeans, and a short sleeve short. I don't put in much effort. I have 3 huge occasions coming up where I need to dress up, and I am worrying about them already.

Rikku-

Just from looking at your profile picture, and knowing your height, I would recommend that you go to the petite (short) section of a nice department store. alisluv is right-the cut is different-the waistline and rise in the pants will be shorter, shorter sleeves, etc. so that you are not overwhelmed in fabric that is simply cut too tall for you.

Also, from your coloring that I can see...why don't you try on black pants or skirt...but choose a top in a bright jewel tone-red, emerald green, purple, fuschia? You have the perfect coloring for these tones. I couldn't wear red or fuschia if my life depended on it, but with your skin tone and dark hair, you would look fabulous. The jewel tones would compliment your hair.

Repeat after me: baggy clothes are not flattering to anyone, period.

Its a mistake many overweight people make but it IS difficult finding clothes that fit and flatter. Watch 'What Not to Wear' or get a book which accompanies the series. This will give you tips on styles that suit your body shape.

As I've lost weight and sometimes wear clothes when they are a little too large for me now, I can really see the difference when I wear something that fits nice.

Kitty

And the most important part of a good shirt??
Foundational Garments Ladies!! Good fitting bras!!
A top that fits you well will look simply awful if your bra doesn't fit right. If it's too loose and worn out? You will look saggy and larger than you are. You get the ladies up and at attention...that shirt is going to look great!

I have too few posts to post a great link to an article about dressing for your shape with tips and photos - google Trinny and Susannah dressing for 12 body shapes and you should find it.

Sorry for the late reply eveyone, but thank you so much for all your kind words. I have grown a phobia of clothing stores and fitting rooms. Escpecially the ones in Target where you can see every angle of your back! Eeek! My back is awful. But I am going to work on getting a better attitude about it. It's going to take time though :\

why not buy some clothes mail order... order a few sizes and cuts try them on at home..

i often do this and have found i feel better doing it

i carry my weight on my hips.. i have great boobs and very long legs so play up my chest and legs with skinny jeans and low cut tops which skim my hips

learn to love your shape. x

When I was at my highest weight I lived in sweats as it was nearly impossible to find clothes that fit ; if they fit they were not attractive.It is a real feeling of liberation when you can go to store and buy average size clothing.

AMEN! Every step we take, every meal we plan, every victory we claim leads us one step closer to this goal. I actually broke down and cried when I shopped in the "Misses" vs. "Women's" section of the store. I STILL occasionally wander into the wrong department - old habits die hard. And I STILL have a feeling of euphoria when I try on a small and it fits beautifully. I will never buy clothes that do not fit or flatter again. Life is too short - no matter WHAT our size or shape to settle for less than the best - we deserve it!