Might have been a little OT in another thread, so I springboarded it.
I refuse to wear:
Elastic-waist pants. I'll take elastic on the sides or back, but not all the way around. My slacks must have a waistband and a fly.
Slacks with sewn-in seams down the front of the legs. Ick.
Skirted swimsuits. Mine is a tankini with a brief.
Solid black, even at a funeral, unless I pair it with white or a bright color. I refuse to abide by, "No, dear, you're too heavy to wear red. You have to wear black. It's slimming." If I wear something black, it's because I like it in that particular style, not because I'm trying to fool people into thinking I'm slimmer than I am.
Muu-muu's. These especially were the fat-woman uniform in my younger days.
Bermuda shorts. Any longer than halfway to the knee looks dorky and frumpy on me.
Mini-skirts, short-shorts, midriff tops, and bikinis. Just a matter of modesty. Even if I had "the figure" for them, I wouldn't wear them.
Except the last ones, most of this is rebellion--when I was a kid, my aunt, the only obese relative on my mother's side, always wore flowery button-down blouses paired those polyester stretch knit pants with the elastic waist, or shorts cut to bermuda length from the same type of fabric. Her swimsuit was solid black, because that was the only color a larger swimsuit came in. The relatives on my father's side I didn't know as well, but they were more prone to obesity, and the ones that were, wore the same things. Then later when I got married (I mean the first time) I noticed my obese MIL always wore muu-muus. I just won't do it, that's all.
What I wear a lot of:
Peasant skirts, knee to calf length. I've got reasonably good legs.
Vee-neck. I've got a reasonably good bust line too.
Runching, especially around the neckline and shoulders.
Greens, my favorite color, especially in forest, olive, hunter, and moss.
Corduroy.
Jacket dresses. This is my favorite dress-up mode, as for church.
Mary Janes or ballet slippers. I can't do heels. Lower spine injury.
Would anyone else like to share their taste in clothing?
I won't wear...Prints, stripes, or florals. I can't stand to wear them. Bear in mind I quilt and the majority of fabrics I buy are prints and florals. Just don't ask me to wear them.
Low cut tops. anything that shows actual cleavage it too low.
Blue jeans. Literally blue. I only own black bootcut jeans
Pastels. I prefer jewel tones. solid jewel tones, LOL. Moslty reds, greens, aqua, purple, teals, one blue sweater because Hubby likes blue.
earth tones, my mom dressed me in 'fall' colors when I was growing up. {I'm a 'clear spring'}
button down shirts. The bug me. Maybe because the sleeves are always too short???
Open button down shirts over a tee {or whatever...} I know this is very popular but it screams 'overweight and trying to hide it to me'. And then the tails flop around and bug me. I don't have a huge bust but the shirt always falls opens and gets tucked in the 'space' between my bust and my arms, defeating the purpose of it being a cover up.
Anything frilly, floppy, drapey, or that has to be adjusted in any way, like a silky scarf or ruffles on a shirt. Not going to happen.
Skirts. I do own some, however its been almost two years since I've worn one. Pants are so much easier.
Yellow. I look sick in yellow.
Dresses. I carry my weight around my middle. dresses don't hide that very much. Shirts and pants. shirt is never tucked in
do wear....I have a 'uniform' look that I prefer. Dark pants {fear of sitting in something and walking around with a stained butt} Bright shirts and jackets. I actually prefer sweaters to jackets. I have a very small closet, so have developed a 'capsule' wardrobe in mostly 'classic' styles. Frankly, it just makes things easier. I bought a few pantsuits this fall, black, brown, navy. They appeal to the organized side of me. The pants must have pockets. If I find something I like, I've been known to buy two or three of them in different colors.
I like to wear dramatic jewelry so I think of my solids as a backdrop.
Before, I did not wear:
Dresses - Not so good at hiding the belly
Skirts or pants that were shorter than the ankle - I had (still have, really) giant calves
Heels - ouchie with so much weight.
Now there's very little I don't wear, except turtlenecks (they're uncomfortable for me). And I am learning to love a cute dress!
My list has changed too. Before, there wasn't much I WOULD wear except capris and long sleeve hoodies zipped up halfway w/a tank and flip flops. So elegant! lol I am wearing that exact thing in my DL photo. No skinny jeans, no minis, definitely no shorts, not even bermuda shorts. It had to be cargo capris so I could convert that same look into winter, lol. Dresses were a NIGHTMARE. The cut was almost always wrong for me b/c I am small up top and finding what fit in the hips/waist ALWAYS hung on me up top so wrong.
Now I wear most anything except those things I hid behind before like empire waist tops. I won't say I refuse to wear one, but I don't migrate toward them like before. One of THE first items on my list to buy after losing a good deal of weight was skinny jeans! I still wear hoodies, I just really like them and they are comfortable. I have calmed down on my capri wardrobe. I still don't feel completely comfortable in sleeveless tops/dresses, skin tight tees, mini skirt with all bare legs and bikini so those I still stay away from.
Lovebirds, you can wear a mini with footless leggings! That is what I do and it is a pretty cute look on everybody and modest. Granted it is not one of the teeny minis but it is a few inches above the knee. I am 35 so I guess age is a factor here as to why I pair the skirt with leggings.
Elastic waistbands helped me become obese. I went from maternity pants to plus size elastic pants, then I gained 20 pounds and then the elastic gave out. And then I went out and got more elastic waistband pants in a new size. And then the same thing happened.
Forget that. From now on it's real waistbands for me. ANd if I gain 7 pounds and get muffin top, that's a message I can't deny!
I don't like skirted swimsuits either. I like Tanks and short bottoms (they're like men's trunks but cute).
I don't wear shorts at all. I either wear capris or pants or a skirt. Shorts just look dumb on everyone over 18 as far as I can tell (and my legs are pasty).
What I do wear:
Dress pants in black or brown or dressy-boot cut jeans (size 14 yay)
Surplice-cut tops with a well defined empire or natural waist
"camp shirts" are my new thing - they don't look like camping at all, very tiny looking short sleeve tailored blouses that are sooo flattering. I LOVE these shirts, I feel so sexy in them.
I have blazers and cardigans in bright and subdued colors that I wear over these shirts--the heating/cooling systems are wacky at school and with my weight loss I am always cold, except for when I'm too hot. As well, I've decided to buy short sleeve shirts in colors that can be worn at least 3 seasons, it has expanded my wardrobe a lot.
Also, with losing (uh, 50+ after my Christmas blip) pounds, I have found that I am much more daring about what I will wear...especially short sleeves.
I will not wear...
- Stretch jeans. No. I like my jeans to fit basically the same whether they've been on for five minutes or five hours.
- Spaghetti straps. I've got monster boobs (genetics + 4 pregnancies + breastfeeding). I look like a trashy, cheap hooker in them.
- Turtle necks, or anything with a neck-line that hits at or above my clavicle. I don't like the consistent choking feeling. There is ONE exception (see below)
- Colored pants. They remind me of my grandma.
- Skinny jeans. I wouldn't even wear these when I was thin. It just doesn't look good.
- Skirts that go past the knee. Not sure why, these just don't look right.
- Anything made of a stretchy "poly-cotton blend." They cling in all the wrong places.
- Anything pink or yellow.
What I will wear
- Heavy, structured jeans.
- Heavy cotton dress pants.
- Flared cotton dresses and skirts.
- Tunic shirts, especially the almost-dress-length silk one I'm wearing now. It feels like love on my skin.
- The exception to the collar rule - Mandarin collars. I <3 <3 <3 them.
- Sleeveless dresses and shirts.
- Anything gray scale, blue, red, purple or green.
-Spaghetti strap tops/dresses without a sweater over top - My bra is part of my underwear, I don't want people seeing that any more than I would want someone to see my chonies out my pants.
-Skinny jeans - I hate this fashion trend and will never put them on, gross!
-Short shorts/skirts - I think my thighs look funny. (I know they look like everyone else's, but I think they look weird.)
-Slip on shoes, including new ones that show toe cleavage - I don't like this trend either, gross!
-Turtlenecks - I have a problem with something being on my neck all day... blah
-Leggings - Who said these could be worn as pants outside of the 80's era???
I Do Wear:
-Bootcut jeans - They help to balance out my rear end.
-Tank tops - My arms look so much better now! Besides, they cover my bra adequately.
-Bermuda shorts - I LOVE these, it gives me the coolness of shorts, without the being uncomfortable about my thighs.
-Knee length skirts/dresses - Again with the thigh thing. (I should really get over this, huh?)
-Flip flops - Born and raised in SoCal, these are a staple! I have over 20 pairs!
-Heels - If I want to feel pretty, all I have to do is put on heels with jeans and a nice top.
-Cami's - Without these, how could I wear t-shirts in "winter" and not be chilly? Also great under button down shirts when I'm not in the mood to feel constricted.
-Pullover hoodies - The easiest thing to wear anytime.
Oh, I could go on and on... but I'll leave it at that.
Don't Wear
Sleeveless tops/blouses
Sweatpants
Straight leg capris
Horizontal stripes
Turtlenecks
Long skirts or dresses (past the knee)
Do Wear
High wasted skirts
Wrap dresses, belted dresses
A line skirts, circle skirts
Light weight blouses, low cut necklines to accentuate my chest (not my breasts)
V necks
Long cardis
Structured blazers
Heels- almost always! (at least 3+ in)
I had stopped layering these past few years because layers feel bulky. But I've pulled out some of the old sweatshirts and they feel wonderful over my long-sleeved t-shirts. Not bulky at all!
Skinny jeans - (I don't like them on anyone outside of emo boys and girls with Uggs - of which I am neither).
Uhh, that might be it for what I wouldn't wear. LOL!
Frequently wear/love:
Dresses - (I love short, summery dresses...can't get enough of them!)
Strapless tops and dresses - (this is something I could NEVER pull off in my life. Now that I can, I wear them frequently!). Talk about SEXAY!
Bright colors (I've always loved bright colors so this isn't something new).
Size 10 jeans! - (LOL!)
Heels - (I thought I just had bad knees but it turns out the weight was making my knees hurt in heels. I can wear them now and I love it!).
Bikini - (Yup, I do it and I love it. I do still feel shy/nervous in it, but I will most definitely wear it to a pool or beach).
Tights - (Great with winter dresses and short skirts...cute, cute, cute!)
I do appreciate that it is easier to find trendier clothes in larger sizes than it used to be. With that being said, I will NEVER wear the following:
Elastic waist pants
Sweatshirts or sweaters with any sort of decoration on them -for some reason older relatives seem to think that because my weight is similar to thiers, my clothing style must be - nope!
Bold Prints or Bright Colors - especially anywhere near my hips
Anything with a bow on it
Lace (other than on the undies/bra)
Skirts or dresses that go below my knee - even thin, I am still 5'2" whether I am overweight or not
Anything that someone my age (30) who is not overweight would not wear, i.e. my clothes have to fit the age I am. I won't wear clothes for someone much older than I
Anything that doesn't 100% fit and flatter (to the best of my ability) regardless of the trend or whether it fit when I bought it
Shoes that look like I have an orthotic in them - this one is very hard!
Swimming suit with a skirt - I have a swimdress - VERY different. (Please let me hang onto that one! LOL!)
That leaves me with:
Solid color tops and bottoms with minor color accents especially near the top. My fav lately is solid color shirts that have a style feature in the design of the shirt - tops with a twisty neckline, ruching, etc.
Cardigans
Camis and tanks under other shirts
Thank goodness long shirts are "in" unlike several years ago!
Boot cut, dark jeans in the best washes I can find
Jewelry
Great hair cut
Makeup
Cute purses - love the knockoffs!
What I will not wear, ever: -Pants.. any kind of them. Well, except pajama pants in the house. Other than that, I HATE pants... they're so constricting and do not fit in with the rest of my fashion sense.
-Anything in the color brown or green. Brown because I simply dislike it in apparel and green because it does my pink undertoned skin no justice.
-Skirts that are just one straight-down piece of fabric. I like my skirts with flair.
-Turtlenecks.
-Poofy shiny marshmellow coats. Hate hate hate those.
-Spaghetti straps.
-Sneakers or flipflops.
What I love to wear:
-Skirts.. mini skirts, kneelength skirts, full length skirts, I love skirts. As long as they're full skirts or can be worn with a petticoat. I like skirts in cute prints, and/or with frills, lace and bows. Pleated skirts, dirndl skirts, gathered skirts, etc. It's all about skirts for me.
-Dresses.. that are skirted like I described above.
-Checks, plaid, stripes (either horizontal or vertical though pinstripes are a favorite), polka dots, novelty prints like pawprints, cherries, stars, etc., florals (not the big obnoxious flowers in ugly colors that are thought of when florals are mentioned; I like cute little flowers on my floral prints), etc.
-Dark red, navy blue, gray, white, black, dark purple, cream/offwhite, soft pink, etc.
-Knee-high boots or classy, pretty sandals.
-Boleros or shrugs with my tank tops and corsets.
-Fitted coats/jackets with buttons instead of zippers.
Clothing I will and won't wear
