Hmmmm. I don’t really have one these days. I had a kid, became a SAHM, and gained more weight than I ever thought possible. This has led to a situation where I don’t have to dress up – so I don’t. I also don’t fit into most fashionable brands as they stop at size L, so they’re all out. So now my fashion sense is basically sweat pants, athletic pants, or jeans with some stretch, runners or canvas shoes (flip flops in summer), t-shirts or tank tops and hoodies. Occasionally a nice sweater or button down shirt if I’m really making an effort. I’ve just become so depressed at the state of clothes for larger people that I now try not to think about it at all and avoid mirrors. I know I should work on body positivity and health over looks, but it’s so ingrained in me to equate appearance and value that I find it really, really hard.
Back in the day when I didn’t weigh a lot more than I’d like to, I tended to favour jeans, skate shoes or converse, graphic tees, cosy hoodies. If I had to work I’d try to get clothes that were acceptable for a professional setting but not totally business – like volcom cotton slacks or slightly edgy print button down shirts or whatever. I have always liked simplicity and comfort, preferably bordering on unisex, and definitely nothing that might accidentally share with the world the colour of underwear I had chosen to wear that morning. I’ve had phases where I’ve worn dresses and skirts, but usually when I was feeling uncertain about my identity or pressured by others in my social circle. I’ve never liked them much. And I detest high heels to the point where I never plan to wear them again.
I do love bright nail colours – I don’t wear them much these days, but I used to always have my nails painted – I like large silver earrings and lots of them, likewise rings, and necklaces. But I don’t wear much jewelry these days. I also used to be fascinated by make up – not so much for the prettiness of it as the creativity and skill with which it could be applied. I don’t wear it every day now, but I do wear it when I want to be a bit more presentable. These are the only “girly” things I really enjoy, but even then I prefer slightly edgy.
I admire the girls who can pull off pretty dresses, flawless lipstick, strappy sandles, or pin-up-girl chic. I particularly love seeing a larger girl who has obviously put a lot of time and effort into finding plus size dresses and outfits that are colourful, fun, full of personality and refuse to be clad in the typical boring plus sized monotones and drab fabrics. I love seeing that so, so much. But I have neither the time, motivation or money to figure out how to do this, plus I don’t like where the weight sits on me (stomach rather than bum and boobs, so harder to make things fit). But I will forever love that particular style.
So, basically, I am not really a fashion person. What about you guys? Anyone else out there who’s at a sartorial loss? Anyone else who hasn’t quite figured out how to navigate a suddenly expanded self with confidence or style? I’d love to hear about a particular accessory or thing that is your trademark (like coloured nails or big earrings, or high heals or winged eyeliner or fancy glasses frames – whatever it is that’s uniquely your thing), so please feel free to share in the comments!
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You sound like my late lamented mother during the ten years she was disabled by thyroid disease. Pregnancy can lower thyroid metabolism drastically. Diet and exercise don’t work for thyroid patients the way they do for other people, yet diet and exercise are what work for some thyroid patients. Mother was one of them. I hope you can be, too, in time to stay ahead of the kids.
Yeah, I have a bunch of medical issues and they tend to work against one another. Luckily thyroid seems to be okay, at least for now (my doctor was also concerned about it and tests it regularly), but I’ve known some people with thyroid issues and it’s not a fun situation. I’m sorry your mom had to deal with that!
I’m afraid I don’t have anything in the way of helpful suggestions; my fashion sense tends towards simple, functional, and dark. (Though I do have a few brightly-colored shirts so I can coordinate when I dye my hair.)
Dude, you pretty much captured my fashion sense, though I haven’t dyed my hair in a while! I do hope to one day try bright red and silver-blue. I don’t think it would go over well, but at a certain point I will cease to care! In the mean time, simple, functional, dark and preferably soft are my go-tos!
Your style and sense of fashion seems comfortable to me, and thats what I always go for. Comfort over style any day. 🙂
Right? I don’t get the inverse, personally!
I don’t like wearing dresses or skirts either. You are not alone there!
You don’t have to share where you live if that makes you uncomfortable, but I have a few plus-sized friends who have a lot of luck finding inexpensive, fashionable clothing at Old Navy. At least here in Toronto, they have regular sales, have every size available for just about everything they sell unless a particular item sells out really fast, and their sizes run large in general. I tend to fit best into about one and sometimes two sizes smaller there than I would in other stores.
(Of course, for all I know, you already shop there. 🙂 But I thought you might be interested if you don’t).
Thank you! I am in BC, so we do have Old Navy here. I’m still avoiding stores (covid is a thing for me due to medical issues, unfortunately) and honestly I don’t mind skipping clothes shopping since it was not that fun anyway! I used to find some great stuff at Old Navy – particularly in the US as their sizing was bigger at the time. I did find though that I had to try things on, because their clothes would have varied fits and not all items of a particular size would be comfortable. But I got some of my favourite tank tops and skirts there, and they lasted me for years! I will have to get back to them when I’m ready to head back to the mall! Right now I tend to get stuff from Mark’s online shop as they have a few brands that fit comfortably (Denver Hayes and Shambhala are my favourites), and that’s getting me by mostly comfortably, if not always at the peak of style! 😉