Large weight loss and large panni ... fashion

This is a topic I haven't seen posted anywhere (that I remember).  As I lose weight and seem to morph into a new shape (ever growing panni area in comparison to rest of body), I'm looking for some fashion advice.  I'm finding that I don't know what styles are most flattering to help minimize the panni area.  Does anyone have any do's and don'ts advice?  When I was a 6x, fashion really wasn't an issue and now I feel pretty ignorant.   Right now I'm in the 2x/3x neighborhood.

Thanks!
Dawn

That area seems to be the biggest burden for me too.  Before, a shapeless, oversized shirt and slacks seemed to be great, or an empire waist dress or shirt.  Now I steer away from those things because they seem to emphasize the panni more.

I've got an hour glass shape and kept it throughout my weight gain.  You just couldn't tell if you looked at me from the side because of the huge gut area.  I'm 5'7".  My bra size is 40D, waist is 42, and hips are 53.  When I look at the size charts, they said I should be wearing a larger size, but they don't fit.

Now, I don't wear oversized shirts at all.  I find I am gravitating to very close fitting clothes on the top half and am struggling to find the pants with the wider legs to balance out my whole bottom half.  I'm in a size 18 shirt (14-16 if it's a t-shirt) and a size 20 pants.    Stay away from anything that slims out on the bottom. 

I try EVERYTHING on now and I hate it because I never used to try on clothes.  I do wear a lot of skirts because they hide a multitude of sins, and in skirts, I stay away from anything past just below the knees and I've been lucky with the style this season that  hit right at the knee.

I was wearing spanx, but they are so expensive and wearout quickly.  Now I've switched to wearing the panties with some control in them.  I find them at Bealls outlet, Ross, TJ Maxx for about $3,00 a pair and they really work.  There is rarely a day that I don't wear some kind of control top panty.  It helps to wrangle that panni in and make it look better.

Let me know how you are shaped, hourglass, apple, pear, H-shape, and how tall you are.  That will help.

I'm 5'6"  and I'm now considering myself more of an apple.  But I don't have skinny legs.  And I"m a 42B/C on top - so much for cleavage...lol.  It's really crazy how I never know what size I am (depending on the store) and how something will look. 

I think I'll have to try some of those control panties.  I agree about the cost of Spanx until getting to a stable weight.  Back to TJ Maxx to return the top I bought last weekend.  In hindsight I think it is too short and will emphasize the panni.  I'll pick up some control panties in exchange.

Thx!!

I still think empire waists are most flattering because the emphasize the smallest part of you - under the boobs.  I have a hard time finding things that fit my shoulders and chest but aren't too tight on the belly - empire styles works best for me and they are fashionable right now anyway.  The best thing is that they are usually long waisted, so they cover the butt and panni more. 

As far as undergarments, a good bra and controlling underwear are my staples.  I will buy spanx and/or other girdles once I stop changing sizes probably or when I have to dress up in the fall, but right now its not practical.  They are pricey and warm. 

I go for longer shirts and generally avoid shorter shirts unless I've got good controlling bottoms on.  I also prefer a 3/4 length sleeve to cover the arm flab but that's not always practical.  

Good luck! 

I also prefer 3/4 length to cover the bat wings.  And honestly, I always wore long shirts because I was big.  I guess I'm just going to have to go try on a bunch of clothes and see what looks best.  I guess I could have my husband snap pix on the cell phone so I can see myself.  I'm married to a man that doesn't think anything looks bad on me.  Not too objective :)

Maybe some of the fashions from the late 80's will come back.  I seem to remember wearing lots of long blouses.  Maybe the big hair too...lol.

Thanks for the suggestions...

-Dawn

Ohhhh...I loved shoulder pads.  The bigger the better.  I looked like a linebacker coming down the halls.

I seem to have this problem to.
to get my shirts long enough they hang off my shoulders and show my bra straps.
i was so big that i wore nightshirts for shirts and now they hang to my knees..

i havent had a dress on in 15yrs cause of my leg i didnt care what i looked like,now i primp and i do care...
buticant find shirts that fit right my pants are not an issue...

Yea, forgot about the bra strap issue too.  I as hoping to find a long skirt for summer / work.  That way I could be cool, comfortable and spare the world from my luminously, white legs!

I too started at about a 6X and was just looking for ANYTHING that fit.  The more of it, the better.  (Omar the Tent-maker was my tailor)  After I had lost my first 100 pounds, I met a friend from out of town for dinner.  I thought I was looking pretty good in my "closet-shopping" jeans.  She just shook her head and said, "Girl, we need to go shopping NOW!"  By the end of the night, I had new bras, underwear, and jeans and looked like I'd lost another 50 pounds.

Some "What Not to Wear" advice:

SIZE tags mean nothing.  I believe they are put in like those window stickers on cars for "suggested" retail price...you have to bargain from there.

1.  Go to LB or another store and have someone fit you for a good bra.  Buy one or two.  Get the girls up where they belong.

2.  Pants-NO pleats.  Pleats make the stomach area look bigger.  Look for wider leg pants that create a line from hip to ground.  I like boot cut. 

3.  Depending on how big your panni is, supportive underwear may work as well as a more "girdle-like" contraption.  I wear Just My Size tummy control panties and they contain my panni just fine.  Play around with the size to get the best compaction but nothing slipping out around the leg openings....

4.  Don't buy oversized tops-they make you look bigger.  If you buy something that is a tunic and "floats" away from the hips, make sure it fits the shoulder area.  (The seam should sit at the top of your shoulder before it starts down your arm.)

5.  A light control camisole under tops also works wonders---cheap can be found at Penney's, Walmart, Avenue, LB, etc.

6.  Jackets and blouses that have A-line seaming nip in at the waist and emphasize your smaller part--works really well for those of us with "hourglass-ish" shapes.

Remember wherever your body decides to stop losing weight, it will then begin to shift things around.  I think that's why most PS want people to wait a year at a stable weight before they have surgery.

Thanks!  That's a great list.  In some ways it sure was easier being a 6x.  Pants with a big, ol' shirt.   Course, if I get the girls up and away from the panni, maybe that alone will help the panni look smaller.  lol.

-dawn