Changing clothing styles with weight changes

Before weight gain I was a very outlandish dresser- attention grabbing, bright, flirty, romantic and very individual.  Then I gained weight and became a mum.  My clothes became practical, easy, wash and wear, 'hide me' blend into the crowd type clothes... preferably CHEAP clothes. Clothes that didn't make me feel beautiful, special, elegant or fashionable.- but clothes that were functional.

I have just started to realise that my style hasn't changed much since I lost weight.

I always thought I'd be running in to buy those cute attention grabbing clothes again, but now I realise I am pretty well wearing the same clothing style as before just in a smaller size.  I find myself buying the bottom/hip hiding styles, the plain simple styles, nothing too pretty or flirty, definately not revealing, things on the sales racks.... bit sad really but the best way to describe my style is a bit 'mumsy'.

Have you? will you? would you change your style?

and if so... from what to what?

I am thinking about redefining myself, but don't even quite know where to start. All I know is despite that fact that the label size is smaller I don't like my clothes any better than before.

Em

Ya know Em, this for me was a question of worth.  When I was morbidly obese, I would spend a fortune on my husband's clothes, but I wouldn't spend a lot on mine because in my head...I was too fat to deserve nice clothes.  I always told myself that when I was thin, then I would spend a fortune on clothes.  Obviously, it took me a while to figure out that I had self worth issues. But once I got to the point that I was ready for plastic surgery, I decided to wait until all of that was finished, but that was a practical matter.  I knew I wasn't going to wear a size H bra anymore, but I didn't know what I was going to end up wearing.  So I waited.  Now I'm out having a high old time spending all of the money that DH put into an account for my after plastics account. So not only have I changed my style, I've changed what's going on in my head.  Now I know that no matter what I weigh, I deserve the best.  So I've gone from frumpy and matronly, to comfortable but chic.  Right now, I seem to be into tunics with skinny pants.  Pretty cool for a fifty year old broad! So if you want to redefine your style, you have to consider what your body shape is now, and wear clothes to compliment it.  But you is so skinny now, that you can get away with wearing anything you want.  Sooooo not fair...but it doesn't stop me from being thrilled for you!  Oooh, I can't wait to see what your style turns out to be.  Hey, maybe punk??? Mary

I think at the moment I am at the stage you mentioned:

But once I got to the point that I was ready for plastic surgery, I decided to wait until all of that was finished, but that was a practical matter.  I knew I wasn't going to wear a size H bra anymore, but I didn't know what I was going to end up wearing.  So I waited. 

I am getting really annoyed- all the autumn clothes are out and I can't buy them because I have surgery in 2 1/2 months.  I have waited a long time and now I am getting impatient.  But maybe, just maybe I can use the time to work out a style I like?  Whatever style it is it needs to kick 'mumsy' out at least some of the time.

Tunics and skinny pants?  Bet that makes you look fab.

Em

  

For me, there has not been a before and after weight thing. For me, it was a coming of age.  I am now 50, so I do not seek to feel younger, but want to look my age with class. Some time ago. I decided, with the love of my DH-to-be, sexy was my best bet. I do try to feel special, or i do not buy. No plunging necklines, either, just enough.

Not to say i was or am - a floozy, but I forego the blousy look.   For awhile now, fatter or thinner, i wear clothes that form to my body. Not tightly, not too loose. I look for tailored clothes.  I do not seek to be the next female Elvis; I look for colors that are muted, not showy. Sherbert-y, not neon. I still avoid waist bands per se, love the Briggs waist, gathered, not buttoned.  Cannot buy pants that are too far off of black, brown, blue. and slim fit. Just me.  I feel too conspicuous in prints of any kind on my pants.  Also almost never buy short sleeved shirts - just cannot do it. 3/4 length or long sleeve or sleeveless. Skirt to the knee, no higher. heels comfort important but not *real* practical. Shoes to me, make or break an outfit.

Your style sounds classic and elegant. It's interesting that you have stayed same style as weight has changed. I tend to wear alot of blue, pink and mauves.  The current season here is berry tones with charcol... I wish I could buy some!

Wondering, do you ever buy something 'left of field' for a fun piece? I sometimes see the odd piece that is a real statement and think 'oooooohhhh....' but never seem to think "I" could wear it.

Shoes... after nearly 37 years I am finally starting to 'get' shoes.  I don't have many pairs and couldn't understand the appeal.  But I have started to find an appeal lately- the appeal is that shoes are easier to fit into no matter what the body is up to.  I have never worn heel alot, but do have a few smaller heeled shoes as recent buys.  My goal for this winter is a pair of boots that don't make my calves look like bottle trees.

Em

My wild side is most visible in my shoes!  i have orange, pink, lime green, blue, red, purple shoes! AND last year for my 50th, i bought a very flashy belt - lotsa rhinestones. I also love accessories:  have my share of again, rhinestones, pretty flashy stuff.  I do have one Ann Klein leopard print jacket. Some shirts, usually not flashy colors do have rhinestones or other glitters on it.

i have gotten lots more flashy in those ways. As a young person, i was more a hippie - men's work shirts, jeans, braless looks in tanks.

Hey Em- I wish I could offer you some practical advice but I am not really at that loser's point yet! Redefining myself, style-wise, is something I daydream about a lot though. I am always saying I will do something funny with my style once I actually have a choice. Like, "I am going to wear skinny jeans and a flannel shirt EVERY DAY" or "I'm only going to dress in neon" or something like that. As it is now, I probably dress a lot like you BEFORE. I wonder how things will actually pan out when I've lost more?! I don't know...

My 'dream' was buying clothes off the rack.  But the weird bit is I now realise that very few people actually fit off the rack as off the rack varies so much from brand to brand. I did have a vision of knee length skirts, and shorts!  But so far I haven't bought any.

Em

 

Oh.. I intend to CHANGE!  Definitely!  I'll never be wearing what I wore in the 80's and personally, at 45 years old, I really don't want to, but I haven't worn a leather jacket in 10 years and I already have my eye on one.  I got my eye on a gorgeous leather outfit my daughter brought back from Italy, and I may never get down to THAT size (9), but it offers motivation.  I can't remember the last time I put on a pair of Lee's and I haven't even put on my pearls because I hate the way they felt around my fat neck.  I went into Wilson's for gloves and floated around the room on the scent of leather.... mmmmmmmmm.. yea..  I'll be changing.. hopefully as close to the old "Lori" that this old lady can get away with!

I never got my leather jacket as a younger gal.  Maybe that's a thought... mmm  that's a GREAT thought Lori!

Jewellery was a weird thing- get this- now I am too thin (God I never thought I'd say that) to buy rings off the shelf.  My hubby had to buy me a whole new wedding set because mine couldn't be altered due to the design (Oh dear how sad...).

I think I DO want to change, I want to be more 'out there' in my style.  I want to take risks.

I remember you talking about those leather pants/ or was it a skirt?  Keep going, they sound like a great motivation.

Em