Shopping for clothes that fit and flatter can be a challenge for everyone, but it’s especially difficult if you’re fat. And it’s even harder if you’re disproportionately fat, like me.
I’m small-framed and petite with a very small chest, but I also have very fat arms, a large stomach, and wide hips. (I’ve already lamented how hard it is to find boots when you have large, muscular calves and feet the size of a 10 year old!) Forget about dress shirts – I would need a medium on top to fit my chest, except then the arms wouldn’t fit, and I’d need an XL (at least) to go across my hips. (Yes, I know Stacy and Clinton would advise me to just get everything tailored.)
So what’s my latest fashion secret? I’ll give you a hint: its features tops made to fit women who are quite large around the middle. That’s right: maternity tops!
Go into a store like Target and take a look at what’s available for plus sizes versus maternity. No question about it, pregnant women are allowed to dress in cute, fashionable clothing. Fat women are supposed to look like they walked out of 1986 wearing a much bigger and older person’s wardrobe. Despite what clothing manufacturers think, fat women do want tailored, fitted clothes in modern prints made with modern materials. Crazy, I know.
The other day I was wandering around a big department store, and ended up in the plus-size section, which was full of the usual oversized, boxy, matronly tops. Then I stumbled into the maternity section, which was full of cute tunics that would go perfect with leggings and boots (my favorite look for winter). I tried a few on, and what do you know? They were adorable! They fit perfectly across my chest and shoulders, and were wide enough to go over my hips. Brilliant.
Here at BFD, we keep coming up with some suggestions for how to live a healthy, full life. So far we’ve got “everything in moderation” and the 80/20 rule. Let’s add to that “find what works for you.” That applies to what you eat, how and when you move your body, and what clothes you wear. You don’t have to force yourself to live by diet and exercise rules that make you unhappy, and you sure don’t have to play by clothing rules. Find the styles and sizes that fit and flatter you, and forget about the department or the label.
Here’s my new favorite outfit. (Pardon the mobile-in-a-bathroom photo.) Cardigan, leggings, socks, motorcycle boots, scarf… and maternity top. You wouldn’t know if I didn’t tell you, right?
What are some of your fashion secrets?
