Clothes and fashion

[crimsoncorundum]

This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Fashion. Clothes. Body image.

 

In the past five years or so I’ve put on several extra kilos. Also, since the C-section, my body looks different. My abdomen sort of lost whatever shape it had before my pregnancy.

 

After that a chronic condition hit me and I put on so much weight in only three weeks or less (I have photos to prove it) that I couldn’t wear jeans. And I had only just managed to get them on after I had the twins. I can wear jeans now, fortunately.

 

Then on top of that the pandemic. No more long walks, but instead chocolate, ice cream, cheesecakes, mousses… 

 

So extra weight on a flawed body.

 

That got me thinking about fashion. Clothes. Most fashionable clothes are ugly rags, meant for young, fit, perfect bodies. And when I say young I don’t mean late twenties or early thirties. Teens, early twenties. They must buy these clothes to make statements. ”Look, I’m young, fit, perfect. I can afford to buy this fashion.”

 

It occurred to me that I want reasonably priced clothes that are cleverly tailored garments meant to flatter even less perfect bodies. In my colors. 

 

Lately I’ve looked through my wardrobe and found that much in it doesn’t suit me. At least some do. 

 

And I’ve studied people around me. What do they wear? What might I wear to look a little better?

 

I learned to be brave. Let some of my defects show. Many women or young girls look like me. In my worst moments I refer to myself as a walking sofa cushion. Well, if I look like that, many others do too.

 

So what do I have that helps me look better?

 

Some examples: 

 

A pair of slightly too small indigo blue yoga leggings. They’re actually better than expensive shapewear. 

 

A really pretty blue dress, with a flower pattern and a detail that cleverly hides my defects to some extent.

 

A denim blouse that covers my arms in short-sleeved or sleeve-less tops. 

 

An emerald, A-line, workout top that has an asymmetrical hem (?). It’s so pretty it can be worn as an ordinary t-shirt. It’s also cool during a heatwave. 

Comments

[rusty_armour]

If it makes you feel any better, I think we've all put on weight since the pandemic started. I know I certainly have.

I think you're right about the way in which so much fashion is aimed at really young people. It can sometimes be a challenge to find age-appropriate clothing that is flattering. Many of us try to hide our imperfections with clothing, so I can relate to your choice of favourite outfits.