https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:28:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081800 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 22:14:43 +0000 Suz 2081800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! <b>Kari,</b> in particular, has given great advice.&nbsp;</p> <p>One of our forum members, <b>Toban</b>, gave great wardrobe advice to those who'd recently lost a fair bit of weight. You might want to adapt her process of wardrobe building for your own situation --it's not really about body shape/ size, but <u>how to build a working wardrobe when you are essentially starting from scratch and only have limited funds.&nbsp;</u></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-during-weight-transitions">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ransitions</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081786 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 21:14:04 +0000 BrieN 2081786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi and welcome to the forum! You've gotten some great advice so far. I'll chime in and suggest that you get a good handle on your body type. Angie wrote a refresher&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2009/03/11/refresher-identifying-your-body-type/">https://youlookfab.com/2009/03.....body-type/</a>&nbsp;a while ago, so there may be longer version elsewhere in the site.&nbsp; Moreover, she also has an <u>incredibly helpful</u> list of suggested clothing styles for each body type. The list for my body type completely changed how I shop and dress myself.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081751 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 19:31:35 +0000 MsMary 2081751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Talbots has petite sizes up to 16, which can be hard to find. I'd suggest checking them out. Also agree with everything Kari said! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081675 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:27:12 +0000 Helena 2081675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome! All I can add is, stick around here - you're bound to get great advice and inspiration that will help you love and dress the body you're in now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081674 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:18:48 +0000 Bijou 2081674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to the forum. I have been participating on YLF for quite a few years now and have found the feedback on posting WIWs has really helped improve my style and my self confidence. </p> <p>I try to focus on what I like about myself and my wardrobe, rather than get depressed that I looked much better 10 years ago! The women on this forum are proof that style, beauty and elegance is achievable at any size or age. Most of the best dressed are amazing thrifters too!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081653 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:59:30 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2081653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi, and welcome.<br /> You’ve gotten good responses—Kari’s post sounds great, but when you pair it with her WIWs, it is truly excellent. She apparently follows her own advice, and she looks fantastic time after time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081649 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:51:41 +0000 April 2081649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, welcome Stephanie.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Body changes can be so disconcerting.&nbsp; You'll find lots of support and helpful guidance here - you've come to the right place.&nbsp; And I see that our Kari has already started you off in her typical wise and generous fashion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Jacket lengths are longer right now, and I would suggest one in a waist-defining style -- see example below.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081644 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 11:31:04 +0000 kkards 2081644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>no advice, but just wanted to say Welcome to YLF </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081601 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:25:58 +0000 Kari 2081601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can very much relate. I’m a bit heavier and taller than you so we might be similarly proportioned. And my body fluctuates a lot. </p> <p>What works for me personally, both in terms of style and mental health:<br /> • Focus on fit, and quality rather than quantity. I start at the bra because that’s the most expensive and fit-critical item. I get re-fitted when I fluctuate, or once a year if I don’t. I get items tailored if needed - I.e. size up and alter a waistband down if needed, to fit the biggest parts of me.<br /> • Don’t bemoan my body for changing or not fitting old clothes, or not fitting certain brands. It isn’t worth spending time hating my body for things I can’t change. And it is not my fault that many manufacturers choose not to make clothes in my size.<br /> • If possible, try not to settle for “it’s okay because it fits” but buy pieces that make me feel great.<br /> • Look for size-inclusive brands. I rave about Universal Standard, which is well made, sizes 00-40 with many pieces also offered in petites, and has stellar customer service. There are other size-inclusive brands too; I haven’t dipped into Lane Bryant or Torrid as much, but I know folks who love their clothing; Eloquii has a lot of fashion forward pieces; ASOS Curve is their plus-sized line. Nordstrom recently discontinued my favorite plus size line, Sejour, but I’ve seen many of their pieces on EBay. In general if you’re in the xl-xxl or range (or straight size up to 1x-2x) Nordstrom has some “regular” items that they offer in extended sizes, but it seems like they are offering way less in 2x-3x (never mind above) than they used to.<br /> • Focus on body parts that I love. And maybe find ways to love the parts that I don’t. This year, I’ve done a lot of physical therapy that impacted my core muscles, and I’ve been focusing on loving my abdomen. I know those muscles have worked hard this year and have made me stronger, whether they are covered in fluff or not. I’ve even gone running a few times in leggings and a sports bra and no top on very hot days, or wearing two-piece suits, which is something I didn’t think I’d ever do.<br /> • For my own journey and preferences, I do not do intentional weight loss. I know that’s not something that works for everybody, but it’s important for me (both for mental well being, as well as that it simply does not work long term.) I embrace Health at Every Size (HAES) and finding ways to enjoy, nourish, and move my body as is, not out of desire to change it.<br /> • Seek out fat, plus sized, fat-positive folks on social media to follow. There are quite a few on Instagram that I love! Often I’ll see someone wearing a piece or styled in a way that I ruled out for myself, and I keep realizing that I don’t need to do that.<br /> Part of the reason I am seeking out larger bodied folks specifically is to boost visibility for bodies that are not centered in fashion; part of it is that it’s great to see folks who look more like me than like runway models and are rocking amazing styles; and part of it is a mental discipline of normalizing many different sizes and shapes of bodies as beautiful and stylish - trying to retrain my mind after decades of having “beauty = thin” drilled into me by just about every form of media. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081591 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:50:26 +0000 rachylou 2081591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Sal. Good fit makes the difference for everyone. Otherwise, the field is wide open. Oh, it just occurs to me Angie always says start with a bra fitting. The right underpinnings make a big difference in how things fit. Weight changes often mean a change in bra size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081588 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:32:19 +0000 Sal 2081588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to the forum.</p> <p>My first advice is to make sure your clothes fit as well as they can - you don't need a huge collection but wearing clothes that are too loose or too tight often is uncomfortable and unflattering.</p> <p>I always like column of colour for a flattering look, or close (such as a dark patterned top with dark pants).&nbsp; Then a jacket or topper over.&nbsp; That is my go to look often.</p> <p>Hope others come up with different ideas! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dressing-for-recent-weight-gain#post-2081585 Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:25:14 +0000 sc6051 2081585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi there!&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm new to this forum and I'm really looking for a bit of advice. I've put on a lot of weight recently (past 3-4 months about 50 pounds) and I'm looking for some style inspirations for my new wardrobe. I am 5'1" and 195 lbs. Thanks for your ideas!</p> <p>Best,<br />Stephanie </p>